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Sagamore #1
The Curse of Sagamore
Everyone in the kingdom is battling over control of the throne except young Prince Abderian, who becomes trapped in a web of political intrigue involving ghosts and goddesses, demons and dragons, heroes and heretics, and a powerful but senile wizard
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1986
4 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Kara Dalkey
44 books90 followersKara Mia Dalkey is an American author of young adult fiction and historical fantasy. She was born in Los Angeles and has lived in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Seattle. Much of her fiction is set in the Heian period of Japan.
She was married to author John Barnes; they divorced in 2001. She is a member of the Pre-Joycean Fellowship and of the Scribblies. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in Los Angeles.
She is also a musician and has gigged extensively on electric bass (which she plays left-handed) and harmony vocals, with such bands as Runestone, the Albany Free Traders, and Nate Bucklin and the Ensemble (in Minnesota) and Relic and Voodoo Blue (in Seattle.) At different times she has also played drums, banjo and acoustic guitar. She is a songwriter, but her total output is low, and consequently no CD or other album is presently in the works.
She was married to author John Barnes; they divorced in 2001. She is a member of the Pre-Joycean Fellowship and of the Scribblies. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in Los Angeles.
She is also a musician and has gigged extensively on electric bass (which she plays left-handed) and harmony vocals, with such bands as Runestone, the Albany Free Traders, and Nate Bucklin and the Ensemble (in Minnesota) and Relic and Voodoo Blue (in Seattle.) At different times she has also played drums, banjo and acoustic guitar. She is a songwriter, but her total output is low, and consequently no CD or other album is presently in the works.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 16, 2014
A very entertaining sword-and-sorcery fantasy.
Sixty years ago the King of the land gave his crown to his court jester. Now the jester's family is vying for power. Those who pull the best pranks are deemed superior.
Prince Abderian is a misfit in this family. He is not good at pranks, and misses his older brother, who disappeared, but not before leaving Abderian with some sort of magical mark.
Soon Abderian is involved in the machinations of three cults who want to use the magic of that mark for their own schemes.
Dalkey is a good writer, and incorporates humor (there's a bawdy song working its way throughout the novel), mysterious fairy tale goings-on (why is there a talking bird following him), and subterfuge.
I particularly like the sly reference to the Lord of the Rings baulrog. Or is that bullfrog?
Sixty years ago the King of the land gave his crown to his court jester. Now the jester's family is vying for power. Those who pull the best pranks are deemed superior.
Prince Abderian is a misfit in this family. He is not good at pranks, and misses his older brother, who disappeared, but not before leaving Abderian with some sort of magical mark.
Soon Abderian is involved in the machinations of three cults who want to use the magic of that mark for their own schemes.
Dalkey is a good writer, and incorporates humor (there's a bawdy song working its way throughout the novel), mysterious fairy tale goings-on (why is there a talking bird following him), and subterfuge.
I particularly like the sly reference to the Lord of the Rings baulrog. Or is that bullfrog?
March 11, 2023
A fairly funny fantasy story from the mid nineteen eighties. Pluses: one of the best magical curses in a fantasy, a couple magic swords with interesting powers, endless raunchy songs about swords, plenty of references to well known fantasies, parodies not plagiarism, one bloated lumpish dragon with the personality of a mafia enforcer, a royal family descended and mutated from a court jester; and a plethora of wizards and priestesses, royals, and demons. Finally a little bird as in the proverbial "a little bird told me." Weaknesses- there are plenty of characters both males and female, good and bad, none are really memorable. Comparison with Eragon: the cover art shows an intentionally ugly dragon. The cover art by Don Maitz is beautifully done showing accurately drawn skeletons wielding detailed armor, weapons, and jewelry including rust spots, gold leaf decorations, spikes, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2018
Excellent and funny. I would keep this book if it was in better shape. =)
August 31, 2015
Everyone wants the throne but Abderian. Yet it is he who bears the Mark of Sagamore ..and the Curse. Four generations ago in the land of Euthymia, King Thalion - called the Wise, but known as the Fool - gave his crown to his court jester. great idea for a book. a little lacking on the follow through. couldn't give it more than 3 stars
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February 21, 2012Little Sister, The Heavenward Path's author. Yummy Tengu LOVE and Little Sister:))))))
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews