Silvercloak

The King's Blades #9

by Dave Duncan

The world's most deadly assassin has been hired to kill King Ambrose. Once again King's Daggers are plunged into danger, because only White Sister Emerald can identify the killer's magic and only Sir Stalwart knows what he looks like. The two must trap the killer before he can strike the king -- or at them. As the trial of death leads back to Ironhall, the swordsmen school Stalwart so recently left, he finds he is a boy sent to do a man's job -- and Emerald is a girl sent to do a boy's.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Teen

274 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

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

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final novel in the "King's Daggers" trilogy, a YA take-off on Dave Duncan's popular "King's Blades" series. This was hands-down my favorite of the trilogy with a nice swashbuckling plot, and a nice resolution. And since the author didn't have to spend time developing new characters from scratch, there was more room for story, setting, intrigue, and all those things that make for a great read.

Sadly, this is the last of these books for me as I've read them all now and the author has indicated that he is unlikely to write more of them.

[Jared Guertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King's Daggers has been such an excellent series, and I think the fact that it was written for younger readers was able to allow the series to have a more satisfying ending than some of the other, more mature books in the King's Blades.

This is the third of the King's Daggers, and it is brilliantly told, with the characters making mistakes, believing the wrong things, but still being excellent people and good at what they do. It gives a satisfying conclusion to the characters of Wart and Emerald, and it is full of peril and mystery.

I highly recommend. I would say it is suitable for high school students, though mature kids in middle school could also read it with benefit. And it's still delightful for adult readers.

[Scott Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ending to the trilogy, though it's too bad Duncan didn't come back to his King's Daggers series to send Stalwart and Emerald on another adventure.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first one, this book has a fairly neat ending. And no, I won't tell you what it is.

[Alisa Kester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending to the trilogy...all authors should do so well!

[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

[Ron Judenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

read

[Cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice finish to the Daggers trilogy. Good, solid traditional fantasy. Nothing wrong with that. Fun to read and enjoy.