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swordbirdclub
, August 10, 2008
School Library Journal
Sword Quest
Gr 4â6âIn this good-versus-evil story, a prequel to Swordbird (HarperCollins, 2007), readers see a legend taking shape as evil forces attempt to conquer the inhabitants of a bird world. Prophecy says a hero will emerge on Heroâs Day, but no one knows who it will be. Scattered in unknown regions of the world lay strategically placed Leasorn gems that hold clues to where the heroâs sword waits. It is up to the hero to discover where and to retrieve it. The archaeopteryxes, an army of birds intent on cruelty and destruction, support the desires of the villainous leaders. Maldeor, a leader with a batlike wing forged from evil magic, has cast his eye toward claiming the sword. But unlikely birds lay down their lives to uncover the clues so they might save the sword for its true master. Fleydur, eagle prince of the Skythunder tribe, Stormac the mynah, and Ewingerale the woodpecker all play pivotal roles as companions to 013-Unidentified, a dovelike bird trapped as a slave. Readers will find the characters credible and well suited for their roles in this fabled adventure. The tightly crafted story line is nicely executed, but the most important element, and one that truly touches the heart, is the underlying theme of love.
âRobyn Gioia, School Library Journal
Childrenâs Literature
Sword Quest
Birds form the unusual topic of this quest novel, which begins with a prophecy that foretells the coming of a great hero. The archaeopteryxesâ dark empire is growing, and they have turned even the strongest species of birds, such as the crows, into slaves. 013-Unidentified, a strange white bird, is held in their captivity at the start of the book. As he struggles to free a fellow prisoner, he suddenly recalls the name his mother gave him, Wind-Voice. He escapes and grows strong again, reclaiming his true identity as Wind-Voice. Throughout the novel, he journeys across the land to stop the evil Maldeor from reaching the Heroâs Sword. This is a novel about recognizing the hero within and understanding what is truly important in lifeâsuch as family, friends, and peace, rather than power or treasure. Yi Fanâs writing is outstanding given her young age. I also loved Riouxâs exceptional pencil-drawn illustrations, which bring charming life to the characters. Together, they make this book an entertaining flight of the imagination. Reviewer: Laura Ruttig
Kidsreads.com
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 Wingâs 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 emperorâs latest delicacy.
On the first day of winter, during one of the emperorâs 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 emperorâs 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-Unidentifiedâs 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 birdâs 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-voiceâs 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 Hungriasâs evil empire once and for all. When the trio sneaks out of the emperorâs 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 Fanâs 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.
â Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle at Kidsreads.com
Sword Quest
A Great Prequel, Canât Wait Until Next One!
Following the enchanting Swordbird, Sword Quest is better! How interesting that this book is a prequel and can be read alone but is better when reading them in order. Nancy Yi Fan says her next book will fall between the two books sequentially so there looks like we may have another great series in the making. As a Reading teacher, my 6th graders loved this book and so did I! The way the birds become human-like characters is so interesting and engages your emotions and heart!
â Bingo âReader and DS Game fanâ
I read Swordbird earlier, and it was great, but I really liked Sword Quest, which I read and re-read recently. Itâs a really great prequel to Swordbird and I love how it really covers so much about how Swordbird came to be. I also like how it seems like each of the characters represents something. Stormac represents the mistakes in life, Yin Soul represents evil, and Ewingerale represents hope in the face of despair. I loved Sword Quest!
---Oonagh
This prequel to the âNew York Timesâ bestseller âSwordbirdâ is a richly layered novel full of adventure, bravery, heroism, and a fascinating bird world created by teenage author Nancy Yi Fan.
--- book review
Iâd like to say Iâm a fan of Swordbird and Sword Quest. Both are very well written, original, and cleverly thought out novels.
-Lauren
SWORD QUEST
An exciting and action-packed tale of birds at war, this novel shows how friendship and courage can overcome tyranny. Sworquest follows the life of Wind-Voice, the heroic dove of peace, and how he wins his magical sword. Wind-Voice and his companions, a woodpecker and a mynah bird, join the rebel bird forces to fight against their oppressors, the archaeopteryxes. Once again Nancy creates a richly imagined bird world full of fanciful characters, adventure and intrigue.
â Amazon, UK
And now, on to this weekâs challenge. This oneâs inspired by Nancy Yi Fan, the 12-year-old author of the New York Times bestseller âSwordbirdâ and its prequel, âSword Quest.â Yeah, weâll give you a moment to re-read that. Twelve. 12. A decade plus two. This action-packed, fantasy epic, written by what can only be described as a literary prodigy, is about the bird battles of Stone-Run Forest and the legendary Swordbird who can conquer evil and restore peace to the land. Young Nancyâs favorite book is âCharlotteâs Web,â which hit the silver screen last year in a charming re-make. We figure itâs just a matter of time before some Hollywood movie studio options âSwordbirdâ too.
â Jackie Burrell
I finished Sword Quest and I love it!!!!! (Iâm your #1 fan!!!) I can see your progress between Swordbird and Sword Quest. Iâll be waiting for your next book!!!!!!!!!!!!
â Sonia P.
Set in the extremely creative bird kingdom, Sword Quest follows a beautifully crafted plot. Every bird has a perfectly assigned place in this society, including the prehistoric terror of the archaeopteryxes. The genius plot revolves around a wonderful messageâone of peace for everyone.
Kelsey (Lansdale, PA)
Sword Quest is now one of my favorite books!! I read the sequel, Swordbird, and Sword Quest was even better! I can hardly believe that the author is just a little older than me, because the plot was so well-developed, and the characters felt so real (even though they were birds). I especially like the names that the author gave each of the characters. If you LIKE the Warriors series, you will LOVE this book!!
Leighton (Staten Island, NY)
Sword Quest is a touching story about birds thriving to survive during a time of fear and hate. With its exciting plot the book was tremendously well written considering Nancy Yi Fan is such a young author. The characters each had a different personality and I came to love them all. I was especially glad that I got a feel of how the antagonist, as well as the protagonist, felt. The birdsâ adventures kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. The scenes were astonishing and were so good I wished she had written more. The chapters were suspenseful as they switched from character to character. The beautiful pictures along side the text were another compliment to the story. Not being a bird expert I found them quite helpful as I was reading. Wind-voice and his message of peace will soon be flying into the hearts of people everywhere.
Marcie (Warner Robins, GA)
Sword Quest is an exciting adventure prequel to Swordbird. Nancy Yi Fan captures the readers in the first chapter with skillfully used personification and adept description. The excerpts from books at the beginning of every chapter add a nice touch to the novel. Yi Fan skillfully weaves a tale with powerful wording and an interesting plot. I highly recommend Sword Quest!
Molly (Mt. Airy, NC)
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