Passage
The Sharing Knife Vol. 3

Lois McMaster Bujold

8/20/2008

Fawn and Dag have left his home and family and are seeking a new place for themselves. As a Lakewalker soldier-sorcerer, Dag hadn't known much about Farmers before he met Fawn. A split between the two cultures has grown deep with misunderstandings on both sides. Now he believes Lakewalkers and Farmers should understand each other better. Together they can better defend themselves against malices - magical monsters who feed off people.

Before they leave the area, they stop back at Fawn's family farm. Her brother Whit connives his way into joining them on their journey. Fawn had grown up tormented by Whit and her other brothers and wanted to leave him behind. But Dag saw Whit's position in the Bluefield home and knew it was time for the young man to start out on his own. They head off for a place where Dag and Fawn can settle peacefully.

Before they settle, Dag has promised to show Fawn the sea. It's not only Whit who joins them. As they travel, they pick up or join more people. They meet more bigotry from both his people and hers. Yet they are able to prove themselves as they journey on. Perhaps there's a chance Farmers and Lakewalkers will eventually learn to live together if more come to believe as Fawn and Dag now do.

Passage is the third book in the Sharing Knife series. I was excited to see a fourth one will be coming out in early 2009. Lois McMaster Bujold has built strong characters and an interesting countryside in this series.

In Passage the reader gets to see more of the country where they live. They first head to Glass Forge, when Fawn and Dag first got together. Then they continue on. Dag uses his Lakewalker "sorcery" to good use as he learns more about Farmers. He has a chance to influence some other young Lakewalkers as well. There is an adventure as well as they join a group who is searching for their family members who had disappeared a year earlier. Its conclusion has some interesting twists that again show Dag the need for the different cultures to come back together and begin to trust each other once more.

There is enough explanation that Passage can be read as a stand alone. But it is immensely better if the first two books, Beguilement and Legacy, are read before it is. Dag and Fawn remain strong rounded characters who fill out more with each book. Plus, I like the romance as well. It's the final hook that keeps the book pulled together and makes it a great read.

You can find more about this romantic fantasy series at .

Notice: Sexual situations (non-explicit)

Beguilement
Legacy
Passage
Horizon