Customer Reviews

Reluctant Swordsman (Seventh Swordsman, Book 1)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Reluctant Swordsman" (Seventh Sword, Book 1)introduces the characters and world/universe the author continues with in "The Coming of Wisdom" (Seventh Sword, Book 2)and "The Destiny of the Sword" (Seventh Sword, Book 3). This is a brilliant trilogy which remains at the top of Dave Duncan's impressive body of work. This third book doesn't just follow the first two. It reveals things which the author put there all along, giving the reader a new appreciation of the characters and events. That sounds confusing, but read it and see.

The characters remind me of Dungeons and Dragons Roll Playing Games (D&D RPG's). The hero is a 7th level swordsman who picks up a 7th level priest as a travelling companion. There is the same satisfaction of watching a companion swordsman advance through the ranks as there is developing your own character's skill levels in an RPG. There are also some other character types familiar to RPG's (archer's are held in contempt). This is not one of those cheap knockoffs on a D&D game though. This is just one element of the world the author has created which is kind of fun.

The author created a universe with a multitude of gods, like the Greek and Roman gods. While this is very common in the sword and sorcery genre, Dave Duncan has made the gods active participants in his story. One god makes repeated appearances, talks with the hero, and performs the occasional miracle. The author is able to keep the gods from completely overshadowing the human characters by stressing how they value "free will" for their own purposes. The author's brilliant use of deity characters (a recurring element throughout his best series) adds facets to this story which lift it above a simple Conan type "guy with sword" story.

This trilogy has a detailed, multi-leveled plot which twists enough to keep you in suspense right up until the ending. And the ending reaches the appropriate dramatic climax, then has a satisfying denouement where the characters reap their rewards and the author ties up any loose ends. When this book ended, I was left saying, "Wow, imagine that!"

The only thing I can even think of that I didn't like about this trilogy is that it ended. The author really wrapped things up for the characters. It would be almost impossible to continue the story. I do hope that Dave Duncan comes back to this world with some new characters though. Maybe the old characters can have a cameo in the new story . . .

Book 1 of The Seventh Sword

While the formula is now become traditional (man from our world transported to a different universe), this story is an absolute delight to read. The prose is very descriptive and evocative without being flowery or tedious (a very difficult tightrope to walk), the characters quickly develop depth and personalities, and it is very, very easy to suspend disbelief and immerse yourself in the story. The ending prepares you for the next book without really being a cliff-hanger. Sword and sorcery, sort of -- with a twist. Does Clarke's Law explain everything? You decide..

I'd rate this 'G.'

I put off reading this book for a long time, by the time I finally did read it I was glad I did. Dave Duncan crafts the most unique and interesting fantasy world I have ever experienced. It is based mostly on one premise, how the lack of something (I won't say what that something is) can change how a world/culture developes.

The cultures and world is amazing. The characters compelling, the plot enveloping. Any fan of fantasy literature should read this series.

The only bad thing is that due to publisher conflicts it is out of print. Used copies can be hard to find. There are ebook versions available though.

"The Reluctant Swordsman" (Seventh Sword, Book 1)introduces the characters and world/universe the author continues with in "The Coming of Wisdom" (Seventh Sword, Book 2)and "The Destiny of the Sword" (Seventh Sword, Book 3). This is a brilliant trilogy which remains at the top of Dave Duncan's impressive body of work. This first book introduces the main character to the world/universe and the other characters. Then he is presented with a problem, beyond just adjusting to everything, which he overcomes by the end of the book. So this is a full stand-alone story which can be read by itself. The next two books don't just follow this first one. They reveal things which the author put there all along, giving the reader a new appreciation of the characters and events. That sounds confusing, but read it and see.

The characters remind me of Dungeons and Dragons Roll Playing Games (D&D RPG's). The hero is a 7th level swordsman who picks up a 7th level priest as a travelling companion. There is the same satisfaction of watching a companion swordsman advance through the ranks as there is developing your own character's skill levels in an RPG. There are also some other character types familiar to RPG's (archer's are held in contempt). This is not one of those cheap knockoffs on a D&D game though. This is just one element of the world the author has created which is kind of fun.

The author created a universe with a multitude of gods, like the Greek and Roman gods. While this is very common in the sword and sorcery genre, Dave Duncan has made the gods active participants in his story. One god makes repeated appearances, talks with the hero, and performs the occasional miracle. The author is able to keep the gods from completely overshadowing the human characters by stressing how they value "free will" for there own purposes. The author's brilliant use of deity characters (a recurring element throughout his best series) add facets to this story which lift it above a simple Conan type "guy with sword" story.

This trilogy has a detailed, multi-leveled plot which twists enough to keep you in suspense right up until the ending. And the ending reaches the appropriate dramatic climax, then has a satisfying denouement where the characters reap their rewards and the author ties up any loose ends. When this book ended, I was left saying, "Wow, imagine that!"

The only thing I can even think of that I didn't like about this trilogy is that it ended. The author really wrapped things up for the characters. It would be almost impossible to continue the story. I do hope that Dave Duncan comes back to this world with some new characters though. Maybe the old characters can have a cameo in the new story. . .

Anyone who reads the fantasy genre has read a story of this type: person from Earth is transplanted to other world. The Seventh Sword, however, plays with the conventions of this type of story a lot, which makes the story far more unique, thought-provoking, and fun than any of the others. Wallie is the antithesis of the fantasy hero--a peace-loving intellectual at heart, an unconventional teacher and a trickster, driven by necessity to do things he hates the thought of.

If you read this series (and I urge you to, several times), pay attention to the Hamlet references, the repetition of "power corrupts", and the water/jewels imagery. These are books that reward deeper readings.

This story is definitely not set in a mythical Northern Europe, like so many fantasy novels. It has Oriental, samurai-ish overtones, and is informed by the interaction of religion, science, magic, technology and power. It is also a great story. But Dave Duncan's real genius is in writing wonderful characters - the thoughtful Wallie Smith, ex-chemical engineer and now swordsman with a mysterious past, his proteges Nnanji and Katanji and the gentle and courageous Jja. In fact, Mr. Duncan simply doesn't write throwaway characters - every person you meet has depth and originality.

It had auspicious beginnings but quickly fell into a rhythm of angst, self loathing and tender moments, over and over again. And I do understand the title clearly states "Reluctant" but it got heavy handed. The author built suspense rather slowly and the climax always seemed, well, anti-climactic. Some things seemed to escape proper development while others seemed overly so. There was an interesting use of obsolete language not to set a tone but more to display an eclectic vocabulary. The ending should have said "To be continued" for all its efforts. Ive ready hundreds of fantasy fiction books and this one falls squarely in the mediocre range.

I have read "Coming of Wisdom", the second book and I am working on the third. Im hoping that this is going somewhere.

This book came up on my Kindle recommendations. I'd never heard of it, but the price was low and I figured I'd give it a shot since I'd almost run out of good stuff to read.

I'm now amazed that Dave Duncan isn't a household name--at least among lovers of well-written, engaging fantasy. The book grabbed me right away with lots of action and interesting situations. So much fantasy can get turgid, but this book, while not crazy funny, is humorous. I loved reading Wallie Smith's inner thoughts as he tries to navigate the completely unfamiliar World. I guess I might be amused too if I were an unassuming plant manager suddenly dropped into the body of a huge, athletic swordsman who talks to gods.

Duncan's World is fully realized with great detail. All that and a page-turning story! I highly recommend this and the second book in the trilogy, The Coming of Wisdom. I just downloaded the third book and I'm about to go read it right now!

I read this series when it originally came out and still have the beaten up hardbacks. Dave Duncan rarely got the press or success of his contempary authors but he was a genius at what he did. He always creates a fast pace fun fantasy with great action sequences. His characters are always interesting and he keeps them to a minimum. Which can be a very refreshing in contrast to modern fantasy writers who often feel the need to have 30 to 40 "main" characters. This series has a lot of action & questing, it also has some humor, romance and theology thrown in as well. A quick enjoyable read that will have you searching for more Dave Duncan books!

I am new to the fantasy world of books, I am a mystery reader convert who had not even realized that fantasy/science fiction would be something I would enjoy. Dave Duncan has a talent of ensnaring the reader within the first 30 pages of his books- by then you are hopelessly enthralled or ready to move on to something else altogether. I, for one, have yet to move on as I find this author to be extremely good at his chosen professon.The first printing of "The Reluctant Swordsman" was in 1968- three years after I was born. But this novel is endearing no matter what age you may be. The characters are believable, and Duncan's style of intrigue introduces you to a host of characters that keep things going at a steady pace. I read this book in one day! I also have ordered the other two books in the series- because I definitely want to follow these stories to their end. As always, this is another of Dave Duncan's brilliant stories full of lessons learned and morals to live by.