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It is a world of betrayals and alliances, of spells and magic, of haunting dreams and dark desires...
The rebel princess Alexeika is captured and tortured by the evil Grethori--but is sustained by dreams of the man who will set her free...
Prince Gavril yearns to control the dark magick of a cursed sword--while his desperate betrothed pursues another man's heart...
Asked to help protect Gavril, the half-elven Dain continues a quest to fulfill his adoptive father's dying wish...
It is a journey that will give him the chance to save the woman he loves--and will place him at odds with the destiny that he and Alexeika share.
A destiny that can only be realized with the help of a long-lost talisman...
The rebel princess Alexeika is captured and tortured by the evil Grethori--but is sustained by dreams of the man who will set her free...
Prince Gavril yearns to control the dark magick of a cursed sword--while his desperate betrothed pursues another man's heart...
Asked to help protect Gavril, the half-elven Dain continues a quest to fulfill his adoptive father's dying wish...
It is a journey that will give him the chance to save the woman he loves--and will place him at odds with the destiny that he and Alexeika share.
A destiny that can only be realized with the help of a long-lost talisman...
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Chester
55 books153 followersThe internationally published, award-winning author of 41 novels, Deborah Chester has written Regency romances, historical romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. She is a tenured professor of professional writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches novel and short story writing.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 19, 2019
An OK read.
November 28, 2016
Actual Rating: 3 1/2
The moral of this story for me is if you like a trilogy buy all 3 books when you have the chance otherwise they will mysteriously vanish from every bookstore and you will have to search the internet for elusive copies. Anyway, this series is kind of a junior Lord of the Rings/Game of thrones combo. Lots of court intrigue and magic but less disturbing content. it is a typical middle trilogy book. you're kind of biding time until the excitement starts in the 3rd book but the story and characters are very interesting.
The moral of this story for me is if you like a trilogy buy all 3 books when you have the chance otherwise they will mysteriously vanish from every bookstore and you will have to search the internet for elusive copies. Anyway, this series is kind of a junior Lord of the Rings/Game of thrones combo. Lots of court intrigue and magic but less disturbing content. it is a typical middle trilogy book. you're kind of biding time until the excitement starts in the 3rd book but the story and characters are very interesting.
November 2, 2009
I'd like to say that this was a great new world, expanding upon the first book, but while it is a good high fantasy novel, it just seems...sub-par after reading some of the more intricate and well thought out series in the high Fantasy world. By no means is that condemnation, it was still a good read, just not up to the level of what I expect from a good novel.
September 24, 2020
The Ring Specific Review: This book is where the downfall of the series truly began for me. The main payoff of the first book was quickly negated within the first chapters of this book. It also introduced the "love" interest that would come to motivate Dain and did so badly. It did continue to flesh out the only good character in the series, Gavril. But again it failed to re-immerse me in any of the magical elements I know were present in the world. The whole book felt like a side story that could have taken up only a few chapters and still gave me as much info and story building the entire book did. Also it finally teased one of the three main artifacts but then took all that back.
The Sword , The Ring, The Chalice Review: This series felt like a bit of a wasted read. There was no pay off in the end. The "love story" that made up much of the motivation for Dain was so underdeveloped, felt ham-fisted, and failed to make me believe in it. Also there was such promise for a magical and mythology side of this series that was just abandoned quickly in the beginning and barely used throughout. For a supposed fantasy book it was more just a realistic middle ages style with little weight or attention given to its, I'll admit, interesting magic and fantasy side. In addition, as a Dain character Dain felt very passive, all his successes were handed to him via plot and never felt like he earned it. Dain himself had little to no character development. Even when the magic came into play it was more an ex machina style last minute undeserved save. As the main artifacts of the books, from which they get their names, were not major players in the series. They got very little attention and were not used to the extent that could have made them great. Even the "grand finale" of the series felt like it was written as an after thought, was rushed, and didn't make me feel any sense of closer. The only thing I think it did well was creating a character that was meant to be hated in Gavril. But even Gavril's characters ultimate end felt flawed; the series spent a lot of time articulating the rivalry between Gavril and Dain but in the end it came to little of import. picked up this series knowing it may be just a generic fantasy world but when I put it down I was still very disappointed
The Sword , The Ring, The Chalice Review: This series felt like a bit of a wasted read. There was no pay off in the end. The "love story" that made up much of the motivation for Dain was so underdeveloped, felt ham-fisted, and failed to make me believe in it. Also there was such promise for a magical and mythology side of this series that was just abandoned quickly in the beginning and barely used throughout. For a supposed fantasy book it was more just a realistic middle ages style with little weight or attention given to its, I'll admit, interesting magic and fantasy side. In addition, as a Dain character Dain felt very passive, all his successes were handed to him via plot and never felt like he earned it. Dain himself had little to no character development. Even when the magic came into play it was more an ex machina style last minute undeserved save. As the main artifacts of the books, from which they get their names, were not major players in the series. They got very little attention and were not used to the extent that could have made them great. Even the "grand finale" of the series felt like it was written as an after thought, was rushed, and didn't make me feel any sense of closer. The only thing I think it did well was creating a character that was meant to be hated in Gavril. But even Gavril's characters ultimate end felt flawed; the series spent a lot of time articulating the rivalry between Gavril and Dain but in the end it came to little of import. picked up this series knowing it may be just a generic fantasy world but when I put it down I was still very disappointed
September 29, 2020
Both the beginning and end of this book were interesting enough, but the middle dragged. Dain is such an underwhelming protagonist. In this book alone he gives up his birthright, attacks Gavril and is outwitted by Sulein. He comes across as completely incompetent and at this point I'm not convinced that we should want him on any throne. The romantic subplot with Pheresa was tiresome and culminated with her being little more than a prize to be won and the catalyst for Gavril and Dain having to work together. Alexeika continues to be a distant memory and the depictions of the Grethori seemed low key racist. The cover art also seems a bit racially charged. Honestly, after this book I'd probably advise against anyone starting this twenty year old series. Fantasy has only gotten better.
July 30, 2020
This book took a very long time to read. I'm not sure why. The story is good and I like the characters but it didn't seem to continue with the momentum of the first book.
I think there were too much court wheeling and dealing and hunting to really keep the momentum. It didn't feel very actiony even with the tournament. I would have liked to have read more about Alexeika and to see her triumph and less about Dain being a simpering pansy.
I look forward to the third book and to see how this wraps up
I think there were too much court wheeling and dealing and hunting to really keep the momentum. It didn't feel very actiony even with the tournament. I would have liked to have read more about Alexeika and to see her triumph and less about Dain being a simpering pansy.
I look forward to the third book and to see how this wraps up
March 14, 2018
Tweede deel van deze serie. Een fijn ouderwets fantasy verhaal. Een jonge eenvoudige knul met een missie, een beetje magie en half eld-(elf) bloed. Een andere jongeman, een koningszoon, die hem alles misgunt en hem overal in dwars probeert te zitten. Een beeldschone maar naïeve prinses waar de jongens (natuurlijk) beiden om verschillende redenen mee willen huwen (want trouwen doet men niet in dit soort boeken). Ik ben heel benieuwd naar het derde deel.
November 29, 2017
Slightly better than the first one, but still generic, by-the-numbers fantasy.
September 10, 2021
Very well written, and an interesting world.
July 19, 2022
Condon the mainaz NV awe 4q
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September 26, 2022
Alexeika is the only character I like.
March 21, 2023
After a slow start on book 1 I'm quite enjoying this high fantasy trilogy.
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October 23, 2025A long-lost talismen helps a rebel princess and a half-elvin courtier realize the destiny that they share. 2nd in The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice trilogy, following book one, The Sword
November 18, 2025
I had a great time reading this. Shockingly enjoyed it a lot more than the first book, which for a trilogy is basically unheard of.
September 3, 2020
I won't say that this is one of the greats. There isn't as much world building or complexity as a lot of great fantasy novels. I still enjoyed it though. The characters are great and the plot is interesting. If stayed up later than I should to read a bit farther, wanting to see where the story goes. And for me, that's what makes it worth reading.
April 12, 2008
***CAUTION SPOILER*** This is the sequel of "The Sword". In this book, we learn how Lord Odfrey, Dain's adoptive father, gets killed in a trap set by the nonkind while trying to lead prince Gavril to Mandria. Even though Dain fights fiercely with the help of the enchanted sword, Tanengard, he can't avoid Lord Odfrey's death.
After that he decides to go to Mandria to present to the king Lord Odfrey's petition to adopt him. Several of his friends offer to accompany him in his journey.
Once in Mandria, he defeats Gavril in a joust, meets Lady Pheresa, Gavril's fiancée, falls in love with her and tries to conquer her. But Lady Pheresa gets sick from drinking some poison that was meant for Dain. So he decides to go looking for the Chalice of eternal life to help her.
When Gavril learns about this he says he will go too, because Pheresa was his fiancée.
During the quest Dain has to suffer many more traps set up by the cruel Gavril...
After that he decides to go to Mandria to present to the king Lord Odfrey's petition to adopt him. Several of his friends offer to accompany him in his journey.
Once in Mandria, he defeats Gavril in a joust, meets Lady Pheresa, Gavril's fiancée, falls in love with her and tries to conquer her. But Lady Pheresa gets sick from drinking some poison that was meant for Dain. So he decides to go looking for the Chalice of eternal life to help her.
When Gavril learns about this he says he will go too, because Pheresa was his fiancée.
During the quest Dain has to suffer many more traps set up by the cruel Gavril...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2012
I liked this book, but unfortunately the sequel does not keep up with the first volume. I liked the boy's adventures and even if the story doesn't stand out for its originality, I found it quite enjoyable: the lost prince, the lost heritage, the quest for the magical talisman... if not new, they were at least decently developed. The characters also seemed quite interesting... but in the following two volumes the main character loses all depth: as long as he was a commoner he was 'true', but as soon as he discovers his true identity he suddenly IS a prince. There is no struggle, no hesitation, no CHANGING, one day he is a foundling and the next he is an arrogant noble. Bah. I would suggest Miss Chester to read TheBoneDollsTwin (by Flewelling), just in order to see how a believable -and wonderful- character is developed.
June 16, 2007
Unfortunately, this book just didn't match up to its predecessor. I guess you did need this book to set up the last one, but the author could have done a much better job. I was very unimpressed with the work on the whole.
April 16, 2010
I finally got to reading this book, and yes, it was really good, and read really fast. I don't seem to remember much from the first book (The Sword) because I read it ages ago (back when I SHOULD have read this one -- I am a slacker)
December 7, 2010
Ironically while my copy (which I innocently ordered from biblio.com) is missing its cover, it is also signed by Deborah Chester herself. Funny.
As for how the book was, it was a good read but it wasn't very original or complex.
As for how the book was, it was a good read but it wasn't very original or complex.
September 20, 2013
Again not the best book, but again not the worst, just a decent trilogy in the making. Again kept me interested enough to buy the third volume (see reviews for The Sword and The Chalice).
July 7, 2007
It wasn't as action packed as the first (The Sword) but it was still a good book.
November 27, 2010
2nd book in the series and a very good read.
August 23, 2012
Loved this series
September 2, 2012
Read it in 2 days!! I think that says it all :D
April 19, 2013
Good enough I hope she writes more. I really enjoyed it.
August 11, 2017
The same as book one, amazing!
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December 27, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13099637
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13099637
June 3, 2016
New author for me. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews