Absolutely thrilled with this stand alone book.After finishing up "The Oathbound" and "Oathbreaker" instead of reading "Oathblood", I picked up this little gem at the local library, figuring it was good after reading The Arrows trilogy and since Kerowyn was Kethry's granddaughter, it had to be good, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Sure, there were parts that dragged on and some parts I thought that could be left out but overall, an excellent read.After saving her brother's fiancee from a group of bandits, teenaged Kerowyn's urge to travel the world and see what's in it nags at her every second. With her mother long dead and her father recently dead, there's nothing really left tying her to home, especially since most of the people she knows thought it a bit foolish of her to go running off to save her sister-in-law. Regardless, Kero leaves her home anyways, heading to her grandmother, Kethry's, home some short distance away. There she learns more about her past and family, her likely future, and receives the training she'll never regret and grows to shape her future. But nagging at her too, is her ability to MindSpeak, that is, she can sense the thoughts of others and even talk to them if she wasn't too afraid. With this, she receives training too from the most unlikely person, or rather animal, Warrl.[Spoiler alert! Read at your own risk.]I only had a few qualms with this book. First off, I didn't really think it was necessary for Daren and Kero to sleep togther. Not just because they weren't suited for each other, but I think they still would have remained great friends had that occurred. I suppose though, Daren needed some convincing and realized that Kero is not at all like any of the ladies back at Court.Once Eldan and Kero were safe in a cave, I was hardpressed to believe that the first thing they did was have sex. I mean, what? Sure, they are lifebonded together and that means a lot in these series but really? I don't even know. But we can see what a large impact Eldan had on Kero even through the next 10+ years. I also like the way Lackey continues to revolve her stories around Valdemar.Interesting tidbit about mages and magic not being allowed in Valdemar. I imagine Lackey wrote a series about this and I think I'll read it in order to have a better answer than what was not given in this book.Forgive me for saying so, but I really felt that Daren's "earth-sense" introduced at close to end of the book was kind of like a scapegoat. In a rut? Don't know what to do? Oh yeah, this character possesses some magical ability. But despite that, he did eventually become a Herald and fell head over heels with Selenay and vice versa, so I imagine it isn't so bad. However, once I learned about Kero's MindSpeak and that she felt in love with Eldan, I figured she'd become a Herald regardless. Interesting, that is!Excellent stand alone book. I think one could read this without having read any of the other novels because Lackey does a good job familiarizing the audience with past events.
I have a cold so I wanted a book I could get lost in but not feel bad if I had to put it down. I've been reading Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series since the beginning. I've read this book before. It looked like a perfect fit. And it was.For a book about mercenary life, it's probably one of Ms. Lackey's most idealistic books. I realized this when I read about moonflower's bane, etc. Other than magic, how would the characteristics of these particular plants be found? Then there's the Mercenary's Code and the discussions about honor. Very idealistic.On the other hand, I've been talking to friends about what are the characteristics of a strong female character. Ms. Lackey writes strong female characters and this book is exemplary if you're looking for a strong female character. Kerowyn is a woman, first and foremost. She's human. Something happens which makes her want to be more than what her family wants her to be. She wants to be more and devotes herself to becoming more/better. She's not superhuman. She's blessed to have family to support her when she needs support. She's lucky but not inordinately so. Hard work leads her to achieve. She has rough/hard times and is almost broken by those times.I'm glad I read it. I needed to read a strong female character with ideals, even if she is a mercenary.
What do You think about By The Sword (1991)?
I’ve read this book so many times I actually need to get a new copy because my copy is falling apart. I love Kerowyn and you see her in many of the other Valdemar books so if you have read those and wonder how she became who she is, this book tells her story. Readers see Kerowyn turn from this sheltered young girl into one of the top mercenary in the mercenary guild.The book is basically broken up into two parts. The first part follows Kerowyn as she is taken in by her grandmother, Kethry, and retired mercenary, Tarma. Tarma basically takes Kerowyn under her wing and hones her into a deadly weapon and gives her the confidence to go out and make a living on her own and not depend on a man to take care of her.The second half of the book is Kerowyn’s entry into a mercenary guild, her rise in the ranks and eventually the job that takes her into Valdemar to meet the Heralds and Companions. And just maybe will she find true love with a man who views her as an equal?
—Debbie
Great heroine storyOne of my favorite 'herald' books. A no nonsense heroine, who can kick butt and take names. I wish there hadn't been as much inner dialog with her thinking there was something wrong with her. Also I'm a little disappointed at the romance. I think it was unnecessary, a little ham fisted, and undetermined the 'can be whatever she wants to be and doesn't need a man's message the book seemed to be giving. Otherwise I loved it, I only wish there was more stories of restoring her merc company!
—carolyn
I have to say I enjoyed this book and Kerowyn much more than Lackey's original Arrows of the Queen trilogy with Talia. Kerowyn was an aweseome character, I loved how she thought things through and planned for the future, not letting the emotions of the moment rule her life. So much less hand-wringing angst than Talia. Mostly a standalone novel, By the Sword takes place over 18 years in three acts. Act 1, we are introduced to Kerowyn at 17 and then see how she first receives training. In Acts 2 and 3, we check in on her at points in her long mercenary career. Act 3 also shows how Kerowyn eventually ends up in Valdemar, 2 years after the conclusion of events in Talia's trilogy, where she meets up with Queen Selenay and the other Heralds. While you can get along never having read Talia's trilogy, your understanding of the last few chapters of By the Sword and Heralds/Companions will be much improved if you had already read Arrows of the Queen.
—Mallori
