The Blue Sword Audiobook By Robin McKinley cover art

The Blue Sword

 Preview

$0.00 for first 30 days

Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Blue Sword

By: Robin McKinley
Narrated by: Diane Warren
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

From the New York Times bestselling author of Sunshine is the Newberry Award-winning classic novel that has enthralled listeners for decades.

This is the story of Corlath, golden-eyed king of the Free Hillfolk, son of the sons of the Lady Aerin.

And this is the story of Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl who became Harimand-sol, King’s Raider, and heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan, that no woman had wielded since Lady Aerin herself bore it into battle.

And this is the song of the kelar of the Hillfolk, the magic of the blood, the weaver of destinies …

©1982 Robin McKinley (P)1992 Recorded Books Action & Adventure Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fantasy Essentials Fiction Paranormal Paranormal & Urban Heartfelt Magic

Critic reviews

“This is a zesty, romantic heroic fantasy with an appealing stalwart heroine, a finely realized mythical kingdom, and a grounding in reality that enhances the tale’s verve as a fantasy.”—Booklist

Featured Article: The top 100 fantasy listens of all time


When compiling our list of the best fantasy listening out there, we immediately came up against the age-old question: Is this fantasy or science fiction? The distinction is not as clear as you may think. Dragons, elves, and wizards are definitely fantasy, but what about wizards that also fly space ships? (Looking at you, Star Wars.) For the sake of fantasy purity, the top 100 fantasy listens include the best audio works in all manner of fantasy subgenres.

Featured Article The top 100 fantasy listens of all time
Captivating Fantasy • Strong Heroine • Pleasant Voice • Strong Female Protagonist • Magical Worldbuilding
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
This story has been a favorite and an annual read since high school. McKinley has a skill for world-building and creating complex, compelling characters. My main problem with this recording is Ms. Warren. She has a good voice, but her phrasing is only mildly tolerable, and sometimes long pauses in the middle of phrases cause comprehension issues. There's also no excuse for pronouncing "misshapen" as "miss-happen." Listen because of the story, and in spite of the vox.

Good book, not so amazing narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This has been one of my favorite books for years and it is wonderful that is is now available to listen to as well. The narration is great and fits well with the story.

Great book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Narrator a bit dated sounding for informal style of writing imo. My fave book and writer.

Narrator a bit stuffy, formal

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have two hardcopies of this book. One of them is falling apart at the seams from having been read so many times and needed replacing for future rereading. I’d been dying to read it again but was in the middle of a craft project so I thought why not try the audiobook. I’m pretty picky about narrators but Diane Warren’s voice is just beautiful in tone. I finished the book in two sittings, it would’ve been one but I figured 2am was a good time to stop and sleep before finishing the last six hours. I’ll listen to this many more times just as I’ve read the pages right off the spine of book. Every time I interact with this story something new jumps out at me, I can easily say it’s one of my all time favorites.

I could barely stop listening!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have read this book twice before listening. Enjoyed it just as much this time. thank you

Girl Power + Love Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A well-written story with Diane Warren’s voice bringing it to life.
Robin McKinley so skillfully creates a world filled with customs that the reader soon forgets it is fantasy.

Epic fantasy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great book, I first read in my youth, is as enjoyable today as ever it was. Fun new cultures and heroic personalitys.

Horses and swords, and a little magic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I first found this book when I was 11 and even now as a 28 year old woman I still absolutely adore it! I re-listen to this book at least once a month if not more and can genuinely say I never tire of the story or characters. Definitely give it a listen!!

Wonderful story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The only negatives are just that things happened conveniently and people just accepted things your average super patient person wouldn’t. But if you just suspend your disbelief and enjoy it, it’s fine. Otherwise I enjoyed the characters and action. I liked the female protagonist’s journey. It was enjoyable and I will likely continue with the next book, the prequel. And may reread this book in the future.

Fun journey for strong female protagonist with likable supporting characters

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but I'd have to tell them to be prepared for it to be slow. This is a sequel to The Hero and the Crown, and I was expecting it to be as interesting. It's a good sequel, just not as good as the first.

What other book might you compare The Blue Sword to and why?

The Hero and the Crown. Robin McKinley writes excellent books and she has a very unique, very distinctive style. There is no one else like her.

Which scene was your favorite?

The descriptiveness of the desert lands.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book is supposed to be moving. It's a young woman's strength against the rigid social norms of two different worlds.

Any additional comments?

Robin McKinley is one of the great authors of our time. Right up there with Terry Brooks and JRR Tolkien.

Enjoyable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews