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The 'A Man of his Word' series is an amazing four book series. These four books are entitled 'Magic Casement,' 'Farie
Lands Forlorn,' 'Perilous Seas,' and 'Emperor and Clown.' You may note that these titles are all from a single poem, I can't
remember what it's called, or the name of the guy it's by, but it is excellent. This alone proves that Dave Duncan actually
put some effort into them, unlike what Brian Jaques does now. (don't misunderstand me, I was a fan of Redwall up until Marlfox,
then they just started to blow.) We can also see an example of how much effort went into them, in the fact that all the chapter
titles are an parts of different poems. Also we can tell that their was effort put into the races that inhabit this world.
All are based on mythical cretures, such as fawns, imps, goblins, djinns, etc. However the races aren't just the cretures
they are based on. All the races are essentially human. However they share traits with the creature they are based on. For
example Fawns grow lots of hair on their legs, and are solitary. The mythical fawn had goats legs (very hairy) and Could rarely
be seen by humans. The races are a great accompishment, and obliviously well thought out. Another part of the background which
was well devised was the magic word idea and all that fits in with it. The different levels of skill and such were well done,
all in all the entire magic system was somthing to be proud of.
Dave Duncan sets the scene in a small kingdom which is basically outside the action. Right away we meet the two key characters.
First Rap: Rap is an amazing charater. Half-fawn, half-jotnar he was orphaned as a child. And his mother left him with only
his name, however this proves to be a more useful gift then he suspected. (note the foreshadowing.) The next main character
is Inos. She is the princess of a small unimportant kingdom. She is raised away from the world, and prefers it that way.
Some more major characters are Sargon, Thinial, Darad, Ander, and Jalon. A mytery follows them, beginning almost imeadiately.
Once you find the answer though, it's freakn' awesome. Another character we meet as little chicken, but he is about to perform
the ceremony and inhierite the name Death Bird.
The plot begins with Inos becomeing a woman (reluctantly enough) represented by her voyage to the main land to learn culturing.
Rap's life is also taking a major turn, but his in a very different way, as he begins to change. (And this isn't something
we all go through at his age either.) The plot swiftly advances through many a twist and turn, in this fast-paced series.
The amazing story line combined with all the background in them make this series my faveourite by Dave Duncan.
-Trekie
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