Customer Reviews

King's Cure

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Liam Rhenford meets his investigative match and small Dragons do have a sense of humor. Already we learn a couple of new facts.

In the latest Rhenford/Fanuilh adventure Liam is sent on a mission to the capital to look up some information and, "Oh yes, drop off this small package to an old friend of mine."

With that the chase is on. Liam finds the pursuit extremely challenging, particularly when he's bested at every turn by the Pacifex. The topic is quite bleak with the imminent demise of the heirless King in the offing but we find the usual touches of humor and wit.

Liam has gotten quite a bit more comfortable with Fanuilh and their partnership is every bit as entertaining as in the previous books.

Diverting and excellent.

King's Cure is the fifth of the Fanuilh series but there's no need to read the earlier novels to enjoy this - however, you'll want to read them because they're pretty good! Liam is tasked by the Duke to travel to the capitol to research old trade routes. And, as long as you're going there, might as well deliver this unimportant package to a friend of the Duke....

In short order Liam is accused of treason and multiple murders , pursued by the police and their eerily efficient leader who always seems to be one step ahead of him, chased by the bad guys who have infiltrated the police and discovers Fanuilh thinks the whole deal is pretty funny!

Some things that impressed me about this novel... A brutally realistic brawl in which Liam makes the mistake of bringing a knife to a sword fight. Liam's narrow escapes from his pursuers which compared favorably with similar scenes from movie, "The Fugitive" (the Harrison Ford version).

Can't wait until the next Fanuilh book!

This is the fifth book in the Liam Rhenford/Fanuilh (Liam's dragon familiar) series and continues Daniel Hood's fabulous fantastical mystery series. In this tale, we join Liam in Torquay, the nation's capitol. He has been charged with delivering a package for the Duke and rather resents his position of errand boy. But Liam quickly realizes that this is no ordinary package. In short order he is accused of two murders, the disappearance of his friend, attacking the Chief of the Peacemakers (Police), treason and much more! When Liam realizes that he is carrying one of the legendary treasures of the Empire, the King's Cure, and that it may be the only thing standing between the dying King and death's door, he is in a race against time to get the potion delivered to the King. The only problem is - who is his enemy and who can he trust?

This is simply a fabulous book. For those of you who enjoy mysteries, this is a great fantasy to start with. And for those of you who enjoy fantasy, this is a great fantasy and a great mystery. Daniel Hood has a beautiful writing style, very clear and easy to follow, yet full of evocative descriptions and details. Hood's characters are very well developed and the reader can immediately identify with them. Although this book is part of a series, this one can easily stand on its own as all of the characters (except Liam and Rhenford) are new and Hood does an excellent job of giving just enough background information for new readers to understand, but not so much that dedicated fans get bored. Most of Hood's books are out of print, but they are readily available through used books stores and are well worth the little bit of time and effort needed to hunt them down. Buy this book - you won't regret it!

Dan Hood is one of three authors on my "must buy" fantasy list. The others being Steven Brust and George R.R. Martin (Though I will say that George has the potential of going the way of Robert Jordan and taking far too long to tell his story). His world is skillfully developed and feels both real and fantastic at the same time. His characters are interesting and well defined but remain mysterious - leaving a reader with the desire to learn more about them. (I REALLY want to know more about Liam's past as the scion of a noble house fallen on difficult times...)

Hood's plots, however, are the real reason you should buy his novels. He combines logical mysteries with the fantasy world he created and weaves puzzling and challenging plots which leave a reader always wanting to keep on turning pages. One reviewer of an earlier novel (Fanuilh - Hood's first) said it was predictable. I disagree, there were always several possible murderers until near the end - at which point the focus was more on how Rhenford was going to handle the situation.

These novels are great for fantasy enthusiasts and mystery lovers alike. Those who are both are in for a rare treat.

Unfortunately Mr. Hood has recently noted on his website that his publisher is suspending the series due to lower than expected sales. For this reason I suggest that all lovers of good fantasy get out their wallets and buy King's Cure - it is a great read and maybe we can get Liam Rhenford a second chance.

My reason for this is, of course, purely selfish: I want to read more Daniel Hood novels!

Third in the series, this mystery/fantasy stands well alone, but is better if you have read "Scales of Justice" and "Beggar's Banquet." Daniel Hood has crafted a wonderfully entertaining tale that is filled with adventure and sly humor. The protagonist, Liam Rhenford, is aided by his bonded familiar--a small dragon--who steals the show. Highly recommended!

I have long become a fan of Daniel Hood and must say that he seems a terrific guy as well as a great writer. The last of his books out so far, I admit I procrastinated in reading the King's Cure for some time so I could prolong it, but in the end I ate it up the same as all the books - plot and intrigue, murder mystery and unsolved crimes catches you and drags you in until you simply *must* know the ending..

Which brings me to why I took away one star. I will admit the ending left me...unsatisfied. To me this book was unlike almost every other in the loose series in that the ending was rather melancholy and, honestly, a bit depressing. This isn't to say it ruins the book, not at all, and I will likely go back to read it several times. However, it almost leaves you with the sense that the hero "failed", something rarely seen in any novel, much less a fantasy. However it is done in such a realistic way - in a way that reminds you that, as in real life, things don't always turn out in the end despite the struggles. It wasn't a bad end, and it certainly didn't leave me feeling I had wasted my time, it just wasn't exactly what I was expecting.

Still, I highly recommend this book, author, and definitely recommend the series itself staring with A Familiar Dragon. An absolute godsend for fans of realistic fantasy mysteries.

A policier story in a fantasy set. The results : outstanding.
Liam Rhenford and his dragon Fanuilh carry a great gift for the dying king : an artifact of lost origins, a vial of the strongest remedy of all, the King's Cure.
The problem is Liam has no idea of it and is caught in a maelstrom of treachery and death, as every door closes to him, he's marked as an assassin and murderer, and the dangerous Pacifex gets ever more close to him, her quarry.
Liam can count only on Fanuilh's small powers, and on his extraordinary luck, to get through the three days following his arrival, until traitors are exposed and all plots come to light.
I couldn't let this book down until I'd finished it... I'm going to search for more :)
This is superb fantasy - even if small scale. But who needs and epic tale when this is available?

Read it!! You won't regret it a bit.

"The King's Cure" is the fifth in Daniel Hood's series, starring Liam Rhenford and Fanuilh, his dragon familiar. It opens with Liam's arrival at Master Cade's home in the capital city of Torquay, to deliver a package from Liam's employer, Vespasianus, Duke of the Southern Tier. Whatever the package is, Cade inspects it and then promptly asks Liam to carry it one step further. This time Liam is to take the packet to a man named Bairth, and he is warned to avoid notice.

Liam's irritation at running errands vanishes when his visit to Bairth's house puts him in the midst of a murder from which he barely escapes with his own life, helped considerably by Fanuilh's facility with spellcasting. As Liam avoids the Peacekeepers, he discovers that the package is a small vial containing the King's Cure, a remedy specific to those of royal blood. King Nicanor's health has been failing quickly and apparently the Duke had decided to offer aid. Unfortunately, someone else is determined to prevent the vial from reaching the King, and has set up Liam as the scapegoat.

Violent death seems to pursue Liam everywhere as he tries to resolve the crime and deliver the vial. Not only does he face betrayal, but his every move seems to be anticipated by the Pacifex Warden. He and Fanuilh are driven to the most extraordinary measures to avoid capture as they flee from place to place in Torquay. Rarely is there enough time for Rhenford and the dragon to formulate a workable plan of action as they are foiled repeatedly by the brilliant Pacifex.

I wish that Liam's relationship with Fanuilh was a bit better developed. The little dragon has considerable intelligence and many glints of personality. But Liam shifts from affection to master/servant with little rhyme or reason. Given the size of Fanuilh's part, more character development is called for to avoid him becoming a deus ex machina.

King's Cure is not really a true mystery story, but more of a fantasy adventure tale with a bit of a mystery at its inception. This hardly harm's the plot, but the reader should not anticipate another Lord D'Arcy. Instead enjoy it for what it is. Daniel Hood spins an inventive and engaging tale. Liam Rhenford is a character with depth as well as resourcefulness, much enhancing the tale. The reader will also enjoy the vivid scenes of the city of Torquay. The story stands quite well on its own. Recommended.

I felt that the story was fast paced. I really enjoyed the story and read it in one sitting of three hours. I have previously read two other books of Daniel Hood and enjoyed them as well. I hope sales of this series will pick up so that he may publish the next Liam Rhenford book that is sitting on his shelf as he said in his web page.