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Binding: PaperbackDewey Decimal Number: 813.54 EAN: 9780312869168 ISBN: 0312869169 Label: Tor Books Manufacturer: Tor Books Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 480 Publication Date: January 15, 1999 Publisher: Tor Books Studio: Tor Books Editorial Review: Amazon.com Review: The First Swords were forged by the gods as pieces in a great game, to be scattered across the world for mortals to fight over. Each of the 12 Swords was infused with a unique, powerful ability: the Sword of Siege could reduce a castle to rubble; Coinspinner would bring its wielder phenomenal luck; Shieldbreaker could best any weapon, even another Sword; Sightblinder would make its wielder appear to others as someone either greatly loved or greatly feared. These three books--the First, Second, and Third Book of Swords, first published in 1983 and 1984 and combined here in one volume--follow the slippery Swords as they pass from hand to hand, from queen to commoner and back again. This trilogy probably qualifies as a fantasy classic just because it's such a great story. And it's probably so well loved because Saberhagen is such a genius. But what really cements the Swords books in the fantasy canon is simply that they tell a smart, involving story without ever getting bogged down in details. Many current authors, with their endless sequels and flabby plot lines, could learn from Saberhagen's tight pacing. Just as his equally engaging Berserker stories are a must for SF fans, no fantasy reader should miss out on these well-executed (and addictive!) books. --Paul Hughes Product Description: Fred Saberhagen's Book of Swords novels have captivated fantasy readers for more than a decade. Here, now available in one volume, are the three books that started it all. For a game the gods have given the world twelve Swords of Power so that they might be amused as the nations battle for their possession. But Vulcan the Smith has had his own little joke: the Swords can kill the gods themselves. What started out as Divine Jest has become all too serious as the gods fight to recover the Swords, and mortals discover that the mantle of power is more delicious and more terrible than anything they could have imagined. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - FIRST SWORDSFRED SABERHAGEN IS ONE OF THE BEST WRITERS AROUND. THE BOOK OF SWORDS IS ENTHRALLING. YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE ACTUALLY THERE! ACES... Rating:  - gagread several of these, could not finish the omnibus. Awful awful. Husband finished it so he could feel DONE, and "the ending is good." The rest is poorly written with a wandering plot a poorly described action. I was rarely sure what characters' motivations might be, as the characters barely existed. Rating: - A good fantasy readThe setting takes place on earth and the Greek gods on high. They decide to play a game with vulcan making twelve swords, each with a special power. The swords are given to humans who are spun in a fantastic plot of world domination and even god killing. At times a bit of megalomania comes in but it is such great read, you won't be disapointed. Rating:  - A decent read mostlyThe first book of swords is the best.It was good and didn't wander too much,Saberhagen just tries to fit too much in and eventually runs the story to the ground.But I repeat Read the first three anyways,they do make for a good read. Rating: - great fun!This book will never be mistaken as great literature, but it sure was a fun read. Lots of nice plot devices, and a unique story idea! |
