A review by karolinatx
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

4.0

I've been making up for some gaps in my young adult reading, and Robin McKinley's books seemed a must. I read [b:The Hero and the Crown|77366|The Hero and the Crown (Damar, #2)|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170900106s/77366.jpg|2321243] first, knowing that it was written after The Blue Sword, but chronologically first. Having done so, I don't have much advice -- I'm not sure if I did it the right way or not -- this is a similar dilemma as that of reading the Narnia Chronicles (do you read them chronologically or in the order they were written?). Perhaps, ideally, you would do both. In any case, I enjoyed The Blue Sword immensely, but definitely feel that The Hero and the Crown is a better book. The characters seem more solid, the plot is more mature. Regardless, both of these books should be a must on any YA fantasy reader's list. Also recommended are Lloyd Alexander, Madeline L'Engle, and Sabriel by Garth Nix.