Due to changes in our finances Angel and I have suspended our Audible subscription . Before doing so, however, I was faced with the choice of three credits and how to spend them. I wanted books that I would enjoy listening to multiple times. Nor did I want to take a risk on an unfamiliar author. In the end, I pre-ordered the latest Larry Correia book (as I have re-read and re-listened, multiple times, to every one of his books that I own), Dune by Frank Herbert (one of my favorite books), and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (another all time favorite). With Blue Sword, I wanted something that Angel might enjoy as well. Turns out she's read the book, but is enjoying listening to it now. The Blue Sword was narrated by Diane Warren who did a decent job when all was said and done. At first, it seemed like she put pauses in at strange times - it would sound like a chapter break, but then the scene would continue. Either she stopped doing it after a while or I got used to it because I only noticed it at the beginning. I didn't think the narration detracted from the story and she had a nice voice.
Plot: The Homelanders came to Damar decades ago, but Harry Crewe is a new addition to the desert country. When her father died in the Homland across the sea her brother, Richard "Dicky", arragned for her to live with the local government representative. Harry is a young lady who prefers to be on horseback and loves being active, traits that, while not unacceptable, are not often encouraged. Life appears to be set on a fairly boring, but satisfying track when Harry is dragged into international politics and war. Kidnapped by the king of the mysterious Hill Folk, Corlath, after his appeal for aid is refused, Harry doesn't know why she has been taken. But then, neither does Corlath, only that she must.
My personal favorites: I love the world that McKinley sets up. I totally eat up the scenes where Harry learns the language, customs, and skills of the Hill Folk. I wish I could wear a sash and complete in the Laprun trials. I don't know how accurate the information is about horsemanship, but I like the detail and time spent on it. I like the characters as well.
Considerations: This book won the Newberry Medal for children so you would expect it to be good for kids of almost any age - And it is. The only consideration I've heard against it is that it seems to be an example of Stockholm Syndrome - where a person who is kidnapped sides with the kidnappers. I don't see that as as a mark against the book - I only mention it because the argument has been made. I don't see it that way.
I'm glad to have this story in my Audible Library and I know there will come a time when my family will listen to this story as we travel. Perhaps we will be in the desert, headed for the mountains, much like Harry does on her first trip on a hill horse. The total time was a little over 12 hours.
Plot: The Homelanders came to Damar decades ago, but Harry Crewe is a new addition to the desert country. When her father died in the Homland across the sea her brother, Richard "Dicky", arragned for her to live with the local government representative. Harry is a young lady who prefers to be on horseback and loves being active, traits that, while not unacceptable, are not often encouraged. Life appears to be set on a fairly boring, but satisfying track when Harry is dragged into international politics and war. Kidnapped by the king of the mysterious Hill Folk, Corlath, after his appeal for aid is refused, Harry doesn't know why she has been taken. But then, neither does Corlath, only that she must.My personal favorites: I love the world that McKinley sets up. I totally eat up the scenes where Harry learns the language, customs, and skills of the Hill Folk. I wish I could wear a sash and complete in the Laprun trials. I don't know how accurate the information is about horsemanship, but I like the detail and time spent on it. I like the characters as well.
Considerations: This book won the Newberry Medal for children so you would expect it to be good for kids of almost any age - And it is. The only consideration I've heard against it is that it seems to be an example of Stockholm Syndrome - where a person who is kidnapped sides with the kidnappers. I don't see that as as a mark against the book - I only mention it because the argument has been made. I don't see it that way.
I'm glad to have this story in my Audible Library and I know there will come a time when my family will listen to this story as we travel. Perhaps we will be in the desert, headed for the mountains, much like Harry does on her first trip on a hill horse. The total time was a little over 12 hours.
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