Scan barcode
trin's review against another edition
3.0
The continuing adventures of Lakewalker patroller Dag and his new farmer-girl bride Fawn. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed this less than [book: Beguilement], the first part of the duology. This one starts out, as that book ended, with a lot of domestic/culture clash stuff, but the Lakewalkers giving Fawn the cold shoulder was much less interesting that the farmers getting all up in Dag's face. The book really picked up when a new malice pops up, and that entire sequence—Dag riding off through Fawn's eventual entrance into the fray, as it were—was fabulous and exciting. However, the way the story finally wrapped up was frustrating to me: the jerks in the camp mostly get away with being jerks, whatever's going on with Dag's "ghost hand" is never fully explained, and, most disappointing of all for me, the relationship between Fawn and Dag doesn't really progress or change at all beyond the point it was at when Beguilement ended. All the conflict is external; apparently there is no more internal conflict once you're happily married.
This book was still totally worth reading, but I felt, especially since Bujold is such a good writer who creates such interesting characters in such fascinating worlds, that the plot of this book could have gone somewhere more interesting. Maybe if Fawn and Dag had set out on their journey a little earlier. Or maybe that's a book she still intends to write? I'd definitely read it.
This book was still totally worth reading, but I felt, especially since Bujold is such a good writer who creates such interesting characters in such fascinating worlds, that the plot of this book could have gone somewhere more interesting. Maybe if Fawn and Dag had set out on their journey a little earlier. Or maybe that's a book she still intends to write? I'd definitely read it.
jadom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
laurentined's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This series continues to be an easy read, without being remarkable. If the age gap doesn't bother you, it's otherwise a nice romance with two protagonists who don't fall to miscommunication and always tackle their troubles with trust in each other, which is nice. Makes for a pretty plodding plot, but there's an interesting enough magic system in the background to keep it all together. I wish I cared more about the side characters, but like other things they're mostly just decent without being remarkable.
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
The second half of the story that got stared in Beguilement, but with a new monster to slay/mystery to solve, and new family to wrangle. I do like the Bujold books with a smarter-than-everyone protagonist like Miles V or Penric/Desdemona; while Dag and Fawn are super special kids and all, it's nice to see them muddle along a bit.
astraia_sun's review against another edition
1.0
I rather liked the first book, even if it wasn't the best fantasy (the writing was gorgeous, however). I didn't even make it through the second chapter before I realized I had absolutely no desire to read about these irritating people who suddenly appeared in Dag's and Fawn's body. When the first scene in a book is a sex scene, you'd better make that sex scene VERY INTERESTING and sexy if you want to keep my attention. I don't even like reading about sex scenes, so that's part of my problem. The other part of the problem was it was incredibly awkward, and not just because Dag didn't have use of his arms, but because the two were just kind of doing it and Fawn was chattering away like some air-headed bint and it was incredibly dull.
Based on other reviews, I made a good decision in not finishing this book. I'm so tired of reading dull books, especially Fantasy when things should at least be interesting by default. I'm very glad this was a library book and that I didn't pay for a book I didn't finish.
However, the writing itself is so good I will be reading other books by Bujold.
Based on other reviews, I made a good decision in not finishing this book. I'm so tired of reading dull books, especially Fantasy when things should at least be interesting by default. I'm very glad this was a library book and that I didn't pay for a book I didn't finish.
However, the writing itself is so good I will be reading other books by Bujold.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
This time I knew it was romantic fantasy, but honestly, how can so little happen?
They came to the camp, peeps hated his farmer wife, tension -> tension -> and more tension. He went to fight. -> silence. More tension and then the end.
Sure I still enjoyed it, but I think it is the world that saves it for me. It is a splendid world. I am so angry at the farmers for their stupidity. I think the lakewalkers should let those idiots get eaten. They save the farmers and do not even get a thank you. I am happy to get more explanations of times long gone. So yes the world is good.
Ok, let's get back to the reason why it was icky in book 1. Spoiler warning but that you gotta take if you are reading a review of book 2. Dag is in his 50s, Fawn is 18 and is short as a kid. He mistook her for one the first time they met. Sure lakers live longer and therefore he looks to be in his 40s. Coughs, not much better now is it....
But I will read more, because I want to know how this story unfolds. A lot may not happen, but she still got me reading.
They came to the camp, peeps hated his farmer wife, tension -> tension -> and more tension. He went to fight. -> silence. More tension and then the end.
Sure I still enjoyed it, but I think it is the world that saves it for me. It is a splendid world. I am so angry at the farmers for their stupidity. I think the lakewalkers should let those idiots get eaten. They save the farmers and do not even get a thank you. I am happy to get more explanations of times long gone. So yes the world is good.
Ok, let's get back to the reason why it was icky in book 1. Spoiler warning but that you gotta take if you are reading a review of book 2. Dag is in his 50s, Fawn is 18 and is short as a kid. He mistook her for one the first time they met. Sure lakers live longer and therefore he looks to be in his 40s. Coughs, not much better now is it....
But I will read more, because I want to know how this story unfolds. A lot may not happen, but she still got me reading.
beary_bookwormish's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning
Stunning, is probably a light word. I started this book around 9 a.m. this morning and have finished it just before midnight. It was not my intent to read it in a day. Knowing myself of old, the teenager in me could not put it down. I can however go to sleep knowing I can put it's sequel on the hold list and finish two other books that I've started when I had begun this one. I'm definitely enjoying this author.
Stunning, is probably a light word. I started this book around 9 a.m. this morning and have finished it just before midnight. It was not my intent to read it in a day. Knowing myself of old, the teenager in me could not put it down. I can however go to sleep knowing I can put it's sequel on the hold list and finish two other books that I've started when I had begun this one. I'm definitely enjoying this author.
elzabetg's review against another edition
4.0
Lois McMaster Bujold never fails to entertain. She tells a good solid story with characters one can empathize with. I loved the Chalion books and this duology is really a nice little read.
The Sharing Knife:Legacy is part two of the novel that began with The Sharing Knife:Beguilement. In Beguilement we get the meeting of Dag and Fawn, their adventures killing the malice, falling in love and marrying much to her family's distress--what with him being a Lakewalker and her being a Farmer. In Legacy, they discover what their marrying gets them when Dag takes her home to his mama. She is not best pleased.
Some folks have said they disliked the ending. I liked it. It's pleasant, looks to the future and can either stop where it is just fine or be a jumping off point for more books in this world.
Either way is fine with me.
The Sharing Knife:Legacy is part two of the novel that began with The Sharing Knife:Beguilement. In Beguilement we get the meeting of Dag and Fawn, their adventures killing the malice, falling in love and marrying much to her family's distress--what with him being a Lakewalker and her being a Farmer. In Legacy, they discover what their marrying gets them when Dag takes her home to his mama. She is not best pleased.
Some folks have said they disliked the ending. I liked it. It's pleasant, looks to the future and can either stop where it is just fine or be a jumping off point for more books in this world.
Either way is fine with me.
neglet's review against another edition
The romance in the first volume of this fantasy series continues to have far-reaching effects in this sequel. Dag and Fawn return to his people, worried that they won't accept their marriage as valid. This is a valid concern, but again they end up working together to solve a conundrum posed by a marauding malice. This volume works better as a whole than the first, being more focused on conflicts than the romance, and it's interesting seeing the characters grow in their understanding of each other and the magic of their world.