This was a book which several people had recommended to me, plus I'd heard a good buzz about it. It was written in the 1980's so it's been around a while.

The story follows Richard De Vier who makes his living as a swordsman for hire to noblemen or women who need satisfaction for a slight or problem. He lives in the very dangerous Riverside with his obviously higher born lover, Alec. During the story Richard is offered two jobs and he accepts one and rejects the other, leading to unforeseen consequences.

I have to admit that this book didn't work too well for me. I didn't like any of the characters and even the honourable Richard and very flawed (and possibly part insane) Alec left me a little cold. I also really didn't like the plot which involved political machinations mainly led by the character of the duchess whose icy smiles and deviousness made me want to smack her hard around the face. The other characters, who were all mainly male, were mostly dupes in her political and social games and that drove me nuts, although I get the impression it was supposed to be amusing. She didn't even get her comeuppance by the end. That's not to say that other people won't like it, especially if you like comedy of manners and characters who twist the actions of others to meet their own ends. Having said that the world-building was very good with the characters and setting of Riverside being particularly effective. The writing too flowed well. I just didn't like the plot or the main characters.