The City prepares for the event of the season.

The annual Tremontaine Ball is always the event of the season. But now, with the family fortune at stake, Diane assembles her guest list with all the cunning of a general preparing a battle plan. As the chocolate merchants of the City, led by the Balam family, debate how to respond to the Duchess's unprecedented invitation, Micah, eager to help her family, makes plans to crash the party. And Kaab finds that learning from Vincent Applethorpe is a painful experience.

This episode is brought to you by Racheline Maltese and Patty Bryant, who cordially extend you an invitation to the Ball.

“A Fair Hand” continues the 13-part serial,
Tremontaine
, presented by Serial Box. This prequel to the cult classic Swordspoint is brought to you by the collaborative effort of a team of writers under the creative direction of Ellen Kushner herself.

Join the dance of swordplay and scandal, week after week, on Serial Box.com.

And don’t forget to share the love! If you’re enjoying Tremontaine, help us get the word out by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and Tumblr, and telling your friends about us! We’d also love to hear what you think so please give us a review!

“Sharp blades and even sharper wits abound! Delicious new adventures await fans in this welcome return to the world of Swordspoint.”
– Jacqueline Carey, New York Times Bestselling author of the Kushiel’s Legacy series

“Lovely! Beneath a froth of silk and lace Tremontaine is finely muscled, rippling with skill and promise.”
– Nicola Griffith, author of Hild

“More Tremontaine stories? YESPLEASE. Tremontaine stories by some of my favorite, excellent writers? HELLA YESPLEASE. I can't wait to read them all! ”
– N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Kingdom

“A pure delight full of sparkling characters that match equally dazzling wits and swords. If you've visited the world of Swordspoint before, you'll be delighted to return; if it's your first time, you'll be welcomed in style. I can't wait to read more myself!”
– Naomi Novaik, author of Uprooted

Reader Reviews

Andrea D. McCarthage

(3/5)

Dec 26, 2024

I'm burning through all of Riverside this autumn.Although this episode was a bit lacking in the prose department, it's just pure unbridled fun. Leading into (I presume) the mid-season high point in the next episode, this one is all about preparing for the Swan Ball. Pieces are placed and plans are set in motion as we barter for turnips, compose menus, arrange silverware, forge invitations and - of course - assemble that perfect dress with which to impress.

Just_ann_now

Oh wow, this might be one of my favorite installments so far. A real ensemble piece which made me laugh out loud in many spots. Diane's claws are out, kitten-sharp, just enough for Rafe to know they're there. Will - poor, dumb will. Micah and Kaab and Surprising Returning Character - they were all just perfect. And lots of really wonderful, descriptive writing which I adore

Wol

Bit of an uneventful episode on the whole, placing chess pieces and whatnot but still enjoyable. That said, if I have to hear the word "turnip" again today I'm definitely going to scream.

Alleyne Dickens

(5/5)

Thoroughly enjoyed this installment!

Althea Ann

(4/5)

This episode was brought to me (and you?) by a couple of authors I'm not familiar with - but I thought it was one of the best so far. (view spoiler)[Duchess Tremontaine is planning a ball - and, of course, everyone must attend. The Balam family of chocolate traders are invited, although they're not quite sure why, or what the protocol is. Raefe has been shanghaied into writing out all the invitations - and the Duchess is making him very uncomfortable. Even Micah, anti-social as she may be, is de...

Christine

This series remembers me of Robin McKinley.

Teleseparatist

A decent episode, well-paced, well-written and engaging. If only Rafe could be the slightest bit less annoying, self-centred and seemingly incapable of truly empathising with anyone. This episode, at least, seemed to point out his flaws and even make him self-aware at times; not enough to make him capable of making much of an effort not to be a jerk, though.The writing is still at its best, in my opinion, when following Kaab's PoV.(I received the copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for a...

Allison Thurman

A delightful series full of dashing swordswomen, grumpy academics, mathematical savants and conniving nobles, I've been reading about one of these a week. It's an addictive series, each episode leaves me wanting more!

Jason

Getting ready for the ballEveryone's getting ready for the Tremontaine's annual swan ball. There are outfits to be prepared, menus to be planned, trysts to be arranged, and - of course - schemes to be managed.

Dumpy Unicorn

Such juicy writing so much fun to read. Lovely bitesized chunks.

HornFan2

This was my first read by author Patty Bryant, really like her writing a lot, flows perfectly and will have to explore her writing more. 'A Fair Hand', is a decent episode, the author does a decent job making the episode fit with the over all story and makes it engaging with the preparations of Tremontaine's for the annual Swan ball. Rafe continues to be a pompous ass, the Duchess keeps showing how treacherous she can be but it's Micah, Ixkaab, Tess and Applethorpe make the story an engaging rea...

Sidsel Pedersen

This continues to be excellent

Corrie

We move to episode six (Season One) of Tremontaine titled A Fair Hand written by Patty Bryant and Racheline Maltese.The annual Tremontaine Ball is always the event of the season. But now, with the family fortune at stake, Diane assembles her guest list with all the cunning of a general preparing a battle plan. As the chocolate merchants of the City, led by the Balam family, debate how to respond to the Duchess's unprecedented invitation, Micah, eager to help her family, makes plans to crash the

Julia

Tremontaine House is having its annual lavish Swan Ball. (view spoiler)[Lady Diane tasks Rafe with writing each one. Rafe thinks –correctly -- that it’s out of spite for having an affair with her husband. Ixkaab Balam’s family has been invited; as foreigners they are not sure how to manage. Kaab tells her aunt what others have been buying in the market and she correctly guesses that the Tremontaine’s are having money trouble. Micah wants an invitation to the ball, so Tremontaine will buy her fam...

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A Fair Hand

A Fair Hand

A Fair Hand

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