Customer Reviews

Lord of the Fire Lands:: A Tale of the King's Blades

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reading the reviews of this book I am STUNNED at the number of people who were turned off and/or confused by the ending which contradicted events in The Gilded Chain. I want to quote Dave Duncan himself...IN THE BOOK. After the title page is one headed with: "Warning". Text follows.

"This book, like The Gilded Chain, is a stand-alone novel. They both cover much the same time interval and certain characters appear in both, but you can read either without reference to the other. The same is true of the upcoming third volume, Sky of Swords. However, the three taken together tell a larger story. If you read any of the two, you will note certain discrepancies that can be resolved only by reading the third."

Duncan is a terrific storyteller. Even without the warning, I had complete confidence in him. An author of his stature doesn't do something like that without reasons. I'm anxious to find out what they are. You should be too.

More of a stand-alone than a sequel, instead of picking up where The Gilded Chain left off, this novel tells the story of events that happened somewhere in the middle of that book, ones that were just barely mentioned because they didn't relate to Durendal. I liked the change in focus. This focuses on new characters, but there are some familiar names for those who have read The Gilded Chain, which gives a pleasant sense of recognition and connection. These new characters are engaging, just as the old ones, and there is increased explanation of the special connection between a Blade and his ward. All in all, I enjoyed this book and sped through it almost as quickly as the first. But when I reached the end, I was somewhat disappointed. For some reason, it seems Dave Duncan decided to alter the history between his first and second books. It seemed to kill all the connection that the story had established. I searched the remaining pages for some sort of explanation, but none existed. If anyone knows of any reason for this, I'd love to hear it.

Why does everyone find this book confusing? It seems fairly clear to me, but then I paid attention when Duncan explained that Time is an element which can be revoked by means of an octogram. So it ends differently from the first book; so what? There are still bloody swordfights, evil wizardry, and large amounts of fire and betrayal mixed with strong characters and a wild, pseudo-Shakespearian plot. You got a problem with that? Well, there's always Harry Potter...

The book starts out familiarly -- Ironhall, the epitome of a warrior's finishing school is going full force and the seniors are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the King. Once the king arrives, at least generally, the most senior student is bound to the king, or whomever he may choose, for years. There's a twist, though. One of the seniors refuses to be bound and that's where the real story begins. Partly based on Nordic and very early English sagas...remember reading Beowulf?...this book makes the leap to fantasy in a most satisfying way. Fair warning -- it's not really a sequel to the first installment and there is an alternate reality ending, which I actually preferred to the ending Ambrose faced in the first book. This is a rousing story of friendship, honor, betrayal and duty interwoven with magic, incantations and dragons. An absolute pleasure to read. Can we hope for more "Blades" in the future?

A great sequel to THE GILDED CHAIN, except it isn't quite. A trip to Baelmark with a red-headed Hamlet and all the attendant lords begins to carry the reeling plot farther and farther from the ending of GILDED CHAIN. Will we see Fat Ambrose killed in several alternate ways as these books proceed? Who cares, with this kind of action and humor? Baelish society is truly disgusting and sadly real, and the supporting research makes their language as real as any pseudo-Tolkien 'elvish.' Duncan's messing with your minds; repeal Time and reread the book.

In a crowded field this book stands out. It is well written, has great character development and never stops. I read it from start to finish in one night and couldn't wait to order the next Blade book.

"Lord of the Fire Lands" is another exceptional example of superior fantasy writing by author, Dave Duncan. After finishing his first "Tale of the King's Blades" in "The Gilded Chain," it seemed as though that novel would be a hard one to follow but Dave Duncan deftly handles that in writing this thoroughly absorbing and compelling story. The only downside to this story is the beginning in which it seems to take some time for the story to get going at a decent pace but I suspect that was, for me, simply an aftereffect of having just finished "The Gilded Chain" and the frenetic pace at which that story concluded. Overall though, "Lord of the Fire Lands" is a completely compelling story where Dave Duncan sets a good pace for the plot and tells a tale that adds brilliantly to King's Blades mythology.

The one truly intriguing aspect of this novel is the ending which contradicts the conclusion of "The Gilded Chain." As I understand it though, Dave Duncan cleverly handles this contradiction with ease in the third novel, "Sky of Swords." Every one of the novels begins with a blurb about how these novels can be read independently of the others but it would be "best" to read them in order to get the thorough experience of the overall story, which is exactly what I would suggest. The first two tales pretty much run concurrently of each other and there are even appearances in "Lord of the Fire Lands" by key characters from the first novel.

The Premise:

"Lord of the Fire Lands" is the story of two would be Blades in Wasp and Raider. When the time comes for King Ambrose IV to come to Ironhall and bind them into his service Raider respectfully refuses to do so and his best friend Wasp follows his lead. In the entire of history of the King's Blades, this has never happened before. As the two youngsters patiently await the outcome of their dreadful decision, King Ambrose comes to them and orders them to explain why they've done what they've done.

This is where the true story kicks in for this outstanding novel as Raider, who turns out to be Radgar, the son of the former King of the Baels, Eled. Raider begins to tell them how he came to be in Ironhall and the tale takes of from there...

What follows from there is an extremely enlightening addition to the "Tales of the King's Blades" as Dave Duncan takes us on an adventure that spans several years where the characters are extremely well defined with exceptional depth and the overall plot is thoroughly well thought out and executed.

I highly recommend not only this second book in the King's Blades tales but the all of them to any and all who are fans of exceptional fantasy fiction that is written with adults in mind. Dave Duncan is a superior author who deserves any and all accolades he's received and I'm sure continues to receive for these exceptional stories. {ssintrepid}

Having just finished "The Gilded Chain," I was excited to find that Duncan had written a sequel. Unfortunately, the book left me torn. Almost the entire story remains true to the first with great characters and an engaging plot. It was one of those books that keeps you awake at night. I almost skipped a class to finish it. The ending however completely invalidated the first book. I want to know what happened. I mean really, if Mr. Duncan wanted the story to go this way, way end the other book as he did. I found this book to be frustrating beyond belief. If you've never read the first book, then you'll enjoy this, but don't read "The Gilded Chain." If you've read the first book, skip this. It will only make you want to find the author and beat an explanation out of him.

Both books are awesome and I recommend them to readers. Can't wait for the third book, which would clarify the mystery formed by an apparent contradiction between the two books, which happens at the end of the second book.. Awesome hanging ending at the end of the second book, made me crave for more...

... but I certainly don't intend for it to be my last! This story was tremendous: a richly portrayed world; engaging characters; as well as a depth of detail in everyday medieval activities; and I enjoyed the entymological elements. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

The moment a clerk, Gerard, awakens to defend himself a little too effectively for his own good, he alters the fate of nations. His subsequent efforts at survival achieve effects far beyond what he, at first, believes himself capable. Tapping his talent at political intrigue, Gerard soon envisions his own success, through riding the coattails of his new patron.

The impact of the several Blades also runs deep. The Blades are often countered by the foresight of the King's foes and sometimes foiled by the human factors even a Blade bears. But among them one helps reshape the contest between Chivian and Bael.

Read this book!