After finally tracking down her long-ago kidnapped brother with the help of master sword-dancer Tiger, Del now faces the daunting task of returning to the North to finally pay the price for having slain her sword-master. Tiger isn't about to allow his basha to return to her homelands alone to face a trial and possibly death and so comes along for the ride. All too quickly however, he discovers that the North is nothing like his beloved desert South. Not only is he faced with an unfamiliar landscape and colder temperatures but demons and magic which Tiger stoutly refuses to believe exists. Even though the proof is right before his eyes. Frustrated with the whole venture, a miserable Tiger watches as Del becomes increasingly more detached and withdrawn even as she daily tries to prepare him for the uncompromising severity of her former home. Well. Whereas Sword-Dancer left me extremely satisfied if not entirely hungry for more Tiger and Del, then its sequel, Sword-Singer left me astounded and downright DEMANDING for the next installment. After having already spent one whole book with these two outstanding characters, I thought I had a pretty good handle on their histories and motivations but boy howdy was I ever wrong. Clever Ms. Roberson had plenty more surprises up her sleeve in Sword-Singer. For most of the novel I truly felt like I was there, right along with Tiger, discovering detail after detail about the North and Del for the very first time. I sympathized with his frustrations and unhappiness even if I sometimes wanted to pop him upside the head. But then, Tiger wouldn't be Tiger without a rash response here or there.Although once again, Del in her quiet yet unyielding way utterly stole the show and my heart in Sword-Singer. She is so fierce yet still feels every choice so deeply - even though she tries to hide that facet of her personality. I simply do not know how Del has managed to continue after enduring hardship upon hardship. But GAH!! How in heavens name could Jennifer Roberson end the book in such a way?!? Horrible cliff-hanger that it was, I'm still fuming at my mailman for taking over three weeks to bring me the next book, Sword-Maker. You can bet your sweet socks I didn't waste any time diving right back in.
Picking up right where Sword-dancer left off, Sword-singer follows the travels of Tiger and Del into the North. While Del is facing the ghosts of her past in her native land, Tiger is facing the reality of strange Northern magic and customs. Ever the skeptic, Tiger often takes too long to admit that there is something strange in the North - evil powers that be, which threaten to steer he and Del off their course. Which could end with death, for one or both of our heroes. In sword-singer, Roberson weaves an engrossing tale of love, loyalty, honor, horror, magic, strength, and prejudice that leaves you mouth agape at the end and demanding more.
What do You think about Sword-Singer (1988)?
I did like it. I get a little annoyed at the bickering between the two, but they seem to want to be true to themselves rather than try to build a relationship. Del wants to prove she is as capable as any male and it is clear that she is, but she is giving up a part of her soul in the process. They each come together with their own baggage. Different but then again, alike in many ways. It seems to be a relationship based on convenience. But with their pasts, who can truly blame them. Del only seems to selfishly see Del and what she wants and uses people to get what she wants. Hopefully she will grow as a person and come to know that is not the way it should be. I'm thinking that all the books together may be a story of how both Del and Tiger move from individuals focused on revenge to finding out who they really are once the vengeance is gone. Del, (not so much as Tiger) has a long way to go before getting there. Tiger, even though having demons of his own, is concerned about Del and how things effect her, but also has enough self respect to not take crap from her. With the cliffhanger at the end, I'm not sure where this is going. I have seen the covers of the other books and Del is pictured on these covers so I take it she is still around. I will get the next book.
—Karen
i recalled this as being my favorite of the series, and rereading now i can see why. roberson comes into her own here. the pacing is under control. the characters are alive. the writing is focused. i wouldn't say this book is perfect, but it clicks together. the pieces fit. roberson works within the sword-and-sorcery tradition, and with a male narrator, to reimagine what is possible within the bounds of the genre and turns out an entertaining and successful story. it would be fun to see a good mini-series adaptation...
—h
Ok, so this is the second book about the adventures of Tiger and Del and (as per my review of the first) the action scenes are still lacking in the visceral department but I do love my journey with Tiger and Del. I just realize that the strength of novel is that we are always following one storyline, no jumping from one POV to another. That focus on the protagonists enable the reader to be invested and mostly (for me) have them on my mind all the time. So even do I decided to read another novel in between the Tiger and Del novels, I kept thinking about them while reading the other book. Bottom line, this is a simple, well writing (focus) sword and sorcery adventure story with strong evolving characters. Go in for the journey not so for the action and you will be charmed like I was by Tiger and Del.
—Éric Kasprak
