When I was a kid I used to go to the Colorado Renaissance Festival outside of Larkspur. Set in the beautiful pine forests of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, this festival features a cast of hundreds of authentically costumed merrymakers living and working throughout the “village.” With performances continually taking place upon the festival’s seven stages, the illusion of a rollicking Medieval festival day is created. One of my favorite parts of the festival was the sword fights – knights would battle bandits as the audience watched with amazement at the swordsmanship and athletic daring. At the festival they sell small wooden swords that you can take home and practice with – envisioning yourself fighting off the King’s enemies with skill and bravery. I guess because of these early experiences I’ve always had a fascination for this period in time, and especially about the swordsmanship that required to survive. The recent book by Jack Sorenson took me back to these early days and let me re-imagine



Sword of Eibhlin is the story of two master swordsmen, although in this case one is a woman. Edwin and Eibhlin grow up in the countryside of medieval England, learning all of the tricks and techniques involved in being an expert swordsman. One day, however, a marauding group of bandits come and pillage the village. Edwin and Eibhlin attempt to protect the people against these men, but are overwhelmed by their sheer number. Captured, they are carried across the landscape until they no longer recognize the countryside.



At the mercy of these evil men, they are forced to partake in their ways as they move from village to village looting and stealing. Soon, however, they are able to escape, but only at the cost of their lives – or so they both think.



I never like to give away the twists and turns of a book; that is half the fun of reading. What I will say is that although you most likely have read a number of medieval fiction books (and watched their Hollywood adaptations), the story found in Sword of Eibhlinis unique. Filled with the usual sword fights, bandits, lost romances, and tales of blacksmithing and armor, the underlying story is what carried me through this book. Is Edwin dead? Is Eibhlin? Will they ever free themselves from their past and the bandits who chase them? Will they ever see each other again? And will their love finally be fulfilled?



If you are looking for an adventure novel to read, then Sword of Eibhlin may just fit the bill. Well written, filled with emotion and drama, the book is a great way to spend several afternoons. To complete the experience, I’d suggest reading it under a tree or against a rock in a meadow… maybe you too will be carried off to an ancient time and place