2nd out of 597 books
—
307 voters
The Sword and the Dragon (The Wardstone Trilogy #1)
by
M.R. Mathias
When the Royal Wizard of Westland poisons the king so that his puppet prince can take the throne and start a continental war, a young squire is forced to run for his life carrying the powerful sword that his dying monarch burdened him with from the death bed.
Two brothers find a magic ring and start on paths to becoming the most powerful sort of enemies, while an evil young...more
Two brothers find a magic ring and start on paths to becoming the most powerful sort of enemies, while an evil young...more
ebook
Published
July 24th 2010
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I really wanted to like this book. I wouldn’t have even glanced at it (yet another generic fantasy novel) if it wasn’t a self-published work, which says something about the author — that and the fact that he started writing in prison to escape insanity. I mean, you gotta give this kind of determination a chance.
There’s a lot of good things inside «The Sword and the Dragon»: the main characters are very likable and more tridimensional than usual — their interaction *feels* real, something a lot o...more
There’s a lot of good things inside «The Sword and the Dragon»: the main characters are very likable and more tridimensional than usual — their interaction *feels* real, something a lot o...more
Normally this kind of book would be precisely up my alley since fantasy and epic fantasy are some of my favorite genres. However, I refuse to give an author business when they treat readers like children and value their own ego above anything else. Until I read the description on here I didn't even know what it was about, because on B&N and Amazon the description is just a long rant about how great the author is. And after seeing the antics on several websites, including this one, I'd rather...more
I'm conflicted. Part of me is glad I'm done reading because it's so long, but on the other hand, I feel like the characters have become a part of me and I'm sad to see them go. Really sad.
There were so many vivid scenes that are memorable in my mind. It's hard to explain, but when you are reading and you can picture a scene that's happening down to the most extreme detail in your own mind, then I believe you have an excellent piece of fiction in your hands(or on your computer).
The battle scenes...more
There were so many vivid scenes that are memorable in my mind. It's hard to explain, but when you are reading and you can picture a scene that's happening down to the most extreme detail in your own mind, then I believe you have an excellent piece of fiction in your hands(or on your computer).
The battle scenes...more
An intricate plot, two brothers going in opposite directions with life and death struggles at every turn. A book you will hate to put down before you come to the end. With a promise of one or two more to follow.
When I first heard about this book, it was compared to T.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Once I started reading, I saw the comparisons. There is a ring of power in both, a ring that can do evil things. There is a quest of many people. There is a map at the beginning of the book (because all good fantasy novels have a map). There are funny, hard to pronounce names.
That's where the comparisons stop.
I fell into this novel and though I'm only 200 pages into it, I can't put it down. Its cha...more
That's where the comparisons stop.
I fell into this novel and though I'm only 200 pages into it, I can't put it down. Its cha...more
FBC Review published for the original edition of this novel that launched Mr. Mathias
INTRODUCTION: Several weeks ago I wanted to find some new independent books to read - I did some posts about the ones reviewed by me and Mihir in 2010 - and I spent an hour or two checking Smashwords sff books: blurb, first page and then random pages from the excerpt if interested.
Out of maybe 50 novels I looked at, The Sword and the Dragon was the only one that intrigued me since despite the traditional soundin...more
INTRODUCTION: Several weeks ago I wanted to find some new independent books to read - I did some posts about the ones reviewed by me and Mihir in 2010 - and I spent an hour or two checking Smashwords sff books: blurb, first page and then random pages from the excerpt if interested.
Out of maybe 50 novels I looked at, The Sword and the Dragon was the only one that intrigued me since despite the traditional soundin...more
Big time fun - "all cliches and all fresh" epic fantasy - if that makes sense.
FBC Review below:
INTRODUCTION: Several weeks ago I wanted to find some new independent books to read - I did some posts about the ones reviewed by me and Mihir in 2010 - and I spent an hour or two checking Smashwords sff books: blurb, first page and then random pages from the excerpt if interested.
Out of maybe 50 novels I looked at, The Sword and the Dragon was the only one that intrigued me since despite the traditio...more
FBC Review below:
INTRODUCTION: Several weeks ago I wanted to find some new independent books to read - I did some posts about the ones reviewed by me and Mihir in 2010 - and I spent an hour or two checking Smashwords sff books: blurb, first page and then random pages from the excerpt if interested.
Out of maybe 50 novels I looked at, The Sword and the Dragon was the only one that intrigued me since despite the traditio...more
Jun 23, 2012
Paula
marked it as not-wasting-my-money
Jan 30, 2011
Author Anna del C. Dye
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Author Anna del C. by:
readersfavorite.com
Review for readersfavorite.com.
The author uses an old concept and used many other tales ideas to compose this book. The chapters leave you hanging and you always want to keep reading to see what will happen next.
The story is of a people that possess the knowledge of the whereabouts of the biggest bird’s nest in the land. Thus they are the only ones that can collect eggs from them. They have rules to how many eggs they can take from each nest and also to protect the birds from other predators.
O...more
The author uses an old concept and used many other tales ideas to compose this book. The chapters leave you hanging and you always want to keep reading to see what will happen next.
The story is of a people that possess the knowledge of the whereabouts of the biggest bird’s nest in the land. Thus they are the only ones that can collect eggs from them. They have rules to how many eggs they can take from each nest and also to protect the birds from other predators.
O...more
This is one of the best fantasy novels to come along since Lord of the Rings. I set it on par with Eragon the Brisingr series from Christopher Paolini.
Mathias is a truly unique writer that has made fantasy new and exciting for me. This story was such a quick read for me that I am waiting for a book; the third in the trilogy, that does not come out until next year.
Mathias is a truly unique writer that has made fantasy new and exciting for me. This story was such a quick read for me that I am waiting for a book; the third in the trilogy, that does not come out until next year.
First off, just want to state that I think the author of this book is a complete asshole. I've run across him at several online forums and never once was he polite or nice unless everybody was kowtowing to him [which, the net being what it is, just isn't going to happen].
That being said, this book sucked me in. I read the first chapter and couldn't put it down. Near the end though things got a little draggy and I was glad for the end [hence the 4 stars instead of 5]. If the author writes more in...more
That being said, this book sucked me in. I read the first chapter and couldn't put it down. Near the end though things got a little draggy and I was glad for the end [hence the 4 stars instead of 5]. If the author writes more in...more
An excellent fantasy tale, following your typical good vs. evil theme. This book gives you a lot of adventure and action. A true fantasy world with monsters, magic, evil wizards, and giants - this book sucked me in and I found myself lost within its pages.
The Sword and the Dragon is the kickoff to the The Wardstone Trilogy. Mathias is a master at creating a world where magic abounds, and the depth of his fantasy world is astonishing. There are so many characters to love and hate, and plenty of t...more
The Sword and the Dragon is the kickoff to the The Wardstone Trilogy. Mathias is a master at creating a world where magic abounds, and the depth of his fantasy world is astonishing. There are so many characters to love and hate, and plenty of t...more
Jul 19, 2012
Jason
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
A death row inmate, but only because it would make time seem to move more slowly.
Shelves:
lost-interest
Amazon suggested this based on a Dalglish book I downloaded. Gave it a try, got a few chapters in, and got bored. Just really kind of meh. Nothing grabbed my attention, nothing really stood out. Despite the stellar reviews, I'd file this one with Eragon. Same treatment of standard fantasy tropes. Don't know if I'd call it bad, but it definitely bored me to the point of not wanting to read farther, so take that as you will.
The opening scene is lackluster, at best, and just kind of jumps around, c...more
The opening scene is lackluster, at best, and just kind of jumps around, c...more
I found this book to be highly entertaining and engaging. MR Mathias’s The Sword and the Dragon, the first in the Wardstone trilogy delivers action, adventure, and an exciting world of dragons, elves, wizards, mystical creatures, kings, battles, ancient pacts, and quests… the story unfolds in a familiar plot of villains and heroes, yet is so full of twists and turns that it kept my attention and pulled me into the characters and the story.
The action starts immediately and doesn’t let up.
I real...more
The action starts immediately and doesn’t let up.
I real...more
The beginning of this book is very nice--lots of action, decent characters, even interesting POV character shifts, which are hard for me to get involved in. However, the author doesn't keep it up; once you get past the first 100 pages in this 500+-page book, the action shifts to a lot of summaries of action--instead of getting to see what the characters see and feel what the characters feel, we get a summary of all but a few things, which isn't nearly as satisfying. I felt like the author should...more
The Sword and the Dragon
This epic fantasy is wonderfully written with exquisite detail that makes you believe the characters are real. From Hyden the archer and his brother Gerard to the elves to the Dying King Balton’s faithful squire Mikahl, set on a journey to deliver the magical sword Ironspike to a giant, all the actions of these characters jump off the pages of a plot with so many sub plots that the reader is kept enthralled and on the edge of his or her seat wondering what will happen nex...more
This epic fantasy is wonderfully written with exquisite detail that makes you believe the characters are real. From Hyden the archer and his brother Gerard to the elves to the Dying King Balton’s faithful squire Mikahl, set on a journey to deliver the magical sword Ironspike to a giant, all the actions of these characters jump off the pages of a plot with so many sub plots that the reader is kept enthralled and on the edge of his or her seat wondering what will happen nex...more
I'm conflicted. Part of me is glad I'm done reading because it's so long, but on the other hand, I feel like the characters have become a part of me and I'm sad to see them go. Really sad.
There were so many vivid scenes that are memorable in my mind. It's hard to explain, but when you are reading and you can picture a scene that's happening down to the most extreme detail in your own mind, then I believe you have an excellent piece of fiction in your hands(or on your computer).
The battle scenes...more
There were so many vivid scenes that are memorable in my mind. It's hard to explain, but when you are reading and you can picture a scene that's happening down to the most extreme detail in your own mind, then I believe you have an excellent piece of fiction in your hands(or on your computer).
The battle scenes...more
The author uses an old concept and used many other tales ideas to compose this book. The chapters leave you hanging and you always want to keep reading to see what will happen next.
The story is of a people that possess the knowledge of the whereabouts of the biggest bird’s nest in the land. Thus they are the only ones that can collect eggs from them. They have rules to how many eggs they can take from each nest and also to protect the birds from other predators.
One young man, on his expedition...more
The story is of a people that possess the knowledge of the whereabouts of the biggest bird’s nest in the land. Thus they are the only ones that can collect eggs from them. They have rules to how many eggs they can take from each nest and also to protect the birds from other predators.
One young man, on his expedition...more
After plowing through “The Sword and the Dragon” by ace author M.R. Mathias, I was swept in along with the rest of the masses of his fans into his world of post-Tolkien non-Martin medieval dark fantasy. Though this book has the elements of role-playing games, there is a story there, and not a simple one, but is a good one. There’s action, a love interest, magical rings, a magic sword, an evil wizard, and last, but not least, a dragon. Ah, and don’t forget the eggs! Literally. This book is great,...more
This was a book a halfway enjoyed. It is Told from multiple points of view; the problem comes from the fact that some of the stories are really interesting and captivating while others just drag interminably. I kept breezing through the interesting sections only to hit a brick wall. After awhile I figured I couldn't handle it anymore. I'm a fast and avid reader. If a book is taking me a month to finish I'd say there is a problem.
I'd give the story 2 stars. Over on Amazon I posted a 2-star revie...more
I'd give the story 2 stars. Over on Amazon I posted a 2-star revie...more
Fans of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis will find much to enjoy to enjoy in M.R. Mathias’ debut fantasy novel, The Sword and the Dragon (Book 1 of a trilogy). Starting with a mountain-side harvest of hawk eggs, the reader is then taken on an epic adventure through the Mainland Kingdom, encountering on the trek clansmen, a Lion Lord, lizards, serpents, elves, witches, a giant called Borg, a giantess called Berda, a bald-headed wizard called Pael, monsters and magic, kings and queens, lords and ladies, and...more
'The Sword and the Dragon' is an adventurous epic fantasy that does not disappoint. M. R. Mathias has created a fantasy world filled with complex and intriguing characters, and a plot that never slows down. There is much to enjoy with plenty of fantastic creatures, including dragons, and world building that will make you feel like you are a part of the story.
Mikahl was my favourite character, as a true, determined, and brave hero who doesn't sway from his path, and who shines under the author’s...more
Mikahl was my favourite character, as a true, determined, and brave hero who doesn't sway from his path, and who shines under the author’s...more
When I started reading this novel, and saw it was 700 pages, I was thinking it would suffer from burn out somewhere in the middle. Boy, was I wrong! The novel has a steady flow throughout, and the descriptions of various scenes throughout the novel are imaginative. The story is told from the points of view of quite a few different characters, from the good guys to the bad guys, and a couple of their animal friends. It has elements from every fantasy novel out there, including the classic tragic...more
The Sword and the Dragon is a driven tale filled with adventure. If you love getting an adrenaline rush when you read, this book will not disappoint you.
Through the many twist and turns, The Sword and the Dragon offer mystical excitement that will please fans of fantasy.
Author M.R. Mathias does a superb job in fashioning his list of characters and animating life into them. The Sword and the Dragon, the first book from the The Wardstone Trilogy carries you along on an adventurous expedition .of i...more
Through the many twist and turns, The Sword and the Dragon offer mystical excitement that will please fans of fantasy.
Author M.R. Mathias does a superb job in fashioning his list of characters and animating life into them. The Sword and the Dragon, the first book from the The Wardstone Trilogy carries you along on an adventurous expedition .of i...more
I gotta say I'm a little surprised at the rather glowing reviews I read for this book. I guess my personal taste in this instance differs from most of the masses. The story is fairly good, pretty standard fantasy fair, and the characters were appealing enough, and the use of POV was interesting, if not always really smooth. Beyond that though...I found the pacing to be plodding, the plot had the feeling of being patched too many times, and the writing to be somewhat uninspired. The foreshadowing...more
This is not the first series I have read into by M.R Mathias, but by far the is the best yet! It starts off simply with two teen brothers who are part of a clan which harvest eggs from a cliff face each year, selling those eggs to support their community. Yet Hyden, the elder brother, has been entered into an archery contest and so his younger brother Gerard climbs the cliff in his stead, whilst climbing he comes across a magical ring at the highest point of the cliff where climbers never norma...more
Jan 05, 2013
Melinda Le Baron
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
epic-fantasy,
adventure,
big-men-w-swords,
exciting,
dramatic,
violent,
war,
magic,
supernatural,
paranormal
This was a good fantasy for those of you who like the type of sword and sorcery, dragon, magic and demon type of books. This is one of the best that I've read in a while. This is the first in the trilogy. One king is poisoned, leaving an important kingdom in disarray, while an evil wizard has plans to take over the entire known human world through the King's son, the Prince. All is not lost, as the King's magic sword and his by-blow son have been sent on a quest to find out who they are, and to...more
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The jewel you see glowing in the ring in my authors photo isn't really a jewel at all. It is the crystallized tear of a real dragon. In my novel "The Royal Dragoneers" you might find the moment where this wonderfully magical tear drop fell from a green dragons eye and hardened on its way down to land in a mess of troll corpses that the dragon was laying on.
My grandfather died before I was born, bu...more
More about M.R. Mathias...
My grandfather died before I was born, bu...more
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