A review by nigellicus
The Paladin by C.J. Cherryh

adventurous emotional

5.0

Kind of an interesting one, this. A ragged peasant turns up at the refuge of an exiled master swordsman asking to be taught the skill that will allow her to take revenge. Most of the book is taken up with the point of view of the master, and how he reacts to the young woman he takes under his wing, for reasons that are not entirely altruistic or selfless. This very much demystifies the 'wise old master' trope, portraying him as honourable, concerned for her welfare, but also lonely and horny and frustrated - as much by her dogged stubborness to pursue vengenace as her refusal to share his bed - and very much the product of a patriarchal misogynistic society, but this portrayal is not without sympathy, since Cherryh is incapable of writing a character that isn't three dimensional. Ultimately their relationship leads them to depart the refuge together, inadvertantly sparking an uprising against the cruel regent responsible for the death of her family.