Review: Hemlock and Swords, Oh My
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 23, 2011
First I should point out that I am 60 years old and this is my first attempt at writing any sort of a review of something I've read (other than book reports way back in the day.)If you are like me and miss the Kung-Fu type flashbacks you will find them in this book.  The author does a very good job of letting you know that you are moving into the realm of a flashback through his use of italics.  I did not find the flashbacks to be the least bit annoying, as they did provide background information that was needed to flesh out either a character or some other aspect of the story and thus made the flow of the story very easy to read.  You will find that you are provided information as you need it to continue with the story line without having to wonder if it will be explained later.There is a lot of sword work through out the book, but it does not get into the slash by slash details that I have seen in some other books.  I found that there was enough delivered on the sword work by the author that you felt you could enjoy a little more, but were not swamped in it to the point that all else was lost.  I found the use of magic to be the same, in that it is used in the book, but not to the extent that you grow tired of the concept.  The author wisely does not take the reader into a history of each aspect of magic, he touches on what makes the story flow and remain interesting.The author sets up an ever changing possibility of world events that should make a second in the series both easy to read and yet seem like an old friend returned with new adventures to relate.I do recommend the reading of this book for all ages as it will appeal to the young as well as to those of us that are not so young.  I have recommended the book to my Grandson and he seems excited to be able to read something an adult would enjoy without having it censored due to content.