I just finished Legend and in the context of classic/heroic fantasy, it was one of the best books I’ve read, based on how much I enjoyed it and how deep and emotional it can be depending on how much you choose to dig into it. Can’t wait to continue with the Drenai.
Yeah, you can just take it as an easy read, or you can dig into it a bit more, and still get the same enjoyment. It's definitely a classic of the genre, either way.
I would say that my favourite Drenai Saga book is Winter Warriors. The horror elements, the heroic characters and finally the resolution with the big bad at the end, amazing. Plus the musing on what would happen to the story of Bison over time is a perfect theme.
I read Legend for the first time in January and it blown me away. I'll be reading everything Gemmell wrote at some point! I'm planning on The King Beyond the Gate later this month. Thanks for the overview!
I love that theres so many people that love David Gemmell! I would always say he’s my favorite author growing up and nobody ever knew who he was. His books are incredible works of art that got me fall in love with reading! And I wish that legend or the drenai saga would become turned into a movie at some point…
Don't know How I missed this. David Gemmell is My favorite Author, no matter the Genre. Waylander trilogy is My favorite of the series You are talking about. Rereading the stones of power series right now. I will be looking for You talking about His books in the future. Take Care.
Great video, pal. I just finished the drenai saga in chronological order and it was amazing to read, and also reading it chronologicaly I was able to keep up with the series history and characters way easier, I would highly recommend reading it in that order. I've read all his other series in this way also, and they are amazing. I would actually find myself to be jealous of someone reading it for the first time. P.s. Druss is the best character I've come across in any book I've ever read..really a truely is a legend.
I think Knights of Dark Renown was my first Gemmell book, and remains my favorite. It encapsulates his themes and made me appreciate my further exploration. This was a great overview and inspired me to dig back into that world of the Drenai. Thanks!
Thanks for explaining the options for reading this series. I think I would like to go for the chronological order because we are lucky enough that they have all been written.
David Gemmell was a tremendous author. Not only do I share my birthday with Gemmell, but Legend was the book I was reading when we found out we were having a son. Gemmell's work is iconic. Edit: we conceived 2 months before the first lockdown in the UK, so I wasn't allowed in for the scan. Instead of sitting outside twiddling my thumbs, I was reading Legend.
Saw an interview with Gemmell and actually he pronounces "Druss" as "Droos" Which was bit of a revelation - for me personally. The Drenai Saga is beautiful. Legend is a must read. Read it many MANY times. All the others are great too. XXXXXXX
I just finished The King Beyond The Gate. What a fantastic book. My heart broke at the end. Ananais aka Darkmask/The Golden One was truly an epic character.
My first novel I read from David Gemmell was 'The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend'. Instantly fell in love with Druss as a character, which pushed me to reading Legend.
Just re read the Druss novels. After 20 yrs. loved them then still adore them now. David Gemmell really was the king of heroic fantasy and Druss is the legend he gave us. Cannot recommend these book enough. Now on to the Rigante
I recommend reading in publication order over chronological, reading Legend first adds weight to the earlier Druss adventures when you get to them. Your recommendation of 3 Drenai books for people to try is hard to fault - 3 excellent choices.
I like to read in chronological order generally speaking, but here, I agree with you. I also think it's the sort of series where that doesn't really matter so much, for most of the books anyway.
Fabulous detail in this episode. Multiple reading orders and interconnections is much appreciated. Did not know the author’s back story or how these things originated either. Obviously I need to get “Legend” onto a monthly TBR, but how I’m going to manage that I have no idea right now 😆
Perfect timing with this video, I was about to start my Gemmell journey in the next couple of weeks! Kinda overwhelming to see how many options there are to jump in, but I think I am just gonna go with my original plan and check out Legend! Thanks for this one!!
20 odd years ago these books changed my life made me a better human being. Since then I've collected 1000s of books but have read his atleast 5 times. When I say a better person I treat people with more respect gave me hobby and have not been arrested since
Amazing author and my entry point into fantasy in my early/mid teens. I think the first three Druss books, as well as Waylander, I remember exactly where I was when I read them and I wish I could read them again for the first time. I've been thinking about him for a few days, the only work of his I've left unread has been Ghost King, The Last Sword of Power and the Troy trilogy. A year or so after he passed, I realised I was running out of his books to read so being weird about it, I left the above unread.
He was amazing author loved his books his drenai saga was amazing / his version of king arthur books was amazing /he created such amazing worlds and such deep complex characters / it is true pity that no menny people speak abaut this amazing author / thank you so much for honoring this amazing author
One of the first series I read as well (back in the distant past!). I'm with you on picking Legend and Waylander. My third choice would have been King Beyond the Gate which I'd say it's my favourite. Tenaka Khan was a fantastic character. And yep, he's the Godfather of heroic fantasy in my eyes.
Yeah, I think they're all really good actually. I think The King Beyond the Gate may have been one I felt was a bit like Legend but viewed from the other side, or I could be totally mixing things up as it's been so long now!
@@dominishbooks not mixed up at all but spoilers so I won't say more. It's a fair point. I enjoyed them all too. Heroic fantasy tends to carry you along with it, we all love a hero.
I usually prefer to go chronological, I think there's only a few (the subseries) where it would make a real difference here, and probably only really the Druss ones for that.
I've been interested in reading some Gemmell, but I just haven't made it happen yet. I will probably start in publication order because that's just how it should be done.😆
I was going to ask you how many you'd got to. I admit, I can't remember too many specifics, as they were so long ago and all merge into one for me, except for Legend, that I re-read(!) a few years ago.
What's the witch called in the Drenai saga? She was a great character. I also liked the bony old Shamans from the Mongal like tribes (it's been a while since i read them 😅) I think there were two or three of those guys and whether they were evil or good they were always entertaining. Good fun books 👍
His name comes up once or twice, but it's often just referring to him as a historical figure. I don't think he makes an actual appearance in other books though.
Read all book and reread them from time to time. Kinda sad to see that ,mmany you reads donbt know his work nowdays. His moral aspekt os also not looked into often enough.
Weirdly enough I think Echoes of the Great Song is one of the best, not technically a Drenai book but its meant to be before the fall that proceeds the Drenai Age (as directly referenced by that scientist ghost Nosta Khan introduces to Tanaka Khan) That and the Rigante series, they are peak gemmel, such epic characters. But ofc Skillgannon, Waylander and Druss are the OGs His final series that his wife finished was also a 10/10 refreshing 'realistic' take on the Troy legend.
