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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Σε αντίθεση με άλλα pulp ΣΚΟΥΠΙΔΙΑ που κατά καιρούς εκδίδουν οι εκδόσεις Anubis, ο Gemmell κρατάει ψηλά τη σημαία του fantasy. Πλοκές, χαρακτήρες και χάσιμο του αναγνώστη στην αφήγηση που τον τοποθετουν στις κορυφές του genre.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Definitely the best in the series so far. Really hope going forward the rest follow a similar structure where the characters branch into multiple separate adventures rather than all operating in one setting. Makes it so much more interesting. Characters felt more nuanced and developed, world building improved further and the thirty ate so hard I love any parts with the priests. Lots of intriguing mentions of morningstar too. Super excited to read that one later.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Standard Gemmell Drenai hero novel, solid quick read. Nothing that will stay with you, but still enjoyable
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first volume of the Drenai cycle, if read in chronological order, Waylander is also the name of the main protagonist of the story, a former soldier whose family was murdered and who has become a hitman living only for himself, without ever getting attached to anyone. As is often the case in Gemmel’s work, the life of this obscure hero will take an unexpected turn, which will lead to seemingly impossible but redemptive quest.
This is classic fantasy, which takes the form of a heroic epic as we know so many others. It is also David Gemmell, which means that gratuitous violence and uncomfortable descriptions of female characters are omnipresent. Beyond these aspects, however, it is in this book that the setting for what would become a series of 11 books begins to take shape, a true fantasy world that made the author famous. As for the main protagonist, he forms, with Druss, the most interesting and notable character in this universe.
Three novels are devoted to Waylander; the first opus remains the most powerful.
This is classic fantasy, which takes the form of a heroic epic as we know so many others. It is also David Gemmell, which means that gratuitous violence and uncomfortable descriptions of female characters are omnipresent. Beyond these aspects, however, it is in this book that the setting for what would become a series of 11 books begins to take shape, a true fantasy world that made the author famous. As for the main protagonist, he forms, with Druss, the most interesting and notable character in this universe.
Three novels are devoted to Waylander; the first opus remains the most powerful.
"Why? Why is hate so much stronger than love? Why do the wicked reap such rich rewards? Why do strength and speed count for more than morality and kindness? And then the man realizes there are no answers. None. And for the sake of his sanity the man must change perceptions. Once I was a lamb playing in a green field. Then the wolves came. Now I am an eagle, and I fly in a different universe"
This one probably contains the best dialogue I've read in one of Gemmell's books so far. It also has probably the most (at first) irredeemable protagonist. Yet Waylander's redemption is incredibly powerful, simultaneously mysterious and also very realistic.
Gemmell once stated his books were all inspired by his Christianity, but he takes broad themes that followers of almost every religion could relate to. These themes are moral redemption, and a benovelent spiritual entity (referred to as "The Source" in this series) that guides lives and ends. This book also introduced a "chaos entity" that is to represent the devil, but this does not play a very large role.
It would be easy to say this story is repetitive and simple, and maybe so. But it's told so damn well it's too easy not to care. Once again, Gemmell's romance is lacking, characters simply fall for each other with little reason. I do wonder if this is something he ever got better at writing.
4.5/5
This one probably contains the best dialogue I've read in one of Gemmell's books so far. It also has probably the most (at first) irredeemable protagonist. Yet Waylander's redemption is incredibly powerful, simultaneously mysterious and also very realistic.
Gemmell once stated his books were all inspired by his Christianity, but he takes broad themes that followers of almost every religion could relate to. These themes are moral redemption, and a benovelent spiritual entity (referred to as "The Source" in this series) that guides lives and ends. This book also introduced a "chaos entity" that is to represent the devil, but this does not play a very large role.
It would be easy to say this story is repetitive and simple, and maybe so. But it's told so damn well it's too easy not to care. Once again, Gemmell's romance is lacking, characters simply fall for each other with little reason. I do wonder if this is something he ever got better at writing.
4.5/5
Had a lot of free time this weekend, and read not one but two installments in David Gemmell's Drenai Saga. I enjoyed Waylander slightly less than the first two books, but think that has more to do with a somewhat familiar/formulaic structure to the books. I think rather than binging the series, I will treat Gemmell's great heroic fantasy series as "palate cleansers."
“Courage? It takes no courage to die. But living takes nerve.”
With Waylander (chronologically the first in the Drenai Saga) I can see why people say reading Gemmell can feel like reading an action movie. In Waylander we have less of the big ideas as there were in the two standalones (especially Morningstar) and less interesting characters, with more of a focus on the scale of war and combat sequences. I still enjoyed it but wasn’t as wowed by it as I was by Morningstar.
With Waylander (chronologically the first in the Drenai Saga) I can see why people say reading Gemmell can feel like reading an action movie. In Waylander we have less of the big ideas as there were in the two standalones (especially Morningstar) and less interesting characters, with more of a focus on the scale of war and combat sequences. I still enjoyed it but wasn’t as wowed by it as I was by Morningstar.
Up until the 95% mark this was a solid 3/5, but good Lord, the ending got me so this gets a 4/5.
The last sentences were *chefs kiss*
'I watched her leave,' he said. 'She was riding with a companion. A man.'
'Did you recognise him?'
'No, he was a stranger. A waylander.'
The last sentences were *chefs kiss*
'I watched her leave,' he said. 'She was riding with a companion. A man.'
'Did you recognise him?'
'No, he was a stranger. A waylander.'