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 was on hand to provide some relief.Why it made the listSometimes the most important thing fantasy can bring to a reader is a few hours of pure escapism. And that's why The Reluctant Swordsman is one of the greatest series of its time – it's an adventure story. And it's a great one.It's not an emotionally tiring read, but it's not shallow either. It does explore the nature of faith and the possibility of miracles. It also touches on issues like slavery, rigid caste systems and how justice should be served. But first and foremost, this is all about the hack 'em and slash 'em. The best thing to do before you pick up this book is keep two things in mind: Firstly, don't expect great female characters. Unless your kind of woman is a robotic blow up doll. Second, don't read it if you're looking for a work of great scope. This is more of a character piece than an epic tale.This is an ideal series for the metro ride – you won't embarrass yourself by laughing out loud, crying at the death of a beloved character or ripping it to pieces in frustration. What it will do is provide you with an excellent way to escape the horror of halitosis and body odor.

Booklists having this book

Top 25 Fantasy Books of the 80's

The 80s wasn't just a period of Hammertime(!) and big hair. It was also a revolutionary decade for fantasy. a revolution in the marketplace that helped make fantasy the pop... Read more