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Summary: A sequel that's not quite...
Review: Lord of the Fire Lands is the second of the King's Blades trilogy, and was written so that there is no need to read the first book ("The Gilded Chain") to appreciate and enjoy this one. While I am madly in love with the previous book, this one left me a little cold admist the character juggling and some of the seafaring sections. However, that should not put off anyone from reading the book, for when its good, its really GOOD. "The Gilded Chain" is a tough book to follow, and this one does admirably. The ending does not follow along with the events that happened in the first book with no explaination but Duncan promises to remedy this situation with the final installment, which will tie all three together. A recommended read.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book!
Review: A nice relaxing read. It was a *bit* slow at times, but overall kept my attention very well. This is the only book I've read by this author, and I plan to buy more ASAP. The plot was very creative and kept me guessing until the very last page! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my friends.
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Summary: Don't point that thing at me young man!
Review: Though set in the same world as "Gilded Chains" this second book seemed much more interesting to me. The characters lacked the ho-hum superman character of Durendal - the great swordsman/statesman/teacher/adventurer from the first book. The characters drawn here have flaws and weaknesses. For some reason, these relationships make for a more interesting and engaging tale. ...and what a tale it is. The story has a partial frame narrative of a young king coming to power. It has a smidge of Hamlet in the plot and a great deal of political intrigue in a setting very different than the semi-fuedal world of the first book. Of course, as with all of Duncan's books, there is terrific action. This time out though, the action is tinged with a bit of uncertainty. You seem to root for the bad guys of the first book a bit and yet are not certain they will win. Beware, as mentioned elsewhere, there is an intriguing discontinuity in the plot of this book compared with the first book. Duncan promises to make all well in his third book, but reading this book will leave you scratching your head a bit as to what really happened to some of the characters. I recommend the book as a good solid read with a lot of fun to it.
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Summary: My first reading of a Dave Duncan book ...
Review: ... but I certainly don't intend for it to be my last! This story was tremendous: a richly portrayed world; engaging characters; as well as a depth of detail in everyday medieval activities; and I enjoyed the entymological elements. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The moment a clerk, Gerard, awakens to defend himself a little too effectively for his own good, he alters the fate of nations. His subsequent efforts at survival achieve effects far beyond what he, at first, believes himself capable. Tapping his talent at political intrigue, Gerard soon envisions his own success, through riding the coattails of his new patron. The impact of the several Blades also runs deep. The Blades are often countered by the foresight of the King's foes and sometimes foiled by the human factors even a Blade bears. But among them one helps reshape the contest between Chivian and Bael. Read this book!
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Summary: lord of the fire lands
Review: a very good book. every page writen in the style and compelling nature one has come to expect when reading a duncan book. the only complaint that i have is that it does not follow the history of the first book in the serries, "The King's Blade". Duncan changes how the king dies and who his daughter is married too. Otherwise the book is very entertaining.
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Summary: Memorable characters and Themes
Review: The book starts out familiarly -- Ironhall, the epitome of a warrior's finishing school is going full force and the seniors are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the King. Once the king arrives, at least generally, the most senior student is bound to the king, or whomever he may choose, for years. There's a twist, though. One of the seniors refuses to be bound and that's where the real story begins. Partly based on Nordic and very early English sagas...remember reading Beowulf?...this book makes the leap to fantasy in a most satisfying way. Fair warning -- it's not really a sequel to the first installment and there is an alternate reality ending, which I actually preferred to the ending Ambrose faced in the first book. This is a rousing story of friendship, honor, betrayal and duty interwoven with magic, incantations and dragons. An absolute pleasure to read. Can we hope for more "Blades" in the future?
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Summary: Time, see what's become of me
Review: A great sequel to THE GILDED CHAIN, except it isn't quite. A trip to Baelmark with a red-headed Hamlet and all the attendant lords begins to carry the reeling plot farther and farther from the ending of GILDED CHAIN. Will we see Fat Ambrose killed in several alternate ways as these books proceed? Who cares, with this kind of action and humor? Baelish society is truly disgusting and sadly real, and the supporting research makes their language as real as any pseudo-Tolkien 'elvish.' Duncan's messing with your minds; repeal Time and reread the book.
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Summary: It didn't confuse ME
Review: Why does everyone find this book confusing? It seems fairly clear to me, but then I paid attention when Duncan explained that Time is an element which can be revoked by means of an octogram. So it ends differently from the first book; so what? There are still bloody swordfights, evil wizardry, and large amounts of fire and betrayal mixed with strong characters and a wild, pseudo-Shakespearian plot. You got a problem with that? Well, there's always Harry Potter...
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, lousy sequel
Review: Having just finished "The Gilded Chain," I was excited to find that Duncan had written a sequel. Unfortunately, the book left me torn. Almost the entire story remains true to the first with great characters and an engaging plot. It was one of those books that keeps you awake at night. I almost skipped a class to finish it. The ending however completely invalidated the first book. I want to know what happened. I mean really, if Mr. Duncan wanted the story to go this way, way end the other book as he did. I found this book to be frustrating beyond belief. If you've never read the first book, then you'll enjoy this, but don't read "The Gilded Chain." If you've read the first book, skip this. It will only make you want to find the author and beat an explanation out of him.
Rating:
Summary: Great except for the ending
Review: I loved the idea of going back into the the middle of the first book. It complimented the first book and really made the characters come to life. As ususal with Duncan's books, it was extremely well written. The only problem I had was the altered ending. I was anxious to see how the characters reacted to the ending of the first book in the second but instead, the ending was completely different. Knowing the first ending, then reading a second, different ending was disruptive. It messed with the flow of the storyline. It is a great book if read all alone, but it shouldn't be considered anything close to a sequel.
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