The Silver Blade

In this sequel to The Red Necklace, the love story of young noblewoman Sido and magician's apprentice/Gypsy Yann continues. At this point, the French Revolution has reached its most turbulent time known as "The Terror." A time when French nobles were executed left and right by the commoner revolutionaries simply because they were aristocrats, order has turned to complete chaos, the ruling figures of the revolution turn on one another in a counter-revolution and Madame de Guillotine is the only law of the land. Against this backdrop, Yann emerges as "The Silver Blade," a near-literal copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel, a man who helps French nobles escape to England with their heads while working in a theater and practicing magic. When his love, Sido, is kidnapped, he must balance the need to find her with protecting his identity from the revolutionary authorities. As the story unfolds, Sido is faced with trials of her own, young Yann learns the secrets of his origins and the pair must find a way to be together. While The Silver Blade does switch between the viewpoints of Yann and Sido -this really is Yann's story. Sido fades into the background completely. As in The Red Necklace, Sally Gardner demonstrates fabulous writing skills and a great ability to paint a compelling historical novel. The French Revolution is a perfect backdrop, though I could have done without the Scarlet Pimpernel rip-off. Plus, while I did enjoy the interesting approach to magic, etc. because of the Gypsy influence, at times it seemed to move the story onto a level of unbelievability. I'm also a little surprised at some of the items that were included here. While I understand that this was a very violent time in the French Revolution, there were some things that felt like they were described a little too much or just went a little too far -or had no real reason to be included other than for the shock factor. There was even one moment when I thought I would lose my lunch -while I'm sure this is a tribute to Gardner's writing skills, I still doubt if this is appropriate for a YA novel. Filled with great action, some interesting thrills and sprinkled with romance, The Silver Blade is a fun historical novel set during one of the most fascinating times in European history. I'd recommend it to older teens and adults interested in historical fiction. Not sure if there will be a third novel or not. The ending leaves it open, but also ties up the story into a satisfying ending.

In France The Revolution rages on, claiming more victims each day. Just about anyone with royal aspirations has long since left the country or already died in its name. But there are still some left in France who are at great risk: those with titles, remote but dangerous connections to the royal family, or the air of financial success. They will do anything to get to England safely. Rumor has it that the man for the job is The Silver Blade. His clients disappear right under the noses of the Revolutionaries who are charged with their capture. In their place, the small silver blade of a child's toy guillotine appears suspended in thin air. Everyone with a need to leave the country is desperate for The Silver Blade's services. Not that anyone knows who he is, which is just how Yann likes it. Things get a lot more magical and dark in this installment of Yann and Sido's story. Yann, himself, goes through a lot of self-doubt and darkness in his own heart, leaving Sido, Ttu and everyone else behind while he basks in his own self-pity. But he grows and becomes stronger. This is, once again, his story.