Kadomi reviewed Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner
Review of 'Swordspoint' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Swordspoint is one of those few fantasy books where politics and intrigue, though on a small scale, make up the excitement. For that reason, I really enjoyed it. I had some issues with the characters, mostly Alec, who I thought was bizarre, and the whole relationship situation was making me uncomfortable. Dysfunctional much? Sheesh.
To sum it up in a nutshell, the book plays in an unnamed city, where the nobility live on the Hill, and the seedier side is across the river, in Riverside. That's where Richard St. Vier and his mysterious friend and lover Alec are living. Alec is a former scholar who is not revealing his obviously noble background. Richard is the best master swordsman of the city, and disputes between nobles are usually represented by swordsmen fighting to the death. Richard gets offered a highly lucrative contract by an up-and-coming politician, and refuses another one, which …
Swordspoint is one of those few fantasy books where politics and intrigue, though on a small scale, make up the excitement. For that reason, I really enjoyed it. I had some issues with the characters, mostly Alec, who I thought was bizarre, and the whole relationship situation was making me uncomfortable. Dysfunctional much? Sheesh.
To sum it up in a nutshell, the book plays in an unnamed city, where the nobility live on the Hill, and the seedier side is across the river, in Riverside. That's where Richard St. Vier and his mysterious friend and lover Alec are living. Alec is a former scholar who is not revealing his obviously noble background. Richard is the best master swordsman of the city, and disputes between nobles are usually represented by swordsmen fighting to the death. Richard gets offered a highly lucrative contract by an up-and-coming politician, and refuses another one, which has fatal consequences.
I should mention I really liked the Duchess Tremontaine. Clever bitch.
I wanted to love this book more, it's a rounded up 3.5 stars for me.
