The Blue Sword

“A new language, a new landscape, and a new people—all unforgettable.” –Horn Book

“Any book that, at one point or another, reminded me of The Sheikh, Gunga Din, Islandia, and, The Lord of the Rings, can’t be anything but a true original.” –Asimov’s Science Fiction

“McKinley knows her geography of fantasy, the nuances of the language, the atmosphere of magic…” –The Washington Post

“This is a zesty, romantic heroic fantasy with an appealing stalwart heroine, a finely realized mythical kingdom, and a grounding in reality that enhances the tale’s verve as a fantasy.” –Booklist

“McKinley has reworked many familiar mythological motifs into a tale that is completely fresh; her spare and eloquent prose is sheer delight. The novel succeeds not only as fantasy/adventure, but also as a compelling portrait of the vibrant, wryly humorous Harry.” –School Library Journal

“It is a fresh and interesting setting for a novel of high fantasy. Like the desert air, the tone is open and bright and brilliant.” –Marilyn H. Karrenbrock