Rating: 
Summary: A novel that transcends genre.
Review: I read fantasy novels infrequently and had never before encountered David Gemmll. The book has the usual fantasy trappings: knights in shining armor; duels to the death; mystics and masters of magic. What sets this book apart is that the characters seem real...no one is perfect, they all have flaws and even the most despicable is capable of heroism in crisis. In this novel being good does not guarentee success, being in love does not necessarily lead to happiness and the uncertainty leaves the ending entirely in doubt. This was not just a good story, it was life on a grand scale.
Rating: 
Summary: Not His Best
Review: I'm a Gemmell fan through and through, but this was quite unlike him. Better to re-read the Drenai books.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fantastic
Review: In an age where fantasy novels tend to be droning multi-volume imitations of J.R.R. Tolkien (Robert Jordan's _Wheel of Time_ series anyone?) David Gemmell is a refreshing change. Gemmell knows how to write a tight, fast paced, meaningful fantasy that fits in one book. In _Knights of Dark Renown_ we are introduced to Manannan, who years ago hung back while his fellow Knights of the Gabala headed through a gateway into Hell to fight the forces of evil. Ever since then Manannan has been shamed by his cowardice and now must face his fears and fight the darkness that is overcoming the world. The ending of this book is melancholy, yet beautiful.
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Summary: A master piece of modern fiction
Review: Knights is one in a long line of books that undoubtedly place David Gemmell among the elite of authors that write fiction. From start to finish I was taken on a rollercoster ride of fear, sorrow and laughter with incredible depth. Written by the master himself, Knights and his others book set the standards by which other fictional books should be judged. 'nough said.
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Summary: Gemmell has outdone himself in a tale of war and trust.
Review: Knights of Dark Renown is simply the most amazing fantasy book I have read in years. With my favorite authors coming up dry in the mind, I can always look to Gemmell for something new and exciting. Though the book itself is several years old, I have saved it for a time when I needed a really good time. He has succeeded where others have failed. In this novel, Gemmell tells us a tale of a warrior that has fallen from grace. Once, he was among the greatest of knights, but he fell cowardice to the evil that consumed his fellow comrades. Years later, he is once again confronted with his fear, and he must go to save his friends, or the world will fall to dark powers. Gemmell builds strong characters and stronger images in the reader's mind when he writes, for the relationships between characters and their struggles are defined so eloquently and carefully. Never one to drag out a story, he writes clearly and to the point, avoiding excessive moments of detail. His world is still fully realized however, and since the result of this novel is unknown until the end, it will make you want to read it from start to finish
Rating: 
Summary: A fast moving tale with an ending that demands more
Review: The characters in the book are much less the ideals, tainted with everything from cowardice to lust to greed. Nonetheless, the fate of the world depended on such for defence against a despotic ruler aided by mysterious knights.Unlike other fantasy settings, there is never a grand stage which detailed the lands and the people - the author gave little information about the world. Nonetheless, the official persecution of the group of people in the book known as the Nomads hardly require any elaboration as it is a throwback to the anti-semitic practices in history. It is a refreshing to see the heroes are practically outclassed in terms of magical and physical prowess, with barely an edge on moral grounds. Heroes can die and did die and the ending is not predictable. What is unsatisfactory is that the epilogue ended a tale which have not ended.
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Summary: Good stuff
Review: The first Gemmell book I read, which then led me into the Drenai series, which is amazing. Its all good reading.
Rating:
Summary: more good gemmell, not the best
Review: This book is a good example of a story that was almost but not quite fully developed. The feel of the world is solid Gemmel but it lacks a little of the character development you expect. The magic system seemed a little cliched, (colors red,black etc..) and the ending, after much buildup seemed much too rushed considering this book seems to lack a little in length. Still if your a Gemmell fand and need a fix between newer installments read this by all means and if you are looking for a simple and very good fantasy book that isnt part of a multi-part series give this a look, but if you havent read anything else by this author I suggest you start with Waylander or the stones of power series.
Rating:
Summary: more good gemmell, not the best
Review: This book is a good example of a story that was almost but not quite fully developed. The feel of the world is solid Gemmel but it lacks a little of the character development you expect. The magic system seemed a little cliched, (colors red,black etc..) and the ending, after much buildup seemed much too rushed considering this book seems to lack a little in length. Still if your a Gemmell fand and need a fix between newer installments read this by all means and if you are looking for a simple and very good fantasy book that isnt part of a multi-part series give this a look, but if you havent read anything else by this author I suggest you start with Waylander or the stones of power series.
Rating: 
Summary: Uninspired compared to other works of Gemmels'
Review: This book is one of Gemmel's worst. Gemmel started out in his career with the excellent book Legend, and followed up with the excellent Stones of Power Series. In between all this he wrote some mediocre books, if not bad. The character development is nowhere to be seen in this book, and the plot barely involves the main character from the back of the book. There are too many characters and too many situations involved at once, which causes the books meager plot to suffer. Gemmel, like the great sci fi writer George R Martin, likes to give all his characters a realistic, if not political spin. in this book it has become quite cliched. Main characters hate one another nothing more than the reason that they're just plain there. Necessary development is shortened in weak flashbacks and uneven skips in the plot. The conclusion is abrupt, and quite unsatisfying. As the supposed "main character" isn't really in it. A sentence or two is his conclusion. For a good Gemmel book, try Morningstar or a John Shannow book. Avoid this one at all costs.
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