Midnight Falcon (The Rigante Series, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

David Gemmell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rigante | Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Bane the Bastard is the illegitimate son of the Rigante king who men called Demonblade. Born of treachery, Bane grew up an outcast in his own land, feared by his fellow highlanders, and denied by the father whose unmistakable mark he bore–the eyes of Connavar, one tawny brown, the other emerald green.

Hounded from the country of his birth, Bane found acceptance across the seas–only to have it stripped away in an instant by a cruel and deadly swordsman. Now fighting as a gladiator in the blood-soaked arenas of the Empire, Bane lives for one thing: revenge. And he pursues his goal with the same single-minded determination that won his father a crown.

But more is at stake than a young warrior’s quest for vengeance. The armies of the Stone are preparing to march on the lands of the Rigante. The fate of human and Seidh alike will be decided by the clash of swords–and by the bonds of twisted love and bitterness between a father and a son . . .

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Following Sword in the Storm, Midnight Falcon is David Gemmell's second novel in the Rigante sequence. This volume can stand alone, though the series will be more accessible if read in order.

Seventeen-year-old Bane, illegitimate son of King Connovar, comes to the city of Stone, a place of gladiatorial combat, corruption, and religious terror. Embittered by his father's refusal to acknowledge him, Bane's wildness leads to bloodshed before friendship and betrayal force him to accept the complexities of power and responsibility. The novel builds to an epic climax, as Bane must accept who he is in order to lead his people in a desperate battle for their very survival.

David Gemmell has created a detailed and realistic world in which the action is vividly described and often thrilling. Yet there is a melancholy tone, for the author is as concerned with the consequences of war and the nature of men of violence as he is with conflict itself. There is a sense of the tragedy of war, lending the sad grandeur of history to a strongly characterized and intelligent adventure. It is something the series has in common with Stephen King's haunting fantasy western epic The Dark Tower. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Bane the Bastard is the illegitimate son of the Rigante king who men called Demonblade. Born of treachery, Bane grew up an outcast in his own land, feared by his fellow highlanders, and denied by the father whose unmistakable mark he bore?the eyes of Connavar, one tawny brown, the other emerald green.

Hounded from the country of his birth, Bane found acceptance across the seas?only to have it stripped away in an instant by a cruel and deadly swordsman. Now fighting as a gladiator in the blood-soaked arenas of the Empire, Bane lives for one thing: revenge. And he pursues his goal with the same single-minded determination that won his father a crown.

But more is at stake than a young warrior?s quest for vengeance. The armies of the Stone are preparing to march on the lands of the Rigante. The fate of human and Seidh alike will be decided by the clash of swords?and by the bonds of twisted love and bitterness between a father and a son . . .

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345432363
• ISBN-13: 978-0345432360
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,110 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:

4.0 out of 5 stars My name is Gladiator..., May 27, 2000

By 

Mike Galer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midnight Falcon (The Rigante Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Once again Gemmell offers up a rich and delightful feast of glory, battle, revenge and tragedy. This is the second "Rigante" novel and I assume Gemmell will return to the concept at a later date (just as he is returning to Waylander in "Hero in the Shadows"). Written from the perspective of Bane, Connovar's son, the novel goes into a different direction than the last, with more focus on individual needs, rather than the "tribe". Though the two main characters do not particularly care about the same issues which drove Connovar in the previous novel, they can and do have an impact on the world around them, almost unwittingly.

The parallels between Gemmell's world of the Rigante and the real Roman-Celtic world of the first century AD, are more closely mirrored here than before, sometimes rather too obviously, for my taste. For example: Jasaray (Julius Caesar); the persecution of the "Tree Cult" by Nalademus (the early Christian church in Rome); Panthers (Roman Legions, Eagles); the collapse of the Republic to be replaced by Empire... and so on (though Gemmell sort of offers an internal explanation for this).

It is a bigger book than most of Gemmell's and a very compelling read (I finished it in 4 days) in his trademark easy style. Characters are interesting and driven by basic human passions. Rage reminded me a bit of Druss and I thought that Voltan and Banouin were they little underdeveloped, but interesting all the same. Another interesting comparison can be made with the excellent film Gladiator, which has similar themes and content. I don't think that Gemmell and Scott borrowed from each other, I think in fact the two are quite complimentary and if you enjoy one, you will love the other.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Pageturner, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Midnight Falcon (The Rigante Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Once I started Midnight Falcon I had real problems putting it down. The plot flows nicely on from the previous book in the Rigante Series with plenty of action all the way. Buy this book and you won't regret it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NON-STOP ACTION, July 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Midnight Falcon (The Rigante Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Midnight Falcon is the masterful sequel to A Sword In The Storm.Twenty years down the line, Bane the bastard son of Demonblade, King of all Keltoi, Connavar, a name of legend discovers his true self in the city of Stone.This book tells us of his first love, his training to be the best. David Gemmell proves himself again as a master writer. However, many of the small details in the book are repeated in his previous novels. One such e.g. the way Lia acquired her powers is very similar to Lion of Macedon. Connavar=Philip, Bran=Parmenion. Bane=young Parmenion. The differences are the emphasis placed on the characters and the different experiences which shape their similarities.Nonetheless, Midnight Falcon is a must for all Gemmell's fans.