2018/03: Swordspoint -- Ellen Kushner

2018/03:
Swordspoint -- Ellen Kushner

Let the fairy-tale begin on a winter's morning, then, with one drop of blood new-fallen on the ivory snow: a drop as bright as a clear-cut ruby, red as the single spot of claret on the lace cuff. And it therefore follows that evil lurks behind each broken window, scheming malice and enchantment; while behind the latched shutters the good are sleeping their just sleeps at this early hour in Riverside. Soon they will arise to go about their business; and one, maybe, will be as lovely as the day, armed, as are the good, for a predestined triumph.… [p. 1]

Reread, for a panel item at Follycon: it's ... quite a long time since I last read this novel (over ten years, in fact), and I still find new facets to it.
( non-spoilery )