What do you think?
Rate this book
The Greater Lands Saga #1
The Bygone Dagger
They just don’t make artifacts like they used to.
In a world where arcane contraptions are capable of just about anything, running an antique shop is a dangerous business. No one knows that better than the Masker family. Strict rules and cutthroat competitors have pushed them to the limit. They need to make a big sale soon or they just might go under.
Fel Masker won’t let that happen.
True, he’s not half the tinkerer his father is, and he certainly lacks his mother’s skill with money. But right now what the family needs is someone foolhardy enough to risk ancient traps, mystic creatures, and bloodthirsty mercenaries on a death-defying treasure hunt. Fel is the man for the job.
A mysterious customer, a cryptic map, and an ancient vault could provide him with the payday he needs. Now all Fel has to do is survive long enough to deliver the goods.
One way or another, the world is going to remember the name Masker.
In a world where arcane contraptions are capable of just about anything, running an antique shop is a dangerous business. No one knows that better than the Masker family. Strict rules and cutthroat competitors have pushed them to the limit. They need to make a big sale soon or they just might go under.
Fel Masker won’t let that happen.
True, he’s not half the tinkerer his father is, and he certainly lacks his mother’s skill with money. But right now what the family needs is someone foolhardy enough to risk ancient traps, mystic creatures, and bloodthirsty mercenaries on a death-defying treasure hunt. Fel is the man for the job.
A mysterious customer, a cryptic map, and an ancient vault could provide him with the payday he needs. Now all Fel has to do is survive long enough to deliver the goods.
One way or another, the world is going to remember the name Masker.
- GenresFantasy
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2021
58 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 15, 2023
I’m a huge Lallo fan. In my humble opinion, he writes fantasy the way it should be told.
He’s so creative. I’ve loved the Book of Deacon books. The Free Wrench series is non-stop fun.
The Bygone Dagger, the debut book in The Greater Land Saga, had all the creative hallmarks I’ve come to expect and enjoy in Lallo’s books.
One of the things that I think few can do better than Lallo is world-building. And specifically as to the Book of Deacon series, I was always so impressed with his description as to how the system of magic worked in those books. It was like he’d applied an engineer’s mind to the mechanics of it without it seeming really overdrawn.
The Bygone Dagger does all that and maybe then some. There’s such an interesting, unique, and creative system of magic created in these books. It struck me as a sort of world like Eberron in D&D. You have magic and it is pretty common (sort of), but that magic often routine type of magic used in devices. Sort of like if magic took the place of electricity to create technology.
Although Fel Masker appears to be the main character, it is really about a family that deals in “contraptions,” magical devices created by a mysterious civilization that seems to have been lost. Fel has a very shrewd and ambitious sister, Fanny, who wants to help the family stop living hand to mouth in their dealership. The mom doesn’t take anybody’s crap—even when they are coming to do the family real, violent harm. The dad is a one-time adventurer, who is now the guy that restores the contraptions and puts them up for sale in the family’s shop. Everyone in the family complements the other’s gaps in skill sets.
We also have a magic-user of a different sort—a paper mage. But to me, my favorite character, by far, wasn’t even in the Masker family. Allie, the bartender at Fel’s favorite pub, is wise, smart, savvy, brave, and best of all—has a good heart.
The book introduces an interesting world that has fresh elements that make it not the standard sword and sorcery fare of typical high fantasy. We have Fel and Fanny, then eventually the rest of the Meskers, Tome, and Allie drawn into a conflict arising out of trying to find certain contraptions and devices that they did not really even understand at first. But it open’s pandora’s box and I suspect no one’s life will be the same. It’s got intrigue and various factions and the promise of more adventure. It was extra special because I got to delve into this one with a good friend as a buddy read.
I might even have to concede I liked this first installment of this series more than I like the Book of Deacon’s debut book of that series. Lucky for me there’s all kinds of Lallo books to still get to.
Can’t recommend this one highly enough.
He’s so creative. I’ve loved the Book of Deacon books. The Free Wrench series is non-stop fun.
The Bygone Dagger, the debut book in The Greater Land Saga, had all the creative hallmarks I’ve come to expect and enjoy in Lallo’s books.
One of the things that I think few can do better than Lallo is world-building. And specifically as to the Book of Deacon series, I was always so impressed with his description as to how the system of magic worked in those books. It was like he’d applied an engineer’s mind to the mechanics of it without it seeming really overdrawn.
The Bygone Dagger does all that and maybe then some. There’s such an interesting, unique, and creative system of magic created in these books. It struck me as a sort of world like Eberron in D&D. You have magic and it is pretty common (sort of), but that magic often routine type of magic used in devices. Sort of like if magic took the place of electricity to create technology.
Although Fel Masker appears to be the main character, it is really about a family that deals in “contraptions,” magical devices created by a mysterious civilization that seems to have been lost. Fel has a very shrewd and ambitious sister, Fanny, who wants to help the family stop living hand to mouth in their dealership. The mom doesn’t take anybody’s crap—even when they are coming to do the family real, violent harm. The dad is a one-time adventurer, who is now the guy that restores the contraptions and puts them up for sale in the family’s shop. Everyone in the family complements the other’s gaps in skill sets.
We also have a magic-user of a different sort—a paper mage. But to me, my favorite character, by far, wasn’t even in the Masker family. Allie, the bartender at Fel’s favorite pub, is wise, smart, savvy, brave, and best of all—has a good heart.
The book introduces an interesting world that has fresh elements that make it not the standard sword and sorcery fare of typical high fantasy. We have Fel and Fanny, then eventually the rest of the Meskers, Tome, and Allie drawn into a conflict arising out of trying to find certain contraptions and devices that they did not really even understand at first. But it open’s pandora’s box and I suspect no one’s life will be the same. It’s got intrigue and various factions and the promise of more adventure. It was extra special because I got to delve into this one with a good friend as a buddy read.
I might even have to concede I liked this first installment of this series more than I like the Book of Deacon’s debut book of that series. Lucky for me there’s all kinds of Lallo books to still get to.
Can’t recommend this one highly enough.
May 14, 2023
Fantasy Fun!
Small backstory:
The Masker family is known for taking contraptions and turning them into something special. When Fel's father acquires a treasure map which points to a location of a treasure vault he sends Fel on a treasure hunting mission to locate certain items within the vault.
Fel has all the tools he needs to acquire the treasure but bad people are wanting to lay their hands on it too and they will do whatever it takes to make sure that they find it before Fel does, but Fel has some magical help with his lantern Wick who gives him advice along the journey and his friend, Tome who helps him as well.
Does Fel find the treasure? What does he have to go through to acquire it? Who are the bad people? What kind of trouble do they cause?
No spoilers here as if you are intrigued then go read this book and series!
Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author and one of my friends recommended this author to me so I read this book with my friend on a buddy read. It was a magical and different type of fantasy story. It reminded me a little bit of a cross between a steampunk fantasy story and a high end fantasy story. Kind of mix and completely different than what I have read in the past with fantasy stories.
I really loved all the characters as they all come across as down to earth type of people. I was impressed by the author's writing style as the author drew me right into the story and kept me wrapped within the pages. I became so involved in the story that everything around me ceased to exist as I was magically dropped into the world of The Greater Lands. I am looking forward to continuing on with the series as I want to see what lies in store for Fel and his family. Giving this book five "Mystical Magic" stars!
Small backstory:
The Masker family is known for taking contraptions and turning them into something special. When Fel's father acquires a treasure map which points to a location of a treasure vault he sends Fel on a treasure hunting mission to locate certain items within the vault.
Fel has all the tools he needs to acquire the treasure but bad people are wanting to lay their hands on it too and they will do whatever it takes to make sure that they find it before Fel does, but Fel has some magical help with his lantern Wick who gives him advice along the journey and his friend, Tome who helps him as well.
Does Fel find the treasure? What does he have to go through to acquire it? Who are the bad people? What kind of trouble do they cause?
No spoilers here as if you are intrigued then go read this book and series!
Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author and one of my friends recommended this author to me so I read this book with my friend on a buddy read. It was a magical and different type of fantasy story. It reminded me a little bit of a cross between a steampunk fantasy story and a high end fantasy story. Kind of mix and completely different than what I have read in the past with fantasy stories.
I really loved all the characters as they all come across as down to earth type of people. I was impressed by the author's writing style as the author drew me right into the story and kept me wrapped within the pages. I became so involved in the story that everything around me ceased to exist as I was magically dropped into the world of The Greater Lands. I am looking forward to continuing on with the series as I want to see what lies in store for Fel and his family. Giving this book five "Mystical Magic" stars!
June 28, 2021
I've followed the Six Figure Author podcast (and its predecessor) ever since I became an author myself. I've read plenty of Lindsay's books, but this is my first for Joe Lallo.
I guess at some point I'll need to read one of Andrea's books to keep it even.
What I found most interesting about Bygone Dagger is the emphasis on world building and exposition, and less so on dialogue. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of dialogue, but as a new reader of this author what stood out to me was the world building and exposition.
This helps turn a relatively short book into a well developed story. I could picture Fel, the main character, as he leaves the town he grew up in and heads to the south to unlock a vault hopefully filled with contraptions from a bygone era. He meets other characters (in the truest sense of the word) along the way, and is being chased by mercenaries who want what he finds and then some.
Despite the vault being the focus of most of the story, not much time is spent there really. He makes two very unique finds, along with some other things of lesser value.
Meanwhile, back at home in the family shop his sister is realizing she bought a map that had some strings attached. A few people in the town leap into action to help out, especially Allie the barkeep. She steps into a situation she had no business getting involved in because she's a local, and has watched Fel stumble out of her bar more times than she can count.
It's a richly woven cast of characters, and everyone plays their part, willingly or not.
The setting is mostly fantasy, although I didn't pick up on multiple races like you see in Tolkien. This is more of a down to Earth story, with people coming together to help out their friends and neighbors.
I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to book 2.
5/5* Recommended.
I guess at some point I'll need to read one of Andrea's books to keep it even.
What I found most interesting about Bygone Dagger is the emphasis on world building and exposition, and less so on dialogue. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of dialogue, but as a new reader of this author what stood out to me was the world building and exposition.
This helps turn a relatively short book into a well developed story. I could picture Fel, the main character, as he leaves the town he grew up in and heads to the south to unlock a vault hopefully filled with contraptions from a bygone era. He meets other characters (in the truest sense of the word) along the way, and is being chased by mercenaries who want what he finds and then some.
Despite the vault being the focus of most of the story, not much time is spent there really. He makes two very unique finds, along with some other things of lesser value.
Meanwhile, back at home in the family shop his sister is realizing she bought a map that had some strings attached. A few people in the town leap into action to help out, especially Allie the barkeep. She steps into a situation she had no business getting involved in because she's a local, and has watched Fel stumble out of her bar more times than she can count.
It's a richly woven cast of characters, and everyone plays their part, willingly or not.
The setting is mostly fantasy, although I didn't pick up on multiple races like you see in Tolkien. This is more of a down to Earth story, with people coming together to help out their friends and neighbors.
I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to book 2.
5/5* Recommended.
August 1, 2021
I am a Lallo fan and I therefore approached this book with an open mind. I loved it. At first, Fel Masker did not appeal to me me, but as the story continues, you find out he's not just a gambling drinker, but has a real love of animals - and I really enjoyed how he made a collection of chains and bits of metal almost seem to be alive - hello Oiler :). As usualy, Lallo has the most amazing imagination!!!!!
Loved this story, and once started, found it almost "unput-downable." Eagerly looking forward to the next story
Loved this story, and once started, found it almost "unput-downable." Eagerly looking forward to the next story
August 6, 2021
Great new story line
I first got into reading this author with the release of The Book of Deacon. That book and series was fantastic. Since then, I've read many of Mr. Lallo's books. Some were great, and others didn't appeal to me. This book is well written, exciting, and carries the narrative very cleanly. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops as a series, and recommend it for people who enjoy this genre.
I first got into reading this author with the release of The Book of Deacon. That book and series was fantastic. Since then, I've read many of Mr. Lallo's books. Some were great, and others didn't appeal to me. This book is well written, exciting, and carries the narrative very cleanly. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops as a series, and recommend it for people who enjoy this genre.
August 4, 2021
Read This
This is a fun book that winds up being to short. I wanted more and there is now a follow-up, so the Masker family story will continue to keep my attention.
No spoilers, but a sort of bumbling son who can retrieve things his sister finds out about; a very sharp sister who finds things; a mother who is a very good business person and a father who is the best tinker in the entire country makes for more than a few laughs.
And then there's the novice mage, and the mini-unicorn and the machine that repairs things and plays with Rubic cubes.
Recommend.
This is a fun book that winds up being to short. I wanted more and there is now a follow-up, so the Masker family story will continue to keep my attention.
No spoilers, but a sort of bumbling son who can retrieve things his sister finds out about; a very sharp sister who finds things; a mother who is a very good business person and a father who is the best tinker in the entire country makes for more than a few laughs.
And then there's the novice mage, and the mini-unicorn and the machine that repairs things and plays with Rubic cubes.
Recommend.
June 24, 2021
Book one
Mistakes: I found one mistake in this book.
Plot: This is a short, fast read. It's about two different families fighting over a vault of loot.
Characters: The MC is a drunk and a bad gambler. The sister is a deal maker. Tome is a thief and a cheat. The barmaid was cool.
7/10
Mistakes: I found one mistake in this book.
Plot: This is a short, fast read. It's about two different families fighting over a vault of loot.
Characters: The MC is a drunk and a bad gambler. The sister is a deal maker. Tome is a thief and a cheat. The barmaid was cool.
7/10
March 25, 2024
This was an unexpected joy to read.
Magical world? Post apocalyptic with found technology? Both?
We start with a family running an antique store that has a specialty in repairing "contraptions" that are found in vaults around the nearby wastelands (not the fallout kind... at least they don't seem radioactive so far). They even call the father of this family a contraptioneer. Most of our time is spent with one of the two adult children who will inherit this business. He's a bit of a straightforward workin man with a penchant for gambling and drinking at the local tavern until his friends take his loose money off his hands. When he's working he's usually sent out to explore vaults and other ruins to find contraptions and other items that can be fixed/cleaned/ or used for parts.
Unfortunately anything the societal heads deem as too dangerous is taken off their hands for a pittance. Which explains why a family with such good skills is still a standard working family, but dang they're lovable.
We also become acquainted with one of the main members of said tavern as well as a few other fantastic side Characters. But none of that matters because Oiler is all that matters. Okay, our friend who fiddles with papers is kind of fun too, even with his odd tendency for magic.
That will make sense when you finish this book. And you should.
Magical world? Post apocalyptic with found technology? Both?
We start with a family running an antique store that has a specialty in repairing "contraptions" that are found in vaults around the nearby wastelands (not the fallout kind... at least they don't seem radioactive so far). They even call the father of this family a contraptioneer. Most of our time is spent with one of the two adult children who will inherit this business. He's a bit of a straightforward workin man with a penchant for gambling and drinking at the local tavern until his friends take his loose money off his hands. When he's working he's usually sent out to explore vaults and other ruins to find contraptions and other items that can be fixed/cleaned/ or used for parts.
Unfortunately anything the societal heads deem as too dangerous is taken off their hands for a pittance. Which explains why a family with such good skills is still a standard working family, but dang they're lovable.
We also become acquainted with one of the main members of said tavern as well as a few other fantastic side Characters. But none of that matters because Oiler is all that matters. Okay, our friend who fiddles with papers is kind of fun too, even with his odd tendency for magic.
That will make sense when you finish this book. And you should.
January 23, 2022
I'm loving this series by Joseph Lallo. Like his excellent Book of Deacon series and spinoffs, he's very good at giving us a balance of male and female characters, which is a refreshing change from some!
I also enjoy that his settings are often unique and give our imaginations a good charge.
So good people, start at number one (The Bygone Dagger) of this Greater Lands Saga and enjoy! I'm delighted to learn there are another three coming.
I also enjoy that his settings are often unique and give our imaginations a good charge.
So good people, start at number one (The Bygone Dagger) of this Greater Lands Saga and enjoy! I'm delighted to learn there are another three coming.
August 5, 2021
I enjoyed this humorous fantasy. Fel Masker, the main character, grew on me as it went along. I also enjoyed his sidekick. This is the first novel by Lallo that I have read. I would recommend it to people who love fantasy.
June 25, 2021
Great start to a new series.
Interesting story, creative take between fantasy and steam-punk. I look forward to seeing what comes next. The story definitely leaves you wanting more.
Interesting story, creative take between fantasy and steam-punk. I look forward to seeing what comes next. The story definitely leaves you wanting more.
July 13, 2021
A promising start to a new series. A very fun read.
July 27, 2021
A great start to a new series. It was a fun read and so enjoyable that I preordered the 2nd book. I am looking forward to where Lallo will be taking us next.
August 1, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone who likes magic and treasure hunting type of books.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone who likes magic and treasure hunting type of books.
January 11, 2022
at places it got good
It started to build to an exciting finish. But never delivered, entertain get reading. But not gripping! Could have been a lot more suspenfull in places.
It started to build to an exciting finish. But never delivered, entertain get reading. But not gripping! Could have been a lot more suspenfull in places.
February 10, 2022
A very solid beginning to a new series. Mr. Lallo writes fantastic stories and this one has all the earmarks of a solid winner, off to book two of the series!
Read
February 4, 2023Fantasy at its finest
I enjoyed this tale of magic
, mythical beasts and courage. I am looking forward to reading the next tale.
I enjoyed this tale of magic
, mythical beasts and courage. I am looking forward to reading the next tale.
January 19, 2025
An absolutely fantastic fantasy adventure about a family of a contraptioneer and everyone's role to make the family business run.
May 31, 2025
The characters practically leap out the page with this one. I like how there's plenty of action and peril without having the whole universe at stake.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews