The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend (Drenai Tales, Book 6) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Gemmell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 5, 1999

He was known as Druss. The Deathwalker. Though the blood of merciless butchers coursed through his veins, he had found a fragile peace through his love for beautiful, mystical Rowena. Then came the day when Druss returned to their village and found everyone dead--massacred by slavers who had stolen the women to sell for gold. Rowena was among the missing.

Armed with only his powerful double-bladed ax, Snaga, Druss went after Rowena. His journey would carry him from the highest thrones of power to the deepest dungeons of depravity. Along the way, he would battle savage monsters and descend into terrifying lands of black magic and demons.

Yet one thing was certain. Druss would have victory . . . or death.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"David Gemmell tells a tale of very real adventure, the stuff of true epic fantasy."
--R. A. SALVATORE
   New York Times bestselling author

"Gemmell's great reading; the action never lets up; he's several rungs above the good--right into the fabulous!"
--ANNE MCCAFFREY

"I am truly amazed at David Gemmell's ability to focus his writer's eye. His images are crisp and complete, a history lesson woven within the detailed tapestry of the highest adventure. Gemmell's characters are no less complete, real men and women with qualities good and bad, placed in trying times and rising to heroism or falling victim to their own weaknesses."
--R. A. SALVATORE
   New York Times bestselling author
   of The Demon Apostle

From the Inside Flap

He was known as Druss. The Deathwalker. Though the blood of merciless butchers coursed through his veins, he had found a fragile peace through his love for beautiful, mystical Rowena. Then came the day when Druss returned to their village and found everyone dead--massacred by slavers who had stolen the women to sell for gold. Rowena was among the missing.

Armed with only his powerful double-bladed ax, Snaga, Druss went after Rowena. His journey would carry him from the highest thrones of power to the deepest dungeons of depravity. Along the way, he would battle savage monsters and descend into terrifying lands of black magic and demons.

Yet one thing was certain. Druss would have victory . . . or death.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (October 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345407997
• ISBN-13: 978-0345407993
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Gemmell was born in London, England, in the summer of 1948. Expelled from school at sixteen, he became a bouncer, working nightclubs in Soho. Born with a silver tongue, Gemmell rarely needed to bounce customers, relying instead on his gift of gab to talk his way out of trouble. This talent eventually led him to jobs as a freelancer for the London Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Express. His first novel, Legend, was published in 1984 and has remained in print ever since. He became a full-time writer in 1986. His books consistently top the London Times bestseller list.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Unbelievable Story of Druss Comes to Life... March 12, 2006

By Matthew Watt

Format:Mass Market Paperback

In Legend, David Gemmell's first Drenai book, he talked of the aging Druss. In The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend, the readers finally get to live the stories that gave Druss the nickname Legend. From chapter to chapter, Gemmell's crisp writing keeps the reader's eyes glued to the pages and never wanting to put the book down.

Druss, a simple peasant and logger, is an outcast and loner in his town. He and his father have lived in many different places since Druss' birth, always being by chased their past. His wife, Rowena, is the only person who can see past the rough exterior and notice Druss' soft heart. That love propels Druss to complete some unimaginable feats to rescue her after she has been taken during a slave raid. He follows her across many continents, helping win wars and battles along the way, thus becoming the Legend.

The First Chronicles tell of Druss's beginning with the demon-blade Snaga and his exploits at Skeln Pass against the Gothir. Gemmell writes of the trials and tribulations that Druss experiences with an unequaled style. The magic might be subtle in David Gemmell's books, but he includes just enough sorcery to quench the reader's thirst for a complete fantasy book. I have eaten up his books so far and will continue to do so in the future. Enjoy this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Beginnings of the Legend... March 5, 2005

By Eric S. Terrell

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Although this book was published later in Gemmell's Drenai series, it is more or less a direct prequel to Legend. This book tells the story of how Druss became the legendary figure that we see defending the walls of Dros Delnoch in Legend. This book is a good place to jump into the Drenai series as it stands pretty well on its own. This has all of the action-packed fight scenes that you expect from David Gemmell, as well as characters that you really care about.

The plot of this book is divided into two parts. The first being Druss's quest to regain his young bride, Rowena. In this part of the book Druss is very young and not yet the legend we know. The second part takes place shortly before the events in Legend, Druss is an aging warrior, but still the mighty figure known throughout the land. The first part of the book is the bulk of the story, how Druss became the Legend. The second part serves as a bridge to Gemmell's other works.

One thing to keep in mind is that Druss is an unstoppable, indestructable force (would he be the legend if he wasn't?). At times in this book Druss charges into situations with impossible odds stacked against him and emerges victorious. If anyone is turned off by this superman-syndrome, you may want to give this one a pass.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of David Gemmell, or who loves fast-paced plot-driven fantasy! Gemmell is one of the greats!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading July 12, 2001

By robbie smith

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Druss the Legend was a great read from start to finish. Anyone who is a fan of the first book in the series, Legend, should check this book out. Learn how Druss became such an awesome warrior and the secrets behind the dark weapon Snaga. Grab a goblet of Ventran Red, a block of cheese, put the wife and kids to bed and set sail on a fantastic adventure with Druss the Legend.