Plague of Knives

Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer #4

by James Silke, Frank Frazetta (Illustrator)

Refugees flee to the castle of Whitetree, where, it is foretold, the White Veshta will rise again. But the evil sorceress queen Tiyy, who wears the mantle of the Black Veshta, seeks the Jewels of Light, and the death of the mortal host of the White Veshta, Robin Lakehair, the beloved of Gath of Baal--the Death Dealer.

Genres: Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Fiction

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 15, 1990

Reviews

[Steve Dilks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don't want to dwell on this one. Suffice to say, I read the first three many moons ago and found them enjoyable enough. I remember quitting this one about half way through for reasons I cannot remember. Jump forward some 27 years later and I finally have another copy in my hand and decide to give it a go.
It's dull. All the bat s**t crazy ideas and pulp fire gusto that made the first three worthwhile had been driven out by the standard Tor Books High Fantasy style of writing. The sort of writing then being popularised by Robert Jordan that ultimately helped crush the field of sword-&-sorcery under weighty tomes of churned out fantasy soap operas.
Gath of Baal, the Death Dealer, hardly lifts a finger for the first half of the book. Instead we are drawn into James Silke's obsessional world of travelling players and troubadours. Characters that would not seem out of place in a DRAGONLANCE novel take centre stage. Death Dealer, far from dealing carnage right left and centre, roaring his challenge under blood soaked skies, is left skulking in the wings like some forgotten understudy. Chapter after chapter deals alternately with the perversions of the central villainess and the purity of the virginial heroine who is so insipid as to not draw sympathy from the reader but rolling eyes. "On with the show!", I cry from the gallery. But to no avail, alas. The action, when it finally does come, is anti-climatic and drawn out. Is it possible to yawn during a siege melee that involves archers and demonically possessed savages? Well, this reader did. Coming to the end of the novel, I threw the book down on the table with a huge sigh of relief. After this there was no more Death Dealer. There was no need. There was no need for another Robert Jordan at Tor Books.

[Errrrrrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually good, and not in a "so bad it's good" way. There's some character growth, the stakes feel real and significant, and Gath has to think and work with others instead of just hitting problems with his axe harder to solve them. It's still cheesy fantasy, with villains who chew ALL the scenery and the occasional odd sexual metaphor or description, but it's well executed cheesy fantasy.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a romance novel written for guys.

[Andrew]

This last book of the Death Dealer tetralogy brings Gath back into contact with the supporting cast from the first two books. Interestingly, Gath really doesn't show up in any substantive way until the halfway point of this novel, and even then, the story seems to focus on the supporting character of Robin Lakehair, with Gath just as a means to an end. Still, plenty of the ultra violence and sex magic we've come to expect from the first three books. Interesting that a series that started focusing on an introverted barbarian ends with commentary about the world he lives in.

[Janine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can get behind terrible B-movie plots and whatnot, they're ridiculous and fun. But really? Evil woman is black and tribal and enjoys being raped for 5 pages? I know this was written in the 70's, but nothing about Frank Frazetta's art says "hey, women like rape". It didn't then, and it doesn't now. There were occasions when the author's word choice was hilariously bad and I was entertained by that, but otherwise, this was basically someone's terrible jack-off fantasy.

[Mark Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book in the Death Dealer series. Tiyy, the Black Veshta is after the Jewels of Light. Meanwhile she has assassins after Gath of Baal, the Death Dealer. Wish there were more in the series. Fine conclusion to the series. Nice fantasy books somewhat similar to Conan. I do wish there was a nice deluxe edition hardback with all the books in it were made. The books are out of print and hard to find.

[Ward G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last of the series.
Not a bad close for it.
A coming war, and castle siege.

The main characters back together again.
Plenty of battles and mayhem.
Not all things are tied up or answered.
Kind of some hope, it may continue.
Items there, that it could have more stories.

Still, decent close here.

[Kyra Dune · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fourth book in the Death Dealer Series, Gath decides to return to Robin and the Grillards. But the nymph queen, Tiyy, the Black Veshta, is also seeking Robin who now carries the power of the White Veshta. And Tiyy has an army at her back.


At a gathering of travelling performers in Whitetree Castle, Brown John intends to reveal Robin as the White Veshta. But his plans go awry when the castle is attacked by Tiyy and her army. There's plenty of excitement in this book and the fights scenes are epic as always in this series. Tiyy and Robin are kind of one dimensional as characters. I don't see Robin growing up any as the series progresses. Gath is of course an awesome killing machine. I love his battle scenes. But his character has grown some from the man Robin found living underground in book one. He doesn't just slash his way through the enemies, this time he has a few clever tricks as well. And his devotion to Robin is touching.

All in all I think this one is the best of the four.

[Đenis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pekné zakončenie série. Užíval som si to s Gathom až do konca. Nastáva veľké finále a z Gatha sa konečne stáva vodca a generál. Odolávajú obhliehanie Tivvyinej armády a jej nekalá a zrádne praktiky v pevnosti Bieleho Stromu. Na konci sa konečne dozvedáme, ako to je s Bielou Vesthou a jej drahokamami.

Jedno velikánske mínus. V tejto časti viac než doteraz neuveriteľné množstvo tlačových a prekladateľských chýb. Chýbajúce písmená, nesprávné pády, skloňovanie, spojené slová...

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fourth in a series of books based on Frank Frazetta's painting of Death Dealer. There are 4 in the series and all have covers featuring the Death Dealer character.

I had very high hopes for these and they didn't quite live up to what I hoped for, but that's not the author's fault. They were in general pretty good, with an intersting character and a lot of bloody good fighting.

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not disappointed a single bit. Each tome has its own interests and peaks. All in all, that series lived up its promises. I just wish there was more....it could go on for a few more books and I would be definitely buying them!

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice last book in the series. The writer wraps up the story line well and leaves open the possibility of a next book. Overall the Death Dealer series as a good fantasy series with a nice world concept. I would like to see how this writer does with a concept all his own. Recommended

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have the will to defeat me!

[Bryan]

would love to read this if I can ever find a copy