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Summary: Druss is the Man!!!
Review: This is my second Gemmell book, and I really enjoyed it. It's definitely not one of your softcore fantasy type books. There's plenty of blood, guts, and disembowling to last you a while. I have to read something a little "softer" before I read the next book in the series. This was a great book that I could not put down, and the showdown was very gripping. It was as if you were right there...thank God I wasn't. Plus, Druss is the Man!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Written by a 5 year old.
Review: This book is bad. After reading well developed stories written by Robert Jordan (1st 5 books), Stephen Lawhead, Sharon Kay Penman and Orson Scott Card, it is impossible to accept this forced story. After reading the first two chapters I threw this book down disgusted by the shallow characters and weak plot. It felt like Gemmell was trying to force me to accept his characters and how they relate to each other. There is very little chemistry. If you want a copy of this book you can have mine that I left at the Sheraton in Denver, plugging up the toilet.
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Summary: Legend...a lesson in humanity
Review: I first read Legend in 1987, and have read it about once a year since. Legend is a fast-paced tale of heroes and villains. It reads like a pulp western novel, but with philosophical undertones. Gemmel writes believable characters and locations, transporting you to exoctic locales with incredible comrades. Once you've read Gemmel, nothing else in the field of fantasy fiction will do.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Possibly the greatest fantasy book written. The feeings that you develop for the characters and the situation they find themselves in is amazing. The entire novel is focussed on the fact they can't win. They won't win. The odds are just too against them. In comparison with other novels I enjoyed this becasue no characters are spared. Main characters and marginal characters are killed off as plot dictates with no regard to your feelings towards that character. The magic is not so overwhelming that it is the central issue involved in thee storyline and all the characters are almost of scared of being themselves as they are of dying. The real masterstroke in this book however is the lack of a map. Suddenly you are confronted with having to use your imagination. Are there are places nearby that might be able to help? How far is between places and travelling timeas are issues that you have to retain. Simply brilliant.
Rating: 
Summary: A legend in and of itself
Review: This book is probably the best I have ever read. The characters are not that well defined, the story is confusing in the begginning, and it jumps from character to character without warning adding to the confusion. The main thing that sticks out in my mind is that Rek and Virae hate each other and then within an hour and some sex they pledge their undying love. But if you like fighting then this is the book for you, it consists of mostly fighting and the author goes into alarming detail. Gemmel includes just the right amount of honor and hopelessness to make this book worthwhile. Despite its earlier flaws this book is more than worth the money it costs and the time it takes to read. I certainly intend to read this again and again. It is almost impossible to tell people about how good this book really is in the thousand word limit that is given us, so if you are considering buying this book, read the other reviews and they should make up your mind. Gemmel is not an International Bestseller for nothing!
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Summary: Demmit!
Review: Gemmell does it again and again and again! When he sets scribing to paper sparks fly indeed. This man and his writing is some of the most heart tugging I've ever read, it holds the entirety of humanity, good and bad, in fictional characters that seem to lunge out and into your mind as the story unfolds. Through any flaws anyone might find, they are superficial compared to the heart of the story. This is a definite read my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been even better
Review: Three stars may be against the trend of reviews here, but it just didn't strike a big chord in me. On the good side, its not trite and it does not ever get boring! The heroes are up against an impossible battle. They do not fail, but they don't win by some wimpy unbelieveable turn of events, either (thank god). I hope to read the other books in the series, but I'm not in a rush to do so (hence the rating). I enjoyed the sweat and perseverence, but couldn't get motivated to support the characters. They all seem to be involved "because its something to do." Gemmell's photo and bio on the back cover was as interesting as the story. I have high hopes for the other books in the series.
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Summary: I'd give it more if I could
Review: Gemmell's work is all about the indomitable human spirit and the ability for humans to overcome anything. In this book Druss is a towering giant of a hero. He and all the other characters in the book, including the main villian, are awesome figures that are truly heroic heroes. You must get this book.
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Summary: A legend is born
Review: Gemmell has said that 'Legend' remains his favourite book. 1st published in the U.K. in 1984, it launched the man into a career that has placed him today arguably as the top living British fantasy writer. Spawning numerous sequels and prequels set in the Drenai world. As a first novel, it is an excellent story. Characters are crisp and fresh - the plot simple, but robust. This is, of course, not as mature as his later work, but this is understandable. Gemmell creates worlds which as basic in construct with a bronze-age, or iron-age feel to them, rather than the complex medieval worlds of authors such as George RR Martin, or Tad Williams. Gemmell's Empires and kingdoms have more akin to those of ancient Greece, Rome or Carthage than to Arthurian Legends or medieval Europe. For comparison see his latest 'Rigante' works. Once you start with Gemmell you will find you want to come back for more
Rating:
Summary: legend
Review: This was the first Gemmell book I read. I have since read every one he has written. He is the only author I'm prepared to pay full-price for the hardback as soon as it comes out, and being a less than afluent chap, that's saying something. On the same subject, the reason you won't find his books in secondhand shops is that these books of his are re-read by their owners so often. I won't give a synopsis of the plot, the other reviewers have done that more than adequately. I asked my 60 year old father to read 'Legend': 'I don't think so, isn't really for me',he said. I kept at him and eventually he did read it. Now all I get is 'Any more David Gemmell books, son?'. Tell your friends: what you have heard is true. They're powerful enough to make you cry, they're absorbing, detailed, beliveable, epic, compulsive. Thank you Mr Gemmell, just wish you'd spend less time with your family and more time in the study.
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