The Sharing Knife, Volume 1

Beguilement

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Young, pregnant Fawn Bluefield has just fled her family's farm to the city of Glassforge, where she encounters a patrol of the enigmatic soldier-sorcerers known as Lakewalkers. Fawn has heard stories about the Lakewalkers, who are wandering necromancers with no permanent homes and no possessions except the clothes they wear and the mysterious knives they carry. What she does not know is that the Lakewalkers are engaged in a perilous campaign against inhuman and immortal magical entities known as "malices".

When Fawn is kidnapped by one of these creatures, it is up to Dag, an older Lakewalker, heavy with sorrows and responsibilities, to rescue her. But in the ensuing struggle, it is not Dag but Fawn who kills the creature, at dire cost. And an uncanny accident befalls Dag's sharing knife, which unexpectedly binds their two fates together.

Don't miss the second volume, Legacy.©2007 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bujold develops the characters and their relationship skillfully enough to please romance as well as fantasy fans." ( Booklist)
"[A] saga of daring deeds and unlikely romance. Bujold quickly develops unforgettable characters as she crafts a world filled with unique monsters and an original approach to magic." ( Library Journal)
"Compelling characters lift this first of a two-book romantic fantasy from Hugo-winner Bujold....Bujold hints at an epic past of mighty kingdoms and ancient sorceries, a past that will hopefully be fully detailed in the sequel." ( Publishers Weekly)

True love and a wry look at life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Lois McMaster Bujold has characters you can respect and grow to love.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sharing Knife, Volume 1?

The loving couple was on the fifth day of their 2-day trip. That thought is quietly inserted into the descriptions.

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The reader catches the voices of the aunt's patient comforting and of the youngest brother's careless teasing.

my favorite series

This is the first book in the Sharing Knife series and is such a lovely quadrilogy. It begins with the meeting of two people from various different backgrounds and customs and sets the world and the two main characters. Together they work to build a better world for all.

Awesome Story with Excellent Narration

Just the fantasy escape I needed! Couldn't stop listening the author has great style and the world she built is very intriguing.

Awesome find!

This was an awesome surprise. After going through the entire Vorkosigan library I decided to try more of her works and although I missed Grover Gardner I thoroughly enjoyed this title and and starting Volume 2 today. Thank you for all you do Louis!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏻🤗

over and over read

cannot read this series enough. Have read evey year and still love the story.
The one of many audio books that is a great listen.

Not bad for a Romance Novel, but not her best work

While I enjoyed the story it wasn’t what I was expecting.
I was expecting more of an in depth story line with action and some romance (like the Challion series). Instead this is a romance novel with a sprinkling of magic and some action.

Book 1 & 2 are both good stories but again they are not fantasy/action novels – they are love stories.

If I had purchased these as romance novels I would have given them a 4 but I was expecting more out of Bujold.

NIce enough but I felt un-fulfilled.

I reached the end of this novel and said "But it nothing's really happened yet, It can't be over." The characters were nice, the story was nice, but I felt like this was definitely a prelude, not a novel in itself. But it didn't interest me enough to read the second one.
Bujold novels are at the top of my reading list, but this one didn't make the grade. As an average romance fantasy written by an average fantasy author, it's fine.

Amazing

This is a must read series. I can't wait until the next book comes out. This storyline is well written and the chacter detail is just amazing. This author did an outstanding job.

Not a Vorkosigan series

A nice fantacy novel with her usual social observations, nomad warrior/ agrarian differences in this case. An effort at explanatin of the magic, a good one i think. Plenty for the female reader.

Amazing world building, storyline and characters.

I meant to provide a review ages ago, and decided I’m ready for my regular reread of the series. I think I’m on round 6; maybe more...
Love the world building, creativity, and intelligent characters that LMB creates.
Dag and Fawn are opposites on so many levels: background, age, etc. They find each other on the road when she is kidnapped by the evil robbers and mudmen controlled by the Malice aka Blight Boggle. As a Lakewalker, Dag is committed to seek out and destroy any Malice that hatches and eats the life force of the land and its’ people.
In this installment, Dag rescues Fawn twice; they kill the deadly Malice; and they face down negative reactions from his patrol leader and her family.
Dunne does an excellent job with narration. Great character differentiation and expression of emotions.
Recommend on all levels!