First Sword   by Mark Robson Sword Publishing, 2002, 317 pages, ISBN 0 9538 190 2 7

How easy was it to get stuck into this book?
This book is the third in the Darkweaver series, and has almost all the same characters as the other two. The book basically follows three groups of people, who are all on different errands and quests. It is full of action, and overall a good read with a fast pace and good plot.

Who are the main characters?
The main characters are in the three groups that I mentioned above, one of these groups is made up of Bek and Jez, two soldiers who used to serve Thrandor (the place where all the characters live) and who are now fighting for their lives in the arena at Shandrim, the capital of Shandor (a country next to Thrandor), another group is made of three more Thrandorian soldiers, Derra, Eloise and Fesha, who are on a rescue mission to try and save the two fighters, and Calyvn, another soldier who is on an errand to the magician's academy in Shandar to give them important news. Then there is Jenna, who played an important role in the last book where she defeated a dangerous demon, and who is living with some friends, Perdimonn, one of the four warders who hold the keys to the four great powers of the world, Fire, Earth, Water and Air and finally Selkor, a powerful, evil magician who is trying to get as much power as he can to dominate the world.

What's the storyline?
The story is quite hard to tell as there are lots of different groups of people, but basically in the arena, Jez is killed by the infamous top fighter, Serrius, and Bek wants to avenge him, but will he survive the fight? Meanwhile Derra Eloise and Fesha are trying to get into Shandar so they can rescue Bek and Jez, and are finding it difficult to keep themselves undercover. Calyvn was called off on an important errand and had to go the magician's academy in Shandar and pass on a message to them. He decides to stay here and learn some more magic, so he can be of greater use to his King. The story is really quite good, with loads of action throughout.

How's it written?
I would recommend this book to about 12-14, as it is quite lengthy.

Other books by the same author that Tim knows about?
The other two books in the series, The Forging of the Sword, and the Trail of the Huntress.

The overall verdict is
Really good stuff

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