About the book: 2009 / Richard St. Vere is young, smart and handsome. He is a cold-blooded killer who carries out “orders” from the City’s aristocrats for money. He is an experienced swordsman, a swordsman from God, who has never known defeat in his life. He is an outlaw, but without his participation, society is unable to maintain the rule of law. Richard has his own code of honor, which he strictly adheres to. He never takes sides, keeps the name of the customer strictly secret and reserves the right to refuse a “case” that he does not like. Therefore, when one of the nobles, Lord Horn, encroaches on the most sacred things in order to force Richard to carry out the “order,” Saint Vir is furious. The unfolding tragedy strikes with the intensity of passions. “At the Edge of the Blade” begins with a drop of blood spilled on a field of freshly fallen snow. This image remained forever in my imagination after I first opened this book. I close my eyes and I can still see him. This novel has an amazing start and gets better and better with every page. George R.R. Martin Witty, with an eye for detail, full of interesting characters and gripping dialogue, this novel is a real delight for the reader. Charming, exciting and ironically provocative. Peter Beagle A Sparkling Diamond...a witty, mischievous, entertaining, beautifully written and simply unique novel. Joan Vinge An exquisite, talented and extremely enjoyable novel. Samuel Delany A truly multi-faceted work. It simultaneously awakens in the reader memories of the witty novels of Georgette Heyer and the foggy, dangerous streets of Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber. A clearly constructed plot, psychologically convincing portraits of characters - all this allows us to talk about Ellen Kashner as a writer with her own, unique style of writing. Guy Gavriel Kay Excellent work. A hooligan and witty novel that instantly draws the reader into its web. Jean Wolfe Ellen Kashner writes like an angel... clear, poetically structured prose and a strong sense of tragic reality. It's been a long time since I read such a good book. Algis Budris For all lovers of Dumas, Dickens characters and witty dialogues. If you are even slightly interested in the game of sharp blades and equally sharp tongues, then “On the Edge of the Blade” is your book. Charles de Lint Kashner guides the reader through the story with such a clear, powerful writing style that he begins to trust her completely - and she does not let him down. Very few writers deserve such trust. Kashner has a great understanding of the world she has created and its characters, and has an excellent command of language and composition, so the plot never falters. Orson Scott Card A smart, funny and dramatic novel. Publishers Weekly A brilliant, bold presentation, a pleasure from start to finish. LOCUS A witty, compelling, original story as if written by the duo of Jane Austen and M. John Harrison... an almost flawless debut. Interzone