When it comes to authors and writing a series of books if I like the first book I usually end up liking the second and third book (Lord of the Rings) and the books after those if the series is more then a trilogy (The Dresden Files, quite a few files). There are exceptions to the rule of course and there are some books that should have a follow up that don't.
The Sworn is a book that takes a whole new approach to the book series idea. I read a series known as The Chronicles of the Necromancer written by Gail Z. Martin. It was four books long, it followed the story of a prince who watched his older brother murder his father and take the throne by force in his kingdom. He escapes being killed himself and flees with a few allies. After a long journey of gathering allies he returns and retakes the throne. Turns out he is also a summoner and can summon spirits to help him fight. Don't ask me where necromancer shows up because I didn't find one. The series was great and the story lines were wrapped up in book four and I though that was all.
It was all, kind of. The Sworn is the first book in The Fallen Kings Cycle. One slight difference, it builds on the Chronicles of the Necromancer. And it is not like what Lord of the Rings did. The Fellowship of the ring took place 60-70 years after the events of The Hobbit. The Sworn takes place less then a year later after the last book in the Chronicles of the Necromancer.
Now I have no problem with it, Gail Z. Martin is a great writer and I enjoyed the Chronicles of the Necromancer immensely. When I saw The Sworn on the shelf I was very excited to see that she had written another book. I was looking forward to the new land and new characters. I opened it to find out that the characters and land had not changed at all. I ask myself, why did you call it book one and start a new series? The cast hasn't changed from book four of the other series and it's less then a year! One would think you should just call it book five and keep going.
Other then the complete lack of reason for going with a new series the book is good. The characters are solid and the story is well done. A few new characters are brought in and a one new location from the previous series. The problems I find though really do break the book. I found that unless you read the Chronicles of the Necromancer, you will probably be very very lost. The book refers to characters from that series and also builds on events. If you didn't read Chronicles of the Necromancer then chances are you will be so lost you'll shut the book.
For readers of the previous series, you will also have some trouble. Some of the characters used in this book will force you into opening the first book to remember who that person is. I found some characters introduced had not shown up since book one of the previous series and thus remembering them was hard. I found myself opening the first book to try and remember who they were.
I like the book but unfortunately it doesn't draw new readers and it does not offer a lot to those who have read her previous books. I certainly hope the second book of this series somehow redeems it.
Review
Grade-It Could Grow
Highs-Strong story and great characters, does a good job of bringing new aspects in
Lows-Builds on a different series that will leave new readers lost and introduces characters that previous readers will not remember
Genre-Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Kid Friendly?It is good, but I would suggest reading it to your child due to some of the themes in it, unless your child is 14, then allow them to read it
Overview-It is good, but read her other books first
-Rezler
