Search - The Gilded Chain (King's Blades, Bk 1)

Duncan is clearly using Tudor England as the setting for this book and King Ambrose couldn't be more like Henry VIII, but there are differences, of course.

In this world magic is everywhere and unwanted boys go to Ironhall to become the finest swordsmen in the world. When they are ready, each is bound by a magic ritual to either the King or someone he designates. At the end of the ritual, the ward, the one who the Blade will serve, thrusts a sword through the candidates heart. When it is removed, the successful candidate is alive, healed and bound to his ward in absolute loyalty. Every Blade would far rather die than allow his ward to be hurt or captured.

This book follows the life of Durendal, a brash young boy who becomes the greatest swordsman of his century and has adventures that make him a legend before he is thirty.

However, his time as a Blade doesn't start off well, when he is bound to worthless effete courtier who is unlikely to ever need him to draw his sword.

This is an absorbing fantasy with characters feel substantial. I read a review that said the characters were generic, but it certainly didn't strike me that way.

Excellent book. Duncan displays his prototypical flare to take common fantasy themes (like magical warriors) and turn it ninety degrees. This is less a book about magic and quests (also there is an awesomely creepy battle in it and some other amazing scenes), and more a book about the costs and benefits of loyalty and faithfulness. A great start to his King's Blades series.

I really enjoy this series, and this first book is a great introduction to the King's Blades books.

I love the premise, and the first part of the book was great. The epic journey that takes over the plot later on just didn't do it for me, though. I'm not sure I managed to finish this book; maybe the end ties it all together.