Sword of the Guardian [Paperback]

Sword of the Guardian is a romantic fantasy story by first-time author, Merry Shannon. The story centers on Shasta, the young, spoiled heir to the Ithyrian throne after her twin brother's murder. She would have been dead herself were it not for the efforts of Talon, a member of an acrobatic troupe visiting the palace. Talon, who has been passing as a man to protect herself and her sisters, is assigned as personal bodyguard to Shasta. While initially the two do not see eye to eye, they eventually form a strong bond. But that bond is tested repeatedly by the continued threats to Shasta's life and the political deterioration of Ithyria's provincial leaders. But this is not a simple tale of survival and retribution. The guiding forces for Ithyria and Ithyria's enemies are the Goddess and God pair who fight for dominion through their human followers.


Shannon's first novel is journey of self-discovery for Shasta, Talon, and Talon's sisters. Each character transforms through the novel, but the most pronounced character journey centers around Shasta.


Shannon creates a believable, fascinating world that marks this as a fantasy setting that the author will hopefully return to in future novels. As a romance novel, Sword of the Guardian accurately presents the twisting trail that two people sometimes travel in the course of finding true love. Shannon's skill as a romance writer shines most especially in one of the best choreographed loves scenes in a lesbian fiction story.

I was excited to finally get to sit down and read the book. It's actually somewhere around 380 pages- a pretty hefty adventure story! As I was reading, I found it rather difficult to put it down- by the end of the day, I was finally done and wanting to know when the second novel would be out. Merry Shannon has done a good job of putting out a fun story that didn't wind up seeming full of cliches or camp, and even better- has characters that you can't help but getting involved in.

The only reason I hesitate to give her five stars is because it is her first book, and I'm sure she has much potential to grow into. But I look forward to seeing what sort of Merry Shannon books will line my shelves in the future.

Publisher's Description:
A shocking assassination creates an unconventional bond between a princess and her guardian in a kingdom filled with political intrigue, danger and unexpected romance.

Princess Shasta Soltranis enjoys a pampered life of court dances, elaborate finery, and the occasional secret fencing match with her twin brother, Daric. But in the midst of a birthday celebration, her world shatters when a mysterious assassin takes her brother's life. Shasta, the only remaining heir to the throne, narrowly escapes the assassin's blade thanks to the intervention of a traveling acrobat named Talon.

With the threat of another attempt on Shasta's life imminent, her father declares that the young hero will be come the Princess's bodyguard. But what Shasta doesn't know is that her new guardian has a very well-kept secret: he is actually a she.

Talon and Shasta soon grow closer than anyone, especially her father, could have predicted. Will the truth of her guardian's secret change their relationship forever?

This is such a wonderful, special book. It may be the author's first, and fantasy stories may not normally appeal to you, but this was amazing to me. I completely forgot that this was an "alternative" romance book by a new writer!

This is first and foremost a truly exemplary Adventure and Romance novel. As great as any I've read by Eddings, or Zelazny, or Donaldson. And -just- as touching in it's moments of love and heartbreak. (And there are many.)

The plot points of spoiled young princess, court intrigue and treachery, a loving Goddess, a dedicated, dashing yet torn young hero, are all old and familiar, yet the story is refreshing and above all, new, despite this. And in no small part because the story is told from the author's heart. I could really tell this story has been cherished by the writer, for a long long time.

I started backwards, reading her second book first ("Branded Ann"), and what I said then is doubly true with this, her first book. I really got to care about the two main characters, and I was carried away with their lives. Heck, rumors that I may have gotten teary eyed more than a few times in reading it (and re-reading it) would be difficult to deny.

I love books. Yet I can be honest in being critical of books I don't like. I have just started to discover and enjoy the genre of "lesbian romance" books, and perhaps I'm a bit more comfortable than some in reading them with an open mind and heart, but -this- book truly transcends the genre. I wish I was a better writer, so that I could be more eloquent, and somehow convince you how unimportant it is that the -hero- is secretly a -heroin-. (It's important to the plot, yes, but not to the -book- itself.) This story stands head and shoulders above many other popular fantasy books, on it's -own- merits.

I won't deny, there are a number of pages of, er... "physical intimacy", enough to -more- than fill the needs of one's romantic, and baser instincts, yet without offending.

I honestly think you would enjoy getting to know the people inhabiting this world: Talon, with her self-sacrifice and dedication, and the heartache she endures for the sake of the people she loves; Shasta, shedding her mercurial adolescence, and learning to put her kingdom and the ones she loves ahead of herself; Lyris, overcoming her quiet, shy nature to seek out her destiny serving the Goddess, and in doing so finding a strength she didn't know she had, and; Bria, stumbling through being the youngest sister, and the terrible mistakes she makes.

The list of characters goes on, and yet it is not so long as to be confusing. I was delighted to see the author has a website, and to see there that she will return to the kingdom of Ithyria with the book tentatively entitled "Prayer of the Handmaiden". (Wherein I hope to see the return of the irascible chambermaid Erinda, and the woman she lost to the Goddess's service?? Hint? HINT?!) Ok, I'll shut up now.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 19 reviews  4.7 out of 5 stars