Sword and shadow

Sword and Shadow is the concluding book of the Sword in Exile Trilogy by Ann Marston. The books is 342 pages long with 35 chapters plus a prologue and epilogue. The cover calls it a spectacular conclusion, I'd call it more of a wrap-up.

First, the book is written in third person. In all of Ann Marston's books that I have reviewed I've mentioned her first person tales are far superior to her third person tales. I also mentioned in my review of King of Shadows I was hoping for more of Iowen and wondering about her romance with Cynric.

Further reading will reveal endings to previous books by Marston. Unfortunately, at the introduction of Sword and Shadows, seven years have passed and Iowen is dead, along with her infant. Everyone holds Iowen in such high regard, but its been so long since I read the previous book, I don't remember her too well. Cynric is still alive, caring for the children of Athelin, Iowen's brother and the current exiled Prince of Skai. One problem I had was Sword and Shadows spoke of Iowen's love of her brothers, Athelin and Caenedd. However, I don't remember them at all from the previous book. Somehow this seemed quite incongruous.

By this sixth book in the series (combining the two trilogies of Rune Blade and Sword in Exile), we've had 6 generations descending from Red Kian of Skai. This is where I appreciate the geneology chart at the beginning because who is who can get a little confusing at this point. Remembering the heroes of the stories and their specific tales also gets a little confusing as well. This book does include bardic tales and "sight" dreams that help the reader remember the important stories.

What are the important stories? Basically the stories of Tiernyn and Donaugh, the twins, the King of Celi and his Enchanter. As well as the stories of the line of Tiernyn and that an uncrowned King of Celi does exist.

Our focus is on twin brothers Acaren and Rowan, sons of Athelin and his bheancoran and wife, Dorlaine. The book starts when they are seven years old, and hearing the stories of Champion and Kaith to the coming King and Enchanter. They know they will be Champion and Kaith. We also learn of the birth of Ceitryn, their sister. Eight years pass and we read the tales of their coming of age (two very condensed years). Then somehow I get lost. I know another 7 years pass, but really cannot tell when or where this happens. It's not specifically outlined until Rowan mentioned his age. The reader is thinking, "I thought he was still 17." This is an annoying flaw to this book.

Another confusing bit is surrounding Iowen's death. At first, we are led to believe she died during a Maedun raid on Skerry. Well, this is partly true, but it wasn't the cause. Later we find out she died during childbirth, but not really during; she died afterward from bleeding. It was quite confusing for much of the book.

Marston does a good job of laying certain twists and hiding them, for awhile. When she starts including the random thoughts of Caenedd, the truth becomes clear, even though it isn't revealed until much later in the book.

From the beginning we know that the uncrowned King of Celi will return and drive the Maedun from Celi. I was waiting for that part of the story the whole time. Those type of scenes in Martson's previous books, specifically The Western King and Broken Blade, were really good writing and quite emotion provoking. Unfortunately, those parts are a few page wrap-up at the end of the book.

This book really is the tale of young Acaren and Rowan. Marston strove to make those characters their own people with their own stories. We get only a small view of Celi after the King emerges. It was an ok book, but a little disappointing. I also really did not feel emotionally involved. Previous books caused me to cry and laugh out loud. I did neither with this book. I probably wouldn't recommend this book by itself. However, I so highly recommend the very first book in the entire series, Kingmaker's Sword, that you will eventually feel the need to read this one.