Review: The Wrong Sword is right in so many ways!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2012
Not since The Princess Bride have I laughed so hard while reading a novel. Like that tale, Ted Mendelssohn uses sharp wit and edgy dialogue, combined with the true gritty flavors of an era to move the story along. From the get go, it's obvious our author has done his research, yet he brings a new humanity to the tale; war in the twelfth century was hardly glorious. The hero is hardly any better; Henry is a charlatan, thief and liar, oh let's not be so harsh --embellisher-- who steps on a few wrong toes in his fake magic sword trade, and winds up on the short list of the Prince, the head-shorter list, that is. With his friends in danger, Henry is sent, ah, forcibly dragged along, to quest for Excalibur, the magic sword of legend,but Henry and friends encounter another version of fabled sword entirely. If you find Henry to be a mouthy, if charming, snot of an unlikely hero, wait until you meet the sword. When you arrive at the last page, you'll wish you had chewed through the book more slowly to savor every comment! Meh, you can read it again, no worries, just sheer delight. This book is a master level history lesson with a delicious, humorous twist. I can happily recommend it. Just get it; you'll be pleasantly surprised with The Wrong Sword.