Step into the enchanting world of The Sharing Knife, where romance and fantasy intertwine in a lush, post-apocalyptic frontier! Written by the acclaimed Lois McMaster Bujold, this series follows Fawn Bluefield, a spirited farmer’s daughter, and Dag Redwing Hickory, a grizzled Lakewalker with magical abilities, as they battle malevolent creatures and societal prejudice. With its heartfelt love story and rich world-building, The Sharing Knife is a hidden gem for fans of character-driven fantasy.
Unlike epic fantasies with sprawling wars, this series thrives on intimate stakes—love, trust, and bridging cultural divides. Set in a world recovering from a magical collapse, it’s a tale of two unlikely heroes proving that even small acts of courage can change everything. Ready to explore this captivating saga? Let’s dive in!
How The Sharing Knife Began
Lois McMaster Bujold, a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author known for her Vorkosigan Saga, crafted The Sharing Knife as a departure from her sci-fi roots. Inspired by the American Midwest, particularly the region south of the Great Lakes, Bujold envisioned a frontier-like world where magic and survival intertwined. What started as a single story grew too vast, leading to its division into four novels, published between 2006 and 2009, with a novella added in 2019. Bujold’s goal was to blend romance with fantasy, focusing on personal growth and cultural harmony.
The Heart of The Sharing Knife
The series kicks off with Beguilement (2006), where Fawn, pregnant and fleeing her rural life, meets Dag, a Lakewalker tasked with slaying ‘malices’—vicious creatures that consume life force. Their budding romance faces cultural clashes, as Lakewalkers and farmers distrust each other. Legacy (2007) follows their marriage, exploring tensions with Dag’s disapproving family and new magical threats. Passage (2008) takes them on a river journey, deepening their bond and revealing the world’s history, while Horizon (2009) concludes their quest to unite their communities. A novella, Knife Children (2019), revisits the world through a new character’s eyes.
The Sharing Knife shines through its themes of love conquering prejudice, cooperation across divides, and personal sacrifice. The setting, reminiscent of 19th-century America sans gunpowder, feels vivid and grounded, with Lakewalkers’ ‘groundsense’ magic adding a subtle, mystical layer. Bujold’s prose is poetic yet accessible, balancing tender romance with thrilling battles against malices, making the series a unique blend of heart and heroism.
Why The Sharing Knife Resonates
Though less celebrated than Bujold’s other works, The Sharing Knife has a devoted fanbase for its emotional depth and innovative take on fantasy romance. Readers praise its nuanced characters and exploration of cultural misunderstandings, drawing parallels to real-world issues of acceptance. The series’ focus on a mature, May-December romance between Fawn and Dag challenges genre norms, offering a refreshing narrative that celebrates resilience and partnership. Its influence lies in proving that fantasy can be both intimate and epic, inspiring readers to embrace unlikely heroes.
- Publication Years: 2006–2009 (novella in 2019)
- Number of Books: Four novels, one novella
- Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Genre: Fantasy romance
Grab Beguilement and dive into The Sharing Knife’s captivating world of love, magic, and adventure! Whether you’re a fantasy fanatic or a romance enthusiast, Fawn and Dag’s journey will steal your heart.