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The King's Blades #7
Sir Stalwart
Before They Could be Blades... They Were the King's Daggers. Young Stalwart, known as Wart to his fellow students, is expelled from the academy for King's Blades, only to be plunged into a current of breathless intrigue and danger. Together with Emerald, a former White Sister, Wart must survive sorcery, swordplay, ambush, a chimera, a quagmire, and more, "and" uncover a devious plot to assassinate their king...and prove himself worthy of a place among the King's Blades.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1999
1 person is currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Dave Duncan
140 books591 followersOriginally 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 29, 2019
This was the first book I read without my choice. It was randomly gifted and I Intend to read books first that are gifted. I finishd it in hours.
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I expected not to like it but I really and enjoyed this adventure full of dangers. I loved the plot the most because I've never read something like this before. I loved the setting of the book too. In old times when there used to be blades for the king's defence but in this book comes a twist that before there were blades, there were the king's daggers that are Sir Stalwart and Sister Emerald. I won't say much further about their character but I'm sure you'll love them as I did. Stalwart is brave, fearless and cute(read the book to know) and Emerald is a female side kick you'll crave for. Not a badass or brave or strong but a character full of energy and honesty. Go for it if you're looking for a fantastical adventures during the swords era and find yourself trapped between a plan by evils to kill the king but then you're expected to witness our heroes to make this plan a failure. 😍😇😇
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I expected not to like it but I really and enjoyed this adventure full of dangers. I loved the plot the most because I've never read something like this before. I loved the setting of the book too. In old times when there used to be blades for the king's defence but in this book comes a twist that before there were blades, there were the king's daggers that are Sir Stalwart and Sister Emerald. I won't say much further about their character but I'm sure you'll love them as I did. Stalwart is brave, fearless and cute(read the book to know) and Emerald is a female side kick you'll crave for. Not a badass or brave or strong but a character full of energy and honesty. Go for it if you're looking for a fantastical adventures during the swords era and find yourself trapped between a plan by evils to kill the king but then you're expected to witness our heroes to make this plan a failure. 😍😇😇
August 10, 2020
It's a fun little fantasy story. I liked the characters and would read another in the series but I won't be rushing towards it.
February 4, 2017
Short but well done. A fun addition to Duncan's King's Blades series.
March 11, 2018
Duncan's King's Blades and King's Daggers are quick, swash-buckling tales of adventure. Sir Stalwart, like most of the other books, starts at Ironhall, the school where young men are trained to become the world's most elite fighters. If and when they graduate, they will be magically bound to be perfectly loyal to the king and their already amazing skills enhanced in order to guard their wards.
But Stalwart -- his bold name notwithstanding -- is slight of body, looking younger than his seventeen years of age; he may not be the right person to guard the king. But King Ambrose is facing the challenge of a lifetime, as his normal champions are only barely managing to save him from sorcerous attack -- and the attackers are getting better. Perhaps some subterfuge is in order?
The plot is straightforward, the mystery barely much of one -- it's one particular special operations mission involving Stalwart, a young White Sister unfairly dismissed from service, and malevolent forces. It's fun, though, and Duncan is great at capturing exciting sword fights on paper.
But Stalwart -- his bold name notwithstanding -- is slight of body, looking younger than his seventeen years of age; he may not be the right person to guard the king. But King Ambrose is facing the challenge of a lifetime, as his normal champions are only barely managing to save him from sorcerous attack -- and the attackers are getting better. Perhaps some subterfuge is in order?
The plot is straightforward, the mystery barely much of one -- it's one particular special operations mission involving Stalwart, a young White Sister unfairly dismissed from service, and malevolent forces. It's fun, though, and Duncan is great at capturing exciting sword fights on paper.
October 7, 2023
A very nice addition to the King's Blades series, written for a younger audience. The book has Duncan's classic sarcasm, excitement, and wit, and is noticeably safer (i.e., from sexual references) than the other books of the series. It also serves as a nice bridge - it takes place during the reign of King Ambrose like the original trilogy, but the world and society are explored in greater depth, similar to the second generation of the King's Blades books under the reign of Aethelgar. Certainly worth the read, especially for fans of the original series and who love the world of Eurania.
March 6, 2024
This was a great book! Awesome adventure and two great heroes. I can't wait to read book two.
October 7, 2010
"Food's coming, I don't know any man who can eat like you and stay so thin. If you were my horse I would worm you."
It took me a book and a half to get into this world of swordsmen and sisters, but the depth and writing kept me coming back for more and more, until I'd consumed tales and chronicles both.
This, first of a trilogy targeted at a younger audience, quite naturally lacks some of the complexity of the others and is considerably shorter than the average. Nonetheless, it's a yarn firmly planted in the universe I've so enjoyed, and so I would deign to read work targeted at kids if it was written in Duncan's inestimable style.
I should take care though - the hero's I read about to my children may well end up being ironhall alumni...
November 21, 2014
As a fan of Dave Duncan's King's Blades series, I was curious as to how it would translate into a YA format but I wasn't really surprised to see it work well. It's good old fashioned swashbuckling fun after all and I enjoyed the quick read between heavier works. That's not to say it is simplistic in any way. In fact, I couldn't really tell I was reading YA other than the younger age of the protagonists. There is still plenty of danger and intrigue here and I only wish it were a bit longer so the story could be fleshed out a bit more.
I’ll definitely be reading the other two King's Daggers books.
I’ll definitely be reading the other two King's Daggers books.
March 9, 2012
Book One of the King’s Daggers. I'm a fan of Dave Duncan and I really like his King's Blades series to which this is a junior sibling. When the king’s life is threatened, the solution is to take a young swordsman training to become one of the King’s Blades but not yet bound (since this is detectable by magic) and trick a White Sister into being fired by the order to become his partner. Fun adventure. This may be borderline YA as the protagonists are young and the book is short (238 pages), but it isn’t labeled as YA.
May 25, 2008
This is the first in the YA series about the King's Blades. Just as good, but a much quicker read. Well-written, exciting, and it has more details about the Monster War, which was a minor plot point in the adult King's Blades trilogy.
January 3, 2011
I very much enjoyed Duncan's King's Swords books, and the concept transfers very well to Young Adult fantasy. Fun characters and an interesting story make me anxious to read the rest of the King's Daggers books.
July 8, 2016
I have been reading a lot of dark fantasy lately. Getting back to a Dave Duncan series was like walking into a kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked brownies - and, stopping to eat a warm, soft, brownie.
Delicious!
Delicious!
May 27, 2017
Pretty Standard fantasy. Still, try it and see what you think.
August 18, 2008
Not quite as good as the Kings Blades series, but learn more about the White Sisters.
April 18, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
December 4, 2015
Good writing, fun humor, and interesting characters. I find that I quite enjoy Mr. Duncan's work.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews