Rating: 
Summary: One of the best from one of my favorites.
Review: My wife and I are both Dave Duncan fans. Our favorites have been his Seventh Sword and Man of His Word series, and they both rank high on my reading list for all fantasy authors. Paragon Lost ranks up there with any of Duncan's previous works. It is a big-time get-lost-in-the-time-warp page-turner. Great characters, fast-moving and unpredictable plot, set in an interesting, consistent world. As always, Duncan's characters are believable, flawed (human) but lovable. They move you as you read. Well worth getting in hardback.
Rating:
Summary: Beau Geste with Substance
Review: This novel, fourth in the King's Blade series, is the story of Sir Beaumont, a protege of Sir Roland and probably the best swordsman ever produced by Ironhall. Moreover, Beaumont is a political genius, a Machiavelli, a Mycroft Holmes to Roland's Sherlock.Ned is born in a rich Alderman's household as the cook's[son]. While never acknowledged by his father, he lives in this household for almost twelve years. Upon the master's [demise], however, he is shipped off to Ironhold. When Ned arrives, Sir Roland has just become the acting head of Ironhall upon the [demise] of the Grand Master. Roland makes time to interview the boy and decides that he is too young. He shows such promise, however, that Roland arranges for Ned to work at a nearby farm for a year. At his delayed admission to Ironhall, Ned choses the non-traditional name Beaumont. Although now the Brat, he wins admirers among the staff and students and is even allowed to dine with the Sopranos. While he is smaller than average, he is stong and nimble and quickly becomes proficient with all types of swords. Upon becoming prime, Beau is told that he, as well as Arkell and Oak, are to be bound to Lord Wassail. A loyal supporter of the King during the Thencaster affair, Wassail had adamantly refused to bind Blades to himself, but had been overruled by the King and was convinced by Roland of the necessity. He had been chosen to escort Princess Tasha, niece to the Czar of Skyrria, back to Cavil to become King Athelgar's bride. Thus, the Blades are an honor -- and actual -- guard for the future queen. Waissal, the Blades and their company take ship to Isoland. In Lavalle, Beau falls in love with Isabelle, an local girl working in the Chivan Ambassador's household. From there the party travels overland to Skyrria. Beau completes his mission and returns with Princess Tasha, but has to leave other members of the mission behind. Worse, his ward has died on the return journey, with homocidial affects among the Blades. Upon their return to Lavalle, Beau marries Isabelle and takes her back to Grandon with him. After reporting to the King, Beau is released from his bond, becomes Ned Cookson once again, and lives as a casual laborer in Grandon. All this is preliminary to the loss of the paragon, which takes Ned back to Skyrria to conclude the affair. Duncan provides a vivid portrait of Medieval Russian character and environment. Igor is loosely based on Ivan the Terrible, but even more evil. Fedor, his son, is only casually evil through selfishness. Sophie, Igor's wife, is delightful and her younger sister, Tasha, is naive but good-natured. Dimitri, the older brother of Sophie and Tasha, is loyal and protective, but also naive. This story has a larger scope than the previous novels. It provides a deeper look at the geography and politics of the Euranian continent and some more about Athelgar's family. Duncan has surpassed himself with this novel. It has all the hallmarks that you expect him -- likeable but eccentric characters, political chicanery, swordfights, mysterious occurances, etc. -- as well as probably the most notable protaganist of his career, a Beau Geste of substance. With his release from the King's service, Ned is truly a paragon lost. Don't miss this one!
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