Knife Children, by Lois McMaster Bujold (Subterranean)
This novella is set
in the world of the Lakewalkers, magically gifted rangers who protect the world
against incursions of rapacious, malignant forces. Superstition and mutual
distrust separate them from the rest of human settlements, so when a Lakewalker
discovers he has a teenage daughter from a long ago, one-night stand with a
farm woman, father and daughter must negotiate the gray areas of their
disparate cultures. At first they are strangers to one another, and the
daughter knows nothing of Lakewalker ways. She can no longer fit into the world
she once knew, yet the insular, suspicious Lakewalkers are anything but welcoming.
What is the responsibility of a parent in these circumstances? When is it right
to intervene, and when is it best for everyone to let go? How much guilt must a
person carry for a single mistake?
All the while, of
course, new dangers pop up, and everyone has their own agenda.
I found that I liked
this novella better than the novels on which it was based, although all reflect
Bujold’s superb storytelling and compassionate care with her characters. It’s
not necessary to have read the novels to enjoy this story (and it might be an
interesting experiment to read this first, then go read the others for
backstory).
Strongly recommended
if you, like I, love anything Bujold writes.
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