As with Volume one of this series of books, Volume 2 incorporates two previously released novels: Sword-Maker and Sword Breaker. Again, although they are two separate stories I will attempt to review Volume 2 as a whole.

At the end of Volume 1 we left our heroes, Del and Tiger, in Staal-Ysta where they were forced to sword-dance in order for Tiger to regain his freedom. At the beginning of this second volume we discover Tiger trying to recover from a serious injury inflicted on him by Del in the circle. He believes that Del died in their sword-dance.

Tiger is now in possession of a Jivatma – a sword forged specifically for him and imbued with magical powers. However, for the sword to be fully keyed to its owner it needs to be quenched in the blood of a victim. The sword would then take on the skills and nature of that first kill. Tiger has been reluctant to take this final step, as he does not really agree with the use of magic in this way.

Very soon we discover that Del is in fact alive and the pair set out to discover the location of Ajani (the man responsible for the slaughter of Del's family) to allow Del to seek her revenge. It is during this journey that they try to rescue a village from the attentions of an evil sorcerer. Unfortunately Tiger's Jivatma accidentally gets quenched a second time and the spirit of the sorcerer takes over his sword.

The story continues as Del and Tiger seek out the brother of the evil sorcerer to try and release the spirit from the sword before it can take control of Tiger. But if they are not successful and the spirit takes over Del knows that there is only one way to save the world – and that is a decision she doesn't want to take.

Volume 2 is the latest in the re-release of the Tiger and Del novels and carries on immediately where the previous volume finished. As with the first book this one is beautifully written allowing the two main characters to develop real personalities. This draws the reader deep into the story making you really care about the pair and the problems that they face.

It is also nice to see the relationship between the two develop into more than a physical attraction as they each are forced to face their past and make decisions that could put their future at risk.

Usually, when I am faced with a book the size of a large brick I find it quite daunting but these books are so pleasurable to read I took up this second volume with great glee. Fantasy writing can have a tendency to be predictable and over-descriptive but Jennifer Roberson avoids both of these problems writing with a beautiful fluidity that makes reading her books so very easy.

This series is truly some of the finest fantasy writing that I have ever read – and trust me, I have read a lot in this genre. I see that there is one final Volume to come in this series and I wait with anticipation to see how the story will play out.

Synopsis
This second Sword omnibus edition includes the third and fourth novels in the best-selling series: Sword-Maker and Sword-Breaker.