Halloween Bingo 2023
You'd never know it from the first few pages of this book, but it quickly becomes a swashbuckling good time. Lady Katherine is plucked from the family's country estate, where she has been destined for a marriage to secure funds to maintain their farming endeavors. Her uncle, the Mad Duke, will restore their family finances if Katherine will come to the city and learn to be a Swordsman.
Kat is more than reluctant. She is horrified. What does he mean, she must dress like a man? Why can't she wear dresses when not actively sword fighting? She is slowly won over as she gains skill. It turns out that she has a competitive nature. But she is so naïve about sexuality and relationships—her beliefs are derived from romantic literature.
The Mad Duke has things to do, places to go, people to screw. He alternately ignores and manipulates Katherine, mostly the former. She essentially finds her own way within the parameters that her uncle has laid down. From time to time, the anticipation of what was coming required me to set down the book and go do something to deal with my own anxiety.
I have enjoyed Kushner's world of Riverside with its rather Victorian society and her rebellious characters who push at its boundaries.
This book was perfect for the Sword and Sorcery square on my bingo card, with all the sword play in the fantasy world of Riverside. It was also Book number 508 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
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