Sword and Shadow

There are two separate trilogies that build upon each other. Ann Marston was an unkown to me when I picked up the first book of the Rune Blade Trilogy, and i read all the books thru the Sword in Exile trilogies. This series I got from the library quickly became one of my favorites. A book you can lose yourself in for hours at a time. Great storyline and even better character development. You read the book and feel you really know the characters and that you understand all the feelings and emotions that take place within the storyline. Brilliant Writing!!! for fans of fantasy fiction.

The entire series maintained its quality consistently. Normally authors have the habit of getting worse as more books in the same series come in (eg: Robert Jordans wheel of time) but Ann Marston was superb from start to finish.The plot was well planned and executed. Only I wish there could have been a slightly longer tale after they go get the swords in the island.

As twin boys come of age and step-up to their destiny, love, adventure, magic, and loyalty step-up to them. Sword and Shadow was an incredible read! A wonderful conclusion for those who have followed the Sword in Exile Trilogy. The characters seemed real, and, as often happens, they became my friends. I shared their trials and their joys with my heart racing and my mind spinning. Often during reading, I would laugh or jump up and down and then look around and realize that I was in my own house, and not on the battlefield with my favorite heros and heroines-a good feat for an author. The reason I give this book only four stars is that, as is often characteristic of Marston, the ending left somewhat to be desired. The epilogue gives a quick explanation of the years to come, but I, of course, yearned for more. Perhaps this is simply the mark of a good writer, but I think the story would have been enhanced by added pages. A wonderful read- enjoy it!

Way to go Ann! Great action; serious; but there was still a sense of humor.This book felt like home, like the first three. She spent some time developing the characters, although I would have liked more. I was just getting to know Rowan and Acaren. Strong female characters. Bad guys you love to hate. You read this one you're going to want to read them all. If you like Ann's books try G.Guy Kay's "Tigena"

Over the six books of the Rune Blade series, Marston has woven a complex web of generations entangled with the magic of gods, goddesses and prophecies. This book brings it all to a head admirably, if not perfectly. We again have a set of twin brothers thrust into the spotlight of destiny, one perhaps to be ruler, and the other struggling with what may be a legendary talent for magic. Marston focuses on the second - which is where most of the drama lies, but I can't help thinking that the other deserved more attention given his fate. There are other minor flaws, but generally of the type that you overlook when reading this sort of novel. (And let's face it, bringing together all the elements of a long series like this into one story is not easy.) This is the sort of thing you read to enjoy the familiarity of the setting, to re-immerse yourself for a time in a beautiful imaginary world of enchantment, heroics, and romance. And after six books, it's nice to be familiar enough to skip over some details in the name of getting to the next plot twist that has you biting your nails. If you've enjoyed the others, you'll enjoy this as well.