And Then I Read: THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley – A review by Todd Klein of one of my favourite books from middle school. I actually prefer the book’s “prequel” though – The Hero and the Crown. I remember getting inspired to write my own fantasy novel in high school and spending hours coming up with the characters, only to later realise they were all just copies of Aerin, Tor, Galanna, and the others from Damar.