One of Hambley's best!, June 4, 2003
Reviewer: Steven Sammons (Auburn University, AL United States)

This book, which I stumbled onto some years back in a used bookstore, has to be one of Hambley's best efforts, and that is saying something from such a talented and diverse author. This is a different kind of fantasy book, not about awe-inspiring heroes or mighty wizards, but one told from the viewpoint of an ordinary everyday soldier, who turns out to not be so ordinary. It details the life and philosophies of a mercenary, which is not common in fantasy literature. The characters are well-written and fully fleshed out, very believable. The main character, Capt. Sun Wolf, is one of the best "everyman" characters in print. His efforts to train a group of women how to fight to rescue their men are the central focus of most of the book, and it is wonderful to see how his attitudes change throughout the book. The main female characters are strongly written, and the central female character, Sheera, is one of the unforgettable characters in fanstasy literature. The tale of love between the capt and his second-in-comman Starhawk, both believing the other has no feelings for them, is heartwrenchingly beautiful and gripping. All in all, this story introduces the reader to a world that feels so real you almost expect to open a door and enter it. And the main plot twist of the secret of magical power is so shocking that it is doubtful the reader will know it's coming. This is a great story, and I highly recommend it to anyone lucky enough to find it in some old dusty bookstore.

A good adventure story. I enjoy books that looks seriously at what the role of women should be in a society.

Swords Against the Wizard... The City of Mandrigyn was conquered and its men enslaved in hte foul mines of the evil Wizard King, Altiokis. Now the women of the city had come to hire the mercenary army of Captain Sun Wolf. He was too wise to become involved ... until he woke to find himself kidnapped.

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I enjoyed reading this book, and found it well-written and believable.

First in the Unschooled Wizard series featuring Sun Wolf and Starhawk.

Swords Against the Wizard. The City of Mandrigyn was conquered and its men enslaved in the foul mines of the evil Wizard King, Altiokis. Now the women of the city, led by Sheera Galernas, had come to hire the mercenary army of Captain Sun Wolf. But Sun Wolf was too wise to become involved in fighting against wizardry...until he woke to find himself kidnapped and offered a grim choice by Sheera. He could train and lead the ladies of Mandrigyn against Altiokis - or he could die in lingering agony from the anzid they had given him and for which only they had the antidote.

There was more to the ladies than Sun Wolf could have guessed. There was also far more to the evil of Altiokis than anyone knew. But above all there was a great deal more to Sun Wolf and his destiny than he had ever dreamed.

A good read.

The City of Mandrigan was conquered and its men enslaved in the foul mines of the evil Wizard King, Altoikis. Now the women of the city , led by 'Sheera Galen's, had come to hire the mercenary army of Captain Same Wolf; But Sam Wolf was too wise to become involved in fighting wizardry...
until he woke to find himself kidnapped and offered a grim choice by Sheera He could train and lead the ladies of Madrigyn against Altokis--or he could die in lingering agony from the anzid they given him and for which only they had the antidote.
There was more to the ladies than Sam Wolf could have guessed.There was also far more to the evil of Altiokis than anyone knew.
But above all there was great deal more to Sam Wolf and his destiny than he had ever dreamed.

Read All Book Reviews of "The Ladies of Mandrigyn"