Young Fawn Bluefield has fled her family's farm hoping to find work in the city of Glassforge. Uncertain about her future and the troubles she carries, Fawn stops for a drink of water at a roadside inn, where she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers, enigmatic soldier-sorcerers from the woodland culture to the north. Fawn knows the stories about the Lake-walkers: they are necromancers; they practice black sorcery; they have no permanent homes and own only the clothes they wear and the weapons - mysterious knives made of human bone - they carry. What she does not know is that the Lakewalkers, as a whole, are engaged in a perilous campaign against inhuman and immortal magical entities known as "malices," creatures that suck the life out of all they encounter, and turn men and animals into their minions. Dag is an older Lakewalker patroller who carries his past sorrows as heavily as his present responsibilities. When Fawn is kidnapped by the malice Dag's patrol is tracking, Dag races to rescue her. But in the ensuing struggle, it is not Dag but Fawn who kills the creature - at dire cost - and an uncanny accident befalls Dag's sharing knife, which unexpectedly binds their two fates together. And so now the misenchanted knife must be returned to the Lakewalkers. Together, Fawn and Dag set out on the long road back to his camp. But on the journey this unlikely pair will encounter danger and delight, prejudice and partnership, and maybe even love.… (more)
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Whether you would rather classify this as a fantasy novel or a romance novel, there is no question that it is well written. Ms. Bujold has created a rich world full of complex characters and a history that we only get a glimpse of in this first installment. There are moments of tense action and brutal violence along with the beginning of a deep romantic involvement between two of the characters.
I truly enjoyed this novel and even during the slower moments of day to day life, found the characters and writing vibrant enough to hold my interest throughout. The magic system is fairly unique and I am interested in learning more about the origins and limitations as well as learning more about the history of this fascinating fanatasy world.
A lot of people have complained that this book is a romance novel disguised as a fantasy just to get fantasy fans to purchase it. I disagree. My only complaint was that the main love scene in the book was a bit long for my tastes and a bit more detailed than what I am used to in traditional fantasy novels. However, the romance plot line in general really helps to flesh out the story and give some vulnerability to the tales principle characters.
Along that note, one of my favorite things about this novel was that the main characters in it are not superhuman as in a lot of traditional fantasy. Both of the main characters have physical and other limitations that make them seem more real and believable.
All in all, an excellent novel and am looking forward to the second installment in the series.
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