Emperor and Clown (A Man of His Word, Part 4)
A Sci-Fi/Fantasy reader's taste can become jaded after years of working in the publishing because books are so easily accessible. What I've come to look for is a writer whose work is really original, completely free of derivative content.  Dave Duncan is one of those rarities.  This is not another Tolkien spin-off.  The MAN OF HIS WORD series makes an excellent sampler of his work.  The concept is brilliant, well worked-out and populated with a dense imagination. The characters are memorable.  I have to confess: After I read THE MAGIC CASEMENT, I begged the editor for a copy of the manuscripts of each of the remaining titles as Duncan sent them in.  I couldn't wait to read what happened next.--Steve Palmer, Director of Production Mass Market