A review by makennakjacobs
The Sword and the Dagger by Robert Cochran

4.0

I was surprised that this is Cochran's debut novel because The Sword and the Dagger read smoothly, with good pacing for an exciting adventure story. The novel focuses on three main characters: Princess Elaine and Prince Conrad, who are about to enter their arranged marriage against their will, when the Assassin Rashid attempts to kill Elaine. Elaine, desperate to take control of her life, breaks Rashid out of prison and demands that he take her to the person who ordered her death. Meanwhile, Conrad goes to bring Elaine back. With exciting fights and twists, the trio of teens undergoes an insane journey rooted in the history of the Crusades, ultimately coming face-to-face with Genghis Khan himself. Along the way, Elaine, Conrad, and Rashid learn about themselves, about friendship, and about intercultural relationships, discovering that Muslims and Christians may not be so different after all. The characters are fully developed and well-balanced, with each of them, as well as other characters, occasionally taking the spotlight in a limited third-person perspective. The Sword and the Dagger would be a good choice for young adult readers who like adventure tales. Even readers who normally shy away from historical fiction will enjoy this book because the history is integrated naturally and effectively. Although some sections were less engaging, overall it was a good adventure for characters and readers alike, with important thematic elements running through even the most intense of the fights.