What do you think?
Rate this book
The Brothers Magnus #2
When the Saints
When we left the Brothers Magnus, they had assembled in Cardice to help Anton Magnus defend the castle from attack by a neighboring state with a significant military advantage and several officers who at any moment could request help from saints-or, depending on your perspective, from the devil.
But Cardice has a secret weapon in the form of young Wulfgang Magnus, who can ask a few favors of his own from these devil-saints. The only problem is that Wulf is in love with Madlenka, the countess from Cardice who was forcibly married to Anton to explain why he's suddenly leading the country.
Even Wulf is unsure if family and political loyalty should override love. He's also beginning to realize that the magical battle he's stepped into has some serious rules that he doesn't know, and has no way to learn. And when several wild cards in every battle can tap into nearly limitless sources of magic, who knows how far and wide the battle might range?
This stunning continuation of the story begun in Speak to the Devil amps up the romance and intrigue, while letting readers spend more time with master fantasist Dave Duncan's unique, complex, and ornery-but-delightful characters.
When the Saints is a Kirkus Reviews Best of 2011 Science Fiction & Fantasy title.
But Cardice has a secret weapon in the form of young Wulfgang Magnus, who can ask a few favors of his own from these devil-saints. The only problem is that Wulf is in love with Madlenka, the countess from Cardice who was forcibly married to Anton to explain why he's suddenly leading the country.
Even Wulf is unsure if family and political loyalty should override love. He's also beginning to realize that the magical battle he's stepped into has some serious rules that he doesn't know, and has no way to learn. And when several wild cards in every battle can tap into nearly limitless sources of magic, who knows how far and wide the battle might range?
This stunning continuation of the story begun in Speak to the Devil amps up the romance and intrigue, while letting readers spend more time with master fantasist Dave Duncan's unique, complex, and ornery-but-delightful characters.
When the Saints is a Kirkus Reviews Best of 2011 Science Fiction & Fantasy title.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2011
2 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Dave Duncan
140 books593 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 13, 2011
What happened to Dave Duncan? His novels, although certainly on the light side, at least usually were interesting and well-plotted, with decent characterization. Lately though his stuff has really gone downhill - I couldn't even finish this one.
December 4, 2024
Since it's been several years since I read the first volume of this series, it took me awhile to become reacquainted with the characters and situations in this one. Once I felt comfortable with the story, I enjoyed the machinations of the various political/religious/magical groups circling around Wulf and his family. I found Wulf, Madlenka, and Justina to be the most interesting and planned to read the next volume in the series.
However, after doing some research, I'm not sure that third volume is actually ever going to be published. Duncan died in 2018, but it's possible the family may still have his manuscript.
However, after doing some research, I'm not sure that third volume is actually ever going to be published. Duncan died in 2018, but it's possible the family may still have his manuscript.
January 18, 2019
I feel like what made the Speaker power so interesting in the first book (certain people being "gifted" with the ability to speak to "Saints" who can grant them the ability to perform impossible feats, with a painful cost to themselves and unease about the true origin of their powers) was largely abandoned or handwaved away in this one. It made things almost too easy. And I was never a fan of the romance in either book (came on waaaay too suddenly for my tastes.) I'm still glad I read the books for the historical backdrop, though.
March 3, 2019
An enjoyable - and slightly better - sequel to Speak to the Devil. I say slightly, because the sudden came a little out of left field and felt like unusually lazy writing on Duncan's part.
Still, the final book in the series has been announced as coming out this September, and I will definitely be getting hold of it asap.
Still, the final book in the series has been announced as coming out this September, and I will definitely be getting hold of it asap.
December 29, 2019
I adored this book. Wulfgang is such a complex character and the world of speakers is vividly brought to life in these pages. Wulfgang struggles with his powers, and how the world now perceives him, and how almost everyone wants something from him.
December 27, 2016
This one sure doesn't lack complexity - but nor did the real world in that era, as Duncan notes in his afterword. In this book, Wulf learns about how the masters of manipulation work, and we learn that in Duncan's world there's a whole 'nother layer of manipulators.
The plot rips along, and Wulf has an implausible combination of skill and luck, but it all hangs together. Must have been hard to write.
I'm not sure the whole thing with the Speakers would stand up to a thorough analysis (as Larry Niven did to his own stepping discs in one short piece, and as he did to Superman's love life in "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex") but I don't see any reason why it has to. Duncan isn't aiming for SF-convention cult status, where microscopic inconsistencies and plot holes are argued for decades.
I liked the way it ended up with some people being evil, some not so much evil as manipulable, some sorta good, and a few very good. And schemers who respect good scheming in others.
A good yarn, and I'll read #3.
The plot rips along, and Wulf has an implausible combination of skill and luck, but it all hangs together. Must have been hard to write.
I'm not sure the whole thing with the Speakers would stand up to a thorough analysis (as Larry Niven did to his own stepping discs in one short piece, and as he did to Superman's love life in "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex") but I don't see any reason why it has to. Duncan isn't aiming for SF-convention cult status, where microscopic inconsistencies and plot holes are argued for decades.
I liked the way it ended up with some people being evil, some not so much evil as manipulable, some sorta good, and a few very good. And schemers who respect good scheming in others.
A good yarn, and I'll read #3.
December 9, 2011
3.5 stars. An enjoyable sequel to Speak To The Devil. I always appreciate the fine scheming and politics that goes on behind the scenes in Dave Duncan's work...he really is excellent at spinning webs within webs of intrigue, as well as wonderful characters, that keep his stories interesting. I hope to hear more from The Brothers Magnus!
May 23, 2012
Somewhat forgettable medieval fiction with semi-historical pretensions which I read only for the Endeavour. I've yet to read a Dave Duncan book that I actually liked. This one was actually one of the better ones. But having characters that I cared about and appreciate is certainly not something that was achieved here.
August 23, 2012
Another most worthy end to a series, if a little predictable. I even felt a little bad for the brother who dies, because I sort of didn't like him but didn't really want him to die! The falconry terms were quite neat, and I especially liked the phrase "He must behave like a swordsman, not a sorcerer", which rang a lot given Duncan's history.
January 2, 2012
Most wonderous! Another great story of the Magnus brothers. I had loved the the Blade series - this one has all the fun and twists and turns of that. I can't wait to read the intrigue of the next book (there will be more, right?).
December 20, 2011
Interesting magic system, as always from Duncan. This time the magic itself had little cost so the people set up a system of checks and balances. I liked Wulfgang but found some of the other POV chapters dragged.
April 17, 2012
Well, that was interesting but has a GIANT cliffhanger ending and I can't say I like the way one of the characters dies (best way to describe it is "where's the chapter I missed reading where this happens?") Fun book overall, but the last few chapters felt like Duncan was rushed.
January 4, 2013
The first book, Speak to the Devil, left me having to know what happend next which lead me to When the Saints. I liked the first book more, but thought this was a good conculsion. Over all - pretty satisfied.
January 11, 2012
Took me awhile to get into this one-the plot pieces didn't quite connect. I would've been lost if I hadn't read the first book in the series.
January 25, 2012
This is a major improvement on the first in the Brother Magnus series and it nicely ties up all the loose ends.
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/0...
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/0...
September 20, 2012
Good, but not spectacular. I won't be looking for the others in the series.
September 30, 2012
A good way to end this series i think but a third wouldn't hurt.
December 7, 2012
Liked it better than the first book. The book ends well, which will end the series for me. Just a light, fluffy read.
June 4, 2013
I love this author. Dave Duncan writes great fantasy novels. But this is definitely not one of my favorites. I found it to be too simple-- the characters, the story, the conclusion.
September 8, 2014
Fun, light easy reading. Not particularly good alternate history fiction, nor particularly good characters, but a fun enough distraction.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews