Customer Reviews

The Legend of Deathwalker

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gemmell does an exquisite job in showing the reader just what makes his characters do what they do; be it through their personal experiences, beliefs or ambitions. Through the characters a reader is given the history of the rise and fall of several nations and people's of his Drenai saga. These histories, the Drenai, the Nadir, the Chiatze, and the Gothir, are woven through the experiences and exploits of the book's characters. Gemmell expertly does this while never losing focus on the making of the Legend: Druss the Deathwalker.

Gemmell uses snippets of other minor events, such as the Mad God-King and the rise of Garen Tsen, only as much as to give context to the story rather than taking up the spotlight of events. True to his style these things fall by the wayside... not meaning they were unimportant to Drenai history, just that they were not important to the current tale.

The reader is in for a treat in learning of the Nadir, the origin of their name and from which peoples they are descended from. Those who know history can draw the parallels to our own. Those who enjoy character development will find it in Druss, his companion Sieben, whom Gemmell fans will remember fell at Skeln, and the Nadir Talisman. Readers will want to pay particular attention to the Chiatze woman Talisman travels with as her knowledge and history shows what interest her people have in the rise of the Nadir.

All in all, I believe readers will enjoy the mix of Characterization and developed history of Gemmell's Novel. Those well-read in Gemmell's stories can also enjoy the continuity he has woven into the tale as they tie into future events of the Drenai and Nadir peoples.

Another great addition to the world of the Drenai and the adventures of Druss the Legend. This time Druss travels through the lands of the Gothir and the Nadir. The early history of the Nadir, the origin of the Uniter and the driving force behind these people that makes them into the deadly barbarian hordes of the earlier books is revealed. The excellent characters and fast-paced adventure that you expect from Gemmell are back. Highly recommended!

The Legend of Deathwalker is the seventh book in David Gemmell's Drenai Saga and is another tale of Druss the Legend, whom we first met way back in the first book of the series, Legend. Rarely have I found a series that, seven books in, has not had a noticeable decrease in quality. Gemmell's Drenai Saga, however, is an exception to that rule. This book is able to maintain all of the qualities that make this series great: fast-paced action, great battle scenes, and amazing characters.

The one thing that makes Gemmell's work stand out from the rest is his ability to craft characters that seem real, characters that you really want to find out what happens to next. You find characters like Druss, Sieben the poet, and Talisman the Nadir warrior that just come to life through Gemmell's work. Each and every character means something to the book. There are no throw away characters here.

In terms of where this book fits in the series, you would want to be sure to have read Legend first, and probably The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend, although that one isn't really required to fully enjoy this book. The story contained in this novel is framed by the battle of Dros Delnoch (Legend), as Druss the aged warrior is recounting one of his many adventures to a young comrade fighting alongside him. The story Druss is telling took place some thirty years before the events of Legend, Gemmell's first (and best) Drenai novel. Through the events in this book, you learn to view some of the events in Legends in a whole new light, but saying more would be a spoiler.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, and Gemmell's entire Drenai series. At just 376 pages, this book is a prime example of how great fantasy can be written without becoming a doorstopper. If you're looking for a fast-paced read with great characters and plenty of battles, this book should be right up your alley. Make sure to check out Legend first!

What a great addition to the series. David Gemmell writes with a compelling pen, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in his fabulous Drenai world. Each book has continued to stand alone, but also be apart of the larger series, and that has made Gemmell enjoyable to continue to read. The magic might be subtle in Gemmell's books, but he includes just enough sorcery to quench the reader's thirst for a complete fantasy book.

Druss is competing in a fist-fighting tournament when a friend of his, while saving his life, took a poisoned arrow in the back. To save his friend, Druss needs to find the Eyes of Alchazzar, which have unique healing powers. With his good friend Seiben and an unlikely companion in Talisman, Druss begins his search for the Eyes. This journey will bring Druss in the presence of the Drenai's worst enemy, the Nadir, and could even help the Nadir in their search for the Uniter.

With each book, more and more knowledge of the Drenai sprouts from the pages and I absolutely love it. I love learning about this fantastic world Gemmell has penned into his books and I can't wait to read more. Enjoy this installment, but make sure if you want read Gemmell's books, start with Legend. Enjoy!

The legend, Druss the Deathwalker, is about as close to Conan as any other hero in literature. He is huge, powerful, and cunning, and those that cross him, and his Battle axe often end up dead. This is a prequel to the first of the Drenai books -Legend. (An amazing read also!) Druss is on a quest to find some magical jewels that are a dying friend's only chance of survival. Unfortunately, the insane God-King has decided to desecrate an ancient burial tomb where the jewels are allegedly hidden. Druss, does what he does best - leads the grossly outnumbered defenders against the invading hoard. Several side adventured such as Druss having to cross the boundaries of life, to combat demons and monsters, a wicked shaman, and a promising young general fill this novel to the brim with high-adventure. And the ending actually made me drop the book while reading it. I cant believe the last fifteen pages how Gemmell gives a Hitchcock like twist and countless mysteries of the Drenai series are answered. It is few and far between that I cant see the ending coming. (Enders Game got me too!) And this ending blew my mind.
Buy the Drenai tales, and read them all, just so you can read this book and appreciate the magic that is Druss the Legend, and the Brilliance that is David Gemmell.

Relic113

After the very mediocre novels "In the Realm of the Wolf" and "The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend", Gemmell turns out a decent work of fantasy action in "The Legend of Deathwalker". The events of Deathwalker take place about ten years after First Chronicles. After having settled down on a farm with his wife Rowena, Druss found himself unable to enjoy the life of a civilian and volunteered several times for service in various military campaigns. Deathwalker begins between campaigns, with Druss trying to earn money in the Gothir capital Gulgothir by winning a series of high-profile arena fistfights.

For the championship Druss is set to fight the famed warrior Klay, and a few days before the duel they befriend each other. Then one night, hired assassins make an attempt on Druss's life but Klay arrives and saves him. However, Klay is critically injured by a crossbow bolt meant for Druss. So Druss sets out on a quest to find and retrieve the magical healing jewels called the Eyes of Alchazzar. These also happen to be sacred to the Nadir because their discovery is supposed to herald the arrival of the prophecied uniter of the Nadir tribes.

Interestingly, Druss is not the sole main character in this book; perhaps half of the narrative focuses on the Nadir warrior Talisman. We also spend a bit of time with Nosta Khan, the sinister Nadir shaman who first made an appearance in "Legend". As in the last book, Druss's poet companion Sieben's priorities are on sex and dalliances with women, but this time around he also plays an important role in the plot.

Speaking of plot, it's much better in Deathwalker than in the previous two books. The connection between the jewels and the supernatural world was very interesting and well done. The twist at the end was a nice surprise though there was also a bit of a downer that disappointed me a bit. Coupled with the good plot is the fact that there's a lot of action (that's what Gemmell does best). Lots of small violent skirmishes kept my interest. I especially enjoyed the Nadir ploy to lure the Gothir horsemen over the cliff. The final battle is satisfyingly long and climactic.

So I have to declare that it was worth my time. Recommended.

The book slapped a good surprise at me. I have read his previous books (Legend, Waylander, In the Realm of the Wolf and even The King Beyond the Gate). When I looked over this book, I didn't there could be more added to the story. between Druss, his legend and what happens after. The book starts slow at first but it picks up fast. If you read any books from the series this book will fill in some background on those books that you didn't think were there. If you're thinking about reading this book first and using it to judge how the rest of the series are, this would be a good idea. The book can be independant and in all cases exciting. I suggest reading Against the Horde or Legend before reading this one though, you'll be more impressed that way.

Once again, David Gemmell gives his fans more of what they crave: Druss the axman, the Legend, Deathwalker himself. It is a joy to spend more time with this remarkable personality, though it can be argued that "The Legend of Deathwalker" features the young Nadir warrior Talisman more prominently.

"The Legend of Deathwalker" was a different experience for me than most of the novels in the Drenai saga that I've absorbed, as it hooked me from the beginning (as per usual) but somehow lost me as it progressed. Indeed, this book seemed poised to be the least interesting of all the Gemmell novels I had ever read, but then the man astounded me (as per usual!) with a powerful finale that ultimatey turned the tide. Gemmell does it again, providing a character-driven fantasy novel that is grounded by its characters and ultimately stirs the blood.

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!

David Gemmell was a very good writer of the novels with the action placed in the fantastic world. Action of this novel is really dymanic and the reader is really not able to guess what will happen on the next pages.

I am not a fan of the fantasy books, but Gemmell's books describe the behavior of the real people. People described in his novels are not ''plastic''. Their personalities are very complex as it is in the real world.

This is a story about the real friendhship between two males, which requires big sacrifice (Klay and Druss). There is not sacrifice, which can make Druss scared, because he knows no fear.

Druss - the master of the axe is the real hero who knows what the honor is. But he is too good and too simple man to achieve his goals without the support of somebody else. He is the hero and the great warrior, but the different person is the brain. The poet Sieben is his complacement. When they are together they are able to achieve everything what they want.

Sieben is a very talented poet who is aware of his skills and also the power of the written word. Thanks to his good works in poetry, where he presents achievements of his warrior friend he created the legend of the Druss the Axeman. Druss very often complains that people do not know him, but they know Druss the Legend, who is presented in Sieben's works, which are always faster than Druss. Sieben could be a very good propagandist.