David Dalglish Books In Order

Publication Order of Half-Orcs Books

Publication Order of The Breaking World Books

Publication Order of The Keepers Books

Publication Order of Paladins Books

Publication Order of Seraphim Books

Publication Order of Shadowdance Books

Publication Order of The Vagrant Gods Books

Publication Order of Watcher's Blade Books

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Anthologies

Born April 1984, David Dalglish is an American author specializing in the epic fantasy genre

Biography

A graduate of Missouri Southern State University (2006), David Dalglish spent a noteworthy portion of his life doing odd jobs of various kinds before finally pursuing writing. His first novel, titled ‘The Weight of Blood’ was self-published in 2010. He went on to create more than a dozen stories in the fantasy genre over the next few years, the relative success of his works (sold as e-books) attracting the attention of Orbit book with whom he signed a publishing deal that saw the re-release of some of his more popular novels.

Writing Career

With series like ‘The Half-Orcs’, ‘ShadowDance’ and ‘Paladins’ under his belt, there is something to be said about David Dalglish’s creative ability, specifically his capability to produce so many novels in such a short amount of time.

Initially finding his success online, David is one of few novelists that have truly thrived under the auspices of online publishing; proving that the internet has so much more to offer to readers than traditional publishers, David’s rise to fame didn’t truly begin until he begun working with noteworthy names like Orbit Books and 47North.

Despite being delineated by the titles of their series, all of David Dalglish’s stories take place in the mythical land of Dezrel. Tracing a diverse cast of characters across different genres, exploring the world of assassins and thieves, orcs and even elements of divinity, David has admitted to being influenced by fantasy authors such as R.A. Salvatore in creating a world that is not only populated with curious individuals but which he has taken great pains to expand, exploring in graphic detail its various corners and even the creation of its lands.

Few people could accuse David Dalglish of being unique; and indeed avid fantasy readers should be able to glean popular archetypes and plots from his many novels. However Dalglish has also been praised for injecting some much needed fresh energy into epic fantasy, creating stories that are wholly contagious.

With plots paced at breakneck speed and characters laced with excitement, many a critic seem to agree that David is indeed a rising star in the fantasy genre, one that is slowly starting to build a following.

The Weight of Blood

Harruq and Qurrah Tun are half-bloods; a long while ago, they pledged their lives to the prophet of death, Velixar, not out of loyalty or belief but an attempt to escape their squalid lives. What began as a selfish intention to circumvent their cruel fate led them into the arms of destiny, transforming them into the greatest of the prophet’s disciples, for which Velixar charged them with leading his armies of the undead.

As they prepare for an inevitable war, changes on the personal front begin inviting complications. Harruq strikes up a friendship with an elf called Aurelia. She saved his life. Not only does she train him but through her, Harruq can see a life far better than what he currently knows. As war begins to spread however, the conflict between their two races begins to drive a wage between Aurelia and Harruq.

Now Velixar has commanded his disciples to fight alongside the humans; with his decision, Auralia becomes a foe. Harruq will have to make a most difficult decision, either turning against his friend or losing his brother. Whatever he chooses, no one will come out of the war unscathed.

No matter the side he turns, Harruq will come to raise his sword against one close to him.

Published in 2010, if there was one word to describe David Dalglish’s first novel, it would be straightforward. For some people, this is a good thing while for others it might be a turnoff. The Weight of Blood is gritty, focusing on the dark world of two diversely talented brothers as they struggle to deal with the difficult decisions that come their way.

Some people have tried to describe ‘The Weight of Blood’ as dark fantasy, however there are very few elements that could justify that description; rather David’s book is quite gritty even while following the path of traditional fantasy.

While the story is fast paced, there have been a number of criticisms about the payoffs, with David doing little to actually tackle the consequences of his characters’ actions, instead going for a ‘love conquers all’ kind of deal, which has not assuaged the negative opinions about the novel. A lot of complaints have also arisen about the magic and battles, which is the worst problem that could ever manifest.

After all, with fantasy novels, few elements are as prominent as the magic and the fighting; failing in these attributes is bound to drastically impact the opinions surrounding a given writer’s work. With David’s story, problems primarily arose with the various confusing lines, especially near the end that made it difficult to interpret the events of the numerous major fights. That doesn’t make the book terrible, though some of its faults become very difficult to ignore.

The Cost of Betrayal

With the prophet dead, Harruq and Qurrah Tun, half bloods, must make some difficult choices, the foremost being the decision to ally themselves with a band of mercenaries outside Veldaren city. Under the flag of this new yet strained alliance, the brothers will have to withstand the machinations of divine parties working to tear them apart even as they enter into battle against a guild of powerful thieves, these matters pushing their chances of a better life that much further away.

Harruq is doing everything in his power to save his family; however this is a task that proves anything but easy, not when Qurrah falls in love with a girl whose mind is less than whole. The interference of a powerful goddess only further complicates matters.

With the imminent return of the prophet, those that are deemed disloyal will suffer.

The Cost of betrayal is as generic a fantasy novel as they come; however David Dalglish puts all effort into breathing life into his story, continuing to explore the lives of two brothers walking paths that come together as many time as they divide. The story explores the matter of betrayal and the consequences of the decisions that the brothers made a long time ago.

Fans of the first novel have been known to express concern over the focus David places on a new group of heroes, hence shining less light on the brothers; none the less the story manages to maintain a dark tone even while reinventing the tropes of its predecessor.