TheApple

 So, are you a salesperson?

Is that a yes or no?

 If fish can have swords, why not birds?

 Coming Soon:

Sword of Lame

www.youtube.com/watch

Inspiring books are priceless. We grow up, comparing ourselves to peer role models.

Review of SWORD QUEST

The legend of Swordbird, who defeated the darkness that threatened to prevail over the Great Spirit, has been passed down by generations of birds. However, few know the story behind the myth and how a humble fledging became a hero.

For the wicked Emperor of the Archaeopteryxes, Hungrias II, there is no limit to his hunger for power and the lengths to which he would go to ensure it. For years, he has sought the Leasorn gems of the fabled Great Sword. His armies have wreaked havoc, destroying villages and families in order to meet the Ancient Wing’s demands. For those who become slaves, they face a life of relentless hard work with little chance of being released; a few are even confronted with the grim possibility of being the emperor’s latest delicacy.

On the first day of winter, during one of the emperor’s many banquets, a soldier takes kindness on a young bird slave referred to as 13-Unidentified. His origins are a mystery, and the soldier is baffled by the emperor’s insistence that he must be guarded at all times, when the visibly exhausted bird toils as a kitchen servant. The young captive is surprised but grateful for the respite. Unfortunately, he gets into trouble when another guard threatens him and then when he rescues a young woodpecker scribe named Ewingerale (Winger). The meeting prompts 13-Unidentified’s memory: his real name is Wind-voice.

Wind-voice is captured once again, but Winger manages to escape and get help from a small group of kingfishers and other species of bird. Meanwhile, Wind-voice is living every bird’s worst nightmare. Just when it looks as though this will be his last moment, however, he is transported into a shadowy world where a strange bird named Yin Soul agrees to save his life in exchange for Wind-voice’s help. Wind-voice is interested in the story of the magical sword but is rightfully suspicious of the offer and refuses. The seemingly sage bird reveals his monstrous true self, but Wind-voice is transported back just in time and makes a fiery grand escape. He is rescued by the woodpecker and taken to the unique community. There, Wind-voice and Winger meet a tough-looking myna named Stormac, and the three unlikely companions are told of the importance of the Leasorn gems.

Wind-voice becomes determined to find the sought-after relics and stop Hungrias’s evil empire once and for all. When the trio sneaks out of the emperor’s territory, they befriend a good-natured eagle named Fleydur. The traveling minstrel offers to join them as they seek to locate the knowledge of the remaining gems. The quest will be a difficult one, as the band must travel to various lands, while events have begun to take shape that may further endanger the future of the birds.

SWORD QUEST is a thrilling adventure brimming with equal amounts of suspense and hope. Nancy Yi Fan’s prose and creativity take flight in this exciting prequel to the 2007 bestseller SWORDBIRD. We hope that this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful career for this talented teenage author.

— Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle at Kidsreads.com

Very humorous, dhastings!

But in a black way, I guess.

Yes, I am persistent. And I'm even crazy. I love Swordbird!

John, did you get caught in Swordbird's trap? By golly, I think she put a spell on you. You should've seen it coming.

johnslat says ...

 Dear Swordbird,

You know, that's kind of the impression I got - that you love Swordbird, not that you are crazy. In fact, far from craziness, I think it's wonderful that you have such a relationship with a series of books. I have a few myself, and not only with series, but with single volumes.

Regards,

John

Dear John,

Thanks for sharing your feelings about books with me. Although the word "crazy" is a little exaggerated, I do feel that way. Being dedicated to books is not a bad thing, right?

johnslat says ...

 Dear Swordbird,

Being dedicated to books is almost always a good thing - except when some people use a book to justify their fanaticism (and no - I don't think you fall into that category. I mean, you're not saying: Buy Swordbird or you die.)

Dear John,

Sometimes I think I have fallen into the category of fanaticism. That's why there are fans of books and music. Fans' passion is a kind of gesture or expression. They feel hot while others may feel cold. They are not selling something and they just want to share their joy or pleasure with others, more often in an abnormal manner.

People can live well without books but they may lack something. What do you think?

 Dear Swordbird,

People who miss out on the treasury of reading are poor indeed. You've been kidded some on this subject, but I think you're very fortunate to have found such a reading experience. One of my personal favorite poets wrote about the feeling:

"On First Looking into Chapman's Homer