Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn:Book 1)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Heroes, 16+
ISBN: 0765350386
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; (July 31, 2007)
Mass Market Paperback: 672 pages
Read an Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the “Sliver of Infinity,” reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler’s most hellish prison. Kelsier “snapped” and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.

Kelsier recruited the underworld’s elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel’s plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she’s a half-Skaa orphan, but she’s lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

You know, usually, after I read the book, but before I write my review, I read a few other reviews to see if my impressions are too far off the mark. Normally what I find is that I agree with most of what others say, which in turn gives me confidence in my own assessment. This time however, I ran across reviews that made me wonder if I had read the same book.

One of the main problems I believe is nobody was reading the preface's to each chapter. Please do not skip over those. While they appear to have little to do with the ongoing story, they provide clues to the back-story and their importance will become evident later on. If you do not read these, you will jump to some seriously incorrect conclusions.

OK, now for my impressions. First of all, I loved the magic system and I liked the suitably dark world. This is the type of book that I term Science Fantasy. There are two types of "magic" used and both have scientific components. Not great science but if you do not question it too closely, both systems are well thought out and consistent. The characters are well fleshed out and while I did not find them to be lovable, I did find them to be believable.

So if I only liked the world and I was not in love with the characters, why you ask did I love this book? Well, it made me think, and question, a lot. My favorite character has to be Hammond, because like him, and sometimes because of him, I questioned things. Why were the Skaa (the slave race) so passive? What went wrong 1000 years ago that created the world in which our characters live? How were the Inquisitors created? Why are the Terrismen so feared by the Dark Lord? Were the Nobles all bad or just a product of their environment? What are the Kandras exactly? What causes the mists? The questions go on and on...

In this book, I found myself questioning everything and looking forward to the answers, not all of which will be found in these pages. Often what answers I found just led to more questions. There is a strong thread of both physiological and philosophical elements to this story. I loved every minute of it. The pacing, in my opinion is flawless. Just the right ratio of questions to answers leading to more questions, more answers, well you get the idea. Mixed in with all the mystery and the hints that there is much more going on then the reader, or the characters, realize, is some great action and drama. There are plenty of nicely choreographed fight scenes, some intense narrow escapes and a few exciting triumphs. My attention was held from start to finish with a sincere desire to hurry on to book two.

As far as content, this is another of those books that is not aimed at a YA audience but is very readable by teens. The violence is graphic at times but there is just the right touch of romance with a total absence of sexual content. I highly recommend this to fantasy lovers who want something a bit different and who love a story that requires you to pay attention to the nuances. Now I am off to read book two with the hopes that some of my questions are answered while giving me new questions to ponder. See you when I am done!

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The Well of Ascension (Mistborn: Book 2)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Heroes, 16+
ISBN: 0765356139
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; (June 3, 2008)
Mass Market Paperback: 816 pages
Read an Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

Evil has been defeated. The war has just begun.

They did the impossible, deposing the godlike being whose brutal rule had lasted a thousand years. Now Vin, the street urchin who has grown into the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire.

They have barely begun when three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.

It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.

Vin and Eland find out that there is a price to be paid for winning the good fight. Now they need to deal with setting up a new government, Vin has to come to terms with her rise from unobtrusive street urchin to the most powerful Mistborn ever and Elend has to figure out how to transfer the idea of king as written in books, to the actuality of being one. Sound like a lot? Well it gets worse, first one, then two, then three armies camp outside of the city, all looking to take possession of the missing atium. Think this is plenty? Oh no! The mists are starting to appear even during daylight hours, and they kill. Vin is going to find herself facing another Mistborn, dealing with assassination attempts, searching for an unknown traitor who is a Kandra, - which means it could be anybody - and there is a mysterious mistwraith watching her. Sounds hopeless right? Well, there are the old legends and prophecies concerning the Hero of the Ages and the Well of Ascension. But can our heroes discover their true meanings in time?

I liked this one almost as much as the first but there are sections that plod along a bit. There is a lot of character development, most of it internal in nature. There is also a lot of political maneuvering and posturing, that while a logical consequence of toppling a 1000 year old government, does not make for very exciting reading. However, there are still some thought provoking things going on and some mysteries are solved while others continue to pop up. Plus, let us not forget Vin; she is always good for an impressive fight or three.

The magic system remains one of my favorite draws. The characters are well developed and believable, the world is dark and scary, the politics are actually a bit interesting and while the pace is slightly uneven, that is typical for a "middle" book. I am surprised by the fact that I cannot quite connect to the characters. I like them, their dilemmas and angst are well portrayed, they are definitely well fleshed out, but I do not "care" about them very much. It is one of those things I cannot explain. It does not detract from my enjoyment of the story, just bugs me because I do not know the reason. Anyway, there are plenty of things I do love about this book so it all evens out.

Content is the same as in book one. Lovemaking is so vaguely implied that you are not even sure if it happens at all, there are romance elements though, several actually. The violence is gory and graphic at times but it is hard to fight wars and kill people without gore. This story also provides some philosophical elements, namely an exploration of faith, its benefits, pitfalls, and meanings. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. It is a solid ending for the most part but the story ends with a definite tie in to book 3. A very fascinating read that should please most die hard fantasy fans. It is also the type of book that will benefit from an occasional reread and that is the book shelf I'm placing it on! Now on to book three, I am dying to know how this all ends.

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The Hero of Ages (Mistborn: Book 3)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Heroes, 16+
ISBN: 0765316897
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; (October 14, 2008)
Hardcover: 576 pages
Read an Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

Who is the Hero of Ages?

To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness---the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists---is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.

Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. She can’t even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!

If you think you have a handle on what is going on with this story, you are about to find out that you had less then a clue. Nothing is what it appears to be, and no event will resolve in the way you think it will, so plan to be amazed.

I never did form a firm attachment to the characters. If anything, I had far more interest in the secondary players then I did the main protagonists. Not sure why really. All the characters were well fleshed out, developed consistently, were flawed yet determined to prevail, were deluged by plenty of internal and external conflicts, all the things I love to see in well developed characters, and yet, I never found myself sympathizing with them. Best reason I can come up with is that they were overpowered by the story, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The story held me spellbound, riveted, enthralled, intrigued, and at times bewildered. What a ride. Frankly, I found it to be brilliant. It was like watching a full symphony, amazed at how so many different instruments combine to create a beautiful piece of music. This story has a strong underlying current of both philosophical and psychological issues. It explores things like creation, trust, faith, manipulation, betrayal, loyalty, and love. The story also explores the rather thin line between good and evil and how even good people can do horrible things in order to protect the "greater good" while evil people are not as evil as everybody assumes. In addition there is mystery, adventure, suspense and lots of "oh wow" moments. I have said it before but it bears repeating, do not skip over the snippets at the beginning of each chapter, they tell the story behind the story, and are priceless. I do not believe I have ever see chapter prefaces used so skillfully.

You might have noticed that I am avoiding telling you anything about the story itself; I am restricting my review to the blurb and my impressions. This is by design, I am afraid of giving even a glimmer of a hint as to what goes on in this book. I want you, the reader, to go into the conclusion of this series without a clue so you can savor it fully as I did. Only hint I will give you is that you are in for more then a few surprises and that you are not to worry, all of your questions will be answered. Great book and satisfying (if surprising) end to a great series. If you do not mind if the magic is science based, you do not object to religious beliefs being explored and you do not cringe at graphic violence set in a very dark world, you will absolutely love this book. While I do not believe that it will ever again have the same impact as the first read, this series is going on my reread shelf.

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The Wayfarer Redemption: Axis Trilogy (Series Summary)

An Epic Fantasy Series Review

Author: Sara Douglass
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Heroes, 16+
Series: The Wayfarer Redemption: Axis Trilogy: Books 1-3
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Book Reviews of: The Wayfarer Redemption/Battle Axe - Enchanter - Starman

1000 years ago, a new God took over the lands of Tencendor and drove out all of the magical races and the former gods. The new god, Artor, then creates a religion based on the Way of the Plow and sets about destroying all the forests and turning as much of the countryside into farms as possible. Renamed the Forbidden Ones, the magical races become little more the myths used to frighten children. However, a new threat is forming in the far north and if Tencendor is to survive, all three races, Icarii, Avar and Acharites (humans), must reunite before their world is destroyed.

This is a prophecy driven series and the prophecy, like most, is vague enough to be misinterpreted at times. This makes it possible to have more twists and turns then a slinky while providing a lot of entertainment as the reader tries to figure it all out. The prophecy comes in three parts, and each book follows a section of the prophecy, with just a bit of overlapping.

For the most part, this is a great example of classic epic fantasy. You have a band of unlikely and reluctant heroes and heroines. You have a battle of good verses evil and you have different magic systems used by several magical races. Add to that some detailed worldbuilding, religious intrigue and some romance, then toss in some war, betrayal and tragedy and you have a true page turning adventure.

Now this series is not without its faults but most of them, as far as I am concerned, are minor ones. What this series does excel at are awesome characters, the type you can really get behind, or really hate. When that is the case, I find myself forgiving any minor annoyances. This is an adult series but the content is such that it could very well appeal to teen readers. It is at times dark, tragic, and violent, but any sex is implied and the language is mild. It is a very complicated book though, the POV changes frequently and the cast of characters is huge and varied.

This series was released as a six book set in the US but as two trilogies in other countries. For the purpose of this review, I am going with the dual trilogy idea and for now, I plan to just review the Axis Trilogy. In addition, the name of the first book differs. In the US, book one is The Wayfarer Redemption while in other places it was titled Battleaxe. For more detailed information, I suggest reading the individual book reviews.

Read an Interview with Sara Douglass Sara Douglass' Website Similar Reads from LibraryThing Available in Kindle: Wayfarer Redemption and Starman. In Ebook: All three See individual reviews for more information.

Wayfarer Redemption - Battleaxe (Axis Trilogy: Book 1)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Sara Douglass

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Heroes, 16+
ISBN: 0765341301
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1st Mass Market Ed edition (September 17, 2001)
Mass Market Paperback: 672 pages
Read an Excerpt

(Note) This series was released as a 6 book set in the US but as 2 trilogies in other countries. For the purpose of this review, I am going with the dual trilogy idea and for now, I plan on just reviewing the Axis Trilogy. Also the name of the first book differs. In the US, book one is The Wayfarer Redemption while in other places it was titled Battleaxe.

Publisher's Blurb:

A millennia-old prophecy was given when the Forbidden Ones were driven from Achar. And now, the Acharites witness its manifestation: Achar is under attack by an evil lord from the North, Gorgreal-his ice demons strike from the sky and kill hundreds of brave warriors in the blink of an eye.

All Acharites believe the end is near.

One young woman, Faraday, betrothed of Duke Borneheld, learns that all she has been told about her people's history is untrue. While fleeing to safety from the dangerous land, Faraday, rides with Axis, legendary leader of the Axe-Wielders-and hated half-brother of Borneheld-and a man Faraday secretly loves although it would be death to admit it. She embarks on a journey, which will change her life forever, in search of the true nature of her people.

This grand and heroic story tells the tale of one woman's plight to learn the truth of her people and change their hearts and their minds forever. She fights against oppressive forces to share this reality and will not desist until everyone knows. . . . . The truth of the Star Gate

This is one of my favorite types of fantasy, classic large-scale battle of good verses evil with magical races. Granted, this type of fantasy is no longer in "fashion" but it is the type that developed my love for fantasy so I will likely never grow tired of it.

The blurb does not do the book justice (I am finding that few of them do.) Faraday is but one player in this drama, granted an important one, but there are several more who are just, if not more, important then Faraday. As with most first novels in a trilogy, this book contains a lot of setup. There are multiple unique races with different religious views, several different magic systems, extensive world building, a prophecy to be explained, and an impending war. Because of this, the book starts slow. Do not fear though, if you stick out the beginning, the resulting action will more then make up for the slow start.

A partial list of main characters. Axis, Battleaxe of the Seneschal, is at the very heart of this book and a suitably complicated character. His half-brother Duke Borneheld, the War Lord of Achar, hates Axis with a passion and tries everything in his power to see Axis dead. Faraday is the betrothed of Borneheld, in love with Axis and an unwitting player in the prophecy. The Avar, also called the People of the Horn, are a forest dwelling race who revere and protect nature. The Icarii are a beautiful and arrogant winged race who worship the stars and wield powerful magic. The Sentinels are lovable, magical beings who serve the prophecy. The humans, who believe in a religion that calls for the destruction of trees, the power of the plow and the elimination of all things magical. Then we have Gorgrael the Destroyer, determined to rule the world, commander of hordes of mist wraiths and other foul ice based creatures. In Gorgrael, we have, at least partially, an understandable antagonist with actual motives and reasons behind his insanity. I love it when the antagonist is not just a nameless, faceless evil creature who destroys just because he can.

Slow start that builds into a page-turner. You slowly fall in love with the characters and by the end of the book, you find yourself caring about what happens to them. There is a mystery here to be solved - several actually - romance, intrigue, betrayal and loyalty, love and loss, angst and triumph. I can only imagine that the series will just get better from here. The characters are adults. As with any war, there is violence, and as with any romance, there is the possibility of love scenes. None of the content is overly graphic and the bedroom scenes are implied, not detailed. There is a main theme of adults dealing with issues that were caused by dysfunctional childhoods. I am going 16+ on these, not because of graphic content but due to the maturity of the issues explored. As always, that is only my opinion.

I have an ulterior motive for choosing this trilogy for review. Sara Douglass has been diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer Her Post. The best way I know of to show my support is to promote her books. My heart and good wishes go out to her and I hope that she wins her battle. So buy her books or go to the post and leave a comment, meanwhile I am off to read book two, I want to know what happens next!

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Shelfari Rating 4+/5 Librarything Rating 3.74/5 Amazon Rating 3+ out of 5 stars (170 Customer Reviews) What Should I Read Next?

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Enchanter (Wayfarer's Redemption: Axis Trilogy: Book 2)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Sara Douglass

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Heroes, 16+
ISBN: 0765341964
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; (April 15, 2002)
Mass Market Paperback: 688 pages
Read an Excerpt

(Note) This series was released as a 6 book set in the US but as 2 trilogies in other countries. For the purpose of this review, I am going with the dual trilogy idea and for now, I plan on just reviewing the Axis Trilogy.

Publisher's Blurb:

Axis is a true hero, in every sense of the word. On his shoulders lies the double burden of prophecy and war. Having fulfilled the first part of the prophecy by becoming the StarMan, he now must reunite the three races inhabiting his world.

It is his destiny to lead an army against his evil half-brother, to regain control of Tencendor, once the greatest land in the world.

It is his destiny to be caught between the two women he loves, one the epitome of gentility, beauty, and intelligence, the other a fierce warrior with a cunning wit.

And it is his destiny to be thwarted at every turn by the vicious Goragel, an insane monster bent on destroying all that Axis works to preserve.

This installment in the series focuses on the war between Axis and his half-brother Bourneheld. Axis continues to grow in power but he starts to take on the innate arrogance of his Icarii heritage. You will likely discover that your feelings about Axis change, and not for the better. Because of this, some readers get upset; Axis does some cold-hearted things in this book. Another complaint that folks have is the absence of Faraday and the focus on Azure. (Don't worry, Faraday gets more attention in book three.) The end result is ratings that are lower, in my opinion, then these books deserve.

Let me try to explain, carefully so I do not give anything away, why I feel the three star ratings are off the mark. In book one, Axis and Faraday are young, naive, and more in love with the idea of each other then the reality. Honestly, neither knows a lot about the other. Book 2, Axis has gone through many changes, essentially he is not the same young battleaxe of book one. Everything he was raised to believe has been proven a lie. Combine that with the corrupting influence of great power, the driving force of the prophecy plus the horrors of war and Axis develops into a different person, and not all the changes are positive. I thought it was well done.

There are many revelations in this book. In some cases, mysteries are solved, in other cases they deepen and some of the answers will create new questions. Things happen that you will see coming, others will catch you completely off guard. Combine that with the fact that this is a complicated story with a multitude of characters to keep track of, and you end up with a real page-turner. I literally flew through this book.

Ever read a book where you promise yourself you will only read one more chapter, then an hour later you look at the clock and say impolite things you are glad only your cat heard? I had several 3am mornings where I forced myself to put down the book and go to bed. I may not have liked the various characters as much as I did in book one, but I still wanted to know how things were going to turn out for them. Even when I knew how an event was going to end up, I still wanted to know what path would be taken to get there and who would play what part.

The characters feel real to me. They make mistakes, they get over confident, they hurt other people unintentionally, they exhibit poor judgment, and the good ones kick themselves afterwards. I also like complicated stories with multiple characters, various races, different systems of magic, unique cultures and more then one religion. Add to that an author who manages to weave all of these elements into something that works and I am in love. There is one more thing I love about this story; it has antagonists I understand plus mysterious "others" that I do not. Bournheld's motives and beliefs, considering his upbringing, I completely understood. Gorgael has some motives that I understand, regardless of the fact that he was born "evil" and is not completely sane. There are also mysterious "others" pulling strings in the background and I desperately want to know what their game is. I got some of my answers here but for the rest I must move on to book three. I am looking forward to it.

Additional note: please support Sara Douglass in her fight against advanced ovarian cancer. Buy her books or please consider sending her an email here. I am sure she will appreciate either (or both.)

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Shelfari Rating 4/5 Librarything Rating 3.84/5 Amazon Rating 3+ out of 5 stars (65 Customer Reviews) What Should I Read Next?

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Starman (Wayfarer Redemption: Axis Trilogy: Book 3)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Sara Douglass

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Heroes, Adult
ISBN: 0765342812
Publisher: Tor Fantasy; (January 20, 2003)
Mass Market Paperback: 688 pages
Read an Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

Axis is the StarMan of prophecy and legend, destined to lead the three races of his world to unite as one people. The people of his world all know the Prophecy of the Destroyer, despite the failed attempts of the Seneschal to suppress it in the name of the god Artor the Ploughman, and it predicts and dictates Axis's path through war and destruction to the creation of Tencendor.

The Prophecy foretold that Axis would defeat his half-brother and lay claim to the land that Tencendor will be created upon. The Prophecy told of the traitor in Axis's camp-Faraday's champion, Timozel.

And the Prophecy foretold many a choice that Axis must make in order to fulfill his destiny . . . but neglected to mention the choice between the beautiful and courageous Faraday, his late half-brother's wife, and the feisty and hauntingly enchanting Azhure.

To Faraday, he had pledged his love and a place by his side as ruler of Tencendor; to Azhure, he had given his children, his time, and his devotion.

His love for both women is what the last twist of the Prophecy relies on. While Azhure explores her newfound powers as an Icarii Enchantress, and Faraday replants the ancient forests of the Mother, the evil Gorgrael is plotting Axis's downfall, invading the sky with ice and terror and the flesh-hungry Gryphons. His most daring move is to follow prophecy, to taunt Axis with the pain of his beloved.

But which beloved woman will Gorgrael choose . . . and will she be the one whose death will distract Axis from saving the world?

The final book of this trilogy brings everything to bittersweet conclusion. Each member of the prophecy discovers and fulfills their part. Great individual sacrifices are made in the hopes of saving the greater good. In the end, it will come down to just one choice, who exactly is the Lover?

This story is full of tragedy and triumph. The "hook" is wanting to discover exactly how each person fits into the prophecy and of course the final battle between Axis and Gorgrael. The need for answers will keep you turning the pages. By this point, you have a lot invested in this story and simply must see it through to the end.

You will probably need that impetus, or at least I did. This is sadly my least favorite of the three. I think that part of the reason was the ease in which some tasks were performed compared to the difficulty inherent in others. In addition, I felt like there were too many clues. I knew most of the time what was going to happen, all I needed to know was when. I cannot site examples without giving away vital plot information; I will just leave you with my opinion that some parts were too predictable resulting in certain events coming across as anticlimactic.

That is the bad, now for the good. The characters are strongly drawn; to say that they have developed since book one would be an understatement. My complaint about predictability aside, there are surprises to savor. Some will make you want to cry, some will make you want to smack the character, and others will make you cheer. The worldbuilding in this book is also stronger then in previous ones. There is one thing for sure; the world being recreated will be much more beautiful than the one that Artor controlled. The conclusion was satisfying; all the "must know" loose ends are tied up, while leaving room to continue the series. The pacing is also good, and the story flows well from one POV to another, not an easy task when dealing with so many characters.

Content is a bit harsher, there are some unsettling scenes of violence and tragedy but only when necessary to advance the plot. After all, no war of good verses evil is without elements of violence and death. There are also some very touching moments. I love it when an author can make me care about her characters and Sara Douglass has definitely succeeded in that regard. Overall, this is epic fantasy at its best.

Additional note: please support Sara Douglass in her fight against advanced ovarian cancer. Buy her books or please consider sending her an email here. I am sure she will appreciate either (or both.)

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Chronicles of the King's Blades (Series Summary)

A Sword and Sorcery Series Review

Author: Dave Duncan
Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Heroes, Adult
Series: Chronicles of the King's Blades
Publisher: Eos
Book Reviews: Paragon Lost - Impossible Odds - The Jaguar Knights

Chronicles of the King's Blades is a collection of three books set in the same world as Dave Duncan's Tales of the King's Blades. Each book is a solid standalone, though I do suggest reading the first three before these or you may find yourself confused about the types of magic used. Blades are skilled warriors who are bound to the King, or a person of his choosing, by a complicated ritual. Once bound, the Blade will protect his Ward with blind devotion and loyalty, doing whatever it takes to keep his Ward safe, even if that means defying his Ward's wishes.

The books in this series expand the world of the King's Blades, taking them to new places and exposing them to new cultures and forms of magic. Each book also challenges its hero in new and different ways, stretching the limits of their bond and forcing them to come up with some creative solutions. I loved Paragon Lost and Impossible Odds, both were extremely fun reads and definite page-turners. I liked Jaguar Knights a little less but it was still a good read.

Lots of swordplay, great characterizations, plenty of sex, drama and violence plus interesting world building. If you love sword and sorcery with a bit of romance thrown in and plenty of intrigue and mystery to keep the pages turning, you will love these books. These stories have an adult feel to them, there is plenty of sex and violence but none of it is overly graphic in detail. Good all around fun fantasy. For more information, I suggest reading the individual reviews. Especially in this case since the three books do not follow a common story making it hard to summarize the series as a whole.

Read an Interview with Dave Duncan Dave Duncan's Website Similar Reads from LibraryThing Available in Kindle and Ebook See individual reviews for more information.

Paragon Lost (A Chronicle of the King's Blades: Book 1)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Dave Duncan

Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Heroes, Adult
ISBN: 0380818353
Publisher: Eos (July 29, 2003)
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

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.

Sir Beaumont. Beau for short is a disgraced King's Blade, cast out of the order, and forced to make his way in the world as best he can. That is until Grand Master Durendal shows up at his door, asking a favor, a mission he feels that only Beaumont can accomplish. If Beau succeeds, he may just win back his sword and his standing with the King's Blades. However, what exactly happened that led to Sir Beaumont's disgrace? In addition, why has Sir Durendal singled him out for this dangerous undertaking?

I love Dave Duncan's stories. The man excels at circles. First, we see the meeting between Sir Durendal and the former blade, Sir Beaumont. The story stops there and he takes us on a trip into the past to visit the events that led to Beaumont's fall from grace. Then he seamlessly brings us back around full circle and picks up right where he left off. After that, it is full steam ahead to the conclusion. It is like reading two books for the price of one! So far, every book of Dave Duncan's that I have read has been just plain fun.

Like most of his books, this is a standalone within a series. If you read my reviews on the first trilogy, A Tale of the King's Blades, you will know that each of those were standalones, but read together, formed an entirely different story. (Circles again!) The three books in this trilogy however are true standalones, there may be characters in common, the world of course is the same (though more widely explored), but each stands on its own. You can read this one without reading the previous books, but I do not advise it; there are details about the setting and the Blades found in the first trilogy that will make reading this one much more enjoyable.

One thing about these books surprises me, I have read other reviews of his books, and not once have I read anything about the humor. The characters are awesome, flawed but dedicated, honorable but randy and at times, just plain funny. The interactions, the internal thoughts, the cutting wit, at times, had me laughing out loud. Now granted, I love dry wit and satirical humor and others may not, but I find Dave Duncan's brand of humor right up my alley. The other thing that amazes me is how Sir Beaumont comes across as the perfect hero, the perfect lover, a strategist beyond compare, and an extreme risk taker, and yet, is not annoying at all. This guy is ALWAYS smiling, walks right into traps with a grin then turns the tables on his opponents...every...single...time...and yet, you can not help but love the guy. I do not know how Dave Duncan does it, normally the "perfect hero who can turn mud into wine" makes me grit my teeth, but not in the case of Sir Beaumont.

Dave Duncan is a little bit like Sir Beaumont, there is little that he does wrong. The pacing is perfection, the characters are lovable, likable or despicable, the world is well crafted and the plot is just plain fun. The world is done well enough to classify this as alternate history. You will easily recognize both lands and people who existed during our own medieval period, only with magic and of course, different names.

Content wise, these books are adult, about adults for the most part and there is plenty of sex and violence. They are skilled warriors after all plus their magical binding makes them irresistible to women, and they take full advantage of this. Now none of the content is graphic, but the subject matter does not "feel" YA. However, as long as you do not mind that Blades will sleep with anything in a skirt and live to poke holes in people, you'll love this story and any of the others in the Blades series. If you love mystery, romance, adventure, and swordplay, you cannot go wrong with the King's Blades.

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Shelfari Rating 4+/5 Librarything Rating 3.9/5 Amazon Rating 4+ out of 5 stars (16 Customer Reviews) What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: Paragon Lost Ebook: Ebook.com Buy Book: B&N - Powells Amazon: US Canada UK

Impossible Odds: (A Chronicle of the King's Blades: Book 2)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

By Dave Duncan

Genre: Sword and Sorcery, Heroes, Adult
ISBN: 0060094451
Publisher: Eos (September 28, 2004)
Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

Elite warrior swordsmen, they are unequalled in any time or realm . . .

The King's Blades

The King has decreed that new Blades must be sworn into the service of the Grand Duke Rubin, deposed by a foul usurper and currently on the run. But none of the rough youths being readied at Ironhall possess the seasoning to survive what better, more skilled Blades already have not. Still, two woefully unprepared candidates are approached with an offer of early bonding and probable death: deft but dense, rude Ranter, and eager, impetuous Ringwood . . . with a third, the inadequate swordsman but potentially able spy Bellman, enlisted into their threadbare ranks. Joining the Duke's entourage along with the courageous and prescient White Sister Trudy, the would-be champions must restore a rightful ruler to the throne or die in the process.

But before them waits an army of the dead. And the Duke whom the Blades must protect to the last drop of their lifeblood is not the liege they imagined . . .When the King commands, Blades must be bound into service, even if the highest available candidates have not completed their training.

This is what happens to Ranter and Ringwood when a deposed grand duke asks for assistance from the king. Ranter, a rude malcontent, is less then pleased, but, true to his name, he is never pleased with anything. Ringwood is young enough to view the events as a marvelous adventure. Fortunately, for the pair, they will not be alone in their quest to restore Grand Duke Rubin to his throne. Bellman, his future uncertain, makes up for his lack of exceptional swordplay with a sharp mind. His skills with a blade have deteriorated to the point where he is being released from Ironhall as unsuitable for binding. With nothing to lose, Bellman volunteers to enter into service to the Grand Duke. Rounding out our party of champions will be Trudy, a talented White Sister whose strong opinions, and her propensity to express them, has made her unpopular with her superiors.

Our heroes will need her skills for not only has the Grand Duke fled an assassination attempt but also armies of undead have followed him in an attempt to finish the job. Can our four heroes beat impossible odds and restore the Grand Duke to his throne?

This is another fun read. Romance, intrigue, mystery, and drama fill the pages and keep you riveted for hours. Nobody is exactly who they appear to be and just when you think you know who is plotting what; you discover that you are wrong. I loved every minute of it. Once again, Dave Duncan expands the world, this time taking us to a country that resembles Germany but with magic. Dark magic and hordes of undead add a dark element to the tale while snippets of humor provide a balance. This story abounds with twists and surprises, the drama keeps you on your toes, and the characters develop rapidly. For the most part, this book contains all of the things I love most about fantasy.

This was a fast read and a solid page-turner. Dave Duncan does characters with skill, he constructs a world that you can easily envision and tells one heck of a story. By comparison, the magic is kind of weak and convenient. Blades are bound by a ritual that commits them to their ward, allowing them to go for extended periods with no rest, little food and endows them with sexual prowess. None of the magic appears to have consequences, with the exception of Blades going insane if their ward is killed. Mortal wounds are magically healed, undead are created, illusions are crafted, all without cost. Granted this is a minor flaw, just one I personally object to. I like my magic to have clear-cut rules and not used as an easy answer.

As far as content goes, it is not bad. Now there are two ways of determining readable age, is the book marketed as YA or just suitable for YA readers. These books were not marketed as YA. However, the main characters are young, teens to early 20s, the violence is not overly graphic, but the sex, while not graphic, is prevalent. As usual, it depends on the reader. I am going to err on the side of adult, simply because Blades will sleep with any woman, even married ones and sexual prowess is part and parcel of what defines a Blade. Other then that, I see no reason why these books would not appeal to a very wide audience. I know I love them!

Series Summary
Other books in the series
Ratings, Reviews, Similar Reads, Buy Books

Shelfari Rating 4/5 Librarything Rating 3.72/5 Amazon Rating 4+ out of 5 stars (10 Customer Reviews) What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: Impossible Odds Ebook: Ebooks.com Buy Book: B&N - Powells Amazon: US Canada UK