Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

[samvara]

Not so great; wealthy aristocrats prove points of 'honor' by hiring swordsmen from the lower class for death matches.

Half the story about Richard St. Vier the greatest swordsman of them all, half the story of Lord Michael Godwin's introduction to politics, half the story of Alec, the mysterious and prickly man Richard loves and half the story of the Lady who manipulates them all. Noticed it doesn't add up to one? Good. Too many storylines and not enough tying in.

I want this flu to be over. I want my neck back, I want some energy and the ability to breathe freely.