Title: Sword-Dancer
Author: Jennifer Roberson
First published September 1, 1986
286 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780886773762 (ISBN10: 0886773768)
Rating: 3.99
Overview
When Emily transfers to Southpointe High for her senior year, she’s looking for a fresh start. The last thing she wants is to get involved with someone like Dylan Monroe, a guy whose name is synonymous with chaos.
He’s got a reputation that precedes him, and lives in a world of violence and uncertainty. Emily’s upbringing was sheltered, and she’s always played it safe.
But when she meets Dylan, all bets are off. He’s everything she should avoid if she wants to make it out of this town with her future intact.
But staying away from Dylan is easier said than done. Emily and Dylan are about to find out that love can be the thing that tears them apart.
About the Author
Jennifer Roberson is a prolific fantasy author with over four decades of experience under her belt. She’s well-known for creating four distinct fantasy series, including the Sword-Dancer Saga, Chronicles of the Cheysuli, the Karavans universe, and the urban fantasy series Blood & Bone.
In addition to these series, she’s also written historical fiction, such as LADY OF THE GLEN, as well as two Robin Hood novels, LADY OF THE FOREST and LADY OF SHERWOOD.
Despite her long career, Jennifer’s imagination shows no signs of slowing down – she’s always working on new novels. When she’s not writing, she enjoys pursuing her hobbies, which include showing dogs and creating mosaic and resin artwork and jewelry.
She currently resides in Arizona with her furry companions, a collection of cats, and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.
Editoral Review
Sword-Dancer by Jennifer Roberson is a classic work of speculative fiction originally published on September 1, 1986. Roberson is an American author who has written over twenty books in the fantasy and science fiction genres.
Sword-Dancer is the first book in the Sword-Dancer saga and has garnered critical acclaim over the years. The novel is set in a fictional world of desert tribes and warring kingdoms, where sword-dancing is a way of life.
The main protagonist, Tiger, is a sword-dancer who roams the desert, living by his sword and wit. Within the first few pages, we are introduced to Tiger, who is well-known and respected for his swordsmanship but plagued by a life-changing event from his past.
Soon, we meet Del, a fierce and independent woman who is also a sword-dancer. Del is on a mission to find the Sword of Kahlessa, and she must dance with Tiger to obtain it.
In a world where sword-dancing is forbidden between men and women, swords are crossed, and the adventure begins. Robersons writing style is evocative, and she has created an immersive world filled with fascinating characters, intricate cultures, and epic battles.
The interactions between Tiger and Del are fiery and intense, and the novel is captivating from start to finish. The world-building is also excellent, with Robersons attention to detail bringing the desert, its people, customs, and legends to life with an almost tangible quality.
Additionally, the feminist message of the novel is salient, especially when one considers the time it was written. Roberson has woven strong female characters who can hold their own against the male characters, breaking boundaries and stereotypes that were prevalent in the fantasy genre at that time.
However, the book has its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing slow at times, and the dialogue can be clunky in some sections.
Some characters may also lack the depth that their roles demand. Nonetheless, these issues are relatively minor and do not detract from the overall quality of the book.
Overall, Sword-Dancer by Jennifer Roberson is a classic of the genre, and its significance cannot be overstated. It is a well-crafted, well-written novel that is still a joy to read today.
Fans of fantasy, sword-fighting, and adventure will find themselves engrossed in the exotic settings, intricate cultures, and fast-paced action. Sword-Dancer remains a benchmark for sword-and-sorcery fiction, and we highly recommend it to all readers who appreciate a beautifully crafted piece of literature.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
