The Hero and the Crown

 I read McKinley's The Blue Sword a loooong time ago.  I'm not sure how long ago, possibly grade school?  Anyway, I loved The Blue Sword, and when I realized that The Hero and the Crown was related to it, I had to read it.  I've also read Deerskin, which I also loved.  I am happy to say I loved The Hero and the Crown as well.  Though, I do have a few issues with it.  McKinley stumbled through setting up the back story.  I can follow a pretty intricate plot, and since this is a children's fantasy, it doesn't have one that is too complicated.  But the back story threw me off a little, until I figured out what was going on. 

Aerin is such a lovely character--one of my favorite types.  She isn't frail and graceful, or this trembling beauty of a heroine.  She's clumsy and untalented, a feeling that many teen aged girls can relate to.  Which is why I think that it's inclusion in children's literature is a bit inappropriate.  I felt the same way about Deerskin, which was a very, very dark and disturbing tale.  Anyway, back to Aerin.  She feels outcast and unloved, and as if the people who are kind to her are only kind out of a sense of obligation.  She doesn't see herself as a sweet, kind and capable person who just hasn't learned how yet.

It is a sweet, coming of age story.  I'm a little disappointed at the maturity of it, since I'd love to pass it on to my niece, but I feel like she'd not get any enjoyment out of it at nine years old.

Quote: "I love you," said Luthe.  "I will love you till the stars crumble..."