Paragon Lost: A Chronicle of the King's Blades [Mass Market Paperback]

Dave Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Chronicle of the King's Blades | Publication Date: July 29, 2003

Many legends have emerged from the shadows of Ironhall, yet surely none can surpass the greatness and glory predestined for Sir Beaumont—possessor of the purest and strongest of hearts, and a mind as quick, keen, and accurate as his sword. But the day he sets out in the service of the elderly Lord Wassail turns to a black one, and young Beau's journey ends in horror and blood . . . and disgrace. Banished from the King's Blades, he now faces a grim future as a homeless pariah, a creature to be shunned and despised. But redemption can come from unexpected directions and in unrecognizable guises. Approached in secret by the legendary Durendal, now Grand Master of the Order, the dishonored paragon is offered one last chance to win back his weapon and his place among his brothers in arms. But to do so, Beau must ride alone back through the icy gates of Hell . . . and do battle with the Devil himself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Canadian author Duncan offers plenty of swashbuckling fantasy adventure in this outstanding stand-alone novel, a follow-up to the three books in his loosely connected Tales of the King's Blades series (The Gilded Chain; Lord of the Fire Lands; Sky of Swords). Set during the reign of King Athelgar about a dozen years after the action of the previous volumes, the present story follows the binding of Sir Beaumont, one of the best of the King's Blades (swordsmen) in the land of Chivial, to the aged Lord Wassail, who must escort a royal princess from the court of the treacherous and insane Czar Igor and deliver a bride to the king. Along with fellow blades Arkell and Oak, Beaumont travels a narrow path in order to keep Wassail safe. Meanwhile, Igor desires his own blade and seeks the secrets of the rituals needed to gain one, aided by vicious ensorcelled dogs and the murderous strelsy. It's up to Beaumont, now disgraced and out of favor, to retrieve and stop a missing blade, Swithin, who's bound to the czar's brother-in-law, from reaching the czar's court. Rich, evocative language and superior narrative skills lift this mix of quest, swordplay, politics, love and honor high above the usual run of genre fiction. This book can only enhance Duncan's reputation as one of the leading masters of epic fantasy.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Bound by magic to serve the King or one of his chosen nobles, the King's Blades represent the epitome of loyalty and swordsmanship. Only Beaumont, once the finest Blade, brings disgrace to his calling. Duncan's latest installment in his popular "Tales of the King's Blades" series (The Gilded Chain; Lord of the Fire Lands; Sky of Swords) relates the truth behind the life and career of Ned Cookson, formerly Sir Beaumont of the King's Blades. Swashbuckling action and fantasy adventure add spice to a story of one man's struggle to find his own meaning of loyalty and courage. Recommended for most collections, particularly where the series is in demand.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Harper Voyager (July 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380818353
• ISBN-13: 978-0380818358
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Duncan is a prolific writer of fantasy and science fiction, best known for his fantasy series, particularly The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word, and The King's Blades. He and his wife Janet, his in-house editor and partner for over fifty years, live in Victoria, British Columbia. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent swords and sorcery fantasy, October 1, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paragon Lost: A Chronicle of the King's Blades (Hardcover)

Every King needs guards that are loyal to and willing to give up their lives in service to his majesty. In the kingdom of Chivial, the king's Blades are bound to their liege through a secret magical spell and to whomever the king binds them to as well. Sir Beaumont is the Blade with the best skills and is an excellent planner. His schemes are always successful, a trait that irritates his king.

Beau is bound by King Athlegar to Wasseil for the trip to Skyrria whose ruler Czar Igor is a madman willing to do anything to learn the binding spell for the king's blades. Beau uses chicanery and sleight of hand to successfully complete his mission and the king, instead of being grateful, dismisses Beau from his services.

This is an excellent swords and sorcery fantasy starring a protagonist who is right so much of the time, it is easy to see why he grates on the King's nerves. Skyrria feels like czarist Russia as a place where everyone has a hidden agenda, spellbound dogs are killing Igor's enemies and the people are afraid to say a word for fear of being killed. Chivial is too tame for the likes of Beau and it is hoped that he will appear in another king's Blade adventure living in a place like Skyrria.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Continuation of the series, April 13, 2006

By 

Andrew Gray "Beezer Review" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paragon Lost: A Chronicle of the King's Blades (Mass Market Paperback)

Paragon Lost by Dave Duncan starts another set (three) of book dealing with King's Blades. The first set, A Tale of the King's Blades dealt with a central theme and, for the most part, story line. The next three books I believe are stand-alone novels that deal with events after the first set of books. I think to really understand the events of this book you should read the first set of books before tackling these books. The best order to read the first set is: Gilded Chain, Lord of the Fire Lands, and Sky of Swords. Then move on to this set of books. I only say that because the back story will make the events in this book much more enriching. However, if this is the only Duncan book you can track down you won't be too lost reading this first.

This book follows the style that Duncan fans have come to know and love. Again Duncan weaves a tale where both the plot and the characters are equally important. Just when you think one will trump the other, the other rears up and takes over. It's flawlessly done and makes for yet another fantastic read and one that is definitely hard to put down.

The plot of this book is rather simple, but done in a way that adds depth and intrigue to the entire book. The plot is basically a disgraced bade is given a mission that no one else could do. However, in between finding out what the mission is and the culmination of the mission, Duncan gives the reader a look into this disgraced Blade's past and shows the reader why he is in the position he is in. Along the way there area few side-plots as well as an epic battle. At times, some authors put in side-plots and they often feel forced or rushed, however, with Duncan they flow well and become more enriching to the story.

The characters in this book are just as crisp and likeable as any other character I have read from Duncan. He truly does have a knack for writing characters that readers can not only identify with, but care about as well. I wish I could describe more, but I don't want to spoil anything for potential readers.

I would recommend this book to any fantasy fan who is looking for a lightly different twist of traditional sword and sorcery books. This is truly a diamond in the rough series of books that I think the vast majority of people would really enjoy. I can't say it enough, people need to get a hold of these books and read them!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best from one of my favorites., November 20, 2002

By 

J. OHAVER "johaver" (Abbeville, MS United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Paragon Lost: A Chronicle of the King's Blades (Hardcover)

My wife and I are both Dave Duncan fans. Our favorites have been his Seventh Sword and Man of His Word series, and they both rank high on my reading list for all fantasy authors. Paragon Lost ranks up there with any of Duncan's previous works. It is a big-time get-lost-in-the-time-warp page-turner. Great characters, fast-moving and unpredictable plot, set in an interesting, consistent world. As always, Duncan's characters are believable, flawed (human) but lovable. They move you as you read. Well worth getting in hardback.