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The Darkest Age #2
The Book of the Sword
In The Coming of Dragons , Edmund and Elspeth received magical gifts that would lead them into a perilous adventure. Edmund has the vision of the Ripente-he can see through the eyes of others, and Elspeth can draw upon an enchanted sword when she is in danger. Now, the sword is speaking to Elspeth, leading her to a final showdown with an ancient god, bound inside a mountain. The journey into the Snowlands will be fraught with dangers, from terrifying dragons to haunting ice spirits and these two unlikely heroes must together decide who they can trust and who means them harm. Elspeth's magical sword has brought them closer to their destiny than they realize, and it's up to them to succeed-at all costs.
www.thedarkestage.com
www.thedarkestage.com
240 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2007
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384 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 1, 2024
I found this old review on my computer from 2008! Back then, I was on a few publisher's lists and got free review editions of actual books sent to my home. What a quaint era. (grin) As you can tell, I had not read book 1 in the series, and I have yet to read book 3 (writing this update, Nov 2024). So for kicks and giggles, here's my (slightly late!) review of book 2, The Book of the Sword by A.J. Lake.
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The Book of the Sword is the second book in Darkest Age, a new young adult fantasy series by A. J. Lake (published by Bloomsbury, the English publisher of the Harry Potter books). While I did not read the first novel, The Coming of Dragons, I had no trouble picking up the continued adventures of Edmund and Elspeth, our teenaged protagonists. And while Lake (a retired teacher) is no Rowling, she is a competent and engaging author who can tell a good tale.
I admit, I like YA fiction. I appreciate the lack of explicit sex, vulgarities, and excessive blood and gore. Call me a prude, but I think an author can pen a solid piece without resorting to such “adult” devices. In general, young adult fiction plays down these three areas. The challenge then becomes writing a compelling story that grabs the reader’s interest and immerses her or him into an adventure that is big enough for both children and adults. And for the most part, Lake does just that.
For one, she knows how to jump into a story – the prologue provides a quick overview and the opening scene is full of action and danger, probably picking up where the first book left off. And while this installment has its own story arc, it is definitely not a complete tale as the plot awaits resolution in book 3, The Circle of Stone. Still, this part of the trilogy was enjoyable and the 200 pages were quickly consumed thanks to Lake’s solid pacing and narrative skills.
Another positive quality of Lake’s is her imagination. While books about magic swords abound, Elspeth’s special gift is that she can draw upon the power of an enchanted (and invisible) gauntlet and blade that is bound to her hand and forearm. The crystal sword was forged for the purpose of defeating the demon, Loki, who is close to breaking free of the ancient chains that bind him. The sword itself carries the spirit of Ioneth, who sacrificed her life for this very purpose. Together, Elspeth and Ioneth, along with Edmund and some loyal friends, follow a perilous journey into the icy and barren Snowlands for a final showdown with this demon-god.
Sounds exciting! And it is. One critique, however, is that the author tries to force the intensity with exclamation-peppered dialog. In a couple of places the conversation was simply over the top and thus distracting. Plus, some implausible rescues and fight scenarios (even by fantasy standards) threw me out of the story on more than one occasion. But overall, a fairly good addition to the YA fantasy genre. It’s not at the top of my TBR pile, but if occasion allows, I’d at least pick up the last book in the series so I can finish a good story.
I give it a 7 out of 10.
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The Book of the Sword is the second book in Darkest Age, a new young adult fantasy series by A. J. Lake (published by Bloomsbury, the English publisher of the Harry Potter books). While I did not read the first novel, The Coming of Dragons, I had no trouble picking up the continued adventures of Edmund and Elspeth, our teenaged protagonists. And while Lake (a retired teacher) is no Rowling, she is a competent and engaging author who can tell a good tale.
I admit, I like YA fiction. I appreciate the lack of explicit sex, vulgarities, and excessive blood and gore. Call me a prude, but I think an author can pen a solid piece without resorting to such “adult” devices. In general, young adult fiction plays down these three areas. The challenge then becomes writing a compelling story that grabs the reader’s interest and immerses her or him into an adventure that is big enough for both children and adults. And for the most part, Lake does just that.
For one, she knows how to jump into a story – the prologue provides a quick overview and the opening scene is full of action and danger, probably picking up where the first book left off. And while this installment has its own story arc, it is definitely not a complete tale as the plot awaits resolution in book 3, The Circle of Stone. Still, this part of the trilogy was enjoyable and the 200 pages were quickly consumed thanks to Lake’s solid pacing and narrative skills.
Another positive quality of Lake’s is her imagination. While books about magic swords abound, Elspeth’s special gift is that she can draw upon the power of an enchanted (and invisible) gauntlet and blade that is bound to her hand and forearm. The crystal sword was forged for the purpose of defeating the demon, Loki, who is close to breaking free of the ancient chains that bind him. The sword itself carries the spirit of Ioneth, who sacrificed her life for this very purpose. Together, Elspeth and Ioneth, along with Edmund and some loyal friends, follow a perilous journey into the icy and barren Snowlands for a final showdown with this demon-god.
Sounds exciting! And it is. One critique, however, is that the author tries to force the intensity with exclamation-peppered dialog. In a couple of places the conversation was simply over the top and thus distracting. Plus, some implausible rescues and fight scenarios (even by fantasy standards) threw me out of the story on more than one occasion. But overall, a fairly good addition to the YA fantasy genre. It’s not at the top of my TBR pile, but if occasion allows, I’d at least pick up the last book in the series so I can finish a good story.
I give it a 7 out of 10.
February 11, 2019
Elspeth is a good character - brave and strong, the supporting characters are a bit flimsy and Edmund annoys me.
Will read the last in the series as I want to see Elspeth finish the job
Good but not great series so far.
Will read the last in the series as I want to see Elspeth finish the job
Good but not great series so far.
April 13, 2020
My favourite part of this book was when Loki was finally revealed to the real world. My favourite character was cluaran because of his caring. I learnt from this book that even if you try really hard you still might not be able to win.
February 6, 2022
Dragons, GIANT dragons, dragon fights, enchanted swords, reckless thugs, ghosts and spirits, demons and wizards, evil gods and even...volcanoes! All neatly packed and bound within one badass of a book cover and two hundred-some pages.
What else could you ask for?
What else could you ask for?
July 20, 2023
Por ter saltado o primeiro livro, a história estava um pouco confusa, mas no meio do livro já sentia que me tinha adaptado à leitura, livro excelente para quem gosta de mundos paralelos e mundos de fantasia!
September 15, 2017
Still too slow-paced for me. I liked the setting better than that in the first book.
February 26, 2019
Interesting mix of fantasy and mythology.
March 6, 2019
Not as good as the first book, hope the next one will be better.
November 22, 2023
It was really good! The thing is that sometimes it was kinda boring and I didn’t feel like reading it. But sometimes it was amazing. I really loved it, can’t wait to read the next book!
May 13, 2025
this wouldn't be a bad poem but as prose it's so dry and lifeless
June 19, 2014
Edmund is a prince with the power to see through the eyes of other people and animals, to communicate mind-to-mind. Elspeth is a sailor's daughter who has formed an intimate bond with a magic sword. Together, they are either mankind's only hope to defeat the evil god Loki, or Loki's only hope to defeat mankind. Welcome to Book 2 of the Darkest Age trilogy!
This middle book begins where the first left off, with Edmund and Elspeth dangling from the talons of a dragon named Torment. Wherever he is taking them, it will certainly be death to arrive in his claws. Luckily, the two children escape. But they continue working their way northward to the glacier-covered mountain where Loki is chained in the middle of a lake of fire. His bonds are weakening. He has been sending out his mind, and his minions, to do mischief that may lead to the breaking of his chains. If that happens, Loki will bring a swift and fiery vengeance on the world of men.
Though the danger of moving forward seems overwhelming, Elspeth's sword has a mind of her own. Come bandits or barbarians, come restless spirits or water-dwelling creatures, there is no resisting the pull of the sword's destiny. The sword has a chilling history of its own, related in short snippets between chapters of the children's adventure. Its destiny is to destroy Loki, unless he gains control and uses it to set himself free. Even if Elspeth realizes that approaching Loki with such a sword is more dangerous to her, and to all the world, than to him, she can't help pressing on. The sword's will is strong. And deceptions, dangers, and dragons spur the children on, together with a growing group of companions.
If all went according to plan, there would be no need for a third book. As this is only the middle part of the trilogy, however, it's hardly spoiling things to hint that things take a rather dark turn at the end. So dark, in fact, that it almost feels like the first step down a steep slope into tragedy. In a series titled The Darkest Age, you have to be prepared for such a possibility. But if the world can still be saved—and after this book, there is just the slenderest chance of that—it will have to be a spectacular saving, full of heart-hammering thrills. Imagine the possibilities, involving dragons, ghosts, gods, and magic; not to mention elves, trolls, wizards, and armies! The kids get a setback in Book 2, but don't count them out either. Whatever happens next, it will all depend on them. And the name of the book it will happen in is The Circle of Stone.
This middle book begins where the first left off, with Edmund and Elspeth dangling from the talons of a dragon named Torment. Wherever he is taking them, it will certainly be death to arrive in his claws. Luckily, the two children escape. But they continue working their way northward to the glacier-covered mountain where Loki is chained in the middle of a lake of fire. His bonds are weakening. He has been sending out his mind, and his minions, to do mischief that may lead to the breaking of his chains. If that happens, Loki will bring a swift and fiery vengeance on the world of men.
Though the danger of moving forward seems overwhelming, Elspeth's sword has a mind of her own. Come bandits or barbarians, come restless spirits or water-dwelling creatures, there is no resisting the pull of the sword's destiny. The sword has a chilling history of its own, related in short snippets between chapters of the children's adventure. Its destiny is to destroy Loki, unless he gains control and uses it to set himself free. Even if Elspeth realizes that approaching Loki with such a sword is more dangerous to her, and to all the world, than to him, she can't help pressing on. The sword's will is strong. And deceptions, dangers, and dragons spur the children on, together with a growing group of companions.
If all went according to plan, there would be no need for a third book. As this is only the middle part of the trilogy, however, it's hardly spoiling things to hint that things take a rather dark turn at the end. So dark, in fact, that it almost feels like the first step down a steep slope into tragedy. In a series titled The Darkest Age, you have to be prepared for such a possibility. But if the world can still be saved—and after this book, there is just the slenderest chance of that—it will have to be a spectacular saving, full of heart-hammering thrills. Imagine the possibilities, involving dragons, ghosts, gods, and magic; not to mention elves, trolls, wizards, and armies! The kids get a setback in Book 2, but don't count them out either. Whatever happens next, it will all depend on them. And the name of the book it will happen in is The Circle of Stone.
December 8, 2011
Jeg må indrømme at det åbenbart var lidt længere siden jeg læste den første end jeg havde regnet med kunne være et problem. Jeg havde temmelig svært ved at genindsætte mig selv i person galleriet, så bog 2 har i hvert fald svært ved at stå alene.
Med det sagt fik jeg hen ad vejen genopfrisket min hukommelse mht. den tidligere bog og fik føjet de fleste af de manglende dele til efterhånden, så det var i sidste ende okay (stort set de eneste scener jeg kunne huske var da man ser gennem Tormentorens øje i begydelsen af bog nr. 1, da Edmund ser gennem vildsvinet og deres vej gennem krattende på vej til en by. Elt om Elsphet var pist væk, men det kom dog som sagt tilbage til mig).
Selve historien i bogen var okay, jeg havde på fornemmelsen jeg havde læst første del af den før, men aldrig var blevet færdig med den. Men der var også meget jeg ved jeg ikke har læst før. Det er ikke den bedste bog jeg har læst, men den var underholdende og spændende nok. Jeg elsker særligt mødet mellem Edmund og isfjeldet! (hint hint, så jeg ikke spoiler)
Med det sagt fik jeg hen ad vejen genopfrisket min hukommelse mht. den tidligere bog og fik føjet de fleste af de manglende dele til efterhånden, så det var i sidste ende okay (stort set de eneste scener jeg kunne huske var da man ser gennem Tormentorens øje i begydelsen af bog nr. 1, da Edmund ser gennem vildsvinet og deres vej gennem krattende på vej til en by. Elt om Elsphet var pist væk, men det kom dog som sagt tilbage til mig).
Selve historien i bogen var okay, jeg havde på fornemmelsen jeg havde læst første del af den før, men aldrig var blevet færdig med den. Men der var også meget jeg ved jeg ikke har læst før. Det er ikke den bedste bog jeg har læst, men den var underholdende og spændende nok. Jeg elsker særligt mødet mellem Edmund og isfjeldet! (hint hint, så jeg ikke spoiler)
October 19, 2016
Continuing the plot from the first book, i liked how this second book explores the origins of the sword. Something i forgot to mention in my review for the first book, and that i found really interesting, was that the author lets you see throught the perspective from the different protagonists. In this book it was no different. Non-stop action in some parts, slow narrative to explain with deails in other, nothing different from the first volume. But in this one, though, each chapter opens with some sort of epigraph, letting us know, bit by bit, the sword's backstory and, to even spice things up a bit, there's a plot twist almost at the end of the book. But if you want to know it, you'll have to read the book. Lets just hope the third one completes this fantastic tail properly but from i've read from the first two volumes, i think AJ Lake can pull this one off!
April 25, 2014
Um, the plot's kind of weird. It's slow and dare I say boring. I picked up this book because I absolutely love the medieval era and dragons and swordplay (Like the BBC show Merlin). Unfortunately this book wasn't what I was expecting. I don't have much to say about the writing, since I'm barely past the first few chapters when I stopped. And the characters have weird names. It doesn't excite me. I just can't get into it. Sorry. 2/5.
May 3, 2014
Um, the plot's kind of weird. It's slow and dare I say boring. I picked up this book because I absolutely love the medieval era and dragons and swordplay (Like the BBC show Merlin). Unfortunately this book wasn't what I was expecting. I don't have much to say about the writing, since I'm barely past the first few chapters when I stopped. And the characters have weird names. It doesn't excite me. I just can't get into it. Sorry. 2/5.
July 2, 2010
My 9 year old picked this up at the library. He couldn't get into it...I think it's because this is the second book in a series. We didn't realize that. I read it though, but it would be better to read the first book first. The writing in the first couple of chapters was very flowery and hard to get into. I can see why my 9 year old wasn't interested.
May 29, 2013
Meh. The plot was weird and slow. The characters forged ahead and heedlessly trusted a lady who lived in an evil cave. A plot sort of ensued. The sword is literally stupid?? I am disappointed. I thought I would like this better. I would stop if this were a longer series, but I will probably finish the 3rd book because it's the last one.
November 1, 2015
The Book of the Sword byla narozdíl od jedničky daleko napínavější a bylo tam taky víc draků. Na druhou stranu se mi ale líbila o fous méně - asi se mi víc líbilo se s prostředím seznamovat, než se vrhnout přímo do víru událostí. I tak to bylo super - mělo to spád, byla tam kouzla, draci, duchové...
3/5*
3/5*
November 13, 2016
Definitely more into this series as it progresses. Think the setting helped as the world described reminded me of the natural world I was seeing outside my window in Iceland :) If this was an Adult Fiction I don't think it would have been a trilogy so will review properly as a 'whole book' when I finish the last one.
November 2, 2023
It was the cover art that caught my eye and made me read the first book, which turned out to be amazing. This book tells me more about the history of the crystal sword and its purpose. How amazing that a sea captain's daughter and a King's son are given amazing destinies and sent out on an unforgettable quest. The best of friends are the most unlikely of friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2009
Nice follow up to The Coming of Dragons. Good blend of action and suspense, while developing the back story to the series. Lake continues to balance a rather dark story with courageous characters who show loyalty and determination. On to the last book in the trilogy!
September 5, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! I liked it better than the Coming of Dragons! It was intense and a fun little read. It kept me on the edge the whole time! And the way all the pieces fit together: :D I loved it! I hope the last one will be as good if not, better.
March 14, 2009
I love it. It is one of those books that you ask yourself, 'why hasn't anyone thought of that before?'
July 1, 2009
I didn't like this one as much as the first, but I liked it enough to continue with the series.
Read
March 26, 2010The Book of the Sword: The Darkest Age II (Darkest Age) by A.J. Lake (2007)
October 28, 2011
About 3.5
August 4, 2012
Reader's will not be disappointed in this next book by A.J.Lake, loved it, can,t wait for the last book, must read.
January 15, 2013
3.5 stars
The adventure continues with plenty of action, adventure,dragons and mystery.
Suited to ages 10+
The adventure continues with plenty of action, adventure,dragons and mystery.
Suited to ages 10+
April 8, 2013
Ok, the sequel of the 1st book has just a crazy and outrageous beginning as the 2nd. It always start off with some dangerous place, in a dangerous situation.
September 1, 2014
I think i will need more of this kind of books in the future. Just to sit down play music and enjoy good fantasy book during afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews