The Blades are back! Dave Duncan's deftly done swords-and-sorcery series adds its second chapter with The Lord of the Fire Lands, the worthy standalone followup to The Gilded Chain. Duncan's triumph with the first tale of the King's Blades--a trend that thankfully continues with the second--is his unabashed confidence in the genre. Swashbuckling high fantasy may get its share of derisive snickers, but done well it can be as engaging and smart as anything more weighty--not to mention that it's often a lot more fun.

Lord of the Fire Lands opens with fat King Ambrose back at hallowed Ironhall mustering more Blades, the Kingdom of Chivial's magically bound, magically enhanced super-swordsmen. But when His Majesty prepares to bestow this honor on the hall's senior pupil, Candidate Raider does the unthinkable, the unprecedented: he refuses. Why would a Blade-to-be insult--and enrage--his king? That, of course, is a long story, and just the start of this time-hopping, tortuous tale.

Cover to cover, Duncan has packed blood-thirsty pirates, betrayed princes, kidnapped brides, slippery assassins, stark-mad shamans, volcanic firedrakes, Blades (naturally) by the bushel, and even a satisfying cameo from none other than Gilded Chain's legendary Durendal. --Paul Hughes


From Publishers Weekly
Distinguished by its sophisticated structure and themes, Duncan's exceptional sequel to The Gilded Chain will satisfy both fantasy fans looking for high adventure and those more interested in rich characterizations. For five years Raider and Wasp have been training to become Blades, expert swordsmen who are magically enhanced. But when the two are offered the highest of honorsAto serve the king of Chivial himselfAthey refuse. As Raider's reasons for this unprecedented decision are explored, Duncan flashes back to present the history of the marriage of a "civilized" Chivian duchess to the king of the "barbarous" Baels, who have long terrorized Chivial. Raider and Wasp's rejection of the king has made them outlaws, so they must flee Chivial for Baelmark, where they face a situation explicitly like Hamlet's (king dead, queen mother married to her brother-in-law), though Duncan skillfully develops this section as a genuine, unique drama rather than as an arch reference to the Bard. His depiction of Bael culture, which is based in language and custom on Beowulf's time, is assured and creative, authoritative but without unnecessary ostentation. His Baelish villains may be two-dimensional, but the other characters display an appealing combination of fallibility, morality (of various sorts) and charm. Plot twists based on hidden identities and allegiances are surprising yet well prepared. The interesting magical system features eight elements, adding the evocative Love, Time, Death and Chance to the traditional Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Duncan can swashbuckle with the best, but his characters feel more deeply and think more clearly than most, making his novels, especially this one, suitable for a particularly wide readership. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Raised in a special training school for the sole purpose of serving their king as his magic-bound Blades, Raider and Wasp scandalize their academy by refusing the honor. Choosing instead to travel far from the Kingdom of Chivial, the two companions seek to redress a longstanding grievance that has its roots in the forbidding land of the Baelish barbarians. The second installment (following The Gilded Chain) of the adventures of the elite warriors known as the King's Blades demonstrates Duncan's talent for innovative fantasy. Swashbuckling action and high adventure make this fast-paced tale a good choice for fantasy collections. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
This is not so much a sequel to The Gilded Chain as it is a substantially independent story with the same background. After being orphaned by Baelish pirates and befriended by Raider, young Wasp is trained as a King's Blade at Ironhall. His loyalty to Raider and his desire to avenge his family, however, lead him to break his oath to King Ambrose, for which he and Raider are outlawed. As it happens, though, all bridges are not burned. In pursuing their quest, the two discover a complex swordly and sorcerous menace, from which they as outlaws are better able to save Ambrose than they would be as King's Blades. Duncan is an exceedingly finished stylist and a master of world building and characterization, and with those strengths rather than great originality in plotting he fashions another eminently satisfactory King's Blades adventure. Roland Green


From Kirkus Reviews
A companion volume to Duncan's sword-and-sorcery yarn, The Gilded Chain (1998), the action more or less contemporaneous to the previous tales. Ambrose, like all the kings of Chivial, is defended by his Blades, expert swordsmen magically bound to their wards. Candidate Raider, however, refuses the binding ritual, as does his young friend Wasp (Raider saved his life in a terrible fire). Raider explains that since he's already enchantedmade fireproof the Blade-magic would kill him. He also claims to be Radgar, King Ambrose's cousin, his mother Lady Charlotte having been abducted and wed 20 years ago by AEled, King of Baelmark. The Baels inhabit a chilly land of volcanic islands and, Viking-like, go raiding for booty and slaves; they speak (literally) Old English. Charlotte's abduction caused a protracted and ruinous war. Eventually, five years ago, Ambrose sent a peace delegation, and among the party was ex-Blade Sir Geste. Seemingly he betrayed Ambrose to the Baels, but in actuality he plotted with AEled's brother Cynewulf. Geste murdered AEled; Cynewulf magically beguiled Charlotte and then set the palace ablaze. Fireproof Radgar escaped and, knowing nothing of Ambrose's intrigues, concealed himself as a trainee Blade. Now, Ambrose binds Wasp to Radgar, hoping he'll quickly make a fatal error. Wasp, though, grasps the situation and kills Ambrose's watchdog, a fellow Blade. Radgar and Wasp escape to Baelmark, where the scene is set for a scintillating reprise of Hamlet. Again, quite orthodox compared to Duncan's hitherto wacky scenarios, but, even so, distinctive and markedly superior to most of the competition. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Publishers Weekly
"Exceptional.... Duncan can swashbuckle with the best, but his characters feel more deeply and think more cleverly than most..."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

As unwanted, rebellious boys, they found refuge in Ironhall. . .Years later they emerged as the finest swordsmen in the realm—

The Kings Blades

Once bound, a Blade's life is no longer his own. Only death can break the gilded chain of enchantment that binds the bodyguard to the man he is sworn to defend. And never in living memory has a candidate refused the honor of serving his king. . .until now.

Young Wasp never intended to be a rebel. Yet, at the sacred ceremony of binding, he follows the lead of his friend Raider, and together they spurn the wishes of King Ambrose himself. Now Raider and Wasp are outlaws hunted by the very Blades whose ranks they were a breath away from entering, and joined together by a destiny that binds them more securely than any knot tradition and sorcery might tie. Amid the turmoil their "treachery" has inspired, Wasp and Raider must undertake a desperate journey into the heart of the dreaded Fire Lands. And the outcome of their terrifying confrontation with dark truth and darker magic in this realm of monsters, ghosts, and half-men will ultimately determine the fate of two kingdoms.

SYNOPSIS

"Intrigue, honor, and high heroics...swashbuckling adventure doesn't get much better than this."

-Locus

"Classy...irresistible...A handsomely crafted commentary on honor and betrayal...Duncan's people are marvelously believable, his landscapes deliciously exotic, his swordplay breathtaking."

-Publishers Weekly (*Starred Review*)

"A truly great story...Duncan is a true master of his craft...He has a rare talent with words and uses them to his advantage."

-SF Site

"Original...offbeat and intelligent."

-Booklist

"Fast-paced...sharp humor and swashbuckling action add charm and vigor to this fantasy adventure."

-Library Journal

"A rollicking and clever tale of adventure, loyalty, and derring-do...though this story stands well alone, it would serve nicely as the foundation for other tales of the king's blades. If so, I want to be there."

SF Revu

Dave Duncan, author of more than 20 science fiction and fantasy books, turned to writing following a 30-year career in petroleum geology. He lives in Alberta, Canada.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Distinguished by its sophisticated structure and themes, Duncan's exceptional sequel to The Gilded Chain will satisfy both fantasy fans looking for high adventure and those more interested in rich characterizations. For five years Raider and Wasp have been training to become Blades, expert swordsmen who are magically enhanced. But when the two are offered the highest of honors--to serve the king of Chivial himself--they refuse. As Raider's reasons for this unprecedented decision are explored, Duncan flashes back to present the history of the marriage of a "civilized" Chivian duchess to the king of the "barbarous" Baels, who have long terrorized Chivial. Raider and Wasp's rejection of the king has made them outlaws, so they must flee Chivial for Baelmark, where they face a situation explicitly like Hamlet's (king dead, queen mother married to her brother-in-law), though Duncan skillfully develops this section as a genuine, unique drama rather than as an arch reference to the Bard. His depiction of Bael culture, which is based in language and custom on Beowulf's time, is assured and creative, authoritative but without unnecessary ostentation. His Baelish villains may be two-dimensional, but the other characters display an appealing combination of fallibility, morality (of various sorts) and charm. Plot twists based on hidden identities and allegiances are surprising yet well prepared. The interesting magical system features eight elements, adding the evocative Love, Time, Death and Chance to the traditional Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Duncan can swashbuckle with the best, but his characters feel more deeply and think more clearly than most, making his novels, especially this one, suitable for a particularly wide readership. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Raised in a special training school for the sole purpose of serving their king as his magic-bound Blades, Raider and Wasp scandalize their academy by refusing the honor. Choosing instead to travel far from the Kingdom of Chivial, the two companions seek to redress a longstanding grievance that has its roots in the forbidding land of the Baelish barbarians. The second installment (following The Gilded Chain) of the adventures of the elite warriors known as the King's Blades demonstrates Duncan's talent for innovative fantasy. Swashbuckling action and high adventure make this fast-paced tale a good choice for fantasy collections. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A companion volume to Duncan's sword-and-sorcery yarn, The Gilded Chain (1998), the action more or less contemporaneous to the previous tale's. Ambrose, like all the kings of Chivial, is defended by his Blades, expert swordsmen magically bound to their wards. Candidate Raider, however, refuses the binding ritual, as does his young friend Wasp (Raider saved his life in a terrible fire). Raider explains that since he's already enchanted—made fireproof— the Blade-magic would kill him. He also claims to be Radgar, King Ambrose's cousin, his mother Lady Charlotte having been abducted and wed 20 years ago by AEled, King of Baelmark. The Baels inhabit a chilly land of volcanic islands and, Viking-like, go raiding for booty and slaves; they speak (literally) Old English. Charlotte's abduction caused a protracted and ruinous war. Eventually, five years ago, Ambrose sent a peace delegation, and among the party was ex-Blade Sir Geste. Seemingly he betrayed Ambrose to the Baels, but in actuality he plotted with AEled's brother Cynewulf. Geste murdered AEled; Cynewulf magically beguiled Charlotte and then set the palace ablaze. Fireproof Radgar escaped and, knowing nothing of Ambrose's intrigues, concealed himself as a trainee Blade. Now, Ambrose binds Wasp to Radgar, hoping he'll quickly make a fatal error. Wasp, though, grasps the situation and kills Ambrose's watchdog, a fellow Blade. Radgar and Wasp escape to Baelmark, where the scene is set for a scintillating reprise of Hamlet. Again, quite orthodox compared to Duncan's hitherto wacky scenarios, but, even so, distinctive and markedly superior to most of the competition.