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 book, not so amazing narrator

This story has been a favorite and an annual read since high school. McKinley has a skill for world-building and creating complex, compelling characters. My main problem with this recording is Ms. Warren. She has a good voice, but her phrasing is only mildly tolerable, and sometimes long pauses in the middle of phrases cause comprehension issues. There's also no excuse for pronouncing "misshapen" as "miss-happen." Listen because of the story, and in spite of the vox.

Great book

This has been one of my favorite books for years and it is wonderful that is is now available to listen to as well. The narration is great and fits well with the story.

Narrator a bit stuffy, formal

Narrator a bit dated sounding for informal style of writing imo. My fave book and writer.

I could barely stop listening!

I have two hardcopies of this book. One of them is falling apart at the seams from having been read so many times and needed replacing for future rereading. I’d been dying to read it again but was in the middle of a craft project so I thought why not try the audiobook. I’m pretty picky about narrators but Diane Warren’s voice is just beautiful in tone. I finished the book in two sittings, it would’ve been one but I figured 2am was a good time to stop and sleep before finishing the last six hours. I’ll listen to this many more times just as I’ve read the pages right off the spine of book. Every time I interact with this story something new jumps out at me, I can easily say it’s one of my all time favorites.

Girl Power + Love Story

I have read this book twice before listening. Enjoyed it just as much this time. thank you

Epic fantasy

A well-written story with Diane Warren’s voice bringing it to life.
Robin McKinley so skillfully creates a world filled with customs that the reader soon forgets it is fantasy.

Horses and swords, and a little magic

Great book, I first read in my youth, is as enjoyable today as ever it was. Fun new cultures and heroic personalitys.

Enjoyable.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but I'd have to tell them to be prepared for it to be slow. This is a sequel to The Hero and the Crown, and I was expecting it to be as interesting. It's a good sequel, just not as good as the first.

What other book might you compare The Blue Sword to and why?

The Hero and the Crown. Robin McKinley writes excellent books and she has a very unique, very distinctive style. There is no one else like her.

Which scene was your favorite?

The descriptiveness of the desert lands.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book is supposed to be moving. It's a young woman's strength against the rigid social norms of two different worlds.

Any additional comments?

Robin McKinley is one of the great authors of our time. Right up there with Terry Brooks and JRR Tolkien.

Favorite Book

The narrator did a fantastic job, especially for this particular book. It's one of my favorite books, but I know it's difficult to read aloud and she reads it like I read it in my head.

As always, I’m just sorry it’s over!

I read this book MANY years ago, and enjoyed it throughly then, but having it read was even better. Ms. Warren did a fabulous job, and “Harry” was just like she had sounded in my head!