From Publishers Weekly
A wicked magician and a batch of demons almost succeed in taking over Sarykam, capital of Prince Mark of Tasavalta, in this lackluster 11th, and final, volume of the series that began with The First Book of Swords . Vilkata the Dark King and his shape-changing demons return from the Moon, where they had been sent by Prince Mark, who can hurl demons into the heavens with an incantation. Employing the power of the Mindsword, which gives the holder the allegiance of all beings he encounters, Vilkata gains the fealty of the city and palace occupants except for 14-year-old Prince Stephen, son of Mark. The prince makes his escape using Shieldbreaker, the Sword of Force and the strongest of the dozen created by the Gods, and Sightblinder, the Sword of Stealth; he loses the former to Vilkata, although the Mindsword is destroyed. Then the Dark King gains an ally in the adventurer Baron Amintor, wielder of Coinspinner, the Sword of Chance, and sets out to consolidate his hold on the city by destroying all other swords. Meanwhile, Stephen tries to make his way to his father to seek aid. Saberhagen's saga ends happily and at a good time, since his original concept has run out of steam with tired and sketchy characterizations and plot and only brief appearances by many players from other volumes. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
In the concluding volume of Saberhagen's Swords saga, battle extends from palace to peasant hut--indeed, all the way to the moon--and is loaded with remnants of premagical technology as well as the secret of why the Old World fell and magic came to rule. Key to the battle against Vikata the Dark King is Prince Mark's second son, Prince Stephen, who turns out to be a formidable wielder of swords. By the time journeys and battles are done, the only one of the twelve swords that survives is Woundhealer, for even the terrifying Shieldbreaker has perished. Followers of the Swords tales will find the last much to their taste, so fantasy collections should supply it. Roland Green


From Kirkus Reviews
Saberhagen's Lost Swords yarns have been appearing since 1986; here, he wraps up the entire idea in fine style, by destroying the Swords one by one. As before, it's not so much the characters or even the plot that fascinates, but the Swords themselves (each has distinct magical attributes and restrictions), how and why they are wielded, and how the various energies clash or combine. So: Vilkata, the Dark King, returns from the Moon (whence Prince Mark of Tasavalta banished him), attended by demons and equipped with Old World technology, to launch a do-or-die assault on Mark's family--represented by 14-year-old Prince Stephen, wearing Shieldbreaker and Sightblinder. As usual, the mysterious, clownish, godlike Emperor weaves in and out of the story; the Swords change hands, and one by one succumb; finally, the struggle comes down to Mark, armed with Woundhealer, the Sword of Love, against Vilkata, armed with Shieldbreaker, the Sword of Force. Sentimental? Undoubtedly, and particularly at the end. But Saberhagen's series, while uneven at times, has provided tireless entertainment in the seemingly inexhaustible combination of Swords and magics, and no fan of the series will want to miss this one. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"Is Saberhaen a wizard? You decide. He is one of the most gifted writers of our time."--Quasar Reviews

"Spry, nicely calculated storytelling, Saberhagen's Swords series continues to deliver."--Library Journal

"The Swords notion is an arresting, supple, and durable one."--Kirkus Reviews



Review
"Is Saberhaen a wizard? You decide. He is one of the most gifted writers of our time."--Quasar Reviews

"Spry, nicely calculated storytelling, Saberhagen's Swords series continues to deliver."--Library Journal

"The Swords notion is an arresting, supple, and durable one."--Kirkus Reviews



Book Description
Long ago, the gods forged Twelve Swords of Power and threw them on the gameboard of life for greedy mortals to scramble over. Too late, the gods learned that they had forged too well; the Swords could kill the gods themselves.

Now, ages later, the Swords are back in human hands, as powerful as ever. Vilkata the Dark King returns from exile seeking revenge on those who defeated him. His first goal is the vault in which is enemy Prince Mark has placed the remaining Swords; with these in hand, none can oppose his rule. Only one untested warrior stands in his way: fourteen-year-old Prince Stephen, with Shieldbreaker in hand.



From the Publisher
"Is Saberhagen a wizard? You decide. He is one of the most gifted writers of our time." --Quasar Reviews "Saberhagen's books are terrific to read, and he is a romantic who loves happy endings." --Best Sellers "Fred Saberhagen has proved that he is one of the best." --Lester del Rey "The Swords notion is an arresting, supple, and durable one." --Kirkus Reviews "Spry, nicely calculated storytelling, Saberhagen's Swords series continues to deliver." --Library Journal "Each of the Books of the Swords is a model of action writing, clear-sighted, graphic and agile...entertainment of high order." --Publishers Weekly


About the Author
In addition to the popular Dracula Series, Fred Saberhagen is the author of the popular Berserker (tm) Series and the bestselling Lost Swords and Book of Lost Swords. Fred Saberhagen lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Long ago, the gods forged Twelve Swords of Power and threw them on the gameboard of life for greedy mortals to scramble over. Too late, the gods learned that they had forged too well: the Swords could kill the gods themselves.

Now, ages later, the Swords are back in human hands, as powerful as ever. Vilkata the Dark King returns from exile seeking revenge on those who defeated him. His first goal is the vault in which his enemy Prince Mark has placed the remaining Swords; with these in hand, none can oppose his rule. Only one untested warrior stands in his way: fourteen-year-old Prince Stephen, with Shieldbreaker in hand.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A wicked magician and a batch of demons almost succeed in taking over Sarykam, capital of Prince Mark of Tasavalta, in this lackluster 11th, and final, volume of the series that began with The First Book of Swords . Vilkata the Dark King and his shape-changing demons return from the Moon, where they had been sent by Prince Mark, who can hurl demons into the heavens with an incantation. Employing the power of the Mindsword, which gives the holder the allegiance of all beings he encounters, Vilkata gains the fealty of the city and palace occupants except for 14-year-old Prince Stephen, son of Mark. The prince makes his escape using Shieldbreaker, the Sword of Force and the strongest of the dozen created by the Gods, and Sightblinder, the Sword of Stealth; he loses the former to Vilkata, although the Mindsword is destroyed. Then the Dark King gains an ally in the adventurer Baron Amintor, wielder of Coinspinner, the Sword of Chance, and sets out to consolidate his hold on the city by destroying all other swords. Meanwhile, Stephen tries to make his way to his father to seek aid. Saberhagen's saga ends happily and at a good time, since his original concept has run out of steam with tired and sketchy characterizations and plot and only brief appearances by many players from other volumes. (Feb.)

BookList - Roland Green