Fred is pretty well known in the SF world: certainly I have known about him for a very long time. But for some reason I didn't remember this book at all. I seem to be going through a spell of seeing books on my shelf that I don't remember. I can't think why that might be.
   The first Book of Swords is a solid, enjoyable read. Fred obviously makes an attempt to create empathetic characters and, in my view, doesn't quite succeed, but there's a strong storyline and the reader is drawn along by that, if nothing else.
   It's the sort of book where you can tell the broad direction it's heading after a few pages or so - but no spoilers here. You'll have to find an old copy to find out what happens. And I'm going to have to search out Book 2, which is on my shelves somewhere.