The Sharing Knife, Volume 1 cover art

The Sharing Knife, Volume 1

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The Sharing Knife, Volume 1

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
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About this listen

 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.

©2007 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. Epic Fantasy Fiction Romance Magic

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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)
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I thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative story. What appealed is the way the author allows us into the inner thoughts and feelings of the 2 main characters. The pace of the book is unhurried with some beautiful descriptions.

A gentle, touching story

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The narrator brought out Fawn's character especially well but all were good. An I intriguing story well told.

Great characters, compelling story.

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What made the experience of listening to The Sharing Knife, Volume 1 the most enjoyable?

It was good to hear a different type of tale (for me) from this author. I love her Miles Vorkosigan novels for their wit and pace. This is the first of her fantasy novels I have listened to and although it whiled away the time as I painted the spare room, I wasn't hooked. It was a pleasant tale, but I need to listen again I think.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lois McMaster Bujold? Why or why not?

Yes, I will always go for her sci-fi novels for the great characters and the subtle humour along with believable tech and decent storyline. I will try another of her fantasy novels sometime, as I'm aware first-of-a-series novels are often scene-setters and the story really takes off from there. I would have liked the lead female to be a bit stronger; maybe that will come as the series unfolds.

What does Bernadette Dunne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

There seemed an element of 'hillbilly' for the village folk and the main male character reminded me of Clint Eastwood! I had to remind myself sometimes this wasn't a western. Not bad, for all that though.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

I will certainly try another of her fantasy novels.

A different side to Bujold

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I came to this series after listening to the stand alone book, Knife Children. How pleased I was to discover more books written in this world. I was a bit concerned at first because Knife Children is read by Tim Campbell. It's difficult enough changing narrators let alone changing the sex of the narrator as well. But Bernadette Dunne does a great job!
Well written, beautifully narrated, easy listening. Loved it!

A fairytale with a difference

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Fawn and Dag are such wonderful characters that you want them to succeed even though you know they have insurmountable barriers to overcome. The comparison between lake walkers and Farmers is so well described that you can just see the prejudice rising from both sides. The world is so well described and the story beautifully narrated. Highly recommended.

What a beautiful fantasy tale with amazing characters

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I found this to be an enthralling and addictive listen - it's amazing how many times in a day I managed to find a few minutes to listen to just a little bit more... The story is compelling, and the narration is good.

Fantastic listen

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An engaging book but read by someone who often sounds like she is reading a shopping list (or doing a terrible audio description for a film). The narrator is good at voices but abysmal at description. Sometimes I think she is reading the book for the first time as there are inappropriate pauses and inflections. Enjoying the story though.

Disgruntled

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Highly recommend this, lot’s of everything, excellent story, love the narrator, started the next book already!

Outstanding

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it's got mainly romance in it,but still had me gripped enough to download book 2 now.
somehow I think there a darker side coming

different

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What a lovely book with great characters and gentle humour. I couldn’t stop listening to it.
Great narration. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Loved the world and the romance.

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