by Jo Walton
First published 2000
Sulien ap Gwien works at her forge, creating beautiful weapons while conflict tears apart the realm around her. The metalwork gives her peace until everything changes. A king dies and names her father as the next ruler. Court factions immediately begin plotting against each other for control of the throne. Sulien finds herself pulled into political schemes she never wanted to join. Different groups pressure her to support their claims to power. She faces a hard choice between honoring what her family expects and following her own desires. War threatens to break out as the various sides prepare to fight. Enemies surround her at court, and she cannot trust anyone's motives. Her years of sword training become crucial as danger closes in. The same skills she uses to craft blades may determine whether she survives the coming battles. Sulien never imagined herself ruling a kingdom, but her actions could decide its fate.
Genres: historical-fiction, war, fantasy, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Kingdom
Period: Conflict
530 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Tor Fantasy