I agree with the review who said that Dagger Star has ‘fallen flat on its face’ because I didn’t enjoy it either. I loved Vaughan’s Warlord trilogy but this book was a shame. I’ve read the second, White Star, in this series and it’s much better than Dagger Star.

Someone mentioned that the period in dagger star is based in a different time because it is also set in in Plains like th Warlord series – I think you may have gotten mixed up. – I say this because, in Dagger Star, the reference isn’t ‘Plains’ but ‘Palins’ which is another world. There is also the mention of Xylara (Lara) from the first book and they talk of the other world/country across from them. I won’t reveal anymore because there is more revealed in White Star.

I can’t wait for the next book and how the Vaughan is back to her best!

(Note to self: Learn the spoiler code that Jayne uses in her reviews.)

And the reason he had to stay on his land was because he was connected to it. That was the reason he was a null I thought. Any magic he came into contact with was redirected into decontaminating the land.

I know that’s the explanation the book gives but I didn’t buy it for two major reasons:

1. The bad guys kidnap him and carry him off from his land.

2. He was ready to ride off with Red Gloves at the end when she refused to ascend the throne and left.

Both of which signify to me that the connection is not so strong that he must physically remain on the land.

As for his nullifying effect, I think my reaction might be a product of reading far too much Save The World fantasy. The kingdom is in chaos. There are civil wars. There’s an unliked ruler. And there’s a rebellion. Josiah’s ability is very dangerous in magical battle, which makes it useful and makes him a weapon. For the rebellion to know about it and not use him in their plans makes no sense. Sure, he’s “family” but in my opinion, that makes it far more likely for him to recruited.

Even without it, he was friends with several other members of the council. His presence alone was enough to rally a couple to Red Gloves’s banner. That’s useful in and of itself. From a tactical standpoint, I just couldn’t buy this oversight. His value to the rebellion should have occurred to someone.

It is an introductory book to a new series, so I’m hoping that in future books there will be more fleshing out. I think a lot of the things you had problems with could have been solved if the book had been longer and went into more depth. I wish there had been more in there, but I don’t know if the publisher wants to stick to a word count, so stuff has to be cut.

I did have trouble getting used to the name Red Gloves. But other than that I enjoyed it.

Josiah I took to be suffering from PTSD. And the reason he had to stay on his land was because he was connected to it. That was the reason he was a null I thought. Any magic he came into contact with was redirected into decontaminating the land.

loonigrrl, just wait for my review.