Customer Reviews

Knights of Dark Renown

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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.

and i mean that dialogically, as in, this books is flawless as well as impossible to stop reading. plots develop and subdivide and recombine with such effortless aplomb and evocative interest that guys like robert jordan, george rr martin, and terry goodkind should be at least a little chagrined they take thousands of pages to tell half the story gemmell accomplishes in hundreds. buy nights of dark renown and prepare for a sleepless night racing through while perhaps occassionally lamenting that you'll be done all too soon. gemmell ranks among the most accomplished of contemporary writers, an example, perhaps the example, that, despite all the ishigurus, robinsons, franzens, moores, foers, etc., much of the best fiction is being written in the so-called genres.

I read fantasy novels infrequently and had never before encountered David Gemmll. The book has the usual fantasy trappings: knights in shining armor; duels to the death; mystics and masters of magic. What sets this book apart is that the characters seem real...no one is perfect, they all have flaws and even the most despicable is capable of heroism in crisis. In this novel being good does not guarentee success, being in love does not necessarily lead to happiness and the uncertainty leaves the ending entirely in doubt. This was not just a good story, it was life on a grand scale.

Knights of Dark Renown is an amazing stand alone fantasy novel jam packed with violent action, deep characters, an interesting universe, folklore inspired magic, and horrific demons.

Weighing in at only 311 pages, this novel tells an epic story driven by deep and realistic characters. It's got action, romance, adventure, world building, and philosophy in a very enjoyable concise package. If you haven't read any of David Gemmell's books, Knights of Dark Renown is the ultimate `sampler platter.' If you enjoy reading this book, there are more than twenty other Gemmell books that you may also like.

The Story:
A band of noble nights rides into a dimensional gate to confront the ultimate force of evil. They don't return and the kingdom is plunged into chaos as a once-benevolent king threatens genocide. The story is told through realistic characters, inspirational dialogue, and gritty action.

Characters:
These aren't your typical fantasy characters. They're all dark, gritty, and flawed in their own way, with their own motivations.

The Action:
Knightly duels, battles with demons, and epic scale war, this book has it all. From arrow filled skies to a heart puncturing knife in the back, it's all very well done.

Maturity:
Gemmell's books are for teen or adult readers because they're fairly gritty and violent.

Gemmell Fans:
If you are already a fan of David Gemmell's work, this is one of his better books. It's a bit heavier on magic and monsters than most of his other books, and that's a good thing!

Overall:
This is one of the best stand alone fantasy books ever written. It's got everything in a nice neat little package.

If you like your novels with 50 page descriptions of how the elves do their laundry, then maybe this isn't the right book for you. But, I can easily recommend this book to anyone who likes heroic fantasy or wants to try David Gemmell's work.

I have been reading fantasy books since grade school. I started with Eddings and in high school found Gemmell. He quickly became my favorite author. I've even gone so far as to order his books from Britain. This book however is by far my favorite of all time. The plot is simple and I guessed where it was going before he showed me but he manages to keep up his reputation of twisting things around enough so you are never totally sure. I fell in love with the characters. They develoed into some of my favorite of all time. This book is a must have for any reader of great fiction.

This was my first venture into David Gemmell's work, and I do have a newfound respect for the modern fantasy genre. The plotline itself is fairly straightforward, a simple tale of assorted ex-slaves and cutthroats who band together, become respectable, and take on the evil that ravages the land.

What makes the novel worthwhile is just how complicated some of the characters are. The protagonists aren't the old stock "loveable theives" who need just an uplifting speech before suddenly becoming noble. Some of them are patently repugnant murderers and rapists, and who come across as truly loathsome in the early chapters thanks to Gemmell's knack for creative violence.

The world of the novel feels uniquely dark all the way through, and the knight's quest, unlike hundreds of others in similar novels, actually feels impossible at times. While perhaps not quite as creative as a Robert Jordan epic, to me Gemmell's more pessimistic world is more captivating than the more cheerful and optimistic worlds R.A. Salvatore and Terry Brooks have been churning out for years. A completely worthwhile novel.

"Knights" was a Gemmell book that left me speechless at the end, which meant I could not give enough praise for it. As usual, Gemmell's heroes are flawed individuals who not only battle the evil in the world, but the evil in themselves as well. The author is a master of manipulating drama, and really puts the charactors through hell before wrapping everything up in a satisfying finale. A wonderful fantasy... one that proves not every book needs a happy ending. (not a spoiler, believe me. Read the book!)

"Knights od Dark Renown"is another little master-piece from the greatest fantasy novel writer of our times. Britain's Gemmell give us in this book an alternative to a reader who seeks only a short adventure, instead of one of his fantastic sagas. Mannanan, Elodan, Llaw, Groundsel, all are characters that lead the reader to amazing adventures in the realm of the Gabala, in a simple style of writing tha goes directly to the point! Congratulations, Mr. Gemmell!