Ardneh Sequence Books In Order

Publication Order of Empire Of The East Books

Publication Order of Books Of Swords Books

Publication Order of Books Of Lost Swords Books

The Ardneh sequence is a combination of three sci-fi/fantasy series by Fred Saberhagen. It combines stories from “Empire of the East, Books of Swords, and Books of Lost Swords.” The storyline revolves around Ardneh, a smart super-computer that caused the planet to change from its nuclear response system. The Empire of the East series started in 1968 with Broken Lands until 2006 when the author wrote Ardneh’s Sword (with 33 years between the third and fourth books). The next series Books of Swords began in 1983 and concluded in 1984 with the Third Book of Swords. The Books of Lost Swords series commenced in 1986 with a series of individual stories that ended in 1994.

Saberhagen was born in Chicago, Illinois. Fred served as a US Air Force in the Korean War in his early twenties. As a civilian, Saberhagen worked while he was for Motorola and soon after he started writing fiction novels in his thirties.

The Ardneh Sequence Series

Ardneh’s Sword Empire of the East is one of the best books in this series and the fourth installment. One thousand years long after the extinction of Ardneh from a fierce battle between the arch demon Orcus and the transcendent creature that saved civilization from the wicked demon. It was a famous battle that left behind tales of Ardneh’s valor and the hope for humanity. But very few people believe in magical tales. Chance Rolfson is a descendant of Rolf; they were Ardneh’s followers and famous warriors who fought in the name of Ardneh to save humanity hundreds of years ago. Chance, who is a young man tormented by dramatic nightmares, hopes to journey by enrolling in a forest journey that seeks substantial evidence of Ardneh’s existence. The team hopes s to uncover the vast vault claimed to hold Ardneh’s secrets to the creature’s wisdom and power.

But the forest presents looming danger for it is filled with demons and bandits that no one has been able to stop or conquer. Chance’s dreams turn into clear visions; he soon grasps these are not ordinary dreams but vivid visions, and he is the only one that has answers to discover Ardneh’s great gift, recognized by his cohorts as Ardneh’s Sword.

Book of Swords

This is a collection of three tales revolving, around a young boy, Mark and his buddies Ben and Barbara. The first chapter highlights how their lives entwine with the destiny of the twelve Magic Swords. The supernatural swords are revealed in as forged by Vulcan, a god at the command of a cluster of other deities drawn from the myths of diverse cultures and countries. The best part of this story is how magic and technology blends to express perfect fantasy that’s almost surreal. Part of the fun sections of the book is the Song of Swords written in the introductory part of the book as a series of 12 poems describing the magical swords and a warning to them that wish to exert power offered by the blades.

The first book depicts Mark on the run with Townsaver, the sword which was named after it accidentally killed a local ruler’s cousin.The second book reveals Mark in his twenties together with his best friend, Ben in an attempted heist against the Blue Temple, a cult that worships wealth. The third book picks five years as the game of the gods that released the magical swords into the world begins to boil into a bloody battle between the four different armies marching to war to manipulate the swords and the world’s destiny. The story is set future earth where technology gets replaced with magic. In this new world Vulcan, the god releases fake swords installed with supernatural powers to reveal a compelling a game of the gods. The stories focus on Mark, whose loyal dad was instrumental in creating the swords. Within a decade, the characters created interacted with humans and the magical swords.

The Lost Swords, the First Triad (1-3)

Young Kasimir was the Stonecutter’s custodian of the sword which could effortlessly hew diamonds and rocks with equal swiftness and valor. The Stonecutter is missing, and Kasimir must find it before it rains havoc on earth.

Woundhealer’s Story

We are introduced to the main characters (Mark, Ben, and their families) of the first book in this series, the Books of Swords, about ten years later. Mark has been crowned the prince ruler. He has a child, a son who was born blind suffering from epilepsy. Mark decides to travel in search of the Woundhealer in the hope that he might cure his sick child. Meanwhile, Mark’s nephew Zoltan decides to wander away in a solo adventure. The series is a little odd – doesn’t talk much about the Woundhealer, even if it’s the prompt of the action that follows. Woundhealer is the beginning of the many adventures of Mark and his family and their link with the sword. It’s exciting, although Zoltan’s tale feels bland, leading to no particular links it has lots of suspense and an action packed series that leaves the reader on edge. The ending was creepy, no particular climax but it was an epic finish. Quite a thriller.

Sightblinder’s Story

We get to read a solid tale, though without personal experiences, quite entertaining all the same. There are many challenges and dangerous spots where numerous fights between humans and spirits, or mythical creatures happen. Yambu, the former queen, is an agent of good over evil, the storyline helps to bind that good guys still exist.

Stonecutter’s Story

This is probably a Sherlock Holmes imitation set in a distant city with fresh characters and perhaps a sharp contrast between the concept and relationship to Mark, Stonecutter, to keep you glued to the book. The sword is a highly specialized tale. It combines mysteries of murder and suspense; a good read. The Watson-theory is quite delightful – clever, but naive, intense, without being monotonous. The elaborate bluff of the plot is excellently written, with enough hints for readers to comprehend the plot and anticipate the mysteries as we read on. It’s a solid mystery. Very well, put. This collection of the sword tales smacks head on, the Greek myth, Lord of the Rings. Quite ingenious, and fun to read. Overall, the development of the combined books was beautiful and magnificently written. The desires of the characters inter-relate with the gods and the powerful magical swords’ powers to guide the characters throughout the stories. Rather than artificial, the overall plot felt very natural.