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THE SWORD AND THE DAGGER by Robert Cochran

THE SWORD AND THE DAGGER

by Robert Cochran

Pub Date: April 9th, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7653-8383-9
Publisher: Tor Teen

During the Crusades, a strategic alliance between the Christian states of Tripoli and Antioch hinges on the marriage of Princess Elaine and Prince Conrad, who are the next in line to the thrones of their respective states.

The rulers of a rival Muslim state do not support such an alliance and send Rashid, a trusted disciple and a trained Nizari assassin, to thwart the marriage by killing Elaine. Unsuccessful in his attempt, he ends up befriending his one-time target and her betrothed fiance, and the three embark on an adventure that test their faiths, their loyalties, and their newfound friendship. Throughout this lengthy debut novel, Cochran—the Emmy Award–winning producer of the controversial hit TV series 24—offers a predictable plot filled with truisms and platitudes along with an unimaginative and unsurprising character list (Conrad with his fragile male ego, headstrong female Elaine, and unwavering, exotic Rashid). The abrupt point of view shifts are jarring, and the plot falls flat, with tensions being resolved all too quickly. The repetitive conflicts all seem to be sorted out with a naïve trope: These 13th-century Christians and Muslims can easily find common ground. The author’s historical note unfortunately refers to works of popular history by authors known for their Islamophobic stances

Unexceptional; replete with clichés and banalities.

(map, historical note) (Historical fiction. 14-18)