The Gilded Chain [Mass Market Paperback]

Upon starting "The Gilded Chain," one quickly discovers that Dave Duncan is truly a masterful storyteller in that his pacing is breakneck in speed; incredible in plot setup and execution; incredibly well detailed as he not only tells a story but sets the reader up within his newly created world of Chivial where "conjurations" are common and there is an overall exceptionally rich history to his story! My only regret in beginning to read his novels is that I hadn't discovered his work earlier.

The cover art for "The Gilded Chain" is perfectly well suited to the story and does what it is intended to do, draw a reader to the novel.

The Premise:

Welcome to Dave Duncan's world of Chivial where conjurations are commonplace and the King, Ambrose the IV has at his disposal Ironhall where his personal guards are known as Blades. From an early age, young men who have nowhere else to go, if they show some promise, are admitted to the school and given the best training in the world in the practice and art of being swordsmen!

As they progress in age and years at the school they either handle the training or leave at their own will. Upon becoming the most senior of the students, Prime and Second as it is known, they come close to what they've been working towards for so long. When the time comes for the King to issue a warrant for a new Blade for either his own service or for a courtier he wishes or believes has need of a personal body guard the ward is sent to Ironhall with the warrant!

As the ritual goes, the ward takes the prospective Blade's newly crafted sword and through conjuration, runs it through the Blade's heart, providing the conjuration is a good one and both the Blade and the Ward's intention are good, the Blade will live and his binding to his ward is complete! As long as that Blade lives, his pure purpose in life is to guard his ward's life with his own...

In comes the story of "The Gilded Chain" and Sir Durendal, one of the most promising Blade's to come out of Ironhall in years and one who has taken the name of Durendal as the first Durendal was an absolute hero in the Litany of Heroes at Ironhall.

What follows from his "first" binding is one of the most incredible and wonderful well told fantasy stories this reader has ever had the privilege to read as the author takes us through the life of Sir Durendal or Lord Roland as he later is able to take his given name. From a poor child with talent taken into the bosom of Ironhall to his first and second bindings to his being released and becoming the Chancellor of Chivial to King Ambrose the IV, this tale will absolutely captivate and enthrall the reader at a breakneck speed...

I highly recommend this first tale in the "Tales of the King's Blades" and any other novel written by this superior author to any and all who enjoy good fantasy fiction that is written for adults. Dave Duncan most certainly deserves any and all praise and accolades I'm sure he's received and continues to receive for this superior piece of fiction! {ssintrepid}

I found this approach to sword and sorcery very refreshing. It didn't seem as though he was rehashing your typical fantasy themes in different words. Instead this book feels very original and the writing doesn't wander aimlessly. This book is aptly called "A Tale" because thats what it is, a tale, a story; not a long, drawn out, piece of fluff but an action filled tale of loyalty, courage, honor, and friendship and I enjoyed it very much.

Also, there are three more books in this series so far (I am about to start the second) but this book has a beginning and an end. It doesn't have a cliffhanger like some other series, so you can be comfortable just buying the first book and if you agree with me and like it, you can get the others at your liesure.

Other authors you might like in this same genre; Paul Kearney, George R. R. Martin, Deborah Chester, David Gemmell, J.V. Jones, and Matthew Stover.