Customer Reviews

Last Sword Of Power (Volume Two Of The Stones Of Power)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first Gemmell book I have ever read. I was stunned. Finally, a writer that can craft a story. The characters drew you in as if you were there. Gemmell can weave a story better than anyone I have ever read in any catagory - period. Everything in this book was geared towards the conclusion. Even the narrative moved the story forward with efficient skill. There was absolutely no wasted verbage. Amazing. I am going to read everything Gemmell has ever written. I have always struggled to finish novels because most have long, boring blah blah blah's sandwiched in, strictly to increase word count. Not Gemmell. Every word counts and moves the story along. Buy this book.

First, a bit of a practical review: in this book we learn of the future of King Uthur, named the Blood king as his reign has been a bloody battle with various enemies. We learn of the fate of his wife, of his friends, and of his friend Prasamaccus (who, coincidentally, was my favorite character in the first two books).

But now let me tell you how I really felt about it. Book 2 in the "Stones of Power" series impressed the heck out of me. Don't get me wrong - I loved book one; I thought it was tremendously well done fantasy. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this novel... and once I started reading it I couldn't help but get a little more emotionally involved than I normally do. I felt myself grieving over the debilitating marriage of the King - I was furious at him, then at her, then both of them. I grieved for characters that lost loved ones, and rejoiced when men and women realize the truth inside of them.

Gemmell continues to impress me with fantasy that strays from the expected. He's created a great set of characters, and I would love to see some books that talk in more detail about everything that happened between Ghost King and Last Sword of Power. Some of the new characters include Uthur's long lost son, and a blind girl who can see better than most of us. You get attached to them as easily as you do the Blood King and Revelation, and by the end cheering for their victory. Probably my favorite book out of the series.

Book Two is great in it's own right as is Book One. Interpreting Arthurian legend, this story focuses on Cormac, son of the Blood King, Uther Pendragon. Cormac grows to manhood and becomes a warrior under the tutalage of the Lance Lord. He seeks life and love even to the extend of traveling Hell itself. A new "god" seeks to conquor Britain and it's up to Cormac and the heroes, much older now, from the first book to stop the horror and blood. As with other Gemmell stories, some of the characters you've grown to respect and love (or hate) will die in an attempt to stand on the side of good....and they might not succeed. Unlike the Drenai series, this story claims roots in Earth's history and legends of ancient Western culture.

One of Gemmell's gifts is telling a story of adventure and fantasy while exploring shades of good and evil within a person. Good people will do terrible things in fits of anger or perceived need for the greater good, and bad people will inexplicably or deliberately do an act of kindness that makes a difference.

Someday a movie director will turn one or all of David Gemmell's books into a movie series that will rivial LOTR and Harry Potter. This book will be a smashing hit! Read it and you'll find it satisfying, while hungering for more of D.G. books.

The Goth leader Wotan would open the Gates of Hell, with power that stemmed from sorcery and human sacrifice. No sword could cut him, and his armies cut a bloody swath. Only Uther Pendragon could save Britannia--and even he would have to wield Cunobelin's blade, the last sword of power.

The mighty Gemmell has written another winner. I highly recommend this book to you. Go get this book.

Oh all the stones of power books this is the one I like the least. The first three parts were excellent but then things start to decline into an ending that makes absolutly no sense. This happens sometimes with Gemmell's books his ending are not the best sometimes and they leave you with a rather strange feeling.

This collection is a very interesting story with some good originality in it. go for it but do not bother with the last 2 books . they are really another story and not so good as the first three books.

I don't think there has ever been an epic adventure of this magnitude crammed into 310 pages.

Story:

The previous book, The Ghost King, was based off of the King Arthur Legend. Nearly a generation later, The Lost Sword of Power continues the adventure. Uther, the Blood King, has waged war for decades in the name of order. And these wars have taken their toll on him. Now, the warlord Wotan, threatens to unleash hell on Earth and it's up to a band of heroes, savage armies, creatures, magic users, and war veterans to stop him.

World Building:

At an incredibly fast pace, David Gemmell has built up a fascinating world based on a blend of fiction, legend, and history. It combines the Celts, Romans, Barbarians, Monsters, and Hell. It's got a bit of everything and never slows down.

Characters:

There are a great deal of main characters in the book and they're all very well written. As with all of Gemmell's books, the characters are heroic and honorable without being cheesy. They have lived through tough times and the world itself has hardened them to a point where honor is a way of life and deceit is despised. These are men and women who must face a grim reality and make difficult choices for the good of the world.

Writing Style:

I don't think I've ever read a book that had so much in it and moved so swiftly. This book is loaded with a complex story, great characters, and great action. The only downside is that I thought it moved a bit too fast. It would have been good to have a few more scenes with some character building moments so the reader could get to know them a bit better.

Action:

As with all of Gemmell's books, this one is LOADED with battles, skirmishes, magic, demons, heroes, villains, sieges, duels... And all of the battles have consequences.

Maturity: Teens

There's lots of fantasy war action and mention of rape, but none of it is graphic. It just sets the tone for a barbaric time.

Overall:

This is a very good book. I'd say it just missed being a 5 star. But if you want a fast paced action novel full of heroes in a world in peril, then you'll love this one. It really helps if you read the Ghost King first.

If you enjoyed this book, keep reading books by David Gemmell. I'd recommend, Legend, Winter Warriors, Waylander, The Sword in the Storm, and The Lion of Macedon.

David Gemmell is my favorite writer and his books always make me want to shake the hand of a veteran and go to the gym.

Wonderful reading!!!!

Just don't use Amazon shipping....just buy the book from the local bookseller for the same price and begin reading immediately instead of 2 weeks later!

Ok,

Well, if you've read Ghost King and Nights of Dark Renown as well as the John Shannow stories....you'll like this.

I found it to be......not as good as any of the above books but a good read nonetheless.

I like Gemmels style and I have enjoyed all of the Sipstrassi tales. I'm not sure why I didn't enjoy this one as much, can't really put my finger on it. Perhaps it was just because the main characters didn't all go on to live happily ever after..though I'm usually ok with that.

I think it's possibly that the story line seems a bit...chucked together? just not as slick as his other work.

Either way, if you're a fan of David Gemmel you will enjoy this book regardless......as did I in fact.

Last Sword of Power (Stones of Power) The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend (Drenai Tales, Book 6)

I read David Gemmell's "Legend" series a few weeks ago. They didn't last long. I've been reading fantasy and science fiction for about 40 years and can honestly say that these are top notch. They were so good that I ordered all of the Stones of Power series en masse. They aren't lasting long either (I'm on the last one). David was a genius. Characters are believable, scenery well described, and plots are like nothing I've ever read before. Five stars on both series!