Forging the Sword (Farsala Trilogy, The) - Softcover

Bell, Hilari

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1481450999 ISBN 13: 9781481450997

Publisher: S&S Books for Young Readers, 2015

Synopsis

THE SPIRIT OF THE ANCIENT CHAMPION, SORAHB, WAS REBORN INTO THE BODY OF A DEGHAN YOUTH.

There is not much time left on the Hrum's self-imposed limit -- only a few months. If in that time they don't take all of Farsala, then the Farsalans will regain their independence.

Ceaselessly, Soraya, Kavi, and Jiaan work to keep control of what little land remains free from Hrum rule: parts of the countryside, the badlands, and the walled city of Mazad. They have many people helping them, but there is still one important piece missing: a sword that is able to withstand the Hrum's watersteel. In the end Farsala will fall if it can't win in battle.

But one thing none of these young heroes can foresee is the growing desperation of the Hrum leaders. It will lead some to break their own laws and sacred pacts and will reveal truths to Kavi, Soraya, and Jiaan about the nature of war, the nature of human beings, and -- most importantly -- the nature of themselves.

Hilari Bell builds the action and intrigue to a crescendo in the final installment of this critically acclaimed trilogy.

About this title

About the Author

Hilari Bell is a librarian in Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her family. Her favorite books are fantasy, science fiction, and mystery -- all the ingredients for a great novel! Hilari is also the author of the Farsala Trilogy -- Fall of a Kingdom, Rise of a Hero, and Forging the Sword -- as well as Songs of Power, A Matter of Profit, and The Goblin Wood.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–10—Jiaan, Kavi, and Soraya—the three young Farsalans attempting to wrest their fallen nation from the conquering Hrum—are back in this final installment of Bell's trilogy. Invoking the name of the legendary Sorahb, they lead the tiny, ill-trained army, organize the peasants, and practice magic as taught by the mysterious, desert-living Suud. The sword that they forge represents both their discovery of the secrets of Hrum steel as well as their ability to create a new, unified Farsala. The young people work according to their particular talents, learning to cooperate and to forgive past transgressions. Primarily, they learn that the world is not a place of black and white, but gray—enemies can be noble and supposed friends can deceive. How one proceeds in the face of that knowledge is the main thrust of this novel. Readers who enjoyed the earlier adventures will be happy to see this epic to its conclusion, but the book does not stand on its own. No attempt is made to recap any previous information. The seamless interweaving of the ancient heroic poem of Sorahb into the downfall of Farsala gave the first novel depth, and its loss is heavy in books two and three. Purchase where the earlier titles have a following.—Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI
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About this edition

• Publisher: S&S Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1481450999
• ISBN 13: 9781481450997
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 624