Hero in the Shadows (Drenai Tales, Book 9) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Gemmell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2000

The ruined city of Kuan Hador reeks of dark mystery. Shunned by brigands and merchants alike, it is home to fearsome wild things and legends that freeze the blood--tales that speak of slavering white beasts, locked behind a powerful wall of spells, who possess an insatiable appetite for death. Millennia have passed since they were bound, and the spell of imprisonment has begun to fade. Soon the foul minions will be free to wreak a horrible vengeance against all that lives.

But no army waits to oppose them, only a ragtag group of unlikely heroes. Leading them is the mysterious Gray Man, an enigmatic figure with a blood-drenched past who has killed for principle and for payment--a man of destiny known throughout the lands of the Drenai as Waylander the Slayer . . .

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In Hero in the Shadows, Waylander, the assassin hero of some of Gemmell's earlier books, is now a middle-aged man looking for peace in a world that will, for the most part, let him alone. The crimes of his past come back to haunt him, as he finds himself responsible for a young prince whose grandfather he murdered, and as creatures of doomed legend come back to rule the world with blood and horror. An aging paladin, a loud-mouthed braggart whom a magic sword has chosen, and a kitchen girl who is unusually handy with her knives become his allies, along with a priestess who is not telling all she knows, or all she is.

Gemmell is one of the best writers of fantasy adventure--this new book is attractively gloomy in its atmosphere and has a pervading sense of the ironic. The action sequences are powerful and well visualized; Gemmell always knows how a particular sort of fight would feel. And there are no simple morals here--most of the characters, heroic or villainous, exist in the gray hinterland between dark and light, where evil acts are often performed in sorrow and good actions often have mixed motives behind them. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Everything a fan of heroic fantasy could desire."
--STEPHEN DONALDSON

"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
   Author of Mortalis

"Gemmell is very talented; his characters are vivid and very convincingly realistic."
--CHRISTOPHER STASHEFF
   Author of the Wizard of Rhyme novels

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (October 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345432258
• ISBN-13: 978-0345432254
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,506 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not his best, but still great., March 30, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hero in the Shadows: A Waylander the Slayer Novel (Hardcover)

While not as good as some of his previous work, Gemmell still manages to deliver a riveting novel. This story is set in a small nation far from the lands of Drenai and contains much more in the way of magic then the other books in the series. Personally I liked the realism of his earlier works like Legend and the supernatural in this can be strange at times. The history aspects also get a little wacky at times and seems more like they belong in a Feist novel. Now that I have made my gripes let me say all in all I loved this book. Gemmell is an absolute master of fantasy, and he stirs your emotions throughout his works. I recommend any of Gemmell's work, including this. If you haven't read Gemmell before I would say look into getting Legend and the first Waylander novels first however.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!, November 2, 2000

By 

Patrick (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hero in the Shadows (Drenai Tales, Book 9) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was excited to find another Waylander novel, and Gemmell does not disappoint. Hero is a well-written, fast-paced yarn that brings back one of Gemmell's best characters. This book is a story of redemption for a man haunted by his past. Moral conflicts abound and are handled well. As usual his heroic characters have significant character flaws which them that much more realistic. I really can't think of much to complain about. Hero is simply a very enjoyable read. His first book, "Legend", was quite good, but I think he's an even better writer today.

Sidenote: the mention of the death of 3 kings required to open the portals indicates at least a loose tie in with the novel "Winter Warriors". I think some of these characters may return in a forthcoming book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Fantasy Classic, March 6, 2007

By 

John McCarthy "storywind" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hero in the Shadows (Drenai Tales, Book 9) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've just finished listening to the audio version and it's just as good as when I read the book. Gemmell's world and characters feel real, as if you look hard enough there are history scrolls that will verify the existence of Drenai. Hero in the Shadows gives us the final chapter of Waylander, a hero who's past includes assassinating a good king for money to finance his personal revenge of the men who murdered his wife and children. How more complex of character can you get then that?

On one level the story is about Waylander, having taken on a new name, tries to live the life of a wealthy merchant. He builds a utopia in his huge palace for learning and culture. Beginning with the opening rescue, followed by the pending invasion of an evil race expelled from the world 3K years before, violence finds Waylander and drags him back into what he does very well: Dealing death. Magic, demons, religion, good citizens, and men with frozen hearts builds the story to its final climax. As with all Gemmell stories expect that evil men may commit acts of great horror and generous sacrifice, heroes come up short or suffer terrible losses, and common people step up to be heroic.

If this is your first Waylander book, STOP, first read "Waylander" followed by "In the Realm of the Wolf." Hero in the Shadows is the final in the Waylander trilogy. Although you could read this and get a full story, but much historical context and texture will be lost. Reading this Gemmell story, you won't be disappointed. Unless you're like me and have read all his work then you have only to reread these great works. Of course, Gemmell would want it that way!