Melcorka thinks she is just a simple island girl with no father. Then the Norse invade Alba, and Melcorka loses everything she thought she had–and gains much more.
“The Swordswoman” takes part in the popular genre of semi-historical fantasy novels. Melcorka lives in what is recognizably medieval Scotland, but magic swords exist (Melcorka finds one) and the Sidhe come out from their fairy mounds to interact with ordinary mortals. Readers who are at least vaguely familiar (that’s about the best I myself can claim) with Scottish history and geography will be able to recognize certain events and places, but the book is not so much about faithful representation of historical reality as it is about giving a loosely historical atmosphere of Scottish mythology. So if you’re a stickler for historical or cultural accuracy, you’re likely to be disappointed, but if you enjoy quick-moving tales of magic, battle, and adventure, then it’s likely you’ll find a lot to like in “The Swordswoman.” I frankly confess that this kind of book is much less literary than what I normally read, but I found Melcorka’s adventures and love-troubles quite readable as some fun, escapist fantasy set in one of my favorite countries. Reading “The Swordswoman” brought me back to my adolescence and my searches then for fantasy books about girls who were not just love interests. We’re fortunate that fantasy is currently seeing an explosion of female characters, and “The Swordswoman” is a nice addition to that trend. A fun, quick read for me now, and I could certainly see my teenage self enjoying it quite a lot.
Want your own copy? You can get it here: The Swordswoman
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E. P. Clark: Author, Book Reviewer, and All-Around Literary Handiwoman 