Lois McMaster Bujold, The Sharing Knife: Beguilement

The Sharing Knife: Beguilement

Lois McMaster Bujold

Eos, October 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 0061137587

After learning she is pregnant, Fawn Bluefield runs away from home, but is noticed by the Lakewalker Dag; Lakewalkers can use ground senses to manipulate energy that enables them to use "magic" to kill evil creatures known as malices with specially prepared knives. Dag rescues Fawn when two mud-men created by the malice attack her. He goes hunting it knowing that only one malice left to grow can destroy the world.

However, the mud-men kidnap her and take her to the malice's lair where Dag finds her. He tosses her two knives that she uses to kill the malice. One knife becomes primed after she lost her baby in the fight with the malice. Dag takes Fawn to a hotel that welcomes Lakewalkers, so that she can recuperate from her ordeal. They begin to know one another and they fall in love, although Dag knows Lakewalkers only mate with their own kind.

Readers get to see up close and understand the Lakewalker culture with pressure to conform to their value, while also receiving an exciting romantic fantasy adventure. The heroine is courageous as she leaves behind her family to give her baby a fresh start; Dag seems wiser, yet totally charmed by the outsider's feisty independence. Lois McMaster Bujold creates strong realistic characters while building a unique world. This tale showcases the remarkable skills of this grand-mistress.