SWORD OF WINTER

Rating:
Summary: from dj liner
Review: From inside dj:

In the cold and dangerous land of Cherek, emerging from an era of magic and confronted by technological advances, Lord Gambin of Jentesi lies dying and chaos reigns. During his four decades in power,Gambin has wielded a tight and tyrannical hold over his province, and as his four heirs jockey to inherit his vast power, the people of Cherek teeter on the brink of change and watch the passing of the sword in Jentesi. For if Gambin's power pases intact to his heirs, Cherek could lose the promise of its bright future and tumble irrevocably into a dark and vicious past.

Gambin's heirs will stop at nothing to force the dying lord to choose his replacement, and a web of treachery closes around Lyeth, sworn Rider to Jentesi's lord, who hates the cruel man she serves and against her will, finds herself forced to defend not only her life, but the future of Jentesi itself. Lyeth treads a maze of intrigue and action amid the loves, hates and manipulations of:

Culdyn Gambini, the lord's son, a fop given to petty cruelties.

Syne Gambini, cold and mysterious, who bears with her always and edge of malicious danger

Lord Coreon, jealous of the Gambinis' position and power,and hungry for his share of Jentesi's wealth

Maranta, soemtimes see and mistress of lapiday magic bound in astrology

Lady Elea, Lord of Alanti Province, come to watch the passing of the sword and chart the course of Cherek's future

Laret the impetuous young Trapper whose hot head and passionate convictions could spell ruin for all Lyeth's work

and Emris- the mysterious child Lyeth finds herself compeller to adopt and compelled to love,

Now they must pursue the threads to their date through the labyrinth of Jentesi Castle, in a time of ice and peril, as Lyeth fights desperately for the key to the riddle of Jentesi Privince , for her life, and for the future of her world.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite book for 15 years
Review: I first read this book when I checked it out at the library at age 13. I got a copy of it in paperback for christmas one year and have kept it and re-read it at least once every two years since then. It is worn and ragged and probably should replace it with a nicer copy soon. It is absolutely my most favorite piece of fiction and holds all the thrills that 'warrior women' like Lara Croft and others do for me - it is on par with Lord of the Rings for 'fantasy'.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging story
Review: Sword of Winter is one of those books that you keep thinking about long after reading it. I first read this novel a number of years ago and loved it. Had I been able to find other books by this author, I would have read them as well. Recently, I couldn't stop thinking about the book,so dug it out and read it again. It is still every bit as delightful as the first time I read it. This time I hope to be able to obtain some of her other stories.
The story of a hardened woman warrior in an environment of political intrigue, who nonetheless finds a soft spot in her heart for an orphan, Sword easily held my interest.