Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

In her surprise-filled sixth novel featuring the sword-dancers Tiger and Del (Sword-Dancer, etc.), Roberson packs enough into the finale to more than make up for a tediously talky first half, which is short on both sword and sorcery. Established fans may enjoy the banal and idle chatter between Southron-born Tiger and his beloved "bascha," the ironic term of endearment he constantly uses for the glamorous Northerner Del, but others may wish for more action. On the isle of Skandi, where the pair has taken sanctuary, things do eventually pick up. The two fight a few human enemies, some skilled in magic, as well as the fierce and poison-clawed Sandtiger, which gave Tiger his name and threatens Del. Most exciting is the epic battle between Tiger and the man who has pursued him for years, Abbu Bensir, also a top-flight sword-dancer. But none of this prepares the reader for the warm personal revelations that follow, making this such a satisfyingly human series. In an author's note at the end, Roberson charmingly explains why she chose to use first-person point of view, and a male POV at that, when third-person is the norm for fantasy novels ("Tiger was very insistent on telling his own story"). In addition, she stresses the primacy of storytelling over feminist message, though she's "particularly proud of the male readers who've written to say that the books have altered their views of women." Sensitive readers of both sexes should appreciate how Roberson rises above the usual genre cliches. (Feb. 5)Cheysuli series (Spacehangers Song, etc.).

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Southron sword-dancer Tiger and his sworn partner, Northern sword-singer Delilah, leave the island of Skandi and travel to the desert of Punja, following a series of dream-manifestations that are the result of Tiger's newfound magic. Together, they confront the secrets of their past and the dangers of an uncertain future. The final volume in Roberson's series featuring warrior-partners Tiger and Del wraps up loose ends from previous stories, but it leaves a few enticing hints of future developments. A good choice for most fantasy collections, particularly where the series has a following.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

20 Reviews

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
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Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)

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2.0 out of 5 stars A moderately entertaining read, Mar 17 2004

By	Thomas Welsh "arrogant snob" (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not much actually happens in this book. The questions about Tiger's past are answered only ambiguously, there is very little of our beloved Southron vs. Northern tension, and nothing is truly resolved.

Seeing as this is ostensibly the last of the Tiger and Del novels, one would expect a certain level of resolution. However, at the end of this somewhat less than fulfilling novel, the reader is left without any resolution at all.

Overall, while the promise of having the questions of Tiger's past pulls the reader through most of the book, there isn't much there to make the effort worthwhile. The book just lacks the spirit of the previous volumes.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Nice to visit with Del & Tiger again but slow & predictable, Dec 4 2003

By	DFE (Lake Forest, CA USA) - See all my reviews

If you've been following Del & Tiger's story all of this years, then of course you're going to read this one too, but if are new to this series, go start at the beginning, because this one will be meaningless to you. The story itself moves in fits and starts, with a few really amazing sequences strung out between plodding expostition on the details of Del and Tigers day to day life. Pages were actually spent detailing how Tiger cared for his horse. This series sure has come a long way from its roots of fastpaced action packed every chapter ending on a cliffhanger roots. These book was nearly double in size of the early ones and it was clear that Roberson was struggling to fill it. This story concerns Tiger making peace, strongling with his feeling of rejection from the mother he never knew who he was told had abandoned him to a life of slavery and with accepting the magical powers he discovered in the last book. Along the way he has a few dramatic swordfights, visits some old friends, and exchanges banter with Del. A young man half his age who wants to be taught to be a swordfighter by him, follows him and he is convinced that this young man and Del are falling in love for much of the book. Due to numeroue hints, and the cover helpfulling telling you that that there are "warm, personal revelations" it is immidiately obvious to the reader who the young man is. Likewise, Tiger is plagued by dreams from the first chapter of the book regarding a dead women who tells him to find her bones, and the big mystery of the book is who this women is - like we didn't see that one coming either. The ending expects us to be surprised by these revelations, ends on a sickingly sweet, all too convient set of events, which is out of character for this series and feels all wrong and ultimately doesn't satisfy. A really sad ending to a great series, especially considering how amazing and bold the last book was.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great ending to a great series :), Oct 10 2003

By	Jinny Chieu (Palatine, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The last of Tiger's history is filled out in this book. Surprises come during the last few chapters.

Not as exploratory in the magic, but the story gets going quickly. Probably not as fun if you haven't read the first 5 (sword-dancer, sword-singer, sword-maker, sword-breaker, sword-born), but a fitting ending if you have.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Strong nostalgic value
Like many other fans, I was drawn to Sword-Sworn because of Tiger and Del. In past books, they and their relationship has always been a fascinating one: a male chauvinist meets... Read more

Published on Jun 1 2003 by Phome

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong ending to a brilliant series
So, the saga of Tiger and Del comes to a close, and this nicely wraps up what has been one of the most enjoyable series I have ever read. Read more

Published on May 15 2003 by John Gromadzki