Robert Cochran

The Sword and the Dagger is an epic YA historical adventure by debut novelist Robert Cochran, the Emmy Award-winning executive producer and co-creator of the hit TV series 24. When empires clash, a Princess, a Knight, and an Assassin embark on the quest of a lifetime During the time of the Crusades, an unlikely trio—a Christian princess, her affianced prince, and a Muslim assassin—embarks on a quest to the court of the most fearsome warrior the world has ever known, Genghis Khan. A rousing tale of adventure and romance about three young people who must grapple with fundamental issues of loyalty, friendship, faith, honor, and courage against the backdrop of conflicts that still resonate today.

The Sword and the Dagger

Sheila Goicea

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!



When I first came across this book, I was so excited about the premise. A Christian princess, a Muslim assassin, and a knight on some grand adventure sounded like a promising concoction of diversity to bring about a tension-filled plot. While the book certainly began strongly, I felt like the plot transformed into something very different than I expected. I did like this book. It, however, didn’t quite meet the excitement my mind had initially fabricated.

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Belle Ellrich

*I WAS PROVIDED A PHYSICAL ARC IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION*

Ooo boy was this book a whirlwind. That's the best way I could think of to start this review off.

The Sword and the Dagger by Robert Cochran is a historical fantasy (something I wasn't expecting until reading the note at the end about the historical factors), but still fictional enough to switch some things around and have new characters.

One of our main character's name is Princess Elaine of Tripoli, and she isn't taking any man's crap. It is after meeting her that we meet our other two main characters, Prince Conrad of Antioch and Rashid—a Muslim assassin.

Though the beginning of the book was a bit slow to form, it quickly picked up the pace and moved along swimmingly. This book deals in a land with a many different people with just as many differing religions and battles. And while Conrad was a bit racist in the beginning, it was quickly realized throughout that this book was addressing that issue, as well as the beliefs of how women should act.

There was drama, there was love, there was action—there was everything. This book addressed so many things and brought light to how the worst of enemies can become the best of friends, and I loved that about this novel.

For everything listed, I rate this novel 4/5 stars. I look forward to reading more from Robert Cochran if he continues to write novels, and I thank TorTeen for providing me a copy of this lovely book.

Jackeline Maleski

The Sword and the Dagger is an epic YA historical adventure by debut novelist Robert Cochran, the Emmy Award-winning executive producer and co-creator of the hit TV series 24. When empires clash, a princess, a knight, and an assassin embark on the quest of a lifetime During the time of the Crusades, an unlikely trio—a Christian princess, her affianced prince, and a Muslim assassin—embarks on a quest to the court of the most fearsome warrior the world has ever known, Genghis Khan. A rousing tale of adventure and romance about three young people who must grapple with fundamental issues of loyalty, friendship, faith, honor, and courage against the backdrop of conflicts that still resonate today.

The Sword and the Dagger

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