King of Swords

The Starfolk #1

by Dave Duncan

From Book 1:

Rigel has always known he is not quite human, but the only clue to his origin is the otherworldly bracelet he has worn since childhood.

His search for his parentage leads him to the Starlands, where reality and fantasy have changed places. There he learns that he is a human-starborn cross, and his bracelet is the legendary magical amulet Saiph, which makes its wearer an unbeatable swordsman. Fighting off monsters, battling a gang of assassins seeking to kill him, Rigel finds honorable employment as a hero. He knows that he must die very soon if he remains in the Starlands, but he has fallen hopelessly in love with a princess and cannot abandon her.

Through the imaginative landscape of the Starlands, Rigel's quest leads him to encounter minotaurs, sphinxes, cyclops, and more fearsome creatures in Dave Duncan's latest fantasy series.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook, Amazon, Science Fiction Fantasy

394 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2013

About the author

Originally from Scotland, Dave Duncan lived all his adult life in Western Canada, having enjoyed a long career as a petroleum geologist before taking up writing. Since discovering that imaginary worlds were more satisfying than the real one, he published more than 60 novels, mostly in the fantasy genre, but also young adult, science fiction, and historical.

He wrote at times under the pseudonym Sarah B. Franklin (but only for literary purposes) and Ken Hood (which is short for "D'ye Ken Whodunit?")

His most successful works were fantasy series: The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word and its sequel, A Handful of Men, and seven books about The King’s Blades. His books have been translated into 15 languages, and of late have been appearing in audiobook format as well.

He and Janet were married in 1959. He is survived by her, one son and two daughters, as well as four grandchildren.

He was both a founding and honorary lifetime member of SFCanada, and a member of the CSFFA Hall of Fame.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚖🏹🗡⚔🛡🏅🛒

Really Enjoy this one the characters and the world building was really interesting, just be aware there is alot of politics in the starfolk domain, and things are not always what they seem.

looking forward to book 2

Happy Reading 📙📚📕📚📓📗📘📒📓📚📙📕📖📗📘📒📓📚📙📔📘📒📓📙📚📗📖

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I wanted it to be: a light, popcorn read.

I wasn't' expecting Rothfuss or anything, just a mildly humorous fantasy book that was set in modern day, which is what this turned out to be. You have Rigel who is head over heals for the alien (It's cool, he's half alien after all). Rigel wields the most dangerous weapon in the known universe and is shunted to another....realm? Planet? Galaxy? Something. Here he is a lower class citizen in love with the upper class. Because of this he gets stuck in the middle of a great assassination plot. Where everyone wants to either use him or make sure no one else can use him.

You know what? The best way to describe this book is the lovechild (I made a joke, read the book to get my glory) of Patrick Rothfuss (I actually checked to see if it was him under pseudonym) and Edgar Rice Burroughs circa Princess of Mars.

I'll finish this series as each book comes out. And I'm not going to recommend this book to anyone, if any of what my review or the book flap sends you.... it's exactly what's on the tin.

[[ J o ] · Rating 1 out of 5]

An Alien is saved from a bear by a women with a gun and a mysterious past and they travel across Canada where they fall in love and learn all about each other...

The premise was kind of intriguing but the execution wasn't up to much. Terrible writing with a lovely rape joke right there at the beginning. Gun-ho stuff, if that's what you're after. Good luck to you.

[Jason Waltz · Rating 1 out of 5]

12 pages and tossing. My first Duncan and not impressed or interested. I hope his other titles in my TBR fare better.

[Metaphorosis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars - Metaphorosis Reviews

An unusual teenager gets swept off to another dimension by elves - and find's he's half elf himself.

I bought King of Swords and its sequel, Queen of Stars, without even thinking, just because I like David Duncan. I'm one of the long-term fans he refers to in the dedication. Unfortunately, either Duncan is in a slump recently, or I am. He's been producing a lot of new books, and I've liked very few of them very much.
One of my key gripes about this book is its premise - discontended human goes through portal to a happier world - I've read a lot of books along those lines, and they very rarely work. There's just something about the idea I don't care for. This one is no different.

Part of the problem is that regular humans are slaves in the elfworld (and genetically degenerate enough to deserve it, apparently). Halflings like our hero Rigel don't do much better, but that suits him just fine, because ... I'm not sure. The main thing seems to be a beautiful woman, who he makes it his life's ambition to kiss (that just sounds creepy to me). Duncan doesn't do much to establish the world, and it frankly feels like he's not trying very hard. There's a lot of exposition, but even so, some of the characters' actions are unfounded. It has a facile feel that didn't interest me much. Throughout the book, whenever I put it down, I tended to forget I was reading it. Definitely not one of those books I like awake thinking about, or can't wait to pick up again. By the end, I pretty much didn't care about any of the characters.

Duncan has written much better books in his time; just not lately. This one, unfortunately, is eminently forgettable. Also unfortunate, I have the sequel already.

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would put this novel into the hands of a young high school boy - not because he could handle it or love it, but because that is what it seems to have been written for. With a heavy emphasis on breasts and other assorted body-parts this book plays right into that age bracket.

This is and adequate fantasy with very simple world building and story telling. Nothing too taxing for anyone, but enough action to keep you mildly intrigued.

What I didn't like is that it is not unlike so many other novels in this genre. It is difficult to get excited by another fish in an already over-crowded pond. There was nothing here to make this book stand out for me. I had a difficult time caring for or about the characters.

I have never read anything by this author, but had heard tons of praise and I simply expected so much more from someone who gets the accolades this author did.

[Lorena · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first Dave Duncan book I haven't been crazy about. The story starts off abruptly, with a lot exposited very quickly in a way that doesn't feel organic, and the characters are pretty cardboard. I won't be picking up the rest of the series, because it didn't hook me enough to care what happens next.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly, I'm still young at heart. I've been looking forward to this book since I pre-ordered it back in July? June? And the anticipation and the build-up to release day gripped me with the fervour and mania of a Harry Potter release. Not so that I would've prostrated myself at a book shop with a huge sword and contact lenses for white eyes, of course - even a decade ago, my enthusiasm for book releases didn't involve such machinations. And yet, even though I have a child of my own and a respectable job for which I actually have to rise early, I still chortled with glee as I hastened up the stairs after yesterday was done. I whistled to myself as I showered and generally made ready to sleep. But I did not sleep ... I read.

Immediately I was engulfed. There's something about the way Dave writes his scenes, as if you're in his head and simply observing thought processes which come hurtling off the page and roll over you with cinematic clarity. His dialogue is often to the point, though characters who meander are plentiful throughout his work and even though the back-and-forth is snappy, the mental work of the lead in most scenes is still miles ahead of the speech and you really have to pay attention to keep up with what is being thought as much as what is being said. Some of his most recognisable (and to me, beloved) tropes are present, a young man struggling against powerful odds and forces, which give the story its distinctive adventure texture. A monarch, often aging, always cantankerous or at least seemingly a little batty, and a unique, flushed-out world full of intrigue, schemes, impossible geography and a plot to throw yourself into and float through. It's a beautifully put-together adventure, and reminded me, on the surface, of Robert A Heinlein's Glory Road.

Of course, it wasn't a perfect read. There were a few grammatical issues, which you'd expect the proof-reader to have spotted: two occurrences of "halfing" rather than "halfling", a "taller then himself" rather than a "than" (a common misuse I abhor), and "pour souls" rather than "poor", which is just sloppy. Furthermore, the publisher slacked off on the "also by" information, missing out at least one of his published titles (in a series, no less) and listing a standalone twice. These are niggles, by definition they don't add up to much, but they do all serve to cheapen the book, to downgrade the work in one's mind to that of a lower class publication, especially when competition on the platform is so staggeringly huge from self-publishing. I daresay I missed an error or two myself; I hurtled through the story as a voracious fan, rather than a critic - but if even I can spot those when I'm not even looking for them there's no excuse: the publisher takes a cut and has a duty to therefore make the work the best it can be and I'm sorry to say that, in my opinion, this time they failed.

Finally, I come to my issues with the book as a whole. The things Dave himself did that I wasn't keen on. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it, but I didn't give it top marks either, and there's a reason for that. Primarily, which I find mad given that I'm the younger side of thirty and Dave has five decades on me, I found the book too modern. It starts off in our world, which is fine, we've seen it before. But it's a modern world, a world where "the web" and phrases like "Holy Shit" are used (and rightfully so, because they are, today). A real slice of the modern life, mentioning sampling DNA and passport verification and gun laws - all information you wouldn't think out of place in a novel claiming to be a "modern thriller".

I think this hit me so hard because Dave's books have always been escapes. The Brothers Magnus series, the Longdirk books, The Great Game, Wildcatter - these have all, if set in our world in whole or in part, been done so a long time ago or in a time yet to come. The Seventh Sword, though arguably featuring a Human of today, was written twenty-five years ago, and there's something about the opening - that obituary, the style and tone of it, and the undeniable juxtaposition between it and the world of the Goddess that says "I’ve a feeling we’re not in Canada anymore, Toto", without needing to bring a dog into the picture. Even when the forth book was added to that series and the style of Dave's writing was so clearly evolved, the world we live in now, with its phones and Internet, didn't intrude. It might've been present in mind, but that never made it to the page, and the pages were richer for the lack of it.

The works that have big worlds all their own - The Dodec books, the King's Blades, Pandemia, and a deal of the standalones just to name a few - these all have that famed Duncanness to them, which is present in King of Swords too, you can't deny that. But I think they're immeasurably stronger for not focusing on the here and the now. It’s not something I was comfortable with, it lent a sense of story to the book, made me stop and remember I was actually reading a book, rather than enjoying an adventure.

I feel horrible for thinking this way, because there's nothing wrong with a contemporary hero. Rigel's well-written and gifted of that quickness of thought and pervasive perception Dave instils wonderfully in book after book. And yet this huge barrier, this awareness and presence of Today, of the real, tangible world outside, the world I pick up a good yarn to escape from and leave behind for a while, was still there, slapping me in the face for the first five chapters and woven into Rigel's thought processes and phrases and comparisons. It's clever, inasmuch as he's a man of his time and that's well-reflected, but it's a time that should, I felt, have been less central, less present.

I hope I've explained that enough. I don't want to come across as having hated the book; the next time there's a new Dave Duncan I'll be pre-ordering and working with a spring in my step on release day with as much enthusiasm and innocent happiness as this time. But it wasn't perfect, and whether that's a reflection of the increasing complications of my own life and awareness or whether I do have a genuine issue with the book is for Dave's other fans to decide. I'm glad I bought it, and will add it to my bookshelf with the solemnity and respect a new title by one of my favourite authors deserves. Indeed, there's a good chance I'll reread it someday, which is something I reserve for an exclusive group of writers indeed.

[Steve Fahnestalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written Duncan; the protagonist is a "changeling"—thinks he might have been exchanged by a fairy or elf for a human baby; he has no nipples or navel, heals super quickly, is taller than most people and has white hair. His name is Rigel.
While pedaling his bicycle on Vancouver Island, he has a run-in with a bear and is severely wounded, but the bear dies somehow. He's “rescued” by a woman with a motorhome who claims to be a private detective. While looking for clothes in a Wal-Mart, the pair are attacked by all the other Wal-Mart patrons with apparent intent to kill; he defends himself with a sword that appears out of nowhere. All of a sudden the pair are no longer in the Wal-Mart; they have been transported to another world, continuum, or reality.
And then things get weird. This is book #1 in The Starfolk; I expect that Rigel will eventually find that he is *not* the hero of this series (Duncan has a habit of doing this with protagonists; see “The Reluctant Swordsman”), but will serve as backup to the real hero.
I look forward to reading more of these, if Dave finished this series before he died. He was a good writer, and a nice guy, and will be sorely missed.

[Aditya / · Rating 3 out of 5]

as some others have indicated, I am a huge fan of Dave Duncan: he is one of my favorite authors. However, this book was not very good. One of my other favorite authors his Piers Anthony. this read not like a Dave Duncan book, but like a badly written Piers Anthony book. Additionally, I don't like it when there are unrealistic things. This character had knowledge that is clearly Dave Duncan knowledge, and not within this character's knowledge. With this character's educational background, he would not know so much. I have seen reviews saying that the 2nd book in this series is also not very good, so I will reluctantly skip that. Perhaps someday I will come back and read it, but there is no shortage of things to read, and I have already read ton of Dave Duncan books which I loved, so I don't have to feel guilty in any way!

[ehren Milner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down

It is a very interest genre - the tortured identity crisis where a young man does not know why he does not for in. Don't want to spoil it but it is one of those books where you will find yourself trying to will the protagonist to do other than what they do.

[steenancisu.edu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Juvenile

Characters are insufferable. The story line is weak and the hero is not a hero. None of the characters are very likeable.

[Stephen Morley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t say more how much I dislike this book. It aggravates me to even try and give a synopsis. The love story is junk. The book is poorly executed. Move on nothing here to see.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dunno, this one didn't grab me.

[Stuart Macmartin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at p12. Not my style of book.

[Russ Couprie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit shallow, but entertaining

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another universe by Dave Duncan. Engaging characters and story line.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eeh, skippable. I like some of Duncan's other stuff, but this felt really un-thought-out.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 4 out of 5]

King of Swords opens brilliantly, with a fight with a bear in a Canadian National Park. The descriptions are excellent, and I got really drawn in… then I got worried. We seemed to be heading for one of those dreadful ‘coming-of-age, learning your true inheritance and training to be something else’ stories. BUT NO!!! Thrown in the deep end, learn fast or die (there’s a lot of fighting). Now that’s more like it!

It’s a complex plot, with complicated names (I only really got the ones that are stars I recognise, but I suspect the others may be from other myths/legends/histories). The imagery and world-building are really excellent. I gave it four stars because I did get a little lost on who was who for a while, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I may even look for the next in the series!

[EA Solinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Dave Duncan has been writing for eons, I never actually read any of his books -- perhaps because there WERE so many, and I wasn't sure where to start. So I seized on "King of Swords" as a good place to start, since it was the first book in a new series.

And it's a thoroughly solid start to the Starfolk series -- think a more science-fictiony version of those young-adult stories about half-faerie teenagers (usually girls) who discover their true nature. "King of Swords is written in a solidly average manner, with intriguing buildup, plenty of gusto and imagination.

Mira rescues a young boy named Rigel, who is not human -- he has no nipples or navel, and has pale eyes and hair. The only clue to his true nature is a silvery bracelet that serves as a sort of Spidey Sense. But he was raised by a human, so he doesn't remember a thing about his origins or even what kind of being he is.

But on a shopping trip, he and Mira are suddenly attacked by a mob -- and then spy a man who looks a lot like Rigel. Next thing they know, they have been whisked away to the world of the "starborn," elven aliens.

But the elf-aliens are not as welcoming as he had hoped -- he's a "halfling" whom they look down on, and he quickly discovers that their society can be cruel and uncaring, especially to earthlings. As he tries to navigate this strange new world, he falls in love with a princess he cannot have, and learns that he'll die soon if he doesn't escape the Starlands...

"King of Swords" is a hard novel to classify -- it dances between fantasy and sci-fi, adult and young-adult fiction. It reminds me of those post-Holly Black novels of teens finding out that they're actually faeries/half-faeries... except that in this case, the faeries are aliens, and tales of changelings and mythical beasts are actually derived from reality.

Dave Duncan's writing is a solid, workmanlike kind -- straightforward descriptive prose and dialogue, without many highs or lows. But he does throw a lot of wry, witty moments into the story, such as Mira's down-to-earth complaints (when she's stuck with the "mudlings"), or a Spanish-speaking Minotaur who really, really wants Rigel to kill him (instead of a "daffodil elf").

Flaws? Well, at times the Starborn's dialogue can be a bit clunky ("Desist, you groveling maggot. I do not wish to be embroiled in so sordid a contretemps"), and the mystery of Rigel's nature is revealed a bit too fast. It could have used a little more suspense.

We also could have used a bit more time to get to know Rigel and Mira before they are whisked away, especially for Rigel's sense of alienation. But Rigel is a pretty likable hero, who tumbles headfirst into a spiderweb of bizarre political trials and tribulations, and who is good-hearted and nice in a way that most of the Starfolk are not.

"King of Swords" is a solid, enjoyable sci-fantasy, mingling dragons and magic with alien elves -- it moves a bit too fast at first, but it has a lot to explore.

[Lissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rigel has grown up on Earth. He has the oddity of not having any nipples or naval. On his wrist is a silver band which he is unable to remove. By chance he meets Mira who saves him from a bear attack. They link up but when a riot begins in a supermarket and a stranger appears and they are transported to Starlands. There, Rigel discovers that he is a halfling and the band on his wrist is a defensive amulet called Saiph.
Rigel's adventure begins. This is a very pleasant read for all ages.

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Dave Duncan and was so excited to find King of Swords, his latest novel and the first book of his new series, Starfolk, featured in the Amazon Vine Program. This new series, The Starfolk, shows us a completely new world where star folk have built their world by imagining new places and destinations. Many of the Starfolk have visited Earth at different times and have used these experiences to imagine unusual places in their world.

In the Starfolk's world there are clear and distinct hierarchies with those with Royal blood and special magical gifts at the very top, the others of Royal blood and rank make up the next tier, then the different Starfolk based on their magical gifts (rank is shown by color), those of mixed blood are of significantly lesser rank and must be sponsored by one of the Starfolk in order to live free and move in their world. The humans in the Starfolk world are considered property, much like slaves.

The hero of the series grows up on Earth but knows himself to be an alien of sorts. When he suddenly finds himself in the world of Starfolk, he discovers that he's been gifted with one of the most powerful amulets/swords in the universe. This gift that he's had throughout his life is a clue to his parentage. As he learns how to use his power, he searches for his parents and discovers a tie to some of the most dangerous beings in the Starfolk universe.

Dave Duncan's King of Swords introduces a new hero in an unusual world. I had hoped to care for the characters but while the mystery of the hero's family was particularly interesting, I wasn't invested in the other characters or their problems.

ISBN-10: 147780739X - Paperback $8.97
Publisher: 47North (September 17, 2013), 394 pages.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher and the Amazon Vine Program.

[Joel Flank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rigel grew up knowing he was different, a freak even. His only family was his presumably adopted and completely crazy mother, who had stories of an elven prince who was his father. All Rigel knew was that he was born without a bellybutton or nipples, and pure white hair and eyes.

When his world gets even more insane after being attacked by a bear, and then while shopping at Wal-mart having every person in the store trying to murder him, and his strange heirloom bracelet turns into a sword and starts killing his attackers, his life goes from different to outright bizarre. Then things start to make sense after he is forcibly taken to a strange other world, called the starlands, which have a tenuous connection to reality, are ruled by elves (but calling them anything by Starborn is an insult) and filled with monsters and creatures straight from mythology. As Rigel tries to keep alive in this world, he feels for the first time in his life that he belongs somewhere, even though he isn't one of the Starborn.

He quickly becomes enmeshed with local politics, dangerous love affairs and assassination plots. Being the odd man out lets him have a slim chance of actually living to enjoy a life in the first place he's ever belonged. If he can manage it, he might even find out who his real parents were, and the rarest of treasures, love.

Dave Duncan weaves another fast paced action thriller with a unique world. The twists and turns keep things from becoming a straight up fantasy adventure, and he depicts elven lands that evoke just how different and alien fey beings who live centuries can be.

[Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed Dave Duncan's Seventh Sword series. It was an interesting experience because I couldn't really finger Mr. Duncan's talent. It felt like he wrote in a very workman like manner and yet his books were quite enjoyable with well developed and competent characters facing interesting challenges. I did not find that here.

I still thought Mr. Duncan's writing was appealing in this book. What wasn't appealing was his characters and setting. The main character is nothing special, he was just given a magical sword that makes him very deadly. The most interesting thing about this story is the scenario where half-elves are valued as assassins because elves have a guilt curse that kills them if they kill another elf. But the elves themselves are conceited slave owners so I found it very easy to not care if they lived or died.

The main character also had the overused characteristic of being a reluctant killer even though he has just been thrust into a world where people kill as easily as saying hello (except for elf on elf). So, when he has the chance the make the people he loves safe by killing the bad guy the main character doesn't do it. The bad guy had apparently set a trap so we are told the main character was smart for not taking the shot, but he really wasn't.

In addition to an uninteresting main character and story (the saving of egotistical slave owning elves) THE AUTHOR ALSO DOESN'T TELL A COMPLETE STORY. THIS ENTIRE BOOK IS JUST THE SET UP FOR WHATEVER COMES NEXT and since this setup is so crappy, I, for one, will not be bothering to read more in this series.

Bottom line: not worth the time.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect from the very popular fantasy/sci fi author, Dave Duncan. And, I think that coming to it unaware is the right way to enjoy what King of Swords has to offer. So, I will tiptoe around the plot spoilers and just make a few points.
There is hardly an opportunity to catch your breath in King of Sword's non-stop action. We start in Canada with a bear mauling a young albino man whose singing career is almost cut short.
Very soon we are in a tangential world whose almost immortal inhabitants like to steal our fine art, architectural and cultural ideas for their recreation. This also applies to having sex with humans when it pleases them.
Their world has magical qualities that some can control better than others. Thus sword and sorcery are mixed with one man's quest to know his origins and master a weapon that has been his since birth. Duncan's narrator is often this young man, but sometimes is an impartial third party. Both have their moments of lightening the plot with humor, either bawdy or ironic.

There is sufficient closure in this book's tale not to mind that Duncan is using it for the start of another series. I am impressed enough to contemplate following along.

[Jennifer (bunnyreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Dave Duncan's work. He is great at world building and usually has great characters. I like that he's not overly predidctable and when he is, it doesn't matter because he just does it very well.

But this story has been just ok. While the world is quite interesting, my main problems lie with Rigel; he comes across as a lusty young man about as deep as a plate in places, but then will make some very smart deductions, that just make you think 'Huh, how'd he figure that out'.

The story definitely had a lighter feel to it. I did find it very humorous in places (being Canadian I laughed pretty hard over the handgun registry comments) and like I said it was an interesting world. The plot was surprisingly twisty and does things just different enough to keep you reading/listening. And that there is probably going to be what has me coming back to see how it ends in the next book.

Great reading by Nick Podehl. He really added a lot to this story.

[Andrew Claude · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating system:


*
I could not finish or hated the book.


**
I did not enjoy the book very much. I'm probably reluctant to try future books in the series or other books by the author.


***
I liked the book, and would read future books in the series/by the author.


****
I loved the book and will pre-order future books in the series/by the author. I am also likely to reread the book at a future date (or already have).


*****
I loved the book and I've reread it at least one time. I probably monitor the author's web site for future books, and wholeheartedly recommend the series/authors to friends.

[Catherine Griffin]

Having grown up on Earth ignorant of his parentage, a half-elf (sort of) is dragged into the murderous politics of another world.

Rigel was abandoned as a baby with only a magic silver bracelet. He knows he isn’t human, since he’s different from humans in several significant ways. His wandering life changes when his bracelet saves him from a bear attack. Shortly after, he’s dragged off to the Starlands, home of the starfolk — who are immortal magic-users with pointy ears and a superior attitude. He finds out his bracelet is a powerful magic artifact which turns him into a deadly swordsman. But one of the starfolk royalty is murdering his way to the top job, and wants the bracelet — from Rigel’s dead body.

Decent writing, good editing, plenty of action, and a few twists make for an engaging, entertaining read.

This is the first book in a series but reads well as a standalone story.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Book one of the Starfolk, Rigel finds out why he's different. He's always know that: clues are the lack of bellybutton and nipples, and the presence of a bracelet that he's had from childhood, which has grown with him and which he can't take off.
He is taken to the Starlands, where his status is low but at least he now knows that he is half-Starborn half-human, but his actual parentage is still mysterious. He gets involved in royal politics, partly because his bracelet is actually the magical amulet Saiph, also known as the King of Swords.
Complicated. Lots going on. Many untrustworthy characters. Interesting magic system.
I look forward to reading the sequel: Queen of Stars.

[BobA707 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: I have read DDs the alchemist series and had very high hopes for this book, sadly this it was a big disappointment, I think fundamentally because the premise doesn't work and from their much else fails. Touches of cleverness are apparent, the plot has several levels, but fundamentally it's flaws cannot be patched

Plotline: The plot is well thought out, but founders on the weak premise. Some very nice touches still make this a worthwhile read.

Premise: For me the idea of tying in our world with a parallel swords/sorcery world just doesn't work

Writing: Elegant, simple, readble

Ending: Very good, everything set for book 2.

Pace: Never a dull moment