The Seventh Sword

Author: Duncan, Dave
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 dying man with very few abilities to recommend him as special gets transported into another dimension/world into the body of a warrior, Shonshu by a God who is in fact looking for a pawn. Shonshu is no mere warrior, however. Rather, he’s a Swordsman of the Seventh Rank and in a brutal, feudal world where top class hierarchy is associated with martial prowess, Wallie as Shonshu now stands at the pinnacle. It’s a wildly entertaining ride though a vaguely medieval landscape mixed in with a faint Oriental influence. Combine it with a myriad of Greek and Roman gods who take an active role in the whole story. Wallie brings his modern sensibilities to a medieval world which makes for some interesting scenes as the books progress. But you also see the character grow and evolve too. The characters are quite well done as are the relationships.The series has a multi-leveled plot all the way through and there are enough twists going on that keep you suspended right until the final page.  There is a faint D&D feel going on behind the scenes with the character’s martial abilities represented by different “sword levels” tattooed on their heads. You get to watch your own “protagonist” (game character) power up through the levels as the series progresses. However, this novel is a far, far cry from those tie-in game knockoff novels.So if you are looking for some absolutely fantastic sword and sorcery fantasy with a cross-over twist, this series is a must. Hell, even if you don’t like sword and sorcery, read it – I don’t care whether you like A Game of Thrones, hate or love The Wheel of Time, this series will appeal to you.After a few decades, Duncan recently released a new book in the series entitled The Death of Nnanji.

Books in The Seventh Sword Series (3)

Booklists having this book

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Best Fantasy Series

Do you love those fantasy novels with many kingdoms, protagonists, politics, and cultures? Do you like the epic struggles between small bands of heroes against impossible evil? Do you eagerly... Read more

Other books by Duncan, Dave

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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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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).... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

The Jaguar Knights

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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. Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

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... Read more

Lord Of The Fire Lands

 Read more

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... Read more

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