I've just read Beguilement, by Lois McMaster Bujold. These are my thoughts. I've written my general comments first, and spoilerish details follow behind the cut.

First off, I *loved* this book. I read the sample chapters on the Eos website -- and then *had* to go to the library immediately and get the book so that I could read the rest of it -- this, on a day when I was supposed to be packing and rushing to catch a flight! I should have known that was going to happen, since Herself usually manages to hook me with the first paragraph. (No pun intended ;) You'd think I'd have learnt by now.

That said, this book was excellent company on the trip. I read it through, enjoyed it the whole way, and the moment I reached the end, I turned right back to the beginning and started again. I don't usually do this, since reading an LMB novel generally makes me want to sit down and catch my breath once I get to the end. It takes me a while before I feel I can tackle another round. I think the difference this time is that we're actually only halfway in the book, and the breath-taking parts are yet to come.

Another reason for the immediate re-read is that the incompleteness of the story leaves me wanting more, and if I can't get more-different-new, then I'll settle for more-same-again. Certainly, it's a very pleasant read. I liked the romance. Usually, when I read a book which focuses mainly on the plot and doesn't fully explore the relationship between the characters, I end up resorting to fanfic to fill in those holes. But this book was a guilty pleasure for me, because it was as if LMB herself wrote the fanfic and put it in the book.

Nonetheless, I beg to differ with the people who feel that this volume is all about the romance and no plot. The seeds of the plot have been strewn throughout, hidden in the romantic "interludes." This is LMB we're talking about. The guns are on the wall, guys :) I think that one would have to read Legacy in order to realise how much of the plot has already been set up in Beguilement.



I loved the descriptions and the way that little gems and nuggets are thrown in, seemingly casual observations with layers of meaning -- such as, for example, when Fawn notices that Dag's tan lines reveal that he "favours long sleeves, even in summer." We know why he wears long sleeves all the time -- and likely has been for twenty years. Makes me wanna hug him. But that's me :)

I loved the fact that he broke his right arm -- just before going to meet Fawn's family, on whom he wants to make a good impression! It's a wonderful, classic, "What's the worst possible thing I can do to this guy?" twist. I didn't expect it, but again was shaking my head with I-should-have-knowns when it happened. Perfect.

There's some mystery and intrigue in the re-making of the bowl, I think. It's been established that Dag's groundsense is stronger than most others'... I wouldn't be surprised if Dag found out that what he did to the bowl was pretty much "impossible" as far as the "makers" are concerned. And what's this about the ground of his left hand that isn't there? Curiouser and curiouser...

With regard to what primed the second knife -- well, I have a theory. And I'm not even going to say it here, in case I turn out to be right and it spoils someone's enjoyment of Legacy. But I'll say this much -- if it's right, it makes a certain tragedy even more tragic; and book titles have shades of meaning. Of course, I may be waaaay off base. I'll find out when I read Legacy. July is so far away! :(

(If you're one of those lucky peeps who've got their hands on an advance copy of Legacy, please *don't* tell me if my theory's on the way to being right or wrong, k? I want to read Legacy without spoilerification :)