The Coward and the Sword
Author: Jugal Hansraj
Publisher: Harper Collins, India
Children’s fiction has always intrigued me for two reasons: one, it leaves the door ajar for imagination and two, it caters to the young mind by utilizing the creativity of writers (such a noble cause). The Coward and the Sword is one such book that uses a fictional realm to establish the fact that courage lies within and a slight spark is enough to bring it to the forefront.
The story is set in the kingdom of Kofu that inhabits brave yet peace-loving people. King Rissho rules the kingdom with generosity and honesty. His son, Kadis, is the heir to the throne but sadly, the son is a coward. He is a recluse and doesn’t find adventures interesting. In fact, anything that doesn’t promise safety scares daylights out of him. Worried, the king and the queen decide to find Kadis some friends and an adventure that will bring out the brave heart in him. When accompanying his father on a tour of the northern and southern boundaries, Kadis meets a never-spoken-about relative and is given a sword that has the power to unite Kofu and Molonga. How Kadis decides to use the sword- whether to destroy or to build, is what forms the major part of the story.
I loved this story, for it is so well-written. The language just keeps you absorbed into the plot. The chapters are short and the flow is smooth. Kudos to Ms Ruchi Shah for all the fabulous illustrations. I loved the texture and the colour of the pages; it was one of the reasons why I liked the book so much.
Looking forward to reading more from the author!
Buy this book from here: Amazon