Book Review: The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Almost 30 years after its debut, The Blue Sword is still a must-have for any young adult's fantasy bookshelf. It follows a strong, independent teen heroine who finds herself full of questions and doubt as she becomes a bridge between two very different and antagonistic cultures, and unites them against a common threat.

Harry Crewe comes to live at the military outpost where her brother is stationed after the death of her father. The desert outpost is on the edge of the uneasy border between the Homeland empire and the remnants of Damar, a country where desert tribesmen wear robes and sashes, the horses are infamously well bred, and the royalty is rumored to practice magic. Harry begins to love her slice of the desert. Then one day, Corlath, king of Damar, comes to the outpost to warn of the threat of war with the Northerners. Although his warnings go largely unheard, his kelar--the Damarian magic--sees promise in Harry, and against his own wishes he abducts her. In the desert, Harry unlocks her own talents as she struggles to live within a completely foreign culture and save both her homeland and her adoptive country from an unimaginable threat.

The first two chapters of the book are a little slow, but things definitely pick up with the introduction of the desert tribesmen. McKinley's voice is wonderfully engaging, and her descriptions build a vivid, magical landscape as beautiful as it is harsh. Although there are many sword fights and battles, the story doesn't focus on the action or beat you over the head with the magic. It's full of subtleties in a way that many newer fantasies fail to accomplish.