The Sword

The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice #1

by Deborah Chester

Dain, a half-elven boy, and Alexeika, brave daughter of the rebel leader, are the only ones who can save the kingdom from evil Crown Prince Gavril

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Adult, Magic, Adventure

393 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

About the author

The internationally published, award-winning author of 41 novels, Deborah Chester has written Regency romances, historical romances, young adult, science fiction, and fantasy. She is a tenured professor of professional writing in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches novel and short story writing.
She holds a B.A. with General Honors and an M.A. in Journalism; both degrees are from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied professional writing from author/teachers Jack M. Bickham, Robert L. Duncan, and Pulitzer-nominee Carolyn Hart. Chester has been writing professionally since 1978, and has used three pseudonyms – Jay D. Blakeney and Sean Dalton and C. Aubrey Hall for some of her science fiction and fantasy works.
In 2004, she was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America.

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars - English Ebook

Review follows later.

[Blodeuedd Finland]

It could have worked, but it did not for me and I have to DNF it. I read up to page 80 or something and then skimmed the rest. I just could not bother with it.

The best part was the beginning and even that had me skimming. The evil guys were evil, and I do like when there are stupid religious people trying saying everyone else is wicked. But who cares. That was my problem who cares. I don't.

The formula was generic too, and sure I like the whole old school stuff. But I was never invested in anyone. Then when the young prince took over the story, again who cares, and why are you so stupid in the first place to go there? Honestly man.

So a fail.

[Arthur O'dell · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s generic by-the-numbers fantasy complete with lazy world-building and a plot that feels like a prologue to the main story rather than the story itself. The main character is kind of an unlikeable jerk for most of the novel, the other main male character is not just unlikeable but a total dick, and the two female leads barely get any screen time. Very few of the supporting characters leave much of an impression.

Two stars for some decent action and because it scratched an itch. Maybe the other two in the series will be marginally better.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, 3.5 stars.

[Nicole Meadows Smith]

What bothered me about it was the lack of editing. There were some areas that needed reinforcement or to be checked for continuity. Dain realizes he's going into battle unarmed, then is using his dagger; the dagger is confiscated, then fastened on his belt to be confiscated again further down the hall. Sr Roye has persistently yellow eyes (plural). They glitter disdainfully, they glare, they meet other eyes. Two pages later his single eye is stony and I am jarred by this detail and can only conclude that one eye dissolved in the steam of the bath room as nothing else supports this change in eyeball inventory. This book needed more time for revision and unification, more showing and less telling, so that its potentials could be realized and the writer taken out. My copy is from 2000, so maybe it's changed.

Editing distractions aside, Deborah Chester has conveyed her intentions and defined the important factors of the trilogy's world. Hierarchy, standards of masculinity and femininity, religious tolerance/intolerance, honor and "nonor," and various prejudices and values. Much of the conflict comes out of perceptions, interpretations and pride, but there's room for learning and understanding. We behave how we're taught. Though parts were incomplete, I trust her to have a complete message through the rest of the trilogy. Even wobbly stepping stones can carry you across to a satisfying shore.

[Chris Sonnenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is...rather meandering. The main character is kind of a wimp, and his sense of morality and purpose is all over the place, which makes for a somewhat interesting read. I wasn't sure why he seemed so off...his character is rather poorly developed.

The writing is bizarre as far as world creation goes. Some animals have lazy alternative names, like "beyar" for bear while other animals have the same names they have in our world.

I don't really know what this book is trying to say or accomplish, either. What am I rooting for, exactly?

One of the main characters mentioned on the back cover and featured prominently on the book's cover...has about six pages of story. Not sure what's going on there. I know this is the first book in a trilogy, but this really fails to set up any interest in what's going on in this world.

Along with the random animal names, there are euphemisms from our world that seem oddly out of place here. There doesn't seem to have been much thought put into creating a believable or interesting fantasy realm.

The book is readable, if pretty uneventful and unfulfilling. I like that the main character is such a wimp, even if that isn't intentional.

[John Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story started off well enough and kept me interested in reading the second and third volume of the trilogy. There is nothing special here, nothing which is going to jump out and scream this is the best I have ever read, but is a solid story, and enjoyable. (see reviews for The Ring and The Chalice,).

[Kelsey Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great fantasy series. A unique world and lots of action. It is a bit complicated at first but hang in there it's awesome.

[Dylan Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sword Specific Review: Despite being a disappointing series, the first book was not bad. I was hooked in the beginning because it set up an interesting world filled with magic and conflict. But when it got into the main story it lost much of this intrigue. It seemed from the really good introduction story that the series would be ripe with conflict, political intrigue, magic, war, etc. But it became clear in this first book that, that would fall flat. This first book I felt did a good job setting put character and relationships, it was interesting, a bit slow; but in the end no overt flaws. When I finished it, I felt like even though I was a bit disappointed it was well written and left off for its subsequent books to be redeeming and re-grab my interest.

The Sword , The Ring, The Chalice Review: This series felt like a bit of a wasted read. There was no pay off in the end. The "love story" that made up much of the motivation for Dain was so underdeveloped, felt ham-fisted, and failed to make me believe in it. Also there was such promise for a magical and mythology side of this series that was just abandoned quickly in the beginning and barely used throughout. For a supposed fantasy book it was more just a realistic middle ages style with little weight or attention given to its, I'll admit, interesting magic and fantasy side. In addition, as a Dain character Dain felt very passive, all his successes were handed to him via plot and never felt like he earned it. Dain himself had little to no character development. Even when the magic came into play it was more an ex machina style last minute undeserved save. As the main artifacts of the books, from which they get their names, were not major players in the series. They got very little attention and were not used to the extent that could have made them great. Even the "grand finale" of the series felt like it was written as an after thought, was rushed, and didn't make me feel any sense of closer. The only thing I think it did well was creating a character that was meant to be hated in Gavril. But even Gavril's characters ultimate end felt flawed; the series spent a lot of time articulating the rivalry between Gavril and Dain but in the end it came to little of import. picked up this series knowing it may be just a generic fantasy world but when I put it down I was still very disappointed

[Hayley Shaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. A great king rules a land, even then held precariously after five years of rule. He is betrayed by his half brother. he is eventually killed, but not before fighting with all his might to save his two children and his country's relics - - a sword, ring, and chalice. The chalice is hidden safely, and in that the king has succeeded in protecting the chalice. He has also hidden his two children away. The ring and sword seem to disappear, along with the heirs to the throne. Fifteen years later, Dain, one of the lost heirs, comes upon Thirst Keep after losing his dwarven caretaker and tutor in metal work. His sister lays dying, shot by a dwarf from a warring tribe. His sister is all he has left, and he doesn't even remember who his parents are. He has no idea then that Thirst Keep, and the people within it, shall start him on a journey from which there is no turning back. This is a must read for any lover of fantasy. This book keeps you guessing, and turning pages long after you should stop.

[C Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOOOO GOOD! My partner got this series as a Christmas gift for me - he read the books when he was younger and still says it's his favorite series he's read. They are written beautifully and really draw you into a fantastical world with real emotions and problems. The characters are so wonderfully thought up and intertwined - I really enjoyed not knowing how all of these characters and events from the first book would combine to tell the full story in the next couple of books. It is historical without making you feel dumb, romantic without making you want to hurl and adventurous without being a coming of age story set in a middle school. The author's female perspective made this book so readable and offered a meaningful difference to the usual male voiced adventure books that are too concerned with logistics.

edit: wow the other reviews really lay into it - I would definitely not let that deter you from reading this series.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty standard high fantasy novel that feels a bit dated but is mostly well executed. Dain was interesting enough (although entitled in that particular way that male fantasy heroes are always entitled) and I liked his relationship with Lord Oldfrey. I will say that Thiatereika was completely wasted as a character. Her refrain of "my papa" was irritating enough but then she's killed off to bolster Dain's story. The inclusion of Alexeika and Pheresa didn't really add anything since they were both involved in completely separate events that weren't well connected to the main plot and interrupted the reading flow. Chester should have just introduced them in the second book when their inclusion would have had more significance.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read this author before, and it felt very 80s or 90s fantasy to me, so I was surprised that it was written in 2000. Anyway, the beginning was interesting and sad, and when it got to the main character, Faldain, it lost its appeal a bit because he is unlikeable and makes foolish decisions.

Overall, it was interesting, if somewhat predictable, and I hope the second one in this series will be better and focus more on the other characters.

[James]

Two men. One is a prince of royal blood. The other is a half-breed, part human, part elf. But the part that is human is also royal. Two women. One is a princess, pampered and protected. The other lives in the forest, the leader of a band of rebels. She too has eleven blood.This is their story--the tale of love and hate, courage and cowardliness, and magic both dark and light... KLIATT has praised Deborah Chester's novels for being "exciting," "page-turners," and "suspenseful"

[Amanda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly must say that I liked this book more than I thought I did. Right from the start I felt attached to the characters and I found their hardships hit me hard. I felt for them and the injustices that were plied on Dain made me burn hot. It's the sign of a good book.



I could not read this book fast enough. I am very grateful that I have the 2nd and 3rd book in this trilogy

[Maren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one years and years ago when I was a teenager. I reread it again as a 20 something and all I remember is how annoying and Woe Is Me I found the main character and how the female love interest turns from a super strong powerful leader sort into a pathetic love-lorn girl as soon as she met her McDreamy (aforementioned annoying Woe Is Me main character).

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I originally had this book from the library but unfortunately was a DNF. 1 star.

[Duncan Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and enjoyable. It has all the tropes that make for a great fantasy story.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Plenty of adventure, intrigue, and anticipation. Looking forward to starting the next book.

[Mark Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of the book is only loosely connected to the remainder of the book. Hope to see more of the second world Brevard it is fascinating. A lot could be done with it.

[Caelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite series

[Monique Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a reread. Dain's immaturity irritated me a lot throughout the book.

[Golden Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

[Tim Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled at first, but it picked up speed as it went along.

[Lilach · Rating 2 out of 5]

D3velops reeeaaally slowly...

[Echo Raley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why this has a 3.7 I'll never understand, one of the best pieces of fantasy I've read in a while. Eager to start the next book!!

[Anish V · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very meh, generic medieval fantasy novel. I don't plan to read the sequel

[Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this series, book 1 has me hooked.

[Lara Thierens · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series, too, I received from a friends and I wasn't actually that keen to start it.
In the first part we follow king Tobeszijian while he loses his throne and while he's on the run. He loses his wife who he loves with all his heart and tries to bring his children in safety.
Especially in the first part it was really action-packed and this is the part I read the fastest.
In the second and third part we follow the son of king Tobeszijian 15 years later. These parts were a little bit slower but there still happened a lot. Still I barely went forward. Mostly because of school but I also just didn't want to read.
I had big troubles with the world building. It was really confusing and a map would've been welcome!But overall the writingsstyle was good although there were so many difficult names!
Unfortunatly I didn't really enjoy this book. Maybe because I just wasn't in the mood for it because it was a really interesting story.
One day I will continue with this trilogy but for now I don't think so.

[Trivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sword is the first book of a trilogy that tells the story of a fictional king named Teobaszijian and his dinasty. He is a half eld king who marries and eld queen and for this reason many people rejected him.
His brother conspires to take the throne. The king escapes with the help of the magic chalice which he hides in another dimension and leaves his children with an elf because his brother succeded in killing his wife. Several years after he vanishes his elder daughter dies along with the elf who took care of them leaving his son Dain alone to fight for his survival. He became the protege of a kind knight; but he has to fight the other students who despise him for being an eld...
This story is very exciting and the descriptions let you get into the story as if you were watching a movie; even though the language is hard it is difficult to let go.