Books in my sights: Sasha by Joel Shepherd

I've been wanting this book since I first saw it on a shelf at Barnes and Noble. I never bought it because I usually had my sights set on other books or I would just forget. The latter happened the last time I paid a visit to a big book store. I'll get it next time for sure. Why do I want Sasha? I'll let the synopsis answer:

Spurning her royal heritage to be raised by the great warrior, Kessligh, her exquisite swordplay astonishes all who witness it. But Sasha is still young, untested in battle and often led by her rash temper. In the complex world of Lenayin loyalties, her defiant wilfulness is attracting the wrong kind of attention.

Lenayin is a land almost divided by its two faiths: the Verenthane of the ruling classes and the pagan Goeren-yai, amongst whom Sasha now lives. The Goeren-yai worship swordplay and honour and begin to see Sasha as the great spirit—the Synnich—who will unite them. But Sasha is still searching for what she believes and must choose her side carefully.

When the Udalyn people—the symbol of Goeren-yai pride and courage—are attacked, Sasha will face her moment of testing. How will she act? Is she ready to lead? Can she be the saviour they need her to be?

I've developed a liking of strong female characters in fantasy ever since I started reading A Game of Thrones and The Deed of Paksenarrion, so Sasha would fit in well with that. Plus, it's just nice to know that there are female characters in fantasy that aren't Mary Sues for their authors hidden necrophilia and zoophilia*.

Picture via Pyr.



*Sorry folks, but if you fuck a vampire (a member of the undead), it's necrophilia, no matter how pretty he might be. Likewise, banging a werewolf is bestiality, you know, because of the fact that they're a wolf.