Really liked this more then the first book, my objection to multiple character names has been dealt with and the story seems a little better as well, an extra 1/2 star to 3 1/2 stars. ( )

A very predictable, yet enjoyable, little sword and sorcery yarn.

That being said, I have to admit, the whole slavery thing is really irking me. To be specific, why in the world do these characters from our world care about freeing slaves? The world view presented by the author doesn't make that[a world of freedom, of non slaves] viable. Slavery happens because people believe that they are NOT equal. Without a God who created them all, making them of equal worth because of their worth to Him [not to other created beings], people AREN'T equal. To simply say" that they are denies the differences we all know exists.

The "lets free all the slaves 'cause that would be good" idea is just presented way too simplistically for me to swallow, as well as running counter to the core world beliefs of the main characters." ( )

At first impression the first book in this series, The Sleeping Dragon didn't seem like it would be anything special. Seven college students from modern-day America playing a game reminiscent of Dungeons and Dragons are transported to the fantasy world of the game as their role-playing alter egos. So one of them becomes a powerful dwarf warrior, another a thief/assassin type, another a sorceress and so on, and they have to find a way back into our world.

So what makes this different? Well, because it's the anti-high fantasy. I do often love sword and sorcery because it's the last bastion of adventure and heroism. At the same time, part of me is resistant, because hell, I'm a believer in democracies and republics, not a fan of monarchies and aristocracies, of reason, not magic. It's practically the definition of high fantasy that they're set in quasi-medieval worlds. And you know what? They suck. They have slavery (or at least serfdom) treat women like dirt, and lives are nasty, brutish and short. So what happened at the end of that first book? Lou renounces magic in favor of engineering and Karl and the others stay on and in this book takes on the Slaver's Guild. So hell yeah, I did adore the idea of those college kids from contemporary America messing with that world, not just taking it for granted as sacrosanct. And I liked the characters--Karl, Walter, Lou, James (Ahira), Andrea--and oh, yeah, that Sleeping Dragon they don't let lie--Ellegon. This book was an entertaining continuation on that premise, well-paced and thoroughly enjoyable. ( )

Fine fantasy, but aimless: The Sword and the Chain, while still a quick, entertaining read, lacks the unique appeal that The Sleeping Dragon had. The characters, having been imported into a Dungeons & Dragons world from our own, are now completely ensconced and resigned to staying. There is no longer any disconnect between the characters and their setting and, except for a certain sense of greater superiority, there is little to distinguish our heroes from any other fantasy character. Also problematic is that the narrative focus has shifted entirely onto Karl Cullinane, leaving the far more interesting Ahira in a side-kick role. There is, however, an intriguing plot development involving erstwhile professor Deighton, whose resolution appears to await later books.Like The Sleeping Dragon, The Sword and the Chain is an incredibly quick read. It's not always enjoyable (do we really need to read about disembowelments that sound like a wet fruit exploding?), but it is a fine distraction from our own daily lives. A worthwhile read for any fantasy fan.

This is the second book in the Guardians of the Flame series. The former students from our world are now adventurers in a fantasy world. To save one of their friends they have committed to trying to stop slavery, and to do that they have to take on the powerful Slavers Guild. This is good low fantasy. ( )