Rating: 
Summary: I was absolutely spellbound!
Review: I started reading Gemmell with the Rigante series and I thought Gemmell was brilliant. After reading "Legend" I am absolutely spellbound. Gemmell writes heroic fatasy which has spoiled me for everything else. Tons of action, excellent character development, unpredictable plots, heroism, cowardice, love, betrayl. Its all there. If you love fantasy and have not discovered Gemmell yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Trash
Review: This book was recommended to me by someone when I told him that I was a fan of Glen Cook's "The Black Company" books. I was expecting gritty, compelling, characters with an interesting plot. Instead, I got a bunch of one-dimensional characters and a re-hash of a standard plot. I had to force myself to choke down the first half of this book, and the second half was barely any better. I found no reason to care for these characters or what would happen to them. I couldn't find a reason to root for the "good guys". And I didn't care who died or how.I realize that this is supposed to be an action book and not a character-driven novel with lots of plot development. But the first half completely lacked action, and the action in the second half of the book was glossed over so as to sound more like a summary than a novel. Even the "surprises" at the end were only surprises if you hadn't been paying attention throughout the rest of the book. Throughout the entire thing, Gemmell basically said "I'm going to go in one direction throughout the entire book, and then shift direction in the last few pages through use of a completely contrived plot device." Actually, one of the surprises nearly surprised me, not because I didn't see it coming, but because I didn't believe that anyone would be hokey enough to try to throw in BOTH of the "feel-good" endings into one book. But he did. And I found myself audibly groaning while reading it. I can't believe that so many people here liked this book. It will forever make me skeptical of believing any review I see here ever again. If you like good military fantasy, do not read this book. Check out The Black Company by Glen Cook. Trust me.
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Summary: Druss is one bad dude!!!!!!
Review: Anyone who doesn't like this book is crazy. Legend is an epic book about a warrior who all guys would love to be. He lives for the battle and fears nothing. Druss makes Conan look like a computer geek. In Legend, Druss is an old man and thinks his days of battle are over. Instead, his greatest battle is still to come as he is summoned to defend the walls of dros delnoch once more. The armies of Ulric are unstoppable, but don't tell Druss that. He aint listening!!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Recommended by another; quite a disappointment
Review: Disappointing; writing started good in the prologue but contemporary dialogue brought it down some; not enough happening; mediocre to poor characters at best; two antagonists fell in love too soon; not believable; too much introspection on the part of the main character for about 45 pages; too much exposition; too much said that wouldn't have been said by people who lived in that time! And, worse, it was explained in dialogue. Check out how George Martin does it!)
Rating:
Summary: Plot needs deeper development
Review: "Legend" begins with a renegate soldier, Rek, and an old man, Druss, on the mountain. Rek is running away from battle whilst Druss is compelled towards it, as his days as a hero are ending. Eventually, Rek is also pulled into the battle once he meets the love of his life: Virae, daughter of the earl whose town is under siege (or will be soon). Ready to follow her anywhere Rek is sucked into the battle and inadvertently becomes the earl of the town when the earl dies and he marries Virae. In a battle of lost hope, the odds heavily against Dros Delnoch as the Nabir tribes heavily outnumber the soldiers in the city, Druss arrives. He gets the city's act together, toughening up and training the troops, raising morale and bringing reinforcements of wood archers to the battle. All the while, everyone knows that hope is truly lost, even with the magical Thirty ... or is it? The plot is certainly pace-y. But in its haste, it forgets to elaborate and develop the details. There is no soul-searching among the characters and Gemmel does not sufficiently demonstrate what drives them. Oh sure, we can guess, but where are those savouring details that glue a reader to the page? What are the peculiar habits of the key characters? Their passions, their hates, their fears? Not enough time is given either for the reader to familiarise him or herself with the large number of characters in this book. It took me half the book to remember who Serbitar was again ... (maybe it's just me, but I've been through plenty of very detailed fantasy novels). On the plus side, there is tremendous detail on military strategy which might interest those with a warlike inclination. The idea of the "evil" being a tribe or empire in the building rather than a down-to-the-core black/evil & white/good is life-like; although I'm not sure whether the picnic Ulric and Druss have is realistic - but then, this is fantasy. On the down side, Druss' speeches to lift morale are simply terrible. Why the editor didn't take those passages out is beyond me. I would recommend this book only to readers seeking a swift passage and to those who have a strong interest in fighting strategies.
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Summary: Its safe to say that the book changed my life
Review: I have just started reading searously as I am just a teenager, I have read other books before, but this is the first book that has cought my imagination and interest to the fullest extent. Now, frankly I am not a critic and I don't even consider myself well read. From the first moment, I picked up this book I could not put it down, for the first time in my life I felt the power a book holds! I know now that you can't compare it to any movie or dvd. After reading the LEGEND I am sure that I will keep track of all David Gemmell's work. I think David Gemmell is a great writer and shows real talent in his writing as he alone changed my prospective towards books so if you have got some spare time on your hands, I will advise you to give this book a go, maybe it will do for you what it did for me.
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Summary: A Hero for the Ages
Review: Ok, I see that there are folks who like dumping on creations that others have made. All I can say is "Where's your book ?" At last count, I had over 4,000 books in my collection. Many authors on many topics, Fantasy is one of my favorite catogories. David Gemmell writes better than all the Aurthorian legend writers combined. His character development from book to book, is better than many do in just 1 book. I'd rank his work with Louis Lamour's westerns, as readable and enjoyable. High praise from someone who thinks Luke Short and Louis Lamour are the best writers in print. David Eddings also is character-centered writer whose works rival Gemmell's, however, his works are a step down from Gemmell. His character assessment is just as good though. I feel pulled along thru these books, as if I was really there, living the story with the character. What possible higher praise can a reader give ?????
Rating: 
Summary: SWASHBUCKLER !!!!!
Review: Swashbuckler !!! If you're into heroic fantasy, but like Douglas Fairbanks Jr flick matinees of yore & yonder, you should have a real ball with this early work by David Gemmell. I have known the British edition since 84 & Gemmell has matured A LOT since then, but I love this read ! Is there new or original stuff here ? No ! Does the plot have more holes than a Swiss cheese & still retains its cheesiness ? Yeah ! Is the Grand Finale a cop-out ? I would say so ! Do the characters tend towards cliché ? Can't deny it ! Do I care ? Noo ! Take this book as it is - straightforward & slightly tongue-in-cheek action, very likeable protagonists capable of heroic actions and gallant acts, a noble savage as the villain, cowards with guts - and one humungous wall to defend. Oh yes, and Druss is old 'n fat - but we knew that already, didn't we. So don't be a square - this is pure entertainment written with the unerring verve & enthusiasm of youth. If you like swashbucklers, give Legend a shot. Sparrowhawk
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Summary: TRUST ME ON THIS ONE
Review: I've read lots of fantasy authors: Robert E. Howard, Robert Jordan, J.R.R. Tolkien, Roger Zelazny, Michael Moorcock, Harlan Ellison, Michael Ende, Terry Goodkind, Tad Williams, started books by George R. R. Martin and Stephen R. Donaldson. NEED I SAY MORE? I've probably read more worthwhile fantasy than the lot of you combined. Here's my problems with this book: Number one, it's not original. Drag the old war-hero out of his abode in the mountains so that he can return to greatness and save the world. I don't care if there are 20,000 or even 200 MILLION bad guys, the OLD, ANCIENT good guy is going to win. The blurb on the author gave it away: "believes in true love and good conquering over evil" or something like that. Sorry, but that just ruined the ending for me. I guess Gemmell's idea of "true love" is having sex after knowing the character for a scant 10 pages? Oh, and here we go again with the priests and their sacrafices again. The long uplifting speech to the soldiers. Talk all you want, I wouldn't be uplifted if I knew I was going to be up against 20,000 men when my forces only number 500. They compared this book to Robert E. Howard. I don't think that reviewer knew what he was talking about. I got halfway through this book before telling myself, "James, life is too short to waste on mediocre books. Pass on this one." So I did. I ended up taking that book to a second-hand store, which is a better place for that book than it deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun
Review: Well, it's not high literature, as others have mentioned, but it's certainly a great read. In life sometimes you just want a bit of escapism, and Gemmell certainly delivers that. Never boring, always entertaining, in a world where heroes do exist (unlike this world's motley collection of self serving infidels) and no one ever dies without a damn good reason or a decent last line. Swords flashing everywhere and lots of blood, realistic if overblown characters (none are the typical noble and shining knight) and most of all, a plot that keeps you interested and rooting for the defenders. a great quick read
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