Dave Duncan (1933–2018)
Author of The Gilded Chain
About the Author
Dave Duncan was born in Scotland in 1933. He graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 1955 and moved to Canada. He worked for 31 years as a geologist in the petroleum industry. He started writing novels in 1984 and became a full-time author in 1986. He has written over 40 novels including show more the series The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word, A Handful of Men, The King's Blades, The Great Game, Years of Longdirk, King's Daggers, and Seventh Sword. He has also written under the names Sarah B. Franklin and Ken Hood. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
Dave Duncan has also written under the names Ken Hood and Sarah B. Franklin.
(ger) Dave Duncan schrieb auch unter den Namen Ken Hood und Sarah B. Franklin.
Image credit: Dave Duncan by Five Rivers Publishing
Series
Works by Dave Duncan
Impossible Odds: A Chronicle of the King's Blades (Tale of the King's Blades) (2003) 444 copies, 7 reviews
One Velvet Glove: A Tale of the King's Blades (Tales of the King's Blades) (2018) 29 copies, 11 reviews
The Ethical Swordsman: A Tale of the King's Blades (Tales of the King's Blades) (2019) 21 copies, 2 reviews
Dar mądrości 3 copies
The Seventh Sword Trilogy: "The Reluctant Swordsman (Bk. 1)," "The Coming of Wisdom (Bk. 2)," "The Destiny of the Sword (Bk. 3)." (1988) 2 copies
Les Lames du roi - L'Intégrale 2 copies
Hunters’ Haunt 1 copy
Przeznaczenie miecza 1 copy
Niechętny szermierz 1 copy
Dave Duncan's Chronicle of the King's Blades (Paragon Lost, Impossible Odds, Jaguar Knights) (1990) — Author; Author — 1 copy
Sous une autre lune 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Duncan, David John
- Other names
- Hood, Ken
Franklin, Sarah B. - Birthdate
- 1933-06-30
- Date of death
- 2018-10-29
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University of St Andrews
High School of Dundee - Occupations
- geologist
science fiction writer - Organizations
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
SF Canada - Awards and honors
- Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame
- Agent
- Richard Curtis
- Relationships
- Duncan, Janet (wife)
- Nationality
- UK (birth)
Canada (naturalized 1960) - Birthplace
- Newport-on-Tay, Scotland, UK
- Places of residence
- Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Scotland (birth)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Place of death
- Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Map Location
- Canada
- Disambiguation notice
- Dave Duncan has also written under the names Ken Hood and Sarah B. Franklin.
Members
Discussions
Pretty horny in Good Show Sir! — bad science fiction and fantasy covers (December 2025)
Rave of ecstasy! in Good Show Sir! — bad science fiction and fantasy covers (November 2025)
Reviews
Oh man. This series is SO '90s fantasy -- complete with the evil degenerate queer men (but more than one queer man, and at least two of them are bi, so there is that?) and the colonialism and the rape -- plus some weirdness all its own (the main pairing of the entire series is between first cousins who were raised as brother and sister, so, uh, yeah). And yet the worldbuilding is so spectacular that I do not care at all. And it's *religious* worldbuilding, so I am triply overjoyed.
Would I show more love this series as much if I read it for the first time now? Maybe not. But I would still love it, because at heart I am just a complete sucker for this stuff. And when I first read it, it was pure joy. Still can't put it down.
(However, this is one of those series I love but recommend to no one.) show less
Would I show more love this series as much if I read it for the first time now? Maybe not. But I would still love it, because at heart I am just a complete sucker for this stuff. And when I first read it, it was pure joy. Still can't put it down.
(However, this is one of those series I love but recommend to no one.) show less
Oh, this series! While the interminable wait for the next Dresden files book continues, at least there are some other kickass enchanters to follow, like Durwin, in 12th century England. Book 2 continues a strong start, fleshing out more of the setting (Lincoln, this time, and the outskirts of Oxford) and introducing several indomitable female personalities of the time period, and a dastardly satanic cell. Wonderful, and I can't wait for the next one. I do think it's hilarious that Durwin is show more constantly pointing out how his deficiencies have led to disaster, and then completely triumphs in the end, but I find it endearing rather then annoying that he has a sense of his own fallibility. Really hoping that the lovely Lovise and the plucky Eadwig continue to be central to future adventures.
Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss. show less
Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss. show less
I truly enjoy this book (I re-read it every year or so), and I wish Dave Duncan would re-visit the world, though I don't know what he'd come up with that would top this story; it's got everything I love: Mind-powers, vengeance, court-intrigue, love-stories, tragedy, violence and violent death, but most of all, a protagonist who uses his brain to defeat stronger opponents--can't get enough of that.
This story gets a well-deserved
This story gets a well-deserved
{fourth of 11 in Ironhall Books/ first of 3 in Chronicles of the King's Blades; fantasy, sword and sorcery, adventure}(2002)
This is the first of the second trilogy of the Ironhall books, now taking place a generation or two later (so the 'Henry VIII' facsimile is no longer around). Most of the characters have changed but the famed Sir Durendal is now Grand Master of Ironhall. The story starts with Durendal offering a mission to a disgraced Blade and then we go back in time a couple of years show more to find out how Beau was disgraced and finally ends with him completing his mission to win back his blade, 'Just Desert'.
To remind you, Ironhall Blades are the best of the best. However, boys are not sent to Ironhall to become heroes but usually as a last resort. They train hard and become expert weapons masters - but of course each boy has their own speciality. At the end of their training the monarch comes to Ironhall (or occasionally a noble to whom the monarch has decided to give a Blade to) and runs each boy through the heart with their own customised sword and a spell which, rather than killing them, binds the new Blade to their master - or mistress (on rare occasions). Bound Blades will die before letting harm come to their master (though their loyalty doesn't blind them to that master's faults) and can go without sleep for days.
Beaumont (Beau) is acknowledged as one of the best Ironhall has had in a while and is dubbed 'the Paragon' because he's effortlessly the best at everything. So it is a bit of a surprise to Ironhall denizens when the king does not take him for himself but gives him and the next two Blades (Ironhall operates on a strict first-in-first-out basis) to a portly minister named Wassail. Durendal, however, suspects that there is a reason behind this and it turns out that Wassail is being sent on a long and diplomatically delicate (and therefore secret) mission where the Blades' skills will be needed and sorely tested.
Duncan gives us two points of view; the Chivians', who are going into Skyrria, and in the Skyrrian camp, Czarina Sophie. The Czarina and her sister Tasha, who is betrothed to the King of Chivial, live on a knife‘s edge. Czar Igor has a volatile personality (not to mention being paranoid) and could be this world's facsimile for Ivan the Terrible. He rules with an iron fist and uses magic to enforce his will with giant hounds. Sophie has her work cut out to keep him from flaring into violence - when he's around - and keeping her adult stepson, who is even more depraved than Igor, away from Tasha.
As always, I enjoyed the writing in this series. Puns are scattered around and Duncan pokes fun at, amongst other things, the beards on the Skyrrians.
There is lots of fun - and tension. There were points I almost couldn't bear to continue reading. I know from experience that Duncan can kill off his Blades if the situation calls for it (Ironhall graduates are not usually known for long lifespans) and with them going into a parallel Russia where a despot Czar rules and his son, who is even worse, is just waiting to take over ... I could sense desperate times ahead.
(March 2024)
4.5-5 stars show less
This is the first of the second trilogy of the Ironhall books, now taking place a generation or two later (so the 'Henry VIII' facsimile is no longer around). Most of the characters have changed but the famed Sir Durendal is now Grand Master of Ironhall. The story starts with Durendal offering a mission to a disgraced Blade and then we go back in time a couple of years show more to find out how Beau was disgraced and finally ends with him completing his mission to win back his blade, 'Just Desert'.
To remind you, Ironhall Blades are the best of the best. However, boys are not sent to Ironhall to become heroes but usually as a last resort. They train hard and become expert weapons masters - but of course each boy has their own speciality. At the end of their training the monarch comes to Ironhall (or occasionally a noble to whom the monarch has decided to give a Blade to) and runs each boy through the heart with their own customised sword and a spell which, rather than killing them, binds the new Blade to their master - or mistress (on rare occasions). Bound Blades will die before letting harm come to their master (though their loyalty doesn't blind them to that master's faults) and can go without sleep for days.
Beaumont (Beau) is acknowledged as one of the best Ironhall has had in a while and is dubbed 'the Paragon' because he's effortlessly the best at everything. So it is a bit of a surprise to Ironhall denizens when the king does not take him for himself but gives him and the next two Blades (Ironhall operates on a strict first-in-first-out basis) to a portly minister named Wassail. Durendal, however, suspects that there is a reason behind this and it turns out that Wassail is being sent on a long and diplomatically delicate (and therefore secret) mission where the Blades' skills will be needed and sorely tested.
Duncan gives us two points of view; the Chivians', who are going into Skyrria, and in the Skyrrian camp, Czarina Sophie. The Czarina and her sister Tasha, who is betrothed to the King of Chivial, live on a knife‘s edge. Czar Igor has a volatile personality (not to mention being paranoid) and could be this world's facsimile for Ivan the Terrible. He rules with an iron fist and uses magic to enforce his will with giant hounds. Sophie has her work cut out to keep him from flaring into violence - when he's around - and keeping her adult stepson, who is even more depraved than Igor, away from Tasha.
As always, I enjoyed the writing in this series. Puns are scattered around and Duncan pokes fun at, amongst other things, the beards on the Skyrrians.
The lead boat had gone on ahead to carry warning, so the reception party was waiting when Wassail stepped ashore around noon. Bands played hobnail Skyrrian music like cats quarreling in a thunderstorm, peacock Pursuivant preened amid an exaltation of Skyrrian heralds, and a dozen hairy grandees glittered welcome in the sunshine. Why would men deck themselves up in so much jewelry and gold brocade, and then hide behind such jungles? Even the liveried pike-bearing men-at-arms had whiskers down to their belts. Strike a spark and they would all go up like dry hay.Beaumont should be irritating but he's not; he's not arrogant though he is cocky but he does have a brain and cares for his charges and his friends.
...
The open carriage provided for His Excellency's triumphant entry into Kiensk resembled a converted hay wagon, but it was drawn by eight spectacular white horses. Wassail and three Best Beards climbed aboard.
There is lots of fun - and tension. There were points I almost couldn't bear to continue reading. I know from experience that Duncan can kill off his Blades if the situation calls for it (Ironhall graduates are not usually known for long lifespans) and with them going into a parallel Russia where a despot Czar rules and his son, who is even worse, is just waiting to take over ... I could sense desperate times ahead.
(March 2024)
4.5-5 stars show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 94
- Also by
- 5
- Members
- 14,775
- Popularity
- #1,559
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 311
- ISBNs
- 405
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- Favorited
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