"Strong Heart" touches on one of my favorite motifs in fiction, alternative sexuality.  In this case, the protagonist Jo is transgender, a female-bodied person taking a male role in society, because in her culture only men may be warriors.  (I was amused by the particular manner in which it was handled: they tell the gods, "so sorry, the child turned out to be a boy after all.")  The role is called "dagha pavadkar," which translates as "pure warrior."

Jo leaves her tribe to hire out as a mercenary.  She signs on to protect a shop, which is under some threat from the neighbors because of a young magician working there—who has considerably more talent than sense.  Fortunately Jo has talent AND sense.

I enjoy the characterization, because trans characters are challenging to write well.  Jo reminds me of the Albanian "sworn virgins" in our world, women who take a man’s role.  She is comfortable in her choice, but the kind of person who gets a second look.  Well worth reading.

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