Marston, Ann Books

King of Shadows (Sword in Exile, Book 2)

Ann Marston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I loved the first trilogy and I love this trilogy so far. Must read

Applause for an excellent book 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Ann Marston has woven together a classic fantasy, ranking high among the many post Tolkein authors who attempt to craft a story as masterfully as he did. While steeped in magic, King of Shadows, to it's credit, is not so unrealisticly magical that it becomes abstract and stupid. This book has a great co-main character in Cynric, even more appealing than the star of the first book in this trilogy, Gareth. My only complaint is that, as the trilogy moves on seemingly towards the story of the foretold king who will free the land, it seems likely we will not hear anymore of Cynric first hand in Marston's next book, Sword and Shadow.

Editorial Review:

Servant to Kings "Every" bheancoran" serves and protects a prince," said lowen. "But I have no prince." Her aunt smiled. "You may never have a prince. But I think, dearheart, that you might serve...a king!" Freedom's Promise For generations, the Somber Riders have ruled the Calae lands. But this spring brings more than green buds, crying lambs, and sparkling burns. It brings new promise. Destiny, that bold weaver, is pulling together three shining strands: A girl "bheancoran" by blood, whose Rune Blade thirsts for justice. A brash young sovereign whose heart seeks vengeance. And a renegade Somber Rider, touched with Tyadda magic, who remembers a long-forgotten dream. . .

Broken Blade (The Rune Blade Trilogy, Book 3)

Ann Marston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Disappointed! 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I just have to say that I was disappointed with the conclusion of this trilogy. I bought all three books and expected to just read three books! It is a great story, but I just can't help feeling let down. I don't feel like there was any conclusions at all in this book considering it's the last in the trilogy. Now I have to get the next trilogy (was that the plan all along?) - and from what I can tell, only 2 books are out so far which means i have to wait for yet another series to finish - the reason I started this one is because I like finished series.

Editorial Review:

The Breaching of the Veil

A kidnapped Princess and a clanless man share a terrible secret--the dark powers of Maedun are preparing a new assault on the shinning Isle of Celi.

Using stolen Celae magic, the sorcerer Hakkar plans to rip down the veil of enchantment drawn about the island kingdom. Only the great sword Kingmaker can save the land. Until it, too, is shattered.

Brynda, daughter of Keylan, must teach her Rune Blade to sing death's song--or Maedun's Somber Riders will slain all Celi for their own!

The Western King (The Rune Blade Trilogy, Book 2)

Ann Marston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Dark and captivating 5 out of 5 stars.
22 of 22 people found this review helpful.

After reading Kingmaker's Sword, I was actually reluctant to read the sequel, for the simple reason that I didn't think it would live up to the predecessor. Was I wrong! The Western King succeeds on many levels, though not necessarily in the same ways that Kingmaker's Sword does. The humor here is muted in exchange for a very strong sense of fate and sacrifice. The actions centers around Kian's three sons: Keylan and his younger twin brothers, Tiernyn and Donaugh. I felt immediately drawn to Donaugh, who, as youngest brother, constantly (and willingly) stands in his brother's shadow. Although Donaugh is indeed the main character, his character remains shrouded in mystery even at the end of the book. I approve of this. The combination of his sense of compassion and duty and destiny is compelling. Donaugh, seemingly overlooked by the gods, slowly becomes their tool, the salvation of his people, and the "blood and bone" of Celi. His powers are never fully revealed, even at the end, which makes his silent life of service all the more intriguing. Not every character is so thoughtfully painted. Despite his supposed charisma, I never did become attached to Donaugh's twin brother. Donaugh's love life is unfulfilling, both for him and the reader. Besides having a knack for getting together with the wrong girl, his one true love is unearned and unexplained. The intention was sweet, but undeveloped. I did enjoy wrestling with the prophesy about Donaugh's sons, though, because I could imagine many different ways it could be fulfilled as the plot twisted. Ann Marston handles destiny as does no other. She controls the impending mood of the book well. Overall, the author weaves a web that will draw you in and demand you read more.

Editorial Review:

The Rune Blade

The wanderer Red Kian has ruled Skai as Regent, but now it is time for him to step down. War clouds are gathering. Maedun sorcerers have taken the continent, and Saesnesi raiders are pillaging the islands.

But Kian has three sons. One is a prince of Skai blood, one is a wizard touched by Tyadda fire, and one is a dreamer who longs to unite the Celi against their enemies. Which will inherit the rune blade known as Kingmaker? Which will have the power to confront the Black Riders who bring darkness like a cloak to cover the land?

The answer will surprise you. Just as it surprises them.

Sword and Shadow (Sword in Exile, Book 3)

Ann Marston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

A Good Conclusion 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

As twin boys come of age and step-up to their destiny, love, adventure, magic, and loyalty step-up to them. Sword and Shadow was an incredible read! A wonderful conclusion for those who have followed the Sword in Exile Trilogy. The characters seemed real, and, as often happens, they became my friends. I shared their trials and their joys with my heart racing and my mind spinning. Often during reading, I would laugh or jump up and down and then look around and realize that I was in my own house, and not on the battlefield with my favorite heros and heroines-a good feat for an author. The reason I give this book only four stars is that, as is often characteristic of Marston, the ending left somewhat to be desired. The epilogue gives a quick explanation of the years to come, but I, of course, yearned for more. Perhaps this is simply the mark of a good writer, but I think the story would have been enhanced by added pages. A wonderful read- enjoy it!

Editorial Review:

Dark sorcery banished the Celae from their enchanted island home and have kept them exiled for generations. Now twin princes -- one born to rule, the other a powerful enchanter -- must attempt to bring their people home. Prince Rowen the sorcerer, his noble brother Prince Acaren, and Acaren's true love Eliene will set foot on the forbidden isle on a dark and misty night. But before they can vanquish their enemies and fulfill a sacred prophecy, the princes must first find Heartfire and Soulshadow, a pair of mystic swords hidden on the highest peak in the land: the menacing Cloudbearer mountain, hallowed home of the seven gods and goddesses, where mortal men intrude at the risk of their lives and their souls.

Kingmaker's Sword (The Rune Blade Trilogy, Book 1)

Ann Marston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Yuk Yuk 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This book sucks thats all i can say. I dint fell anything good happened. Dont bye this book it is really crappy. Well thats my opinion. So remember this book sucks

Not bad, but it didn't grab me 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I thought this book was okay. It had a good plot and story line. It just seemed to drag on and on! Usually I can read a book of this length in a day or two at most. This took me a week to muddle through! I just don't understand why. The writing didn't flow for me at all.

The basic plot is that Kian, a slave boy who can't remember anything of his past, runs away and is found by Cullin, a Tyran noble. They realize that Kian is his long lost nephew (ha! to those of you who thought "son"). Cullin adopts him and they live happily ever after...for seven years. Then Kerridwen comes into the picture. She is a girl that Kian healed years earlier, and now they are bonded for life, though they are not thrilled with the idea. Kerri is from Skai and she is looking for a lost prince because Skai is being threatened. Then, for the next 200 pages, they run all over the countryside being chased by a variety of people, from the general of the Maidun who practices dreaded blood magic, to some of their own people. Kian has a Celi Rune blade as does Kerri. The problem is, his is supposed to belong to Kerri's prince. So they chase around some more, Cullin dies and we all miss him, and gradually Kian and Kerri become closer. Until Kian finds out that he is really the lost prince. Wow, like we didn't see that one coming for at LEAST 200 pages! Then they have one last battle with the terrible general, defeat him, and THEN they all live happily ever after.

I just don't get this book. It had a lot of potential, a LOT, but it did not flow at all. And this Celtic stuff is my favorite kind of fantasy. So it was a big disappointment.

Editorial Review:

Son of a Lost King

The Skai and the Tyr were one people long ago. But that day is lost in the mists of time. And now the Skai have sent a warrior to find the Rune Blade that could slice through the darkness of blood and violence that had fallen across their land.

A warrior as beautiful as she was fierce. She returned my Tyran glance with a Skai boldness all her own. "And when you find the lost prince that has the sword you seek," I asked, "Will you marry him?"

"I might," she said. "I might have to kill him."

I looked down at the blade that lay as bright as a promise in my hand. And the adventure that was to transform my life began...

Cloudbearer's Shadow (Sword in Exile, Book 1)

Ann Marston

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Enjoyable, But Could Have Been Better... 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cloudbearer's Shadow by Ann Marston was an enjoyable read. I probably should have started with the first book in her first series, Kingmaker's Sword, but I still found this one likeable and delightful. Her writing flows from one page to the next, making it easy to read, but her storyline lacked the power and suspense that some other author's have elucidated in their first novel of a series.

Gareth is the younger son of the Prince of Skai who has been exiled from the Isle of Celi for many years. He has grown up without the love and help from his father, but other mentors have taught him about duty, honor, and courage. Gareth constantly dreams about a sword, named Bane. Finally, with his father dying, he decides to look for it by going back to Celi.

At times, the turning points seemed rushed, but overall the book was fun to read and the small twists were enjoyable. I should have started with her first series, but nonetheless I will continue reading the rest of the Sword in Exile series and then go back to her Rune Blade Trilogy. Enjoy!

Editorial Review:

The Seeker

Gareth is the youngest and the last of the unfortunate lords of Skai. Called home from a lonely exile, he finds his father fallen into shadow. And worse.

For the Maedun conquest of Gareth's homeland is complete. The standing stones are silent, their webs of magic torn asunder. The Rune Blade called Bane has been lost forever to dark sorcery, and the somber riders rule the islands that were once home to Gareth's people.

Darigan stared at my ragged, wet figure.
"Are you then Prince of Skai?"
"No," I said, sheathing my sword.
"My father yet lives. Barley."

And the meeting that would reshape my fate--for good or ill--had come to pass on the steep slopes of Cloudbearer, the mountain of kings, or prophecies, and of death.