Reviews - Sword Dance | The StoryGraph

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204 reviews for:

Sword Dance

A.J. Demas

4.04 AVERAGE

richieeeee's review against another edition

5.0

will be thinking about this book for the foreseeable future

mollyringle's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

A country-house mystery involving obnoxious nationalist students, set in an ancient-Greece-like world, with a love story between a weary ex-soldier and a brilliant and beautiful eunuch: uh, what's not to like? This is my second A.J. Demas book, and I have loved them both. They've managed to feel utterly cozy and pleasant (and steamy!) even in the midst of subjects like war and political sabotage. Ordered this book's sequel right after finishing this. Looking forward to it!

cathepsut's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Interesting world. Names sound Greek, the architecture sounds a little more Roman. And the far away land of Zash reminds me a bit of Persia, maybe the hanging gardens of Babylon made an indirect appearance?

Damiskos, the main character, is a likeable fellow. Former soldier, not a terribly exciting job, gets sent to the countryside to make a deal about buying fish sauce for the troops. Fishy things start to happen, not just sauce-related.

“Terza’s head, what a lot of ghastly people Nione seemed to have gathered around herself. Did he really have to stay out the week?“

Apparently he did. If Agatha Christie had ever written Fantasy, this is probably what it would have looked like. The requisite body might or might not have turned up. Damiskos gets support from unexpected quarters and has to pretend to be romantically inclined to towards the sword-dancing eunuch. Things do not go as planned. Do they ever?

Thrown in were some rather odd philosophers, some violence, a little not too graphic sex and various shenanigans. I liked the underhanded humour. Oh yes, and there were some serious topics woven into the narrative, about gender identity, equal rights, racism, power over and perception of others—nicely done.

This is not quick, the pace is rather sedate. Damiskos and the story take their time. It is well plotted though.

The world has potential for some more sweeping stories and there are two more books in this series. Recommended, if you are looking for a relaxed mystery with some action, light humour and a little m/m romance.

„… a dizzying week of intrigue, assassinations, and a fake love affair that—maybe—turned real.“

Content Warnings

barefootsong's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

nelsonseye's review against another edition

4.0

Sword Dance was well written with engaging characters, good moments of suspense and intrigue, and it whet my appetite for the next book in the series. I liked the main characters, the world building, and politicking. I also found the ending rather appropriate, if sad. Another book to look forward to in 2020.

eemms's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book!! I had a hard time starting my review because my feelings were just "aghowiefjwoeijfwoeifj!!!" It's high stakes but deeply personal. Varazda and Demisokos dancing around each other, both finding the other confusing and attracting, and then being thrown together by dangerous circumstances to have to pretend to be lovers? *chef's kiss* perfection.

Full review (including content notes) --> https://dukedukegoose.wordpress.com/2019/07/30/sword-dance-a-j-demas/