Impossible Odds

Just finished this book last evening around 3am. It was one of those books where once I got into the culmination I couldn't bring myself to put it down to finish the following evening.I think I've read everything Duncan has ever printed, starting with the Reluctant Swordsman, and followed by the Great Game, and the two Man of His Word/Magic Casement series, and then the Kings Blades and Kings Daggers books. Overall Duncan is one of my favorite fantasy authors, the others being David Gemmel, Steven Brust, and older Raymond E Fiest.What I like about Duncan is that he is a very clever person with an excellent grasp on the English language and human nature. His books contain interesting and well conceived plot lines, populated by complex multi-faceted characters, and are written with a verbal panache that really inspires. Dave Duncan is innovative, and adept at envisioning very distinct concepts, particularly how magic systems might function within a setting, not just in their mechanics but in the effect a given concept would have on human society. He doesn't write elves and dwarves Tolkeinesque fantasy; his worlds are populated almost uniformly with humans (though in the Man of His Word series he did a characteristically clever twist on some of the more common various fantasy races), and the fantastical elements of the setting are background elements which enable the story rather than overpowering the story.The Kings Blades series harkens more to an early Renaissance era, where heavy armor and broadswords have given way mostly to doublets and rapiers, and skill and speed with a blade matters more than sheer cleaving power. This enables the story to focus on an Order of basically duelists that is basically like a half-way house for errant boys, juvenile delinquents, younger sons, and roustabouts. The rules are simple: to gain entrance a boy most pass certain tests of dexterity and wit; if admitted they must swear to give their life in service of the King, either to guard him or a person designated by him at the appropriate time. In return they are fed and clothed for 5 years and given a respectable education, in conjunction with being trained in the Orders unique and world renowned sword style. The catch: their oath is not just a spoken vow; its part of a magical ceremony whereby the King or other designated ward drives a sword into the Blade's heart, binding their lives to their ward with unswerving loyalty and granting certain low-key mystical abilities such as enhanced night vision, the ability to go without sleep, resistance to toxins, resistance to pain, and so forth. In short, a bound Blade is the ultimate body guard. One more quirk: each Blade must be bound in the same sequence they were admitted, no exceptions. This rule leads to some of the interesting dynamics in the books, particularly this one, whereby the potential boys next-up in the queue to become bound are not necessarily the best suited to a particular mission.Each of the Blade stor

I am a huge fan of Dave Duncan's work, most particularly the King's Blades series. Refreshingly, Duncan writes stand alone/series fantasy that doesn't fall into the ubiquitous trilogy trap, or the endless on and on and on trap. He just writes interesting plots peopled with fascinating characters and liberally seasons the adventures with wit, stylish prose and a keen eye for human foibles. It's a major acheivement that I was emotionally affected by the fate of one particular character, given I loathed him almost from his introduction.There's a lot of fantasy fiction in the world, and a lot of it is pretty poorly written. This is why I love Duncan's work -- he writes well. He loves words, and he uses them to paint fabulous images and create memorable moments. This is a wonderful series, and I want to see more and more and more of it. So Dave, get back to that computer console, you hear me?

Not the best of his works. Still a wonderful story and i cant wait till the next one

If you haven't read the three Tales of the King's Blades (Sky of Swords, The Guilded Chain, Lords of the Fire Lands) read those first. They are amazing, and you must read all three of them to get the full effect.The novel "Impossible Odds" joins "Paragon Lost" as one of the Chronicles of the King's Blades. They are not part of the tightly knit tale that spans the first trilogy, but they describe other interesting stories in the same world. "Impossible Odds" has a somewhat fractured storyline; I was actually angry when the first recap began because I was so engrossed in the present day plot. But the King's Blades have just as much hard work to do in this story as any of the others, and the well-written tale contains not only action, intrigue and magic, but also rich character development.

In Chivial, Grand Duke Rubin of Krupina asks King Athelgar to help him regain his lost dukedom. Rubin's warrior-cousin Lord Volpe tossed him off his minor throne and has attacked him with evil magic as he crossed Eurania to come her for assistance. Rubin pleads with the monarch to assign the King's Blades to help him regain his power.King Athelgar has no fully trained Blade available so he selects the inexperienced Ranter and the rookie Ringwood led by the injured Bellman to assist the Grand Duke. However Trudy of the Sisterhood, states that Rubin is using a magical device to alter his appearance. He turns out to be a she as the visitor is the Grand Duchess Johanna, who does not know the fate of her spouse or their son. Johanna accepts what she can and leads her motley crew back to Krupina to confront Volpe and his magic practitioner knights.The fifth Chronicle of the King's Blades is an exciting sword and sorcery tale that reads somewhat as if an amateur sleuth story was set in a fantasy realm. The quintet heads to Krupina for a final confrontation are very distinct realistic characters. The story line is fast-paced so that fantasy fans will enjoy the enchanted battles while mystery readers who appreciate a radically different slant will relish Trudy. Fans of the series will want to read the latest Blades adventure as once again those magically bound to defend the King (and anyone he chooses even to the death) risk their lives.Harriet Klausner