Customer Reviews

Devlin's Luck (Sword of Change, Book 1)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book. Although some of the readers said that it is standard fare, I feel that it is more than that. Yes, the story line is predictable and the outcome of the hero's life and story seem to be fairly standard. However, the central theme of the book and its presentation is anything but common. I have read a lot of fantasy or sword and sorcery books. ... ...However, it is far better than some of the more common sword and sorcery stories. The characters are more complex, and the issues are not as black and white. The moral issues, the legal issues, and the complexity of the intertwining human relationship that this book deals with has made this book more interesting, more complex, and more real than many fantasy book I have found in the book stores.

In addition, the question of "what makes a good leader? Who is truly a good leader?" is asked again and again. The nobles believe they are leaders of the country because they are born to the leadership. The king is born to be king, but he is so afraid to act because of his fear of failure. An uncouth peasant from the countryside with integrity and honesty and a true sense of responsibility is actually a better leader than someone who is more educated and more sophisticated. I think a lot of our own politicians should read this book and learn.

Finally, because of its theme and because it's so entertaining that I can't put it down, I gave it a 5-star rating.

This book is fun, but mostly because it's such an easy, easy read - it requires very little thought, and if you're in the mood for a fantasy book, it fills that need quite ably.

I found it quite amusing on several levels, not the least being that while reading it, you'll be thinking to yourself, "You know, Devlin's kind of a stereotypical fantasy guy. Not a lot of depth there," and a paragraph later she'll switch to another character's viewpoint who will agonize over misjudging the man, and recognizing what an amazing resevoir of depth Devlin has.

The world and characters are sometimes clumsily realized, but to be honest, that's a large part of the appeal. Not that I don't expect her to improve, but it's a win win situation - this book is good because it's good (and bad), but as she gets better the sequels, hopefully, will get to be just be good (and good).

I got tired of plodding through Robert Jordan's works a while ago; thankfully, this book, and hopefully the series, is simple, straightforward, and fun.

Worth buying if you're a big fantasy fan, and it might even be eye-opening if you're new to the genre. I'd probably give it 3 stars (maybe more) for talent, but for simple, pretty delightful entertainment, what the heck. 4's about right.

Duncaer is a country occupied by the conquering forces of the mighty Jorst Empire. Vet, Devlin Stoneland, named Kinslayer by the people of Duncaer marches into the conqueror's capital city of Kingsholm to win the substantial payment by becoming the Country's Chosen One. He is found worthy and a magical geas is placed on him, forcing him to protect the realm even if it costs him his life.

Without any family or home to call his own, Devlin seeks death and believes that the danger facing the Chosen One will give him the reward he seeks. Three times he places his life in danger to protect the people of the realm and three times he emerges the victor. His exploits are talked about in political circles and without even trying, he becomes the rallying point of a nation. Now the man who sought death seeks to lead the people against the enemies of Jorst.

DEVLIN'S LUCK is a beautiful sword and sorcery tale yet despite all the heroic battles, the magical attacks, and the deadly politics, it is the hero who brings heart to this story. Devlinis a tortured soul, who in spite of himself, finds redemption by saving lives and becoming a leader that a country, an empire and even a world needs. Patricia Bray is a grand storyteller who provides a wonderful fantasy adventure.

Harriet Klausner

Have you ever started reading a fantasy trilogy, found the first book great, the second book so-so, and stopped reading the third before you were a quarter of the way through? Most times it's because the author has changed the main character so much, mainly towards the superhero type, that you can't identify with them anymore, or even care about them. They simply inhabit a world where everyone is in awe of them and there's nothing interesting about them at that point. The worst case of that that I've read was the Elizabeth Haydon series which started with Rhapsody. Rhapsody was absolutely wonderful. The second book was ok, and the third book bogged down to Barbie Doll Rhapsody (you know, perfect house, perfect clothes, perfect boyfriend). The first book of that series remains on my keeper shelf, but not the others. Another series that did that to me was the Deborah Chester series The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice. Same thing happened. You need character development, but the characters don't have to be turned inside out.

Which leads me to Patricia Bray's Sword of Change series. All of three of these are right on my keeper shelf and for good reason: these books are not only great fantasy reading, the plot of the series hangs together and still has a believable hero at the end. He has his flaws and that's ok. He's realistic. The kind of character that even when the third book ends and the plot is wound up, you can still think of him---the hero remains a real person to you. That's a quality of writing that you don't see all that often. Another author that writes with this ability is Carol Berg. Her Transformation series is on par with Bray's. Patricia Briggs' writing, especially the series starting with Dragon Bones, is yet another author who writes marvelous books in this style. If you like either of their books you will love Patricia Bray.

Authors that are capable of writing more than one genre are always very skilled, and Ms. Bray does not differ in this respect. She has been writing now in two different genres, historical romance and fantasy, and assigning five stars for this series was an easy choice.

She is currently at work on another series taking place on a different world than the one in this series, with the first book entitled The First Betrayal. I'm really looking forward to that one!

Possibly my expectactions were inappropriate, from the cover blurb I expect the hero to be a man suicidal with survivor's guilt who would be recklessly successful in his search for an honorable way to throw his life away. I was hoping for some deep soul searching and psychological insight.

Instead I got a basic story about someone becoming a hero against long odds because of great internal resourcfulness. Nothing wrong with that, it's often done, but it's often done. So it seems a little flat. There's some interesting insight into the nature of free will and psychology courtesy of the geas, but that was the main differentness of this book.

To me it was just same old-same old.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Although this was a standard sword and sorcery offering with a predictable storyline, and archtypical characters, it was good. Such standardized books are a constant complaint in the fantasy realm, with fans screaming for originality. I agree with them. But I also think that at times you need the standard fare to remind you of why, and for what reason, you are reading these types of books for over nonfiction literature.

I personally am reading them to get away for a time from the rigours of every day life. In life the poor peasant doesn't always triumph over the arrogant noble. So I read this to see Devlin, a poor (material wise) farmer/metalsmith become an unsung and unappreciated Champion of Jorsk. I read this to see his struggles and disdain of the noble court and its ruler who only judge a man by the outside. I read this to see his human caring for his fellow man that drove him to be a hero, even though all he wanted was the oblivion of death. I sympathized, and more importantly empathized with him.

Cliches, predictablility, and unorginality may abound in this book, but it is told in a deft, witty, and thoroughly engaging manner. I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish this book, and rarely does anyone (except my favorite authors) do this, especially not an author I am trying for the very first time.

Bravo and well done Patricia Bray! I eagerly await Devlin's Honor.

P.S. - To all fantasy fans: Enjoy the book for what it is!

Devlin's Luck is an entertaining enough read, but is fairly lightweight. Despite a promising opening, you very quickly lose any sense that Devlin is in real danger or risk, and he seems to be 'going through the motions.' Oh, all the plot elements are there: A tragic past, a self-imposted burden, occupied homelands, political intrigue, dangerous quests, treason high and low, and more... But despite some really intersting possibilities, the story never takes life of it's own. Instead, the reader is taken along for a ride that is never more than mildly interesting. I'm not at all sorry to have read Devlin's Luck, and will very likely read the next installments, but will be doing so for a different reason than I picked this one up: I'll be looking for a light break from meatier stories.

I loved this book. It is a combination of fantasy and action. The central character is Devlin Stonehand, who has come to the capital city of the kingdom of Jorsk to try for the job of Chosen One. It involves a trial of the Gods, where if he is not accepted as the next Chosen One the applicant will wind up dead. If he is chosen, he will be placed under a Gaes which will compel him to act when the Kingdom is threatened, no matter the cost including that of his life.

Of course, Devlin becomes the next Chosen One and for the remainder of the book, he fights the good fight against both physical threats to a declining kingdom, and also against possible betrayal from the kings own Council.

The highlight of the book for me is Devlin himself. He is so stuffed with honour and heroism, and genuinely has trouble understanding why the average man and woman are not as he is  ready and willing to fight for his family and friends, and to die for what he believes in. For most of the book he actively seeks his death due to events in his recent past, which have lead him to trying for the role of Chosen One to his countries conquerors in the first place. Other characters are necessarily less well drawn, with the exception of minstrel Stephen. Those that are featured are mostly warriors in the form of guards and other fighters, which Devlin clearly admires about them, and those that first come to see the truly admirable (in terms of the needs of the Kingdom) Chosen One. Devlin carries this book, but he is strong enough to do so. Not perfect, probably an uncomfortable person to be around if he were flesh and bone, but a perfectly heroic character.

There are a few original ideas in the book, but it is basically a tale of a man who becomes a hero over great odds and his own desire to die. This story is not filled with dragons and elves, and magic is extremely rare. So if you enjoy stories like that, this will not be for you. The writing is solid and shows a lot of promise. The story is not complex, but it is engaging.

Devlin Stonehand of Duncaer is a man who has lost everything dear to him in life. However, he still has some kin obligations to forfill, and in order to do that he needs something he doesnt have  money. So, in desperation, and in the hope that the role will kill him swiftly, like it has done for all other recent holders of the rank, he applies for the Jorsk position of Chosen One.

Much to his, and everyone elses shock Devlin is not killed in the oath taking of the Chosen One, or even in the first of the heroic missions he is sent on. The Chosen One is an ancient position in Jorsk, but the kingdom, despite holding a stranglehold on Devlins homeland for the last 50 years, is in serious decline. Its borders are beset with troubles and its King weak and in the hands of self-serving advisors.

Devlin in his role of Chosen One is forced by his oath to put justice and the kingdoms needs before his own  even if that means his own longing for death. Devlin is a well written character. Hes not a man of many words, and he is tormented, but this book drags you in and keeps you interested for its length. He is a classic outsider who proves to be more than first appearances lead you to believe, and his character, and those around him grow in the book. This is a classic sword and sorcery book, and it does have a magic component to it, but at this point Im grateful no dragons have turned up.

Im looking forward to reading book 2 of this series, which is thankfully already released, so if you want a no stress, enjoyable fantasy read these are recommended.