As unwanted and rebellious boys, they find refuge in Ironhall....Years later they emerge as the finest swordsmen in the realm—A magical r... read full description
reviews
Jul 28, 2008
Mark
rated it: 
The novel "The Gilded Chain" is a high fantasy novel by Dave Duncan. I recommend it! It is by no means perfect. However, it's a page-turner and a good read. It is the first installment of the "King's Blades" series.
The Plot
The setting for this novel is a fantasy world separate from but much like our own Europe during the middle ages. There exists a knightly order called "The Blades" which recruits youngsters and then, through a mixture o More...
The Plot
The setting for this novel is a fantasy world separate from but much like our own Europe during the middle ages. There exists a knightly order called "The Blades" which recruits youngsters and then, through a mixture o More...
Dec 18, 2010
Justus
rated it: 
A swords & sorcery fantasy books with echoes of the Three Musketeers that does some things well and some things poorly.
What Duncan does especially well is trim out the bloat that usually infests fantasy. In a single book we're given a lifetime of adventures from possibly the greatest King's Blade of all time, from his first misguided binding to his final geriatric retirement.
While Duncan does end up tying a couple of the threads together in a loose way, essentially what we're More...
What Duncan does especially well is trim out the bloat that usually infests fantasy. In a single book we're given a lifetime of adventures from possibly the greatest King's Blade of all time, from his first misguided binding to his final geriatric retirement.
While Duncan does end up tying a couple of the threads together in a loose way, essentially what we're More...
Jul 28, 2009
Sean
rated it: 
This book has garnered a lot of good will, from some very high-flying people. my views on Duncan are something of a mixed bag - I absolutely loved his Seventh sword series but wasn't too keen on the Alchemists Apprentice.
I was nevertheless presently surprised by the Gilded chain. Perhaps, because the first seventh sword book was that little bit shorter, or perhaps just because it was a different story, I enjoyed it (and subsequently the series) that much more. Gilded chain started More...
I was nevertheless presently surprised by the Gilded chain. Perhaps, because the first seventh sword book was that little bit shorter, or perhaps just because it was a different story, I enjoyed it (and subsequently the series) that much more. Gilded chain started More...
Sep 03, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
The Gilded Chain follows Durendal one of the Kings Blades through his career, from being the Brat to one of the most powerful and respected men in the kingdom. Durendal is a good man, too good. He seemed a little flat in that, I wish he had some faults. I do wish that the story had been a bit longer and that character relationships had been given more time to develop on the page. When Durendal is sent off on a journey with his own blade and an Inquisitor they arrive on the next page 800 days lat
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Apr 25, 2010
Bertrand
rated it:
Un cycle de fantasy que je recommande chaudement : très facile à lire, un scénario à la hauteur, très bien déroulé et surtout une thématique originale. Tout est là pour un moment intense : l’histoire va à 100 à l’heure et ne s’encombre pas de descriptions inutiles, fans de Zola ou Tolkien, passez votre chemin. Du cape et d’épées emprunt de surnaturel et de sorcellerie : l’ambiance est baroque et sombre, va cotoyer l’univers des Crépusculaires de Mathieu Gaborit tout en étant clairement estampill
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Jul 04, 2010
Jonathan
rated it: 
I absolutely love this book. The book has a great swashbuckling atmosphere that combined with a unique magic system and well drawn characters sucked me in completely. The series in general also has a unique quality in that each of the first three books (Lord of the Fire Lands and Sky of Swords) cover the same time period, but from different characters perspectives.
All that being said I know this book isn't as well written as most of the other books I rate as 4/5 stars, but there is More...
All that being said I know this book isn't as well written as most of the other books I rate as 4/5 stars, but there is More...
Sep 30, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Il est un fort, sur la lande, où l'on envoie les enfants rebelles : le Hall de Fer. Quand ils en sortent, des années plus tard, ils sont devenus les meilleurs épéistes du royaume. Un rituel magique les a assignés à la protection d'un pupille : le roi lui-même ou une personnalité de son choix. Ils le serviront jusqu'à la mort, qu'ils le veuillent ou non. Ces combattants d'exception sont les Lames du Roi. Le plus grand d'entre eux fut messire Durendal. Et voici l'histoire de sa vie. Sa carrière co
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May 07, 2011
Ane
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 02, 2010
Scott
rated it:
The Gilded Chain by Dave Duncan is the first in his six book King's Blade series. While the story in each novel takes places in the same world, each work stands alone as a tale unto itself. This first book tells the story of Durendal, a waif with little future who is recruited to become a King's Blade, a swashbuckling swordsman bound by magic to serve either the king or whoever the king so chooses.
The enchantment is important as it defines the identities of the Blades as a whole. It go More...
The enchantment is important as it defines the identities of the Blades as a whole. It go More...
Jun 17, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Absolutely wonderful book, I picked it up sometime last night and devoured it within the hours I could before bed, during my watch, and sneaking a peak here and there during lunch and finally after work. Books like this could get a gal like me in trouble, unable to put the damn thing down when it's time to work!
I found the characters extremely engaging and wanted to know much more about everyone, so I guess it's off to the next book in the series for me!
November edit: At More...
I found the characters extremely engaging and wanted to know much more about everyone, so I guess it's off to the next book in the series for me!
November edit: At More...
Feb 22, 2009
C.S.
rated it:
This book was really fun. More of a traditional knights and kings story. I loved the main concept of the blades and their bindings to their ward. How those bindings ruled them even if the ward they were chained to was unjust. The book had a great pace and the main character, Sir Durendal, was easy to root for.
I will be reading the next in the series.
I will be reading the next in the series.
Aug 02, 2011
Alexandre
rated it:
Un concept novateur, un bon rythme, des personnages attachants, tout pour faire une histoire de qualité. Je me suis pris de passion pour ce monde et pour ces enfants qui n'ayant rien se plonge corps et âme dans leur devoir. Un monde qui ne va pas sans rappeller les trois mousquetaires de Dumas.
Jul 06, 2010
Tandy
rated it:
All the other reviews have said it all. Great book. This was my second time reading it and I still enjoyed it.
However, I do have to say that this is my least favorite of the three in the series. The books state that you don't have to read them in order, that each is their own story - but I recommend that you do as it all ties together.
However, I do have to say that this is my least favorite of the three in the series. The books state that you don't have to read them in order, that each is their own story - but I recommend that you do as it all ties together.
Jan 29, 2012
Peter
rated it:
An interesting new series, I have discovered. I like the general swashbuckling, sword swinging nature of the story. The premise of well trained swordsmen, magically bonded to their wards with special abilities is a good one. The story of this "first" in the series of a King's Blade was good. The magic of the realm intriguing without becoming cumbersome or inane. I look forward to seeing how the sequels stack up in the rest of the series.
Apr 15, 2011
Josh
rated it:
Not bad at all. Can say I never have read a story quite like it. But like some reviewers have said, it does skip some big chunks of time. Could have been better if split into two or even three books.
Nov 02, 2009
Dan
rated it:
Absolutely superb books. I love the King's Blade's Series. If you are into fantasy, then get it. Just great books.
Dec 06, 2010
Guy
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Nov 14, 2010
Tim
rated it:
Typical fantasy setting, but with some original twists, a likable protagonist, and good story.
Jul 19, 2010
Michael
rated it: 
I tried but couldn't force myself past the first few chapters. This book demonstrates why I usually stay away from stand-alone fantasy novels. No background, no world building and very little character development. (with the exception of Brandon Sanderson's Elantris) at least i guess this book is a stand alone--if not then it sure reads like one- which is not a good beginning for a series Plus I couldn't keep from gagging every time the narrator of this book repeatedly used the phrase--"Mo
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Jul 23, 2008
Scurra
rated it:
On the surface this is a fairly routine fantasy swashbuckler that works fine as a stand-alone novel. But when read as part of the trilogy (with Lord of the Fire Lands and Sky of Swords you discover that Duncan has taken the idea of "history being written by the winners" and given it a fictional twist - the three stories are not at all consistent, as the different points of view affect what you as the reader see and hear.
Apr 20, 2010
Simone
rated it:
What a great book! Everything that a sword-and-sorcery novel should be. Even the minor characters seemed fully realized, and the major ones all the more so. The plotting was also excellent...I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. I will definitely be reading on in the series, and am even considering upgrading my Kindle edition to a physical book, which, giving my shrinking shelf space, is a rare thing these days!
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Apr 23, 2008
Alisa
rated it:
Dave Duncan is an excellent storyteller, and I very much enjoyed the basic premise of this series...that a swordsman is bonded to his 'ward' by a single sword thrust through the heart, and thereafter will do anything and everything to protect his ward from danger. Very romantic and swashbuckling! And this was a swashbuckling sort of book all the way through. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Jul 30, 2008
David
rated it:
One of my top five favorite fantasy novels. The concept of the Blades (swordsmen magically sworn to protect one persons their whole lives)is great, and I really enjoyed the complex "flashback" story of one Blade's life from youth to old age. Also a really interesting system of magic. A lot of homages to "A Man For All Seasons" and Henry VIII of England. Less emphasis on action, more on character development.
Apr 05, 2010
Dan
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 29, 2011
ROSE
rated it:
4.5
Vraiment très bon. L'aspect politique est présent mais évite l'assommant, la part de fantasy contient juste ce qu'il faut de magie, et le côté "cape et épée" est beaucoup plus prenant qu'il n'y paraît.
Bref, un ensemble qui sonne juste, et qui nous transporte en toute simplicité !
J'adore !
Vraiment très bon. L'aspect politique est présent mais évite l'assommant, la part de fantasy contient juste ce qu'il faut de magie, et le côté "cape et épée" est beaucoup plus prenant qu'il n'y paraît.
Bref, un ensemble qui sonne juste, et qui nous transporte en toute simplicité !
J'adore !
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Jan 30, 2008
Patti
rated it:
This is the first in a series of books, and is probably the best in the bunch. However, I would read all of the King's Blades books again. I recommend reading this one first, it gives a lot of information about the world that the books are set in, and without that information, the other books could be a little confusing.
Dec 16, 2009
Allendachang
rated it:
This was actually incredibly fun to read. Swashbuckling would be an appropriate word for it. No high-falutin' pretensions here. The entire trilogy depicts the same time period from three different perspectives. A neat twist is given in the third book that boggles the mind.
