What do you think?
Rate this book
Sword of Change #1
Devlin's Luck
A desperate man in a dying kingdom is awarded the most coveted—and most deadly—choice of all
The once mighty kingdom of Jorsk is in decline, its borders beset by enemies, both worldly and otherworldly. The king has retreated to the capital, abandoning the far-flung provinces. The only hope of the people lies in their Chosen One, blessed by the gods as defender of the realm. But of late every Chosen One has died, targeted by the harshest of the enemy attacks.
Only the most desperate of men now seek that post. Devlin Stonehand is a desperate man. Overwhelmed by grief at the death of his family, he has lost the will to live. But he has vowed to provide for his brother’s widow and children, and the post of the Chosen One carries with it a substantial reward.
For Devlin, a farmer and metalsmith, it is the answer to his prayers—prayers that include a yearning for the oblivion of death. After he has won the post, though, Devlin discovers that sometimes the hardest goal to achieve is that which had once seemed the simplest. For unlike the other Chosen Ones, he persists in surviving. Are the gods just tormenting him further, or does he have a greater destiny than he imagined? Can a man who courts death ever truly come to embrace life?
The once mighty kingdom of Jorsk is in decline, its borders beset by enemies, both worldly and otherworldly. The king has retreated to the capital, abandoning the far-flung provinces. The only hope of the people lies in their Chosen One, blessed by the gods as defender of the realm. But of late every Chosen One has died, targeted by the harshest of the enemy attacks.
Only the most desperate of men now seek that post. Devlin Stonehand is a desperate man. Overwhelmed by grief at the death of his family, he has lost the will to live. But he has vowed to provide for his brother’s widow and children, and the post of the Chosen One carries with it a substantial reward.
For Devlin, a farmer and metalsmith, it is the answer to his prayers—prayers that include a yearning for the oblivion of death. After he has won the post, though, Devlin discovers that sometimes the hardest goal to achieve is that which had once seemed the simplest. For unlike the other Chosen Ones, he persists in surviving. Are the gods just tormenting him further, or does he have a greater destiny than he imagined? Can a man who courts death ever truly come to embrace life?
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published April 28, 2002
59 people are currently reading
938 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Bray
32 books68 followersPatricia Bray is the author of a dozen novels, including Devlin’s Luck, which won the 2003 Compton Crook Award for the best first novel in the field of science fiction or fantasy. A multi-genre author whose career spans both epic fantasy and Regency romance, her books have been translated into Russian, German, Portuguese and Hebrew. Patricia Bray has also spent time on the editorial side of the business, as the co-editor of After Hours: Tales from the Ur-Bar (DAW, March 2011), The Modern Fae’s Guide to Surviving Humanity (DAW, March 2012), and Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens (ZNB, June 2014).
Patricia lives in a New England college town, where she combines her writing with a full-time career as a Systems Analyst, ensuring that she is never more than a few feet away from a keyboard.
Patricia lives in a New England college town, where she combines her writing with a full-time career as a Systems Analyst, ensuring that she is never more than a few feet away from a keyboard.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 3, 2014
I made a tactical error here...I read the second book before I reviewed the first. I'll try to keep that straight for as you'll see if you read my review of the second book, I'm not as thrilled with it.
BUT...that said this is an excellent read. It's not deep, intricate story telling that will change your life. It is a good "yarn" with well formed if not deep characters who stand out enough not to get lost (at least the protagonist and the main supporting characters). You get action inside the frame work of a good plot that while it's been done before still works. There's magic in the world and while we don't get many of the "rules" we do see that it's not going to be too different from the wizards, sorcerers, mages and other spell slingers we've all come to know and love (or at least get on a first name basis with).
I liked the book. While I can't really give it 5 stars I can say it's in the upper echelons of the 4 star range.
Devlin walks into the story full grown and with his baggage. You've more than likely met his like before. He's the "tragic hero" who's life is shattered and he's seeking to die as much or more than he seeks to be a hero. He feels betrayed by the gods and cheated by life...but he has an inescapable sense of honor...and he has (at least perceived) debts to pay and provision to make.
And the King of the neighboring kingdom (which just happens to have recently conquered Devlin's homeland) is offering gold for those willing to become, "The Chosen One".
Of course the last several Chosen Ones haven't lived past their first mission but hey, Devlin isn't fussed about that. He gets the gold, he pays it out and he dies...easy-peasy.
Of course "someone" doesn't go along with that plan....????
Anyway, good book I can highly recommend it.
BUT...that said this is an excellent read. It's not deep, intricate story telling that will change your life. It is a good "yarn" with well formed if not deep characters who stand out enough not to get lost (at least the protagonist and the main supporting characters). You get action inside the frame work of a good plot that while it's been done before still works. There's magic in the world and while we don't get many of the "rules" we do see that it's not going to be too different from the wizards, sorcerers, mages and other spell slingers we've all come to know and love (or at least get on a first name basis with).
I liked the book. While I can't really give it 5 stars I can say it's in the upper echelons of the 4 star range.
Devlin walks into the story full grown and with his baggage. You've more than likely met his like before. He's the "tragic hero" who's life is shattered and he's seeking to die as much or more than he seeks to be a hero. He feels betrayed by the gods and cheated by life...but he has an inescapable sense of honor...and he has (at least perceived) debts to pay and provision to make.
And the King of the neighboring kingdom (which just happens to have recently conquered Devlin's homeland) is offering gold for those willing to become, "The Chosen One".
Of course the last several Chosen Ones haven't lived past their first mission but hey, Devlin isn't fussed about that. He gets the gold, he pays it out and he dies...easy-peasy.
Of course "someone" doesn't go along with that plan....????
Anyway, good book I can highly recommend it.
November 14, 2022
An underrated, underappreciated book. Devlin and his story kept my attention and did not lose their grip on it, and I think this is because of the tight focus on the man himself. A common issue with fantasy is that it rarely travels light, and the poster boy for tight plotting and swift pacing, the legendary Robert E. Howard, was not someone you went to for deeply emotional content most of the time (although Solomon Kane and Kull certainly pondered a bit more than Conan of Cimmeria did).
Patricia Bray, however, does keep things moving and gives what's going on an emotional edge by giving us (and sticking with) Devlin of Duncaer, a protagonist who's definitely not coming of age, but certainly undergoing a rebirth as he strives to come to terms with the loss of his family, his ongoing quest to both honor their memory, and (initially) to find peace in death, the swifter the better. His plan is to become the Chosen One of the Kingdom of Jorsk, the conquerors and occupiers of his homeland of Duncaer. In this instance, the "Chosen One" is literally an officer of the kingdom, chosen by the gods and magically empowered to serve the kingdom and its people. Once an honored title and member of the royal court, the Chosen Ones now die in such rapid succession that the title has become a joke to the power brokers of Jorsk, and a hefty bounty has to be paid to get anyone to undertake the test (and the gods still apparently strike the unworthy who attempt the test dead). Devlin wants the money as weregild for his remaining relatives, and doesn't particularly care if he dies in attempting to become Chosen One, or while prosecuting his new duties, just so long as he joins his family in the afterlife as swiftly as possible.
Except Devlin of Duncaer proves remarkably hard to kill, and his absolute refusal to do anything except that which he believes to be right swiftly earns him two things:
1.) The annoyance of the royal court, who have a weak and indecisive king right where they want him and don't want some jumped-up commoner with a "meaningless" title gumming up their paths to wealth and power with an irritating insistence on ethics, and...
2.) A surprising amount of friends and comrades-in-arms who like the old boy in spite of his prickly, classic "Knight-in-Sour-Armor" ways.
You can bet that his increasing influence and combat prowess mean a clash with the royal court is inevitable, and you'd be right. And if you're like me, you'll want to stick around and see what he does, and just how badly he's going to annoy these people.
I would pay to watch Devlin of Duncaer set loose in the Kingdom of Westeros. He'd probably rampage through the House of Lannister like Samson set loose amongst the Philistines.
This isn't a perfect work - we keep that tight pacing at the cost of some serviceable but no-frills description, and the voices of the characters are pretty uniform. Devlin, despite being a rural commoner from a far-flung province who speaks the language of Jorsk as his second, shakes off any linguistic problems pretty quickly and becomes just as eloquent as the King himself, so everyone kind of sounds like they're in a Ridley Scott historical picture. It works here (as it generally does in a Scott film) because of what the characters have to say, rather than the fact that they all sound similar when they say it. The fight scenes are good but not frequent, so there aren't pages and pages of blood-spattered action. Additionally, there's only what world-building you absolutely need to understand what Devlin and his (eventual) companions are doing, so don't expect long infodumps (I find people rarely protest this) or poetry, mysterious prophecies, or other mystical goings-on.
The space saved by all of this is well used, though, as we really get to grips with the trauma that drives Devlin, and his frustration and confusion that the gods (rather cruelly, in his estimation) allow him to go on living. There is a pretty horrific nightmare sequence where he relives his family's death that made me, as a recently-minted dad, go look for my child (and wife) and hug them very close. There is a deeply moving sequence where Devlin slips his royal minders on the night that his people remember and pray for their beloved dead, which was probably my favorite thing in the whole book. Also, he comes to care for others he meets in his journeys despite his determination to keep everyone at a distance (due to his hoped-for imminent demise), and the book's central thrust is coming to terms with loss and building a new and meaningful life after loosing everything. Devlin is a likable if grumpy protagonist, with integrity you could bend a horseshoe around, to steal Terry Pratchett's phrasing, and his sense of honor and duty manifest very quickly in the prosecution of his office. He means to do things correctly, even if he hopes he won't have to do them for long, and his determination to see justice done is a formidable thing indeed.
Additionally, we still manage to fit in a growing larger threat, as it becomes clear that there are traitors loose in the royal court, conspiring to overthrow the Kingdom of Jorsk with the aid of foreign invaders, and someone of immense wealth and power is trying to kill Devlin because he's learning too much. Additionally, we make some interesting discoveries about the powers and responsibilities of the Chosen One, especially the magically-empowered Geas that compels Devlin to act, which is a really interesting and well-conceived plot device.
This one ends with plenty of hooks for the remaining story to come, which sounds like from the blurb on the back of the next book to be moving into perhaps slightly more familiar fantasy territory. That doesn't sound like a bad thing at all, because Devlin is someone I want to see take on whatever Patricia Bray can throw at him.
Recommended.
Patricia Bray, however, does keep things moving and gives what's going on an emotional edge by giving us (and sticking with) Devlin of Duncaer, a protagonist who's definitely not coming of age, but certainly undergoing a rebirth as he strives to come to terms with the loss of his family, his ongoing quest to both honor their memory, and (initially) to find peace in death, the swifter the better. His plan is to become the Chosen One of the Kingdom of Jorsk, the conquerors and occupiers of his homeland of Duncaer. In this instance, the "Chosen One" is literally an officer of the kingdom, chosen by the gods and magically empowered to serve the kingdom and its people. Once an honored title and member of the royal court, the Chosen Ones now die in such rapid succession that the title has become a joke to the power brokers of Jorsk, and a hefty bounty has to be paid to get anyone to undertake the test (and the gods still apparently strike the unworthy who attempt the test dead). Devlin wants the money as weregild for his remaining relatives, and doesn't particularly care if he dies in attempting to become Chosen One, or while prosecuting his new duties, just so long as he joins his family in the afterlife as swiftly as possible.
Except Devlin of Duncaer proves remarkably hard to kill, and his absolute refusal to do anything except that which he believes to be right swiftly earns him two things:
1.) The annoyance of the royal court, who have a weak and indecisive king right where they want him and don't want some jumped-up commoner with a "meaningless" title gumming up their paths to wealth and power with an irritating insistence on ethics, and...
2.) A surprising amount of friends and comrades-in-arms who like the old boy in spite of his prickly, classic "Knight-in-Sour-Armor" ways.
You can bet that his increasing influence and combat prowess mean a clash with the royal court is inevitable, and you'd be right. And if you're like me, you'll want to stick around and see what he does, and just how badly he's going to annoy these people.
I would pay to watch Devlin of Duncaer set loose in the Kingdom of Westeros. He'd probably rampage through the House of Lannister like Samson set loose amongst the Philistines.
This isn't a perfect work - we keep that tight pacing at the cost of some serviceable but no-frills description, and the voices of the characters are pretty uniform. Devlin, despite being a rural commoner from a far-flung province who speaks the language of Jorsk as his second, shakes off any linguistic problems pretty quickly and becomes just as eloquent as the King himself, so everyone kind of sounds like they're in a Ridley Scott historical picture. It works here (as it generally does in a Scott film) because of what the characters have to say, rather than the fact that they all sound similar when they say it. The fight scenes are good but not frequent, so there aren't pages and pages of blood-spattered action. Additionally, there's only what world-building you absolutely need to understand what Devlin and his (eventual) companions are doing, so don't expect long infodumps (I find people rarely protest this) or poetry, mysterious prophecies, or other mystical goings-on.
The space saved by all of this is well used, though, as we really get to grips with the trauma that drives Devlin, and his frustration and confusion that the gods (rather cruelly, in his estimation) allow him to go on living. There is a pretty horrific nightmare sequence where he relives his family's death that made me, as a recently-minted dad, go look for my child (and wife) and hug them very close. There is a deeply moving sequence where Devlin slips his royal minders on the night that his people remember and pray for their beloved dead, which was probably my favorite thing in the whole book. Also, he comes to care for others he meets in his journeys despite his determination to keep everyone at a distance (due to his hoped-for imminent demise), and the book's central thrust is coming to terms with loss and building a new and meaningful life after loosing everything. Devlin is a likable if grumpy protagonist, with integrity you could bend a horseshoe around, to steal Terry Pratchett's phrasing, and his sense of honor and duty manifest very quickly in the prosecution of his office. He means to do things correctly, even if he hopes he won't have to do them for long, and his determination to see justice done is a formidable thing indeed.
Additionally, we still manage to fit in a growing larger threat, as it becomes clear that there are traitors loose in the royal court, conspiring to overthrow the Kingdom of Jorsk with the aid of foreign invaders, and someone of immense wealth and power is trying to kill Devlin because he's learning too much. Additionally, we make some interesting discoveries about the powers and responsibilities of the Chosen One, especially the magically-empowered Geas that compels Devlin to act, which is a really interesting and well-conceived plot device.
This one ends with plenty of hooks for the remaining story to come, which sounds like from the blurb on the back of the next book to be moving into perhaps slightly more familiar fantasy territory. That doesn't sound like a bad thing at all, because Devlin is someone I want to see take on whatever Patricia Bray can throw at him.
Recommended.
October 23, 2014
An entertaining fantasy (3.5 stars) about a tortured man (much of it self inflicted) who takes up a position for the sake of paying a debt that only he, with his strict code of honor, really sees as his own. The position with the kingdom had been reduced to a joke, but he tries to turn it back into a position of high honor.
The self-inflicted torture does NOT continue at the levels of Thomas Covenant, although it starts there. He's hurt bad at the start, but regains his balance as the book & trilogy progresses, so it's not a complete downer.
An interesting theme is that he belongs to a recently subjugated nation & is seen as a traitor for working for the 'enemy', no matter how honorable his intentions & actions are. He's also a rural man who brings clean country values to the decadent city.
One of the things that impressed me the most is the concept of travel in this empire. The author gets the issues with medieval roads, knows that horses aren't cars & what this means to lines of communications & supply. Money/economics seems pretty well done, too.
This is a trilogy & I bought all 3 books & read them in a row. I'd highly recommend that to anyone else. There's no sense reading out of sequence or reading just this book. If you have any interest in it, you'll need to read all three.
The self-inflicted torture does NOT continue at the levels of Thomas Covenant, although it starts there. He's hurt bad at the start, but regains his balance as the book & trilogy progresses, so it's not a complete downer.
An interesting theme is that he belongs to a recently subjugated nation & is seen as a traitor for working for the 'enemy', no matter how honorable his intentions & actions are. He's also a rural man who brings clean country values to the decadent city.
One of the things that impressed me the most is the concept of travel in this empire. The author gets the issues with medieval roads, knows that horses aren't cars & what this means to lines of communications & supply. Money/economics seems pretty well done, too.
This is a trilogy & I bought all 3 books & read them in a row. I'd highly recommend that to anyone else. There's no sense reading out of sequence or reading just this book. If you have any interest in it, you'll need to read all three.
July 4, 2017
A great thing about having a Half-Price Books close by is their random and changing selection of $1 books. It's a lot easier to take a chance on an author you've never heard of when you're only out $1. Same is true of the old Kindle books when they hit the various sweet spots on sale.
Devlin's Luck is a solid fantasy book for someone just starting the genre. It uses a small cast, small kingdom, and easy missions to get the reader involved. If you're looking for 'popcorn' reading, Devlin's Luck has you covered.
At the end, the book looks to expand in size and complexity allowing the setting and scope to grow with the series.
Devlin's Luck is a solid fantasy book for someone just starting the genre. It uses a small cast, small kingdom, and easy missions to get the reader involved. If you're looking for 'popcorn' reading, Devlin's Luck has you covered.
At the end, the book looks to expand in size and complexity allowing the setting and scope to grow with the series.
August 4, 2021
Summer 2021:
For some reason was longing to reread this one. Something about Devlin’s finding his way through deep loneliness and grief to become a hero has stuck with me. Enjoying another pass through this series.
——-
Original review, March 2009:
This book was a pleasant surprise. Based on the cover, I wasn't expecting a well-written story with complex characters. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy, and hanging on to some high hopes for it to live up to the potential of this first book.
For some reason was longing to reread this one. Something about Devlin’s finding his way through deep loneliness and grief to become a hero has stuck with me. Enjoying another pass through this series.
——-
Original review, March 2009:
This book was a pleasant surprise. Based on the cover, I wasn't expecting a well-written story with complex characters. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy, and hanging on to some high hopes for it to live up to the potential of this first book.
February 19, 2009
Been in a mood for a page turner, I tried various books and none held my attention until this one.
Nothing special in plot, setting, character, but the book has energy and I stayed way too late to finish it. Book 2 is next and I am curious to see if will still hold my interest.
Similar to the better known and more recent Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series by K. Miller, but I liked this one much better
June 4, 2018
Devlin’s Luck was a compelling fantasy book to read. The characters were well done, the plot was great, and the kingdom was built well by the author. Devlin’s personality was unique. He has strong sense of honor but is full of guilt from the tragic events of him so he is often warring with himself. I appreciated Stephen because he became a great friend to Devlin and his loyalty was absolute. I enjoyed the entirety of the novel and will definitely read the next in the series.
August 7, 2017
3.5 stars, but I will round up to 4.
I guess I was in the right mood for this book - the unlikely hero plot who ends up encouraging those around him and helping to save the kingdom, though not intentionally setting out to do so. Typical background of hero having tragedy and darkness in his past.
I guess I was in the right mood for this book - the unlikely hero plot who ends up encouraging those around him and helping to save the kingdom, though not intentionally setting out to do so. Typical background of hero having tragedy and darkness in his past.
March 31, 2009
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
2.5 stars
Devlin is a tortured soul who wants to die, so he becomes the country's Chosen One because it pays a fortune (which he sends to his brother's widow) and he's sure to be killed soon. Sounds exciting, but don't bother putting on your blood pressure cuff because it wasn't.
Devlin's sure he's going to die during the initiation ceremony (boring), but, unfortunately, he doesn't. And so we accompany him on his journeys which read more like a book report than an adventure. Descriptions are dull, people are dull (though a few had such potential), fights are dull, monsters are dull. And the language is dull. For example, Devlin doesn't see things, he beholds them. He doesn't talk to people, he has speech with them. He doesn't put on clothes, he dons garments. And he doesn't go to bed, he seeks his quarters. Here is part of the most exciting scene of the first book, when Devlin is fighting a guy who is trying to kill sleeping travellers in an inn. Devlin has just managed to wake up one of the travellers (by shouting "Awake, awake," not "Get the hell out of the damn bed!"), so he says to the traveler (while he's holding off the killer with an axe):
Wow. Not even an exclamation mark. How am I supposed to get excited if Devlin isn't?
There are hardly any women in The Sword of Change series. I got half way through Devlin's Honor (second book) and never met the interesting-looking woman on the cover. And speaking of that cover: Devlin lost two fingers at the end of the first book, so what are they doing still attached? Perhaps I didn't read far enough.
Read more Patricia Bray reviews at Fantasy Literature
2.5 stars
Devlin is a tortured soul who wants to die, so he becomes the country's Chosen One because it pays a fortune (which he sends to his brother's widow) and he's sure to be killed soon. Sounds exciting, but don't bother putting on your blood pressure cuff because it wasn't.
Devlin's sure he's going to die during the initiation ceremony (boring), but, unfortunately, he doesn't. And so we accompany him on his journeys which read more like a book report than an adventure. Descriptions are dull, people are dull (though a few had such potential), fights are dull, monsters are dull. And the language is dull. For example, Devlin doesn't see things, he beholds them. He doesn't talk to people, he has speech with them. He doesn't put on clothes, he dons garments. And he doesn't go to bed, he seeks his quarters. Here is part of the most exciting scene of the first book, when Devlin is fighting a guy who is trying to kill sleeping travellers in an inn. Devlin has just managed to wake up one of the travellers (by shouting "Awake, awake," not "Get the hell out of the damn bed!"), so he says to the traveler (while he's holding off the killer with an axe):
"What are you called?" Devlin asked, never taking his eyes off his opponent.
"Dalkassar."
"Rise Dalkassar, and call to your companion. And arm yourself. This man tried to kill you."
Wow. Not even an exclamation mark. How am I supposed to get excited if Devlin isn't?
There are hardly any women in The Sword of Change series. I got half way through Devlin's Honor (second book) and never met the interesting-looking woman on the cover. And speaking of that cover: Devlin lost two fingers at the end of the first book, so what are they doing still attached? Perhaps I didn't read far enough.
Read more Patricia Bray reviews at Fantasy Literature
December 4, 2008
It's always a risk in reading a series by an unknown author, especially with so much junk out there. So it is always a good note when you take a plunge and buy a whole book series and come out of the first book hungry for seconds. This book, by relatively new author Patricia Bray, is a fine piece of fantasy work. It creates a new world, in which we enter via the kingdom of Jorsk, where there is an interesting role of Chosen One. Our protagonist, Devlin, has arrived in Kingsholm to "apply" for the job. It's a permanent one, that brings him into direct contact with all the various levels of peoples of his conquerors. Suffice to say, they are very different types than he is used to, and his history is not overly well defined, just hinted at in tantalizing glimpses. Since this is the first in a series, I will not go into detail, but I recommend it as a solid effort by an author I will be adding to my favored list.
February 6, 2010
The series kind of petered out, but this was a pretty good soldier swordman type of book.
August 5, 2010
In a complete turnaround, I loved this trilogy of hers. Go figure.
December 29, 2010
Another fantasy in one of those politically correct fantasy universes without gender discrimination.
June 19, 2017
The is the start of a fantasy trilogy focusing on a man named Devlin Stonehand with a troubled past who has a death wish and volunteers to become the Chosen One. The Chosen One is sort of a fantasy sheriff who is under a magical geas to protect the kingdom. Most Chosen Ones die quickly so now only desperate men seek that post. I really like the idea behind the post of the Chosen One and how the geas can be a horrible thing. Devlin is a bit of a Marty Stu who seems to be good at too many things but between his constant training to get better and his difficult life, I really like him as a character. He is very honorable, stubborn, and prone to speak his mind no matter what. This book is not without its flaws but I have liked it for a long time and I've read it a handful of times by now.
February 24, 2020
I was at a bonspiel recently also attended by Patricia Bray, and thought 'author'. I did go and say hello to her. I still have the trilogy, but couldn't remember much of what happened in it, so I reread book one. Lots of politics, a little bit of magic. The main character spends most of the year grieving for recently (violently) deceased family; he gets involved with a magically compelled role as the hero of another kingdom, and turns out to be pretty good at both the fighting and the justice parts of it. The bad guy was pretty obvious (although he didn't have quite the role I thought he did). The story revolves around a government that is not governing anymore, caught up in internal bickering and fear of wasting resources---not quite where we are now, but the point where someone needs to 'speak truth to power', and be heard, and pay the costs...
March 25, 2020
Simple, straight forward medieval fantasy. Despite being no frills it still manages to satisfy. I would say this is a good pick for lovers of classic medieval fantasy, but probably not for everyone. It falls short of five stars due to its simplicity and predictability. More depth is needed in both characters and plot to be a masterwork. Bray also has the tendency to tell rather than show so foreshadowing feels clumsy at times.
If I could give half stars this would have been a 3.5 for me but because I enjoyed it and I've been struggling to find a read I really got into and loved lately I decided to be generous and round up.
If I could give half stars this would have been a 3.5 for me but because I enjoyed it and I've been struggling to find a read I really got into and loved lately I decided to be generous and round up.
May 10, 2018
I'm not quite sure why I decided, on a whim, to give this a try, but it wasn't bad, as long as you're okay with reading the PoV of a protagonist who has a death wish.
I'll have to check reviews on the next book(s) [again], though, because I vaguely recall thinking I was likelier to enjoy the first than the rest of the series.
MMPB read from the library.
I'll have to check reviews on the next book(s) [again], though, because I vaguely recall thinking I was likelier to enjoy the first than the rest of the series.
MMPB read from the library.
August 6, 2018
Absolutely brilliant!!
This was my first read by Patricia Bray and I could not put this book down. The characters are complex and the story, woven around a young man who has experienced a devastating tragedy, is filled to the brim with personal loss, courage and the discovery of unexpected hope. And, of course, loads of political intrigue!
This was my first read by Patricia Bray and I could not put this book down. The characters are complex and the story, woven around a young man who has experienced a devastating tragedy, is filled to the brim with personal loss, courage and the discovery of unexpected hope. And, of course, loads of political intrigue!
October 24, 2017
I recommend this book for anyone looking for a great adventure, a strong hero who is also vulnerable and understandable, and a task larger than life with ripples that will impact the future of the kingdom. I greatly enjoyed this and will definitely be buying the next book!
June 10, 2018
A Salve for What Ails You
I gave thus story 5 stars because it has been a fantastic companion while I am convalescing from health issues. Honestly, with books like this, being laid up for a few days isn't too bad.
I gave thus story 5 stars because it has been a fantastic companion while I am convalescing from health issues. Honestly, with books like this, being laid up for a few days isn't too bad.
September 1, 2017
Highly enjoyable! I was able to connect to the charaters where I didn't want to stop reading. I will continue on with the rest of the series.
October 23, 2018
Really enjoyed this one.
June 23, 2024
Great character development. Wonderful writing style. Easy to follow along and hard to put down.
April 11, 2025
YES, oh my god I loved it so much ❤️🔥 this book is a must read in the medieval fantasy genre !!!
but now I must wait until I'm home again to read the next one 🥺
but now I must wait until I'm home again to read the next one 🥺
March 2, 2018
Bought it since it was $1.99 on B&N. Kinda wish I had my money back now.
November 20, 2017
The post of Chosen One has lost all respect in the kingdom of Jorsk, to the point where the kingdom has posted a reward for anyone brave---or stupid---enough to try to fill it. But when the Chosen's One lifespan is measured in weeks, few volunteer. Devlin, a man with nothing to lose, takes the post fully anticipating the trend will continue. Hoping it will. The death he seeks eludes him time and time again, and people are starting to realize they may have gotten an actual hero out of the deal after all . . .
Devlin's secret motivation makes this book a gripping read from the start. As a man seeking death, he throws himself into danger with a readiness those around him find appalling. His uncertain grip on the language, his reticent nature, and his low position do little to endear him to those at court. And for all his honor and courage, he is a man constrained by the whims of fools. Even Stephen, who at the beginning bore every hallmark of a tiresome clichè, grew past the inept bard to a young man finding his way in the world.
The plot is somewhat unusual for a fantasy. It emphasizes the struggle between Devlin and a council who cares more about their own comfort and safety rather than doing the things that will in the long run ensure they are actually safe. As Chosen One, Devlin sees plenty of action, but the real conflict is in where and how his skills should be used. The kingdom is falling apart and the king is too afraid of making the wrong decision to make any decisions.
My only real disappointment was the slender worldbuilding. Much of the world is assumed rather than created, which leaves some holes in areas like history and geography and religion. I had wanted to see the gods show up, or at least stories about the gods, but religion was mostly confined to a small chat at the beginning where Devlin rejects all gods as traitors and swears on the god of luck for his patron because this god also has a bad reputation. Given the luck that follows Devlin thereafter, it seemed there might be something more than empty words to such a choice of patron, but any role of the gods is pure speculation.
Overall this is still a good read, and one I'm eager to read again. Despite Devlin's morbid nature, his disappointment at his continued failure to end his own life is comical in its own way. The book ends well, though with a very big lead into the sequel. I rate this book Recommended.
Devlin's secret motivation makes this book a gripping read from the start. As a man seeking death, he throws himself into danger with a readiness those around him find appalling. His uncertain grip on the language, his reticent nature, and his low position do little to endear him to those at court. And for all his honor and courage, he is a man constrained by the whims of fools. Even Stephen, who at the beginning bore every hallmark of a tiresome clichè, grew past the inept bard to a young man finding his way in the world.
The plot is somewhat unusual for a fantasy. It emphasizes the struggle between Devlin and a council who cares more about their own comfort and safety rather than doing the things that will in the long run ensure they are actually safe. As Chosen One, Devlin sees plenty of action, but the real conflict is in where and how his skills should be used. The kingdom is falling apart and the king is too afraid of making the wrong decision to make any decisions.
My only real disappointment was the slender worldbuilding. Much of the world is assumed rather than created, which leaves some holes in areas like history and geography and religion. I had wanted to see the gods show up, or at least stories about the gods, but religion was mostly confined to a small chat at the beginning where Devlin rejects all gods as traitors and swears on the god of luck for his patron because this god also has a bad reputation. Given the luck that follows Devlin thereafter, it seemed there might be something more than empty words to such a choice of patron, but any role of the gods is pure speculation.
Overall this is still a good read, and one I'm eager to read again. Despite Devlin's morbid nature, his disappointment at his continued failure to end his own life is comical in its own way. The book ends well, though with a very big lead into the sequel. I rate this book Recommended.
February 14, 2010
Devlin's Luck is a solid, enjoyable fantasy novel - nothing particularly unique, but a good read set in a believable fantasy world. You do see the grit (in the "dirt" sense, not the "modern angst" sense) that would be realistic for the period in a way many other fantasy novels miss.
I understood those people who found the book hard to read. The prose is ponderous and workmanlike - it serves its purpose, but there are few flourishes and the emotional pitch remains fairly steady ... but to me, part of the latter makes sense, because in many ways, Devlin is a very repressed, controlled character. You don't expect him to burst out or break down. I would maybe have liked to see more of a change of tone for the scenes in Stephen's POV.
That brings me to a personal pet peeve: mixed in amongst the invented or more obscure names are names that are instantly recognizable either a) as contemporary Earth names or b) blatant mythology reference. This kind of thing drives me nuts.
I found the book entertaining - you know in advance that Devlin is going to resign himself to life and his position, but the progression is still well-done. Also of note is Stephen's journey from wide-eyed minstrel and general annoyance to maturing (if not quite "mature" yet), level-headed friend. (If other characters aren't as well-sketched, it's forgiveable in this kind of a book. To all appearances, it's heading towards a "war story" in sequels, more of an action feel.)
However, while the pacing of Devlin's evolution seems about right, to me it felt as if there was a huge jump in it. His gradual growth from deathseeker to solo hero is well-done; his somewhat more accelerated growth from reluctant commander to true leader is similarly well-executed ... but that step between, from hero to commander, gets summarized in maybe eight pages.
Overall, though, the book kept me coming back for more, and I will pick up the sequel if I get a chance.
I understood those people who found the book hard to read. The prose is ponderous and workmanlike - it serves its purpose, but there are few flourishes and the emotional pitch remains fairly steady ... but to me, part of the latter makes sense, because in many ways, Devlin is a very repressed, controlled character. You don't expect him to burst out or break down. I would maybe have liked to see more of a change of tone for the scenes in Stephen's POV.
That brings me to a personal pet peeve: mixed in amongst the invented or more obscure names are names that are instantly recognizable either a) as contemporary Earth names or b) blatant mythology reference. This kind of thing drives me nuts.
I found the book entertaining - you know in advance that Devlin is going to resign himself to life and his position, but the progression is still well-done. Also of note is Stephen's journey from wide-eyed minstrel and general annoyance to maturing (if not quite "mature" yet), level-headed friend. (If other characters aren't as well-sketched, it's forgiveable in this kind of a book. To all appearances, it's heading towards a "war story" in sequels, more of an action feel.)
However, while the pacing of Devlin's evolution seems about right, to me it felt as if there was a huge jump in it. His gradual growth from deathseeker to solo hero is well-done; his somewhat more accelerated growth from reluctant commander to true leader is similarly well-executed ... but that step between, from hero to commander, gets summarized in maybe eight pages.
Overall, though, the book kept me coming back for more, and I will pick up the sequel if I get a chance.
September 20, 2017
This is a book I’ve read before, but diving back into old reads is a guarantee that there’s something enjoyable in the next few pages and sometimes you find new things to love about old favourites.
Patricia Bray has been one of the authors I’ll find myself circling back to, along with a handful of others. This time I decided to chain her trilogy Sword of Change one after another, starting with Devlin’s Luck.
Most of the time I have a bit of trouble with older fantasy books. There are some moments when they get bogged down into details and I have to stop reading or I’ll start skimming things and miss something important. But Patricia Bray made Devlin’s Luck a book I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed ever page of it.
In spite of reading the series once before, I was on edge wanting to know what would happen next Devlin and Stephen, the minstrel he picked up. I wanted to dive in deeper, to know if Devlin would survive the trials he faced. The transformation Devlin undergoes from seeking death to growing into his role as the ‘Chosen One’ drives the plot of Devlin’s Luck, but Stephen’s own transformation from a minstrel with romantic ideals to a far more grounded man was equally interesting. I can’t wait to follow their growth further in the next book.
Patricia Bray has been one of the authors I’ll find myself circling back to, along with a handful of others. This time I decided to chain her trilogy Sword of Change one after another, starting with Devlin’s Luck.
Most of the time I have a bit of trouble with older fantasy books. There are some moments when they get bogged down into details and I have to stop reading or I’ll start skimming things and miss something important. But Patricia Bray made Devlin’s Luck a book I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed ever page of it.
In spite of reading the series once before, I was on edge wanting to know what would happen next Devlin and Stephen, the minstrel he picked up. I wanted to dive in deeper, to know if Devlin would survive the trials he faced. The transformation Devlin undergoes from seeking death to growing into his role as the ‘Chosen One’ drives the plot of Devlin’s Luck, but Stephen’s own transformation from a minstrel with romantic ideals to a far more grounded man was equally interesting. I can’t wait to follow their growth further in the next book.
October 3, 2014
Another reread. I don't know whether I just don't like what is being published in fantasy nowadays or I'm just too poor to buy too many new books, but I have been finding myself rereading a lot of my old books lately. This one, the first in a trilogy of course, is one that I find surprising isn't more known than it is. It is an underrated series about an underrated hero who just wants to die. That he doesn't is a continual surprise to himself and a continual burr in the plans of the traitors trying to take down the throne he is defending. I found the hero Devlin a worthy man I could get invested in and when he hurt I hurt. I was impressed with the world that Bray created and I wonder why she hasn't published anything since 2009. Most likely because these books and the next trilogy were not best sellers.
Maybe she should consider self publishing? I for one would buy her books as they are well written, well crafted, interesting and have a plot that is engaging and believable. Her poor hero is put through the wringer and even though I have read ahead and know the final ending, I still feel that tension as I am rereading this volume. To me that is the sign of a good writer and I heartily recommend this to anyone who will listen. Please do yourself a favour and pick this one up.
Maybe she should consider self publishing? I for one would buy her books as they are well written, well crafted, interesting and have a plot that is engaging and believable. Her poor hero is put through the wringer and even though I have read ahead and know the final ending, I still feel that tension as I am rereading this volume. To me that is the sign of a good writer and I heartily recommend this to anyone who will listen. Please do yourself a favour and pick this one up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews