Customer Reviews

Stormrider (Rigante Series, Book 4)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have enjoyed all of the Rigante series by Gemmell, most especially the heart rending Ravenheart. Stormrider is a thought provoking finale. As always his characters leap from the pages - particularly the dark and deadly Moidart, and the grimly powerful Huntsekker.

Other reviewers have criticised the similarity of themes previously used in past novels like Lion of Macedon, and the Druss series. I think this misses the point. Gemmell has written more than thirty novels, and themes of love, courage and heroism are bound to re-occur in what are, at base, action driven novels. Gemmell's literary hero, after all, is Louis Lamour, who wrote more than 200 short novels of the Old West, many of them with identical story lines.

Gemmell's best work - Waylander, Lion of Macedon, Ravenheart, Echoes of the Great Song, Knights of Dark Renown, and Legend - are all Five star quality. Stormrider comes close.

For me it misses only because of the large cast, which slows the narrative, and the lack of a sustained central character with the power of Druss or Jaim Grymauch from Ravenheart.

Stormrider focuses on Gaise Macon and Kaelin Ring who face an impending war against Winter Kay and the armies of a dead king. The enemy is fueled by an ancient evil, embodied in a skull known only as the Orb of Kranos, bent on the destruction of all mankind. The Black Rigante joins with the forces of the Moidart in a twist of fate against their common foe. Although a conquered people and against insurmountable odds, the Rigante fight with courage and integrity, serving as shining examples in a war that will bring bloodshed, death and destruction to the people.

Gemmell in Stormrider has done it again. He has an amazing talent for developing his characters and unfolding a storyline that is exciting, sad and gripping at the same time. He describes the events through the eyes of his main characters and offers contrasting viewpoints as events unfold. His characters are very real and their reactions are believable.

From the very first page to the last, Stormrider fails to disappoint. Gemmell has shown his mastery over the heroic fantasy genre. I can't wait for his next installment.

As always, David Gemmel creates colorful characters with an amazing story surrounding them. While the first two books in this series were my favorite, this last one was no slouch either.

I can't say enough about this book and the Rigante series. I'm a picky reader and this is up there among my favorite series of all times. I was very sad to hear Gemmell passed recently as his ability to tell gripping tales and even more characters full of humanity is remarkable. If you enjoy fantasy books or even historical fiction I strongly recommend this book.

This is the fourth and final book in David Gemmell's "Rigante" series. It started out sort of slow, but, like all the other books in the series, it hooked me in deep. His characters are great, grand and wonderful. His heroes have a human side that is compelling and his villians evoke strong feelings of loathing. Gemmell is sometimes predictable, but often suprises you with how emotional these transitions are. I was moved to tears in almost every novel, and "Stormrider" is no different. There are few other authors who write as well as this author and his style is very original. If you want a book, or rather a series of books, that can move you as well as carry you to some fantastic, while remaining believable, adventures, the "Tales of the Rigante" are a must.

these books are captivating. and what else is there to say about a book besides that... well, let's also say that if you are reading eat pray love or whatever, this might not be for you.

This would have to be an average book for Gemmell. His older books were by far better. Stormrider is also kinda corny.

Stormrider is Book 4 of 4 of the Rigante Series.
It takes place a few years after Ravenheart, Book 3 and is a true sequel to that book.

The Series:
The Rigante Series parallels the struggle of the Highlanders as other nations attempt to conquer them. The entire series spans about 800 years as war heroes defend their civilization against invading armies lusting for power. The Rigante enemies are similar to the Roman and British Empires.

As a fantasy fan, I was unpleasantly surprised to see gunpowder (pistols, muskets, cannons) introduced in Book 3. But Gemmell's larger than life characters, great dialogue, and exciting battles made it work. In Book 4, there are more guns, but a powerful ancient artifact is also introduced.

The Story:
The atrocities committed in the previous book lead to a civil war among the Varlish. The corrupt church and their bloodthirsty knights empowered with dark magic attempt to overthrow the king. As a result, the entire nation is plunged into chaos. There's political intrigue, battles, brawls, betrayal, and prophecies. The story is epic, the action is violent, and the characters are entertaining.

Writing Style:
Overall, this is a very good book, but it is one of the weakest of the Gemmell books. There is plenty of action and a ton of characters, but the book is missing a human element / charm. In Gemmell's other books, the characterization is strong throughout the entire book, where in this one, it seems like the characters are seasoned with bits of personality. The pacing is also a bit off. At times, the story feels like it is being told in a roundabout way and occasionally drifts from the main characters. Despite these minor criticisms, this is still a good book and a solid end to the Rigante Series.

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

Overall:
If you haven't read any of the Rigante Books, 1-2 are outstanding! 3 and 4 are good, but may turn off fantasy fans with the muskets and cannons. You can stop at book 2 if the guns really bother you.

If you want to find out how the Rigante Series ends, you really need to pick this up. It's the weakest of the Rigante Books, but it's still good.

Stormrider is a great addition to the series. Having read the previous reviews, I was not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised.

David Gemmell, in Stormrider, has written another fun piece of fantasy and concluded the Rigante series quite nicely. It is packed with action, intrigue, and magic. I can't stop reading Gemmell's books and hope that he will write forever.

Kaelin has found the love of his life and fought for her, and the Rigante, to live free from the rule of the Varlish. But there is another evil lurking in the land and stealing the magic from it. Will the Rigante have to unite with the one person they hate in order to rid the lands of this new evil?

Gaise Macon has been training to become a leader in the Varlish military, but he always has to watch his back from people he thinks are on his side. He will make many tough decisions but their will be one that could lead to the death of many or the salvation of the Rigante.

Both the Drenai and the Rigante series by David Gemmell are excellent. Every novel stands on its own, but they come together to create some great reading. The Rigante series finishes with interestingly and leaves the reader satisfied but at the same time wanting more. Keep writing David Gemmell and I and everyone else will keep reading. Everyone enjoy the last book of the Rigante series!