Ashling Donoghue is no closer to finding her parents than she was the night they disappeared. But hope returns as her brother Kian channels the Sword of Light, revealing past-life secrets and truths long suppressed.
The more she learns, the greater she fears the darkness that drowns the Netherworld also drives her. Is Aengus her true love, or is it Lorcan? Does her future wait in shadow or the … shadow or the light?
One point is clear: the threads of her past-self are woven inextricably into the tapestry of her soul. An impossible choice looms before her, and all the while, evil is poised to strike.
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As Ashling struggles to come to grips with the fact that she has no idea how to locate her parents, her brother, Kian, is coming into his powers as the Sword of Light. His gift: the ability to show people their past lives. She witnesses her siblings’ past lives but is deathly afraid of what she’ll see in her own past lives. When circumstances make it necessary, what she sees breaks her heart. Lorcan continues to stalk her every thought. When Aengus and Lorcan both profess to love her, she must make a choice. Will she choose Lorcan or Aengus?
I love this series and I was anxious to read the next installment. I have to admit, while this is a great book with plenty of intrigue and dramatic tension, I was a little disappointed. With the previous two books, the focus has been on each sibling (first Ashling then Deirdre). But in The Sword Unsheathed, Kian becomes a secondary character. We don’t get a chance to delve into his character or his power. It all takes a backseat to Ashling and her love triangle. Don’t get me wrong, I was captivated by Ashling and her struggle to choose but it really took over Kian’s story.
What I did love about The Sword Unsheathed was the past lives subplot. It filled in a lot of backstory on the characters I’ve grown to love while reading the series. Judith Sterling does a masterful job of whisking away the reader to eras of history not discussed. She casts a spell on the reader and this book will transport the reader to another time and another place. Her ability to grab the reader with emotional narration and characters who burrow their way into your heart is superb. Escape to Ireland with The Sword Unsheathed today!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
When Ashling’s old feelings are stirred for both Aengus and Lorcan, will history repeat itself?
The Sword Unsheathed continues to weave magic and intrigue into the Guardians of Erin series. The more I learn about each character, the more I like them. As Kian’s power grows, we get a glimpse into everyone’s past lives, which further adds to and enriches the story.
Great writing, vivid details, and an intriguing story line. Looking forward to the next in the series!
Ashling and crew are really on the rise as more of their gifts grow. One of the twins is able to go back into someone’s memories and this helps them to learn vital information they would have never known otherwise.
The relationship between Ashling and Aengus continues but Lorcan, as well as Ashling’s feelings for him, threatens to rip this couple apart. It’s a twisted love triangle and I have mixed feelings about it all, but then again, I’ve never been a fan of the triangle thing. Nevertheless, this is a cause for angst and drama that many readers are going to love.
The pace here is fast and sharp. With a lot of action, plenty of clues and evidence as well as characters that are continuing to develop and otherworldly beings, this makes for one wild ride that ends in a cliffhanger. Gah!
This is like Nancy Drew Supernatural, on steroids…and I loved it! Ready for the next book!
The Sword Unsheathed is the third book in Judith Sterling’s Guardians of Erin series, and it is wonderful. The series follows the four Donoghue siblings in a contemporary setting, as they follow their destiny to Ireland. Once there, they discover a world of magic and history, brilliantly woven together with Irish myth and legend. Sterling has a gift for creating thoughtful, complete characters, and while Ashling Donoghue is the main character, whose story and sweet romance run throughout the series, the secondary characters are all interesting and absorbing as well. As a matter of fact, Ashling’s sister Deidre is possibly my favorite character in the series. This series is classified as YA/New Adult, but trust me, I am neither of those and I LOVE it! Whatever your age, give yourself a treat and read the Guardians of Erin series, you will not be sorry.
“The Sword Unsheathed” is the 3rd book in the “Guardians of Erin” series. If you haven’t read the first two: Where have you been?! The series is aimed at young adults, but you shouldn’t let that stop you – I’m way beyond the “young adult” stage and I love the series. Okay, so, the book itself… Judith Sterling’s ability to craft characters and keep them growing is even more evident in this 3rd offering. The plot is a continuation of the first 2 books and is completely engrossing. The warmth of Ms. Sterling’s writing is a constant. Eagerly awaiting book 4, so I can return to my “family”.
My thanks to the author for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
I’m loving this series and this third installment had me back in the midst of Ashling and her family’s struggle to find their parents. The Otherworld, the Underworld, the Middleworld, the Netherworld, the Upperworld…..be prepared for all the dimensions they can travel in and the magic they encounter, as well as produce. Trying to be one step ahead of Aoife, the evil witch, leads them into quite the adventure and not knowing who to trust just adds to the problems!
Ashling is torn between Aengus and Lorcan, her brother Kian has now come into his powers and can help the others see into their past lives, her sister Deirdre has her own problems with Robin and Quinn and her brother Conall is getting ready to come into his own powers. Sounds a bit complicated but if you’ve been reading the series, it really all makes sense:)
Now I’m anxiously waiting for the 4th book!! Judith Sterling never ceases to amaze me with her writing and how I’d love to have the imagination she has!!
I was given an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.