Echoes of the Great Song

This was the first book I read after I found out that my favourite author (the same author of this novel) had passed away at the too-soon age of 57... I have always loved the poetic title. I think that it is also fitting, for this book has a certain "beauty" to it that is difficult to define. Echoes of the Great Song is a sweeping epic that is set in the decline of a great empire. The empire is of the Avatars, a near immortal race who had discovered the secrets of the "great song" and the ability to harness energy through crystals. An energy that is almost limitless in application, from powering fearsome weapons or vessels, to regenerating ageing or injured tissue. The Avatars remind me of a book I once read by a maverick historian who speculated on "sound" being used to construct the Egyptian pyramids. He theorised of an ancient civilisation that had discovered technology unused today, but incredibly advanced. An ancient civilisation that was wiped out by an environmental cataclysm. I can't remember his name, but David Gemmell must have also read the book or known of the theory. Because the Avatars are much like that, and they too were destroyed by a natural disaster. Anyway, all seems to be going reasonably okay for the last of the Avatars who range from the noble and brave (Talaban), to the holy (Anu), the arrogant but strong leader (Raek), the brilliant and ultimately heroic (Ro), and the completely insane and homicidal gardener (Viruk). But there are also growing rumblings of dissent. There is an internal mystery, a secret organisation determined to destroy the last of the oppressive Avatars, and the rise of new barbarian kingdoms. The Vagar slave class seem destined to rise up and take control for themselves. Just when you think you know what will happen, the Almecs arrive. These guys are like Aztecs who have discovered gunpowder. They are bloodthirsty and fearsome enemies indeed. There is much to like about this novel, and not much to dislike. It is a brilliantly constructed tale. It is like a myth that has had life breathed into it. Throughout the book are given snippets of the myth that grew from the story as you read it. The legend that survived with the native-American-like Anajo. It is like watching the fading of a golden age from within. It is a fine novel to read in memory of its brilliant author, whom I speculate might have based each main Avatar character on an aspect of himself. It is a book of a sunset and a new beginning. In the end, the predominate feeling I was left with after reading Echoes of the Great Song was: hope. R.I.P. David Gemmell - Aya! When will we see such heroes walk again?

This book was next to Legend as Gemmell's best. I love the idea of the dying race and Gemmell brought it out perfectly. Adding views of various Avatars made the book excellent. It was also a world unto its own and it is one of Gemmell's few books that concludes itself without an opening to another book down the line. By far one of the best books I have ever read.

This is actually the first of David Gemmells books that i read but i may read more of them now due to the interesting plot of this book. I like how he developed a very distinct yet simmilarity between the contrasting cultures from the avatars to the mud people to the almecs. You can see the emotions that the avatars had to deal with in accepting their final fate. I enjoyed how he showed what becomes of a "superiority", for lack of better word, when time takes its toll. I reccomend this book to any "sci-fi with a twist of fantasy" reader.

I enjoyed this greatly. A little bit of a change from the usual, but still has the same great style and content that will keep you reading until it's finished. A good read and worth while addition to the Gemmell collection.

This book is based on the bestselling, Fingerprints Of The Gods by Graham Hancock. The book is a magical piece of work with a close relationship with the characters. The effect on me was amazing. It has changed the way I think forever. The author of this book is top class! Other titles by Gemmell that had the same effect on me are: Winter Warriors, Legend, Iron Hand's Daughter, and Lion Of Macadon.