Ellen Kushner

This tale is set in a medieval-ish society where professional swordsmen can be hired to avenge matters of honor, or just kill people. I enjoyed seeing the upper and lower class character's lives, and the gorgeous descriptions of clothes, scents, and settings. Various people plot against each other and seek involve Richard St Vier, the leading swordsman. I'm terrible at understanding strategy and intrigue but appreciated that most of it was explained in the courtroom scene. I'll be thinking about Richard and Alec and wondering how they met and what became of them.… (more)