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The Isle of Battle (Swans' War) (Paperback)

by Sean Russell (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
Price: £7.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

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Frequently Bought Together

The Isle of Battle (Swans' War) + Shadow Road (Swans' War) + The One Kingdom (Swans' War)
Price For All Three: £19.97

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  • This item: The Isle of Battle (Swans' War) by Sean Russell

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Product details

  • Paperback: 576 pages
  • Publisher: Orbit; New edition edition (3 April 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1841491934
  • ISBN-13: 978-1841491936
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.6 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 216,748 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #2 in  Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > R > Russell, Sean

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Sean Russell adds interesting ideas to the Medievalising fantasy. The Isle of Battle, second volume of his Swan's War trilogy, has a handy amount of night-time treachery, feats of archery, sorcery and pitched cavalry battles. It has interesting thoughts about the nature of identity--to save her life, noblewoman Elise has allowed herself to be possessed by the long-dead sorceress Sianon and it is not clear, in either direction, who got the better of the deal. Similarly, Russell plays games with honour--is Dease, who has changed his loyalties, more, or less, honourable than his cousin Samul, who pursues them into dishonour and treachery?

These books take place in debatable land--centuries earlier a sorcerer twisted the relationship in time and space between locations along a river valley and its tributaries--and the moral landscape in which the characters get bogged down is equally perverse and disjointed. He brings a compassion to relationships--that between the blind minstrel King Carral, for example, and the hideously scarred Llyn--that never becomes quite saccharine. As its predecessor, The One Kingdom,The Isle of Battlekeeps us caring about the destinies of a large cast of characters and weighs courage against wisdom, loyalty against righteousness in an intelligent and morally complex narrative. --Roz Kaveney --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



Review

** 'One of the best fantasies of recent years . Sean Russell has all the gifts that a master storyteller needs' ENIGMA on ISLE OF BATTLE ** 'A master of intelligent fantasy - subtle, well-crafted and gripping' STEPHEN DONALDSON ** 'Magic and mystery blend in abundance with an intricate cast of characters. An engrossing read.' ROBIN HOBB
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79% buy the item featured on this page:
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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (3)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A rare, good "middle book" in an excellent trilogy (A Book Swede Review), 8 Oct 2007
This review is from: The Isle of Battle (Swans' War) (Hardcover)
The Isle of Battle starts off directly after the hectic events of The One Kingdom (9/10) , and it starts off fast! Sean Russell provides a kind of synopsis to the previous events -- very useful, as throughout the book, no reprieve is given to the reader, with Russell constantly moving from scene to scene with an almost fierce abandon.

The story in The Isle of Battle is more developed, as is to be expected, and a sense of pettiness, almost, is established at the lesser events -- it becomes very clear that much more is at stake that the honour or ancient enmity of two Houses, as mighty powers rage for control of their land.

As for characterisation, I really liked the importance Lord Carral was given in this book, and I felt he developed well, particularly after suffering the news of what he thought was his daughter's death. Unknown -- at least, for a little while -- to everyone, is that his daughter still lives and has struck a bargain with one of the children of Wyrr ...

...And that's not good.

The Stillwater is one of my favourite locations for a show-down in any book I've read. On one of the "hidden roads" is where it lurks, and a lot of care has gone into making the Stillwater a vivid and memorable landscape. Alaan didn't spend much time traveling this time -- trapped as he was in marsh-type locale with the most powerful sorcerers trying to track him down and kill him. Also not good, especially after the injuries he received at the end of The One Kingdom...

The book manages to avoid the sluggish-ness of some second volumes in trilogies, and even without the inevitable show-down included, there are still several other great scenes towards the end, too -- I mentioned in my review of The One Kingdom that I felt Death and his minions would be playing a more corporeal part in this series ... and while I was right, it wasn't quite the way I expected. How Russell explored the history of Death, and his past, was fascinating.

The Isle of Battle has something of a cliffhanger ending which might disappointed some people, but it's a good read and another solid piece of work from Sean Russell. I continue to be impressed with his work. And nice artwork, too ;) 8.5/10.
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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth A Read, 3 Oct 2003
If you are a fantasy fan who has read their Eddings, Feist, Tolkien, Goodkind etc 20 times and are desparing of finding something new then this could be what you are looking for.

Isle Of Battle is not on the scale of the epics mentioned above but has an interesting storyline, good characters and enough unpredictability to keep you guessing and waiting for the next installment. Whilst there is not the level of action or magic as in many others in the genre, there is certainly enough to keep the pages turning and the plot and writing are of a high enough quality not to need constant battles to captivate you.

This is an entertaining, solid book that looks like it will develop into a very worthwhile series and keep readers guessing throughout. I would rate it on a similar level with the Robin Hobb novels and certainly recommend a purchase.

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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If You Buy This Book Your Life Will Be Better, 13 Sep 2003
By A Customer
This book is so great and gripping that I can't even do it justice. If you have read The One Kingdom you will know exactly what I mean. It is just awesome and I am DESPERATE for the third book to be released. As usual the plot is twisty and the characters have many different dimensions to them. You really need to read and then re-read this book to fully appreciate all the little twists and hints that are in there.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars A weak middle chapter of a fair trilogy.
I really struggled to finidh this book, despite quite enjoying the one kingdom. It felt a labour to read it rather than a pleasure. Read more
Published 19 months ago by genejoke

2.0 out of 5 stars Whiplash from one book to the next
You're driving down the road, heading into some of the most beautiful scenery you've ever seen. It's fall, and the trees are gloriously orange, brown, and gold, the colours... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2004 by David Roy

2.0 out of 5 stars Out of his Depth
The Isle of Battle has some good episodes. The Stillwater is one of the best magical locations in any fantasy I have read. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2003 by Cr Gibbs

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Continuation of What Will Become a Classic Saga
The Isle of Battle is book two of Sean Russells' 'Swans War' Saga. It is a continuation to 'The One Kingdom' and so obviously isn't a book to read 'stand-alone'. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2003 by Sam Bloomfield

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master at Work
Sean Russell writes very very well. The story flows like the great river at the heart of the book and the characters, plot and pace are controlled with a light yet firm grip that... Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars The Isle of Battle
Having finished Sean Russell's first book I couldn't wait for The Isle of Battle to arrive on the shelf, and despite having to buy the hardback it was well worth every penny... Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2002 by S I J Wallace

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