The Seer and the Sword

The book is great, the storyline is good. I'm bummed on the cover they gave me. Doesn't match this one at all.

I'm over 30 and I love this book. In fact, my two favorite books are this one and its companion book, The Healer's Keep. For one thing, the love story in this book is written with such feeling, between two amazing characters, so that as a reader you feel what they feel. Also, I've never seen the subject of war and peace treated with so much insight and sensitivity. The main character, Landen, is a great warrior who despises killing. The book doesn't advocate being a complete pacifist--and in fact Landen's father loses his kingdom because not only does he not believe in war but he also doesn't prepare for it just because he doesn't believe in it. Landen, on the other hand, learns from his father's mistakes and helps to rescue the kingdoms from invaders because he is such a smart fighter. If you like great storytelling written with deep feeling, this book is for you, whatever your age. The first time I read it, I stayed up half the night. I have since read it again and again, and each time I love the characters more.

Mischievious, courageous, adventurous Princess Torina Archelda is the only child of King Kareed. Kareed is a warrior who is constantly seeking to gain more power by gaining more land. After conquering the the king of the peaceful country of Bellandra, he brings home Bellandra's famous sword and locks it away, where it would lay forgotten. To Torina he gives two things: a magical crystal, and Landen, the exiled prince of Bellandra to be her slave. But Torina's kindness will not allow her to keep a slave. Istead, she sets him free, and he begins to train as a warrior, against his old country's pacifist beliefs. When Torina saves his life after seeing a vision in her magic crystal, the two become close friends and grow to trust each other. As Torina grows into a young woman, they slowly lose their companionship for each other, though Landen continues to trust her. He warns Tornia of her betrothed, Vesputo's plots for the throne, and Torina turns him away. When Vesputo does carry out his plans, Landen and Torina both flea the country separately. Torina hides in a tiny village in Desante, covering anything that might give her identity away. Landen becomes a famous worrior and leads his own band of criminals to steal things for King Ardesen of Desante. Eventually they discover that they are important players in Vestupo's political plot to gain power. All the characters that are introduced are essential to the story and are brave, clever, and well described. The action is filled with excitement and and romance is unbelievable. Fans of fantasy will be swept into the story of betrayal, action, and romance.

I couldn't love this book any more!!!! I love many characters and will hold a place in my heart for the seer and the sword for EVER!!!! This book had everything...romance(a wonderful one, even more than one if you can spot them), action and plenty of it, adventure, morals, and magic!!! I really truly want everyone who loves any of these things to read this book... especially if you liked Prydain Chronicles, Chronicles of Narnia, and the arkadians!This book is so great, i read it in one day. I really, truly could not put it down! I was so caught up in it all i did was read. And so will you. You'll be swept up in the plot and you'll love every minute of it... from the romances, to the adventures landen and torina have, seeing every point of view of almost every important character. It was a powerfully written book that is destined for fame and will be your favorite on the shelf for years to come. Don't hesitate to buy my favorite book and what will be yours too!!!

Whatever I was expecting when I cracked this book open, it wasn't this! I keep wanting to compare it to The Princess Bride, except it is not a book with tongue in cheek humor and satire. It is a book about kingdoms, the price of power and leadership and those who struggle to bring about good in a dangerous world. Victoria Hanley does an impressive job of showing readers the tactics and political maneuvers of warfare and diplomacy, but doesn't bog this book down in extraneous detail or explanation. The characters are strong and capable, with interesting reflections on male/female roles in the struggle. Hanley gives power to both roles--and creates characters that act outside the roles they were given. There is a sense of completness in this story--no teasers leading into a miniseries which allows the reader to enjoy this book all on its own.Readers interested by Tamora Peirce's Lionness series and Robin McKinley's Damar Duology should definately give this new author a try!

This is the kind of book that you read over and over, no matter your age. I read it first from the library, and the next time I went to the bookstore I bought it. (Well . . . I ordered it and picked it up when it came in, but same diff.) It starts when the young Princess Torina is given a stone and a slave when her father comes back from a triumphant war. The slave is the only son of the former king of the conquered country, and a few years older then Torina. Landen, the boy is called, is set free by the impulsive princess, and sent to live in the barracks. And when Torina looks into the crystal, she sees the baby her mother is carring being born a boy, and stillborn.That is what happens.Torina is a seer, a great one, who are very rare. She uses her crystal to see the future - though she can not see her own. As you can guess, she and Landen fall in love - but not before an evil falls upon the kingdom. Thhis is a book of love, betrayal, war, and despair - and hope. Read it. You'll love it.