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The Enchanter General #1
Ironfoot
Medieval magic, murder, and mayhem!
It is 1164, and for a hundred years England has been ruled by the Normans. A young Saxon boy named Durwin, crippled by a childhood accident, had caught the eye of a Norman sage teaching at a rural school of magic. Realizing that the boy had promise, Durwin was made stable boy, and eventually allowed to attend classes.
Now twenty, Durwin is proficient enough that he is assigned to teach, but the other sages refuse to promote him and he is hassled by the Norman juniors for his disability. But those troubles turn out to be the least of his worries when he manages to corrects errors in an ancient corrupted spell, which promptly prophesies murder.
Sure enough, word soon reaches the school that one of the local count's house sage has died, perhaps slain by black magic. Durwin is whisked away to the family's castle, only to find that one death was only the beginning. The young sage quickly learns of a dizzying plot to assassinate King Henry. Dropped into the middle of the complex politics of England's royal courts, can Durwin stop them in time?
It is 1164, and for a hundred years England has been ruled by the Normans. A young Saxon boy named Durwin, crippled by a childhood accident, had caught the eye of a Norman sage teaching at a rural school of magic. Realizing that the boy had promise, Durwin was made stable boy, and eventually allowed to attend classes.
Now twenty, Durwin is proficient enough that he is assigned to teach, but the other sages refuse to promote him and he is hassled by the Norman juniors for his disability. But those troubles turn out to be the least of his worries when he manages to corrects errors in an ancient corrupted spell, which promptly prophesies murder.
Sure enough, word soon reaches the school that one of the local count's house sage has died, perhaps slain by black magic. Durwin is whisked away to the family's castle, only to find that one death was only the beginning. The young sage quickly learns of a dizzying plot to assassinate King Henry. Dropped into the middle of the complex politics of England's royal courts, can Durwin stop them in time?
344 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2017
67 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Dave Duncan
140 books590 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
March 13, 2018
Well, this certainly was not what I expected ! Ironfoot turned out to be a surprisingly good book ! Not only was it a quick read but Dave Duncan packed a lot of punch into it. Set in the 1164, it is a tale of a young Saxon boy during the years when England was ruled by the Normans. Young Durwin grows up in a small school run by Sages. He dreams of becoming a Sage, but as a crippled Saxon, things don't look too promising. That is until he has to attend one of his teachers, Sage Rolf on a journey to see his brother who contacted him through magic. Durwins mentor Sage Guy, sends him off to aid Sage Rolf and when they arrive at Sage Rolf's brothers castle, Durwin finds himself in the middle of not only one murder, but two ! Soon after arriving Sage Rolf is murdered and Durwin must find out who dunnit ! Aided by his rival Squire William Leiger they delve into a murder plot that keeps the body count rising.
I really enjoyed this book, it is filled with magic, mayhem, lots of murder, and is one of the most entertaining murder mysteries I have read. I liked the idea that it was set in the 11oo's and naturally, there is magic involved, not just any magic though, ancient arcane magic ! If you like who dunnits I suggest you read this book. It really was a fun read !
I really enjoyed this book, it is filled with magic, mayhem, lots of murder, and is one of the most entertaining murder mysteries I have read. I liked the idea that it was set in the 11oo's and naturally, there is magic involved, not just any magic though, ancient arcane magic ! If you like who dunnits I suggest you read this book. It really was a fun read !
July 24, 2018
4.5
I found this surprisingly enjoyable. It's much more a mystery than anything else, so it's not action packed, but it kept me interested and I really enjoyed Durwin and William. I'll admit that I found William's quick capitulation a tad hard to believe and, considering how much Durwin seemed to be discriminated against, he faced very little notable resistance. Plus, he's just a bit too good at everything. But I liked the writing, the magic system and the plot. All in all, I just plain had fun with it and look forward to more.
I found this surprisingly enjoyable. It's much more a mystery than anything else, so it's not action packed, but it kept me interested and I really enjoyed Durwin and William. I'll admit that I found William's quick capitulation a tad hard to believe and, considering how much Durwin seemed to be discriminated against, he faced very little notable resistance. Plus, he's just a bit too good at everything. But I liked the writing, the magic system and the plot. All in all, I just plain had fun with it and look forward to more.
October 17, 2017
This review and others posted over at
my blog.
Durwin, sometimes called Ironfoot because of the boot he wears due to an accident that caused his broken leg to heal shorter than the other, is a level-headed, bright student determined to become a mage. Most of his fellow students and all his instructors are Normans and Durwin is constantly aware of his lower social status- at twenty, he’s older than many squires his age after being skipped over for promotion to adept. The social disparity is especially apparent when he finds himself bullied by a new student, William. Unable to fight back, Durwin’s patience is constantly tried by the younger boy and while he longs to fight him, he is smarter enough not to.
While Durwin is smart, patient, determined…and boring. He’s not made out to be perfect, but he’s a generally shining example of a person and I found him to be incredibly bland. He made a few mistakes, but nothing with any far-reaching consequences, and he seemed to learn from his experiences. He’s smart enough to see errors in ancient spells and correct them in order to make the spells work after years of being thought to be useless.
Durwin is skilled enough to tackle any task thrown his way, with minimal effort or aggravation. He’s not truly average, yet he doesn’t seem to have any exceptional skills. Whatever, guys, I just found him boring and didn’t connect!
The rest of the story worked for me though. I enjoyed the character arc and growth of William however – he was a bully with depth and once he’s forced to work with Durwin, he’s given considerably more depth than Durwin is.
The murder mystery added into the story of a student at a magical academy kept the plot from feeling stale. I had some suspicions, but the twist had me foiled, so I was still surprised at the end. Granted, I’m not one to wrack my brain desperately trying to figure out the killer because I like being surprised at the end.
The magic in this book is based on singing or chanting enchantments, typically with at least two sages (or adepts or squires) though some can be sung solo or with three or more. The academy has many old scrolls and grimoires with spells that the sages have decided no longer work, but it is discovered that many were transcribed wrong over the years or contain purposeful errors to trip up the unschooled. I liked all of this and wanted to know more about the ancient magic and different types of spells.
This novel feels like it falls somewhere halfway between YA and adult fantasy, as there’s swearing and a few sex scenes, yet Durwin feels young for twenty and his journey from squire to adept feels very coming of age. It’s also a stand-alone (I assume), which is refreshing because I already have a zillion series I need to finish!
If you’re looking for a one-shot fantasy with a pretty compelling bully and a murder mystery set in England in the 1100s, I would recommend this.
Durwin, sometimes called Ironfoot because of the boot he wears due to an accident that caused his broken leg to heal shorter than the other, is a level-headed, bright student determined to become a mage. Most of his fellow students and all his instructors are Normans and Durwin is constantly aware of his lower social status- at twenty, he’s older than many squires his age after being skipped over for promotion to adept. The social disparity is especially apparent when he finds himself bullied by a new student, William. Unable to fight back, Durwin’s patience is constantly tried by the younger boy and while he longs to fight him, he is smarter enough not to.
While Durwin is smart, patient, determined…and boring. He’s not made out to be perfect, but he’s a generally shining example of a person and I found him to be incredibly bland. He made a few mistakes, but nothing with any far-reaching consequences, and he seemed to learn from his experiences. He’s smart enough to see errors in ancient spells and correct them in order to make the spells work after years of being thought to be useless.
Durwin is skilled enough to tackle any task thrown his way, with minimal effort or aggravation. He’s not truly average, yet he doesn’t seem to have any exceptional skills. Whatever, guys, I just found him boring and didn’t connect!
The rest of the story worked for me though. I enjoyed the character arc and growth of William however – he was a bully with depth and once he’s forced to work with Durwin, he’s given considerably more depth than Durwin is.
The murder mystery added into the story of a student at a magical academy kept the plot from feeling stale. I had some suspicions, but the twist had me foiled, so I was still surprised at the end. Granted, I’m not one to wrack my brain desperately trying to figure out the killer because I like being surprised at the end.
The magic in this book is based on singing or chanting enchantments, typically with at least two sages (or adepts or squires) though some can be sung solo or with three or more. The academy has many old scrolls and grimoires with spells that the sages have decided no longer work, but it is discovered that many were transcribed wrong over the years or contain purposeful errors to trip up the unschooled. I liked all of this and wanted to know more about the ancient magic and different types of spells.
This novel feels like it falls somewhere halfway between YA and adult fantasy, as there’s swearing and a few sex scenes, yet Durwin feels young for twenty and his journey from squire to adept feels very coming of age. It’s also a stand-alone (I assume), which is refreshing because I already have a zillion series I need to finish!
If you’re looking for a one-shot fantasy with a pretty compelling bully and a murder mystery set in England in the 1100s, I would recommend this.
January 11, 2018
In the 1990's, I played a Roleplaying Game called Ars Magica. That game was all about playing Mages and other characters who belonged to a like minded group (Troop/Castle/coven, etc) with the location being as important as the characters. It was set in the time of Richard the Lionheart (while away on Crusade). I say all of this because this book reminded me of that game throughout. And thats a good thing.
Ironfoot is about Adept Durwin, a 'Sage' in training. He has moved to the middle stages of his training and has a modicum of skill. He has become a sage because years ago, a riding accident caused damage to his leg/foot prompting him to need support. (Ironfoot is an allusion to this support).
The book is set in the mid 1100's, with King Henry II (Richard's father) on the throne. We do meet Henry in the almost final act of the story, but knowing that, you know the setting. Life is as we expect from a medieval setting. Durwin is a Saxon trying to make good in a country where the Norman's are now firmly entrenched. He must rely on his wit and skill, while dealing with the prejudices of being a Saxon. One of his chief antagonists is William, a Norman apprentice who is better suited for the battlefield than a Sages robe.
One of the major differences in this world from our own is that magic does exist. spells are performed via chants and songs, sung by one or more sages. Grimoires and other books hold knowledge that is passed from Sage to Sage, often with built in mistakes to protect against the wrong people getting their hands on this power.
Durwin's story gets started when he discovers that he can read ancient runes that he has found. The fortune he reads is one that talks about murder and betrayal. As he pursues this meaning, he is summoned on a trip to a nearby castle with one of the Sages - and of course, William as well. The Sages brother has died and Sage Randolf must get to him as soon as possible.
Most of the novel is centered on the new location and the events there. Multiple murders and the mystery they evoke form the core of the novel. Throughout, Adept Durwin must deal with being less than what everyone wanted, but (ultimately) more than anyone expected. And William is there to provide a foil and perhaps a grudging ally as the mystery unfolds.
In the end, the story was centered on a person rather than a location, but throughout, my thoughts were all about how like Ars Magica this was. It captured the essence of that game in the novel (although I have no reason to believe that was the authors intent). The novel itself is well written, with believable characters and events. The magic is understated (appropriately) and overall, the novel was a fun read. Highly recommended!
Ironfoot is about Adept Durwin, a 'Sage' in training. He has moved to the middle stages of his training and has a modicum of skill. He has become a sage because years ago, a riding accident caused damage to his leg/foot prompting him to need support. (Ironfoot is an allusion to this support).
The book is set in the mid 1100's, with King Henry II (Richard's father) on the throne. We do meet Henry in the almost final act of the story, but knowing that, you know the setting. Life is as we expect from a medieval setting. Durwin is a Saxon trying to make good in a country where the Norman's are now firmly entrenched. He must rely on his wit and skill, while dealing with the prejudices of being a Saxon. One of his chief antagonists is William, a Norman apprentice who is better suited for the battlefield than a Sages robe.
One of the major differences in this world from our own is that magic does exist. spells are performed via chants and songs, sung by one or more sages. Grimoires and other books hold knowledge that is passed from Sage to Sage, often with built in mistakes to protect against the wrong people getting their hands on this power.
Durwin's story gets started when he discovers that he can read ancient runes that he has found. The fortune he reads is one that talks about murder and betrayal. As he pursues this meaning, he is summoned on a trip to a nearby castle with one of the Sages - and of course, William as well. The Sages brother has died and Sage Randolf must get to him as soon as possible.
Most of the novel is centered on the new location and the events there. Multiple murders and the mystery they evoke form the core of the novel. Throughout, Adept Durwin must deal with being less than what everyone wanted, but (ultimately) more than anyone expected. And William is there to provide a foil and perhaps a grudging ally as the mystery unfolds.
In the end, the story was centered on a person rather than a location, but throughout, my thoughts were all about how like Ars Magica this was. It captured the essence of that game in the novel (although I have no reason to believe that was the authors intent). The novel itself is well written, with believable characters and events. The magic is understated (appropriately) and overall, the novel was a fun read. Highly recommended!
November 17, 2019
Fabulous historical fantasy novel set during the reign of Henry II of England.
The historical research on it was absolutely wonderful.
Loved it.
The historical research on it was absolutely wonderful.
Loved it.
June 19, 2018
A mystery set in the reign of Henry II, but with magic. Dave Duncan's writing is always engaging, and the plot bubbles along nicely.
November 23, 2017
Medieval whodunit, with magic. Great stuff, except that all the female characters are objectified and the only one with any agency (except maybe Eleanor of Aquitaine, who has a cameo) is a murderous trollop. C'mon, Dave, you can do better, right?
Fave line: "I don't know about you, Squire, but I'm going back to bed." "Sounds like a good idea, master, but before you do, I'd be really grateful if you would sing another lullaby to my nuts."
Fave line: "I don't know about you, Squire, but I'm going back to bed." "Sounds like a good idea, master, but before you do, I'd be really grateful if you would sing another lullaby to my nuts."
October 12, 2017
a delightful period work, with a large number of interesting tidbits about Durwin's future thrown at us to wet our appetites for future installments (2 of which are promised). The Saxon Norman background is well-sculpted, the youth of our protagonist deftly twitched into a typical student mold (a la Alfeo ) and both the blind and the Welsh get a mention, what's not to like!
December 9, 2017
Excellent historical fantasy set 100 years after the Norman conquest. A page-turning mystery. I especially liked how the author used the conflict Durwin and William to illustrate the conflict between Saxons (now mostly serfs) and the Normans (nobility).
April 30, 2018
Great spin on historical fiction
Mr. Duncan’s books never disappoint. I very much like the way he wove history and fantasy together, even bringing together a Saxon and a Norman! :)
I’m looking forward to the other books. Thanks for a wonderful Sunday morning read, sir!
Mr. Duncan’s books never disappoint. I very much like the way he wove history and fantasy together, even bringing together a Saxon and a Norman! :)
I’m looking forward to the other books. Thanks for a wonderful Sunday morning read, sir!
April 6, 2019
Well written fantasy novel set in the time of the Plantagenets. Magic, mystery, and murder all combine with historical fiction. A true page-turner.
June 23, 2023
4.5
Historical fantasy, and mystery all rolled into one. I liked this a lot more than I anticipated.
Historical fantasy, and mystery all rolled into one. I liked this a lot more than I anticipated.
July 20, 2019
Awesome cover. Story, not so much.
October 21, 2018
The blurb for 5 stars now says "it was amazing". So I've used 4 stars, but on finishing I felt this was a well deserved 5 stars book, extremely well executed in telling and prose and scope. There was one minor annoyance (to me) towards the end, but apart from that.... excellent. Its a short book and not super literary, an episode in a bigger saga, a crowd pleaser. 4 feels fine.
I went straight into this after The Exiled Blade and was refreshingly happy with the cleanliness of the prose, the ease of first-person, past-tense and just an instant like-ability to the main character Durwin. There is always a bit of a lack of suspense with book 1 of a series in past-first and that did contribute to my annoyance (no spoilers): about 2/3 of the way through the story there was no credible threat and the story continues; but I still enjoyed it. It was little like a TV show where you know that the characters will at least survive to the finale.
With my mixed references, as I read this I felt shades of Robin of Sherwood (ahh, Clannad), Cadfael (wait a minute, there were *20* of these?), Inspector Morse and shades of the classic, confused Excalibur. To say nothing of miscellaneous Lionheart and Robin Hood reminders.
If you like Dave Duncan then go for it, its like the Seventh Sword and early King's Blades and lovely.
I went straight into this after The Exiled Blade and was refreshingly happy with the cleanliness of the prose, the ease of first-person, past-tense and just an instant like-ability to the main character Durwin. There is always a bit of a lack of suspense with book 1 of a series in past-first and that did contribute to my annoyance (no spoilers): about 2/3 of the way through the story there was no credible threat and the story continues; but I still enjoyed it. It was little like a TV show where you know that the characters will at least survive to the finale.
With my mixed references, as I read this I felt shades of Robin of Sherwood (ahh, Clannad), Cadfael (wait a minute, there were *20* of these?), Inspector Morse and shades of the classic, confused Excalibur. To say nothing of miscellaneous Lionheart and Robin Hood reminders.
If you like Dave Duncan then go for it, its like the Seventh Sword and early King's Blades and lovely.
June 24, 2018
This book made me smile. It was sent to me by Skyhorse Publishing without anyone telling me what exactly I was getting sent.
The moment I took the book out and saw it, I fangirled SO hard! The medievalist in me went nuts! And let me tell you- I enjoyed this book immensely.
Dave Duncan writes simply and it works perfectly for him. Just because I know the history and have studied palaeography and scribal work, doesn’t mean everyone has. And Duncan’s writing makes the medieval setting, society, even language changes seem commonplace. It’s so easy to fall into the book without being overwhelmed.
And the protagonist! Not going to lie, I thought he was going to be a geeky alchemist who rises to the occasion - I was so wrong. He’s strong, smart, and so quick-witted! The easy banter he strikes back with in conversation was one of my favourite parts!
And this book was literally like a MEDIEVAL FANTASY MURDER MYSTERY. Seriously I was SO on the hook about who the murderer was. Gosh this was such a fun book! I smiled through the entire read!
I know this book wouldn’t be for everyone; if you are a straight up action lover, this wouldn’t be for you. But for me? This is one book I know I would reread just for the pure enjoyment of it.
My rating for it is a solid 4/5!
The moment I took the book out and saw it, I fangirled SO hard! The medievalist in me went nuts! And let me tell you- I enjoyed this book immensely.
Dave Duncan writes simply and it works perfectly for him. Just because I know the history and have studied palaeography and scribal work, doesn’t mean everyone has. And Duncan’s writing makes the medieval setting, society, even language changes seem commonplace. It’s so easy to fall into the book without being overwhelmed.
And the protagonist! Not going to lie, I thought he was going to be a geeky alchemist who rises to the occasion - I was so wrong. He’s strong, smart, and so quick-witted! The easy banter he strikes back with in conversation was one of my favourite parts!
And this book was literally like a MEDIEVAL FANTASY MURDER MYSTERY. Seriously I was SO on the hook about who the murderer was. Gosh this was such a fun book! I smiled through the entire read!
I know this book wouldn’t be for everyone; if you are a straight up action lover, this wouldn’t be for you. But for me? This is one book I know I would reread just for the pure enjoyment of it.
My rating for it is a solid 4/5!
November 10, 2017
I read my first Dave Duncan book some almost 30 years ago. It was the first book in his first big series - Magic Casement. It was very much a 1980s style Del Rey fantasy. Now, there's nothing bad about that, but there's nothing great either. I liked it well enough to read the next books in the series but I eventually just petered out on his works.
Fast forward to today. I'm a much older, far more finicky reader... but I saw this book on the shelves of my favourite book store and an interest in medieval history and the idea of magic in Medieval England appealed to me. Other authors had tried it, some with great success (Judith Tarr's Hound & Falcon series comes to mind), others with varying success (E.C. Barber's Elisha novels didn't do it for me).
Well, the Enchanter General has been added to my Best of 2017 list. The magic is believable; the murder is very much a British cozy mystery (which I enjoy) and the characters are great (I particularly appreciated the guest appearances by the dysfunctional Plantagenets). As an anglo-saxon geek, I particularly appreciated the use of Old English as a plot device.
I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Fast forward to today. I'm a much older, far more finicky reader... but I saw this book on the shelves of my favourite book store and an interest in medieval history and the idea of magic in Medieval England appealed to me. Other authors had tried it, some with great success (Judith Tarr's Hound & Falcon series comes to mind), others with varying success (E.C. Barber's Elisha novels didn't do it for me).
Well, the Enchanter General has been added to my Best of 2017 list. The magic is believable; the murder is very much a British cozy mystery (which I enjoy) and the characters are great (I particularly appreciated the guest appearances by the dysfunctional Plantagenets). As an anglo-saxon geek, I particularly appreciated the use of Old English as a plot device.
I'm already looking forward to the next one.
August 3, 2017
I have to start this review by saying that I began reading this book without expectations. I read the synopsis and I catched that the book was about fantasy and murder, but in a medieval-like way, so I was in! The concept of this book was awesome, and the characters were okay. I think my biggest problem with the book was its pacing. I'm used to have lots of action in a book, and this wasn't the case. At times I found myself bored, but I can't say that I didn't enjoy some parts of the book because I did. I think this isn't a book for everyone. You can love it, but you can hate it as well. There are definitely quite a few things that I would change to make the story more interesting, for sure. Anyway, Ironfoot come out in October this year, so make sure to grab your copy when the book releases. You might like it way more than I did!
August 7, 2025
It was a surprise to come across this book. Shelved under fantasy, this was for a change not a high fantasy at all. This was based in real World, and timelines, and yet so beautifully crafted with a very subtle magic system which was seamlessly incorporated in the story.
It tends to be a more "detective" genre like Judge Dee for example, with magic and enchantments. But none of it was juvenile. The writing was atmospheric to a degree. Great relationships between the characters. Infact the first ever in a long while, where the protagonist is living under other characters (saxons and normans relationship).
The book was neither under nor over cooked. Just perfect in the sense, that in my judgement, Dave D. achieved the exact he might have set out for, when he picked up his pen for this book.
It tends to be a more "detective" genre like Judge Dee for example, with magic and enchantments. But none of it was juvenile. The writing was atmospheric to a degree. Great relationships between the characters. Infact the first ever in a long while, where the protagonist is living under other characters (saxons and normans relationship).
The book was neither under nor over cooked. Just perfect in the sense, that in my judgement, Dave D. achieved the exact he might have set out for, when he picked up his pen for this book.
May 2, 2018
Real medieval historical elements combine with light magic, as crippled Saxon magic student is sent as a companion and horse handler to a Norman teacher's family manor to solve a murder mystery. The muddy, politically tense setting is well depicted, interesting characters (like the pugnaciously perverse Norman squire William), and the mystery well plotted with red herrings and clues that are all there if only the reader is clever enough to put them together (which I wasn't)
February 19, 2024
Ironfoot is the first book in The Enchanter General series by Dave Duncan, a prolific and acclaimed author of fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. The book is set in 1164, when England is ruled by the Normans, and the Saxons are oppressed and marginalized. The protagonist is Durwin, a young Saxon boy who has a crippled leg and a talent for magic. He is taken in by a Norman sage who teaches him at a rural school of magic, where he faces discrimination and hostility from his peers and superiors. When he corrects an ancient spell that predicts murder, he is sent to a castle to investigate a possible case of black magic and uncovers a plot to assassinate King Henry II. Along the way, he has to deal with the complex politics of the royal court, the rivalry between the Normans and the Saxons, and the challenges of being a low-born enchanter in a feudal society.
The book is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with a well-researched and realistic depiction of the medieval era and a creative and original system of magic. The magic in the book is based on logic, mathematics, and natural philosophy, and has rules and limitations that make it believable and consistent. The book also explores the themes of social class, prejudice, loyalty, and justice, and how they affect the characters and their actions. The book is full of twists and turns, suspense and intrigue, and humor and wit, making it a highly entertaining and engaging read.
The audiobook is narrated by Tim Campbell, who does a superb job of bringing the story and the characters to life. He has a clear and pleasant voice, and he uses different accents, tones, and expressions to distinguish the characters and convey their emotions and personalities. He also pronounces the medieval terms and the Latin spells with ease and accuracy, adding to the authenticity and immersion of the listening experience. He captures the mood and the pace of the story, and keeps the listener hooked and interested throughout the audiobook.
Ironfoot is a book that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and adventure, as well as to anyone who enjoys a well-written and well-narrated story with a likable and smart hero, a fascinating and rich setting, a complex and intriguing plot, and a dash of magic and mayhem. It is a book that will transport you to another time and place, and make you feel like you are part of the story. It is a book that will make you think, laugh, and gasp, and leave you wanting more. It is a book that I highly recommend.
The book is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, with a well-researched and realistic depiction of the medieval era and a creative and original system of magic. The magic in the book is based on logic, mathematics, and natural philosophy, and has rules and limitations that make it believable and consistent. The book also explores the themes of social class, prejudice, loyalty, and justice, and how they affect the characters and their actions. The book is full of twists and turns, suspense and intrigue, and humor and wit, making it a highly entertaining and engaging read.
The audiobook is narrated by Tim Campbell, who does a superb job of bringing the story and the characters to life. He has a clear and pleasant voice, and he uses different accents, tones, and expressions to distinguish the characters and convey their emotions and personalities. He also pronounces the medieval terms and the Latin spells with ease and accuracy, adding to the authenticity and immersion of the listening experience. He captures the mood and the pace of the story, and keeps the listener hooked and interested throughout the audiobook.
Ironfoot is a book that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and adventure, as well as to anyone who enjoys a well-written and well-narrated story with a likable and smart hero, a fascinating and rich setting, a complex and intriguing plot, and a dash of magic and mayhem. It is a book that will transport you to another time and place, and make you feel like you are part of the story. It is a book that will make you think, laugh, and gasp, and leave you wanting more. It is a book that I highly recommend.
December 26, 2025
This is a wonderful blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Duncan should truly be celebrated for taking that blend and inserting a medeival mystery like An extra caramel drizzle on an ice blended coffee.
Our hero is simply a saxon peasant with a lower leg injury that requires the use of a prostethic boot in order to walk. As a Saxon, he is considered a lower class cur by the Normans around him. His place in a magic school is secured by his serving as a stable boy. He has been passed over for promotion a number of times, but finally wins a promotion by accepting an assignment to travel with one of the instructors on an arduous journey. They arrive at their destination to discover murder is afoot. In fact, there are three murders, including the instructor, and Durwain must use his wisdom, perception, and incantation skills to ferret out the murderer.
Duncan mentions one reason why many of the incantations were not working-- poor transcription.... He points out how careful translators were with Holy Scripture, but how sloppy they were with ancient incantations. It wasn't revealed in this installment, but I'm willing to bet that those "errors" ferreted out by Durwain were intentional, to prevent misuse by untrained laymen.
Durwain's companion is a Norman squire, who is necessarily under Durwain's authority, but he chafes under the idea of a Saxon bossing him about. However, he agrees to play the part, even though he hates Durwain. Will he remain an enemy or will Durwain eventually win him over?
This is a wonderful book, full of medeival period flavor, historical background, and just the right measure of fantasy. The author manages what I consider a perfect balance. I've already ordered the next title in this series and hope to get to it soon after the new year.
Our hero is simply a saxon peasant with a lower leg injury that requires the use of a prostethic boot in order to walk. As a Saxon, he is considered a lower class cur by the Normans around him. His place in a magic school is secured by his serving as a stable boy. He has been passed over for promotion a number of times, but finally wins a promotion by accepting an assignment to travel with one of the instructors on an arduous journey. They arrive at their destination to discover murder is afoot. In fact, there are three murders, including the instructor, and Durwain must use his wisdom, perception, and incantation skills to ferret out the murderer.
Duncan mentions one reason why many of the incantations were not working-- poor transcription.... He points out how careful translators were with Holy Scripture, but how sloppy they were with ancient incantations. It wasn't revealed in this installment, but I'm willing to bet that those "errors" ferreted out by Durwain were intentional, to prevent misuse by untrained laymen.
Durwain's companion is a Norman squire, who is necessarily under Durwain's authority, but he chafes under the idea of a Saxon bossing him about. However, he agrees to play the part, even though he hates Durwain. Will he remain an enemy or will Durwain eventually win him over?
This is a wonderful book, full of medeival period flavor, historical background, and just the right measure of fantasy. The author manages what I consider a perfect balance. I've already ordered the next title in this series and hope to get to it soon after the new year.
April 21, 2021
Dave Duncan rarely disappoints. At its core, this is a murder mystery. The fantasy elements put it on my TBR shelf but the historic details are the story's best feature. I'm amazed at the author's confidant grasp of the languages, titles, and politics of this distant period.
The protagonist is extremely likable. The reader is on his side from page one. Durwin is part of the underclass but seems to accept this burden with good humour. I love the way this highly intelligent character is portrayed, without the usual writing gaffes that accompany an author straining for heights that they, themselves, can't reach. In particular, the conversations with the Count's fool are priceless.
I had a theory about the second murderer that I prefer to the actual reveal. So I'll leave it here, for posterity. Perhaps this idea was deliberately cultivated by Duncan but it seemed more satisfying to me.
The protagonist is extremely likable. The reader is on his side from page one. Durwin is part of the underclass but seems to accept this burden with good humour. I love the way this highly intelligent character is portrayed, without the usual writing gaffes that accompany an author straining for heights that they, themselves, can't reach. In particular, the conversations with the Count's fool are priceless.
I had a theory about the second murderer that I prefer to the actual reveal. So I'll leave it here, for posterity. Perhaps this idea was deliberately cultivated by Duncan but it seemed more satisfying to me.
September 18, 2019
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Durwin, lame since youth, and a Saxon among Norman conquerors, has few options. He jumps at the opportunity to work among, and eventually study among, sages, and when other chances arise, he seizes them as well, even when they come with a brutal Norman companion, and among a flood of mysterious murders.
Review
I'm not usually a fan of alternate history; I prefer my fantasy more fantastic. An earlier attempt by Dave Duncan, the Maestro Nostradamus series, didn't intrigue me. The start of this series, though it has a similar light-magic/alchemical premise, worked much better for me.
In particular, Duncan, though he rushes through things a bit, does a great job of capturing Durwin's character as a smart but disadvantaged and lame young Saxon living among Norman conquerors. There are bits and bobs of history here and there, but the personal story is what drives the book, and the historical element is more color than intrusive substance.
The plot becomes somewhat convoluted, but the general outlines are always clear. The use of magic is not entirely consistent (it seems to have much more power early in the book), but that's okay too. In many ways, I found the story reminiscent of Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave, in a very positive way. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Summary
Durwin, lame since youth, and a Saxon among Norman conquerors, has few options. He jumps at the opportunity to work among, and eventually study among, sages, and when other chances arise, he seizes them as well, even when they come with a brutal Norman companion, and among a flood of mysterious murders.
Review
I'm not usually a fan of alternate history; I prefer my fantasy more fantastic. An earlier attempt by Dave Duncan, the Maestro Nostradamus series, didn't intrigue me. The start of this series, though it has a similar light-magic/alchemical premise, worked much better for me.
In particular, Duncan, though he rushes through things a bit, does a great job of capturing Durwin's character as a smart but disadvantaged and lame young Saxon living among Norman conquerors. There are bits and bobs of history here and there, but the personal story is what drives the book, and the historical element is more color than intrusive substance.
The plot becomes somewhat convoluted, but the general outlines are always clear. The use of magic is not entirely consistent (it seems to have much more power early in the book), but that's okay too. In many ways, I found the story reminiscent of Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave, in a very positive way. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
October 18, 2023
Durwin, known as Ironfoot ever since a childhood accident crushed his leg, shouldn’t amount to anything. He’s a Saxon, the son of a peasant, and he lives in an England ruled by Norman conquerors. But his skill with horses and sharp wits have endeared him to a Sage from a nearby academy and won him a place there studying alchemy, herbal medicine, logic—and enchantment. And when a prophecy predicts murder, Durwin finds himself on the road to adventure and intrigue, sent to the castle at Barton, along with a Sage named Rolf and the recalcitrant, difficult Squire William, to find out what the prophecy means and why Rolf’s brother, the count, used a dangerous spell to summon him home. Durwin must untangle the mystery—and convince the contemptuous William to help him. A vivid cast of characters that includes a brawny count, a sneering priest, the count’s beautiful young daughter, and the count’s disfigured fool helps keep this tale of intrigue lively. There’s never any real doubt that Durwin will penetrate the mystery and save the day—his skill is somehow always equal to the difficult enchantment at hand—but the plot moves along nimbly enough to keep the reader engaged.
November 30, 2018
While technically this is fantasy, with magic existing and occasionally used, in substance it reads and feels more like a historical mystery along the lines of the Cadfael series. I didn't love it but it's perfectly enjoyable entry in the genre.
The setting is a slightly alternate version of 12th century England, ruled by Henry II. Plotwise the most important changes are the ones that make being literate a sufficient virtue that a Saxon commoner would start climbing the social ladder.
That Saxon is a farrier's son, hobbled by an accident and with no apparent options accept his apprenticeship to an order of scholars. The most loving detail is spent on the daily life in this school, and not anything magical. Eventually he's thrust into the role of murder investigator and has to navigate the crime from a position of zero authority: a youth, commoner, and Saxon in a household of nobles.
The setting is a slightly alternate version of 12th century England, ruled by Henry II. Plotwise the most important changes are the ones that make being literate a sufficient virtue that a Saxon commoner would start climbing the social ladder.
That Saxon is a farrier's son, hobbled by an accident and with no apparent options accept his apprenticeship to an order of scholars. The most loving detail is spent on the daily life in this school, and not anything magical. Eventually he's thrust into the role of murder investigator and has to navigate the crime from a position of zero authority: a youth, commoner, and Saxon in a household of nobles.
November 20, 2017
Murder mystery set in Norman England, but with Merlin-style magic and alchemy still being practiced. A young Saxon stable-hand and student of magic is sent to assist in an emergency at one of his teacher's family estate. Turns out it's a murder mystery and a good look at how power and influence are practiced in King Henry's time. Our protagonist, Durwin, and his reluctant assistant William end up entangled in castle politics as they search for the killer and angle for their own advancement. The suspects include most of the noble family and time starts ticking as a possible visit by the King looms large. There's some good points on society at the time, some humor, and some nice plot twists before the murder(s) are solved. A fun, quick read for the fan of historical fantasy from an underdog's perspective.
August 19, 2019
Through about 90% of Dave Duncan's 2017 novel "Enchanter General, Book 1: Ironfoot," I was very pleased. The book's a sort of alternate 12th century historical magical murder mystery. And, for most of it, it's very well written. Near the end, though, Duncan does some things that I'm just not happy with. Firstly, in a book without any explicit sex (implicit, yes, explicit, no), he tosses in a worthless sex scene that could have been worked around some other way. From there, plot aspects get a bit sloppy. I'm actually not sure what really happened in the very last scene. So, I'm stuck for a rating. For most of the book, I'd easily go with a Very Good 4 stars out of 5. I can't see dropping it a full star to a 3 star rating. So, I'm sticking with an official 4 stars, but calling it 3-1/2 stars.
January 9, 2018
Another winner from one of my favourite authors. Yet another new departure (presumably the first of a series, though could also turn out to be a standalone; I will admit that I'm still peeved that he seems to have abandoned the Brothers Magnus series in mid-plot, though I assume this was based on sales figures) - less original than many of his settings, but retains his amazing gift for developing and displaying great characters. It also seems to he based on a lot of research, though I'm far from expert on the period (12th Century England).
I've read on the order of 25 of Duncan's books, of which one I didn't care for and two I wasn't wild about; many of the others are among my most highly-rated.
I've read on the order of 25 of Duncan's books, of which one I didn't care for and two I wasn't wild about; many of the others are among my most highly-rated.
April 13, 2018
Well this book was a surprise to me -- I like medieval fiction, I like mysteries, I like magic, so you'd think I'd be all over it, but that combination is so rarely done well, and so rarely believable. This book is A+ on all counts. Believable reconstruction of medieval life, of the tensions between the Normans and the British peasantry, of the mistrust of people with physical impairments, of the time period all across the board. Duncan has also created a believable magical system within that framework (be still my heart) and a compelling main character with a reasonable sleuthing method to boot. I will be watching this series with bated breath, eager for as much as he cares to write.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
April 29, 2018
I really enjoyed this murder mystery set in an alternate medieval England, where scholars can learn magic incantations along with their Latin. The mystery was not obvious, but was believable, and was paced well so that the reader observes the evolution of the characters along with the solution of the murder mystery. The world building was excellent, and obviously based on some extensive study of the medieval period - around a century after William the Conqueror began his rule of England. The characterizations were not highly detailed, but was so well done that I felt I knew and understood the major characters motivations and their lives. I will definitely check out the next two novels in this trilogy!
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