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: 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.
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