Duncan, Dave Biography
Dave Duncan was a Canadian author known for his works in the fantasy genre. He was born in Scotland in 1933 and emigrated to Canada in 1955.Duncan's most notable works include the "A Man of His Word" series, which follows a young man named Rap as he journeys through a magical world and must fulfill a series of promises, and the "King's Blades" series, which explores the lives of an elite group of swordsmen who are bound to serve their king.Duncan's other notable works include the "Venetia" series, a historical fantasy series set in Renaissance Italy, and the "Gilded Chain" trilogy, which follows a group of students at a magical academy as they uncover a dangerous conspiracy.Duncan's writing is known for its vivid world-building, well-drawn characters, and intricate plots. He has won several awards for his writing, including the Aurora Award and the Crawford Award.In addition to his writing, Duncan was also a geologist and worked in the oil and gas industry for many years. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of beloved fantasy novels that continue to be read and enjoyed by fans around the world.
Books by Duncan, Dave

- Man Of His Word: A beloved fantasy series by all who've read it, though few modern fantasy readers have read it. This is probably one of the best hidden epic fantasy gems out there...
- Faery Lands Forlorn: The author of Magic Casement returns to the fantastical world of Pandemia: “The series bears resemblance to Robin Hobb’s Farseer Trilogy†(Fantasy Book Review). When Queen Inos was abducted through...
- Perilous Seas: Meredith's under attack. Meredith has fallen in love with the Captain, but their relationship is threatened by her aunt's probable disapproval of their age difference and Meredith's fear of sexual...
- Emperor And Clown: The saga of Inos and Rap comes to its thrilling conclusion in the final Man of His Word novel from "one of the leading masters of epic fantasy" (Publishers Weekly)....
- A Tale Of The King's Blades: Duncan’s managed to make this list with 3 series. King’s Blades are some sword-heavy fantasy for those who like fantasy full of swashbuckling, politics, and raw action. This is not...
- Lord Of The Fire Lands: From the author who brought you "The gilded chain" comes a sword-and-sorcery novel in which a young man sets out to avenge his family. He is Wasp, a swordsman with...
- Sky Of Swords: The mightiest swordsmen in the relm, are bound by magic to defend their noble wards...to the death. The King's Blades The unloved child of the unscrupulous King Ambrose,Princess Malinda learned...
- Paragon Lost: Many legends have emerged from the shadows of Ironhall, yet surely none can surpass the greatness and glory predestined for Sir Beaumont—possessor of the purest and strongest of hearts, and...
- Impossible Odds: A harrowing and heart-wrenching memoir of humanitarian aid worker Buchanan's kidnapping by Somali land pirates, her three months in captivity, her rescue by the Navy SEALs, and her husband's extraordinary...
- The Jaguar Knights:
- Faery Lands Forlorn: Rap is determined to overcome the demons and evil magic of Faerie to rescue his beloved Queen Inos, kidnapped and held captive in a faraway desert land.
- Perilous Seas (dave Duncan): A princess and a stableboy? It sounds like the worst sort of hackneyed formula romance. Think again, for A MAN OF HIS WORD may well be the most original fantasy...
- Emperor And Clown: The loyal stableboy Rap had fought through hell and high water to rescue Inos, his queen. But once he did, he found that she had already married the accursed Sultan...
- The Reluctant Swordsman: A young man is transformed into a barbarian fighter in this adventure from "one of the leading masters of epic fantasy" (Publishers Weekly). Wallie Smith can feel the pain. He...
- The Coming Of Wisdom: The Goddess had rescued Wallie Smith from certain death, endowed him with a magnificent new body, and gifted him with the legendary Sapphire Sword of Chioxin. She asked only one...
- The Destiny Of The Sword: When the Goddess transfers the mind of dying Wallie Smith into the body of the barbarian swordsman Shonsu and gives him the magical Saphire Sword of Chioxin, he must battle...
- The Seventh Sword: Generally regarded, along with A Man of His Word, as Duncan’s best work. This is some of the best sword and sorcery fantasy you’ll read, period.The premise is that a...
- Lord Of The Fire Lands:
- The Seventh Sword: In the 80s, a variety of subgenres, new directions and styles evolved. Some were gritty and mentally taxing – requiring some emotional work on the reader's part. Luckily, Dave Duncan...