Mention Books In Favor Of The Swordswoman
| Original Title: | The Swordswoman |
| ISBN: | 0812553519 (ISBN13: 9780812553512) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Jessica Amanda Salmonson
Mass Market Paperback | Pages: 316 pages Rating: 3.7 | 132 Users | 14 Reviews
Point Appertaining To Books The Swordswoman
| Title | : | The Swordswoman |
| Author | : | Jessica Amanda Salmonson |
| Book Format | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Canadian Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 316 pages |
| Published | : | September 1988 by Tor (first published 1982) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Fiction. Science Fiction. Science Fiction Fantasy |
Rendition To Books The Swordswoman
I finished reading my battered Science Fiction Book Club edition of The Swordswoman for the umpteenth time last night and thought to put down some thoughts on why this book garners four stars. I first read the book as a teen, during a time when I was discovering a number of female authors and strong female characters (including C.J. Cherryh and Phyllis Ann Karr to name two) and I was taken with Salmonson's character Erin of Thar.The story concerns Erin Wyler, a young Earth woman who's dreamt of living a hero's life in another world. She's a loner, going in and out of institutions her whole life and never finding any amount of happiness except in studying martial arts. During a kendo match, she kills her opponent but his wounds reflect a metal blade, not the bamboo stick she was using. An obsessed paramedic discovers that both she and her opponent have had dreams about the same world, only from opposite points of view. Erin dreams of being the rebel who kills an evil tyrant; her opponent dreamed of being that tyrant. In that alternate world, however, Erin's alter-ego Merilia is the one killed so forces present in both worlds conspire to bring Erin to Endsworld to fulfill Merilia's destiny.
Salmonson bases the alternate reality, Endsworld, on Asian influences. The world is ruled by a warrior elite whose ranks are differentiated by the number of swords they carry. One-swords are cannon fodder, minimal training with a short sword - the i. Two-swords are better trained, carrying both i and mai, and run the gamut from merely competent to expert. Three-swords carry the oude - a great sword - and are wuxia style masters.
The story follows Erin as she arrives in Endsworld and her development from unwilling pawn to someone able to replace Merilia.
I've always found the story itself fast paced and interesting, and Salmonson puts enough "twist" into the usual hero epic to make it worth reading. But I also like the fact that the ending is not a "happily ever after" cop out or that we'll ever know the eventual fate of Erin. The ending screams out for a sequel (and I'd be happy to read it) but (as far as I know) Salmonson has never followed up with one.
Rating Appertaining To Books The Swordswoman
Ratings: 3.7 From 132 Users | 14 ReviewsAssessment Appertaining To Books The Swordswoman
I read this one at a fairly early age, so my memories are clouded. Still, I remember enjoying the book greatly.I finished reading my battered Science Fiction Book Club edition of The Swordswoman for the umpteenth time last night and thought to put down some thoughts on why this book garners four stars. I first read the book as a teen, during a time when I was discovering a number of female authors and strong female characters (including C.J. Cherryh and Phyllis Ann Karr to name two) and I was taken with Salmonson's character Erin of Thar.The story concerns Erin Wyler, a young Earth woman who's dreamt ofThe story is immersive. The heroine is someone you'd like to root for. But several things which made it a difficult read was the refined words of this work. I still like it and will definitely check out the Tomoe Gozen books. I hope to read more from her. She gives me a late eighties nostalgia for the heroism and science fiction with this book and I can't deny it. I'm a science gal and love it. Haven't had a nerdy side to explore but this will definitely make me feel like it. Still, the prose is
I finished reading my battered Science Fiction Book Club edition of The Swordswoman for the umpteenth time last night and thought to put down some thoughts on why this book garners four stars. I first read the book as a teen, during a time when I was discovering a number of female authors and strong female characters (including C.J. Cherryh and Phyllis Ann Karr to name two) and I was taken with Salmonson's character Erin of Thar.The story concerns Erin Wyler, a young Earth woman who's dreamt of
So, I started this book with a pretty biased outlook. Jessica is part of my family and she is among my favorite people. However, I had no idea she was a published author until we became "friends" on Facebook. Heh. Anyway, I found this book and have done my best to read it as objectively as I could. To be blunt, I loved the story. But, I want more. I suppose that is the sign of a pretty decent story. I can see myself reading this a few more times in the future. And creating a million different
This was bad. I wanted to give it only one star, but decided on two (1.5, really) because it became bearable.This book was hard to follow. It liked to jump from one thing to another. It was written in a weird, confusing way where the reader didn't know anything but the main character just figured things out and the reader was never informed of HOW the main character came to these knew what to do. It is written almost like a sequel, but it isn't.There was so much wrong with this book that I can't
I bought this book on impulse at a super cute used book store, and Im so glad I actually read it. The overall plot is very clever. Even at the points where it was roughest around the edges, it was a fun adventure and I already miss the characters.
Hews a bit closer to the standard 'hero's journey' story arc than I like, but investigates ethical implications with a thoroughness far beyond the average heroic fantasy. I liked this book, but thought 'Tomoe Gozen' was superior.
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