Rating: 
Summary: very good book
Review: You will have to excuse the three stars...I would give it 3 and a half if half stars were an option. I reserve four and five stars only for the greatest books. That said, everyone should know that this truly is a very enjoyable book. I have always enjoyed Dave Duncans writing. Rather write a whole review I am just going to list out the pro's and cons to the book. Pros
1)Characters. I loved the characters in this book. Aeled and Radgar and Wasp are terrific characters. My biggest beef with a lot of author is that they create characters I could care less about (ie, Tad Williams' Simon). I definitely cared for the main characters in this book.
2)plot developement. You never know with his books where the book is going to end up or how it is going to end. He is a master story twister. Cons
1)I would appreciate it if Mr. Duncan spent some more time developing the lands in his world. Its easy for me to picture the characters in my head but its hard for me to place them in a setting. All in all the series is great and I recommend it heartily.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow Start and a Gripping End
Review: I started this book a while ago, and my reading habits are admittedly slow at times. A recent recovery required a lot of time at home, so I dove in determined to get through this book (since I enjoyed the first one so well).
Luckily getting over the hump in this book was close at hand by this time and the story really started to flow. Don't give up on all of the groundwork that is lain as the book progresses. I promise you will be rewarded for your patience as this book went every direction but where I had expected. Just like some movies that need to explain why something is about to happen, so too does this book. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book to show up in my PO Box!
Rating:
Summary: Decent
Review: This was an okay book. It never really grabbed me, but hey, I did finish it. Read it if you haven't got anything better to do.
Rating: 
Summary: Again, not bad, for what it tries to do
Review: I picked up this book after reading "The Gilded Chain," even though I really didn't find much redeeming in TGC. This stuff isn't my style. Don't get me wrong. This is a well-written book that does some interesting stuff. The long and short of it is that this is fantasy that doesn't even try to help me suspend my disbelief by giving me believable characters. I know that to some people, that's a minor nit to pick, but compelling characters are the bedrock of a good story... and that's doubly true for a scifi/fantasy. If you want first-order characterization on the order of George R. R. Martin, flee from Dave Duncan. If you just want something light to fill up some time, this'll do just fine.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome and thrilling
Review: This book is a real thriller and is an excellent sequel to the first novel, "The Gilded Sword". I really enjoyed it and hope that the third one, "Sky of Swords" is just as good. My favorite part is when the Fire Drake came. This twisting novel with a great plot will keep you spellbound.
Rating:
Summary: A great new Dave Duncan, but a little confusing
Review: A great Blade novel, a swashbuckling read especially if you read it alone. If you have read The Guilded Chain you might find it a little bit confusing as the plots are not contiguous. Having read other Dave Duncan novels (which I highly recommend) I realize that he will tie it all together in the 3rd Blad novel. A must read if you liked the first one.
Rating:
Summary: Lord of the mired span
Review: Lord of the Fire Lands is a good book. A 'good' book. Raider is truly a pimp in his own swordweilding right. He is a student from Ironhall--as seen in Gilded Chain, but refuses to serve the king. Conflict of interests as well as metaphysical no-nos constitute this. Duncan has us follow Raider to the neighboring land of savage and fire. Chivial, the setting for Gilded Chain, has been warring with the 'fire lands' for many years and is an arch enemy. Raider's birthright and special circumstances make for a good read, however, Duncan is somehow lacking as an author. It is hard to put a finger on--the storyline is fantastic, but the manner in which he writes is somewhat lackluster. It is easy to find yourself too mired to go on, and just then something worth half of the builded expectation takes place, yet you continue to read. The mysteries and unclarity about future events, that innate catlike curiousity is fundamental for a Duncan reader. Without this natural querity, this book would fail. Marginal, good at best, Lord of the Fire Lands ranks 3.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but no "Gilded Chain"
Review: The first book in the "Tale of the King's Blade" series kept me entranced from cover to cover. The story of Durendal was wonderful, and I admit that I haven't read much in the fantasy genre. I had high expectations of this follow-up, and was slightly disappointed. The story was interesting, but I didn't find Raider to be as interesting as Durendal (who does have a minor appearance here). I think the thing that slowed it down for me was the use of the Baelish language. While it added to the realism and authenticity, it made the reading slower, and more laborious. I also had difficulty following the Bael's "chain-of-command" (What was a "thegn", and was it higher or lower than an earl?) Overall, it was well-crafted. I still look forward to the third story to learn how it all ties together. Dave Duncan has me hooked! After these "Tales" I'll probably search for some of his other titles.
Rating:
Summary: A real page turning adventure! (4.5 stars)
Review: After reading The Gilded Chain, my first experience with a Dave Duncan book, I was very pleased because I now have another writer that I will be reading. I thought the history, and rituals and most important the personalities of the Blades were intersting, cool and fun. When Lord of the Fire Lands came out in paperback, I immediately picked it up. The opening quote in Lord of the Fire Lands is from Hamlet, and it is indicative of the tale that follows. Duncan molded the classic story of Hamlet into his own story with the young Blades of Wasp and Radgar. The story is a great adventure-one of the more fun reads I have had this year. I enjoyed reading the sword fight scenes and making the connections between Duncan's story and Hamlet. I was not bothered by the inconsistent ending as the third book should tie everything together. Hopefully I will be getting SKY OF SWORDS for Christmas in Hardcover. This is a series that I am looking forward to re-reading. Until then, I am going to pick up some of Duncan's older books. If you are looking for a page turner with well developed characters, a fun story then click on the buy button for this book.
Rating:
Summary: It's fantasy after all (spoiler alert)
Review: I read both "The Gilded Chain" and "Sir Stalwart" prior to the "Lord of the Fire Lands." The Gilded Chain was a well crafted tale of Chivalry, while Sir Stalwart was drawn with a far lighter hand, almost as if Duncan intended two entry points into this world - a serious, more adult portal and a humorous adolescent path. "Gilded Chain" spans a life, making "Sir Stalwart" seem an anecdote in comparison; I enjoyed both. Starting "Lord of the Fire Lands," I felt I was going down Durendal's path but ended up ELSEWHERE. Since I LIKED "Gilded Chain" I admit to being a wee bit OFFENDED that Duncan changed the outcome it projected. Hey! You can't do tha... er, yeah, you can. It's fantasy after all. But I felt as though I deserved an A and I got a B+. Call me Sir Whiney.
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