Got a free copy of this on Amazon during one of it's promo periods.Overall I enjoyed the book.One thing I really did not like was the virginity test that happened at the start of the story.I found the book interesting in in it's apparent roots to dungeons and dragons character/class rules and restrictions. I like stories where you start with an underdog, and they gradually get learn to get stronger and overcome obstacles, whatever they may be... so I found this a fun to relax with.There is one other thing that kind of bugged me... and that had to do with the decision of the main character to retain the slave collar when she had the opportunity to remove it. The collar would potentially kill her if it were to be struck in battle, yet she chose to continue to wear it.... Say what!? No way is someone going to take an unnecessary risk like that and for what? For sentimental reasons leading back to her trainer? Ok, this started out ok… and then I was jarred out of the story by the girl's reaction to being sold into slavery. Sorry, but in that culture and era, this was not uncommon, nor would it have been terribly unexpected on her part to be sold, if not as a an out and out slave, as a 'bride' to the trader. So her reactions were completely wrong there, without some development of trust toward her father, which the author goes out of their way to show the opposite. Then, her collaring yielding that kind of pain… did I miss something? Is this actually SF where nerve-effects are being created by the metal? Because otherwise, that made absolutely no sense in context. If it was magical, say so, but there was no foreshadowing of magic, nor mention of it before that point in the story. Finally, the mistreatment of the girl by her fellow slave rang completely wrong. The girl abusing her had to have known that the consequences of damaging the goods would be severe. Torment and bruises under clothing, maybe. Savaging her until she couldn't stand? I was done. Look, if you're going to set a world up, do some research on parallel cultures, and stop trying to impose your mores and world view on top of them without a very good reason.
What do You think about The Last Swordmage (2000)?
This first book was very enjoyable with a fast paced plot and great characters.
—cecily
decent quick read. I'll read the 2nd book in the series.
—vithya
Excellent start to a potentially good series of novels.
—Tk7790
Awesome. Need to read the third one when it comes out.
—Chloe
a light reading book....the book is lack of detail.
—yams
