- Hardcover: 359 pages
- Publisher: Eos (May 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060790911
- ISBN-13: 978-0060790912
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.5 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,095,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For readers who enjoy fast-paced and surprising fantasy fiction, SNOW FIRE SWORD is a treat. It's an exciting story with a mixture of fantasy and the modern day. Its two protagonists, Adi and Dewi, are brought together when dark forces begin to terrorize their country, taking Adi's teacher and Dewi's father. Armed only with the knowledge that they can defeat the evil with the powers of snow, fire, and sword, the two children struggle to save their world from tyranny.
The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down.
Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in.
The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society.
SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down.
Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in.
The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society.
SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
2 April 2007
Format:Hardcover
For readers who enjoy fast-paced and surprising fantasy fiction, SNOW FIRE SWORD is a treat. It's an exciting story with a mixture of fantasy and the modern day. Its two protagonists, Adi and Dewi, are brought together when dark forces begin to terrorize their country, taking Adi's teacher and Dewi's father. Armed only with the knowledge that they can defeat the evil with the powers of snow, fire, and sword, the two children struggle to save their world from tyranny.
The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down.
Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in.
The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society.
SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
The best thing about SNOW FIRE SWORD is the story itself. Masson sets a quick pace, her characters stumbling from one adventure into another chapter by chapter, keeping the reader glued to the page. There are enough twists and turns along the journey to keep readers guessing as to the ultimate outcome. Unpredictable and tightly plotted, it's a hard book to put down.
Making the story all the more engaging are the two main characters. Adi and Dewi are sympathetic and well-developed, with inner conflicts and emotional turmoil to deal with as well as their external problems. Their actions are believable for their age, but also admirable for their courage. They make mistakes as anyone would, but mistakes that fit their personalities. Young readers will find them easy to relate to despite the magical world they live in.
The world itself is another of SNOW FIRE SWORD's strengths. It is a world both intriguing and unlike any other. Adi and Dewi's country has modern elements like cars and radios, as well as fantastical aspects like communications with the spirit world and magical rings. It's all colored by a strong Asian influence, most likely based on the author's Indonesian heritage, which adds richness and a unique touch to the already fascinating society.
SNOW FIRE SWORD is a great read for fantasy lovers of all ages, and with its modern elements may appeal even to readers who shy away from traditional fantasy.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A beautiful, mythic journey
3 July 2006
Format:Hardcover
Adi is an apprentice to a master craftsman who makes kris, traditional swords imbued with spiritual power. He and his master are on a journey to deliver a new kris to the Sultan when his master is taken by hantumu, evil beings garbed all in black who ride motorcycles. (Nazgul on motorbikes?) Lying bound in a rice field, Adi is rescued by Dewi, the daughter of a dukun, a kind of healer or shaman. Dewi's father is also taken by the hantumu, and Adi and Dewi are charged by the spirits to find Snow, Fire, Sword and defeat the evil sorcerer that is plaguing the land. The spirits don't know what Snow, Fire, and Sword are, nor do they know who the sorcerer is. Together, Adi and Dewi set off on a quest to find Snow, Fire, and Sword and save the land. They are helped along the way by various beings, both human and supernatural, but in the end, Adi and Dewi must find the courage to stand up for all that is right and true.
Snow, Fire, Sword is a beautiful and mythic journey through an Indonesia that is a little bit mythical, a little bit modern, and a little bit fantasy. It's a world where the ancient spirits of Indonesian and Arabic myths coexist with motorcycles, helicopters and an absolutely-adorable slightly-supernatural car. The cover of the book sports a blurb from Lloyd Alexander, which seems appropriate, since the book reminded me a lot of some of Alexander's best, such as The Iron Ring and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen.
Adi and Dewi are interesting and likeable young people. Dewi longs for adventure, but finds that real adventure is much harder than she expected. Adi is content with his life and loves his master; he is driven by a sense of helplessness and shame that he couldn't help his master when the hantumu took him, and is determined to save him this time. The story is exciting and filled out with a rich cast of wonderfully-envisioned supporting characters. I can't say too much without giving things away, but suffice it to say that this is a story of personal heroism and sacrifice on many levels.
The Indonesian and Arabic names of people and places made the book a little difficult to read at first for someone who isn't used to them, but after a while you adjust and the reading gets easier. It's well worth taking the time to adjust to the differences and get into the book.
Snow, Fire, Sword is a beautiful and mythic journey through an Indonesia that is a little bit mythical, a little bit modern, and a little bit fantasy. It's a world where the ancient spirits of Indonesian and Arabic myths coexist with motorcycles, helicopters and an absolutely-adorable slightly-supernatural car. The cover of the book sports a blurb from Lloyd Alexander, which seems appropriate, since the book reminded me a lot of some of Alexander's best, such as The Iron Ring and The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen.
Adi and Dewi are interesting and likeable young people. Dewi longs for adventure, but finds that real adventure is much harder than she expected. Adi is content with his life and loves his master; he is driven by a sense of helplessness and shame that he couldn't help his master when the hantumu took him, and is determined to save him this time. The story is exciting and filled out with a rich cast of wonderfully-envisioned supporting characters. I can't say too much without giving things away, but suffice it to say that this is a story of personal heroism and sacrifice on many levels.
The Indonesian and Arabic names of people and places made the book a little difficult to read at first for someone who isn't used to them, but after a while you adjust and the reading gets easier. It's well worth taking the time to adjust to the differences and get into the book.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Decent, yet flawed
17 Oct 2006
Format:Hardcover
In an alternative modern day Indonesia, a young apprentice called Adi and his master Empu are attacked by bandits known as hantumu. Empu is kdnapped and Adi is left to find a way to save him. He meets a young girl called Dewi whose father is the village healer and when he too is kidnaped, the pair embark on a journey to resuce them and obtain snow, fire and sword in order to rid the land of the evil tat si thratening to destroy it.
This book is slow to get going. Although the story move along fast enough, it takes a long whilebefore the haracters really bein to shine which makes it difficult to care what happens to them next. The book picks up about halfway through and although it will never a classic, it's an enteraining read.
I enjoyed the author's use of Indonesian myths and legends to tell the story. They're well woven into a modern day scenario and are told with a sense of mystical wonder. I also really ked the glossary at the back. if you read this book, I suggest you have a look at that first because the book is so uch more entertaining with that knowledge under your belt.
I think that is one problem with the book. Masson doesn't really spend much time explaining each and every concept and seems to presume you'll check the glossary if you're confused. Some authors have managed to tell the reader nothing and still written an absorbing story in which the reader picks it all up for themselves. Ms Masson doesn't quite manage it. The lack of info does hinder the flow of the story at first, but not to the point that you'd give up on reading.
The characterisation fell a little flat, though there were some shining moments throughout the book and at least each character and their own distinct personality, save for a few spirits. Both Dewi and Adi were likeable protagonists, though Adi was slightly more so. I wsh tey'd spent more of he book together and had a bit more of an emotional reunion but in reality, they did barely know each other and didn't go through the hardest times together so it stands to reson their most emotionalreunion was not between them. The ending scene with all the main characters, however, was fairly moving.
In general, I would call this book flawed but a decent enough read. Sophie has written much better books but I don't regret this purchase nor feel sorry for the paper it was printed on.
This book is slow to get going. Although the story move along fast enough, it takes a long whilebefore the haracters really bein to shine which makes it difficult to care what happens to them next. The book picks up about halfway through and although it will never a classic, it's an enteraining read.
I enjoyed the author's use of Indonesian myths and legends to tell the story. They're well woven into a modern day scenario and are told with a sense of mystical wonder. I also really ked the glossary at the back. if you read this book, I suggest you have a look at that first because the book is so uch more entertaining with that knowledge under your belt.
I think that is one problem with the book. Masson doesn't really spend much time explaining each and every concept and seems to presume you'll check the glossary if you're confused. Some authors have managed to tell the reader nothing and still written an absorbing story in which the reader picks it all up for themselves. Ms Masson doesn't quite manage it. The lack of info does hinder the flow of the story at first, but not to the point that you'd give up on reading.
The characterisation fell a little flat, though there were some shining moments throughout the book and at least each character and their own distinct personality, save for a few spirits. Both Dewi and Adi were likeable protagonists, though Adi was slightly more so. I wsh tey'd spent more of he book together and had a bit more of an emotional reunion but in reality, they did barely know each other and didn't go through the hardest times together so it stands to reson their most emotionalreunion was not between them. The ending scene with all the main characters, however, was fairly moving.
In general, I would call this book flawed but a decent enough read. Sophie has written much better books but I don't regret this purchase nor feel sorry for the paper it was printed on.
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