The Swordsman’s Oath

The Swordsman’s Oath (2000) Juliet E. McKenna

The Swordsman’s Oath is the second book of Juliet McKenna’s Einarinn series. Ryshad, at the bidding of his Lord, searches for information about the Elietimm and their unfamiliar magic. Viltred, who knew somewhat of the Elietimm isles, has scryed and seen visions of either death and destruction or security, and so joins Shiv and Ryshad in their quest, and determines that they need to convince Livak the gambler to join them.

In The Thief’s Gamble, the story is from the point of view of Livak, while in The Swordsman’s Oath, the point of view shifts to Ryshad, warrior and sworn man to Messire D’Olbriot.

I really enjoyed this story, although I am still somewhat unsure about how I feel about the whole slave issue. Is it realistic, how things worked? I’m still not sure. It worked as a plot device, but I’m not sure how much I believed it.

Again, the characters and the writing were good, and I particularly like Ryshad. He’s an interesting character, and I find him believable. I also like the way that the story ranged all over–what may have been an entire story in other books was just a small part of the story here.

Additionally, the story was again completed in a single book. Although there are major issues that are unresolved, drawing you to read the following book, there is a major sense of satisfaction upon finishing the book, and I wanted to read the next book because I am enjoying the characters and the writing, not because the author has left me hanging.

So, good writing, interesting characters, interesting story. A good second story in the series.
Rating: 7/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• The Gambler’s Fortune » »
• « « The Thief’s Gamble