The Destiny of the Sword (The Seventh Sword)

This is the best book of the series. Its utterly brilliant, never stopping action, highly original and lots of humour. And a very,very satisfying end. Its not your typical fantasy, but this series must stand on the top along with Tolkien and the Dragonlace Chronicles.

The Seventh Sword is an underread and underappreciated trilogy--a lot is going on under the surface of these three books, but the surface is such a readable story that it's accessible to anyone. The plot, as other reviewers have mentioned, is typical fantasy, but there are major, important differences which reveal themselves in this book and The Coming of Wisdom (2nd in the series). Every time I read these books, I'm swept up in the action, but I also see facets and symmetries I hadn't noticed before. This book, more than the first two, delves into the problems of idealism versus necessity, the proper use of power, what a person's identity really is (body, mind, beliefs, values, memories, reactions, desires?), faith and technology, how people grow and develop, and a lot more. The characters are unforgettable--anyone who's read these books will have an instant reaction to names like Katanji, Tomiyano, Thana, Tivanixi, or Jja. Read these books, and read them again.

Book 3 of The Seventh Sword [conclusion] The final book in this series, 'Destiny' isn't as easily read on its own as the first and middle books ('The Reluctant Swordsman' and 'The Soming of Wisdom'). However, this is that rare thing: a trilogy conclusion that really concludes the story. It's an happy ending, no fear -- and it leaves you feeling good and fulfilled, so there's no need for Duncan to write more. (It *could* be done, of course, as McCaffrey did with 'Nerilka's Story,' but it isn't a foregone conclusion that it will be -- or even should be.) Excellent reading; a real page-turner. This one's rated 'G' by me.

I loved this trilogy of books, the story was one of the best done that I have ever had the pleasure to read. With the authers style of writing the characters really do come to life. I just couldnt put these books down when I was reading them. And no I`m not a relation : )

I love Dave Duncan's work and have been repeatedly delighted by the worlds he thinks up. The society in these three novels is original, and the handling of "magic" is as well. I thought this conclusion to the trilogy was excellent. Wallie is a believable human with normal human feelings. I could easily relate to his difficulties fitting his moral code in with the code of this world he finds himself in. Nnanji and Katanji had me in stitches, their relationship is such a real depiction of sibling interactions. A delightful read!