I first discovered the series while stuck in the Atlanta airport waiting for my delayed flight. This of course meant that I would be spending most of the delay poking around the bookstore on the concourse. There, sitting in the small fantasy section that was being taken over by Twilight, was a paperback copies of both volumes one and two for Ms. Bujold's new Sharing Knife series. I picked up volume one and was immediately hooked. I have one rule when it comes to books, "Does it pass the first page test?" Beguilement certainly did. So of course, I went ahead and bought both volume's knowing that it would not take me very long to read the first. So what was so engaging about this series?
The Cover: Normally I would begin this analysis by discussing the main characters. But I think in this case it is important to discuss the cover art. I was at a panel for DragonCon in the last couple years where a group of authors were discussing the publishing world and how it worked. One of them mentioned something that stuck with me.
"I thought the cover art was there to give a hint at the story that I had written. Boy was I wrong. The cover art is there to sell copies, and the publishing houses have market researched the best images that will sell the most copies and that is what they go with. Doesn't matter if whats in the book matches what's on it."
In the Sharing Knife Volumes both pieces of cover art deal with the actual plot of the books. They are also one continuous piece of art across both volumes. The representation of the character and the plot points that are shown actually engage the reader even more and make them actually want to purchase the books.
The Characters: The main characters in Beguilement, and the series as a whole, are Fawn Bluefield and Dag. Both characters are engaging and committed. Fawn is what is called a farmer and Dag is part of a mysterious race of nomadic magic users called Lakewalkers. The two characters have a very well developed slow building romantic relationship that actually attempts to deal with the conflicts caused by their different backgrounds. Fawn, although merely 19, begins the book unwed, pregnant and running away from home. Dag is older, appearing somewhere around 35. He is become apathetic in the face of the monsters he fights. Throughout the book, Fawn and Dag both grow through their interactions with one another and their romantic feelings. When they decide that despite both their culture's looking down on them for it, they are going to find a way to make their relationship work. They act like a real married couple who have "thought out" their approach and realize that it will take effort and dedication to make it. Even though Fawn is a very positive character, she does not fall over the edge into saccharine. While Dag is facing serious burnout, he can still find the positives in basic things and is not merely an old curmudgeon that is saved by the love of a good woman. Both characters are real and well rounded and a pleasure to read.
The Plot: Beguilement has two plots running through it. One is the romance between Fawn and Dag; and it is the only book in the series where the romance is an actual plot and not merely a subplot. The other is the overarching plot of the series of socio-commentary about the changing and developing world in which the characters inhabit. In this world, millenia ago, the Lakewalkers were wizards who ruled over the land. They reached to far and summoned what is called a Malice that destroyed the world. Now the Lakewalkers fight to eradicate the malices before they can do too much damage. The problem is that the Farmers, those without magic, have no conscious memory of the malice or mudmen and a are pushing further and further into the destroyed territory. Fawn and Dag actually meet while fighting one of these malices. It is this moment that changes the way Fawn and Dag both view their environment. For the first time these people who live in the same area actually talk to one another and begin to see commonalities between them. It is from this that the relationship between Dag and Fawn develops. Dag helps Fawn gain the confidence to return to her farm and confront her overbearing family. Fawn helps Dag see some of the brighter things he was missing by trapping himself in the fight against the malices. The romance actually works because it develops slowly and organically. The sociocultural plot also works because it gives the reader a greater understanding of the world and culture in which the characters in habit.
Final Thought: Beguilement is a great beginning to a great series. The characters are interesting and the world is well developed. The romance exists but does not overwhelm those who want to merely read a fantasy novel. Anyone who likes high fantasy and social commentary fiction will really enjoy this book. Go ahead a pick up a copy for yourself.
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