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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 show more 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 the privilege of the sword. show lessTags
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reconditereader Both continuations of series with similar settings and some similar types of characters. They evoke the same kind of feeling or reading experience.
electronicmemory Two girls deal with society's expectations as they learn swordplay and harsh political realities.
02
bookwormelf A coming-of-age story of an young badass girl in a low-key fantasy setting. There are other similarities as well: strong mentor figures, politics, etc.
Member Reviews
Summary: Katherine's family is well-bred but poor, and entangled in some complicated legal proceedings. When Katherine's uncle, the Duke, requests that Katherine come live with him in the city, there's really no way her family can refuse. But her uncle, Alec Campion, isn't called the Mad Duke Tremontaine for nothing, and he's decided to have his niece trained in the art of swordplay. Katherine, who was prepared for society and balls and meeting eligible suitors, chafes under the Duke's requirements, but the longer she lives in the Duke's house, the more she realizes that the city has more to it than she was expecting… and her Uncle seems to be involved in most of the secret and clandestine parts.
Review: I really enjoyed this book, show more much as I suspected I would. I loved the world of Riverside and the characters of Swordspoint, but I found the audio production really distracting. In paper, though, with nothing to get in my way, I had a much easier time. This book (like Swordspoint) is this interesting blend of swordplay and chivalry and political intrigue and the criminal underworld and high society, kind of a blend of the worlds (if not the styles) of Dumas and Austen and Dickens, all smooshed together. It's fantasy, but apart from a few oblique references to magic being used in the old days, it's much more historical fantasy (although drawing from a mishmash of periods) than anything else.
Actually, let's talk about the oblique references to the old days a bit, particularly in reference to Kushner's worldbuilding. I'm in a little bit of a conundrum with this book, as I can't quite figure out how Kushner manages to do her worldbuilding. It's very subtle - about the far end of the spectrum from info-dumping - so subtle, in fact, that sometimes I wasn't quite clear on how various political and societal systems worked, or whether I'd missed some crucial detail. That should have really bothered me, but at the same time that some of the "structural" worldbuilding was a little sparse, the cultural/environmental worldbuilding was very vivid - you can feel the difference going from Riverside to the Hill, see the dark corners and gilded furniture and grimy alleys and fancy fencing salons. And as a result, even if I occasionally felt a little lost, I still found it really easy to sink into Kushner's world.
The characterizations are done equally subtly. Kushner expects you to be paying attention - a lot of the emotional importance of some scenes is meant to be inferred… since it's certainly not explained. As an example: Alec sends Katherine to stay at his house in the country, and train with the odd, reclusive man that lives there. I don't think that that character is ever named outright - or at least not until much, much later - but there were parts of that section of the book that were absolutely emotionally devastating, if you knew. (And that part I did catch, and it broke my heart.) Even some of the secondary/tertiary characters were developed well enough to be intensely sympathetic - Marcus coming to terms with his past particularly touched me.
Other things I loved about this book was its nonchalant handling of bi- or fluid sexuality (reminiscent of Sing the Four Quarters), and its touches of humor amid the swashbuckling and pathos (Alec can be a snarky, snarky man when he wants to). Overall, I had a lot of fun with it, even when it occasionally tore my heart out, and will definitely be on the lookout for the third book. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: The Privilege of the Sword would work okay as a standalone, but the impact of some of what I thought were its best moments relied on having read Swordspoint first. These books remind me most of Galen Beckett's The Magicians and Mrs. Quent, but I think they'd be enjoyable for anyone who likes a healthy mix of swashbuckling and (seemingly) polite society. show less
Review: I really enjoyed this book, show more much as I suspected I would. I loved the world of Riverside and the characters of Swordspoint, but I found the audio production really distracting. In paper, though, with nothing to get in my way, I had a much easier time. This book (like Swordspoint) is this interesting blend of swordplay and chivalry and political intrigue and the criminal underworld and high society, kind of a blend of the worlds (if not the styles) of Dumas and Austen and Dickens, all smooshed together. It's fantasy, but apart from a few oblique references to magic being used in the old days, it's much more historical fantasy (although drawing from a mishmash of periods) than anything else.
Actually, let's talk about the oblique references to the old days a bit, particularly in reference to Kushner's worldbuilding. I'm in a little bit of a conundrum with this book, as I can't quite figure out how Kushner manages to do her worldbuilding. It's very subtle - about the far end of the spectrum from info-dumping - so subtle, in fact, that sometimes I wasn't quite clear on how various political and societal systems worked, or whether I'd missed some crucial detail. That should have really bothered me, but at the same time that some of the "structural" worldbuilding was a little sparse, the cultural/environmental worldbuilding was very vivid - you can feel the difference going from Riverside to the Hill, see the dark corners and gilded furniture and grimy alleys and fancy fencing salons. And as a result, even if I occasionally felt a little lost, I still found it really easy to sink into Kushner's world.
The characterizations are done equally subtly. Kushner expects you to be paying attention - a lot of the emotional importance of some scenes is meant to be inferred… since it's certainly not explained. As an example: Alec sends Katherine to stay at his house in the country, and train with the odd, reclusive man that lives there. I don't think that that character is ever named outright - or at least not until much, much later - but there were parts of that section of the book that were absolutely emotionally devastating, if you knew. (And that part I did catch, and it broke my heart.) Even some of the secondary/tertiary characters were developed well enough to be intensely sympathetic - Marcus coming to terms with his past particularly touched me.
Other things I loved about this book was its nonchalant handling of bi- or fluid sexuality (reminiscent of Sing the Four Quarters), and its touches of humor amid the swashbuckling and pathos (Alec can be a snarky, snarky man when he wants to). Overall, I had a lot of fun with it, even when it occasionally tore my heart out, and will definitely be on the lookout for the third book. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: The Privilege of the Sword would work okay as a standalone, but the impact of some of what I thought were its best moments relied on having read Swordspoint first. These books remind me most of Galen Beckett's The Magicians and Mrs. Quent, but I think they'd be enjoyable for anyone who likes a healthy mix of swashbuckling and (seemingly) polite society. show less
A young woman's mad uncle turns her life upside down when he insists that she train as a swordsman.
When I first read THE PRIVILEGE OF THE SWORD, I thought it was wonderful. I wished it were fully twice as long. But as good as it was, I considered it the least of the Riverside books. I gave it 4 stars, compared to the 4.5s the other two received.
I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. This is a brilliant, brilliant book, and I love it with an unholy passion.
I love every single thing about it, but there are a few elements that really stand out. Let’s start with Katherine herself. She’s a fantastic heroine with a strong voice. Her first person POV alternates with everyone else’s third person throughout most of the book. She's show more likeable and easy to relate to, and her emotional journey is handled perfectly. She changes and grows as the story barrels along, and yet she remains very much herself.
The secondary characters, (if I dare call them that; their own stories run right alongside Katherine’s), are equally wonderful. I love Marcus. I love Artemisia. The Duke just breaks my heart. I miss them all terribly now that the book is over.
I also love the themes Kushner explores. There’s tons here about society and gender and personal growth. I’ve already mentioned that Katherine develops beautifully, but the rest of them follow suit. They begin with one idea of how they fit into society; as the story plays out, they’re forced to reevaluate their assumptions. Artemisia, in particular, comes to some difficult realizations about her role as a noblewoman.
And there's book love! Katherine and Artemisia are both obsessed with a book called THE SWORDSMAN WHOSE NAME IS NOT DEATH. There are some hardcore shades of NORTHANGER ABBEY here, my dears. Kushner captures the obsession just perfectly. The frequent rereadings, the tendency to contrast real life with the book, their responses to a theatrical production based on the text, the sheer drama of it all... If you’ve ever fallen head over heels in love with a book, you’ll be able to relate. I sure could.
And then there's the theatre! I love it when books reference the theatre. Love it, love it, love it. I mean, I’d have loved this book to bits even without the plays and the actors and all that jazz, but a little bit of theatre never hurts.
I suppose I ought to tell you what’s wrong with it, too. Maybe you’ll find the mix of first person and third a bit jarring. Maybe you’ll think that the Duke’s story undercuts Katherine’s. Perhaps you’ll find the ending a little abrupt. I’ve heard criticism on all counts, but I’m so enamored of the bloody thing that I just don’t care. The mix of first person and third works just fine for me, after the first chapter or so. I was glad to pick up the Duke’s story again. The ending was quick, but it jived with what had come before. The whole thing was enjoyable from start to finish.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. As Artemisia’s friend Lydia says of the fictional book within a book, “It is full of great and noble truths of the heart. And swordfights.” What could be better?
(I will say, though, that it’s probably best if you read at least SWORDSPOINT first so you get the most out of everything that goes down with the Duke. You might be able to get by without it, but I wouldn’t want to swear to that. I’d also recommend reading this ahead of THE FALL OF THE KINGS, even though the other book was published first and can be read as a standalone. The characters in TFotK are all aware of and reference what goes down in TPotS, and you’ll run into some spoilers if you read ‘em in publication order).
(A lengthier version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina). show less
When I first read THE PRIVILEGE OF THE SWORD, I thought it was wonderful. I wished it were fully twice as long. But as good as it was, I considered it the least of the Riverside books. I gave it 4 stars, compared to the 4.5s the other two received.
I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. This is a brilliant, brilliant book, and I love it with an unholy passion.
I love every single thing about it, but there are a few elements that really stand out. Let’s start with Katherine herself. She’s a fantastic heroine with a strong voice. Her first person POV alternates with everyone else’s third person throughout most of the book. She's show more likeable and easy to relate to, and her emotional journey is handled perfectly. She changes and grows as the story barrels along, and yet she remains very much herself.
The secondary characters, (if I dare call them that; their own stories run right alongside Katherine’s), are equally wonderful. I love Marcus. I love Artemisia. The Duke just breaks my heart. I miss them all terribly now that the book is over.
I also love the themes Kushner explores. There’s tons here about society and gender and personal growth. I’ve already mentioned that Katherine develops beautifully, but the rest of them follow suit. They begin with one idea of how they fit into society; as the story plays out, they’re forced to reevaluate their assumptions. Artemisia, in particular, comes to some difficult realizations about her role as a noblewoman.
And there's book love! Katherine and Artemisia are both obsessed with a book called THE SWORDSMAN WHOSE NAME IS NOT DEATH. There are some hardcore shades of NORTHANGER ABBEY here, my dears. Kushner captures the obsession just perfectly. The frequent rereadings, the tendency to contrast real life with the book, their responses to a theatrical production based on the text, the sheer drama of it all... If you’ve ever fallen head over heels in love with a book, you’ll be able to relate. I sure could.
And then there's the theatre! I love it when books reference the theatre. Love it, love it, love it. I mean, I’d have loved this book to bits even without the plays and the actors and all that jazz, but a little bit of theatre never hurts.
I suppose I ought to tell you what’s wrong with it, too. Maybe you’ll find the mix of first person and third a bit jarring. Maybe you’ll think that the Duke’s story undercuts Katherine’s. Perhaps you’ll find the ending a little abrupt. I’ve heard criticism on all counts, but I’m so enamored of the bloody thing that I just don’t care. The mix of first person and third works just fine for me, after the first chapter or so. I was glad to pick up the Duke’s story again. The ending was quick, but it jived with what had come before. The whole thing was enjoyable from start to finish.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. As Artemisia’s friend Lydia says of the fictional book within a book, “It is full of great and noble truths of the heart. And swordfights.” What could be better?
(I will say, though, that it’s probably best if you read at least SWORDSPOINT first so you get the most out of everything that goes down with the Duke. You might be able to get by without it, but I wouldn’t want to swear to that. I’d also recommend reading this ahead of THE FALL OF THE KINGS, even though the other book was published first and can be read as a standalone. The characters in TFotK are all aware of and reference what goes down in TPotS, and you’ll run into some spoilers if you read ‘em in publication order).
(A lengthier version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina). show less
Funny, emotionally resonant, exciting, fun, and chock full of distinctive character, this book manages to touch on some heavy subjects without spoiling its generally light tone.
Though I picked up "The Privilege of the Sword" because it was a sequel to "Swordspoint", this second book is an improvement in almost every way on its predecessor. Besides that, I think it covers background and setting well enough to be a great standalone novel that doesn't require a reader to have touched the first volume. The only lack I felt comparing the two books was for that while "Privilege" has a couple surprises, it doesn't have nearly so twisty a plot as "Swordspoint".
Unfamiliar words in this book:
Chary: Cautiously reluctant to do something.
Ructions: A show more disturbance or quarrel. show less
Though I picked up "The Privilege of the Sword" because it was a sequel to "Swordspoint", this second book is an improvement in almost every way on its predecessor. Besides that, I think it covers background and setting well enough to be a great standalone novel that doesn't require a reader to have touched the first volume. The only lack I felt comparing the two books was for that while "Privilege" has a couple surprises, it doesn't have nearly so twisty a plot as "Swordspoint".
Unfamiliar words in this book:
Chary: Cautiously reluctant to do something.
Ructions: A show more disturbance or quarrel. show less
The book is set a dozen or so years after Swordspoint, one of my very favorite fantasy stories. Alec Campion, the Mad Duke of Tremontaine, summons his young niece to the city. He promises to alleviate her family’s financial situation if she’ll obey his one command—she must dress only in men’s clothing and learn to fight. There are many fantasy books about young, naïve girls who learn to swordfight and defy convention, and most of them are terrible (even the Alanna series has some serious faults). This is not one of those books. Kate is initially far from pleased at her new situation, and the gradual growth of her appreciation for dueling is believable. The story starts frothily, with characters new and old whipping about, all show more having a grand old time double-crossing each other. But as it progresses, Privilege of the Sword becomes more about intimate power struggles and the right to personal freedom than just political infighting. Kate’s character also deepens, and while she retains a silly streak (she has a tendency to romanticize) she becomes a very likeable character. In the background of her story are Alec and Richard St. Vier, the main characters of Swordspoint; hearing hints of their story percolate up is both teasing and satisfying. The very end is a little too pat for my tastes, but overall I loved this book almost as much as its prequel. show less
I may have enjoyed this even more than Swordspoint! This is an 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.
Reread: Bumped up to five stars. Damn I love this book. Katherine is one of the most psychologically realistic teenager characters I've read, and this book does a better job of evoking adolescence than many young adult novels. This is a story about inhabiting fictional worlds and finding yourself in them, about bored teenagers loitering around town and spying on strangers, about piecing together an identity from the different faces adults expect you to show to the world. show more Oh, and there's Richard and Alec being insufferable as usual. show less
Reread: Bumped up to five stars. Damn I love this book. Katherine is one of the most psychologically realistic teenager characters I've read, and this book does a better job of evoking adolescence than many young adult novels. This is a story about inhabiting fictional worlds and finding yourself in them, about bored teenagers loitering around town and spying on strangers, about piecing together an identity from the different faces adults expect you to show to the world. show more Oh, and there's Richard and Alec being insufferable as usual. show less
Katherine’s family is struggling to make ends meet, so when her uncle the Mad Duke writes her mother with a proposal, it’s something they can’t turn down – if Katherine goes to stay with the Mad Duke in town to learn to become a swordsman, he will drop all of the lawsuits he has against them and pay all of their debts.
Soon Katherine is thrown into lessons to learn to become a swordsman, and finds that town is NOT how she always expected it. Not only is she not getting a season, and is not allowed to own any dresses, but people she would like to be friends with will not associate with her due to the Mad Duke. Amidst her lessons, she soon becomes good friends with her uncle’s steward and the two start to get into adventures of show more their own, which includes surreptitiously tracking a nobleman through the streets, hiding in a brothel, and greatly offending one of the Mad Duke’s greatest enemies. Of course, the Mad Duke’s enemy does not take well to this offense and is determined to get back at them.
Okay, wow, I so need to read more of Kushner’s books. This was such awesome fun; a complete rollicking Regency adventure! Eep. Loved every second of it; in fact was intrigued right from the first paragraph:
No one sends for a niece they’ve never seen before just to annoy her family and ruin her life. That, at least, is what I thought. This was before I had ever been to the city. I had never been in a duel, or held a sword myself. I had never kissed anyone, or had anyone try to kill me, or worn a velvet cloak. I had certainly never met my uncle the Mad Duke. Once I met him, much was explained.
For some reason, it reminded me very strongly of Kristen Britain’s Green Rider, which happens to be one of my favourite fantasy novels. It’s not the setting, and it’s not the plot, but there is something of the same spirit through them both. If you enjoyed one, I have no doubt you would enjoy the other as well.
The characters were, for the most part, fabulous. Artemisia Fitz-Levi got on my nerves quite a bit, but Katherine and Marcus were a lot of fun, and there were just SO MANY colourful minor characters, from Master Venturus (who first taught Katherine sword fighting), to the Mad Duke, to his numerous friends. Oh, so much fun!
The Bottom Line: Loved loved loved this book! I should’ve read it much sooner, and now I need to read Kushner’s other books. Will definitely be keeping this on my shelf, and will be returning to it whenever I need a story where the heroine is kicking butt in a stereotypical male’s role. Yay fun! show less
Soon Katherine is thrown into lessons to learn to become a swordsman, and finds that town is NOT how she always expected it. Not only is she not getting a season, and is not allowed to own any dresses, but people she would like to be friends with will not associate with her due to the Mad Duke. Amidst her lessons, she soon becomes good friends with her uncle’s steward and the two start to get into adventures of show more their own, which includes surreptitiously tracking a nobleman through the streets, hiding in a brothel, and greatly offending one of the Mad Duke’s greatest enemies. Of course, the Mad Duke’s enemy does not take well to this offense and is determined to get back at them.
Okay, wow, I so need to read more of Kushner’s books. This was such awesome fun; a complete rollicking Regency adventure! Eep. Loved every second of it; in fact was intrigued right from the first paragraph:
No one sends for a niece they’ve never seen before just to annoy her family and ruin her life. That, at least, is what I thought. This was before I had ever been to the city. I had never been in a duel, or held a sword myself. I had never kissed anyone, or had anyone try to kill me, or worn a velvet cloak. I had certainly never met my uncle the Mad Duke. Once I met him, much was explained.
For some reason, it reminded me very strongly of Kristen Britain’s Green Rider, which happens to be one of my favourite fantasy novels. It’s not the setting, and it’s not the plot, but there is something of the same spirit through them both. If you enjoyed one, I have no doubt you would enjoy the other as well.
The characters were, for the most part, fabulous. Artemisia Fitz-Levi got on my nerves quite a bit, but Katherine and Marcus were a lot of fun, and there were just SO MANY colourful minor characters, from Master Venturus (who first taught Katherine sword fighting), to the Mad Duke, to his numerous friends. Oh, so much fun!
The Bottom Line: Loved loved loved this book! I should’ve read it much sooner, and now I need to read Kushner’s other books. Will definitely be keeping this on my shelf, and will be returning to it whenever I need a story where the heroine is kicking butt in a stereotypical male’s role. Yay fun! show less
This book made me incredibly happy, in the way that only a large cup of hot chocolate, with a bubblebath, a book, good music, and candlelight can. Plus, a girl swordfighter, lesbian & bisexual tension, and devoted, tragic, and yet happily-ended gay lovers. As with Kushner's other works, beautiful snappy writing, interesting characters, and a fine attention to detail.
I bought the fancy hardcover edition, a rare sign of praise.
I bought the fancy hardcover edition, a rare sign of praise.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Het privilege van het zwaard
- Original title
- The Privilege of the Sword
- Original publication date
- 2006-07-25
- People/Characters
- Katherine Talbert; Alec Campion; Richard St. Vier; Marcus; Artemisia Fitz-Levi; Lucius Perry (show all 7); Lord Ferris
- Important places
- Riverside
- Epigraph
- Small pow'r the word has,
And can afford us
Not half so much privilege as
The Sword does.
—Anon., "The Dominion of The Sword" (1658)
If the old fantastical Duke of dark corners
had been at home, he had lived...
The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered.
—Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, IV.iii; III.ii
All the same, he had no manners then, and he has no manners now, and he never will have any manners.
—Rudyard Kipling, "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin"
What a gruesome way to treat one's niece.
—James Thurber, The Thirteen Clocks - Dedication
- This book is for Delia and always was
- First words
- No one sends for a niece they've never seen before just to annoy her family and ruin her life.
- Quotations*
- Het woord heeft weinig macht
En is half zoveel waard
Als het privilege van het zwaard.
Anoniem, - De Heerschappij van het Zaard (1658)
Als die oude dwaas van een hertog thuis was gebleven in plaats van
zich met duistere zaken in te laten, dan leefde hij nog...
De hertog daarentegen zou verdachte zaken niet
aan het licht brengen.
- Shakespear... (show all)e, Leer om Leer, 4.3, 3.2
Al met al, hij had toen geen manieren, hij heeft nu geen manieren, en
hij zal nooit manieren hebben.
- Rudyard Kipling, Hoe de Rinoceros zijn Huid kreeg
Wat een gruwelijk manier om je nicht te behandelen.
- James Thurber, De Dertien Klokken - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)She carefully unfolded the heavy sheets, thick with writing in a clear black hand, and began:
"The Swordswoman's Triumph. By a Lady of Quality." - Publisher's editor
- Groell, Anne
- Blurbers
- Maguire, Gregory; Pierce, Tamora; Black, Holly; Link, Kelly
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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