The Privilege of the Sword (Riverside #3)
Description
From the award-winning author of Swordspoint comes a witty, wicked coming-of-age story that is both edgy and timeless. . . .
Welcome to Riverside, where the aristocratic and the ambitious battle for power and prestige in the city’s labyrinth of streets and ballrooms, theatres and brothels, boudoirs and salons. Into this alluring and alarming world walks a bright young woman ready to take it on and make her fortune. A well-bred country girl, Katherine knows all the rules of conventional society. Her biggest mistake is thinking they apply.
Katherine’s host and uncle, Alec Campion, the capricious and decadent Mad Duke Tremontaine, is in charge here—and to him, rules are made to be broken. When he decides it would be far more amusing for his niece to learn swordplay than to follow the usual path to ballroom and husband, her world changes forever. And there’s no going back. Blade in hand, it’s up to Katherine to find her own way through a maze of secrets and betrayals, nobles and scoundrels—and to gain the power, respect, and self-discovery that come to those who master. . . .
“Unholy fun, and wholly fun . . . an elegant riposte, dazzlingly executed.”—Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked
Praise for The Privilege of the Sword (Riverside #3)
"It's beautifully written, breezy, quick, hysterically funny, poignant and bloody and world-weary and heartrendingly naive by turns. This is a fantastic book, a coming-of-age story, and I love it with a quite deep and unreasonable love".—Elizabeth Bear, author of Worldwired
"Winning high fantasy ... a welcome return to the romantic Riverside world Kushner introduced in Swordspoint."—Publishers Weekly
"One of the most gorgeous books I've ever read: it's witty and wonderful, with characters that will provoke, charm and delight."—Holly Black, author of Tithe and Valiant
"A magical mixture of Dumas and Georgette Heyer. The dialogue dazzles and so does the swordplay."—Kelly Link, author of Magic For Beginners
"A swashbuckler for women—splendid!"—Tamora Pierce
“Unholy fun, and wholly fun...an elegant riposte, dazzlingly executed.” – Gregory Maguire, NYT bestselling author of Wicked