David Gemmell


Books

Liberty's Edge

These days, I would have to say my favorite writer of sword and sorcery books is David Gemmell. His is a mix of David Eddings and Robert E. Howard. I read his first novel "Legend" about six years ago and I have been hooked ever since.


I read "Legend" several years ago and thought it was pretty good but never got around to reading any of his other stuff though I see it on the shelf. So many books, so little time...


yes hes a good writer.. but some of his books copy one another so well its kinda.. s&*!ty. but his fight scenes rock, Waylander series rock.. Druss the legend rocks. Quest for Lost Heroes rocked. its worth a read in my opinion

Liberty's Edge

I think that he may have peaked at "Sword in the Storm" and its sequel "Midnight Falcon." I liked those even more than "Legend" and the Waylander series (which is actually saying a lot).

The Exchange

I like David Gemmell lots, and I think he has got better as he has written more books. His early stuff is a bit repetitive, and you can always be pretty sure what you will get in one of his novels: big, tough heroes who can kick butt in a VERY serious way; lots of fight scenes; generally, super-maho fun where men are men. But his plotting has got a lot better in the last few years. I would heartily recommend the first two books of the Rigante series, as I actually found them rather moving as well as a good fun read (the first two really are one novel, and I can't comment on the last two as I haven't read them) and I found Dark Moon likewise one of his best. Dark Moon is also slightly curious in that, while uber-violent like most of his stuff,it has at it's core an anti-violence message which comes out at the very end - again, quite poignant. So DG doesn't just write hack-'em up fantasy but there is some thought and moral force behind some of his latter works.


Gemmell does indeed rock. My favorite would be "Heroes in the Shadows." What a great book. Yu Yu Ling. :)

Anybody notice that Waylander is basically the Outlaw Josey Wales? Nothing wrong with that, mind you, he is my favorite Gemmell character.

Have any of you read "Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow" by him?

It's a nice twist on not only history, but Gemmell as well. Something different.

If you haven't read any Gemmell, go get some, it's well worth it.

S.Baldrick wrote:
I think that he may have peaked at "Sword in the Storm" and its sequel "Midnight Falcon." I liked those even more than "Legend" and the Waylander series (which is actually saying a lot).

Liberty's Edge

Edward Wehrenberg wrote:

Gemmell does indeed rock. My favorite would be "Heroes in the Shadows." What a great book. Yu Yu Ling. :)

Anybody notice that Waylander is basically the Outlaw Josey Wales? Nothing wrong with that, mind you, he is my favorite Gemmell character.

Have any of you read "Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow" by him?

It's a nice twist on not only history, but Gemmell as well. Something different.

If you haven't read any Gemmell, go get some, it's well worth it.

S.Baldrick wrote:
I think that he may have peaked at "Sword in the Storm" and its sequel "Midnight Falcon." I liked those even more than "Legend" and the Waylander series (which is actually saying a lot).

I've read "Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow" and I really enjoyed it. I consider it kind of a prequel to the Iliad.


I read David Gemmell's "Winter Warriors" and loved it. I grew to respect the talented way he brought the characters to life and his intricate plot weaving. I rushed to read "Legend," a book that is lauded by fans as worthy of high praise. About halfway done, I was trudging through a largely static plot. The ending became nearly a deal breaker with me and i resolve myself to only occasionly read his later books.

The Exchange

AtlasRaven wrote:
I read David Gemmell's "Winter Warriors" and loved it. I grew to respect the talented way he brought the characters to life and his intricate plot weaving. I rushed to read "Legend," a book that is lauded by fans as worthy of high praise. About halfway done, I was trudging through a largely static plot. The ending became nearly a deal breaker with me and i resolve myself to only occasionly read his later books.

Gemmell got better as he went along. Frankly, Legend is pretty awful, and most of his early work is repetitive. But I really would give house room to his later stuff, especially the Rigante series. And his first two Jon Shannow novels are a bit clunky, but really redeem themselves in the final installment.


Yup, I wasn't trying to slam him. Just got frustrated with Legend. Although the guy's life is kinda interesting. Some back covers say he worked as a bouncer using a silver tongue to maintain order instead of big muscles. That's why i think of him as Gemmell the Rogue :)


I would have to agree with everyone in saying that he has to be one of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The first one I read got me hooked, and as most others it was Legend.
It was a little clunky when I really think about it but I couldn't put the damned thing down. Then the Waylander books are just amazing. Then he wrote "White wolf" and "The Swords of Night and Day" which were really good. I am actually quite surprised not to hear about any of his new works. DOes anyone know if he is thinking of picking up where his last book with Skillgannon (sp?) left off?

He is truly a master!

Alasanii

The Exchange

Alasanii wrote:

I would have to agree with everyone in saying that he has to be one of the best writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The first one I read got me hooked, and as most others it was Legend.

It was a little clunky when I really think about it but I couldn't put the damned thing down. Then the Waylander books are just amazing. Then he wrote "White wolf" and "The Swords of Night and Day" which were really good. I am actually quite surprised not to hear about any of his new works. DOes anyone know if he is thinking of picking up where his last book with Skillgannon (sp?) left off?

He is truly a master!

Alasanii

Well, I certainly enjoyed Legend but can't say it was brilliant. He emerged with his prose style and powers of characterisation pretty well formed - and those are a major factor in his appeal, with his world-weary, ultra-macho and tough-yet-tender heros and terse dialogue. Where he has improved dramatically is in creating good plotlines, which wasn't his great strength in his earlier stuff. I find his non-Drenai stuff better, as these tend to be a bit repetitive. I enjoyed, as I said, Dark Moon a lot - I had given him up, more or less, until I read this one as a "favour" to a guy who leant it to me and discovered that he had improved a lot. I like Lion of Macedon a lot too (and Dark Prince is OK) and I'm looking forward to his Trojan series - anyone have a view?


Just bought Waylander. I'm hoping i see his newer plot skillz in action.

The Exchange

AtlasRaven wrote:
Just bought Waylander. I'm hoping i see his newer plot skillz in action.

I don't think Waylander is actually that new.

The Exchange

Just saw the sad news on the BBC website that David Gemmell has died following heart surgery. A great shame, as he was at the peak of his powers as a wrter right now.

Liberty's Edge

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:
Just saw the sad news on the BBC website that David Gemmell has died following heart surgery. A great shame, as he was at the peak of his powers as a wrter right now.

Very sad news indeed. Here is the link that I found.

http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=10912&pt=e

Dark Archive

This past christmas I got about 4 or 5 Gemmell novels all from the Drenai series. I had never read him before and instantly fell in love with his stuff. I was curious if there are any other authors out there that write stuff similiar to his sword and sorcery action packed novels? I like the way his stories would be great in an Iron Heroes adventure/campaign.

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