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Summary: Hero in the Shadows : A Waylander the Slayer Novel
Review: Good book with an interesting story line however, the earlier books in featuring Waylander are better.
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Summary: The best Drenai novel yet
Review: Hero in the Shadows is yet another of David Gemmell's excellent additions to the Drenai saga. Although I've enjoyed all of Gemmell's books I've never found the Drenai novels to be quite as good as the Rigante books and especially not as good as his excellent stand alone novel, Echos of the Great Song. The reason for this is that I've found some of the Drenai novels to be somewhat formulaic. However, Hero in the Shadows ranks among the best of Gemmell's work and breaths new life into a series that badly needs it. The reason that HITS is so good is that Gemmell takes his time with it. He doesn't try and cram it in under 300 pages like it seems he did with some of his other books. Instead he lets the story and the characters unfold. All of his best novels have been 400 pages or more. I have yet to read the newest Drenai book, White Wolf, but I plan to do so very soon. I hope that it continues the trend set by HITS. When Gemmell wants to be he can be among the best fantasy writers working today. He proved that with the Rigante books, Echos of the Great Song, and now with Hero in the Shadows. I'm very thankful that more and more of his books are becoming available on this side of the Atlantic. I hope that he is able to continue the excellence found in HITS.
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Summary: The Greatest Book Ever Written!
Review: I am an avid David Gemmell fan. I have read many great sci-fi and fantasy novels written by the best in the business: Asimov, Hickman, Stackpole. You name it I've read it! However, I have never ever been so moved by an author such as Mr. Gemmell. He is in my opinion the single greatest fiction author of today and quite possibly the last fifty years. This particular book is his finest peice yet. If you have not read any of the Waylander books yet, DO SO! Then read this one. It is most definitely Gemmell's greatest achivement. I wish I could have put more than only five stars in my rating for this book. Never have I felt so attached to a character and his life. I couldn't hold back my tears for Dakeyras in the Epilogue. It just tore at my heart. It just so amazing how Mr. Gemmell puts our humanity in perspective when you think of us all as a whole. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.
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Summary: Still the One
Review: I have been a fan of David Gemmell ever since i read Waylander all those years ago. When i heard that there was going to be a third Waylander book released i almost jumped out of my skin. Waylander has been my favorite Gemmell character. There have been more likeable people but Waylander touched a special part of me with his deep complexity and sorrow. This book is no exception. Hero in the Shadows is Waylander as he has always been. A tortured soul. But in this one he finally finds redemption and is able to forgive himself.
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Summary: One of Gemmell's best!
Review: I have read all of Gemmell's Drenai books and I think that Hero in the Shadows is one of the best. Waylander is one of the most interesting characters and you can the difference between the first Waylander book and this third one. Gemmell has grown in his writing and this book is a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!
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Summary: One of Gemmell's best!
Review: I have read all of Gemmell's Drenai books and I think that Hero in the Shadows is one of the best. Waylander is one of the most interesting characters and you can the difference between the first Waylander book and this third one. Gemmell has grown in his writing and this book is a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!
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Summary: wow! what a discovery!
Review: i have to admit, i have purchased several of gemmels books before and never actually read one. but this time was different, i started reading, and couldnt put it down. the character of waylander is so real and interesting. unlike most characters you read about in books, this character is 'real'. hes not the super villian or the super hero, but somewhere in between. the story and the characters will keep you reading till the sun comes up, but it is worth it. if you are new to this 'world' as i was, dont fear, the characters histories are fleshed out enough that you can follow along. if you are looking for a new author out there, this is him!
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Summary: I wanted to like this book, but the mediocrity overwhelms
Review: I love Gemmel's writings, and anticipated this book more than any other in a long time. I was happy that he continued the story of Waylander, previously chronicled in two other books. And it was great to have another Gemmell book to read. Sadly this is one of his weakest attempts, and is an unfortunate finish to the great Waylander saga. It seems that Mr. Gemmell has fallen into a bit of a rut. Although the Rigante books were very good, 'Hero in the Shadows' offers up nothing new in story or characters. Aside from a few of the main characters, the setting bears little resemblance to past Waylander books. Which makes sense, as the setting is different and does make the story new and interesting in that respect. But it didn't work, as this book didn't feel like it was truly part of the series. Many of the characters were also haphazardly put together from bits and pieces of previous characters. There's Yu Yu, who fits the role of 'coward turned hero in face of adversity'. Keeva is the requisite 'strong female presence with the hard life' story. There's also an invulnerable wizard villain whom I feel like I have seen before. What bugged me the most was the recycled plot elements that Gemmell seems to be fixated on (animal/man hybrids, parallel universes, weapons that glow when evil nears, etc.) Aside from these faults, Gemmell still proves that his worst is better than most peoples good. The book is well written, and no one writes a fight scene better than this guy. I know that Gemmell is better than 'Hero in the Shadows', and could've turned out another Legend if he wanted to. I just hope this novel isnt a taste of things to come.
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Summary: Superb!
Review: I was excited to find another Waylander novel, and Gemmell does not disappoint. Hero is a well-written, fast-paced yarn that brings back one of Gemmell's best characters. This book is a story of redemption for a man haunted by his past. Moral conflicts abound and are handled well. As usual his heroic characters have significant character flaws which them that much more realistic. I really can't think of much to complain about. Hero is simply a very enjoyable read. His first book, "Legend", was quite good, but I think he's an even better writer today. Sidenote: the mention of the death of 3 kings required to open the portals indicates at least a loose tie in with the novel "Winter Warriors". I think some of these characters may return in a forthcoming book.
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Summary: Hero in the Shadows
Review: In Hero in the Shadows, Waylander, the assassin hero of some of Gemmell's earlier books, is now a middle-aged man looking for peace in a world that will, for the most part, leave him alone. The crimes of his past come back to haunt him, as he finds himself responsible for a young prince whose grandfather he murdered. Then as creatures of a doomed legend come back to rule the world with blood and horror. An aging paladin, a loud-mouthed braggart whom a magic sword has chosen, and a kitchen girl who is very extraordinary must??? How does Gemmell do it ? I highly recommend this book. Two thumbs way up over here. This book was a true epic fantasy book.
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