Rating: 
Summary: David Gemmel's Waylander
Review: The only complaint I would have about this book was that it was not long enough. Gemmel seems to develop the plot and characters at lightening speed, sometimes at the cost of depth. In fact, some of the more well-developed characters in the book were secondary to the plot (for example, Jonat, Kai, and several others). The ending was very disconcerting since I expected about 150 pages more and suddenly, it was over, with a Dragnet-style epilogue.All that being said, David Gemmel brings back to the fantasy genre something it has sorely missed. In countless other throw-away "epics," authors fling shallow characters and weak plots at us as if we were playing some kind of printed video game. In Waylander, we are treated to characters with enough personality to actually form opinions on them. We grow to like and dislike them on their own merits, rather than through some contrived description. I especially liked Gemmel's development of the theosophy of Drenai. The conflict between good and evil with some strongly Gnostic flavoring is something everyone can appreciate. The deeds of magic were kept at a dull roar with every one of them requiring little or no suspension of disbelief. I haven't read any of the other Drenai books, but I intend to based on the strength of Waylander.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books i have ever read.
Review: This book has it all. Swords, sorcery, war, religion, who could ask for anything more. Gemmell ties it all together as only he can do, if you buy this book, prepare to lose some sleep because you will not be able to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books i have ever read.
Review: This book has it all. Swords, sorcery, war, religion, who could ask for anything more. Gemmell ties it all together as only he can do, if you buy this book, prepare to lose some sleep because you will not be able to put it down.
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Summary: Very clearly cut characters
Review: This book is marvelous. I read it from the first edition it was published in. I still re-read it every now and then. I couldn't believe I actually missed its sequel. Never a moment of boredom in it. The only time I believe David Gemmell outdone himself even more was when he wrote 'The King Beyond the Gate'
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best!
Review: This novel was teriffic. David Gemmell could stand a chance to win fantasy's best writer award! Keeping in his tradition of heroic charicters and dark deeds this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. His ability to take a charicter, that under any other circumstances would be a villan and make him into the last hope hero is amazing. If you are tired of knowing exactly what to expect in a fantasy book read this and feel refreshed!
Rating: 
Summary: Another hit
Review: Waylander is the fourth Gemmell novel I've read, the first three being Legend, The King Beyond the Gate, and Quest For Lost Heroes. Though none have truly been home runs, all have been enjoyable and Quest For Lost Heroes was a gem. Waylander slips a bit from Quest, due to a less interesting or believable story.
Nevertheless, the book is certainly worth reading because Gemmell shifts into high gear for the last sixty pages or so and packs a great deal of climactic action into it. The highlight is perhaps Waylander's big confrontation with the several forces converging on him to get the Armor of Bronze: the Nadir, a pack of werebeasts, and the Brotherhood. This is where Gemmell's mastery of combat scenes really becomes evident. Also, the Drenai officer Gellan's tragic last stand is a high point.
The siege at Dros Purdol is a shorter and less intense version of the somewhat overdrawn bloody siege in Legend. During this battle the general Karnak, one of Gemmell's best creations, takes a big gamble that leads to a parallel climactic moment with Waylander's quest for the Armor of Bronze.
Detractions are few: the contrived and fortuitous appearance of the monstrous giant Kai, the guardians of the Armor of Bronze that should have played a bigger part in the story, the against-all-odds discovery of Karnak within the rubble of the demolished tunnel, and a couple others.
A solid four stars. What mainly keeps it from five is a general feeling through the first half of the book of similarity to previous novels in the series, as well as the usual unrealistic odds that the heroes are able to win against in hand-to-hand combat. But the second half contains some of the best action I've read in any fantasy book.
Overall, I have to highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing, utterly amazing
Review: Waylander is the most unlikeable main character. He has little to no redeeming characteristics, yet he becomes the hope of a nation. He was the exectutioner, then the saint. The characters around him all act as foils, which only makes him seem stronger, more dominant. i read it straight through, i couldn't put it down. gemmell is the greatest author of our age, I wish he could write faster, because I'm running out of books to buy.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing, utterly amazing
Review: Waylander is the most unlikeable main character. He has little to no redeeming characteristics, yet he becomes the hope of a nation. He was the exectutioner, then the saint. The characters around him all act as foils, which only makes him seem stronger, more dominant. i read it straight through, i couldn't put it down. gemmell is the greatest author of our age, I wish he could write faster, because I'm running out of books to buy.
Rating:
Summary: This is the foundation of the entire Drenai saga.
Review: While not the best of the Drenai saga novels, it still rises above most fantasy novels. The characters are very human and very real. The problems and flaws they possess endear them to the reader on a personal level. I got chills up my spine when the Thirty was founded. The author writes military fantasy better than anyone. After reading this, as well as the other books in the Drenai saga, I am convinced that Gemmel has lived through a seige on a medieval fortress. Read it, and all of the Drenai saga. You won't be sorry.
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