Book Review: Beguilement

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Beguilement     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lois McMaster Bujold
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Romance
Series: The Sharing Knife # 1
Eos, Oct 2006, $25.95

After learning she is pregnant, Fawn Bluefield runs away from home, but is noticed by the Lakewalker Dag; Lakewalkers can use ground senses to manipulate energy that enables them to use “magic” to kill evil creatures known as malices with specially prepared knives. Dag rescues Fawn when two mud-men created by the malice attack her,. He goes hunting itknowing that only one malice left to grow can destroy the world.

However, the mud-men kidnap her and take her to the malice’s lair where Dag finds her. He tosses her two knives that she uses to kill the malice. One knife becomes primed after she lost her baby in the fight with the malice. Dag takes Fawn to a hotel that welcomes Lakewalkers so that she can recuperate from her ordeal. They begin to know one another and they fall in love although Dag knows Lakewalkers only mate with their own kind.

Readers get to see up close and understand the Lakewalker culture with pressure to conform to their value while also receiving an exciting romantic fantasy adventure. The heroine is courageous as she leaves behind her family to give her baby a fresh start; Dag seems wiser yet totally charmed by the outsider’s feisty independence. Lois McMaster Bujold creates strong realistic characters while building a unique world. This tale showcases the remarkable skills of this grandmistress.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner