Dave Duncan.

[Keyoke]

I am susprised their aren't more threads based on Dave Duncan's works. He seems well respected in this community, and if anyting, his books get alot of praise.

Myself, I've read a few of his books. One of them being a favorite, The Cursed. I've just started Lords of the Fire Land, and this is my second attempt at the book. Not that I didn't find it interesting, I just find the Baelish (Fire Land) politics a lil confusing, and it through my focus off. Though, second time around, I am enjoying it more. And, I did enjoy Gilded Chain.

Has anyone read anyting else by this author??

(Btw, he's from Calgary, AB... Which is where I live!)

Keyoke

[Lady Fox]

Ooo, I love this author, but his books can be exasperating at times, especially the endings in the series A Handful of Men and A Man of His Word. These two series tie together, with one being a continuation of the other. With the exception of the last book in each of these series, the books all just end right in the middle of a climatic event. Granted, that really leaves you wanting the next book and willing to purchase it immediately, but it's still frustrating all the same. Luckily for those of you who haven't read these series yet, both are finished and available in paperback. I read them years ago when they were first published and just screamed "not again!!" at the end of each one.

I really like the King's Blades series too. Right now I'm waiting for the latest to be released in paperback. I've having to control myself until then and not buy it.

[Hereford Eye]

Duncan created one of my all time favorite characters with Wally, the reluctant swordsman. Also imagined my favorite all time god with the imp in the same series.
I have also enjoyed everything he wrote since then. If it says Dave Duncan on the cover, I"ll buy it.

[ChrisW]

I'm interested in trying him, so What should I start with? Kings Blade series?

[Rob B]

All I have read thus far by DD is The King's Blades series and based on that, the guy is a great writer. The first book in the series is The Gilded Chain.

His work is compelling, the adventure, characterization and story are all on equal levels of excellence.

[Lady Fox]

Caldazar - I think you should probably start with The King's Blades series. I'm not even sure that Duncan's earlier series (A Man of His Word and A Handful of Men) are even still in print.

[DrBloodmoney1]

The Great Game series by Duncan is also very good. His first three series, including the great game are all OOP (at least in the states). They can be readily had for the patient at ebay, which is where I obtained my copies. Good stuff from a very underrated author IMHO. DrB

[Keyoke]

I've only read "The Cursed" by Duncan, which, I think is now out of Print, but, it was a excellent book. It's one of those few books that I wished was turned into a series, or at least, a other book.

Excellent book. I've also read the first two books of the "Man of his Word" series, which I enjoyed. The Gilded Chain I liked as well, and is why I am reading the second one currently.

Keyoke

[Richardb]

If reading Duncan, I would start with the Reluctant Swordsman trilogy. Really fun stuff, though only available in used book stores these days. I found a set for about a buck each a few months ago to replace my aging ones.
Next best bet: The Man of his Word books (two sets of 4) starting with The Magic Casement. As much as Wally is a great character, I think Rap is Duncan's finest character by a long shot. These books (the first series) are also out of print, but easy to find used, and also available print on demand. The second series is easier to find.
While I enjoy the kings blades books, I think that these earlier works are far superior... better characterization, a more realized world, etc.
Can't recommend them enough!

[Keyoke]

I managed to find most of his books at the used bookstores, plus, a few smaller bookstores. One advantage I have is that Calgary, AB, is Dave Duncan's hometown, so, the books seem more common.

I'm going to read The Blade series, I'm enjoying the second book alot, though, it took me about 100 pages to get into it.

As for his other series, I think the seventh swordsman will be the next on the list.

Keyoke

[Radthorne]

Dave and I did several panels together at the Rustycon convention in Bellevue, Washington, about 3 weeks ago. One of them dealt with POD, and the reason Dave was there was to talk about bringing his earlier books back into print via POD. Dave wasn't even scheduled for that panel, but while he and I were talking in the hallway I realized that he was a good example of an established author using POD technology to keep his backlist available for the "not big enough volume for NY but big enough to sell to" market of readers, like the folks around here. So I invited him to sit in on the panel and share his experiences.

For those of you who might be interested in his earlier works, many of them are being re-released through e-reads.com, in either POD or electronic download format. If you go to his website, on the page with his books in the lower right is a link for availabilities, which has more information on this. I believe Dave intends to get all of his out of print titles back into print this way as the rights revert back to him.

Incidentally, Dave was the Guest of Honor at this particular convention, a very well-deserved accolade. Aside from his writing skill, he is quite a gracious gentleman, and very witty as well.

[Keyoke]

I've also noticed that some of Dave Duncan's book sport some of the best covers I've seen in fantasy. The first two covers of The Great Game, and the second series of "Handful of Men" are just, well, some of the most orginal art I've seen on a book.

Half way through Lord of the Fire Lands, and it's great. Really enjoying it.

Has anyone read The Cursed by him? It was my first book by the man, and I loved it. My biggest complaint was that it should have been 2 books.

Keyoke

[Lani]

I found out about Dave Duncan through 'The Reluctant Swordsman' and 'A Handful of Men' series. Especially after the latter I read anything by Duncan if it comes to my grasp. I've read 'The Cursed' awhile ago and I really enjoyed it. It was rather different from his previous books, but I found the ideas very original and now it's one of my favorite books by Duncan. After that I also really enjoyed The King's Blades series and cannot wait until I can get my hands on Paragon Lost, which I have on hold in the library right now. Duncan is one of those authors that once you start reading the book, you can't put it down. I also managed to acquire on of his older books, West of January and I'm planning to read it very soon. A great author, I would reccomend to anyone.