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French Revolution #2
The Silver Blade
A touch of magic. A daring rescue.
Mysterious Yann returns to revolutionary France in 1794 to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. His darling Sido is in England, safe from the Reign of Terror. But while the two are apart, Yann’s Gypsy origins prejudice Sido’s guardian against their marriage, spoiling their longed-for reunion. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, however, Yann must use all his strength and courage to outwit the fearful count, rescue Sido, and help save all of France.
Mysterious Yann returns to revolutionary France in 1794 to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. His darling Sido is in England, safe from the Reign of Terror. But while the two are apart, Yann’s Gypsy origins prejudice Sido’s guardian against their marriage, spoiling their longed-for reunion. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, however, Yann must use all his strength and courage to outwit the fearful count, rescue Sido, and help save all of France.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2009
About the author
Sally Gardner
107 books604 followersAKA Wray Delaney
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
May 1, 2010
I think this one comment sums it all, "Gardner just keeps getting stranger and better."
The Telegraph
The sequel to The Red Necklace certainly does not dissapoint. This one is darker in tone and there is even more dread of death upon everything. Seriously, I almost felt like I could smell the blood. Yann Margoza has become a Robin Hood of sorts. He uses his extraordinary powers to help people escape the unforgiving guillotone and becomes to be known as the Silver Blade. Sido on the other hand is safe in London, but is not as safe as everyone assumes. And as most people guess (I'm sure this really isn't a spoiler) that Count Kalliovski still roams the catacombs of Paris.
The plot to this story is very intricate so it's important to pay attention to names. I actually had a hard time remembering who was who sometimes. Sometimes I'd have to flip pages to jog my memory. It may have been because I didn't read it in one stretch, but again I urge future readers to pay attention. You get sucked in so easily in this world. Gardner's descriptions are just so rich and fit this time period. The French Revolution is often painted as something relatively heroic and as a reader I learned just how much went wrong even after the nobles were overthrown. Extremes of anything never work.
Yann is such a character. I now really understand why people use that phrase now. He's such a flawed hero and you root for him anyway. I was bit let down when we didn't get to see so much of Sido, but really this is Yann's story. Though of course a big part of why and how he does things is because of her.
The ending is just right, even if it isn't totally explained. I think it's that way to give you the sense that the gypsy magic is still suppose to be a bit of a mystery to us. One part that irked me was how Anselm's part played out and there is this one character that I believe was only used to make a point. That aside though, do pick up the book. You won't be able to compare it to something you have read before; it really is delicioulsy different.
The sequel to The Red Necklace certainly does not dissapoint. This one is darker in tone and there is even more dread of death upon everything. Seriously, I almost felt like I could smell the blood. Yann Margoza has become a Robin Hood of sorts. He uses his extraordinary powers to help people escape the unforgiving guillotone and becomes to be known as the Silver Blade. Sido on the other hand is safe in London, but is not as safe as everyone assumes. And as most people guess (I'm sure this really isn't a spoiler) that Count Kalliovski still roams the catacombs of Paris.
The plot to this story is very intricate so it's important to pay attention to names. I actually had a hard time remembering who was who sometimes. Sometimes I'd have to flip pages to jog my memory. It may have been because I didn't read it in one stretch, but again I urge future readers to pay attention. You get sucked in so easily in this world. Gardner's descriptions are just so rich and fit this time period. The French Revolution is often painted as something relatively heroic and as a reader I learned just how much went wrong even after the nobles were overthrown. Extremes of anything never work.
Yann is such a character. I now really understand why people use that phrase now. He's such a flawed hero and you root for him anyway. I was bit let down when we didn't get to see so much of Sido, but really this is Yann's story. Though of course a big part of why and how he does things is because of her.
The ending is just right, even if it isn't totally explained. I think it's that way to give you the sense that the gypsy magic is still suppose to be a bit of a mystery to us. One part that irked me was how Anselm's part played out and there is this one character that I believe was only used to make a point. That aside though, do pick up the book. You won't be able to compare it to something you have read before; it really is delicioulsy different.
January 13, 2015
3.5 stars:)
Love "the love letters" *sigh*
Love "the love letters" *sigh*
November 19, 2009
3.5 Stars, read 16-17th November, 2009
Sequel to The Red Necklace, and the conclusion of Gardner's French Revolution series.
The story picks up approximately 18 months after the ending of The Red Necklace. Yann Margoza has been in France all this time rescuing people from the guillotine and the atrocities of the Revolution, risking everything in a dangerous bid to save lives following the tradition of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Yann has come to be known as the Silver Blade and it grows ever more perilous for him and his companions to continue their operations.
Meanwhile, Sido has been in London with her Aunt and Uncle Laxton. Her separation from Yann weighs heavily on her soul and she just wanders through her life, bereft of comfort and purpose, feeling ever more trapped. It is not until she and Yann begin to exchange letters that she starts to live again. With the exchange of these missives, the communication of thoughts, desires, ideas, Yann and Sido fall deeper in love until Yann declares himself to Sido.
Of course, at this point, things take a horrible, nasty turn toward doom and the total ruination of our leading cast's hopes and dreams. For Count Kalliovski survived, in a manner of speaking, and is hell-bent on obtaining Yann's powers. To that end, he abducts Sido, who carries Yann's talisman. Yann must face the truth of who his father was and find a way to save Sido, while around him Paris is collapsing as the Reign of Terror bears its final bitter fruit.
************************************************************************
As before, I enjoy Sally Gardner's style. It is highly visual and vivid. (Just thinking of her description of Count Kalliovski's catacomb residence gives me the chills because I can picture it all too clearly!) But I would have liked more backstory on Anis and Kalliovski. What did actually occur between them? Did Anis ever love him? He was obsessed with her, but did she willingly carry his child? Was she forced? Then he killed her in a rage... when she told him his future? She told him he had a choice, two roads... I wish that had been more fleshed out. I also wanted a more logical, solid set-up for how Kalliovski was defeated. All we have is a Gypsy story about a dog & the devil's own, a shell and an abyss. Huh? And I still think Sido would have benefited from more personality being shown.
For all those concerned, there is the usual gore, bloodshed, brutality and inhumanity associated with this tragic time period, as well as a scene of implied sex.
Also, the original ending was lost due to a computer mishap and rewrote,so it would be very interesting to see how it would have differed.
Sequel to The Red Necklace, and the conclusion of Gardner's French Revolution series.
The story picks up approximately 18 months after the ending of The Red Necklace. Yann Margoza has been in France all this time rescuing people from the guillotine and the atrocities of the Revolution, risking everything in a dangerous bid to save lives following the tradition of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Yann has come to be known as the Silver Blade and it grows ever more perilous for him and his companions to continue their operations.
Meanwhile, Sido has been in London with her Aunt and Uncle Laxton. Her separation from Yann weighs heavily on her soul and she just wanders through her life, bereft of comfort and purpose, feeling ever more trapped. It is not until she and Yann begin to exchange letters that she starts to live again. With the exchange of these missives, the communication of thoughts, desires, ideas, Yann and Sido fall deeper in love until Yann declares himself to Sido.
Of course, at this point, things take a horrible, nasty turn toward doom and the total ruination of our leading cast's hopes and dreams. For Count Kalliovski survived, in a manner of speaking, and is hell-bent on obtaining Yann's powers. To that end, he abducts Sido, who carries Yann's talisman. Yann must face the truth of who his father was and find a way to save Sido, while around him Paris is collapsing as the Reign of Terror bears its final bitter fruit.
************************************************************************
As before, I enjoy Sally Gardner's style. It is highly visual and vivid. (Just thinking of her description of Count Kalliovski's catacomb residence gives me the chills because I can picture it all too clearly!) But I would have liked more backstory on Anis and Kalliovski. What did actually occur between them? Did Anis ever love him? He was obsessed with her, but did she willingly carry his child? Was she forced? Then he killed her in a rage... when she told him his future? She told him he had a choice, two roads... I wish that had been more fleshed out. I also wanted a more logical, solid set-up for how Kalliovski was defeated. All we have is a Gypsy story about a dog & the devil's own, a shell and an abyss. Huh? And I still think Sido would have benefited from more personality being shown.
For all those concerned, there is the usual gore, bloodshed, brutality and inhumanity associated with this tragic time period, as well as a scene of implied sex.
Also, the original ending was lost due to a computer mishap and rewrote,so it would be very interesting to see how it would have differed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2014
* Usually when it comes to sequels, I like the first book better, but in this case, I would have to say that I found The Silver Blade much more action-packed and gripping than its predecessor. That's not to say that The Red Necklace is boring, but this book has a much more amplified story. It's a teen-version (and generally less-boring version) of The Scarlet Pimpernel and I have reasons to think that Sally Gardner intended it that way: at one point in the story, a character is surprised at the hero's appearance, saying he expected him to be "older" and "an Englishman." Then at the end, there is a scene almost exactly like the finale in Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities: i mean, ALMOST EXACTLY. I found the similiaries charming and kind of tongue-in-cheek, but that's just me.
I read many reviews before diving into this sequel, and so I was expecting the continuing love story between Yann and Sido to be wishy-washy, but I was surprised by the quality of writing on the author's part to make me really *care* about what they're going through. I found their letters sweet and touching, instead of annoying. I just really like characters who are true to each other, so I found these two to be quite refreshing.
* There is way more "magic," or whatever you want to call it, in this book, and that's not altogether a good thing. It's like Sally Gardner is so desiring to keep her readers in the dark until the last minute, she doesnt give us enough clues as to what exactly she's talking about. This book is directed at MS-HS age readers, and I'm in college, so my age should have given me an advantage in deciphering what exactly she was talking about, but it didnt help, and throughout the story I remained a bit flabbergasted as to what was going on. The Gypsy magic part of the story just seemed really confusing and vague, and I still am not entirely sure how orders of events were worked out. And there's one aspect of the story in particular that just doesnt sit well with me: a character discovers secrets about said character's father and mother, but the relationship between the father and mother is never fully detailed, so it makes me wonder if the mother was a victim, or a "word-that-rhymes-with-'tank'". I dont know, it was just weird. The explanation given never really made sense, nor did it completely satisfy. So I don't know...
* BUT Gardner did a better job in the historical department: Danton, Robespierre, and other real-life figures are more adequately explained in this story, and I greatly appreciated the many references to the National Guard, the Concierge (sp?) and other aspects of history.
* The ending: if there's ever a part of a story in which I am at my most critical, it's over the ending. I am about 89% happy with the way the last 100 pages were handled, but I think that at one particular time, Gardner's "priorities" got a bit out-of-sync. I've given my "THIS IS A 'YA' BOOK, SO YOU AUTHORS SHOULD WATCH WHAT YOU WRITE!!!" speech on other reviews, and I hold to my ideas. The event in question was not handled in a bad or explicit way, and perhaps not even in an "inappropriate" way--I'm still perched on the fence about it, I just wish it could have been placed closer to the ending, that's all. I don't want to say that it wasnt necessary, but I think it just happened at the wrong time. So all-in-all, it was quite an enjoyable read. With a bit of editing, I could see myself reading this book and The Red Necklace to my future students, and in the meantime, I would certainly recommend this book and its predecessor.
I read many reviews before diving into this sequel, and so I was expecting the continuing love story between Yann and Sido to be wishy-washy, but I was surprised by the quality of writing on the author's part to make me really *care* about what they're going through. I found their letters sweet and touching, instead of annoying. I just really like characters who are true to each other, so I found these two to be quite refreshing.
* There is way more "magic," or whatever you want to call it, in this book, and that's not altogether a good thing. It's like Sally Gardner is so desiring to keep her readers in the dark until the last minute, she doesnt give us enough clues as to what exactly she's talking about. This book is directed at MS-HS age readers, and I'm in college, so my age should have given me an advantage in deciphering what exactly she was talking about, but it didnt help, and throughout the story I remained a bit flabbergasted as to what was going on. The Gypsy magic part of the story just seemed really confusing and vague, and I still am not entirely sure how orders of events were worked out. And there's one aspect of the story in particular that just doesnt sit well with me: a character discovers secrets about said character's father and mother, but the relationship between the father and mother is never fully detailed, so it makes me wonder if the mother was a victim, or a "word-that-rhymes-with-'tank'". I dont know, it was just weird. The explanation given never really made sense, nor did it completely satisfy. So I don't know...
* BUT Gardner did a better job in the historical department: Danton, Robespierre, and other real-life figures are more adequately explained in this story, and I greatly appreciated the many references to the National Guard, the Concierge (sp?) and other aspects of history.
* The ending: if there's ever a part of a story in which I am at my most critical, it's over the ending. I am about 89% happy with the way the last 100 pages were handled, but I think that at one particular time, Gardner's "priorities" got a bit out-of-sync. I've given my "THIS IS A 'YA' BOOK, SO YOU AUTHORS SHOULD WATCH WHAT YOU WRITE!!!" speech on other reviews, and I hold to my ideas. The event in question was not handled in a bad or explicit way, and perhaps not even in an "inappropriate" way--I'm still perched on the fence about it, I just wish it could have been placed closer to the ending, that's all. I don't want to say that it wasnt necessary, but I think it just happened at the wrong time. So all-in-all, it was quite an enjoyable read. With a bit of editing, I could see myself reading this book and The Red Necklace to my future students, and in the meantime, I would certainly recommend this book and its predecessor.
March 19, 2011
I'm glad I read this even though I liked the first better. Very interesting, great writing, and certainly informative in the French Revolution aspect.
The book starts a couple of months after the first ended. Yann and his crew are helping people escape France. Sido and Yann are in love still and have sent letters to each other though it is dangerous.
I believe that the villain in this one is scarier, a plus point for me. I must say he is really really bad, and evil, and wicked. I mean literally, his lair is made up of bones human bones. It is mentioned quite a few times. Also his motto is "Have no mercy, show no mercy." Not exactly original and a bit of overkill. There are a few other things that I felt were emphasized more than they should have and just gone on with the plot. Kind of like a joke that had a good punch-line but then the comedian just kept adding on to it when it really would've been better if they just bowed out with everyone laughing. That was mostly what I had a problem with about the book.
I liked that this had more action and suspense. Lots of tension on Yann's side of the story. Sido doesn't play as big of a role as I hoped she would, but Yann's side of the story is more interesting most of the time anyways. That is until he starts getting really all melodramatic and mournful. The point of view is switched between quite a few characters. I forgot if this happened in the first but I'm thinking it did.
Not as great as I was hoping but honestly not a bad read.
The book starts a couple of months after the first ended. Yann and his crew are helping people escape France. Sido and Yann are in love still and have sent letters to each other though it is dangerous.
I believe that the villain in this one is scarier, a plus point for me. I must say he is really really bad, and evil, and wicked. I mean literally, his lair is made up of bones human bones. It is mentioned quite a few times. Also his motto is "Have no mercy, show no mercy." Not exactly original and a bit of overkill. There are a few other things that I felt were emphasized more than they should have and just gone on with the plot. Kind of like a joke that had a good punch-line but then the comedian just kept adding on to it when it really would've been better if they just bowed out with everyone laughing. That was mostly what I had a problem with about the book.
I liked that this had more action and suspense. Lots of tension on Yann's side of the story. Sido doesn't play as big of a role as I hoped she would, but Yann's side of the story is more interesting most of the time anyways. That is until he starts getting really all melodramatic and mournful. The point of view is switched between quite a few characters. I forgot if this happened in the first but I'm thinking it did.
Not as great as I was hoping but honestly not a bad read.
March 22, 2017
2.5 stars
March 20, 2010
Do you ever pick up a book and actually shake with the anticipation of it being as good as the author’s previous books and then as soon as you start reading it you never want it to end? Well, that’s how I felt about The Silver Blade.
In this sequel to The Red Necklace, we are reacquainted with Yann Margoza, the young Romany magician and Sidonie de Villeduval, the young aristocrat orphan as well as a host of other familiar characters we have grown to love or hate, including the dwarf Tetu and the formidable Count Kalliovski. It is March 1794, in the midst of the Reign of Terror where distrust and degradation prevail.
It is indeed “the best of times”, “the worst of times” and Sally Gardner succeeds in portraying the best and worst of human nature in this dark, magical tale. The “best” is represented by the selfless heroism of Yann who helps aristocrats escape the spectre of the guillotine whilst the “worst” is the very palpable evil of Count Kalliovski who resides in a twilight world in the catacombs under the city, spinning his dark threads and relishing the depravity and corruption which pervades post-revolution Paris.
It’s a story about good versus evil, a love story, a story about friendship and loyalty and it also gives us an insight into an historical period of great turmoil and change. There is magic, romance, a hint of gothic coupled with vivid vignettes of Parisian life in all its post revolutionary squalor. The writing is beautiful, never forced and everything is cleverly woven together like an intricate tapestry.
I would urge any fans of well written historical fiction aged 9 to 99 to read The Silver Blade and to succumb to the seduction of this master storyteller. It could be read as a stand-alone but you will get a much richer reading experience by reading The Red Necklace first.
In this sequel to The Red Necklace, we are reacquainted with Yann Margoza, the young Romany magician and Sidonie de Villeduval, the young aristocrat orphan as well as a host of other familiar characters we have grown to love or hate, including the dwarf Tetu and the formidable Count Kalliovski. It is March 1794, in the midst of the Reign of Terror where distrust and degradation prevail.
It is indeed “the best of times”, “the worst of times” and Sally Gardner succeeds in portraying the best and worst of human nature in this dark, magical tale. The “best” is represented by the selfless heroism of Yann who helps aristocrats escape the spectre of the guillotine whilst the “worst” is the very palpable evil of Count Kalliovski who resides in a twilight world in the catacombs under the city, spinning his dark threads and relishing the depravity and corruption which pervades post-revolution Paris.
It’s a story about good versus evil, a love story, a story about friendship and loyalty and it also gives us an insight into an historical period of great turmoil and change. There is magic, romance, a hint of gothic coupled with vivid vignettes of Parisian life in all its post revolutionary squalor. The writing is beautiful, never forced and everything is cleverly woven together like an intricate tapestry.
I would urge any fans of well written historical fiction aged 9 to 99 to read The Silver Blade and to succumb to the seduction of this master storyteller. It could be read as a stand-alone but you will get a much richer reading experience by reading The Red Necklace first.
February 3, 2017
The Silver Blade is an excellent ending to the Red Necklace. I'm so sad there won't be any more in this series. Sally Gardner is now on my favorite author list.
September 1, 2024
I started this book years ago, and only just finished now, but I definitely enjoyed it. It's not the type of book I typically read, but it has a lovely romance, some magic and a lot of commentary on religion and politics which was interesting. Definitely a very unique book.
October 21, 2014
I will start off by saying that I like The Red Necklace better than its sequel. Sally Gardner likes weird in her stories, and The Silver Blade is certainly no exception. I thought the first one was weird! Well, the weirdness factor is vamped up for this two-book series's finale. While the weirdness in The Red Necklace didn't detract from the story, it did in this one because it was so embedded in the storyline.
Kalliovski isn't dead, naturally. The devil has claimed his soul and brought him to life. Whether or not that is literal, I am still not entirely certain, but judging by how Kalliovski meets his demise in The Silver Blade, I am thinking that it is meant literally. I mean, Kalliovski can't go out in the daylight (no, he isn't a vampire), he lives in the catacombs, and he has one skeletal hand. And I don't mean a hand so withered it looks skeletal - it really is just bone. At least, I think . . .
That is one problem - and appeal - to Sally Gardner's stories. You are never certain whether something is meant to be taken literally or if it just figurative; if it is the character's way of expressing how they viewed something, or if that is really what they saw. It is hard to put into words what exactly I mean. It is like there is a sheer screen laid over the true image, and if you look closely you can see a ghastly rendition of what is being said. It can be very frustrating in her stories, but it is also, oddly enough, what I like about them.
That said, I must reassure you that all of the characters are just as likable, sensible, and good as they are in The Red Necklace. Yann and Sido's love for each other is given more of a forefront, but it isn't at all annoying. Not a slushy young romance that is common among Young Adult authors. Yann does react violently and irrationally to the news that he is Kalliovski's son, and I was worried that Sally Gardner would pull in the annoyingly common theme of the hero fighting against his becoming like his father. Give that twist a rest already!! But that didn't happen, and I was immensely pleased. Yann took a week to recover from the shock of it, which is covered in one swift chapter. He forgives and moves on, though isn't quite as rational in his escapades as he once was. Still, Yann does in the end act rationally. And I cannot sing Sido's praises enough. What an intelligent girl! She has a good, strong head on her shoulders.
I wish Sally Gardner had laid off on the weirdness. I absolutely loved Kalliovski as a villain in The Red Necklace. He was creepy, he was intelligent, he was completely cloaked in mystery, and he had things in control. But the magic and supernatural aspects of The Silver Blade really take away from Kalliovski. I could no long respect him as an intelligent villain. He was no more scary than your common bad wizard sitting in a tower all day. About the only thing that kept him even a little bit on the creepy villain side was his flair for the rich and immaculate dress. I was sorely disappointed in the sort of villain Kalliovski had sunk to. Really, dear Count, I expected much better of you!
The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner will find its way into my collection, if only because I liked The Red Necklace and don't like having incomplete series.
Kalliovski isn't dead, naturally. The devil has claimed his soul and brought him to life. Whether or not that is literal, I am still not entirely certain, but judging by how Kalliovski meets his demise in The Silver Blade, I am thinking that it is meant literally. I mean, Kalliovski can't go out in the daylight (no, he isn't a vampire), he lives in the catacombs, and he has one skeletal hand. And I don't mean a hand so withered it looks skeletal - it really is just bone. At least, I think . . .
That is one problem - and appeal - to Sally Gardner's stories. You are never certain whether something is meant to be taken literally or if it just figurative; if it is the character's way of expressing how they viewed something, or if that is really what they saw. It is hard to put into words what exactly I mean. It is like there is a sheer screen laid over the true image, and if you look closely you can see a ghastly rendition of what is being said. It can be very frustrating in her stories, but it is also, oddly enough, what I like about them.
That said, I must reassure you that all of the characters are just as likable, sensible, and good as they are in The Red Necklace. Yann and Sido's love for each other is given more of a forefront, but it isn't at all annoying. Not a slushy young romance that is common among Young Adult authors. Yann does react violently and irrationally to the news that he is Kalliovski's son, and I was worried that Sally Gardner would pull in the annoyingly common theme of the hero fighting against his becoming like his father. Give that twist a rest already!! But that didn't happen, and I was immensely pleased. Yann took a week to recover from the shock of it, which is covered in one swift chapter. He forgives and moves on, though isn't quite as rational in his escapades as he once was. Still, Yann does in the end act rationally. And I cannot sing Sido's praises enough. What an intelligent girl! She has a good, strong head on her shoulders.
I wish Sally Gardner had laid off on the weirdness. I absolutely loved Kalliovski as a villain in The Red Necklace. He was creepy, he was intelligent, he was completely cloaked in mystery, and he had things in control. But the magic and supernatural aspects of The Silver Blade really take away from Kalliovski. I could no long respect him as an intelligent villain. He was no more scary than your common bad wizard sitting in a tower all day. About the only thing that kept him even a little bit on the creepy villain side was his flair for the rich and immaculate dress. I was sorely disappointed in the sort of villain Kalliovski had sunk to. Really, dear Count, I expected much better of you!
The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner will find its way into my collection, if only because I liked The Red Necklace and don't like having incomplete series.
June 7, 2012
With his beloved Sido safely in England and the Reign of Terror at its height, Yann Margoza returns to revolutionary France to smuggle out refugees. When Sido is kidnapped under strange circumstances, Yann must outwit the evil Count Kalliovski, rescue Sido, and help save all of France.
I thought this book was OK, but it certainly didn't live up to Gardner's usual standards. Of course, it was still an enjoyable read, but I think it did admittedly have a few issues. I've had trouble sorting out whether it's the book's fault or my own. In the end, I suspect it's a mixture.
We'll start with the fact that there was a little too much magic used in the plot. There was a small amount of it in "The Red Necklace" (which improved the story), but in "The Silver Blade" I think there was far more than necessary, and it made the plot too far-fetched and hard to follow. At the point where Balthazar somehow came back from the dead for the third time, I got totally lost and fell asleep instead of continuing to read.
I also didn't like the "all-perfect" angle Yann had taken on; and it kinda annoyed me because there were so many comparisons between how wonderful he was and how stupid other people were. They occurred constantly; when he saved a wig maker from two drunk citizens; when he was compared to Basco as a much better actor; when he was thought of as being either honest or a brilliant actor...the list goes on and on.
For all that, though, this was not exactly what you would call a BAD book. It was both stunning in terms of imagery and in the depth and intelligence of emotion. It was an epic love story that transcended all barriers.
Furthermore, Gardner created a wonderfully mystic magic in the form of light threads and their counterparts – dark threads – through which objects can be manipulated; but it was in the creation of life-like manikins that are able to speak and move (called ‘automata’) that her sheer brilliance was illustrated. This dark, foreboding sense of power is wonderfully creepy and tantalizingly real.
There are plenty of people who think this is a great book, and a few who think it's not so great. I'm somewhere in between those two groups. However, compared to Gardner's usual standard of writing, it fell lower than usual. But honestly, it wasn't that bad a read :)
I would rate it 3/5 stars: ***
I thought this book was OK, but it certainly didn't live up to Gardner's usual standards. Of course, it was still an enjoyable read, but I think it did admittedly have a few issues. I've had trouble sorting out whether it's the book's fault or my own. In the end, I suspect it's a mixture.
We'll start with the fact that there was a little too much magic used in the plot. There was a small amount of it in "The Red Necklace" (which improved the story), but in "The Silver Blade" I think there was far more than necessary, and it made the plot too far-fetched and hard to follow. At the point where Balthazar somehow came back from the dead for the third time, I got totally lost and fell asleep instead of continuing to read.
I also didn't like the "all-perfect" angle Yann had taken on; and it kinda annoyed me because there were so many comparisons between how wonderful he was and how stupid other people were. They occurred constantly; when he saved a wig maker from two drunk citizens; when he was compared to Basco as a much better actor; when he was thought of as being either honest or a brilliant actor...the list goes on and on.
For all that, though, this was not exactly what you would call a BAD book. It was both stunning in terms of imagery and in the depth and intelligence of emotion. It was an epic love story that transcended all barriers.
Furthermore, Gardner created a wonderfully mystic magic in the form of light threads and their counterparts – dark threads – through which objects can be manipulated; but it was in the creation of life-like manikins that are able to speak and move (called ‘automata’) that her sheer brilliance was illustrated. This dark, foreboding sense of power is wonderfully creepy and tantalizingly real.
There are plenty of people who think this is a great book, and a few who think it's not so great. I'm somewhere in between those two groups. However, compared to Gardner's usual standard of writing, it fell lower than usual. But honestly, it wasn't that bad a read :)
I would rate it 3/5 stars: ***
August 4, 2010
It is 1794, and the Reign of Terror is at its height. Having disposed of many of the aristocrats, the people have turned on each other, and anyone who ever served an aristo is in danger. Yann Margoza is working with a group of trusted friends as a masked magician in the most popular show in Paris. Everyone knows him as the Harlequin, but this is just a cover for his true mission. With the help of Didier, his trusted friend, and the threads of light, he is smuggling people out of Paris to safety, sometimes right under the noses of their jailers.
Sido is in London living with the Laxtons, her aunt and uncle, but only Henry Laxton knows what Yann is doing because he is part of the network. Juliette Laxton knows Sido is in love with Yann, but she cannot condone this love between her beautiful aristocratic neice and a gypsy who gave up his future to be an actor. Despite each new revelation about Yann, Sido is devoted to him and longs to see him again.
Sido and Yann saw Count Kalliovski die in the September Massacre, but perhaps Tetu is right, and the evil Count really was saved by the devil. Now the lovers are both in danger from the Count's dark magic world hidden beneath the streets of Paris in catacombs filled with human bones.
This sequel to "The Red Necklace" is one part Scarlet Pimpernel, one part Dickens, and one part Harry Potter. Though the story is not as intricate and well-structured as "The Red Necklace," this book is fast paced, exciting, and romantic. Fans of the first book will be satisfied!
Sido is in London living with the Laxtons, her aunt and uncle, but only Henry Laxton knows what Yann is doing because he is part of the network. Juliette Laxton knows Sido is in love with Yann, but she cannot condone this love between her beautiful aristocratic neice and a gypsy who gave up his future to be an actor. Despite each new revelation about Yann, Sido is devoted to him and longs to see him again.
Sido and Yann saw Count Kalliovski die in the September Massacre, but perhaps Tetu is right, and the evil Count really was saved by the devil. Now the lovers are both in danger from the Count's dark magic world hidden beneath the streets of Paris in catacombs filled with human bones.
This sequel to "The Red Necklace" is one part Scarlet Pimpernel, one part Dickens, and one part Harry Potter. Though the story is not as intricate and well-structured as "The Red Necklace," this book is fast paced, exciting, and romantic. Fans of the first book will be satisfied!
September 1, 2016
‘There is no more terrifying sight in all Paris than that of the guillotine.’
Paris, 1794. A single word is enough to betray someone to death by guillotine. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else, no one can be trusted. Sidonie deVilleduval (Sido), an aristocratic orphan, is safe in London longing for Yannick Margoza (Yann). Yann is in Paris, using his various gifts and skills to save French aristocrats from the guillotine.
The evil Count Kalliovski has designs on both Sido and Yann. He wields his power from his lair deep within the Parisian catacombs, assisted by ghosts and his demonic dog, Balthazar. Sido is captured by Count Kalliovski’s minions. Can Yann overcome his own demons to rescue her?
‘This is the past. What has been done is done. No tomorrows can unpick history.’
This is an engrossing story which portrays the best and worst of human nature. Can good triumph over evil? Can Yann and Sido find happiness together despite the barriers between them? Ms Gardner writes an entertaining and engrossing story. It’s aimed for young adults, but this (much) old(er) adult enjoyed it as well. Just the right mix of heroism and magic.
I read ‘The Silver Blade’ knowing that there was an earlier book (‘The Red Necklace’) which I have not yet read. I will read it at some stage because I’m keen to know what took place earlier. However, ‘The Silver Blade’ is so full of action that I didn’t really have time to wonder about the earlier book. I closed this book wanting more.
Jennifer Cameron- Smith
Paris, 1794. A single word is enough to betray someone to death by guillotine. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else, no one can be trusted. Sidonie deVilleduval (Sido), an aristocratic orphan, is safe in London longing for Yannick Margoza (Yann). Yann is in Paris, using his various gifts and skills to save French aristocrats from the guillotine.
The evil Count Kalliovski has designs on both Sido and Yann. He wields his power from his lair deep within the Parisian catacombs, assisted by ghosts and his demonic dog, Balthazar. Sido is captured by Count Kalliovski’s minions. Can Yann overcome his own demons to rescue her?
‘This is the past. What has been done is done. No tomorrows can unpick history.’
This is an engrossing story which portrays the best and worst of human nature. Can good triumph over evil? Can Yann and Sido find happiness together despite the barriers between them? Ms Gardner writes an entertaining and engrossing story. It’s aimed for young adults, but this (much) old(er) adult enjoyed it as well. Just the right mix of heroism and magic.
I read ‘The Silver Blade’ knowing that there was an earlier book (‘The Red Necklace’) which I have not yet read. I will read it at some stage because I’m keen to know what took place earlier. However, ‘The Silver Blade’ is so full of action that I didn’t really have time to wonder about the earlier book. I closed this book wanting more.
Jennifer Cameron- Smith
November 22, 2010
I really enjoyed The Red Necklace, so I was eager to read the sequel and rejoin the world of Sido and Yann. I particularly like the setting of the French Revolution in this book. I think it gives the story an edge.
I liked how Yann is the focus in this story. I think Sido received her closurer in the first book and if it weren't for the fact that she's tied to Yann, we wouldn't even really need to see her in the book. I liked the mystery of the silver blade. It's impressive that Yann was rescuing french aristocrats right under the noses of the national assembly. I also thought it was amusing he left a calling card. He made himself an enigma. I enjoyed how discovered who he really was and sometimes being connected to a person isn't important.
I also enjoyed the dealings with Count Kalliovski. What a creepy man! I never really understood why he wanted Sido so badly though. Except maybe for the simple fact that she got away from him and nobody ever did. Seemed like a drastic reason for making a deal with the devil. I also enjoyed his dog. It was an interesting addition to the story.
I wonder if there will be another one in this series. I think there is room for more. Yann is just understanding his powers. Plus, the revolution isn't over yet. Not sure were it could go though. But, I would read it.
I liked how Yann is the focus in this story. I think Sido received her closurer in the first book and if it weren't for the fact that she's tied to Yann, we wouldn't even really need to see her in the book. I liked the mystery of the silver blade. It's impressive that Yann was rescuing french aristocrats right under the noses of the national assembly. I also thought it was amusing he left a calling card. He made himself an enigma. I enjoyed how discovered who he really was and sometimes being connected to a person isn't important.
I also enjoyed the dealings with Count Kalliovski. What a creepy man! I never really understood why he wanted Sido so badly though. Except maybe for the simple fact that she got away from him and nobody ever did. Seemed like a drastic reason for making a deal with the devil. I also enjoyed his dog. It was an interesting addition to the story.
I wonder if there will be another one in this series. I think there is room for more. Yann is just understanding his powers. Plus, the revolution isn't over yet. Not sure were it could go though. But, I would read it.
March 3, 2010
This book will work best for someone who knows something about the French revolution; others with no familiarity may find it somewhat confusing. A lot goes on in this story - maybe too much. Yann Margoza is a gypsy actor in France, who was raised by a dwarf Tetu after Yann's mother was killed. Yann has magical abilities to control thoughts and movements, which he uses to try to save members of the nobility and their innocent family members who are being condemned in endless and indiscriminate numbers to execution by guillotine. Not only must Yann avoid the dangers of being discovered trying to smuggle the condemned out of the country, but he is also sought by his magical evil counterpart, Kalliovski, who lives in catacombs beneath Paris amid gold-plated skeletons, making automata from the severed heads and organs of the dead. Then there is Sidonie Villeduval, who is in love with Yann, whose father is one of Kalliovski's victims, and who Yann has removed to safety in England. Sido lives with her aunt and uncle, and although she lost all the wealth and property that her family owned in France, she is still of noble birth and expected to marry someone suitable, not Yann.
August 4, 2019
I really like the romance aspect both in this and the first book. But even though the details about the French revolution were intriguing and a good introduction to the topic, I felt like the ending was anti-climactic. It didn’t feel as if it was the end. So while i like the setting, story and characters, i do feel like the end was just there to be an end. I didn't much care for the trope of the bad guy being the main characters parent, or the trope that because of the parentage the two had to break up. It just seemed like it was added to create drama.And The villain didn’t seem villainous enough, or seemed as if his actions were rationalized too much. But overall a pretty nice read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2011
This book is set in the period of terror during the French Revolution. That’s about all I can remember. The plot is barely there and the characters are dull and shallow. Half the time I had no idea what was going on as it was so poorly written. No action, no suspense and a lame love story. All in all, I give myself credit for actually continuing to read it on the high hope that it would get better towards the end. It didn’t.
March 25, 2014
I enjoyed this book so much more than the red necklace! I literally did not want to put it down to even sleep last night. This was less historical fiction and more gypsy folklore though so if you are looking for more of a historically accurate account of the French revolution, keep looking! If you are looking for an entertaining read though then this is your book.
July 14, 2017
Pretty morbid for a children's book but it is a fascinating read! Full of intrigue and suspense, it kept me going the whole time. I loved the characters, there were a few parts that didn't seem to flow but very small details. The connection to the first book flowed very very well. It was a fantastic book to read, I couldn't put it down.
June 2, 2016
A completely engaging book that mixes just the right amount of fantasy with history. Fast paced with very good emotion and empathetic characters.
September 26, 2020
I’m a huge fan of the original story The Red Necklace and anyone who has read it will want to know what inevitably happens between Yann and Sido, who, at the end of the novel are in separate countries.
I’m sorry to say, I was kind of disappointed. Yes, the plot and story was there, and you are definitely drawn into Yann’s world. He becomes like an underworld Robin Hood, saving aristocrats from the guillotiné. I love that he is not the perfect hero, he is a flawed character who makes rash decisions which give him the Silver Blade moniker. This story is darker than the original, involving more of the Revolution and the absolute bloodbath of the Terror. That being said, I found it to be rushed, like the author was just pushed to quickly put together a sequel. There are major plot holes, it doesn’t flow as well as the original story, and I found some bits didn’t make sense. The character of Anselm just seems pointless, Sido becomes a secondary character that you wish was featured more. And Kalliovski is kinda strange and not nearly as dark or evil as in the original, though you are given the impression he is supposed to be the worst absolute evil, you just don’t really feel that, and he also becomes more of a background figure you wished was more featured. He comes across as weird, instead of the most feared devil.
Lastly, I was pretty disappointed with the ending. It felt rushed, over way too quick, and I was left with an ‘is that it?’ feeling. I felt like the novel had quite a bit of build up for 3/4 of the book, drawing you in, and then when you get to the final confrontation that you have been building up to, it was a let down. Could have been sooo much better but felt like the last few chapters were rushed and just written to give you finality and a conclusion that the author thought the reader would want. I’m sorry to say, I did put this book down at the end a bit deflated and disappointed.
The potential for a more in depth intriguing story of the bloody Terror with the antihero Yann trying to save people from the bloodshed while revealing his past, battling his heart and his love for Sido versus his need to save the people of France, all while trying to stay alive and avoid the guillotiné himself, as well as the evil Kalliovski should be an absolute nail biter. But it’s not.
If you are interested in seeing what happens after the end of The Red Necklace, then I would read it, but don’t expect this story to be as good as the first.
I’m sorry to say, I was kind of disappointed. Yes, the plot and story was there, and you are definitely drawn into Yann’s world. He becomes like an underworld Robin Hood, saving aristocrats from the guillotiné. I love that he is not the perfect hero, he is a flawed character who makes rash decisions which give him the Silver Blade moniker. This story is darker than the original, involving more of the Revolution and the absolute bloodbath of the Terror. That being said, I found it to be rushed, like the author was just pushed to quickly put together a sequel. There are major plot holes, it doesn’t flow as well as the original story, and I found some bits didn’t make sense. The character of Anselm just seems pointless, Sido becomes a secondary character that you wish was featured more. And Kalliovski is kinda strange and not nearly as dark or evil as in the original, though you are given the impression he is supposed to be the worst absolute evil, you just don’t really feel that, and he also becomes more of a background figure you wished was more featured. He comes across as weird, instead of the most feared devil.
Lastly, I was pretty disappointed with the ending. It felt rushed, over way too quick, and I was left with an ‘is that it?’ feeling. I felt like the novel had quite a bit of build up for 3/4 of the book, drawing you in, and then when you get to the final confrontation that you have been building up to, it was a let down. Could have been sooo much better but felt like the last few chapters were rushed and just written to give you finality and a conclusion that the author thought the reader would want. I’m sorry to say, I did put this book down at the end a bit deflated and disappointed.
The potential for a more in depth intriguing story of the bloody Terror with the antihero Yann trying to save people from the bloodshed while revealing his past, battling his heart and his love for Sido versus his need to save the people of France, all while trying to stay alive and avoid the guillotiné himself, as well as the evil Kalliovski should be an absolute nail biter. But it’s not.
If you are interested in seeing what happens after the end of The Red Necklace, then I would read it, but don’t expect this story to be as good as the first.
August 22, 2020
I do think I prefer the first book, but this was an enjoyable conclusion. The danger is higher, but Yann is also more in his element, making it a fun and exciting read. I also love the villain, and just how sinister he is.
I do wish there had been more opportunity for the romance to blossom, rather than it happening simply through letters, but it made sense for how the story was set up.
I also wish more had been seen of Yann's exploits, rather than leaving them largely to the imagination. I know most of the time it was super easy for him, which is why it was always skipped over, but it would have made the title of the book feel more prominent, rather than something that is simply referenced from time to time.
However, those are more of opinionated nitpicks, and I did enjoy the story as a whole. I loved that we got to explore what had been hinted at in the first book, and that everything connected together so well. I also love the turmoil Yann faced, though I wish the book had delved just a little more into his feelings, rather than it just focusing on his actions. I think that's the biggest thing that holds this book back, is that it steps back from Yann's emotions too much.
Overall, while it didn't grip me quite as much as the first book, I loved the villain even more here, and it was great to see how much Yann had grown. It could feel a little slow at times, but there was always danger in motion, and I was always excited to see how the characters would handle it.
I do wish there had been more opportunity for the romance to blossom, rather than it happening simply through letters, but it made sense for how the story was set up.
I also wish more had been seen of Yann's exploits, rather than leaving them largely to the imagination. I know most of the time it was super easy for him, which is why it was always skipped over, but it would have made the title of the book feel more prominent, rather than something that is simply referenced from time to time.
However, those are more of opinionated nitpicks, and I did enjoy the story as a whole. I loved that we got to explore what had been hinted at in the first book, and that everything connected together so well. I also love the turmoil Yann faced, though I wish the book had delved just a little more into his feelings, rather than it just focusing on his actions. I think that's the biggest thing that holds this book back, is that it steps back from Yann's emotions too much.
Overall, while it didn't grip me quite as much as the first book, I loved the villain even more here, and it was great to see how much Yann had grown. It could feel a little slow at times, but there was always danger in motion, and I was always excited to see how the characters would handle it.
March 3, 2024
Gardner writes sentimentally and well. This is a book for a racist nanny, horrified by the prospect of riots. The Silver Blade is the sequel of The Red Necklace, another proficiently written book whose weight lies on a coterie of characters that could be divided in two groups: the noble nobles (redundant on purpose) and the messily disgusting revolutionaries. According to the author, the Ancien Regime’s worst sin was banality and, in power, banality has no violent consequences. Should we ask Boris Johnson and his parties during COVID+19? Shockingly for a historical novelist dedicated to the French Revolution, she does not master the French language which makes her finding the materiality of the time in the virtual copying of Georgian accounts of travellers which are, without exception, understandably, horrified by the revolution. What is understandable for them comes across as alt right in Gardner. Her belief that banality does not kill nor is violent is testament of her Anglocentric white racism. She hates blood but cannot understand that its absence through the systematic establishment of exclusionary biopolitical structures of veiled violence were the very making and demise of the Ancien Regime and constitute the core of slavery, neo-slavery and that phenomenon called London. In other words, her understanding of the period is conservative to the point of delusional and her need to infantilise the Romani adds to her structuring of characters as caricatures, bidimensional and shapeless.
October 3, 2018
2.5 stars. I enjoyed this one less than the first one. There was just something about this series I didn't enjoy. I found I was getting very confused as to what was happening in most parts and struggled to understand how the younger people (who it is written for) could understand it. Maybe it was just me not paying THAT much attention. I didn't like the romantic side of it or the way it was written. However, I did enjoy the French Revolution side to it and learning about the Revolution. That part interested me.
August 29, 2018
it is interesting tale of magic woven with history, Yann character is interesting, though he is a moody lad, and it was nice to see the development of Sideo from a shy, weak girl into fierce strong woman ....
the plot of the silver blade and the rescue of the aristo was great, but the main villain Kalliovski felt weak, all smoke and mirrors, I think Anslem ( the side evil chr) was more interesting
the plot of the silver blade and the rescue of the aristo was great, but the main villain Kalliovski felt weak, all smoke and mirrors, I think Anslem ( the side evil chr) was more interesting
April 21, 2021
Without the enchanting voice of the narrator, this one was a bit harder to finish. However, I've managed. The Silver Blade turned out to be a worthy successor to The Red Necklace, equally engaging and well-written.
Certainly, it is, in its essence, a romantic novel for teenagers... but there's nothing wrong with that. I could never resist a good romantic novel, after all. And this one has all the ingredients for success.
Certainly, it is, in its essence, a romantic novel for teenagers... but there's nothing wrong with that. I could never resist a good romantic novel, after all. And this one has all the ingredients for success.
May 10, 2022
Sally can mix historical fiction, magic and romance like nobody else. Set in the French Revolution, even better that the first part (Red Necklace), well researched, complex, beautifully written, with characters you genuinely root for. Yann, brave and selfless, is my hero.
Romance that is beautiful rather than cringey, which almost never happens for me. I rarely give five star to a book; it must be truly amazing and has a special meaning for me. I'm happy I've discovered another one.
Romance that is beautiful rather than cringey, which almost never happens for me. I rarely give five star to a book; it must be truly amazing and has a special meaning for me. I'm happy I've discovered another one.
June 19, 2024
The whole time I was reading this book, I had the feeling there must have been one before it. As I'm logging it here in Good Reads, I discovered I was right. Which makes sense as one of my comments about the book was that it seemed like I was coming into it mid-story. This was an interesting read, if a bit confusing. Perhaps the confusion was due in part to the fact that I had indeed missed some of the background. Nevertheless, overall I enjoyed the story.
September 12, 2017
This book was not terrible at all. However I found myself more excited for the first book than this one. It still had that excitement from the first book that came from the magic and the French revolution, but the story just wasn't as exciting I suppose. Despite these things, I still enjoyed this book and would still recommend the book to other people.
July 17, 2019
I am so glad I re-read the first book because I would not have remembered any of these characters 😂
So Yann is basically the Scarlet Pimpernel now and we all know that Percy Blakeney is THE Scarlet Pimpernel. But it’s still fun to read about Yann’s exploits.
This book is just as fun and intriguing as the first book though I wish the romance was developed more.
So Yann is basically the Scarlet Pimpernel now and we all know that Percy Blakeney is THE Scarlet Pimpernel. But it’s still fun to read about Yann’s exploits.
This book is just as fun and intriguing as the first book though I wish the romance was developed more.
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