Teddy Jacobs

Sword Bearer
Book One: Return of the Dragons
Author: Teddy Jacobs
Publisher: Wicked Evil Press
Date: 2014
Pgs: 156

REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
An apprentice swordswift swings a staff until ready for the sword. Adventures await; monsters, spells, damsels...sure if this was a scribe’s story in a book.

Anders looks forward to all this...until the day a magic portal opens in his room and in bursts a young woman with a chemical warlock chasing after her. Danger. Blood. Fire. Demons. Evil.

The gift of the blademaster, the words of a grandfather, the song of the blood.

Wait...did someone say the Dragons were returning?

Genre:
Adventure
Apocalypse
Dragons
End of the World
Fantasy
Film
Fiction
Magic
Sword and sorcery
Wizards

Why this book:
Dragons. Adventure. Away we go.
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Least Favorite Character:
Anders Tomason is whiny. He’s ungrateful. Yes, he’s supposed to be young. But he’s so much teenage angst stereotype that he’s unlikeable. In the midst of mystic wonder and tragedy, he comes across as all the worst parts of Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars prequel trilogy...only worse.

The Feel:
There is a bit of Mary Sueishness developing around Anders. What I call the Canis effect. Canis was a story about a barbarian that I read many eyars ago. He was a barbarian in England before England was England, in the time of Boadicea, pre-Viking, Roman era. Everybody LOVED Canis. Despite Anders’ parents and Gerard’s Dark Lord, I’m getting that everybody loves Anders feel.

Favorite Scene / Quote:
When his grandfather’s sword begins singing to Anders Tomason on the practice field as he practices with his blademaster Giancarlo. And for the first time in his life, he is the first one to draw blood signalling the end of practice.

When Anders pulls the girl through the portal from Gerard’s shop amidst magic and counter magic.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
In one instance, Anders accepts and is onboard with what fate has thrown at him. And, in the next, he is whining about it and crying about this person wronging him or that person wronging him.

Hmm Moments:
The concept of the three blooded Prince is cool.

The evil creatures the characters encounter are continually referring to Anders as “Herr”. Wonder what the connection is that they would refer to their enemy as Lord.

WTF Moments:
What could possibly go wrong teaching a powerful immature sword wizard to hide his feelings.

Meh / PFFT Moments:
Kalle and Kara engaging in what would be bad/weak table banter at the RPG table when they come to the road gate leading to the secret city in the woods. Also, how they seemingly, suddenly have known each other for a long time even though when Anders and Kara emerged from the portal with Kalle saving them from the demon wizard, or whatever he really is, Gerard, they didn’t seem to know each other this well.

The circuitous conversation after the feast when the main characters are discussing the Dark Lord, the Book of Id, and Anders training...that just a few pages ago was going to have to be put on hold because of the Dark Lord’s imminent attack...now at least a month or two distant. In 1980s movies, this is where the music video training montage would kick in.
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Last Page Sound:
There’s not really a climax there.

Author Assessment:
Despite my feelings about the characterization of Anders and the circuitousness of some of the scenes, I love the concept. I’m going to have to consider whether to read more of the series. But I did like the concept and the ideas behind the story.

Editorial Assessment:
Could have benefited from a trip or two under the editor’s pen with a look toward scene and plot structure.

Knee Jerk Reaction:
meh!

Disposition of Book:
e-Book
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