Druss, Captain 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 (Drenai)
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Has pace, conviction and gritty resolute vitality...The result is a book that will be enjoyed by Tolkien fans (TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
David Gemmell's first novel and the first in the Drenai saga - a classic of heroic fantasy.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By John Stevens
Format:Paperback
To describe the plot of this novel would be to give the impression that it is a parody: the reluctant hero; numberless hordes from the East; dislike turning to love; warriors with mysterious skills; heroism against extreme odds; multiple deus ex machina; spiritual warriors; the battle of Good against Evil - all these appear in thousands of pulp novels churned out every year.
What makes Gemmell's Legend distinctive is its realism - you really believe in these characters; the way in which the action has a single focus - the siege; and, above all, the sense of human determination and suffering against the odds, howver distant and improbable ultimate victory may be. After Legend, all other such plots appear, at best, derivative. Gemmell distils the essence of all the stock characters and situations, blending them into a seamless whole
In a strange way, it wouldn't matter if Evil did triumph over Good in this book - Gemmell's great achievement is to convince us that the struggle is right, necessary and rewarding, in and of itself. Fantasy doesn't come any better than this
What makes Gemmell's Legend distinctive is its realism - you really believe in these characters; the way in which the action has a single focus - the siege; and, above all, the sense of human determination and suffering against the odds, howver distant and improbable ultimate victory may be. After Legend, all other such plots appear, at best, derivative. Gemmell distils the essence of all the stock characters and situations, blending them into a seamless whole
In a strange way, it wouldn't matter if Evil did triumph over Good in this book - Gemmell's great achievement is to convince us that the struggle is right, necessary and rewarding, in and of itself. Fantasy doesn't come any better than this
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Maki
Format:Paperback
What I always enjoy about David Gemmell's books are that the characters are human. They aren't the all-powerful immortal death machines that are in other cliche-ridden novels. They are people, with flaws and insecurities. In addition, the action scenes are all well written and grip you like a vice.
The books starts off slowly, but gathers momentum with each page until the assault on the fortress which was spellbinding page-turning stuff. (I was up until 2:45am on a night before work reading it - just couldn't put it down!) True, the relationship between Rek and his lady seemed a little rushed, but then it was a "love-at-first-sight" thing. If you want heroic, epic fantasy reading, David Gemmel's your man.
I just wish a good film-maker would make a film centred around Gemmell's novels - they'd make epic movies.
The books starts off slowly, but gathers momentum with each page until the assault on the fortress which was spellbinding page-turning stuff. (I was up until 2:45am on a night before work reading it - just couldn't put it down!) True, the relationship between Rek and his lady seemed a little rushed, but then it was a "love-at-first-sight" thing. If you want heroic, epic fantasy reading, David Gemmel's your man.
I just wish a good film-maker would make a film centred around Gemmell's novels - they'd make epic movies.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. G. Battle
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Having read the Rigante series, but never a Drenai novel, I thought I'd head back to Gemmell's early work which put him on the page. There is an easy comparison to be made for Legend. Imagine a whole book devoted to the Helms Deep siege of Lord of the Rings and you're very close. The first half is character building, slowly and surely weaving emotional threads around the protagonists. There are some stereotypes in there, but this is enjoyable old-fashioned fantasy and no harm is done. When the siege begins, almost in to the last third, you have been lured in to a page turner. The chaos and death that seeps from the page is cleverly written, it paints a big picture of war, and is also full of the small detail of the central chararcters. Although a self-contained novel the characterisation will ensure you want to return to the Drenai saga. A very well written book of man and war; of love and death. This is war up close and dirty - dive in and read the one that started it all.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are no words that can describe the feeling of reading this book the first time. Epic in scale, yet truly a tale whose firm focus rests upon the brave men and women who weather the storm. Druss is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest characters this genre has ever produced. Larger than life, he sweeps the reader along, leaving felled foes in his wake. A character you will find hard not to root for. Gemmell's writing style is exceptional, flowing with the graceful ease of torrent-driven river. My only regret is this master of the field, David Gemmell, will no longer treat us to new stories from the lands of the Drenai. He passed on to the creator last year.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This book tells the epic battle between the savage hordes of the nadir against the drenai...ulric the nadir warlord had conquered most of the world and only one fortress remains, manned by farmers and misfits outnumbered by more than ten to one , but standing with them to defy the nadir is the drenai's greatest hero, druss the legend...you cant put this book down, it is like you are seeing the battle for yourselves, and the plot and subplots are second to none,there are suspense and many sad moments and the action scenes are described brilliantly, i strongly reccomend that you get this book as if you enjoy it there are many others set before and after the battle
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have found that Gemmell possesses a great understanding of philosophy, people and life. There are always moments in his books that make you reflect an idea or personal viewpoint one has on the world. This is no different with Legend. For a book so small, he sure crams a lot of action in there. I think it is more difficult to write a good short story than an epic, as you can't waste too much time with details. Gemmell pulls of the right balancing act with Legend.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
To describe the plot of this novel would be to give the impression that it is a parody: the reluctant hero; numberless hordes from the East; dislike turning to love; warriors with mysterious skills; heroism against extreme odds; multiple deus ex machina; spiritual warriors; the battle of Good against Evil - all these appear in thousands of pulp novels churned out every year.
What makes Gemmell's Legend distinctive is its realism - you really believe in these characters; the way in which the action has a single focus - the siege; and, above all, the sense of human determination and suffering against the odds, howver distant and improbable ultimate victory may be. After Legend, all other such plots appear, at best, derivative. Gemmell distils the essence of all the stock characters and situations, blending them into a seamless whole
In a strange way, it wouldn't matter if Evil did triumph over Good in this book - Gemmells' great achievement is to convince us that the struggle is right, necessary and rewarding, in and of itself. Fantasy doesn't come any better than this
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Legend
As with all Gemmell`s books, you care about the people and they are multi faceted, The action is great and a real page turner
Published 17 days ago by Mrs. D.R.Denton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic sword and sorcery at its very best by a champion storyteller.
Similarly to Abercrombie, David Gemmell's heroic take and grittiness is uniquely identifiable and brilliantly executed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lucinda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this a while ago and wanted an ebook edition. Still as good as...
Read this a while ago and wanted an ebook edition. Still as good as when I first read it. Excellent book.
Published 2 months ago by Pip
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read, fully recommend
Here, Gemmell has beautifully crafted a masterpiece that will leave you unable to out the book down. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Toddey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic
This story is filled with epic battles and draws you right in so you feel as the charcters do and live the story as it happens.
Published 2 months ago by Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!
Having read the Troy trilogy a couple of years ago, I thought I would revisit David Gemmell. I was not disappointed. An outstanding tale.
Published 3 months ago by Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone must read this!!
I keep returning to this book, I've read it hundreds of times. A book containing many heroes and role models. A book for everyone!
Published 3 months ago by Chris dyson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gemmell at his best!
The first David Gemmell book I ever read over a decade ago and still one of my all time favourite novels.
RIP David Gemmell.
RIP David Gemmell.
Published 3 months ago by Gavin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cant put this down
This in my opinion is the start of the heroic fantasy that has captured my imagination and held it for the last 10 years... Read more
Published 4 months ago by DCM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ledgend
This is one fantastic author who will be sorely missed, a Legend in his own right. Like his other books this is a powerful story which I just loved.
Published 4 months ago by Spike
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