The companion novel to The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown was/is one of my favorite fantasy novels as a teenager because it featured a girl as the protaganist and her "coming-of-age"-type saga as she teaches herself the skills she needs to become the heroine of her land. All of Robin McKinley books are awesome, but this one holds a special place in my heart.

I first read this book and The Blue Sword when I was a preteen and I still absolutely adore both and have them as keepers and often go back and read them when I just want to relax with an old friend.

I truly love Aerin, her stubbornness and the way she does what she knows is right and forget the consequences. Aerin and her faithful horse Talat are underdogs you can't help but cheer for.

This duology is one of the reasons I'm such an avid reader today.

Absolutely love Robin McKinley-very desciptive-you feel like you are there. Characters are enjoyable to watch grow. Wonderful to have a strong heroine!!

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Fine book, great characters, good story. Magic, teen girl finding her heritage, standard stuff for McKinley in a way. Satisfying, and not dull. Mild sex scene in there, only a sentence or two. Enjoyable.

After I finished reading this I discovered that I had read it previously 16 years ago. I read the entire book this time without the slightest inkling that I had read it before. Obviously it didn't make much of an impression on me last time--although I guess enough of an impression to make me want to keep it with me for the past 16 years.

At any rate, this time it definitely did leave an impression. I loved the first half of this book. This won the Newbery Medal in 1985, but if I hadn't known better, I wouldn't have guessed that this book is targeted for younger audiences. This is the story of a king's only child, Aerin, a daughter from his second marriage. Rumor has it that his second wife was a witch who ensorceled the king into loving her so that she could bear his heir and take over his kingdom, but then died of despair when she gave birth to a daughter instead of a son. Aerin grows up in a court that never quite accepts her, knowing that her destiny lies elsewhere. This is the story of how she discovers exactly where her destiny lies.

Aerin's character comes as alive and as real as any I've read. The author pulled me into the story and had me caring a great deal for what was going to happen to Aerin. I didn't want to put this down.

But about halfway through the novel, things change a bit. All of the main battle scenes were ethereal and ambiguous and I didn't enjoy those parts. I felt like I was just slogging through those pages waiting for the story to rematerialize and get back on track. But once it did, the story picked right back up again. If it wasn't for these parts I would've given this 5 out of 5 stars.

Great adventure.

Great book - I loved it!

Great fantasy for all ages!
Although she is the daughter of Damar's king, Aerin has never been accepted as full royalty. Both in and out of the royal court, people whisper the story of her mother, the witchwoman, who was said to have enspelled the king into marrying her to get an heir to rule Damar-then died of despair when she found she had borne a daughter instead of a son. But none of them, not even Aerin herself, can predict her future-for she is to be the true hero who will wield the power of the Blue Sword...

"Vibrant, witty, compelling, the story is the stuff of which true dreams are made."

"Splendid high fantasy... filled with tender moments, good characters, satisfying action and sparkling dialogue... superb!"

Awards:
Winner of the 1985 Newbery Medal
An ALA Notable Book

A very talented author. I enjoyed her "The Blue Sword" also. It looks like I will be reading more of Robin McKinley's work. Very imaginative!

One of the first fantasy books I've ever read, and one of my favorite. Aerin is a girl with a special destiny--to weild the Blue Sword...

Marvelous YA fantasy epic.

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