This is the first book in Russell’s series “The Swans’ War”; I first read
and reviewed it last year,
and liked it very much. It’s an epic fantasy, but it has a more intimate
feel than the other epic fantasies I’ve been reading recently.

Three young men from the remote Vale of Lakes travel south along the
River Wynnd. They want to see a little of the world, and perhaps find a
little fortune, before settling down again at home. Their plans take an
abrupt left turn when they share their fire with another wanderer and are
attacked by a force of men-at-arms in compensation for their generousity.
At first, the attack seems to be part of an generations-old conflict
between the once great Wills and Renne families–but as the story
proceeds, we and they learn that their troubles have their roots much
longer ago than that.

There’s very little humor in this book, but beyond that I like it.