Customer Reviews

Waylander (Drenai, Book 3)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every time I've read this book, I'm continually amazed at how well it's done. Gemmell has a definite formula (or formulas) from which he rarely strays. I didn't know this the first time I read the book, but even now it doesn't detract from what may be some of his best work.

At no point does Gemmell falter in his plain-spoken, yet insightful writing style. He delivers a world both with a complex and detailed history as well as chock full of shades of gray. I'm inspired to write stories like this.

Waylander is one of my favorite characters of all time. Complex, detailed, unexpected, and sort of realistic. He reminds me of Jason Bourne in a fantasy setting. It seems to me that after a lifetime of assassination, that one becomes both a stellar hunter, but also skilled in many areas required to survive.

Gemmell is a good writer and his Drenai series are generally very good compared to a lot of the stuff out there. I reread the series once in a while and I'm thankful that he keeps putting out books in this universe. I recommend this book (and the whole series, in fact) to all who call themselves fantasy fans.

The only complaint I would have about this book was that it was not long enough. Gemmel seems to develop the plot and characters at lightening speed, sometimes at the cost of depth. In fact, some of the more well-developed characters in the book were secondary to the plot (for example, Jonat, Kai, and several others). The ending was very disconcerting since I expected about 150 pages more and suddenly, it was over, with a Dragnet-style epilogue.

All that being said, David Gemmel brings back to the fantasy genre something it has sorely missed. In countless other throw-away "epics," authors fling shallow characters and weak plots at us as if we were playing some kind of printed video game. In Waylander, we are treated to characters with enough personality to actually form opinions on them. We grow to like and dislike them on their own merits, rather than through some contrived description.

I especially liked Gemmel's development of the theosophy of Drenai. The conflict between good and evil with some strongly Gnostic flavoring is something everyone can appreciate. The deeds of magic were kept at a dull roar with every one of them requiring little or no suspension of disbelief.

I haven't read any of the other Drenai books, but I intend to based on the strength of Waylander.

Note: There are a few spoilers.

I once read an interview from Mr. Gemmell stating that this was his first attempt at writing a redemption story. As such, there are some areas that are, well, less than his normal stellar writing. Then again, I consider him leagues ahead of most writers, so he gets 4 stars.

The basic plot is that the Drenai are being ethnically cleansed from the face of the earth. Waylander, the protagonist, helped start the war by assassinating the king of the Drenai. As a means of atoning, he is commissioned by the father of the dead king to find the Armor of Bronze, which will rally the Drenai against the invaders, win the war, and save their nation. Along the way, he falls in love, indirectly leads to the creation of the Temple of the Thirty, and helps redeem several other characters who, like him, operated on the edge of society.

Sounds trite, no? Well, yes, actually, it does. The key to Mr. Gemmell's writing is that he's very good at characterization. Everything seems natural, nothing is forced. He's always a joy to read. The consequences of his characters' acts sometimes ring down for generations...in one moment, a single act leads directly to the creation of one of the world's greatest forces for good. Likewise, Waylander still faces repercussions from his slaughter of the Drenai king 50 years later, in Hero in the Shadows.

Go. Read him.

I first read Waylander when i was 13. I'd never heard of David Gemmell and had no real interest in books either. The only reason i was in the library was to get away from the teasing i received in the schoolyard. Had it not been for those people teasing me i still probably wouldn't have heard of David Gemmell to this day. I don't quite remember what attravted me to Waylander, maybe the nice cover or the blurb, all i know is that every lunch time for the next 2 months i was in that library reading Waylander. Althought there were things that i didn't understand in it i was nonetheless enthralled by the story and i still am today. I've graduated from high school and am now in my second year at university and Waylander is still my favorite book to read. To a 13 year old boy it was an escape from reality to a world of adventure and heros, to the 18 year old who reads it on average 3 times a year it has become a close friend who takes me on a journey down a path that i have often walked but never tired of. Thankyou David Gemmell for introducing me to Waylander and his family. Without them my life would be infinitely different and much less bareable.

...But It Does! David Gemmell infuses a brand new character, Waylander the Slayer, in the Drenai Series, making this book even better. I couldn't wait to learn more about Waylander's past and where he fell in the sequence of events from the previous three books in the series. The same crisp and clean style of writing is seen throughout this book and the furious pace of the book makes this one of the best in the series so far.

Waylander is known throughout the land as the most deadly assassin. He is known for his deadly accuracy and uncaring heart, but one good deed, the rescue of Dardalion, changes Waylander's path forever. With the past haunting him, Waylander takes on a quest from the most unlikely of people that could help win the war against Kaem and his army.

Dardalion, a Source priest, has committed his life to love and kindness. Even while he is being robbed, he refuses to defend himself. When Waylander saves him from the robbers, he rethinks his place in the world and decides to fight for good.

These two new characters will try to help change the shape of the Drenai world. Whether it is for the good or the bad, only the ending will determine that. 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. Enjoy the wonderful characters. Enjoy the fast-paced action. Just enjoy the book!

This is the fourth book of the Drenai Tales written by David Gemmell.
You don't have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one.
If you have read the other books, then you need to read this one!

The Drenai World is a fantasy realm populated by the 3 different races that are constantly at war. The civilized Drenai, the nomadic Nadir, and the ruthless Vagrians. There is some magic in the form of telepathy and astral projection, but you won't see any magic missiles. There are werewolves, but there are no dragons, unicorns, elves... It's a fairly realistic setting for a fantasy novel.

The Drenai King was slain and their lands are overrun by Vagrians. On the brink of genocide, and hopelessly outnumbered, the Drenai must band together and fight to survive. Gemmell writes very realistic characters in times of despair and triumph. All of the main characters are expertly developed and have their own flaws, agendas, and paths to redemption.

The book features a new character called the Waylander. The Waylander is a cold-blooded assassin who makes a living through murder and revenge. The Waylander has chosen this path because he's lost everything dear to him in the past, but he is not beyond redemption. The Waylander is like one of Clint Eastwood's Western Characters, with more depth. Pursued by bounty hunters, he finds himself drawn into the war. At some point, he is faced with a choice that could change the outcome of the battle. It's very easy to cheer for him. Along his quest, he ends up changing the lives of others and motivating them in a positive way.

Many of Gemmell's characters are ordinary men who are capable of performing extra-ordinary feats because of the circumstances surrounding them. His books are gritty and inspirational. If you want to read a good story about how normal men become heroes, then you owe it to yourself to pick it up.

If you're into light fantasy reading with dragons, wizards, and fairies, then you should skip this one.

Edit: This was my favorite, but I just finished Book 5, In the Realm of the Wolf, and that's even better than this book! Read them both!

Waylander was an assassin, an occupation with a few hazards. Hired to kill the king, he did so. His employer decided not to pay the large amount of cash, so he killed someone close to him.

Now people are hunting Waylander, as are a shaman and sorcerous beasts.

Waylander does something unusual for him, he rescues a man, who is a Source priest, and because of Waylander, ends up founding the Thirty.

This book is set a long time before legend. There are two military leaders of the Drenai with power, Egel and Karnak, and to get rid of their opposition they must learn to work together and survive a siege.

Waylander is drawn into this battle, and his travelling and other skills are put to the test when he must travel to find the Armour of Bronze, to rally the armies. A lot depends on the legendary skills of Waylander the Slayer.

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On the surface David Gemmell's stories are simple and straight forward. His heroes through skill, courage, and a personal code of honor, save the day. But, just barely scratch that surface, and you see where Gemmell's magic lies. In the struggle of good vs. evil, Gemmell shines in the in-between shades-of-grey. He reads like a Western. Dark heroes with pasts who are skilled at violence, but its that skill that is necessary for survival of the good-guys.

In Waylander, The fate of a Drenai rests on the shoulders of an assassin. It's Gemmell at his best.

Waylander is typical Gemmell. A great warrior - Waylander - with a mysterious and angry past is pitted against the hoard. This time the Nadir, magical and dark priests, and nether-beasts stalk Waylander in his quest to recover mystical armor that has been hidden until the chosen one comes for it. Even his friends are tempted by the bounty on his head. Waylander must hurry, however, as the clock is ticking for his brethren being sieged in their mountain stronghold. Murder, mystery and mayhem follow Waylander, for it is well known that he is the man who killed the king, and was once deadliest man in the land... But now he is getting older...

A great story and a crucial lead up to the Legend of Deathwalker - the finest of all Gemmell books.

Relic113

Waylander by David Gemmell is the fourth book in the Drenai saga. The books in order that should be read before reading this one are: Legend, The King Beyond the Gates, and Quest for Lost Heroes. In this book Gemmell deviates a little from the first three books, it is no longer the retired hero coming back to save the day. There seems to be more lot and much more character development within this book. I find it hard to separate Gemmell's books as they are all equally good in my opinion.

The plot of this book is told primarily through the eyes of Waylander, but there are a few times where peripheral characters take over for side quests. There is also a secondary story that takes place with a group trying to hold a keep. That element of the story is classic Gemmell, he writes those scenes well, he has a knack for writing characters dieing. The emotion that goes into that is uncanny, Gemmell's books have very tight plots and nothing happens without a reason. There is no `fluff' to these books. Some may consider the plot simplistic, I don't see that. I think it harkens back to the days when fantasy was fantasy and not this mass produced drivel that seems to be dominating the shelves today.

Unlike the first three Gemmell books that I have read, this novel is packed with character development. In fact I was actually surprised at the amount just from reading the first three novels. That's not to say the first three didn't have character development, it's just in this book Gemmell takes it to a deeper lever and it was something I enjoyed reading. The character of Waylander really made some great strides in this book and I am eagerly awaiting reading In The Realm of the Wolf which is the continuation of this book.

All in all I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy books. This is not a deep all encompassing read, but the story and characters are both solid and it makes for a fun book to read. The beauty of the Drenai books is they can be read as individual books without losing too much of the story. I would recommend reading them in order, but it is not necessary to enjoy the book. Another solid enjoyable book by Gemmell.