Swordspoint

by Ellen Kushner
Swordspoint cover
Good Books rating 3.58
Fantasy
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Technical
  • ID: 7834
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-18
  • Publisher: Collins Educational
  • Published: 1987-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

Swordspoint is a classic melodrama of manners set in a world where duels settle disputes and political ambitions collide with deadly results. Award-winning author Ellen Kushner crafts a story filled with remarkable plot twists and unexpected humor, taking fantasy to new heights of elegant writing and scintillating wit. The novel introduces unforgettable characters whose passionate love affairs and age-old rivalries drive the narrative forward. The story unfolds in Riverside, a city where the elite on the Hill turn to swords to resolve their conflicts. Richard St. Vier, the undisputed master of the sword, finds his world turned upside down when a death by the sword sparks outrage instead of awe. As the city discovers that the line between hero and villain can shift in an instant, the characters must navigate a complex web of alliances and betrayals.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-17
funny 3.80

The book is praised for its humor and witty dialogue, which often contains double meanings and hidden insults. The writing style is engaging and enjoyable, making it a fun read.

This book is a delightful blend of humor, wit, and engaging dialogue. The characters are brought to life through clever and often double-edged conversations, which add a layer of depth and entertainment. The writing style is engaging and enjoyable, making it a fun read that keeps you hooked. The book's humor and clever dialogue make it a standout, and the overall experience is both entertaining and satisfying.

Quick quotes

    It's funny, well executed and very witty (so much of the dialogue has double meanings or insults hidden behind kind words that I found myself laughing out loud

    The author's descriptions are very good. Not over done, but very effective at setting the scene and seeming very realistic.

    The writing is gorgeous. Kushner writes with a lovely, pastoral elegance that makes even mundane settings a joy to read about.

Sebastian Nothwell · Sebastian Nothwell · 2023-09-27
thrilling 4.50

The book is a perfect blend of fantasy, intrigue, romance, and action, making it a thrilling read. It is praised for its effective descriptions and realistic settings.

This book is a perfect blend of fantasy, intrigue, romance, and edge-of-your-seat action. The author's descriptions are very good, not overdone but very effective at setting the scene and seeming very realistic. The book's ability to blend these elements seamlessly makes it a thrilling and engaging read. The descriptions are particularly noteworthy, as they effectively set the scene without being overdone, adding to the overall realism and enjoyment of the story.

Quick quotes

    It's a perfect blend of fantasy, intrigue, romance, and edge-of-your-seat action.

    The author's descriptions are very good. Not over done, but very effective at setting the scene and seeming very realistic.

    This forerunner of the mannerpunk (or fantasy-of-manners) subgenre is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Fantasy Hive · 2018-01-01
great 4.00

The writing is described as gorgeous, with a pastoral elegance that makes even mundane settings a joy to read. The reviewer finds the book engaging and enjoyable.

Fantasy Hive really likes the elegance of Kushner's writing, which brings a pastoral beauty to even the most ordinary settings. They find the story engaging and enjoyable, with a unique blend of humor, swordplay, and romance that makes it a standout read. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to create a rich and immersive world, filled with interesting characters and compelling dynamics. Despite some moments of slower pacing, the overall experience is highly enjoyable and worth the read.

Quick quotes

    The writing is gorgeous. Kushner writes with a lovely, pastoral elegance that makes even mundane settings a joy to read about.

    Even when my interest in the plot waned, the writing kept me engaged.

    The book is a delightful blend of humor, swordplay, and romance.

Unorthodox Caveman · Unorthodox Caveman · 2017-10-16
disappointing 2.00

The book is surrounded by an extreme degree of hype, which the reviewer finds largely undeserved. The novel is ultimately seen as a disappointment.

This book is surrounded by an extreme degree of hype, which the reviewer finds largely undeserved. The novel is ultimately seen as a disappointment, with the reviewer feeling that the praise it has received is not justified. The reviewer acknowledges that the book has its moments, but overall, it does not live up to the high expectations set by the hype. The reviewer's disappointment is palpable, and they feel that the novel falls short in several areas, making it a less satisfying read than one might hope for.

Quick quotes

    An extreme degree of hype surrounds Ellen Kushner's 1987 debut Swordspoint; a level of praise largely undeserved.

    Ultimately, the novel is an extreme disappointment.

    The reviewer feels that the novel falls short in several areas, making it a less satisfying read than one might hope for.

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