Swordspoint

Decadence, blood, vengeance, intrigue, scandal. All manner of delightful things found in this book. I am always delighted to be impressed by a book I'd never heard of before. The prose is well chosen, the characters distinct and likable when they need to be (likewise dis likable when they need to be, the plot daring and all in all well worth your time. The only criticism I would have...more

Decadence, blood, vengeance, intrigue, scandal. All manner of delightful things found in this book. I am always delighted to be impressed by a book I'd never heard of before. The prose is well chosen, the characters distinct and likable when they need to be (likewise dis likable when they need to be, the plot daring and all in all well worth your time. The only criticism I would have --Warning spoiler-- is that Micheal Godwin's plot thread dies out before we reach the climax. Its understandable to the plot but seems just a touch lack luster since I had thought we'd been leading up to something a little more --well climatic-on his part. But then, perhaps that would have taken away from the other characters' parts.   hide

"If you want to know me; read this book." as I told Alec one Christmas. Perhaps my all-time favorite book to which I have a deep connection.

Wonderful, descriptive, clever, racy dialogue and a fascinating backdrop.

An amazingly elegantly written novel of political intrigue

A classic of the fantasy genre, but I'm only getting to it now. Amazing stuff.

'A melodrama of manners' It seems there is an etiquite to killing, so you'd better not get it wrong. The swordsman St Vier has his own brand of honor, and who is this Alec, his enigmatic lover with a touch of dark madness and a bit of a death wish ? Love the dialogue. Love the chemistry. Love the political intrigue.

The most interesting and vicious duels in this book are fought with words, not swords. One of my favorite books of all time.

If you like the idea that Chivalry isn't quite dead, just old, bent and a little bitter, and you enjoy intelligent humour and flowing prose, you'll like this book. The trick will be to decide just what, exactly, the hero is fighting for. His employer, his lover, or just his own satisfaction? There's only one way to find out. Read the book. You won't be sorry.

I love this book. From the unnamed city to the never completely named characters, this book is spellbinding and beautiful.