Tweede deel van deze serie. Een fijn ouderwets fantasy verhaal, Een jonge eenvoudige knul met een missie, een beetje magie en half eld-(elf) bloed. Een andere jongeman, een koningszoon, die hem alles misgunt en hem overal in dwars probeert te zitten. Een beeldschone maar naïeve prinses waar de jongens (natuurlijk) beiden om verschillende redenen mee willen huwen (want trouwen doet men niet in dit soort boeken). Ik ben heel benieuwd naar het derde deel. ( )

I'd like to say that this was a great new world, expanding upon the first book, but while it is a good high fantasy novel, it just seems...sub-par after reading some of the more intricate and well thought out series in the high Fantasy world. By no means is that condemnation, it was still a good read, just not up to the level of what I expect from a good novel. ( )

Deborah Chester is a very consistent writer. One of the few authors where I'll pick up a book, just because she's the author.

Her books are entertaining, are character driven, and are well thought out. However, don't look for life changing philosophical insights, that is not the purpose of her books.

The Ring, The Sword, and the Chalice are classic fantasy fiction. Stories of lost kings, mythical devices, prophecies, and horrendous evil that needs to be overcome.

Chester always is able to weave a few surprises into her plot. Her universe is reasonably consistent, and her characters live and grow in that universe.

As others have mentioned, this is light weekend reading, a series to be enjoyed for what it is.

Final Recommendation: Worth purchase, pick up the entire series. For that matter, if you want similar type reading, pick up anything by Deborah Chester. ( )

Weekend reading.... nothing great to write about... ( )