thebardbarian_03's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rosiemc's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? No
3.25
jmschomers's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Really enjoyed this book. The beginning felt almost too fast with some of the setup but then Gemmell was able to make me care about many characters in a very short amount of time.
f4ustu5's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
whiskas's review against another edition
5.0
No one does Heroic Fantasy quite like David Gemmell.
He wrote with a vivid passion for the heroic deeds and honour. It is a fast-paced action novel with a focused narrative that never forgets the themes the author and stays true to them, carried by clever and thoughtful dialogues, along with some laconic tirades that hit hard.
The theme of the book is the siege of the mighty fortress of Dros Delnoch. A massive conflict that none of the survivors expect to even survive.
Druss, the Legend, is the motor behind the attempt at a defence. A hero admired by friends and foes he has a magnetic personality and personal qualities to pull off the defence effort and inspire those who feel hopelessness.
Gemmell puts up with a cast of heroic and tragic characters, occasionally jumping to the point of view to a never again seen character. But even in those short paragraphs we can feel for these characters and appreciate the story-telling the author can show.
The themes of heroism are brilliantly weaved, especially considering that the “bad side” have their own moments of narrative and focus. Sure it would be easy to portray the heroes having to face a horde of monsters, but even their enemies are shown as having an honourable side. It's definitely not a clichéd version of good vs. evil or even a conflict of grey morality but it is a conflict of what drives someone to do the things they do in a desperate situation. These are the main themes for each of the main characters as they experience and endure a conflict that slowly consumes them.
Legend is an all-time classic of Fantasy and it is outstanding in what it tried to explore and convey.
He wrote with a vivid passion for the heroic deeds and honour. It is a fast-paced action novel with a focused narrative that never forgets the themes the author and stays true to them, carried by clever and thoughtful dialogues, along with some laconic tirades that hit hard.
The theme of the book is the siege of the mighty fortress of Dros Delnoch. A massive conflict that none of the survivors expect to even survive.
Druss, the Legend, is the motor behind the attempt at a defence. A hero admired by friends and foes he has a magnetic personality and personal qualities to pull off the defence effort and inspire those who feel hopelessness.
Gemmell puts up with a cast of heroic and tragic characters, occasionally jumping to the point of view to a never again seen character. But even in those short paragraphs we can feel for these characters and appreciate the story-telling the author can show.
The themes of heroism are brilliantly weaved, especially considering that the “bad side” have their own moments of narrative and focus. Sure it would be easy to portray the heroes having to face a horde of monsters, but even their enemies are shown as having an honourable side. It's definitely not a clichéd version of good vs. evil or even a conflict of grey morality but it is a conflict of what drives someone to do the things they do in a desperate situation. These are the main themes for each of the main characters as they experience and endure a conflict that slowly consumes them.
Legend is an all-time classic of Fantasy and it is outstanding in what it tried to explore and convey.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
3.0
This was middle of the road for me - I understand that this is one of "those books" that you have to read if you enjoy Fantasy, and more specifically, Heroic Fantasy - let me say that, without spoiling those who have not read, this is a book of three parts - the first is a few chapters of going to battle and getting ready to fight - then the battle takes 85% of the book - and then the epilogue - there is very little of anything as far as storytelling goes - it is one big romp of war - and the end of the battle - huge let down - it felt like the author said, well, I only have 1,000 words to write, so I will end the war and wrap the story - with a 'twist' that made me re-read, because i could not believe that he did what he did - I will maybe read one more Gemmell, but for the most part, he writes well enough to read, but the stories of his taht I have read leave wanting a Story - it is a string of action sequences with no real reason and a slew of people telling stories of the past for backstory - last chance will be Waylander ....
mrsano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
willowbiblio's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in 2 days because I could not put it down. It was clear the book was written in more modern times because of the kind of humor, even though it's fantasy with swords and battles and the like. Gemmell did a fantastic job of filling out countless characters and each one was significant. I also appreciated that he didn't save people just because they were likable or close to the reader. In fact, the loss of those characters made this a much more believable-as far as plausibility within their world goes- story of what it truly means to face your fears. I'm adding the rest of the saga to my reading list, and looking forward to exploring Drenai more.
neilsef's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
While this is not David Gemmell's most refined novel, it is still a fantastic first book, that already has all those qualities that make his novels compulsive reading.
The characters are fully formed and spring off the page, the action is intense and unremitting, while the depth of emotion generated is second to none.
It is thirty-eight years since I last read Legend and there was a worry that it would not be as good as I remember it being, but if anything it is far better, my perspective has changed, being that much older, so there are nuances now that I doubt registered when I was younger.
The story is one of anticipation, courage, resignation, heartbreak and friendship as the Nadir relentlessly attack the Dros in overwhelming numbers and unbridled ferocity.
There are numerous emotional scenes throughout the book, but the last twenty per cent tries to wring every last drop out of you. My eyes misted over and a lump came to my throat more times than I thought possible.
Do yourself a favour and read this, I doubt you will regret it.
The characters are fully formed and spring off the page, the action is intense and unremitting, while the depth of emotion generated is second to none.
It is thirty-eight years since I last read Legend and there was a worry that it would not be as good as I remember it being, but if anything it is far better, my perspective has changed, being that much older, so there are nuances now that I doubt registered when I was younger.
The story is one of anticipation, courage, resignation, heartbreak and friendship as the Nadir relentlessly attack the Dros in overwhelming numbers and unbridled ferocity.
There are numerous emotional scenes throughout the book, but the last twenty per cent tries to wring every last drop out of you. My eyes misted over and a lump came to my throat more times than I thought possible.
Do yourself a favour and read this, I doubt you will regret it.