The Privilege Of The Sword

Though The Privilege of the Sword is actually the second in a series, the witty and intelligent novel does well a highly praised stand-alone, winner of the Locus award and nominated for both World Fantasy awards and Gaylatic awards. The novel starts out with naÃ¯ve, teenage heroine Katherine, who moves from the countryside to live with her uncle in the city, where she meets a host of women whose lives are controlled by men. Luckily for her, she escapes out of the cycle of marriage and enters training to become a swordsman, dressing like a man, and more often than not, being perceived as one, a scenario that all women have (let's face it) imagined at some point.Though the novel does receive some demerits for an abrupt ending, this is still a fun read, especially if you'd like a break from magic interfering with everything, as this one has none.Read if You Like: coming of age stories, gender-bending, swordplay

Booklists having this book

Top 25 Best Fantasy Books by Female Authors

In the fantasy genre, female authors are notoriously underrepresented, and although a few of their names have become well-known, these are in the minority, especially when compared to their male... Read more

Other books by Kushner, Ellen

1991: Thomas The Rhymer

Thomas is a young and flashy balladeer who follows the various courts of the mighty while preserving a friendship with a farming couple and flirting with their pretty neighbor. Thomas... Read more

Swordspoint

Perhaps the quintessential definition of the 'fantasy of manners' subgenre (sometimes referred to as 'mannerpunk'). It's a book that brilliantly combines elements of court intrigue, unbridled human emotion, and sword... Read more

Thomas The Rhymer (1991)

Thomas the Rhymer by Ellen Kushner won the 1991 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel Read more

The Privilege Of The Sword

Though The Privilege of the Sword is actually the second in a series, the witty and intelligent novel does well a highly praised stand-alone, winner of the Locus award and... Read more

Swordspoint: A Melodrama Of Manners

Considering the theatrical title of the book, this is a light and easy to read fantasy that manages to be equal parts refreshing and enchanting.Why it made this listWe love... Read more

News

The Shannara Chronicles

Fans of the novels will be disappointed with this adaptation, but they aren't the target audience. It was MTV that won the battle of rights for Terry Brook's series, and...

A Tale Of The King's Blades

Mistborn

God Of War

Outlander

Glow (The Plated Prisoner Series Book 4)

The Booktok hit: The Plated Prisoner Series continues in book 4. This dark adult fantasy romance is inspired by the myth of King Midas and the gold-touched woman who realizes...