The Blue Sword

By: Robin McKinley

Narrated by: Diane Warren

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sunshine is the Newberry Award–winning classic novel that has enthralled listeners for decades.

This is the story of Corlath, golden-eyed king of the Free Hillfolk, son of the sons of the Lady Aerin.

And this is the story of Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl who became Harimand-sol, King’s Raider, and heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan, that no woman had wielded since Lady Aerin herself bore it into battle. And this is the song of the kelar of the Hillfolk, the magic of the blood, the weaver of destinies …

©1982 Robin McKinley (P)1992 Recorded Books

Good Story: Needs a redo on the sound file

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The sound file had blips, cracks and static. You could follow what was being said...or guess at what was being said.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously, Harry the protagonist, since she learned to follow her head and her heart.

Would you be willing to try another one of Diane Warren’s performances?

Yes but I would hope the sound track/audio would be better.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Blue Sword?

None

Any additional comments?

This audio book needs to be re-recorded or get a "good" original file. I read the book and enjoyed it. This audio file...not so much.

great book, odd recording

I love this book but audio was a bit weird on this one - there were overlapping and repeating tracks in a few places. The audio would repeat but sound different like they put 2 different takes of the same section one after the other. And the narrator will sometimes sound totally different for anywhere from one word to a whole paragraph and then drop back into normal. It's pretty jarring, in some places.

tl;dr good narrator, good story, shoddy sound editing.

A strange and wonderful story

I discovered his story after reading the hero and the crown and I have to say they’re two of my favorite books that I have to read at least once a year. And what’s even more wonderful is it the audio version is just as wonderful. It reminds me of going on a Long walk and having your grandmother tell you an elaborate story of a place you’ve never heard of and a heroine who overcomes her doubts to Save her people.

loved this book for over 35yrs

so happy to finally listen to this book and is as good as I remember it.

favorite Robin McKinley book

I have read many of McKinley's books. Most of them I very much enjoy but this is my favorite!

Enjoyable girl power, magic in a fascinating world

I first read this book as a teenager and loved it then, (as well as the Newberry-award-winning companion book, The Hero and The Crown). I very much enjoyed revisiting this one as an audio book. Excellent narration.

A childhood favorite

This is a story I've read over and over again since I was a young teen. It has had pride of place next to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Farmer's House of the Scorpion on my bookshelf. My family's combined library of books we consider worth re-reading fills an entire room, but for some reason I have yet to understand, this story never fails to lighten my mood. 😌

A must for the tom-boy and the princess

One of my favorite books growing up and impactful. A girl with a sword and the intelligence to do what is best for her people.

Best book ever

I love this book so much I listen to it every year. I prefer it over the prequel but it is good if you know the history of the characters. You can listen to it as a stand-alone but I think knowing the history of the characters gives your listening pleasure more depth

My 1st Novel as a child and a favorite as an adult

Highly recommended, especially for girls and women. This book empowers one to embrace differences and change. Change = growth. Growth requires a leap of faith and persistence during adversity. Go be amazing!