Take a photo of a barcode or cover
meuhlodi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
scachop's review against another edition
3.0
Quest for Lost Heroes, the eleventh opus in the Drenai saga (chronological order), follows the adventures of Tenaka Khan, whose Nadir empire is now ruled by his son, whose ambition is matched only by his cruelty. We follow the path of heroes of a mythical battle as they reunite to embark on a hopeless quest to help a young man rescue a kidnapped woman from his village. The quest, of course, turns out to be much bigger and more complex than expected.
In this book, David Gemmell really takes the time to develop the characters and give them some depth. We see them mature and transform over the pages, through discussions, encounters, and circumstances. The book also adds a layer to the series' story, giving us a better understanding of what followed the events of The King Beyond the Gate.
It’s a highly entertaining read compared to other titles in the series, especially for the characters, but it does get a bit spoiled along the way. Indeed, some elements are not properly contextualized (the Chiatze empire and the whole supernatural/other dimension thing), characters are poorly utilized and their narrative arc seems, in the end, to serve no purpose or come to nothing (Chien-Tsu), certain subjects are treated too lightly (a gang rape episode, for instance…) and the finale, as is often the case with other Gemmell’s books, is rushed and rather disappointing (a whole book to arrive at a conclusion that is barely a few pages long, with major antagonists being killed off in a line or two). It's still an interesting read as part of the Drenai series.
In this book, David Gemmell really takes the time to develop the characters and give them some depth. We see them mature and transform over the pages, through discussions, encounters, and circumstances. The book also adds a layer to the series' story, giving us a better understanding of what followed the events of The King Beyond the Gate.
It’s a highly entertaining read compared to other titles in the series, especially for the characters, but it does get a bit spoiled along the way. Indeed, some elements are not properly contextualized (the Chiatze empire and the whole supernatural/other dimension thing), characters are poorly utilized and their narrative arc seems, in the end, to serve no purpose or come to nothing (Chien-Tsu), certain subjects are treated too lightly (a gang rape episode, for instance…) and the finale, as is often the case with other Gemmell’s books, is rushed and rather disappointing (a whole book to arrive at a conclusion that is barely a few pages long, with major antagonists being killed off in a line or two). It's still an interesting read as part of the Drenai series.
jeffschaible's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, it's another fellowship of grizzled vets questing story. Yes, we're off to save the damsel in distress. Still, I found this to be a mild step up from Waylander. I particularly enjoyed the addition of some new cultures -- like the Kiatze.
kareena91's review against another edition
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - easiest 5 star ever.
This book really hit me in the feels. Despite being full of action, violence, and old school fun, it is the friendship woven throughout that really got me. David Gemmell does this thing really well where he makes you feel things!
It was my first time having a cry while reading, when
My favourite LOL moment was when they saw a gorilla in the jungle:
"What an obscenity"
"That's no way to talk about Beltzer's mother"
K that's all, I'm gonna go have another cry now.
This book really hit me in the feels. Despite being full of action, violence, and old school fun, it is the friendship woven throughout that really got me. David Gemmell does this thing really well where he makes you feel things!
It was my first time having a cry while reading, when
Spoiler
Finn having seen Maggrig's dead body, walks directly to him through the enemy and is killed as well.My favourite LOL moment was when they saw a gorilla in the jungle:
"What an obscenity"
"That's no way to talk about Beltzer's mother"
K that's all, I'm gonna go have another cry now.
theraddude's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cat_brewsandreviews's review against another edition
5.0
This book always gets to me. Finn and Maggrig, and Tanaki, Tenaka and Kiall. In an effort to avoid spoilers, all I'll say is that I cried even on a reread and I still loved this book.
lettore_sopravvalutato's review against another edition
5.0
Uniti nel combattere noi stessi
"Che vinciamo o che perdiamo, non otterremo nulla che il mondo possa capire". "Ma il mondo non ha importanza". "Infatti non ne ha. È piacevole saperlo."
"Allora hai deciso di morire, signore?"
"Ritengo che neppure io possa avere la speranza di affrontare l'intera nazione Nadir e sopravvivere."
"Mi hanno riversato nelle mani vino e cene, denaro e regali...ero sulla cima della montagna, ma lassù non c'era nulla. Nulla. Soltanto nuvole.
Ho scoperto che non potevo vivere sulla montagna, ma quando essa ti getta giù... oh, come desideri tornare in vetta! Ucciderei per poterla scalare ancora...venderei la mia anima...ed è così stupido."
Gli eroi di Gemmell, tutt'altro che invincibili, sono soprattutto uomini che devono combattere con i propri fantasmi: ognuno di loro ha un passato con la quale fare i conti, oppure colpe da cui sono fuggiti per tutta la vita, mentendo a se stessi nella speranza di ritrovare un equilibrio interiore.
Catturata l'essenza dell'eroe, spesso eccessivamente mitizzato oltre i meriti e la realtà stessa, quello che rimane sono luci ed ombre nell'animo di chi, perso tutto, cerca semplicemente la forza di potersi guardare allo specchio per un altro giorno ancora, prima della fine.
"Che vinciamo o che perdiamo, non otterremo nulla che il mondo possa capire". "Ma il mondo non ha importanza". "Infatti non ne ha. È piacevole saperlo."
"Allora hai deciso di morire, signore?"
"Ritengo che neppure io possa avere la speranza di affrontare l'intera nazione Nadir e sopravvivere."
"Mi hanno riversato nelle mani vino e cene, denaro e regali...ero sulla cima della montagna, ma lassù non c'era nulla. Nulla. Soltanto nuvole.
Ho scoperto che non potevo vivere sulla montagna, ma quando essa ti getta giù... oh, come desideri tornare in vetta! Ucciderei per poterla scalare ancora...venderei la mia anima...ed è così stupido."
Gli eroi di Gemmell, tutt'altro che invincibili, sono soprattutto uomini che devono combattere con i propri fantasmi: ognuno di loro ha un passato con la quale fare i conti, oppure colpe da cui sono fuggiti per tutta la vita, mentendo a se stessi nella speranza di ritrovare un equilibrio interiore.
Catturata l'essenza dell'eroe, spesso eccessivamente mitizzato oltre i meriti e la realtà stessa, quello che rimane sono luci ed ombre nell'animo di chi, perso tutto, cerca semplicemente la forza di potersi guardare allo specchio per un altro giorno ancora, prima della fine.
makkans's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annatsp's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason, Quest for Lost Heroes was a little slow going for me.
It could be because I haven't really been following the Drenai Saga (I'm a bit spotty in my reading of Gemmell as he's not really that common, or maybe I haven't really noticed him that much).
The one thing that stood out for me, as it has in all the Gemmell books I've read so far, is his concepts of nobility, love and sacrifice, that goes counter culture to the civilisation around, and yet is not in the least preachy.
It just feels like something beautiful that we should strive for in the midst of a messy world.
It could be because I haven't really been following the Drenai Saga (I'm a bit spotty in my reading of Gemmell as he's not really that common, or maybe I haven't really noticed him that much).
The one thing that stood out for me, as it has in all the Gemmell books I've read so far, is his concepts of nobility, love and sacrifice, that goes counter culture to the civilisation around, and yet is not in the least preachy.
It just feels like something beautiful that we should strive for in the midst of a messy world.
spidermum's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable
I enjoyed this, but it and some of the other DG books finish a bit suddenly. They are in great peril and then they are not. The end.
I enjoyed this, but it and some of the other DG books finish a bit suddenly. They are in great peril and then they are not. The end.