Sword-Singer

In this second volume of the series (you definitely need to have read the first in order to understand what's going on), Tiger, the Southron sword-dancer, follows his battle-comrade and bedmate, the striking female dancer Del, back to her Northern homeland to stand as her advocate when she faces the council of teachers in an attempt to justify having killed her own in order to take his spirit into her jivatma (blooded blade). She has one year to do this or be foresworn and declared outlaw, whom any Norherner may kill with impunity. Of course, the quest isn't easy. Tiger is still recovering from the aftereffects of his brief enslavement in the tanzeer Aladar's mine, and the weather seems determined to delay them even though Del knows the country well. Tiger inadvertantly releases some loki (apparently a kind of malevolent earth-spirit) from the magical circle that imprisons them, and a Borderer widow and her two children in need of protection and escort hold the pair up even further. Then they realize that they're being hunted by what Tiger christens the "hounds of hoolies"--doglike but clearly sorcerous beasts who seem to have a sinister interest in Del's sword Boreal. What makes this book hold your attention is twofold: the developing relationship between Tiger and Del, who, having become lovers as well as comrades, are gradually settling into the practicalities of pairhood, trying to blend their differing views of what women can (or should) do and how Del can balance personhood with her quest to avenge her murdered family; and the picture we get of the North and its culture. As you read, you begin to understand more and more of the influences that shaped Del into the woman she is, just as the revelations of "Sword-Dancer," the first book, gives you an understanding of Tiger. Any fantasist needs to learn how to explain her world while still keeping the pace of her story intact, and Roberson succeeds very well in this. I wish that she had provided a map of the lands through which Del and Tiger travel, but that may just be me: I always like to be able to locate characters in space as well as time. In the end Tiger displays both his deep regard and loyalty for Del and the pragmatism of his training as a sword-dancer in a climactic conflict that made me immediately pull out the next book in the series to find out whether he'd really done what it looked like he had. A solid entry into a fantasy series that has become classic.

If you liked Sword-Dancer, you'll love this one (naturally). A perfect continuation of the story. Order Sword-Maker now, too...Sword-Singer's ending will have you wanting the next one nearby...

I started reading the series out of order, first Born, then Breaker, then Singer, then Maker. The only published one I haven't read is Dancer. Anywho...GREAT book. The characters are amazing and you can just see the scenes in your head. A wonderful read

In this book one begins to really descover the differences between the north and the south and not just in culture and climate. As Tiger and Del journey across the north, they meet many magical beings from Loki who posses people to Canteada, the creators of music. In the end Del plays a dirty trick on Tiger resulting in a duel which may prove once in for all who's the better sword-dancer. In this stunning sequal the reader learns more of Del's secrets. The relationship between Del and Tiger is expanded as well. Another spellbinding novel by Jennifer Robinson.

I found this to be the most compelling book to date in the SWORD series. Although all of them have good points, I felt that SWORD SINGER provided the best insights to the characters. It seemed to take a decidely more somber tone than the first, or successive novels. Tiger and Del, having found Del's brother in SWORD DANCER, now move north to confront the demons, both literal and figurative, that haunt Del's past. They return to Staal-Ysta, where Del must do penance for slaying her teacher and reconcile herself to past decisions.