Legend (Drenai Tales, Book 1) - Gemmell, David Review & Synopsis

Synopsis "David Gemmell tells a tale of very real adventure, the stuff of true epic fantasy."-R. A. Salvatore Druss, Captain of the Ax, is the stuff of legends. Tales of his battles are told throughout the land, and the stories expand with each telling. But Druss himself grows older, until finally, the warrior turns his back on glory and retreats to his mountain lair. There he awaits his old enemy: death. But far below, the barbarian Nadir hordes are on the march. All that stands between them and the Drenai people is a mighty six-walled fortress, Dros Delnoch-a great citadel that seems destined to fall. If it does, the Nadir will sweep inexorably across the land, killing all who oppose them. Reluctantly Druss agrees to come down from his mountaintop to lead this last, hopeless fight. Lost causes mean nothing to him-he has fought in such battles a thousand times in a thousand lands. And he is a hero to inspire a new generation of warriors. He is Druss the Legend. Thus begins David Gemmell's most celebrated novel-an unrivaled classic of mythic heroism and magnificent adventure. . . . Review David Gemmell is so committed to his work that he's offered to leap naked out of an airplane if it would appeal to readers. We haven't taken him up on the offer. However, David has also acknowledged that three of his major influences were Louis Lamour, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Stan Lee. Tolkien wrote back, Lamour passed away before David had any opportunity to contact him, and Stan Lee lived thousands of miles away from David's British home. One out of three wasn't bad, but it could be improved upon. We were at the San Diego ComicCon, rustling up new readers, and David had just finished a two-hour continuous signing. A friend of mine spotted a familiar face, so I excused myself and darted away, returning a few moments later to say, "David Gemmell, I'd like you to meet Stan Lee." A tall, ruddy, and normally poised individual, David was struck speechless. Here was the man who, through his Marvel Comics stories, had reinvented the relationship between heroes and villains, forever blurring the barriers between good and evil. Before long the two fantasists were chatting away happily. Stan's wife, Joan, being British, was especially gracious to the London-born Gemmell. And Stan quickly demanded an autographed copy of LEGEND. David's a dynamic storyteller. His lands live and breathe. His heroes are mighty swordsmen, ax-wielders, and post-apocalyptic adventurers. In their prime they were the best in the business, but in David's tales, they've often passed their prime, so all they really want is peace and quiet. But life (and the author) aren't that kind, and these heroes are forced out of retirement, forced to face bloody hordes of the undead, armies from Hell. Worse, his heroes are generally saddled with young, green heroes. (Nothing drives you crazy more than a cocky kid.) But they overcome, and the cocky kids become heroes, too. This is great reading. --Steve Saffel, Senior Editorin of the Axe, was the stuff of legends. But even as the stories grew in the telling, Druss himself grew older. He turned his back on his own legend and retreated to a mountain lair to await his old enemy, death. Meanwhile, barbarian hordes were on the march. Nothing could stand in their way. Druss reluctantly agreed to come out of retirement. But could even Druss live up to his own legends? Legend “David Gemmell tells a tale of very real adventure, the stuff of true epic fantasy.”—R. A. Salvatore Druss, Captain of the Ax, is the stuff of legends. Tales of his battles are told throughout the land, and the stories expand with each telling. But Druss himself grows older, until finally, the warrior turns his back on glory and retreats to his mountain lair. There he awaits his old enemy: death. But far below, the barbarian Nadir hordes are on the march. All that stands between them and the Drenai people is a mighty six-walled fortress, Dros Delnoch—a great citadel that seems destined to fall. If it does, the Nadir will sweep inexorably across the land, killing all who oppose them. Reluctantly Druss agrees to come down from his mountaintop to lead this last, hopeless fight. Lost causes mean nothing to him—he has fought in such battles a thousand times in a thousand lands. And he is a hero to inspire a new generation of warriors. He is Druss the Legend. Thus begins David Gemmell’s most celebrated novel—an unrivaled classic of mythic heroism and magnificent adventure. . . . A. Salvatore Druss, Captain of the Ax, is the stuff of legends. Tales of his battles are told throughout the land, and the stories expand with each telling." Drenai Tales David Gemmell's best-selling Drenai novels have long been regarded as some of the greatest works of heroic fantasy and include such classics as LEGEND, THE KING BEYOND THE GATE and WAYLANDER. Now these spellbinding tales have been collected into two magnificent omnibus editions that will captivate an entire new generation of readers. For more information on this or any other Orbit title, visit the Orbit website at www.orbitbooks.co.uk Now these spellbinding tales have been collected into two magnificent omnibus editions that will captivate an entire new generation of readers." Winter Warriors Upon the death of three kings the world will be plunged into darkness. Two of the kings are dead and the third is about to be born. All the terrifying forces of evil range against the pregnant queen and it is up to three old men, discarded by the king, to save the unborn king. Upon the death of three kings the world will be plunged into darkness." Sword in the Storm Fierce and proud, the Rigante dwell deep in the green mountain lands, worshiping the gods of air and water, and the spirits of the earth. Among them lives a warrior who bears the mark of fate. Born of the storm that slew his father, he is Connavar, and tales of his courage spread like wildfire. The Seidh-a magical race as old as time-take note of the young warrior and cast a malignant shadow across his life. For soon a merciless army will cross the water, destroying forever the timeless rhythms of life among the Rigante. This is David Gemmell at his best, illustrating his legendary imaginative powers in this latest epic tale of courage, love and sacrifice." Troy: Shield of Thunder The Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell brings the myth and legend of Troy to life in this epic story filled with triumph and tragedy. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. "This is how the oldest tales should be read and known. Gemmell is a master of plot, but his triumph is creating men and women so real that their trials are agony and their triumph is glorious" -- CONN IGGULDEN " [A] vivid, inspirational re-creation of the Troy myth." -- MANDA SCOTT "The best book that I have ever read" -- ***** Reader review "The characters are rich, engaging and easy to visualize...perfect historical fiction writing." -- ***** Reader review **************************************** The war of Troy is looming, and all the kings of the Great Green are gathering, friends and enemies, each with their own dark plans of conquest and plunder. Into this maelstrom of treachery and deceit come three travellers; Piria, a runaway priestess nursing a terrible secret, Kalliades, a warrior with a legendary sword, and Banokles who will carve his own legend in the battles to come. Troy: Shield of Thunder takes the reader back into the glories and tragedies of Bronze Age Greece, reuniting the characters from Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow; the dread Helikaon and his great love, the fiery Andromache, the mighty Hektor and the fabled storyteller, Odysseus. The story concludes in Troy: The Fall of Kings. Have you read the previous title Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow? The Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell brings the myth and legend of Troy to life in this epic story filled with triumph and tragedy." Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Horror Fiction Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Horror Fiction provides comprehensive coverage of the major authors and works in these popular genres. Each entry includes a brief discussion of the author's life and work and includes a full bibliography. Each entry on Lumley , Brian 223 the night using two voices and refuses to allow anyone to help him deal with the malignant growths. ... Switching emphasis slightly, Lumley then wrote a trilogy set solely within the vampire universe, Blood Brothers ..." Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults Offers brief descriptions of more than 3,000 works of fantasy arranged by themes, including ghosts, heroes, magic, time travel, toys, and witchcraft The Garden of Abdul Gasazi . Chris Van Allsburg 1981 Illustration Honor . ... Manley Wade Wellman Randolph Caldecott Medal Awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children , American Library Associa- tion ( 50 E. Huron St." Read On-- Fantasy Fiction Hundreds of popular fantasy fiction titles are described and categorized according to their underlying features, including coming of age stories, Arthurian romances, breaking of curses, and barbarian warriors. Turner , Megan Whalen The King of Attolia . The Queen's Thief . Greenwillow , 2006. ISBN : 006083577X , 400p . YA . Let's give King Eugenides a hand . The queen he married cut off one of his in The Thief . As this trilogy finisher ..." Analog Science Fiction & Fact You'll find better tales in the books below . ... 14.98x LEGENDS OF THE DRENAI by David Gemmell 0745 Legend , The King Beyond the Gate , Quest for Lost Heroes $ 14.98x THE Science BOOK ... Bill me just $ 1 , plus shipping and handling ." Discover DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GRAB HOLD OF YOUR THE DRGONIOVERS CHAIR WHILE READING THESE BOOKS . ... Hope and Challenger's Hope . of the Drenai David Gemmell 0745 Three novels that reveal heroic warriors ' true stories : Legend , The King Beyond ..."