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The Years of Longdirk #1
Demon Sword
In medieval Scotland, a Highlander picks up his sword against his oppressors. "Duncan excels at old-fashioned swashbuckling fantasy" (RT Book Reviews).
All of Europe is under the control of the Khan, whose conquering armies swept across the West in 1244. Scotland, in addition, lies under the heel of England. Young Toby Strangerson, a half‑English bastard, reared by a witchwife, wants only to shed his hated "Sassenach" blood and free his beloved highlands. Toby wields a sword as the outlaw Longdirk. The sword can cut down men like so many stalks of corn. But stranger winds are swirling and howling across the lochs, eldritch winds that are ridden by "hobs" and "wisps" and demons. The enemy Sassenach king is also a sorcerer. His demon soul needs a body and his Black Arts can free Europe from the Khan's Golden Horde.
This book was originally published under the pseudonym Ken Hood.
All of Europe is under the control of the Khan, whose conquering armies swept across the West in 1244. Scotland, in addition, lies under the heel of England. Young Toby Strangerson, a half‑English bastard, reared by a witchwife, wants only to shed his hated "Sassenach" blood and free his beloved highlands. Toby wields a sword as the outlaw Longdirk. The sword can cut down men like so many stalks of corn. But stranger winds are swirling and howling across the lochs, eldritch winds that are ridden by "hobs" and "wisps" and demons. The enemy Sassenach king is also a sorcerer. His demon soul needs a body and his Black Arts can free Europe from the Khan's Golden Horde.
This book was originally published under the pseudonym Ken Hood.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1995
About the author
Ken Hood
5 books5 followersPen name originally used by Dave Duncan for his Years of Longdirk series.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 28, 2013
A very entertaining read. Dave Duncan writes just as good under the pen name he used for this series, which is set in an alternate Earth, with spirits, demons, and magic, as well as Tartar dominance of Europe. That doesn't stop the English from garrisoning Scotland and trying to prevent Scottish rebellion. All of this is irrelevant to Toby the Bastard, who only wants to be free enough to make his own way in the world. Toby learns that the world has it's own ideas about him, when he gets thrust in the the thick of things, not to mention the fact that he might be possessed by a demon. Strong, interesting characters populate this world, and as a reader I was chaffing to learn more about it than Toby did...fortunately, the next two books in the series promise to expand the canvas of the story further, so I can't wait to read the rest of this one.
June 16, 2022
Warnings: violence, attempted rape, Gaelic lilts, ne’er do wells.
I had NO idea that there were Dave Duncan books I hadn’t read, so upon discovery of this series, I squeed with delight, then quickly purchased them.
Tobias Strangerson, a huge, strapping lad coming to his age of majority, is planning a future that doesn’t involve the tiny Scottish hamlet where everyone knows and dislikes him because of his half-English parentage. Fate comes to his door when the hedge witch who raised him gives a warning that he does his very best to obey. Failure arrives when he saves a young girl from rape, overpowering an English attacker, inadvertently kills him. This catalyst is the set up for the resulting escapades that see him fleeing the hills of Scotland with people who will become friends .. and one who will be a foil. In the mix is a voluptuous hexxer who wants his strong body to reincarnate her lover, trapped in a jewel.
Dave Duncan builds characters well. Toby, jokingly called Longdirk because of the size of his, ahem, dirk … is an affable sort, not very smart .. and not very curious. He’s content to do what he’s told as well as he’s able; working hard to build muscles that will see him become a pugilist in time. He’s faithful to those he calls friends and to old Nan. His promise is his bond, he sees his way clear to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. He’s surrounded by a few who look up to him because of this, but he’s looked down upon because of his bastard status by the rest of the townsfolk.
This is Scotland in the 1500’s .. a time when wee hobs were left presents so they’d look upon the townsfolk with favour, when kings vied for control of the land from the invading Sassenach and each other. Magic came from the wee folk of the forests, hills, bogs and settlements; demons lived in gemstones and swords - and both were to be highly respected and greatly feared if not treated properly. Which is to say that world-building is wonderful.
Plotting is practically a given. A simple check of the Wikipedia page for Scottish Wars of Independence (https://tinyurl.com/2j4u7523) will give a talented author enough fodder for decades of writing. However, in drilling down into the story, Duncan has added the fantastical to the human stories that occurred during Scotland’s volatile past. At the end of book one, where we’re headed is still murky, but it is not in Scotland. Our hero has cleared his way out of one bad situation only to trip into the next several times. It’s likely a device to be repeated, with both disastrous and glorious results, throughout the books.
The attempted rape scene, while cut short of the actual deed and only quickly mentioned, was set up in the previous chapter as “men have needs, boys will be boys” justification. It might have been a new approach when Mr Duncan wrote it, but it now stands out like a bad sunburn.
I’m only holding back on 5 stars because this book, while a great read, hasn’t yet knocked my socks off. I’m invested, but not caught up in the frenzy of a gripping tale.
I had NO idea that there were Dave Duncan books I hadn’t read, so upon discovery of this series, I squeed with delight, then quickly purchased them.
Tobias Strangerson, a huge, strapping lad coming to his age of majority, is planning a future that doesn’t involve the tiny Scottish hamlet where everyone knows and dislikes him because of his half-English parentage. Fate comes to his door when the hedge witch who raised him gives a warning that he does his very best to obey. Failure arrives when he saves a young girl from rape, overpowering an English attacker, inadvertently kills him. This catalyst is the set up for the resulting escapades that see him fleeing the hills of Scotland with people who will become friends .. and one who will be a foil. In the mix is a voluptuous hexxer who wants his strong body to reincarnate her lover, trapped in a jewel.
Dave Duncan builds characters well. Toby, jokingly called Longdirk because of the size of his, ahem, dirk … is an affable sort, not very smart .. and not very curious. He’s content to do what he’s told as well as he’s able; working hard to build muscles that will see him become a pugilist in time. He’s faithful to those he calls friends and to old Nan. His promise is his bond, he sees his way clear to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. He’s surrounded by a few who look up to him because of this, but he’s looked down upon because of his bastard status by the rest of the townsfolk.
This is Scotland in the 1500’s .. a time when wee hobs were left presents so they’d look upon the townsfolk with favour, when kings vied for control of the land from the invading Sassenach and each other. Magic came from the wee folk of the forests, hills, bogs and settlements; demons lived in gemstones and swords - and both were to be highly respected and greatly feared if not treated properly. Which is to say that world-building is wonderful.
Plotting is practically a given. A simple check of the Wikipedia page for Scottish Wars of Independence (https://tinyurl.com/2j4u7523) will give a talented author enough fodder for decades of writing. However, in drilling down into the story, Duncan has added the fantastical to the human stories that occurred during Scotland’s volatile past. At the end of book one, where we’re headed is still murky, but it is not in Scotland. Our hero has cleared his way out of one bad situation only to trip into the next several times. It’s likely a device to be repeated, with both disastrous and glorious results, throughout the books.
The attempted rape scene, while cut short of the actual deed and only quickly mentioned, was set up in the previous chapter as “men have needs, boys will be boys” justification. It might have been a new approach when Mr Duncan wrote it, but it now stands out like a bad sunburn.
I’m only holding back on 5 stars because this book, while a great read, hasn’t yet knocked my socks off. I’m invested, but not caught up in the frenzy of a gripping tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2012
Oh, yes, this is exactly what you want and hope for from a Duncan. It has two of my favourite Duncanisms in spades: first, the trials or adventures of a youth, and second, the devious machinations of a monarch or other important personage. These are so typical of many of "his" works that I have read that they are a joy to behold and are harbingers of good, good things to come.
I did struggle a little at the start, because neither the era nor the locale is native to my experience, but I soon enough got caught up, carried in and swept away by the story.The climactic fight was superbly spun, in fact chapters five through eight of part eight all made for very tense reading. I feel confident to say we're established and ready for further adventures, although exactly what the overall picture is as yet remains unclear to me. I feel as if I've missed something, thinking back, but I can't quite put my finger on what. Ahead with book 2!
I did struggle a little at the start, because neither the era nor the locale is native to my experience, but I soon enough got caught up, carried in and swept away by the story.The climactic fight was superbly spun, in fact chapters five through eight of part eight all made for very tense reading. I feel confident to say we're established and ready for further adventures, although exactly what the overall picture is as yet remains unclear to me. I feel as if I've missed something, thinking back, but I can't quite put my finger on what. Ahead with book 2!
July 10, 2021
Dave Duncan never lets me down...I regret not having any new books from the fine author since his departure, but at least I found this trilogy that I had never read before.
The story takes place in a fictional Scotland, a land dear to my heart, and follows the adventures and misadventures of Toby Strangerson aka Longdirk of the Hills. He is the bastard of a Sassanach and a poor Scottish girl raped by that English soldier. A loner, he is an outcast among the Scots, soon hunted by the English and by a beautiful but thoroughly evil sorceress throughout the lands of the detestable Master of Clan Campbell. Bad fortune follows him at every turn including a foul demon within the town of Dumbarton.
Completely entertaining and full of action...a fun read.
The story takes place in a fictional Scotland, a land dear to my heart, and follows the adventures and misadventures of Toby Strangerson aka Longdirk of the Hills. He is the bastard of a Sassanach and a poor Scottish girl raped by that English soldier. A loner, he is an outcast among the Scots, soon hunted by the English and by a beautiful but thoroughly evil sorceress throughout the lands of the detestable Master of Clan Campbell. Bad fortune follows him at every turn including a foul demon within the town of Dumbarton.
Completely entertaining and full of action...a fun read.
May 10, 2019
Dave Duncan's early Longdirk series shows his promise as a fantasy writer. This series takes place in an alternate historical universe where the Mongol hordes conquered Europe. They are relatively benign despots, but their more local suzerains, particularly those who have been taken over by evil demons are terrible and cruel governors. The three book series sort of stops prior to the conclusion of all of the conflict to rid Europe of it's evil governor. Duncan says that the contract was for three books and by the time the third was published, the first two were out of print. He had other commitments and so just allowed the series to die.
July 5, 2012
Oddly reminiscent (*cough* *cough*) of Dave Duncan's work, Ken has three fantasy novels in the "Years of Longdirk" series: Demon Sword [Harper Prism, 1995], Demon Rider and Demon Knight.
March 25, 2023
4 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Toby Strangerson, bastard son of a woman raped by Sassenach Englishmen, is a village outcast - or would be if he weren't unusually big and strong, and protected by the village's witchwife and its hob. But when the witchwife's prophecy about violence and danger comes true, he finds himself pursued by a sorceress.
Review
I’m not generally a fan of historical fiction – history is what it is, and second-world fantasy simply allows more scope for invention. But I picked up this series based solely on Dave Duncan’s name – he’s not entirely reliable, but generally his books are good, easy reads. I might have done the same even knowing it was historical fantasy, and in fact it’s better described as alternate history, with magic thrown in.
Duncan’s strength was adolescent coming of age stories, and that’s what this is. Toby, trying to figure out his future while also staying clear of Englishmen and demons, is accompanied by Hamish, his well-read sidekick, and Meg, the girl with a childhood crush on him. You can see where this is going, and that’s where it goes. The thing is, it goes there quite nicely. The characters are interesting and credible, the magical plot points work nicely, the romance and tension all do the things they should – it’s fun, and there’s enough that’s unexpected that it maintained my interest easily. Not exactly grimdark, it’s not all sweetness and light, either.
Not the kind of thing I’d have picked up just based on a synopsis, but it’s a nice, quick read, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Summary
Toby Strangerson, bastard son of a woman raped by Sassenach Englishmen, is a village outcast - or would be if he weren't unusually big and strong, and protected by the village's witchwife and its hob. But when the witchwife's prophecy about violence and danger comes true, he finds himself pursued by a sorceress.
Review
I’m not generally a fan of historical fiction – history is what it is, and second-world fantasy simply allows more scope for invention. But I picked up this series based solely on Dave Duncan’s name – he’s not entirely reliable, but generally his books are good, easy reads. I might have done the same even knowing it was historical fantasy, and in fact it’s better described as alternate history, with magic thrown in.
Duncan’s strength was adolescent coming of age stories, and that’s what this is. Toby, trying to figure out his future while also staying clear of Englishmen and demons, is accompanied by Hamish, his well-read sidekick, and Meg, the girl with a childhood crush on him. You can see where this is going, and that’s where it goes. The thing is, it goes there quite nicely. The characters are interesting and credible, the magical plot points work nicely, the romance and tension all do the things they should – it’s fun, and there’s enough that’s unexpected that it maintained my interest easily. Not exactly grimdark, it’s not all sweetness and light, either.
Not the kind of thing I’d have picked up just based on a synopsis, but it’s a nice, quick read, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 18, 2020
Pretty good - read it as part of the trilogy ebook and it was interesting to see where this first book ended as I didn’t have the curiosity to look up the page numbers.
I liked it, it felt a little raw in terms of writing but it built up a good alternative Scotland with history and magic, I also liked how it it kept a good feeling of "geographical smallness" for want of a better description - half the book is traversing two glens! (Or so it seems). It pairs very well with the also unfinished Enchanter General.
I liked it, it felt a little raw in terms of writing but it built up a good alternative Scotland with history and magic, I also liked how it it kept a good feeling of "geographical smallness" for want of a better description - half the book is traversing two glens! (Or so it seems). It pairs very well with the also unfinished Enchanter General.
December 1, 2018
I would classify this book as Historical Fantasy. I liked the book quite a bit.
Demon Sword is set in an alternate-history version of 13th century Scotland. There are demons and swords (duh), but also some pretty good characters development and tone. I enjoyed the conflict between the characters, the dark undertones at times, as well as the heroics demonstrated. I will read the next one.
Demon Sword is set in an alternate-history version of 13th century Scotland. There are demons and swords (duh), but also some pretty good characters development and tone. I enjoyed the conflict between the characters, the dark undertones at times, as well as the heroics demonstrated. I will read the next one.
March 17, 2021
A bit slow going at first, this intriguing blend of alternate, but familiar, history with fantasy picks up pace and becomes interesting. Born a bastard in Scotland and raised in small village, Toby Stangerson longs to travel to England and become a prizefighter. Unfortunately , he runs afoul of the English, a sorceress, and politics. He ends up traveling but on the run and away from England .
July 19, 2026
It's the book I was waiting for.
I have been reading a lot of books half heartily. Not really interested just passing time. This book made me want to finish it, and probably read the next one. Finished it in less than a week. Even as busy as I am.
I have been reading a lot of books half heartily. Not really interested just passing time. This book made me want to finish it, and probably read the next one. Finished it in less than a week. Even as busy as I am.
April 16, 2020
I like the characters and world but the "big reveal" at the end was so obvious to me all along that reading the whole book was painful.
April 13, 2021
I usually like Duncan but this book was weird, jumped in ways that was hard to follow, and a bit disjointed.
March 11, 2023
Some interesting ideas with magic and history, but the characters were so paper-thin that I just couldn't sympathize with them. The main character is really hard to like.
April 10, 2026
I can see why he wrote this under a pseudonym.
October 25, 2011
Ken Hood is actually Dave Duncan writing under a pseudonym (I believe at the time he was writing faster than his publisher was willing to release books). So if you like Dave Duncan you'll have a pretty good idea what to expect here - an enjoyable albeit relatively lightweight fantasy set in an imaginative world. Good for those times when you just want a light read without having to think too much.
February 1, 2012
Also published under the author name "Ken Hood." It's a solid sword and sorcery, with very good writing, in any event.
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March 1, 2016to-read
April 30, 2017
The best sword and sorcery
Dave Duncan at his grown-up best. Read the series, its great fun with complex themes. Plus he knows plenty about Scotland and let's ye know it a wee bit at a time which leads one,in this case-me-feel like I know a lot and so a comfortable and happy journey ensues.
Dave Duncan at his grown-up best. Read the series, its great fun with complex themes. Plus he knows plenty about Scotland and let's ye know it a wee bit at a time which leads one,in this case-me-feel like I know a lot and so a comfortable and happy journey ensues.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews