The Privilege of the Sword

Considering the fame of Ellen Kushner's books it probably isn't worth wasting a lot of time writing a review that no one will read. There are a lot of reviews for this, so mine is likely going to be lost in a sea of other reviews. Still, since I'm here I might as well give some thoughts.First, loved the book. There is a reason these books are so popular and why NG presents it. The political intrigue is, once again top notch. The book is considerably different from the first and quite possibly worse too. While the first suffered from too many characters you just didn't care about, this one suffered from a world that seemed less well ironed out. For example, how is dueling and challenges so dangerous if the challenged individual chooses if it is to the death or first blood? Wouldn't the challenged always just go first blood? And where is the climax? The book seems to build and then just peter out.Don't let me imply the book is not good, this book is excellent. The nit pickings above are merely the difference between an utterly perfect masterpiece and 'only' one of the best books I've ever read.At any rate, you didn't read this review, no one did, but I hope more riverside books comes out someday.

This might not be as well written as Swordspoint, but it is still an amazing novel. I couldn't put it down until I had finished reading. When I finished, I re-read my favourite parts again. Basic plot: Katherine Talbot is a sweet and sensible teenager who is sent to live with her Uncle Alec Campion, also known as the Mad Duke, to learn swordfighting. Alec only agrees to pay off Katherine's family's debts if Katherine comes to live with him. Katherine is swept up in a world of secrets, treachery and betrayal. Along the way, she fights for a friend who has been brutally sexually assaulted by her fiancee, and learns that her Uncle is more compassionate and thoughtful than he seems.Some scenes dragged a bit, and I could care less for Marcus's (the love interest) sexism. I did feel great empathy and sorrow for Marcus given his traumatic past, although Marcus's prejudice against sex workers was rather unpleasant to read. But the characters are realistic, vibrant and three dimensional. There's plenty of joy and sadness, humour and resilience in them. And that's always wonderful.There are graphic violent scenes, and explicit sexual references. You may want to skip those parts if they're not your kind of thing.I was happy that gay characters are portrayed sensitively in Privilege of the Sword (no surprises there, as Kushner also achieved this in Swordspoint). It was lovely to see Richard and Alec again. The ending is delightful, especially the romantic parts with Alec and Richard. I was overjoyed at Katherine becoming braver and learning to stand up for herself, her Uncle and her friends. This is Book 2 of the Riverside trilogy. It is best to start with Book 1, which is Swordspoint. You don't have to start with Swordspoint (Privilege of the Sword is a stand alone novel), but I'd recommend doing so, in order to understand the characters and world better.

The Privilege of the Sword follows Katherine, a poor noblewoman who is invited to her uncle's home in the city. She arrives expecting a season of balls and parties and hoping to find a good match and secure her family's future, but her uncle, the unconventional Mad Duke Tremontaine, has other ideas. Katherine is to become a swordsman (and his bodyguard), unprecedented for a woman.I first heard about this book on the Williamsburg Regional Library blog, Blogging for a Good Book. Like that reviewer, I was immediately struck by the proud swordswoman on the cover, and being a sucker for swashbuckling women, figured that I would probably enjoy the book. Upon further research, I discovered that it was a sequel to Swordspoint, which I decided to read first (earlier this year.) Although I didn't love Swordspoint, I liked it enough to want to read more, and I've finally gotten around to it.The Privilege of the Sword, and other Ellen Kushner books have been described as a "fantasy of manners." I can certainly understand the "manners" bit, but I'm not quite sure that it's a fantasy. I've always thought of the defining characteristic of fantasy being magic/some sort of supernatural power. The Privilege of the Sword takes place in an imaginary world, but there is no magic involved.Anyway, onto the actual review. I really enjoyed the book, more so than Swordspoint, probably because of the younger, female protagonist. Katherine was a lot of fun to read about, she's determined, curious, and honourable. She manages to become an accomplished swordsman without losing any of her femininity. Her reactions to all the things that happen to (and around) her, and her growth as a character is written really well and feels totally real. The world of the nobles around her is also entertaining (although probably would be really tiresome to live in), with constant plotting and scheming within the strict customs of rich society.I'll definitely be reading the third book set in this world, The Fall of The Kings, soon!

When the Mad Duke Tremontaine offers to drop his vendetta against his sister if she surrenders her daughter to him for 6 months, young Katherine heads for the City with pipe-dreams of velvet cloaks, rich suitors and saving her family. But what does Alec Campion really want with her? And can a woman ever exercise the privilege of the sword?Big themes are wrapped up in a coming of age story as Katherine is forged into a fierce, wilful, romantic woman as she is forced to break the rules and discovers it has its benefits. Katherine comes to recognise the unfair constraints society places on her and her friends, learning to re-evaluate what she has been taught to despise, and so she gains an intense freedom to act. It’s a familiar if inverted journey, and for once our heroine is supported (whether she wants it or not) – by the far from traditional men of the Tremontaine household.There was a point where I worried about her agency (or lack thereof), precisely because she is constantly being pushed around by these men for the first half of the book. But the second half of the novel more than makes up for it: once Katherine realises what she is capable of, she – not Alec or Marcus – shapes her responses and takes action as she sees fit.Fair warning: this one merits trigger warnings. Where my only real complaint about Swordspoint was the influence but invisibility of its women, The Privilege of the Sword puts women and women’s issues front and centre. We see them radiant and commanding, but we also see them controlled and victimised. I was honestly shocked by the rape, which pushes the narrative from teetering on the frivolous edge of fun to a darker confrontation of the societal norms with which it proceeds to engage. Hats off to Ellen Kushner. The aftermath of this pivotal event is unflinching, from the victim blaming to the personal trauma. Yet it’s not prurient. Male authors take note: this is how you tackle rape without being exploitative.It’s one hell of a rollercoaster, and I was kept guessing to the end. I can only recommend it as a delightful if emotionally exhausting read.

I was mentally writing a gushing review, until I read some of the current reviews, and I couldn't. They have done it so much better. I'll try though.Katherine is sent to the city to learn swordsmanship, so that her family's fortunes can be reversed (I think that's accurate) by The Mad Duke, her uncle.Katherine's character changes very quickly, at the start - whether that's just for the sake of the plot or because she's an intelligent strongminded girl, it was still very fast. Having said that, the story improves very quickly as she starts to find her feet. An act of violence against a friend is the catalyst that makes her grow up and take charge of her life, with the help of her family the Duke, her friend Marcus and, indirectly, the wonderful and amazing Richard St Vier from the book Swordspoint (I'm such a fan!) I loved seeing him through Katherine's eyes, and, in a way, through the Duke's.It's about the power men and women hold, and how easily it is abused.I do like the fact that in these books there's no issue made over the sex of the person one likes, it's all the same. I was almost disappointed that Katherine didn't end up with Artemisia, although they would never have suited each other.The thing that made me happiest, though, was that the unlikeable, unhappy Mad Duke ended up with a happy ending. Not a Happy Ever After - he's far too difficult and complicated for that - but as happy as it would be possible for him to be. Started out with 4 stars, ended up with 5+.

Read following review on Bi-Book Club.Better written than the first book. A steady page turner, and interesting characters, plays around with gender roles. Builds a little more on the politics of the book's world without being too heavy with it. Ending was a little sudden, not sure if I liked it or not.A book to be given time to read and process.

I can’t think why I have taken so long to find Ellen Kushner - someone who can actually write; who creates characters with actual emotional intelligence and who understands how to fight. It’s perfect. If you haven’t read Swordspoint, you have to read it before this. But then don’t start late at night or you’ll get no sleep. There. You have been warned.

This was my favourite read so far this year. If you fancy a bit of character-driven fantasy, this is for you. I haven't read any of this author's other books and could follow the plot without trouble.