Customer Reviews

The Jaguar Knights

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Jaguar Knights" is the sixth book in Dave Duncan's "King's Blades" series (it can also be said it is the third book of the second King's Blades trilogy). "The Jaguar Knights" is set in the land of Chivial. A "Blade" is a master swordsman who is magically "bonded" to the King, and this forces unwavering loyalty to the wishes of the King. One of King Athelgar's Blades is a man named Wolf. Wolf is one of the best of the Blades, but is in the bad graces of the King. They share a mutual dislike and disgust of each other. When the King learns of a massacre at a fortress that was supposedly impregnable, he sends Wolf to investigate. This is no simple massacre, however (if a massacre can ever be simple). The invaders slew several Blades, which is exceedingly difficult for anyone who is not another Blade. The invaders also captured the wife of the man in charge of the fortress, but to complicate matters this woman was the former mistress of the King and also has a past with Wolf. Wolf's main motivation, other than doing his job, is that his brother Lynx, also a Blade, was wounded at the massacre.

With Wolf comes an Inquisitor of the Dark Chamber who is pursuing her own investigation. Blades and Inquisitors seldom see eye to eye and had a mutual distrust of each other. When they arrive at Quondom castle, they learn something disturbing: the invaders may not have been completely human. The invaders appear to be part human, part beast, and it is these "monsters" which have taken the King's former Mistress. Further investigation points across the ocean, and Wolf and The Inquisitor are still on the trail.

Not being familiar at all with the other works of Dave Duncan and the King's Blades, I was unsure how much I would be missing by reading this sixth volume first. While I can't be positive about this, not having read the other volumes, but "The Jaguar Knights" stands on its own and can be easily read without knowing anything else about the series or Chivial. I believe there are little bits about different characters and events that will enrich the experience for the informed reader, but my enjoyment was not lessened by trying to figure out who everyone was and how this all fit together.

The beginning to "The Jaguar Knights" was a little slow and I spent time trying to figure out who Wolf is and what exactly a Blade is, and what "bonding" is, but as the novel continued, everything was explained in enough detail to understand the story, the background (to an extent) and get the story moving. At the point that Wolf and the Inquisitor are paired up is when Dave Duncan hooked me on his story. It also helps that Dave Duncan did an excellent job writing this novel and took it in a direction that surprised me at several turns. My high praise is that after reading this book I want to go back and read the rest of the King's Blades series. Duncan is unsparing in what he puts his characters through, and that is something I appreciate.

-Joe Sherry

The Jaguar Knights by Dave Duncan is the latest edition in the King's Blade saga. By all accounts this will be the last King's Blade book as well. I believe I read somewhere that Duncan said their tale had been told and he doesn't envision going back there. That's a shame as the King's Blade books are some of the more refreshing fantasy books I have read lately.

This story is a tale of one Blade Sir Wolf going on a mission that accomplishes two things. One he helps the Inquisitors, but more importantly he tries to help his disgraced brother, another Blade, Sir Lynx. The majority of this story takes place away from Chivial and adds an assortment of new characters and ideas. Duncan does a good job at introducing just enough information as to keep some things fresh and exciting while at the same time explaining enough so the reader is not lost and confused.

The plot in this book is interesting and well scripted; however, at times it feels that the writing does not bring the richness out of it that I think could have been done. There are moments where the reader must think to themselves, that was too easy, or something didn't make any sense of why it happened like it did. This is the sixth book I have read from Duncan, all being in the King's Blades saga and this one just doesn't measure up to the others. It `feels' almost as though Duncan rushed to write this and get it on the shelves. Don't take me wrong though, this is better than some fantasy out there today, but this just doesn't measure up to what I was expecting from Duncan.

The characters in this book also don't measure up to what I would expect from a Duncan book. Simply said, I didn't care about the vast majority of characters in this book as I have with the other Duncan books. I really can't explain why, but the characters seemed disjointed at times. About the only character I cared about was Flicker, but even then he did things that made little to no sense for an Inquisitor to do. Wolf and Lynx could have been countless other characters from prior fantasy books. I didn't really feel like I was reading anything new with them as characters.

Overall, this book is average at best in terms of modern fantasy books and sub=par in terms of Duncan's writing. Yet, in the same breath, I would recommend it to anyone who has read the previous five King's Blades books, simply to continue the tale. If this is truly the last King's Blade book it a shame it ended on what I would consider a low note.

I've had the pleasure of reading all of the blade books, and enjoyed each and every one in a unique way- for each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

In each of the blade stories the blades are mind warped with powerful enchantments which make them into unswerving patriots- and the accompanying evil which comes with such simplicity of purpose. And true to form as in the other books, the characters in "Jaguar Knights" struggle with their conscious as they perform abhorrant tasks in the name of their ward. This complexity of purpose- the conflict between serving their enchantment and higher goals- makes each of these books an interesting read.

Among the collection, this is not the strongest or best, but it certainly has shining moments and is well worth reading. Duncan comes through with his witty reparte between characters and byzantine political machinations which makes his worlds spin. (And your head spin if you actually try to follow the political motivation of every underling).

Like "Lord of the Fire Lands" much of the action takes place in lands far from Chivial, and part of the excitement of reading is in exploring these new worlds with the characters. Thus, this is like travel writing, but traveling to places far more exotic than anything here on earth has provided.

There are three main characters here, Wolf, Dolores, and Lynx. Each of them figure promininently in the unfolding action, and true to form the combination of loyalties and mind bending enchantments each of them are involved with make up a good part of the story (and each characters motivations).

I actually would have preferred to see more of the conflict which the character Lynx undergoes as he participates in two societies- this was interesting.

Overall, I think the book could have used another run through by the author. Parts of it are a bit sloppy compared to his other offerings. However, even with its flaws "The Jaguar Knights" stands tall among most contemporary fantasy writing and is well worth a read.

This book is the third of the first three, but its connections to the other books is largely tangential (characters that appear within appear in other books, but your familiarity with them and their events is not necessary to understand what is going on at all).

I give Jaguar Knights 4 stars because because it kept me turning the pages and overall is a pretty good book, but not Dave Duncan's best by far. Actually, this was probably my least favorite of all the King's Blades books. The story is not as tight and the characters don't live up to the standards of the other King's Blades books. The plot seems a little bit contrived and there didn't seem to be any real motivation for the hardships the characters endured.

That said, I'd still recommend it, but was a little bit disappointed considering how much I like everything else he has written.

He is the King's Blade, bound to the monarch in a binding magical spell that forces him to protect his liege lord even though Sir Wolf despises the sneaky and untrustworthy royal. King Athelgar sends Sir Wolf and the Inquisitor Delores (a magic practitioner) to the Fortress of Quondom where raiders made off with the regal cast-off mistress Celeste. When the duo arrives they find magic was used to cause genocide and strange ornaments and curios unknown in Chivrial were left behind by the invaders who managed to escape.

Even more perplexing is finding a human arm with the claw of a jaguar on it. Delores does not recognize the magic used here, but they learn that the warriors come from the island of El Dorado in the little known lands across the sea. The pair travels there hoping to uncover the secrets of the strange magic and why the assault happened. This quest is not easy because El Dorado is an island at war with Distlain; the islanders have plans to stop them at all costs.

THE JAGUAR KNIGHTS is a fascinating sword and sorcery fantasy that takes place for the most part far away from Chivrial. There is plenty of action and romance as the Blade and the Inquisitor go on their grand adventure together. Dave Duncan's Blade series is an Indiana Jones-Lara Croft action thriller with magic a part of the storyline to add an extra spell on readers. Mr. Duncan continues to raise the S&S bar of excellence that few can achieve.

Harriet Klausner

While I have to concur with the other reviewers in their criticisms of aspects of The Jaguar Knights, it nevertheless had more of an emotional impact on me than any of the rest of the series. Perhaps that's due in part to the markedly darker tone, but I think the impact derived mainly from a strong identification with one of the characters (Dolores). She was, for me, the most three-dimensionally crafted, with her mercurial personality shifts not seeming like inconsistancy, but as genuine complexity.

The conclusion of the book, somewhat unexpected, was where the real impact lay. Ripped my guts out...

Wolf was the ugliest of the King's Blades. If that wasn't bad enough, he was also the King's least favorite. Which meant he got the very worst of the jobs the King had to offer. Because of the magic of the 'binding' he couldn't refuse. When a strange and impossible invasion of a remote castle results in the kidnapping of the King's former mistress, Wolf is sent to investigate--along with the beautiful but dangerous Dolores Hogwood, a professional spy and informer.

The invaders corpses (since there were King's Blades defending the ex-mistress, there were corpses left behind) matched vague descriptions of a distant land--similar to Aztec Mexico of the 16th century. But no ship had carried them to Chivial--if appearances are to be believed, they came by magic. And that scale of magic could make the difference in their nation's survival. Wolf, along with Hogwood and a small band are sent to the new world to investigate.

The story bogs down a bit in the part of Mexico occupied by Distlain (Spanish) who were making war on the native Yazotlan. With the traditional emnity between Chivial and Distlain, an alliance might benefit both nations--especially if Wolf and Hogwood can discover the secret to the Yazotlan magic.

Author Dave Duncan tells an engaging alternate history story. If their magic had worked, would the Aztec (Yazotlan) have survived Cortez's invasion--and formed an alliance with Spain's European enemies? If so, would that magic have been spread to Europe? The character Wolf is sympathetic and interesting--but Hogwood is really the more interesting character in this story--I would have liked to see more of her, learned more of her background and discovered what made her tick.

Fans of the KING'S BLADES series and of alternate history will definitely want to add THE JAGUAR KNIGHTS to their collection.

While I have thoroughly enjoyed this whole series, The Jaguar Knights is Duncan's best book yet. In other tomes we have developed a thorough understanding of the Blades and White Sisters. Now the Dark Chamber is highlighted. While Blades are taught to work together and help each other, the Inquisitors are brought up in a competitive environment where outdoing each other leads to advancement. Medieval spookery and one-upmanship abounds. And it's really cool!

Our hero Sir Wolf, his brother Lynx, and the Inquisitor Hogwood set off on a perilous quest to determine what has happened to the king's former mistress Celeste who has been carried off by mysterious warriors who somehow overrun an impenetrable castle then magically vanish. Duncan's fabulous characters, intricate plot, and fabulous storytelling continue to bring Chivial to life. I really enjoyed the way he examines how divided loyalties and strong emotions conflict with the Blade's magical bindings.

What happens to Sir Lynx when his ward is ward is kidnapped is very interesting. I'd say more but it might ruin things for you. Be prepared for a wild ride...

I was torn between wanting to finish it immediately and savoring the reading experience. Had a very hard time putting this one down even when I should have been doing more important things. Great book!

This story is mainly about two Blades, Wolf and his younger brother Lynx. An unknown force has entered a secure castle and destroyed the defenders, carrying off the King's former concubine Celeste. Wolf is the King's least favorite Blade and therefore sent on a difficult mission to determine who attacked the castle and why they chose to kidnap Celeste. The signs they find seem to point across the sea, towards a type of people and magic unknown to Wolf's kingdom. After successfully determining the origin of the attack Wolf is sent to spy on the barbarous kingdom centered at El Dorado. Blades are bound to their charges, and Lynx simultaneously sets off alone towards the enemy stronghold to find the stolen Celeste, his ward.

This book had strong points that kept me interested. The pacing is fast. The descriptions of imaginary kingdoms and types of magic are interesting. Moreover, this novel contains elements of romance, mystery, and espionage. However, this potent mixture of contrasting elements doesn't quite come together.

The book hits a bit of a lull as Wolf sets up what seems to be a small spying operation in a coastal city near the barbarians. Lynx is welcomed to the city of El Dorado because of an enchanted piece of jewelry he's recovered which begins turning him into a Jaguar Knight. The description of Jaguar Knights is somewhat vague. The characters are not fully developed. The romance seems contrived. The action is slack without any real major battles; it is more a battle of wits as Wolf and Lynx seek to penetrate El Dorado's society. The minor characters receive short passages and are quickly discarded. However, as denoted by the 4-star rating, this is an interesting, enjoyable novel that could perhaps have used a few more rounds of revision by the author.

Duncan's original three book set of this "series" is probably the best "trilogy" I've ever read. I don't want to give away any secrets, but you must read all three, and do so in order, starting with "The Gilded Chain."

(Okay, writing that sentence just made me run to my bookshelf to check and make sure I have all three so I can read them again.)

Jaguar Knights stems from the same realm, includes the same concepts, and presents the same excellent story-telling abilities of Duncan.

This is a world where young boys are trained to become personal bodyguards supreme, requiring both quick wits as well as tremendous skills to protect those to whom they are "bound" by magic, to the point where nobody, and nothing else, in the world is more important than their "Ward" (it is known that if something happens to their charge it is almost impossible to not go insane, assuming the protector does not die protecting their Ward, or kill themselves afterwards). This even if a "natural" death.

Yet, this is not a "fighting" book - it is thinking book/series - and you will think and enjoy as you share the thought processes of those who serve, and their struggles to balance their overwhelming need to protect their Ward with the other requirements of life.

Enjoy and thank me later.