Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

A Melodrama of Manners

Set in a decadent city where the sharp edge of a blade can determine a person's fate, the narrative follows a skilled swordsman known for his prowess in duels that settle the disputes of the nobility. Living on the brink of society with his lover, a scholar with a mysterious past, the swordsman becomes entangled in a web of political intrigue, power plays, and romantic entanglements. As the elite's manipulative games escalate, the swordsman must navigate a dangerous path that tests his skills and his heart, all while trying to maintain his honor in a world where human life is often worth less than the secrets it can reveal or the alliances it can forge.

The 2211th greatest book of all time


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