Knights of Dark Renown [Import] [Hardcover]

David Gemmell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1989

sword-and-sorcery epic

Product Details

• Hardcover: 399 pages
• Publisher: LEGEND (1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0712625429
• ISBN-13: 978-0712625425
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,234,727 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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gemmell has outdone himself in a tale of war and trust., January 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Knights of Dark Renown (Mass Market Paperback)

Knights of Dark Renown is simply the most amazing fantasy book I have read in years. With my favorite authors coming up dry in the mind, I can always look to Gemmell for something new and exciting. Though the book itself is several years old, I have saved it for a time when I needed a really good time. He has succeeded where others have failed. In this novel, Gemmell tells us a tale of a warrior that has fallen from grace. Once, he was among the greatest of knights, but he fell cowardice to the evil that consumed his fellow comrades. Years later, he is once again confronted with his fear, and he must go to save his friends, or the world will fall to dark powers. Gemmell builds strong characters and stronger images in the reader's mind when he writes, for the relationships between characters and their struggles are defined so eloquently and carefully. Never one to drag out a story, he writes clearly and to the point, avoiding excessive moments of detail. His world is still fully realized however, and since the result of this novel is unknown until the end, it will make you want to read it from start to finish

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Excellent Fantasy Experience, December 31, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Knights of Dark Renown (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a huge David Gemmell fan, having read nearly everything he's published. This story is another classic Gemmell construct. In the war between good and evil the heroes are faulty, sometimes fallen people. The villains can be Machiavellian ambitious with a strong sense of chivalric honor. Gemmell does another excellent job of breathing life into the multiple protagonists.

A king implements genocide for supernatural purposes. With the disappearance of the lawful knights of Gaballa to a different dimension, the king's red knights seem unstoppable.

A group of men and women join together to become heroic as they fight back. Many of these heroes are told of their death if they fight, and that if they flee in exile they will have long lives. This is a common motif in Gemmells characters. Confronted with the knowledge of life and death, what path would you choose? Gemmell's heroes choose the path of death, and believe that even along that future they control their fate. Sometimes, rarely, they succeed.

You will not be disappointed in this book. Its high adventure filled with warriors, wizards, and magical beasts. The world is gritty with hard honorable men and women. The characters are recognizable. Some brood while others cheerily face death. Their stories are intriguing--

And greatly satisfying.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic, November 15, 2000

By 

W. H. Jamison, Jr. (Burien, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knights of Dark Renown (Mass Market Paperback)

In an age where fantasy novels tend to be droning multi-volume imitations of J.R.R. Tolkien (Robert Jordan's _Wheel of Time_ series anyone?) David Gemmell is a refreshing change. Gemmell knows how to write a tight, fast paced, meaningful fantasy that fits in one book. In _Knights of Dark Renown_ we are introduced to Manannan, who years ago hung back while his fellow Knights of the Gabala headed through a gateway into Hell to fight the forces of evil. Ever since then Manannan has been shamed by his cowardice and now must face his fears and fight the darkness that is overcoming the world. The ending of this book is melancholy, yet beautiful.