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byzula's review against another edition
5.0
What makes a man, a man? Good book, and makes you fall in love with the characters.
scachop's review against another edition
5.0
The first volume of the Drenai cycle, if read in chronological order, Waylander is also the name of the main protagonist of the story, a former soldier whose family was murdered and who has become a hitman living only for himself, without ever getting attached to anyone. As is often the case in Gemmel’s work, the life of this obscure hero will take an unexpected turn, which will lead to seemingly impossible but redemptive quest.
This is classic fantasy, which takes the form of a heroic epic as we know so many others. It is also David Gemmell, which means that gratuitous violence and uncomfortable descriptions of female characters are omnipresent. Beyond these aspects, however, it is in this book that the setting for what would become a series of 11 books begins to take shape, a true fantasy world that made the author famous. As for the main protagonist, he forms, with Druss, the most interesting and notable character in this universe.
Three novels are devoted to Waylander; the first opus remains the most powerful.
This is classic fantasy, which takes the form of a heroic epic as we know so many others. It is also David Gemmell, which means that gratuitous violence and uncomfortable descriptions of female characters are omnipresent. Beyond these aspects, however, it is in this book that the setting for what would become a series of 11 books begins to take shape, a true fantasy world that made the author famous. As for the main protagonist, he forms, with Druss, the most interesting and notable character in this universe.
Three novels are devoted to Waylander; the first opus remains the most powerful.
epearl8's review against another edition
5.0
"Why? Why is hate so much stronger than love? Why do the wicked reap such rich rewards? Why do strength and speed count for more than morality and kindness? And then the man realizes there are no answers. None. And for the sake of his sanity the man must change perceptions. Once I was a lamb playing in a green field. Then the wolves came. Now I am an eagle, and I fly in a different universe"
This one probably contains the best dialogue I've read in one of Gemmell's books so far. It also has probably the most (at first) irredeemable protagonist. Yet Waylander's redemption is incredibly powerful, simultaneously mysterious and also very realistic.
Gemmell once stated his books were all inspired by his Christianity, but he takes broad themes that followers of almost every religion could relate to. These themes are moral redemption, and a benovelent spiritual entity (referred to as "The Source" in this series) that guides lives and ends. This book also introduced a "chaos entity" that is to represent the devil, but this does not play a very large role.
It would be easy to say this story is repetitive and simple, and maybe so. But it's told so damn well it's too easy not to care. Once again, Gemmell's romance is lacking, characters simply fall for each other with little reason. I do wonder if this is something he ever got better at writing.
4.5/5
This one probably contains the best dialogue I've read in one of Gemmell's books so far. It also has probably the most (at first) irredeemable protagonist. Yet Waylander's redemption is incredibly powerful, simultaneously mysterious and also very realistic.
Gemmell once stated his books were all inspired by his Christianity, but he takes broad themes that followers of almost every religion could relate to. These themes are moral redemption, and a benovelent spiritual entity (referred to as "The Source" in this series) that guides lives and ends. This book also introduced a "chaos entity" that is to represent the devil, but this does not play a very large role.
It would be easy to say this story is repetitive and simple, and maybe so. But it's told so damn well it's too easy not to care. Once again, Gemmell's romance is lacking, characters simply fall for each other with little reason. I do wonder if this is something he ever got better at writing.
4.5/5
jeffschaible's review against another edition
3.0
Had a lot of free time this weekend, and read not one but two installments in David Gemmell's Drenai Saga. I enjoyed Waylander slightly less than the first two books, but think that has more to do with a somewhat familiar/formulaic structure to the books. I think rather than binging the series, I will treat Gemmell's great heroic fantasy series as "palate cleansers."
the_ook_worm's review against another edition
3.0
“Courage? It takes no courage to die. But living takes nerve.”
With Waylander (chronologically the first in the Drenai Saga) I can see why people say reading Gemmell can feel like reading an action movie. In Waylander we have less of the big ideas as there were in the two standalones (especially Morningstar) and less interesting characters, with more of a focus on the scale of war and combat sequences. I still enjoyed it but wasn’t as wowed by it as I was by Morningstar.
With Waylander (chronologically the first in the Drenai Saga) I can see why people say reading Gemmell can feel like reading an action movie. In Waylander we have less of the big ideas as there were in the two standalones (especially Morningstar) and less interesting characters, with more of a focus on the scale of war and combat sequences. I still enjoyed it but wasn’t as wowed by it as I was by Morningstar.
kareena91's review against another edition
4.0
Up until the 95% mark this was a solid 3/5, but good Lord, the ending got me so this gets a 4/5.
The last sentences were *chefs kiss*
'I watched her leave,' he said. 'She was riding with a companion. A man.'
'Did you recognise him?'
'No, he was a stranger. A waylander.'
The last sentences were *chefs kiss*
'I watched her leave,' he said. 'She was riding with a companion. A man.'
'Did you recognise him?'
'No, he was a stranger. A waylander.'
cat_brewsandreviews's review against another edition
5.0
'I caught a pebble in the moonlight.' Ahhhh, I had forgotten just how much I love Waylander. Such a great novel with great characters - I am so glad I decided to reread Waylander.
cat_brewsandreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Somehow I manage to forget just how much I love this book and get blown away by it every time I pick it up. With reluctant heroes all round, so much discussion around what it means to be good and some awesome characters, I can't recommend this enough.
2023 reread: Really relating to Gellan on this read through - that man is tired and so am I.
2023 reread: Really relating to Gellan on this read through - that man is tired and so am I.
lettore_sopravvalutato's review against another edition
4.0
Esiste la redenzione?
Straziante permettere al mondo di spazzare via aspettative e sogni; ancora più triste, forse, diventare parte di quel mondo nella disperata speranza di non dimenticare il passato e inseguire una giustizia sempre più fittizia e vuota.
Qui l'onore ed il perdono non possono trovare spazio; e gli ideali pronunciati tempo addietro hanno il sapore di cenere, un ricordo sempre più lontano dopo ogni quadrella scoccata.
Straziante permettere al mondo di spazzare via aspettative e sogni; ancora più triste, forse, diventare parte di quel mondo nella disperata speranza di non dimenticare il passato e inseguire una giustizia sempre più fittizia e vuota.
Qui l'onore ed il perdono non possono trovare spazio; e gli ideali pronunciati tempo addietro hanno il sapore di cenere, un ricordo sempre più lontano dopo ogni quadrella scoccata.
atal's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first of Gemmel's books that I have read. Bit of a slow start but picked up in an epic way for the second half. A true testament to the fact that you can build a whole world and a great story in a short fantasy novel. Easily readable as a standalone.