Jennifer Roberson - Reviews

Sword-Dancer

The Tiger and Del series, Book 1
Jennifer Roberson
DAW
Fiction, Fantasy
Themes: Bonded Companions, Cutthroat Competitions, Epics, Equines, Ghosts and Spirits, Girl Power, Magic Workers
****

Description

Sandtiger is a legendary sword-dancer, skilled in the use of his blade and renowned throughout the Southron realms. Delilah, or Del, is an enigma, a rare woman sword-dancer from the North who bears a strange, rune-marked blade. She came south seeking her brother, stolen by raiders and sold into Southron slavery five years ago, and if the legendary Sandtiger won't help her find him, she'll tear the desert apart by hand and do it herself. Tiger has never met anyone like Del before, but he feels bound to help her in her impossible quest, with or without the promise of gold for his troubles.

Review

This was different, a fantasy with a definite twist that separates it from the typical swordfighter tale. Humorous and dark, serious and light... it's hard to describe, but the story was entertaining and captivating, with compelling characters and a plot that's never dull. The only real drawback is that it's the first of a series, and, while it wraps up most of its story in this book, just enough is left over that one feels almost obliged to pick up the second volume... just to see what happens.

Sword-Singer

The Tiger and Del series, Book 2
Jennifer Roberson
DAW
Fiction, Fantasy
Themes: Bonded Companions, Cutthroat Competitions, Epics, Equines, Ghosts and Spirits, Girl Power, Magic Workers
****

Description

Del is returning to her Northern homeland, to face trial in the Place of Swords for the slaying of her an-kaidin, or swordmaster. With her travels Sandtiger, arguably the best sword-dancer of the Southern deserts. He has never been even to the Borderlands before, but for Del he is willing to endure the hardships of the North. Almost as soon as they cross the border, trouble finds them. From angered loki-spirits to all-too-human demons from Del's past, the road to the trial may be at least as dangerous as the trial itself. Sandtiger never wanted to believe in magic, be it sorcery or even the magic of the Northron jivatmas, or blooding-blades, but the unwary skeptic in the North often dies a painful death...

Review

Yet another enjoyable installment in the adventures of Tiger and Del. Lively writing and near-nonstop action combine with memorable characters and well described settings. My only objection is the ending. Unlike the end of Book 1, where we had a conclusion with a bit of a hook for the second volume, I now have to buy Book 3 as soon as possible. No, it's not an option. I need to know what happens now... (I bought it, but unfortunately the house ate it before I could read it. I'm still searching...)