Call number
Series
Publication
New York: Bantam Spectra, 2006. 378 p. ; 21 cm.
Pages
378
Description
From the award-winning author of Swordspoint comes a witty, wicked coming-of-age story that is both edgy and timeless. . . . Welcome to Riverside, where the aristocratic and the ambitious battle for power and prestige in the city's labyrinth of streets and ballrooms, theatres and brothels, boudoirs and salons. Into this alluring and alarming world walks a bright young woman ready to take it on and make her fortune. A well-bred country girl, Katherine knows all the rules of conventional society. Her biggest mistake is thinking they apply. Katherine's host and uncle, Alec Campion, the capricious and decadent Mad Duke Tremontaine, is in charge here--and to him, rules are made to be broken. When he decides it would be far more amusing for his niece to learn swordplay than to follow the usual path to ballroom and husband, her world changes forever. And there's no going back. Blade in hand, it's up to Katherine to find her own way through a maze of secrets and betrayals, nobles and scoundrels--and to gain the power, respect, and self-discovery that come to those who master. . . . "Unholy fun, and wholly fun . . . an elegant riposte, dazzlingly executed."--Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked… (more)
Awards
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 2006)
Audie Award (Finalist — 2013)
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (Winner — 2006)
Locus Award (Finalist — Fantasy Novel — 2007)
World Fantasy Award (Nominee — Novel — 2007)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-07-25
Physical description
378 p.; 8.3 inches
ISBN
0553382683 / 9780553382686
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Sorcery and Cecelia, or, The enchanted chocolate pot : being the correspondence of two young ladies of quality regarding various magical scandals in London and the country by Patricia C. Wrede
User reviews
LibraryThing member xicanti
A young woman's mad uncle turns her life upside down when he insists that she train as a swordsman.
This was a very enjoyable book. It came across as a light, less-involved, (but still highly absorbing), read, and I got a huge kick out of it. I especially liked how Katherine's character developed
The other characters were also nicely developed, though they didn't get quite as much attention as Katherine. I really enjoyed how their storylines intersected with hers. I also appreciated how the fictional book they'd all read interwove with the narrative; The Privilege of the Sword seemed, at times, to be almost a more realistic take on that imaginary novel, The Swordsman Whose Name Was Not Death. Very nice touch.
The one thing that threw me off was the mix of first person and third. It was an interesting stylistic choice, and it works well enough once it gets going, but it took me a little while to get used to it.
Overall, an excellent read. The book is perhaps a little short on plot, but there's more than enough in the way of character, atmosphere and sheer style to make up for it. Readers who like character-based stories should enjoy this.
This was a very enjoyable book. It came across as a light, less-involved, (but still highly absorbing), read, and I got a huge kick out of it. I especially liked how Katherine's character developed
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throughout the course of the novel; as it begins, she's appalled at what's expected of her, but she gradually sinks into the rhythm of things and comes to value her new life. It was a wonderful take on the coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water type of storyline.The other characters were also nicely developed, though they didn't get quite as much attention as Katherine. I really enjoyed how their storylines intersected with hers. I also appreciated how the fictional book they'd all read interwove with the narrative; The Privilege of the Sword seemed, at times, to be almost a more realistic take on that imaginary novel, The Swordsman Whose Name Was Not Death. Very nice touch.
The one thing that threw me off was the mix of first person and third. It was an interesting stylistic choice, and it works well enough once it gets going, but it took me a little while to get used to it.
Overall, an excellent read. The book is perhaps a little short on plot, but there's more than enough in the way of character, atmosphere and sheer style to make up for it. Readers who like character-based stories should enjoy this.
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LibraryThing member justchris
I stumbled on Ellen Kushner's The Privilege of the Sword last year on a pilgrimage to Powell's along with several other interesting books. It is a followup to Swordspoint, which was given to me by a fencing friend many, many years ago. Both books are quite good with wonderful characterizations,
They are fantasy in the sense that they are set in a city of about Renaissance era technology and cultural developments, in an otherwise indeterminate world. But there is no magic, no strange creatures, no supernatural plots to take over the world. I certainly enjoy that style of fantasy, but because of all of the flashy gimmicks (and essentially derivative nature), the quality of the story and writing is often poor. On the other hand, the stories that are fantasy only in the sense of a non-modern setting that concentrate on the human condition, often exploring social and political questions, in my experience are usually quite high quality. They have nothing to fall back on to entertain and impress the reader, just plot and dialogue and description and the prose itself. Ellen Kushner's books fall solidly in this category, as does The Sword of Winter by Marta Randall. I'm drawing a blank on any others at the moment, so perhaps my hypothesis is flawed, or simply my library is too small.
The Privilege of the Sword is essentially an examination of male privilege in society, as well as class privilege. It is the story of a young girl who goes to the big city to make her fortune, and thus repair her family's fortunes, at the behest of her uncle the Mad Duke, who was the source of her family troubles. He offers a bargain: send me my niece to learn swordfighting (think Renaissance fencing a la Romeo and Juliet ere) and my lawyers will stop harassing you. He is considered the Mad Duke because he is openly homosexual (bisexual, really) and a subversive who refuses to follow the manners (read hypocrisy) of polite society and an iconoclast who would rather hang with lowborn scholars than the socially acceptable and recognize the rights of a street tramp to be as equally valid as those of a minister of state. Of course, since he's a duke, he's merely eccentric.
Kushner does an excellent job portraying a teenage girl full of romantic ideals who dreams of beautiful clothes, attending balls, attracting cicisbeos, and ultimately making a good marriage, one who is horrified at the thought of wearing pantaloons instead of skirts and looking men full in the face. This is the rather conventional beginning of this lovely coming of age story, which of course is about her transformation into an independent, thoughtful adult.
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interesting plots, good dialogue and action, excellent prose.They are fantasy in the sense that they are set in a city of about Renaissance era technology and cultural developments, in an otherwise indeterminate world. But there is no magic, no strange creatures, no supernatural plots to take over the world. I certainly enjoy that style of fantasy, but because of all of the flashy gimmicks (and essentially derivative nature), the quality of the story and writing is often poor. On the other hand, the stories that are fantasy only in the sense of a non-modern setting that concentrate on the human condition, often exploring social and political questions, in my experience are usually quite high quality. They have nothing to fall back on to entertain and impress the reader, just plot and dialogue and description and the prose itself. Ellen Kushner's books fall solidly in this category, as does The Sword of Winter by Marta Randall. I'm drawing a blank on any others at the moment, so perhaps my hypothesis is flawed, or simply my library is too small.
The Privilege of the Sword is essentially an examination of male privilege in society, as well as class privilege. It is the story of a young girl who goes to the big city to make her fortune, and thus repair her family's fortunes, at the behest of her uncle the Mad Duke, who was the source of her family troubles. He offers a bargain: send me my niece to learn swordfighting (think Renaissance fencing a la Romeo and Juliet ere) and my lawyers will stop harassing you. He is considered the Mad Duke because he is openly homosexual (bisexual, really) and a subversive who refuses to follow the manners (read hypocrisy) of polite society and an iconoclast who would rather hang with lowborn scholars than the socially acceptable and recognize the rights of a street tramp to be as equally valid as those of a minister of state. Of course, since he's a duke, he's merely eccentric.
Kushner does an excellent job portraying a teenage girl full of romantic ideals who dreams of beautiful clothes, attending balls, attracting cicisbeos, and ultimately making a good marriage, one who is horrified at the thought of wearing pantaloons instead of skirts and looking men full in the face. This is the rather conventional beginning of this lovely coming of age story, which of course is about her transformation into an independent, thoughtful adult.
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LibraryThing member johnleague
If you have a swash in need of buckling, check out Ellen Kushner's The Privilege of the Sword. Yes, it is everything you think it is: a romance (in the traditional sense of the word, not the genre sense--well, maybe that, too), a fantasy, a satire. And it is many things that you don't expect: a
It is Kushner's willingness and ability to screw with your expectations that make the novel enjoyable. From the vulgar core beneath Lord Ferris' refined and gentlemanly exterior to the nobility of the loose-living Duke Tremontaine to the inexorable resolve of the flighty Artemisia Fitz-Levi, none of Kushner's characters is all light or all darkness. When I finished the book, I was sorry that it had ended.
There are numerous characters who made previous appearances in Kushner's other Riverside novels, but foreknowledge of their dealings is not necessary to enjoy the book. That said, many of the asides and minor details of the book are much more likely to delight those who have read Swordspoint and The Fall of the Kings than Kushner neophytes like me.
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pointed commentary on gender, sex, family and love, and a ripping good adventure as well.It is Kushner's willingness and ability to screw with your expectations that make the novel enjoyable. From the vulgar core beneath Lord Ferris' refined and gentlemanly exterior to the nobility of the loose-living Duke Tremontaine to the inexorable resolve of the flighty Artemisia Fitz-Levi, none of Kushner's characters is all light or all darkness. When I finished the book, I was sorry that it had ended.
There are numerous characters who made previous appearances in Kushner's other Riverside novels, but foreknowledge of their dealings is not necessary to enjoy the book. That said, many of the asides and minor details of the book are much more likely to delight those who have read Swordspoint and The Fall of the Kings than Kushner neophytes like me.
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LibraryThing member dmturner
Competently written, with a main character whose voice in the beginning was very original: feminine, naive, and straightforward. The supporting characters and the side narratives were interesting. A good light read--and I have very little patience for most "light reading" any more.
I know too much
I know too much
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about swordplay to believe in her six-month path to mastery, but unlike many such descriptions it wasn't completely unbelievable. Show Less
LibraryThing member kgodey
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
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!
Originally posted on my blog.
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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!
Originally posted on my blog.
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LibraryThing member T.Arkenberg
Alec Campion, the “Mad Duke” Tremontain, is jaded and disgusted with the behavior of his fellow nobility. Their facade of elegance and respectability is a sham, while they abuse their wealth, power, and privileges—including the privilege to sic trained swordsmen on anyone they disagree with.
This is a sequel to the original Riverside novel, Swordspoint, where Alec first appeared. I like him better in this new, older incarnation. He is still, as they call it, mad, but the method to his madness is much more apparent—he puts it: “I can’t make the rules, so I like breaking them.” He’s gone from being a poor student in disgrace with his family to a wealthy duke bringing disgrace on his family, using his resources guided by his insanity to poke fun (and sometimes poke holes in) the rest of the nobility. This means, weirdly enough, that this hostile, depressing, and depressed man is making things better for everyone who isn’t even more of a bastard than he is.
Then there’s Katherine, who is a very sympathetic character. Compassionate and relatively astute, she’s still a very ordinary, down-to-earth person who is disturbed and baffled in turns by Alec and by the rest of the city. Although in the opening I feared she might suffer from Generic YA Heroine Syndrome—she finds sewing tedious, and the plot of the book does involve her transgressing gender roles in a way that in lesser hands could devolve into “Wow, I’m so glad I’m not like those sheep-like other girls and am instead doing such wonderful masculine things—yay, feminism”—I should have expected better from Kushner. This book has a much more nuanced perspective, although I would argue it’s still ultimately feminist. LGBT-positive, class-conscious feminism that recognizes there are lots of ways to be an awesome female character (in addition to Kate the swordswoman, we have a lady mathematician, a playwright, two actresses—one of whom plays men’s roles or “trouser” roles—and Artemisia, who is in some ways a typical lady of this society but who escapes her gilded cage through sheer defiance, and some help from Kate). And Kate doesn’t wholeheartedly embrace her “masculine” role, at least at first. Wearing men’s clothes is genuinely uncomfortable for her.
There is also a great line from Kate after she sees her first duel. Her teacher worries the blood concerned her, but she points out most women see more blood every month.
Speaking of great lines, there are moments of breathtaking visuals, to the point that I got flat-out envious of Kushner’s ability to do that with words. She uses an interesting technique of interspersing Kate’s 1st-person POV with other viewpoints in 3rd person, for reasons I can’t quite determine. It does work, though, and makes Kate that much more approachable. The wider cast of characters—including many more women—and somewhat more optimistic outlook make this book an easier read than the original Swordspoint. That doesn’t mean it got dumbed down—if Swordspoint made the same sort of nuanced feminist analysis as Privilege, I missed it because I was trying too hard to figure out what was going on with people’s indirect dialogue, sarcasm, and general nastiness.
For all that, I missed the central relationship of Swordspoint, at least at the start. Although it does reappear, in a way that—limiting spoilers—makes Kate’s training and transformation into a very passable swordfighter much less tedious and much more believeable than I feared. Training montages generally bore me, but this one was less about learning skills (although Kate did that) and more about her emotional relationship with her mentor.
Also, Alec Campion made me tear up with a line about fish. Along with probably anyone who read Swordspoint.
I was wondering at times if Kate would, like her uncle, enter a same-sex relationship, and there was one point which seemed very promising. In the end, I was a bit disappointed, but I understand and like what Kushner did instead. Her heterosexual relationships are also nuanced and subversive (especially the romance of Lucius Perry, a highborn man who is a prostitute in a male brothel some nights to support his relationship with a woman in a crumbling marriage). And this is not to erase the bisexual reading, which seems likely for many if not most characters.
I said this was an easy read—I that mean emotionally more than intellectually It was extremely cathartic, so cathartic that I saved passages I knew would contain Kate kicking patriarchal behind to cleanse the nasty aftertaste of another novel I was reading at the time. Non-spoilery thoughts on the ending: very open-ended in several areas to allow for the next book, but also very satisfying for me. Although, as another reviewer pointed out, the story is Kate’s, but the climax is really Alec’s. This is nagging from a storytelling standpoint, although it makes a sort of sense given the events and the personalities involved (I’m sure Alec would feel his solution is the only one available). I’ll give Kate and her friends this happy ending—they certainly deserve it.
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Alec decides to twist that latter privilege on its head by inviting his niece Kate from the countryside and training her to become his swordswoman/bodyguard. This is a sequel to the original Riverside novel, Swordspoint, where Alec first appeared. I like him better in this new, older incarnation. He is still, as they call it, mad, but the method to his madness is much more apparent—he puts it: “I can’t make the rules, so I like breaking them.” He’s gone from being a poor student in disgrace with his family to a wealthy duke bringing disgrace on his family, using his resources guided by his insanity to poke fun (and sometimes poke holes in) the rest of the nobility. This means, weirdly enough, that this hostile, depressing, and depressed man is making things better for everyone who isn’t even more of a bastard than he is.
Then there’s Katherine, who is a very sympathetic character. Compassionate and relatively astute, she’s still a very ordinary, down-to-earth person who is disturbed and baffled in turns by Alec and by the rest of the city. Although in the opening I feared she might suffer from Generic YA Heroine Syndrome—she finds sewing tedious, and the plot of the book does involve her transgressing gender roles in a way that in lesser hands could devolve into “Wow, I’m so glad I’m not like those sheep-like other girls and am instead doing such wonderful masculine things—yay, feminism”—I should have expected better from Kushner. This book has a much more nuanced perspective, although I would argue it’s still ultimately feminist. LGBT-positive, class-conscious feminism that recognizes there are lots of ways to be an awesome female character (in addition to Kate the swordswoman, we have a lady mathematician, a playwright, two actresses—one of whom plays men’s roles or “trouser” roles—and Artemisia, who is in some ways a typical lady of this society but who escapes her gilded cage through sheer defiance, and some help from Kate). And Kate doesn’t wholeheartedly embrace her “masculine” role, at least at first. Wearing men’s clothes is genuinely uncomfortable for her.
There is also a great line from Kate after she sees her first duel. Her teacher worries the blood concerned her, but she points out most women see more blood every month.
Speaking of great lines, there are moments of breathtaking visuals, to the point that I got flat-out envious of Kushner’s ability to do that with words. She uses an interesting technique of interspersing Kate’s 1st-person POV with other viewpoints in 3rd person, for reasons I can’t quite determine. It does work, though, and makes Kate that much more approachable. The wider cast of characters—including many more women—and somewhat more optimistic outlook make this book an easier read than the original Swordspoint. That doesn’t mean it got dumbed down—if Swordspoint made the same sort of nuanced feminist analysis as Privilege, I missed it because I was trying too hard to figure out what was going on with people’s indirect dialogue, sarcasm, and general nastiness.
For all that, I missed the central relationship of Swordspoint, at least at the start. Although it does reappear, in a way that—limiting spoilers—makes Kate’s training and transformation into a very passable swordfighter much less tedious and much more believeable than I feared. Training montages generally bore me, but this one was less about learning skills (although Kate did that) and more about her emotional relationship with her mentor.
Also, Alec Campion made me tear up with a line about fish. Along with probably anyone who read Swordspoint.
I was wondering at times if Kate would, like her uncle, enter a same-sex relationship, and there was one point which seemed very promising. In the end, I was a bit disappointed, but I understand and like what Kushner did instead. Her heterosexual relationships are also nuanced and subversive (especially the romance of Lucius Perry, a highborn man who is a prostitute in a male brothel some nights to support his relationship with a woman in a crumbling marriage). And this is not to erase the bisexual reading, which seems likely for many if not most characters.
I said this was an easy read—I that mean emotionally more than intellectually It was extremely cathartic, so cathartic that I saved passages I knew would contain Kate kicking patriarchal behind to cleanse the nasty aftertaste of another novel I was reading at the time. Non-spoilery thoughts on the ending: very open-ended in several areas to allow for the next book, but also very satisfying for me. Although, as another reviewer pointed out, the story is Kate’s, but the climax is really Alec’s. This is nagging from a storytelling standpoint, although it makes a sort of sense given the events and the personalities involved (I’m sure Alec would feel his solution is the only one available). I’ll give Kate and her friends this happy ending—they certainly deserve it.
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LibraryThing member hypatia_lea
honestly, I don't think I would have ever read this book except for the reviews it received on Library Thing. But I perservered through the speach of the high-class giggly & unworldly girls, and I ended up so captivated by the characters and the world they live in that never wanted the story to
This is a fabulous book, even if you have never been interested in swords or the lives of the frivilously rich.
I was disappointed in what I saw as the portrayal of lesbian relationships - it came across to me as though lesbian sex was only as a distraction between hetro-relationships. Whereas male-homosexual relationships were portrayed as being of sterner, life-long stuff.
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end!This is a fabulous book, even if you have never been interested in swords or the lives of the frivilously rich.
I was disappointed in what I saw as the portrayal of lesbian relationships - it came across to me as though lesbian sex was only as a distraction between hetro-relationships. Whereas male-homosexual relationships were portrayed as being of sterner, life-long stuff.
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LibraryThing member ladycato
Certain aspects were quite nice and cliche-defying. The main character, Katherine, is an impoverished young noblewoman. When her uncle, the Mad Duke, agrees to stop his frivolous lawsuits against her family in return for six months of her service, Katherine finds herself suddenly forced into boy
First of all, while it's quite clear from her lessons that she isn't a master sword fighter, she still wins every battle against professional sword fighting men. The first battle, she has an advantage because no one expects a girl to win, but after that? Katherine, in six months, beats several men who have trained for a lifetime? It didn't fit.
The political intrigues were interesting, but very... confined. You never learn anything about the outer world or the larger city, for that matter. The political issues are confined to a few select families. There was a great deal in the book about sexuality and Katherine discovering her own sexual identity. Her uncle hosts some mad orgies, but nothing is ever described in graphic detail.
And the last chapter? It seemed to undo the entire point of the book. I was really liking the book, and then I read the last chapter and went, "Huh?" What was the point? Sometimes an epilogue isn't really necessary.
That said, there were many wonderful things about the book, and Katherine is an interesting character. There is a running theme of a book and play many of the characters enjoy that sounds like a good story all on its own. Even with some logic problems, it was still an enjoyable read overall.
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clothing and made to begin the most unwomanly craft of sword fighting. It was nice to see a female character who wasn't a cliche "I want to be a warrior!" type. However, some of the details just didn't fit.First of all, while it's quite clear from her lessons that she isn't a master sword fighter, she still wins every battle against professional sword fighting men. The first battle, she has an advantage because no one expects a girl to win, but after that? Katherine, in six months, beats several men who have trained for a lifetime? It didn't fit.
The political intrigues were interesting, but very... confined. You never learn anything about the outer world or the larger city, for that matter. The political issues are confined to a few select families. There was a great deal in the book about sexuality and Katherine discovering her own sexual identity. Her uncle hosts some mad orgies, but nothing is ever described in graphic detail.
And the last chapter? It seemed to undo the entire point of the book. I was really liking the book, and then I read the last chapter and went, "Huh?" What was the point? Sometimes an epilogue isn't really necessary.
That said, there were many wonderful things about the book, and Katherine is an interesting character. There is a running theme of a book and play many of the characters enjoy that sounds like a good story all on its own. Even with some logic problems, it was still an enjoyable read overall.
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LibraryThing member Tiffmeister
I really enjoyed the sequel to Swordspoint. Kushner's characters are compelling and interesting. The whole world she creates is so different to this our own time period. It's fantasy, but could be very similar to what happened in the city-states of Renaissance times. I kept imagining much of the
I'd highly recommend this for those who like different, cutting edge fantasies. It is definitely not your average book. The swashbuckling is done by the main character's niece from Swordspoint. It continues the story in the first book showing how time has affected the characters. I'm already ordering the third book. Looking forward to it.
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setting looking something like Italy.I'd highly recommend this for those who like different, cutting edge fantasies. It is definitely not your average book. The swashbuckling is done by the main character's niece from Swordspoint. It continues the story in the first book showing how time has affected the characters. I'm already ordering the third book. Looking forward to it.
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LibraryThing member Larkken
Kushner's books continue to be difficult for me. After reading Swordspoint, I wanted more of the dynamic between the two main characters, kept thinking about the relationships and situations described, but even this did not make me totally enjoy reading the first book in the Riverside series. This
Kushner plays, here, with gender relationships, sexuality, and issues of body ownership. I usually enjoy the plotline of "girl taking on unconventional role in fantasy society," and was perhaps thinking this book would be more of the usual romp, instead of the mostly-serious allegory it turned into. Her takes on these central themes are interesting, however, and I liked how she resolves the problem for the central characters. Unfortunately, on the other hand, many of the peripheral but thematically related plots remain unresolved by the book's end, which makes the book feel hastily ended and unfinished. On an unrelated note, I was also hoping to read more about my favorite character from Swordspoint, and was disappointed that he plays a pivotal, but mostly absent, role in this book. These last two issues did not ruin the book for me, but did make it only a qualified success. I did like how she fleshed out the position of gay relationships in this fantasy society, building on the cursory view she gave of them in Swordspoint.
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third book was similar in final effect, though was easier for me to read as it was less of a politics fantasy.Kushner plays, here, with gender relationships, sexuality, and issues of body ownership. I usually enjoy the plotline of "girl taking on unconventional role in fantasy society," and was perhaps thinking this book would be more of the usual romp, instead of the mostly-serious allegory it turned into. Her takes on these central themes are interesting, however, and I liked how she resolves the problem for the central characters. Unfortunately, on the other hand, many of the peripheral but thematically related plots remain unresolved by the book's end, which makes the book feel hastily ended and unfinished. On an unrelated note, I was also hoping to read more about my favorite character from Swordspoint, and was disappointed that he plays a pivotal, but mostly absent, role in this book. These last two issues did not ruin the book for me, but did make it only a qualified success. I did like how she fleshed out the position of gay relationships in this fantasy society, building on the cursory view she gave of them in Swordspoint.
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LibraryThing member Cauterize
The previous book to The Fall of the Kings, which I reviewed earlier. I had originally intended to read this book first, but got mixed up in the chronology. Wish I had, because it was a lot better than Fall of the Kings. Katherine Tremontaine is a teenage girl who is blackmailed by her eccentric
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uncle to come live with him in the City. When she gets there, he forces her to dress like a boy and learn swordplay from the best masters. She resists at first, but soon starts to like it, and envisions herself as like a dashing hero from a current play. There are various subplots with the Mad Duke (her uncle), and the playrights and another young lady who becomes friends with Katherine. I didn't really like the subplots, but I'm sure others do as they round out the book and perform social commentary, on class and sexuality, but I like the parts that focused on Katherine's growth and lessons in swordplay. Show Less
LibraryThing member averitasm
I really loved this book, the funny thing is I can't say why specifically , I just like all the characters and the interactions between them, so much I went out and got he book that is supposed to come before this one. From beginning to end I enjoyed it, it could be because I like the 4 musketeers
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and the history that surround them and this reminded me of that a bit(not to mention who doesn't love a bit of fencing). I would recommend this as a historical mystery or just a great historical romp. I admit I picked it up because of the cover but I am glad I did and I would say go for it you won't be disappointed. Show Less
LibraryThing member lunanshee
Katherine's family makes a deal with her mad uncle. If she comes to live with her uncle and has no contact with her family for six months, her uncle will pay off the family depts. Little does Katherine know that her uncle plans to turn her into something no one has ever seen: a swordswoman.
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Kushner's novel has an interesting plot and a great deal of potential. While the reader does not feel overly close to the characters, the book itself is an interesting read. Show Less
LibraryThing member EssFair
To save her family finances, Katherine agrees to her eccentric uncle’s bargain—he will end his lawsuit against her mother (his sister) if Katherine will train as a swordsman. Not exactly the future Katherine was planning. Her version included fancy dresses and romance. However, she accepts and
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in the process of becoming a swordsman learns how important it is for women to have a real choice about their future and not be at the mercy of their male relatives and cultural expectations. Show Less
LibraryThing member were-duck
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The plot and political intrigue were interesting and very feminist, the girl's coming of age read in a genuine if quirky way, but I had a really hard time identifying with the characters and I found that the style shifted so much between sections that it
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felt like this book was trying on different outfits and never settling on one in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member TeenBookReviews
Katherine's family makes a deal with her mad uncle. If she comes to live with her uncle and has no contact with her family for six months, her uncle will pay off the family depts. Little does Katherine know that her uncle plans to turn her into something no one has ever seen: a swordswoman.
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Kushner's novel has an interesting plot and a great deal of potential. While the reader does not feel overly close to the characters, the book itself is an interesting read. Show Less
LibraryThing member sumik
I really enjoyed this - read it today. I've read Swordspoint so many times - one of my favorite books so I was excited to get the sequel (or isn't there another one? I can't recall) when it came out but for whatever reason waited 'til now to actually buy it.
LibraryThing member EvaElisabeth
I enjoyed this one and dimly remember the prequel, I would buy more books by the same author.
LibraryThing member kd9
This is a much better book than it's predecessor. The writing is crisper and the characters are more fully defined. It does help some to have read Swordspoint first, if only to fill in the background of several of the characters.
Basically this is well woven tale of a teenage girl dressed and
Although the endings of the downtrodden are almost too happy and pat, the death of the cad was satisfying and well deserved. Unlike Swordspoint, I found Kushner's make believe city well served the novel, providing the right degree of social and physical technology.
Basically this is well woven tale of a teenage girl dressed and
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trained as a boy. There are also several other characters who suffer from living in a patriarchal society; the young noblewoman engaged to a powerful cad who cannot convince her family to break off the engagement, the woman married to the insane, abusive husband whose family will not allow a divorce, the actress pregnant by chance, and several males sold into prostitution.Although the endings of the downtrodden are almost too happy and pat, the death of the cad was satisfying and well deserved. Unlike Swordspoint, I found Kushner's make believe city well served the novel, providing the right degree of social and physical technology.
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LibraryThing member Shrike58
I picked up this book because the high concept of the girl who just wants a normal life and who gets caught up in her crazy uncle's schemes appealed to me, not particularly because I'm a fan of Ellen Kushner. That said, I suspect that I enjoyed this book more than some people who are long-time fans
Being not as light and fluffy as I thought (which is not a bad thing), the one issue that gives me pause is that while this novel looks like a young adult work, I suspect a lot of parents would find it more sexually charged than appropriate for kids in their early teens.
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of this world, as I have no investment in the well-being of the older characters. I'll also note that having read some history of family affairs among renaissance nobles this year, a lot of the situation did ring fairly true. Not to mention the small matter that I like Katherine Talbert as a character.Being not as light and fluffy as I thought (which is not a bad thing), the one issue that gives me pause is that while this novel looks like a young adult work, I suspect a lot of parents would find it more sexually charged than appropriate for kids in their early teens.
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LibraryThing member raschneid
I may have enjoyed this even more than Swordspoint! This is an expansive, ambitious coming-of-age novel, extremely well-told and emotionally honest. And, as a rule of thumb, any book that reminds me of Jane Austen in one chapter and Jean Genet in the next is probably worth reading.
LibraryThing member libraryhead
I wish I'd realized this was the second in a series before beginning. Reads like a romance, but the plot is more complex. Fantasy elements seem limited to the setting being not quite actual 18th century Europe, but close enough.
LibraryThing member RandomMichelle
Absolutely lovely audio version.
Lots of marvelous Alec drawling.
Lots of marvelous Alec drawling.
LibraryThing member keyboardcouch
*audio review only*
The is excellent.
Ellen Kushner and Barbara Rosenblat make fine narrators and SueMedia Productions continue to flout by dislike of dramatizations.
Felicia Day voices Katherine, which I'm sure will make some fan girls/boys squee, but I was a little sceptical. She does a good job
Joe Hurley is a hilarious Mad Duke.
The is excellent.
Ellen Kushner and Barbara Rosenblat make fine narrators and SueMedia Productions continue to flout by dislike of dramatizations.
Felicia Day voices Katherine, which I'm sure will make some fan girls/boys squee, but I was a little sceptical. She does a good job
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at presenting Katherine's youth, innocence and toughness though, so more fool me.Joe Hurley is a hilarious Mad Duke.
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LibraryThing member bluesalamanders
Katherine’s wealthy and “mad” uncle decides to foster her in the city and turn her into, not a lady, but a swordsman.
Despite being book two in the Riverside trilogy, The Privilege of the Sword is easily a standalone novel. I enjoyed reading about Katherine learning swordplay, her frustration
There are a lot of things I liked about this book; there were also things I did not like. I didn’t care for the way the second half of the plot depended on one of the main characters being raped and several other major characters being or having been prostitutes. I also found the frequent switch from Katherine’s first-person perspective to the third-person perspective around other characters jarring.
Despite being book two in the Riverside trilogy, The Privilege of the Sword is easily a standalone novel. I enjoyed reading about Katherine learning swordplay, her frustration
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with her uncle’s oddity, and the gradual way she grew to understand and even come to enjoy the new life she was throw into. There are a lot of things I liked about this book; there were also things I did not like. I didn’t care for the way the second half of the plot depended on one of the main characters being raped and several other major characters being or having been prostitutes. I also found the frequent switch from Katherine’s first-person perspective to the third-person perspective around other characters jarring.
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