I really have no idea why this book didn't do it for me -- I love Jane Yolen's writing, I like magic, I'm a girl fencer, you'd think... but meh. ( )

The plot twist totally confused me, but otherwise this was pretty fun. ( )

Aliera Carstairs is a loner in school, colour blind, Her greatest joy is fencing, her life revolves around it and everything changes when her mother picks up a new practice foil with a gem at the base of the pommel along with a fencing mask. It isn't until she meets with a new classmate that she sees through this mask, sees some things in colour, nothing is as it seems and her life changes. Instead of role-playing a swordswoman, it appears that she is destined to wield this sword for something special.
It's an interesting story and I'm curious about where its going. The ideas are interesting and her family is complex. ( )

I liked this book, but didn't love it. for once I actually think this might've been more interesting as a contemporary fiction about fencing rather than a fantasy novel. ( )

I was disappointed in this. Jane Yolen's a great author but this story was a little random for my taste. Also, it's a fantasy story, but the fantasy parts don't actually start until more than halfway through. So up until that point you think that, despite the fantastical creatures on the cover, it's going to be realistic fiction. I hate that in books. The art was okay but not stunning.