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Title: Waylander (Drenai Tales | Book 4) |
Review of Waylander (Drenai Tales, Book 4)
- All of Waylander's instincts had screamed at him to spurn the contract from Kaem the cruel, the killer of nations. But he had ignored them. He had made his kill. And even as he went to collect his gold, he knew that he had been betrayed.
Now the Dark Brotherhood and the hounds of chaos were hunting him, even as Kaem's armies waged war on the Drenai lands, intent on killing every man, woman, and child. The Drenai soldiers were doomed to ultimate defeat, and chaos would soon reign.
Then a strange old man told Waylander that the only way to turn the tide of battle would be for Waylander himself to retrieve the legendary Armor of Bronze from its hiding place deep within a shadow-haunted land. He would be hunted. He was certain to fail. But he must try, the old man commanded--commanded in the name of his son, the king, who had been slain by an assassin...
Waylander was the most unlikely of heroes--for he was a traitor, the Slayer who had killed the king...
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Comments for Waylander (Drenai Tales | Book 4)
- Posted on 2008-11-13
The Best Book in the Drenai Series (Spoiler Free Review)
This is the fourth book of the Drenai Tales written by David Gemmell.
You don't have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one.
If you have read the other books, then you need to read this one!
The Drenai World is a fantasy realm populated by the 3 different races that are constantly at war. The civilized Drenai, the nomadic Nadir, and the ruthless Vagrians. There is some magic in the form of telepathy and astral projection, but you won't see any magic missiles. There are werewolves, but there are no dragons, unicorns, elves... It's a fairly realistic setting for a fantasy novel.
The Drenai King was slain and their lands are overrun by Vagrians. On the brink of genocide, and hopelessly outnumbered, the Drenai must band together and fight to survive. Gemmell writes very realistic characters in times of despair and triumph. All of the main characters are expertly developed and have their own flaws, agendas, and paths to redemption.
The book features a new character called the Waylander. The Waylander is a cold-blooded assassin who makes a living through murder and revenge. The Waylander has chosen this path because he's lost everything dear to him in the past, but he is not beyond redemption. The Waylander is like one of Clint Eastwood's Western Characters, with more depth. Pursued by bounty hunters, he finds himself drawn into the war. At some point, he is faced with a choice that could change the outcome of the battle. It's very easy to cheer for him. Along his quest, he ends up changing the lives of others and motivating them in a positive way.
Many of Gemmell's characters are ordinary men who are capable of performing extra-ordinary feats because of the circumstances surrounding them. His books are gritty and inspirational. If you want to read a good story about how normal men become heroes, then you owe it to yourself to pick it up.
If you're into light fantasy reading with dragons, wizards, and fairies, then you should skip this one.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2007-08-26
Super Reader
Waylander was an assassin, an occupation with a few hazards. Hired to kill the king, he did so. His employer decided not to pay the large amount of cash, so he killed someone close to him.
Now people are hunting Waylander, as are a shaman and sorcerous beasts.
Waylander does something unusual for him, he rescues a man, who is a Source priest, and because of Waylander, ends up founding the Thirty.
This book is set a long time before legend. There are two military leaders of the Drenai with power, Egel and Karnak, and to get rid of their opposition they must learn to work together and survive a siege.
Waylander is drawn into this battle, and his travelling and other skills are put to the test when he must travel to find the Armour of Bronze, to rally the armies. A lot depends on the legendary skills of Waylander the Slayer.
Score: 4 - Posted on 2007-06-19
No body does it like Gemmell!
.
On the surface David Gemmell's stories are simple and straight forward. His heroes through skill, courage, and a personal code of honor, save the day. But, just barely scratch that surface, and you see where Gemmell's magic lies. In the struggle of good vs. evil, Gemmell shines in the in-between shades-of-grey. He reads like a Western. Dark heroes with pasts who are skilled at violence, but its that skill that is necessary for survival of the good-guys.
In Waylander, The fate of a Drenai rests on the shoulders of an assassin. It's Gemmell at his best.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2006-11-28
Classic Gemmell
Waylander is typical Gemmell. A great warrior - Waylander - with a mysterious and angry past is pitted against the hoard. This time the Nadir, magical and dark priests, and nether-beasts stalk Waylander in his quest to recover mystical armor that has been hidden until the chosen one comes for it. Even his friends are tempted by the bounty on his head. Waylander must hurry, however, as the clock is ticking for his brethren being sieged in their mountain stronghold. Murder, mystery and mayhem follow Waylander, for it is well known that he is the man who killed the king, and was once deadliest man in the land... But now he is getting older...
A great story and a crucial lead up to the Legend of Deathwalker - the finest of all Gemmell books.
Relic113
Score: 4 - Posted on 2006-11-23
Fourth Book in the Series
Sadly David Gemmell died a short while ago and I find it difficult to review a book that I first read 20 years ago when David was very much alive and only just beginning his craft as a writer of fantasy novels. Admittedly his first offering were acceptable but not great, but he honed his skills and grew to be one of the greatest fantasy writers ever. If you have not read any of his books then now is the time to start, I am sure you will not be disappointed. The only sad thing is that David will not be around to write new books that would bring even more pleasure to his multitude of fans.
The Drenai King is dead, murdered by an assassin. Enemy troops are converging on the lands of the Drenai. Their orders are simple, kill anyone who stands in their way, be it man, woman or child. There is one source of hope for the Drenai, Waylander must travel to the lands of the Nadir, to find the legendary Armour of Bronze. If he is successful there is hope for the Drenai. But can he be trusted? After all he is the man who killed the King. The journey is fraught with danger and Waylander is stalked by shape shifters. Men who act like beats and beast that walk like a man . . .
Score: 4
