Ill Met in the Arena

by Dave Duncan

Though Quirt’s name is little-known, his skills as a gladiator are quickly obvious and hard to match. In Aureity, noblemen battle in the arena circuit, using their powers of teleportation and telekinesis to prove their breeding and strength. The prizes at play are not only silver and bronze but also the chance to rise amongst the nobility and mate with the ruling class of women.

Older than most players, Quirt still manages to draw attention and awe through his mastery of the games. Some of that attention comes from Humate, a brash young competitor with unbelievable power and little patience or control. To him, Quirt is a mystery he can’t resist.

However, that mystery soon proves much bigger than all of them. Ancient crimes, struggles for status, romance, vengeance, duty--Humate has a lot to learn from the world-wise Quirt. As the secret of Quirt’s true identity and past unfolds, Humate and Quirt race to bring justice to the murderer and madman whose blood links the two gladiators together.

With ILL MET IN THE ARENA, award-winning fantasy author Dave Duncan creates yet another new, fully-realized world filled with complex cultures and brisk adventure. Intrigue, politics, action, humor--this book will grab you from page one and not let go until the final word.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2008

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew flashbacks or someone telling a long history of some incident that happened could be so interesting. The author made the choice to tell this story starting halfway through and to tantalize us with hints of "something" that happened in the past. At the same time the story is progressing forward. Eventually we find out the "big thing" that happened in the past and how it relates to the present. ANd then it moves forward with the resolution and, of course, a battle of sorts at the end.

Quirt (a pseudonym), when we meet him in the beginning of the book is a 30 year old man, a veteran of the areanas, who had been "unnamed" and basically deposed from his homeland and cursed with a "Doom" upon him to find the "Enemy" and expose him. Not just kill him, but expose his evil deeds. But first Quirt has to find the man. He has spent many years searching the whole of Auriety.

Oh a quick note about this world (Duncan is a master worldbuilder!) It is ruled by women called Hegemons. Each area on the map has a Hegemon and each major city has a royal ruler. This is a caste society based on how many Hegemonic and/or Royal ancestors a person has had. People born in that upper class (or caste) have magic abilities. The men are able to (tele)port certain distances depending on their strength, and also able to manipulate objects, and also fly for a short time. The women have the ultimate power, they can turn a man's brain into goo if they touch him and they can read his mind if they are close enough. There's more depth to the caste society but I won't go into that.

So we first meet Quirt as he and a newbie are preparing for the arena games. They don't hack at each other with swords like you'd think. These arena games are sometimes won by guile and quick thinking than brawn. Quirt has a plan to attack the Enemy and to do so he needs to win the crown, the highest honor in the arena. But a Hegemon's young son enters the games to prove his manhood or something like that. And the son is strong! Little does Quirt know that his fate is entwined with that of this young punk (arrogant asshole, pretty much).

The writing is good, the kind I prefer: just enough detail but not so much that every blade of grass in the meadow is explored! And the emotional stuff is not overdone (I hate that kind of writing where they go on and on about it, and it's like "Okay, okay I get the point, let's get on with the story already!") And the flow of the story is smooth, especially considering that we are not being told the story from the beginning but rather the middle. I think the author chose well because it probably would have been a blah, boring story if told right from his youth. Plus, I love mysteries and hints that make me want to know what happened in the past.

I rarely give books 5 stars. Only really, really good books imo get 5 stars. If you like fantasy and like a good story well told then check this book out.

[Trip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a little of Vernor Vinge's The Witling: an exploration of a society in which everyone has psionic powers. Plus, murder mystery!

Like Dave Duncan's other books, it is not brilliant, but solid.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Amazon synopsis: “Complicated politics and family scandals twist through this tale of courtly intrigue from prolific fantasist Duncan” (Publishers Weekly).

Though Quirt’s name is little known, his skills as a gladiator are quickly obvious and hard to match. In Aureity, noblemen battle in the arena circuit, using their powers of teleportation and telekinesis to prove their breeding and strength. The prizes at play are not only silver and bronze but also the chance to rise amongst the nobility and mate with the ruling class of women. Older than most players, Quirt still manages to draw attention and awe through his mastery of the games. Some of that attention comes from Humate, a brash young competitor with unbelievable power and little patience or control. To him, Quirt is a mystery he can’t resist. However, that mystery soon proves much bigger than all of them. Ancient crimes, struggles for status, romance, vengeance, duty—Humate has a lot to learn from the world‑wise Quirt. As the secret of Quirt’s true identity and past unfolds, Humate and Quirt race to bring justice to the murderer and madman whose blood links the two gladiators together. With Ill Met in the Arena, award‑winning fantasy author Dave Duncan creates yet another new, fully realized world filled with complex cultures and brisk adventure. Intrigue, politics, action, humor—this book will grab you from page one and not let go until the final word.

Dave Duncan never disappoints. This is an older book I'd never read before, but boy am I glad I've found it now. At almost 300 pages, you'd think it'd be a slog, but it actually flies. The first-person present narration is different from anything I've read before but not in the least off-putting. In fact, I think it pulls me into the story even faster. Great story and wonderful characters I definitely want to see more of. There's quite a bit of violence, but thankfully, most of it happens off-screen and you're told about what happened by 'witnesses', so it's a bit less shocking. There are a number of surprises and the ending, for me, was enormously satisfying. This is one I'm going to be reading multiple times.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a matriarchal society where women are telepaths, and men telekenetics/teleporters, this is pretty standard Duncan fare. It has his trademark well thought-out magic system (always a different one in each of his worlds. I honestly have no idea how he came up with them all!), some interesting characters, but other than that this doesn't really stand out much. Fun to read, but not his best.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good read with an interesting original world populated by an aristocracy who breed to increase psychic skills. This book reminded me why I enjoyed reading books by this author in the past.

[Nina Usherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid novel. Original universe created for the book. An enjoyable read

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raamatu teeb mõnusamaks asjaolu et ta avaneb väga raskesti, esimesed 50-60 lk. läksid ikka väga üle kivide ja kändude...Suht segane setting ja väljatöötatud süsteem, millest lugejale antakse ainult näpuotsaga ja vihjamisi aga õnneks võib öelda et steveneriksonlisest värdjalikkusest on asi ikka väga kaugel.
Tegemist siis n.ö. science fantasyga, või noh, kes seda täpselt teab aga taevas on igatahes mitu kuud, seega toimub tegevus miskil muul planeedil. Suht keeruline valitsemissüsteem, naised on Hegemoonid ja tähelepanuväärsete vaimsete võimetega. Mehed on ka võimsate vaimsete võimetega kuid nende võimed lubavad mõttejõul asju liigutada ja ühest kohast teise siirduda ("port"). Meesaadlikud võtavad areenil üksteisest mõõtu, võisteldes Hegemooni meeskaaslase koha pärast, kes talle lapsi teha saab. Sündmustik hüppab ajas edasi ja tagasi, pikapeale selgub et peategelane on endise kauge ja vähetähtsa aadliperekonna liige, kelle ema oli Hegemooni tütar ja kelle auks korraldati mängud, kus peigmehekandidaadid üksteisest mõõtu võtsid. Öösel aga korraga üks neist kandidaatidest tappis teised kaks ära ja sooritas pruudiga akti, mille tagajärjel minategelane üldse maailma ilmus. Tema ema langes selle akti tagajärjel miskisse koomasse ja suhtleb maailmaga ainult projitseeritud nägemuste teel, kus toda saatuslikku ööd ikka uuesti ja uuesti läbi käiatakse.
Saanud suuremaks asub peategelane vägistajast isa otsima, kuid see lõpeb veel suurema krahhiga, tundmatu isa ilmub välja ja tapab ta pruudi, teda ennast jäetakse nimest, tiitlist ja kõigest ilma ning ta asub puhta lehena gladiaatoriareenidel oma kättemaksu arendama.
Lugu areneb astmeliselt järjest huvitavamaks ja peale umbes poolt on juba raske käest ära panna. Dave Duncani nimi on üldiselt suht kõva kvaliteedi märk ja heameel on tõdeda, et selle standalone raamatuga siin jääb ta oma mainele truuks.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. The plot is one of the most original concept I've come across. I review books for a popular online website and I only wish this book were just being released so I could review it there.

As it is, I purchased this novel when it was original released, got halfway through it and then moved. The book got shelved in the process and recently, having gone through all the books assigned to me, I was at loose ends reading-wise and went looking for something to read in my private library. I rediscovered Ill Met in the Arena, reminded myself I intended to finish reading it and did so. My place was still marked but I decided to start over with what was essentially a new novel.

Mr. Duncan's world-building is unique and his method of having Mudar narrate the story, not from the beginning, but interspersed through the story kept me hooked and wanting to read on. The idea of men fighting, not with actual weapons, but with their minds, may have been used before, but not to this extent and to have a civilization founded on this concept is definitely attention-keeping. The banter between Humate and Mudar is truly sibling-like, whether they're hurling insults or compliments. Even their use of anachronistic phrases doesn't seem out of place when spoken between those two.



This novel was purchased by the reviewer and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
No need to keep gushing, except to say I truly enjoyed this novel and am sorry I didn't finish it sooner. Thank you, Dave Duncan, for a fantastic story!

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book recently and can honestly say it's the best read of the year so far. The complete pervasion of mental powers is a field that doesn't often work for me, and I've often taken a while to get into a Duncan series (which is why I prefer many of his multi-volume works rather than standalone ones). Still, this was a cracking read, slow to start as you'd come to expect but when it gets going it really sucks you in. The political intrigue is as complex and fulfilling as you could hope for in such a short work. The protagonist is perhaps a little too honourable, I've come to expect my heros to be a little more Human, though it's a typical Duncan trait (a la Rap, Durendal, Smith etc). The societal implications of a female-run world are touched upon very interestingly indeed and, generally, it's a fantasy work you will certainly want to try if any of Duncan's others have appealed.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is called Ill Met in the Arena, not Starfolk (that may have been an earlier title).

It is typical (good!) Duncan: a likeable protagonist with some odd powers which fit into an interesting magic system to be revealed over time.

In this case, the world is run by... superheroes. The men have the power to teleport and are telekinetic. Women can cast illusion and control minds (at close range).

This division of powers has led to a female-controlled society that somehow does not eliminate conflict. Dark acts of the past are slowly revealed, along with current misdeeds.

I had a great time reading Ill Met, and finished within a day. But. There were periods that were just a bit too talky, and the final combination of betrayals and deceptions was not very convincing to me. So: a great ride to an imperfect destination.

[Kel Sta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humanist, if not feminist, fantasy with an endearingly human (while at the same time suitably heroic) male narrator whose qualities include a sense of humour. The arena here is a venue for psychic games presided over by women, yet not so far removed from its gladiatoral Roman namesake. There is still action aplenty. Dave Duncan reveals the story so humbly that there's no distracting aggravation with his cleverness, only enjoyment of the vivid characters, and an increasingly engrossing intrigue brought satisfyingly and seamlessly to closure, leaving me with great admiration for his talents.

[Omega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ill met in the Arena was a dollar store pick up and I would have gladly picked it up in full price paper back. The story builds, at first it starts off slow, establishing the world, but quickly becomes a very intricate whirlwind of mystery and past stories. One thing I enjoyed was that the main character was a man in his 30's and not out of his prime.
Another personal note for me was that it really was one of the first books I enjoyed reading in first person. The way Dave Duncan used it to tell the story was excellently done.

[Vivianne TM · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I decided to read this book I thought it would be something different. Granted, that was my fault, not the book's, but the truth is that this wasn't a story I would have read without picking it up by mistake.

It was an interesting setting, with most humans having psychic powers and women as the rulers The mystery and the quest to find the culprit of a crime wasn't that interesting to me, not to say that it was badly written but that I never got really invested with the characters. It was okay. *shrug*

[Steve Markham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Dave Duncan and I must say I am impressed.
Occasional humour, deep story lines which aren't made simple for the reader, a strong flowing narrative and a good character all make me recommend this book.

A fantasy world where women rule and have mental powers and the men have physical powers at first made me wonder about reading this book but I am glad I did. The way Duncan creates characters is incredible. Not a 5 star read for me as was a bit to obvious.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had trouble getting into this one, in part because the whole first section takes place at one game (think magical field-and-track type games). I eventually reverted to audio. But this book rewards patience, and you get pulled into Quirt's quest. Also, the author does a very good job of hiding various characters' motivations -- one character in particular you are constantly left guessing which way they are going to jump.

[Jenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It spent a little too much time on explaining how everything works in their world, which is complicated. And not enough time on character and plot.
But I still had fun reading it and I would be thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, which is always a good sign. I hope he writes more in this world.

[Ehrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Dave Duncan. I think he is at is best creating a new world for his characters. The basic world here is that the nobility has mental powers. (women have powers allowing them to control minds, shape illusion, and Men have powers allowing them to teleport, along with telekinesis). The novel itself deals with politics and revenge. (for the most part.)

[Mark Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan's penchant for creating unique worlds and societies pays off big in this action-packed saga of a planet filled with psychically gifted people. Don't look for deep meaning or secret themes imbedded into the plot, just a rip-roaring fun story in the usual Duncan vein. This is for people who enjoyed the 'A man of his word' series.

[Pam Christison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was trickier than most Dave Duncan books to get into. Very complicated world building and a lot of names. I persevered and ended up enjoying this book quite a bit. The author has such a talent for appealing heroes and satisfying (if not surprising) endings.

[Alisa Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave Duncan has a true knack for a walloping good story, and this one was no exception. The world-building was novel and interesting, as well.

[Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable stand-alone novel by one of my favorite authors. Duncan combines two of my favorite genres: metahuman powers and gladiatorial combat. Well executed with a solid story.

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon received

[Elvet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Dave Duncan for me - good entertainment, interesting premise, and a smidge of romance.

[Xenophon Hendrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the weakest novel by Dave Duncan that I have yet read, and I believe I've read all but three of his books. That said, it's still a novel by Dave Duncan, so it's pretty good.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like Dave Duncan, he is witty, and an excellent story teller, but I couldn't finish this book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all of Dave Duncan's books. He's a great storyteller.

[Μυρτώ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan never fails to deliver.

[Emmalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the setting for this book. I would love to see more stories in this world.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

yawners...sigh. I paid good money for this.

[Susie Dancer]

I quite enjoyed this story and was happy to see that Dave Duncan is a local author.