The Sword of Winter (1983)

I want to use words like “tight” or “high-strung” or “angry” to describe this little palace intrigue fantasy about a Rider (a kind of enforcer) who hates her lord/master but has sworn to attend him; now he’s dying and refusing to pick a successor, so all the candidates are trying to get her on their side—but really those adjectives are about the Rider herself. She ends up traveling with a boy who hates her because Riders killed his parents. Lots of politics; more fucking and cursing than I expected from an early 1980s book, which is probably my mistake; overall I liked it and you might too if you like your heroines justifiably pissed and not willing to play nice. ( )

It is difficult to say whether The Sword of Winter is more of a fantasy with science fiction elements, or a science fiction novel with fantasy elements. The technology is steam-level, with telegraphs. It’s a book that is strong on character interactions and political intrigue, with some fascinating worldbuilding elements. I first read this book back in junior high, and it has been one of my on again, off again favorites for years. It doesn’t seem to be in print, but it’s a relatively easy book to find.

The story revolves around Gambin a dying tyrant and his relationship with his personal messenger, a woman named Lyeth. Gambin has yet to name an heir, but wants Lyeth to support and work for his son. Lyeth would really much rather return to her guild and have nothing more to do with Jentesi province, because she despises Gambin and what he’s done to her guild.

Read the rest of this review at A Wicked Convergence of Circumstances ( )