The Reaver Road

Omar #1

by Dave Duncan

Omar is the finest storyteller the world has ever known, captivating audiences everywhere, from the campfires of soldier camps to the plush residences of nobility. In times of turmoil, people can still appreciate a good tale that offers respite from their troubles. But as hordes of barbarian soldiers surround the unvanquished city of Zanadon after ravaging the surrounding countryside, few things are certain any longer. Omar has been guided to the city by prophetic dreams, yet finds himself inan increasingly dangerous situation as the people grow more desperate and the gift of a glib tongue turns into a curse.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Originally 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.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this fantasy set in what seems to be Duncan's version of ancient Sumeria or Babylon. A really intriguing main character - is he a god or isn't he? - lots of action, lots of great storytelling.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books. I love the story telling style, so reminiscent of the oral tradition. Funny and dramatic, Dave Duncan is a very underrated author, particularly in the UK.

[Doc Opp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. The plot is nothing special, and the writing is sometimes over the top, but the book delivers through unbelievable creativity on constant display. The book follows a storyteller as he witnesses an attempt of a city to summon a deity to save them from a ravaging army. In the process, he tells stories... lots of stories. Some that go on for chapters, others that last only two or three sentences. And they are so clever. Many of them could themselves be the premise of a book. But the author dances from story to story, tantalizing us with creative and fun ideas, and in the process keeping the reader thoroughly entertained. I really enjoyed this one.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to get used to the style before I really started liking it, his grandiose style of speaking and using big words. Plus the fact that the first-person narrator is a tale teller means that he's a probable "unreliable narrator", which I love. By the end I really got it and loved where it went.

A good read, but compared to some Duncan gems it falls a little shy. But he can't produce gems every time, can he!

[Bix · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-

[Iain Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable.

An unusual format for Dave Duncan but one that created a wonderfully unreliable narrator. I did however find myself skipping some of the intrinsic detail in the fantasy world so I wouldn't put it right up there with his very best.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narratively speaking, this one is quite unusual for a Duncan - and his choice of performer, if he must write first person, from the outset seemed to leave a lot to be desired. Yet I warmed to Omar through the course of the story and always, even if I didn't quite click with him, enjoyed his wit and verbal dexterity.

A Duncan hallmark makes a book well worth the read of course; in this case it was a great divine convergence and a masterful climax to the story, with ample room for a sequel hinted at the end. Loved it, not overawed, but the next one will be on the to read shortly list for sure.

[Metaphorosis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard Dave Duncan in that this is a fun, very readable fantasy with agreeable, intelligent characters. The Reaver Road is one of two books featuring Omar the Storyteller (also see The Hunter's Haunt). In this case, the story is about Omar and his chance companion Thorian being caught up in an intrigue of war, gods, treachery, and lust. The players act (sort of) as real people might, and are characteristically upbeat and optimistic. All in all, a lighthearted bit of fun in much the same enjoyable vein as most other Duncan books.

[BobA707 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A nice fantasy, well written, good plot interesting world, great story telling. This book is a little bit different to the normal faire, and I really enjoyed it.

Plotline: Well thought out plot, although actually quite simple, the devil is in the detail and how the fundamental plot components are achieved. God like.

Premise: It worked well. Normally in fantasy books there are varying degrees of magic, in this only Gods or ....

Writing: Well written, great style, simple, descriptive

Ending: Great stuff, unexpected.

Pace: Never a dull moment!

[Dee W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omar, a trader of tales, is always in the thick of things. He has been everyone, been everywhere and is much more and much less than he seems. Translated into modern vernacular, he wanders through the story of an invincible city.

[Steve Markham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the reason this book is a three and not a four or five is because Omar babbles a bit too much. I don't usuallly mind that but this book isn't long to begin with and with him babbling...
Not a bad read though.

[David Korinetz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish it.

[Laura]

The Reaver Road by Dave Duncan (2004)

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as awesome in Audible form.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky tale. Rather too disjointed to be entirely engrossing, but quite original. Great prose and banter.

[Arlene Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun and funny series: I wish it had been longer than three books.

[Jac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly entertaining (literally lol-worthy at points), although definitely pulp literature. Great plane reading.

[Vader · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

typical good fantasy fair from Duncan, unfortunately Omar interrupts and babels for far too long. Take Omar the storyteller of the story and you'll have a killer novella.

[Ron Judenberg]

to-read

[Aditya / · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic. The only book I have seen that is even remotely similar to the philosopher Strangler. I like this one even more than that one

[Ian McKinley]

Dave Duncan's novels have always been like comfort food for me; if I don't have the time to do the research to find a good book or if I can't face the effort, I could turn to this author for something satisfying, if not brilliant. This book dabbles with something I know a lot of people like but that I find tricky to deal with ... an unreliable narrator. What do you do when the narration contradicts itself ... is it sloppy writing or is it the narrator being inconsistent or unreliable? The doubt this stirs in me pulls me out of the narrative because I'm thinking of something other than the story. I dislike it.

Of more serious concern to me, the author has chosen to have the narrator use modern expressions. For me this ruptures the suspension of disbelief necessary to make a fantasy novel work ... good world-building shouldn't pull me back into this world. For example ... an extract from the next book in the series states: "It was neither her physical charms nor her rabbit Wellington that endeared her to me, truly!" The use of the word "Welllington" ripped me out of the world Duncan was building for these novels (not to mention that the sexist view of a woman's charms being linked to her cooking also disappointed me).

I found the story was too incredible.

Apart from these caveats above, I burned through the novel and more-or-less enjoyed it.