Review for "Sword Bearer"

"Sword Bearer" is the first book in Teddy Jacobs's "Return of the Dragons" series
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Dark stains of ink sketch out a cloaked sallow faced figure standing in front of a full moon in a wind torn sky on top of yellowed parchment.
"Sword Bearer" starts off innocently enough with a boy on the cusp of his sixteenth birthday worrying about his skin. Anders lives an odd existence, spending a few hours of each day with his blademaster learning self defense and the rest of the time literally locked in his room studying magic, history, languages, and diplomacy. Like most stifled young boys he yearns for adventure. Adventure comes roaring into his life suddenly as magical blade sings to him and a portal opens up to a beautiful pointy eared young woman in distress. The two events send him on a frantic race for his life.

What I liked:

• My favorite part of the entire story was the introduction of the pixie that lives in the sword, even though her name was innocuous enough. 

What I disliked:

• The writing style left a little to be desired. I found the author using the word like in most of his descriptions to be repetitive and a wee bit annoying, couple that with the proofreading errors and we have a problem.
• I found it odd that Anders is so fixated on the state of his skin. I mean really you can take the sudden magical changes in stride but not your pimples?
• For someone who isn't interested in Anders, Kara sure spends a lot of time kissing him.
• Everything seemed to be rushed along a predetermined path, this has to happen so this can happen so this can happen sort of thing.

"Sword Bearer" was a short and easily digestible read that I breezed through in an evening.  I noticed when writing this review that has a new cover out for this title, a sprawling castle set in field of yellow flowers. The novel is currently available for the Kindle for free. The second book in the series 'Wind Rider" is available for $3.95. You can find out more about the author and his other works at his website www.teddyjacobs.com
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3 out of 5 smilies
Recommended for children who are avid advanced readers and young adults. A decent introductory sword and sorcery. Adults will not find this particular story very interesting.

Synopsis: "Eight years ago, when his dying grandfather whispered words of power in his ear, there was already something special about Anders Tomason.
But these days Anders is sick of being special. Forced to study in a locked room when he isn't having lessons, his only escape is daily practice with a staff; he hopes that one day, he'll get to swing a blade.
That day comes on his 16th birthday: Anders receives a wooden sword from his blade master, along with two surprises: a mischievous and flirtatious spirit inside the silver handle, and the dance of swordplay to the music of his own blood. Then, that same night Anders is drinking a new tea and burning incense to help him focus on his studies. But he's sick of studying, sick of being locked in. So sick of it, that in anger his blood magic opens a gateway. A girl bursts into his locked study. She has a stolen book of nature magic and a chemical warlock hot on her trail...."