In a break with tradition (although I did something similar for Season Three), I’m going to talk about the final three episodes of Tremontaine at once. It’s been emotional, folks. And now it’s over… until I pick up Swordspoint for a reread, anyway. Be warned: there will be spoilers.
tessa gratton
The weather is finally showing signs of improving, but feelings are running as high as the river. As we reach the middle of the season, the waters are poised to rearrange everything we know…
Welcome back to a City in the grip of progress. Driven by the vision of the Duchess Tremontaine. Enriched by the commercial success of the Kinwiinik led by Ixkaab Balam. Enlightened by the intellectual patronage of Far-Reza. Made – day by day, page by page – more equal by the open door policy of Rafe Fenton’s City Academy. Rain-soaked and miserable after a wet season. What new challenges lie ahead in this final season of my beloved serial?
With the Final Season just around the corner, I have finally managed to finish Season Three. It’s taken me an awfully long time to get back to Tremontaine, but Season Three more than stands up to a reread: if anything, it’s better second time around. Time for a look at the final four episodes before all our hearts are (probably) ripped to pieces this autumn…
Rafe and Reza are men about town, while Kaab gains a startling insight into the Duchess and hunts down her wayward spy. We’re coming up to mid-season and inter-relationships are starting to get complicated, with hints of unexpected alliances as new friendships develop.
Riverside is under attack by the City Guard, locked onto its island, cut off from the rest of the City until it is prepared to hand over the murderous Shade. And a frustrated swordsman is trapped there too, adding to the blood soaking its streets. Can Tess tame the heart-broken Reza? Can either find a way to break the siege?
I’ve been missing my weekly dose of Tremontaine, so it was with mingled delight and horror that I recalled I hadn’t yet treated myself to Tessa Gratton’s prequel story Nine Duels. Welcome to the heartache of smoking hot swordsman Vincent Applethorpe’s foreign adventures.
It is a week for fateful meetings as Diane returns to the City with but a day to neutralise Lord Davenant. Beset by her own turmoil, Kaab holds out an unexpected olive branch. But the shadow of Riverside is long and dark, and some problems can only be solved with blood…
The title of this week’s episode serves as a warning: we’re deep into the second half of the season now, and long-simmering matters of the heart are coming to the boil. This is a week for reflection, for regret, and for recognising that while passion may not be denied, it is no sure promise of happiness (Arthur. I’m looking at you, Arthur).
It’s a delightful return to Riverside, as Kaab moves in with Tess to investigate thefts from the Balam warehouses, and Micah makes a trip to the Brown Dog to upset the locals by winning at cards. Up on the Hill, we are treated to a virtuoso display of swordsmanship as Vincent takes on De Maris at a birthday party and catches the eyes of the Duchess and the Ambassador…
