yhtgrace's review
3.0
With illustration from tor.com here: http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/12/the-man-with-the-knives
macthekat's review
4.0
That was very sad, sweet and joyful. I'm not sure how it fits with the Riverside stories but I liked it
raanve's review
5.0
Such a simple story, and it ends well, but it broke my heart in the best of ways.
perpetualgloom's review
3.0
As wonderful a read as ever, but far, far too short... and as unfair as it is, I have yet to conquer the sensation that this is not 'my' Alec - or come to that 'my' Sophia, from whose character there seems to be some piece missing that would explain the transition from the woman Alec meets on his island to the Sophia of Fall of the Kings.
Partly, I must admit, the problem is that what I wanted was more Alec & Richard, and while I respect Ellen Kushner's right to write for herself or even (gasp!) other readers... OK, fine, I'm sulking.
Partly, I must admit, the problem is that what I wanted was more Alec & Richard, and while I respect Ellen Kushner's right to write for herself or even (gasp!) other readers... OK, fine, I'm sulking.
stranglingstars's review
4.0
WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF.
I fell in love with Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint about 10 years ago, then eventually got around to reading the other books set in Riverside. Didn't know that this existed until now and I read it immediatedly (while murmuring I'm gonna regret this to myself over and over) because I had to know what happened to Richard and Alec. Even after 10 years, I HAD TO KNOW. All I had was hints from the other books in the series and short stories.
I knew it wasn't going to be happy (I mean, The Death of the Duke mentions Alec being half-mad with grief when meeting Sofia) but damn, this hurt. That last sentence absolutely slayed me. Kushner's prose is absolutely stunning.
I fell in love with Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint about 10 years ago, then eventually got around to reading the other books set in Riverside. Didn't know that this existed until now and I read it immediatedly (while murmuring I'm gonna regret this to myself over and over) because I had to know what happened to Richard and Alec. Even after 10 years, I HAD TO KNOW. All I had was hints from the other books in the series and short stories.
I knew it wasn't going to be happy (I mean, The Death of the Duke mentions Alec being half-mad with grief when meeting Sofia) but damn, this hurt. That last sentence absolutely slayed me. Kushner's prose is absolutely stunning.
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