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The Sword and the Pen
It was time. After penning ten popular sword-and-sorcery novels, Brandon Alexander Davis was ready to move on. Ready to stop hiding in his fictional world. Ready to start living a real life. There was just one problem: as he plotted the noble death of Serilda D'Lar, his fictional creation appeared in his study, complete with sword, skimpy leather outfit, indomitable will--and a quest. Was she nothing more than a crazy fan, or had Brandon finally cracked? This warrior woman whom he knew so well, so strong yet vulnerable, was both fantasy and reality. She was an invitation to rediscover all he once knew--that life is an incredible, magical journey and, for love, any man can be a hero.
291 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 14, 2010
The book picked up for me in the second half. I liked Brandon's foray into Sarilda's world better than the reverse. There were fewer attempts at humor and more emotion angst. One thing I fault is the lack of adequate explanation about how the events came about in the first place. While I don't need exhaustive detail since this is a fantasy, I do expect some reasonable explanation for events. While the author did vaguely attribute the situation to some ancient Atlantian magic, we never really know the how. We're given a hint of the "why," which was good.
Overall this was an inventive, fun premise for a fantasy romance, and I'm glad I read it. But The Sword and the Pen could have been a great book instead of a good one.
I have Star Raiders by this author and look forward to reading how she handles sci-fi romance.
Overall this was an inventive, fun premise for a fantasy romance, and I'm glad I read it. But The Sword and the Pen could have been a great book instead of a good one.
I have Star Raiders by this author and look forward to reading how she handles sci-fi romance.
April 21, 2021
“Like weather, love couldn't be commanded or controlled. Soft and healing or fierce and devastating, it came as it willed, regardless of what we humans wished, and left us to pay the price.”
The story literally comes to life and the characters have to grapple with who they truly are along with who they want to be.
The story literally comes to life and the characters have to grapple with who they truly are along with who they want to be.
April 26, 2019
Cute premise and entertaining! I enjoyed how Brandon and Serilda each got to experience being in the other's world.
August 16, 2014
I haven't read a whole lot of romances. In fact, this makes my third, so I don't think I really have a strong basis for comparison as for true quality of this genre. I do, however, have a VERY strong backing in fantasy, which is one reason I picked up The Sword and the Pen. It's a fantasy/romance novel, after all, so I thought it would be a good way to ease into the romance genre.
I'm not sure if that was a wise idea or not.
As a fantasy novel, The Sword and the Pen was cliched and underdeveloped, surprisingly predictable, and not particularly innovative. As a romance novel, my impressions were that it did its job well. For the most part. I had the feeling that the only real reason Brandon and Serilda fell for each other is because they were supposed to. I couldn't find a real serious basis for attraction other than they were there together. Sure, there were attractive traits to both of them that the other might pick up on, but I don't know that I would ever say I was convinced that the feelings they had for one another were real. Maybe Serilda's, as we did get to see how different Brandon was from Donoval, her previous lover. Oh, we got to see that comparison at length. But Brandon's attraction I felt was tacked in, made necessary by the plot, rather than his attraction making the plot necessary.
As a genre mash, I really didn't see the necessity of The Sword and the Pen being a fantasy. Serilda could have easily been a "warrior woman" from anywhere or anywhen, without there having to be the false world behind it. Maybe this is just me being a little elitist when it comes to fantasy. Yes, I understand that this was a romance first and a fantasy second, but I still feel strongly that if you're going to shove two genres into a novel, both should be developed well enough that the story would fall apart without one or the other.
I'm not sure if that was a wise idea or not.
As a fantasy novel, The Sword and the Pen was cliched and underdeveloped, surprisingly predictable, and not particularly innovative. As a romance novel, my impressions were that it did its job well. For the most part. I had the feeling that the only real reason Brandon and Serilda fell for each other is because they were supposed to. I couldn't find a real serious basis for attraction other than they were there together. Sure, there were attractive traits to both of them that the other might pick up on, but I don't know that I would ever say I was convinced that the feelings they had for one another were real. Maybe Serilda's, as we did get to see how different Brandon was from Donoval, her previous lover. Oh, we got to see that comparison at length. But Brandon's attraction I felt was tacked in, made necessary by the plot, rather than his attraction making the plot necessary.
As a genre mash, I really didn't see the necessity of The Sword and the Pen being a fantasy. Serilda could have easily been a "warrior woman" from anywhere or anywhen, without there having to be the false world behind it. Maybe this is just me being a little elitist when it comes to fantasy. Yes, I understand that this was a romance first and a fantasy second, but I still feel strongly that if you're going to shove two genres into a novel, both should be developed well enough that the story would fall apart without one or the other.
January 22, 2011
I picked this book up on a whim from the library. The cover isn't that all that great but promises sword fighting at least. It turned out to be better than what I thought it was going to be.
The book is about Brandon who writes a series of books titled 'Warrior Woman'. While writing the final scene of the last Warrior woman book, the main character of his series-Serilda-appeares before him. Brandon thinks she's crazy or some obsessed fan, while Serilda thinks he's a wizard who summoned her into the world.
An attraction occurs between the two characters leading them to a love scene. Serilda leaves Brandon's world as quickly as she came into it and Brandon finds himself in the world he created.
I love how Brandon's character appears in the flesh right next to him, how many writers out there wish their characters were real people, and that they could get a chance to meet them? Brandon does that and actually gets to visit the world he created as well. I would love for my charaters to appear before me and lead me into a world I created!
It's a good book, I would recommed reading if only to envy Brandon for meeting his characters.
The book is about Brandon who writes a series of books titled 'Warrior Woman'. While writing the final scene of the last Warrior woman book, the main character of his series-Serilda-appeares before him. Brandon thinks she's crazy or some obsessed fan, while Serilda thinks he's a wizard who summoned her into the world.
An attraction occurs between the two characters leading them to a love scene. Serilda leaves Brandon's world as quickly as she came into it and Brandon finds himself in the world he created.
I love how Brandon's character appears in the flesh right next to him, how many writers out there wish their characters were real people, and that they could get a chance to meet them? Brandon does that and actually gets to visit the world he created as well. I would love for my charaters to appear before me and lead me into a world I created!
It's a good book, I would recommed reading if only to envy Brandon for meeting his characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2013
Really a 2.5.
Pros: Light and entertaining. Certainly writers should relate to this book — one in which the characters hijack the story. The book flows well and does an excellent job of pulling off both a third-person and first-person POV. Elysa Hendricks created a vivid fantasy world with the fictional setting Serilda comes from and actually made me want to read this Warrior Woman series (the series the hero writes). I liked the twist of having the heroine be the character out of a work of fiction instead of the hero.
Cons: I didn’t feel the hero, Brandon, was well developed until the second half of the book. Also, with this premise, if the author is going to have scenes like a kitten causing a car crash, I think she should have gone for a more comedic slant, not so serious. There were enough typos/errors to be noticeable, but not enough to distract me from the story.
I’d compare this book with Captive Dreams by Angela Knight and Diana Whiteside, except The Sword and the Pen isn’t as spicy. I liked Captive Dreams a bit better, but I’d still put them more or less on the same level.
Pros: Light and entertaining. Certainly writers should relate to this book — one in which the characters hijack the story. The book flows well and does an excellent job of pulling off both a third-person and first-person POV. Elysa Hendricks created a vivid fantasy world with the fictional setting Serilda comes from and actually made me want to read this Warrior Woman series (the series the hero writes). I liked the twist of having the heroine be the character out of a work of fiction instead of the hero.
Cons: I didn’t feel the hero, Brandon, was well developed until the second half of the book. Also, with this premise, if the author is going to have scenes like a kitten causing a car crash, I think she should have gone for a more comedic slant, not so serious. There were enough typos/errors to be noticeable, but not enough to distract me from the story.
I’d compare this book with Captive Dreams by Angela Knight and Diana Whiteside, except The Sword and the Pen isn’t as spicy. I liked Captive Dreams a bit better, but I’d still put them more or less on the same level.
December 21, 2012
In a unique twist in this fantasy romance, the author is visited by his character that has a clearly defined direction for her own destiny, which is far divergent from the one her author has created. In a fun play on the quote “the pen is mightier than the sword”, this book finds a new way to present imagination, fantasy, destiny and romance with a peek into a writer’s head , while giving the reader the option to decide just what is the reality in the story. And, it answers the question about what happens when the author decides a series, or a character has run its course?
With a smooth style, humorous passages and a nice mix of ancient and modern, Elysa Hendricks has created a world that is engrossing, engaging and ultimately entertaining and sure to please fans of fantasy and romance equally.
I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Book Trailer Showcase eMagazine. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
With a smooth style, humorous passages and a nice mix of ancient and modern, Elysa Hendricks has created a world that is engrossing, engaging and ultimately entertaining and sure to please fans of fantasy and romance equally.
I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review for the Book Trailer Showcase eMagazine. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
April 26, 2013
I love the concept of this book. The thought that the stories we create can create whole worlds that function independently; that characters are real is a great plot. What’s better is the way the story was told, with a realistic about of disbelief and hope. The characters were great and I love how they grew throughout the story and broke out of the boxes they had been living in to experience more and believe in each other, love and magic. A strong female warrior discovering it’s ok to have a softer side and a male character with a whole set of issues that learns to be strong and fight for what he wants and what he believes in. A wonderful story, written really well. Readers should know that the book contains some adult content though it is not excessive and doesn’t take over the story line.
April 22, 2012
Brandon Alexander Davis is having trouble writing his character Serilda. After ten popular sword-and-sorcery novels, he’s had enough and wants to write her out of the picture. But Serilda refuses to cooperate.
This author has done something clever and highly entertaining. She’s writing a man who’s writing the role of a woman, Serilda d’Lar, who has come to life and demanded answers from her creator. It proves to be an engaging read of romance, anguish, drama, swordplay and ever mounting sexual tension. Even when I was at page 217, Brandon STILL hadn’t had sex with his leading lady and I didn’t mind one little bit.
This author has done something clever and highly entertaining. She’s writing a man who’s writing the role of a woman, Serilda d’Lar, who has come to life and demanded answers from her creator. It proves to be an engaging read of romance, anguish, drama, swordplay and ever mounting sexual tension. Even when I was at page 217, Brandon STILL hadn’t had sex with his leading lady and I didn’t mind one little bit.
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February 24, 2015The Sword And The Pen review
The Sword And The Pen is a somewhat unusual book written by author Elysa Hendricks. A fantasy writer decides to do away with the heroine of his series, but she objects. Very entertaining.
The Sword And The Pen is a somewhat unusual book written by author Elysa Hendricks. A fantasy writer decides to do away with the heroine of his series, but she objects. Very entertaining.
June 1, 2011
V. different.
August 8, 2012
This was an interesting concept and made for a wonderful story to read. The characters were easy to relate to and seeing them in each others worlds was fun.
March 21, 2014
The premise of the story is very intriguing - an author's favorite character comes to life and appears to be the woman of his dreams. However, for me, the story just didn't work.
April 17, 2014
Is a great book to read
January 15, 2016
Could not get into the voice.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews