A review by rebeccazh
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Reread this and [b:The Hero and the Crown|77366|The Hero and the Crown (Damar, #1)|Robin McKinley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386642407s/77366.jpg|2321243] together. They're both really good. It's rare that I come across such solid fantasies now; it seems that I either come across the new YA/fantasy-lite or epic fantasies. [b:The Hero and the Crown|77366|The Hero and the Crown (Damar, #1)|Robin McKinley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386642407s/77366.jpg|2321243] and [b:The Blue Sword|407813|The Blue Sword (Damar, #2)|Robin McKinley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1286927812s/407813.jpg|2321296] are coming-of-age stories of heroines growing into their own power and discovering their destiny. Both heroines, Aerin and Harry, are wonderful to read about. They struggle against uncertainty, a nebulous fate and a seeming lack of purpose or worth in themselves, but grow into their own abilities and are tested against increasing difficulties.
McKinley's writing is beautiful and vivid. She excels at evocative descriptions -- especially things to do with the nebulous or the instinctive. Aerin and Harry both seem to be guided by a powerful instinct when all seems to fail. Her writing is not suited for writing heroines who are passionate or emotional. There is a kind of -- dream-like overlay over some of the most climatic moments, causing them to lose some urgency imo.
The side characters were great. I would like to know or see more of them. I love that the horses are as vivid as characters in their own right.
McKinley's writing is beautiful and vivid. She excels at evocative descriptions -- especially things to do with the nebulous or the instinctive. Aerin and Harry both seem to be guided by a powerful instinct when all seems to fail. Her writing is not suited for writing heroines who are passionate or emotional. There is a kind of -- dream-like overlay over some of the most climatic moments, causing them to lose some urgency imo.
The side characters were great. I would like to know or see more of them. I love that the horses are as vivid as characters in their own right.