This is the last book in Bujold's Sharing Knife series. I honestly don't know what to say about this book or even this series. Yes, it was enjoyable and I kept reading, but something always felt "off" in the books -- it did not feel like Bujold. There were hints of great world building but specifics were never really brought to the front. The character development seemed shallower than in her other books, and I never really connected with either of the two main characters. BUT if I lowered my expectations, the series comes out to a good solid, if not very memorable, read, though I did feel that this fourth book was weaker than the third one, which may be my favorite of the four ( )

Slowly setting up their new way to live, a satisfying conclusion to their arc. ( )

Now at the southern end of their journey, Dag has finally found a teacher who can help him learn more about his strange new powers. Arkady is a groundsetter and he recognizes that Dag, even though he is little trained, can be one too. The problem is find a place for Fawn in the Lakewalker camp where she is seen only as a farmer girl. Dag learns a lot in two months but he doesn't agree with the camp's policy of not providing healing for farmers.

When Finch, a young man Fawn has met at the camp market, comes and begs for assistance for his 5-year-old nephew who has lockjaw, Dag doesn't think twice before going to help even though it will likely cost him his place in the camp and his teacher.

When he is kicked out of the camp, he and Fawn decide to work their way north again. She's newly pregnant and would like to find a home before her baby is born. At first, they decide to join a party which includes Finch and some of his friends but the party soon grows with the addition of Arkady and Barr. Also in the party are a couple of untrained half-breeds. They also meet again with Fawn's brother Whit, his wife Berry, and Berry's uncle and younger brother.

Trailing both Dag and Arkady is a jealous young female patroller who has been trying to pry Dag loose from Fawn ever since she met him. Once she realizes that he is the hero of Wolf Ridge, she becomes even more determined to have him for her own. Dag isn't at all interested and is completely in love with and loyal to Fawn but Neeta isn't easily discouraged and reappears throughout the story trying one approach after another to separate Dag and Fawn.

The trip is hard and made even harder when the group runs into two different malices. Luckily, Dag has been working on a way to protect Fawn and has expanded the protection to Fawn's brother Whit and his wife Berry. When the party is scattered during the malice attack, it is up to those protected farmers to find a way to save the group and introduce the malice to mortality.

This was a wonderful story filled with great characters set in a well-developed world. It was about making small changes to bring about a changed future. Dag wants to change the dynamic between farmers and lakewalkers. He wants to change the world and pave the way for a future after the last malice has been destroyed. ( )

I’ve spent weeks now reading about Sharing Knives, and I don’t regret it :). So many elements of this series greatly appeal to me: the frontier-like setting, the dialect, the monster hunting, and of course the romance. I loved Dag and Fawn, both individually and as a couple. Dag is the flashier character, but Fawn…Fawn is one of my favorite sorts of protagonist: an everyday person with no special powers, who relies primarily on her wits and resourcefulness to tackle her problems. She was the heart of the story, and such a sweet, supportive wife. Together, she and Dag made a wonderful team. I’ll miss reading about them, their charming friends and kinfolk, and their adventures in their fascinating Wide Green World. ( )

I love a good fantasy novel and this series is great. In find the characters and story engaging. The writing style easily draws me in and leaves me eager for the next book by this author. ( )