- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; First Edition edition (2 April 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 059304438X
- ISBN-13: 978-0593044384
- Product Dimensions: 24 x 15.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 457,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Ravenheart: A Novel Of The Rigante
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In Ravenheart, the time-scale of David Gemmell's novels of the Rigante, a Celt-like people living on the fringes of other, more aggressive cultures, reaches a historical period that is the fantasy equivalent of the early 18th century. The Rigante clans are oppressed by their Varlish neighbours, forbidden their traditional dress and culture; only in the hills do the old ways hold and there are plots to destroy even those strongholds by treachery. Young Kaelin is the son of a chief treacherously murdered by the Moidart, the local Varlish overlord; everyone waits to see what will become of him, especially his rowdy mentor Jaim and his cautious foster-mother Maev. What makes this such a likable book is that Gemmell is aware of the sheer complexity of the situation he has created--Kaelin's unsympathetic austere Varlish schoolteacher Alterith becomes practically a hero in his own right through an ethic of scholarship and legalism entirely alien to the Rigante among who he lives. The Moidart's son, Gaise, is a man of more honour than his father and clearly booked to be important in a sequel.--if Gemmell has been reading Walter Scott novels such as Rob Roy, it is considerably to the book's advantage.--Roz Kaveney
Review
" Gemmell has everthing a fan of heroic fantasy could desire... passionate, cleanly written prose, imaginative plots and, above all, terrific storytelling." -- " Time Out
"" Probably the finest living writer of heroic fantasy." - "Time Out" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"" Probably the finest living writer of heroic fantasy." - "Time Out" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As always i was excited by the prospect of a new David Gemmell book. even more so because his other two Rigante titles were so excellent. i was not disappointed, as ever his characters were real and the action gripping. i found myself reading the book in only a couple of days. How ever, this book seems to lack something as a story on its own, the end seemingly waiting for a sequel which i hope we get. whilst not as good as Sword in the Storm or Midnight Falcon in my opinion, it opens up a new angle to the Rigante series which begs to be later explored in great depth. The mixed references to the two previous books, especially the mistaken history as written by the Varlish people adds depth and i found myself smiling time and again. An allround excellent read with top notch characters who, as ever, shift through shades of grey, never wholly good nor evil, David Gemmell remains my favourite author
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you've ever read any of David Gemmell's work before, then you will not be surprised by anything in this novel. The characters are painstakingly and colourfully developed and the storyline is full of his usual mix of bloodshed, injustice and the downtrodden underdogs rising against corrupt and powerful oppressors. I'll say one thing for Gemmell's work - it's consistent! He works to a successful formula, and for the most part his fans will not be disappointed.
My only criticism of this book is that although it is undoubtedly, as is claimed, a Novel of the Rigante, he has skipped so much time from the first two books of the series to this one that the storyline has lost the pace and excitement that he had developed with Connovar and Bane. Yes, the new characters are arguably as good, likeable and powerful, but he has to develop the whole social system again from scratch and so by the end of the 500 odd pages, the story was really only beginning to gather the impetus that he had achieved with the first two books. Although this is the third book of the series, it reads as though it is the first and that in itself made it slightly disappointing.
Gemmell at his best is undoubtedly a five star author, but Ravenheart wouldn't be my recommendation as his best work. It is simply more Gemmell - and that, although good, is a bit of a shame.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
David Gemmell continues his entertaining Rigante series with Ravenheart set 800 years after the first set of the series (Sword in the Storm and Midnight Falcon).
The Rigante are now a conquered people living under the rule of the Varlish people. Their great traditions are slowly being erased as they are treated as second class citizens with few rights and basically as barbarians. This brings the some interesting scenes in the book as characters from both sides deal with their feelings towards each other.
Kalein Ring is a young Rigante growing up in this society. The story follows him from being lashed by a Varlish school teacher to leading a Rigante assault near the end of the book.
The real star of the book is Jaim Grymuach, a giant of a man and a 'true' Rigante, always in trouble, a drunkard, but the most likeable character of this tale. He refuses to bow to the Varlish laws and live his life as he pleases. His role in the Spring feast was uplifting and he becomes a legend by the end of the tale.
The trial at the end of the book is well written, exciting and emotionally moving. It was an excellent way to finish the novel. School teacher Alderith turns from dislikeable teacher to heroic defender of Maev Ring.
This book is characteristic of David Gemmell, fans will find nothing new here from the first books of the series. He writes likeable characters and is extremely easy to read, but some may feel that they have read these stories and met these characters before.
The book is not as 'stand alone' as the first two Rigante novels, I am eagerly awaiting delivery of the Storm Rider to find out how the story ends.
Also, as one of the main protagonists, Kaelin Ring is not quite as interesting as his predecessors Connavar and Bane, but I am hoping this will change by the next book.
Overall; a good entertaining read which will not disappoint fans of the series.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
freedom
Absolutely fantastic book, Loved it. Will now buy everything this author has ever written. The author draws you into the lives of his characters
Published 25 days ago by Eric
Everyone should read this book.
David Gemmell is a brilliant storyteller and in this book he has created something truly brilliant. Fantasy and non-fantasy readers should love this book - the magic is taken from... Read more
Published 16 months ago by A. M. Palache
Ravenheart
As always Gemmell at his best - this is 1 of 4 Rigante books that has you gripped from start to finish.
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by Mr. S. P. Smith
Vintage Gemmell novel
I wasn't totally sure what to expect with Ravenheart, the third novel in David Gemmell's Rigante series. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by James Long (Speculative Horizons blog)
ravenhart
Once you have started to read David Gemmel he becomes compulsive reading this book is no different. My biggest regret is that there will be no new books since he has died
hsk... Read more
hsk... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2009 by H. S. Kennedy
Ravenheart - A rigante Novel
I have read all the rigante novels, and this is the third in the series, it is a delicious mix of gemmell-esque character development, underlying humour and genuine affection. Read more
Published on 27 April 2007 by J. Jenkins
A brilliant novel
This novel is brilliant - it is the best heroic fantasy novel I have ever read and in this book David Gemmell's characters are even better and deeper (especially Jaim Grymauch)... Read more
Published on 26 July 2006 by Sam's reviews
Be warned, you might end up wanting to be a hero...
As Gemmell goes on, his books become less formulaic, and this is a perfect example. The writing style and sense for the heroic which would make even the most formulaic book seem... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2004 by Robbie Swale
Gemmell as Normal
The fact that this book takes place so long after the close of Midnight Falcon leaves a little bit of a sour taste as the book makes constant references to Banes rule and the... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2003 by Gary Kane
raven heart - david gemmell
Ravenheart is a brilliant book although it is a bit dissapointing.
Its dissapointing because although the story line draws you in the book ends before the story has sunkin in. Read more
Its dissapointing because although the story line draws you in the book ends before the story has sunkin in. Read more
Published on 21 July 2003 by liam
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