The Sharpest Edge

by S.M. Stirling, Shirley Meier

Sword-bearer Shkai'ra and her companion, Megan, dagger-wielding thief and mistress of illusion, are caught in a life-or-death struggle between rival magical powers as a deadly secret threatens to destroy the balance of peace and the Fehinnan Empire.

This book has been revised and republished as Saber and Shadow.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

255 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published March 4, 1986

About the author

Stephen Michael Stirling is a French-born Canadian-American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling is probably best known for his Draka series of alternate history novels and the more recent time travel/alternate history Nantucket series and Emberverse series.

MINI AUTO-BIOGRAPHY:
(personal website: source)

I’m a writer by trade, born in France but Canadian by origin and American by naturalization, living in New Mexico at present. My hobbies are mostly related to the craft. I love history, anthropology and archaeology, and am interested in the sciences. The martial arts are my main physical hobby.

Reviews

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ - a comment on one of my reviews made me remember reading this waaaaaay back in the day. Back then finding books with sapphic content, was something that happened by accident usually. What a delight and a surprise to stumble across this as a teen, figuring out her sexuality.

[Kmj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't approach this book too seriously. It reads like the two authors took turns writing sections (which they probably did), but once you adapt to that, it's catchy and fun. Plus, lesbians--finally, not dramatic overwrought surprise lesbians who are troubled by their sexuality--just women who kick butt and are warriors who also decide to share a bath and a bed.

[Ruby Hollyberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An earlier version of . I have it mainly because I'm obsessively interested in this world/series.

[Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like fantasy, swords, action and gore galore this is for you. Steer clear of the lame, anemic rewrite SABER & SHADOW unless you prefer your reading material censored and bland.