Dave Duncan is a popular and award winning science fiction and fantasy writer who lives in Canada by way of Scotland. He’s known for his world building series such as King’s Blade and The Seventh Sword.

Duncan was born in Scotland and attended college at the University of St. Andrews. He moved to Canada in 1960 where he pursued a career in petroleum as a geologist for three decades before trying his hand as a science fiction writer. After nearly 31 years as a geologist he sold his first novel at the age of 53 and has been publishing novels ever since.

Publication Order of The Seventh Sword Books

The Reluctant Swordsman (1988)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Coming of Wisdom (1988)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Destiny of the Sword (1988)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Death of Nnanji (2012)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of A Man of His Word Books

Magic Casement (1990)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Faery Lands Forlorn (1991)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Perilous Seas (1991)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Emperor and Clown (1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of A Handful of Men Books

The Cutting Edge (1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Upland Outlaws (1993)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Stricken Field (1993)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Living God (1994)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Omar Books

The Reaver Road (1992)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Hunters' Haunt (1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Years of Longdirk Books

Publication Order of The Great Game Books

Past Imperative (1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Present Tense (1996)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Future Indefinite (1997)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of The King's Blades Books

The Gilded Chain (1998)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Lord of the Fire Lands (1999)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Sky of Swords (2000)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Paragon Lost (2002)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Impossible Odds (2003)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Jaguar Knights (2004)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
One Velvet Glove (2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Ethical Swordsman (2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of The King's Daggers Books

Sir Stalwart (1999)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Crooked House (2000)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Silvercloak (2001)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Monster War (2006)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Dodec Books

Children of Chaos (2006)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Mother of Lies (2007)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Venice Trilogy Books

The Alchemist's Apprentice (2007)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Alchemist's Code (2008)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Alchemist's Pursuit (2009)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of The Brothers Magnus Books

Speak to the Devil (2010)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
When the Saints (2011)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Speaker and the Saints (2013)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of The Starfolk Books

King of Swords (2013)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Queen of Stars (2014)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of The Enchanter General Books

Publication Order of Ivor of Glenbroch Books

The Runner and the Wizard (2013)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Runner and the Saint (2014)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Runner and the Kelpie (2014)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Adventures of Ivor (2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

A Rose-Red City (1987)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Shadow (1987)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
West of January (1989)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Strings (1990)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Hero! (1991)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Cursed (1995)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Daughter of Troy (1998)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Ill Met in the Arena (2008)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Pock's World (2010)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Against the Light (2012)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Wildcatter (2012)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Eye of Strife (2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Irona 700 (2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Eocene Station (2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Portal of a Thousand Worlds (2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Pillar of Darkness (2023)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Traitor's Son (2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Corridor to Nightmare (2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Anthologies

Arrowdreams: An Anthology of Alternate Canadas(1997)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Imaginarium 2013(2013)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

If You Like Dave Duncan Books, You’ll Love…

The Reluctant Swordsman is the first book in the Seventh Sword series. It focuses on Wallie Smith, a man who only remembers pain, hospitals and doctors before he wakes up in the body of a barbarian. He thought it was a dream, but when someone explains to him that the Goddess needed a swordsman and that this is no dream. He’ll receive a legendary sword and a mission that comes in the form of a riddle, a mission the original owner of this body failed. Reading this book makes it clear why Duncan is considered a master of epic fantasy.

Another great read is The Gilden Chain the first book in the Tales of the King’s Blade series. This book tells the story of a group of unruly boys who enter Iron Hall to become swordsman. Durendal has dreamt his whole life of becoming a great swordsman and protecting his liege from monsters and enemies. His hopes are seemingly dashed when he’s bound to an effete noble fop at the king’s orders. He’ll find that his original assumptions are wrong though as he is soon caught up in court politics and foul intrigues.

Order of Books » Authors » Order of Dave Duncan Books

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