The Crooked House: Book Two of the King's Daggers

An enjoyable short book. Not a deep book but doesn't take a lot of time to just find an excursion into the world of King Ambrose and his daggers.

If it's true there is no rest for the wicked, what have Wart and Emerald to hide in their brief pasts? The intrepid "King's Daggers" are sent back into the fray virtually the instant they return from their success against the traitors at Quagmarsh.Like Sir Stalwart, the first installment of the King's Daggers series, every page crackles to life with deeds of derring-do, courage and folly in almost equal portions, and the growing friendship/reliance between Wart and Emerald (although they'd be loathe to admit it). From the opening treachery to the introduction of Wart's tortured Ironhall friend, Badger, to the nail-biting conclusion, the story is borne along on a theme of loyalty.Again, in writing for a young adult audience, author Dave Duncan sacrifices little in the way of the characteristic wit, action and sheer delightful storytelling that adult fans have come to expect. Stalwart and Emerald are among the most engaging characters to spring from Duncan's pen, reminicient of the young Rap and Inosolan in a previous series "A Man of His Word."Yes, it is a young adult book and so it's shorter than the books in the adult series, but it's also true that good things come in small packages. I can't wait for volume three, Silvercloak.

This book begins on the same day that the previous episode ends and covers a span of just three days. Like Stalwart himself, the book moves along at a headlong and skillful pace. After his stunning sucess in the first episode, Stalwart has some sobering lessions to learn here.The first book in this series can stand alone. This one cannot in spite of the excellent initial summary provided. It feels emotionally incomplete somehow. Maybe I just secretly wanted Stalwart to succeed wildly again. Instead he barely manages to muddle through. Duncan, true to form, does not go for the cliche ending, but for one that does seem more probable given his characters behaviors and personalities.Duncan normally writes for adults and is always excellent at characterizations. Here I especially admire his ability to give an authentic voice to his two 16 year old main protagonists. I also continue to enjoy the internal consistancy of the world he had created for both this series and the King's Blades series. It has been a very interesting place to visit.I am eagerly awaiting the publication of Silvercloak next year to see how Stalwart and Emerald continue to develop.