Editorial Content for Sword and Verse
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Reviewer (text)
With her newest book, SWORD AND VERSE, Kathy MacMillan leaves readers wondering: why didn’t she start writing fantasy books sooner?
SWORD AND VERSE is set in a world where only the highest-ranking members of society are allowed to write. The story starts by introducing the main character, Raisa, a captured slave who comes from a land where everybody was taught to read and write. She is assigned to labor as a tutor, the only position in the kingdom where a slave is permitted to learn the written language. While studying to become the next tutor, she falls in love with Prince Mati, with whom she is learning to write. However, a group called the Resistance is opposed to the prince; they strive to bring down the crown, free the slaves, and bring literacy to the entire population. The conflict that ensues is sure to leave you hanging onto each page.
With her newest book, SWORD AND VERSE, Kathy MacMillan leaves readers wondering: why didn’t she start writing fantasy books sooner?
At first I was thoroughly skeptical of this book because the first part of it had much more romantic material than I was accustomed to. However, the more that I read, the more invested I became in the story, the characters and the conflict, to the point where it became hard to put the book down. The development of the plot is done very well, and it is interesting to see how each conflict plays out over the course of the story.
The author goes into great detail in many sections of the book, which sometimes can seem a tad bit unnecessary, and become a bit tiresome. Additionally, the beginning of the book drags out for a while, and takes a while to get to the “sword” part of SWORD AND VERSE.
I would recommend this book to a young adult who enjoys reading fantasy books, especially those centered around romance. However, the book is good enough that it could appeal to anyone who simply enjoys an entertaining piece of literature. SWORD AND VERSE was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading, and it’s one of the best books I’ve read in the past year.
Teaser
Raisa was just a child when she was sold into slavery. Before she was taken away, her father had been adamant that she learn to read and write. But where she now lives, literacy is a capital offense. The written language is closely protected, and only the King, Prince, Tutor and Tutor-in-training are allowed to learn it. So when she is selected to replace the last Tutor-in-training, Raisa knows that betraying any hint of her past could mean death. Keeping her secret guarded is hard enough, but the romance that's been blossoming between her and Prince Mati isn't helping matters.
Promo
Raisa was just a child when she was sold into slavery. Before she was taken away, her father had been adamant that she learn to read and write. But where she now lives, literacy is a capital offense. The written language is closely protected, and only the King, Prince, Tutor and Tutor-in-training are allowed to learn it. So when she is selected to replace the last Tutor-in-training, Raisa knows that betraying any hint of her past could mean death. Keeping her secret guarded is hard enough, but the romance that's been blossoming between her and Prince Mati isn't helping matters.
About the Book
Raisa was just a child when she was sold into slavery in the kingdom of Qilara. Before she was taken away, her father had been adamant that she learn to read and write. But where she now lives, literacy is a capital offense for all but the nobility. The written language is closely protected, and only the King, Prince, Tutor and Tutor-in-training are allowed to learn its very highest form. So when she is plucked from her menial labor and selected to replace the last Tutor-in-training, who was executed, Raisa knows that betraying any hint of her past could mean death.
Keeping her secret guarded is hard enough, but the romance that's been blossoming between her and Prince Mati isn't helping matters. Then Raisa is approached by the Resistance --- an underground rebel army --- to help liberate the city's slaves. She wants to free her people, but that would mean aiding a war against Mati. As Raisa struggles with what to do, she discovers a secret that the Qilarites have been hiding for centuries --- one that, if uncovered, could bring the kingdom to its knees.
