Rating: 
Summary: PLEASE read this
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting story....but the end???[spoiler]
Review: I've read nearly all of Mr. Duncan's books and thought that The Gilded Chain was by far his best book. This is a worthy sequel save one confusing part. The end. It directly contradicts the Gilded Chain, undoubtedly Mr. Duncan knows this and will explain in some future time, but it is inherently frustrating. Especially the "emphasis" on this contradiction in the nicely worded epilogue. It is worse than a cliffhanger, and leaves a bad aftertaste to an otherwise fine novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Lord of the Fire Lands - Another wonderful tale!
Review: "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}
Rating:
Summary: A Marked Improvement Over The First "King's Blades"
Review: While some readers appear to have preferred "Gilded Chain" to Duncan's second installment, I found this a far better book, with greater depth of characterization and a more focused plotline. As at least one other reviewer has noted, the previous character of Durendal often seemed too larger-than life, and the temporal and locational shifting between chapters, especially the rather standard sword and sorcery jaunt halfway around the world to fabled Samarinda, at times became more rambling excursions than concise additions to the narrative. While by book's end "The Gilded Chain" had revealed a rationale for its seemingly peripatetic plotline, the end result in and of itself did not entirely satisfy or justify the liberties taken earlier within the narrative. This second installment, which in part can be read as a self-contained novel despite some necessary preamble established in "Gilded Chain," with its occasional concurrency with events presented in the first book, as well as a structure inherent to both works that begs for a closer and resolving linkage that apparently is to follow in "Sky of Swords, seems much more successful and focused and linear in the evolvement of its temporal shifts, a significant portion of the tale told in reminiscence, and the leap forward that takes place at book's end, unlike "Gilded Chain," a more natural and credible transition. The magical elements running throughout the narrative here are more concrete and fully realized, even ignoring factors established in the first novel, and both events taking place and the world surrounding appear more clearly delineated. The intrigue infusing the plot is not as fitfully revealed, and the characters, with greater flaws and indecision, are at once more dimensional and credible, over all presenting a richer and more engaging tale than found in "Gilded Chain." That said, some of the same characteristics that nagged one in the first book continued to persist here. I remain unsure, not having read the third book, how the inconsistencies that intentionally exist in both, internally and by comparison, relate to the over all tale the author is trying to tell. Having read assertions by others that have completed all three books, I am led to believe that all will be revealed by the end, and that the author's intentional misdirection and playing with the veracity of his varying perspectives will assume a guiding rationale that will inform and increase the narrative's appreciation. Should this be the case, the author is to be applauded for the creativity in which he has approached the structure of his series. However, for the moment, the uncertainties created by this approach appear obviously unsettling and somewhat confusing for most of the readers that have chosen to respond, and whether this is a tactic as presented in serialization that will prove to be justified, in the end offering more creative advantage than disadvantage, waits to be seen. At present I remain somewhat skeptical within the format of three distinct and separate books released a year apart. But I will read the third when in becomes available in paperback---to date I do not believe these tales justify the expense of hardbound---and will remain open to be astounded. Finally, I agree with the reviewer who found the inclusion of Baelish to be at times distracting. While any number of authors have proven successful in creating languages that join or contribute to the flow of English narrative, there are just as many who seem to lack the ear necessary to avoid interruption or discordance with the flow of language, or simply seem to think that stringing together unexpected consonants and vowels alone will suffice. While Baelish does not suffer from the second flaw, borrowing as it does upon a mish-mash of Old English with influences from other etymological sources, the resulting combination of vowels, consonants and suffixes within the framework of modern day English requires the reader to constantly refer to the provided pronunciation guide, interrupting the narrative more than it contributes. At this point, especially when compared to better examples of heroic fantasy, such as the recent work by Matthew Stover or Steven Erikson, awarding this work four stars is likely over-generous. So much of the success or failure of this work hinges upon the resolution that will come in the final, third installment, that any true appraisal must be held in abeyance. Ultimately, the very nature of this trilogy's structure may prove to be its own undoing.
Rating:
Summary: Lord of the Fire Lands - Another wonderful tale!
Review: "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}
Rating:
Summary: Book two only Second Rate??
Review: No way. The second book in the Kings Blades trilogy leaves absolutely nothing to be desired. Dave Duncan gives the reader exactly what they want, and in copious amounts. Personally, I preferred the Gilded Chain, but only because I like Durrendal!! This book is every bit as good as the first one, and the end creates a little confusion to those who have read the first book.
YOU MUST READ THE THIRD ONE!!!!!!!
If you have read the first book before picking this one up, make sure you have the third one close at hand - you'll need it to clear a lot of things up.
On the book: Radgar Aeleding returns to the FireLands, his home, along with his Blade, Sir Wasp, to avenge his father and claim the kingship. A lot is learned about the house of Ranulf in this book, and Dave Duncan's portayal of the mysterious Firelands archpalego is glowing and memorable.You will love this book if you're a fan of action, magic, fantasy, or even politics with a slight twist. The way a king ascends the throne is very unique compared to Chivial.
Rating:
Summary: Tricky
Review: I just finished Lord of the Firelands. I thought, of course, this is what happened in The Gilded Chain. Malinda marries the pirate king...and then I read the ending and totally thought I missed something. I had to come here and read some reviews which explained that the endings were intentionally very different. I only gave this book four stars, even though I liked it better than the Gilded Chain, because I sort of felt that the endings should match. I wanted Radgar to marry Malinda. But disregarding that, I really enjoyed this book. It has some great plot twists. I can sort of see how he would want to change the endings...it certainly is different. You don't read series like this very often. Fortuneately, I have Sky of Swords here, so I'm going to go see how it turns out now.......
Rating:
Summary: Quite Good
Review: I think this book is an excelent, if slightly uncomplicated, fantasy book. I would call this book a "light read". It was very enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: What the...?!?
Review: Quite a number of reviewers have mentioned the discrepancies between this volumn of the King's Blade stories and Gilded Chain (the first). In fact, Dave Duncan himself warns the reader that they are there. But I have not seen one instance where it is stated just how big they are. There is one in particular that is quite glaring and impossible to fathom without insider information from the father of all these fictional children, Duncan himself. (At least I hope he clears it up. I have not yet read the third book...) The purpose of this review is simple, a bit of advice for those who are as curious as I am: Plan to read one book or all three. If, like myself, you can't bear not to know the "whys" of a vast difference in ending between one story and another, the last two pages of Lord of the Firelands will have you gaping in dismay, repeating "But... but..." rather pitifully, and craving the next installment for its potential explanation. That said, I do love Duncan's characters and did not find the settings hard to visualize (as another reviewer did) since they are based on Europe as far as I can tell. The books take a little getting into, 75-100 pages before I start to really get interested. But once they get interesting, they hold me riveted until the last page. And, in this case, beyond. So, pardon me while I go pick up Sky of Swords to sate my curiosity...
Rating:
Summary: Another book from the Tales of the King's Blades Series
Review: Lord of the Fire Lands is perhaps a book in it's own right, and although it is not a continuation from The Gilded Chain, it is nevertheless recommended that the first book is read in order to get a "feel" for the story and the setting. Duncan's writing style is interesting yet curious, because the second book is completely set aside from the first, so far in fact that the two books don't even connect, as if we are viewing two possible time lines. Nevertheless, Lord of the Fire Lands is an exceptional book, and very readable, Duncan's writing style and technique makes the reader feel for the characters, and the suspense to see what happens next is what keeps the page turning. However, unlike the Gilded Chain, Lords is not a biography style book about the main character, which can possibly lead to further ideas in Sky of Swords perhaps? It is disappointing that the book has not been published anywhere else outside the States. I look forward to reading his third book when I do have a chance to ship it in from America.
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