Knights of Dark Renown

and i mean that dialogically, as in, this books is flawless as well as impossible to stop reading. plots develop and subdivide and recombine with such effortless aplomb and evocative interest that guys like robert jordan, george rr martin, and terry goodkind should be at least a little chagrined they take thousands of pages to tell half the story gemmell accomplishes in hundreds. buy nights of dark renown and prepare for a sleepless night racing through while perhaps occassionally lamenting that you'll be done all too soon. gemmell ranks among the most accomplished of contemporary writers, an example, perhaps the example, that, despite all the ishigurus, robinsons, franzens, moores, foers, etc., much of the best fiction is being written in the so-called genres.

I have been reading fantasy books since grade school. I started with Eddings and in high school found Gemmell. He quickly became my favorite author. I've even gone so far as to order his books from Britain. This book however is by far my favorite of all time. The plot is simple and I guessed where it was going before he showed me but he manages to keep up his reputation of twisting things around enough so you are never totally sure. I fell in love with the characters. They develoed into some of my favorite of all time. This book is a must have for any reader of great fiction.

In an age where fantasy novels tend to be droning multi-volume imitations of J.R.R. Tolkien (Robert Jordan's _Wheel of Time_ series anyone?) David Gemmell is a refreshing change. Gemmell knows how to write a tight, fast paced, meaningful fantasy that fits in one book. In _Knights of Dark Renown_ we are introduced to Manannan, who years ago hung back while his fellow Knights of the Gabala headed through a gateway into Hell to fight the forces of evil. Ever since then Manannan has been shamed by his cowardice and now must face his fears and fight the darkness that is overcoming the world. The ending of this book is melancholy, yet beautiful.

"Knights" was a Gemmell book that left me speechless at the end, which meant I could not give enough praise for it. As usual, Gemmell's heroes are flawed individuals who not only battle the evil in the world, but the evil in themselves as well. The author is a master of manipulating drama, and really puts the charactors through hell before wrapping everything up in a satisfying finale. A wonderful fantasy... one that proves not every book needs a happy ending. (not a spoiler, believe me. Read the book!)

Knights of Dark Renown is simply the most amazing fantasy book I have read in years. With my favorite authors coming up dry in the mind, I can always look to Gemmell for something new and exciting. Though the book itself is several years old, I have saved it for a time when I needed a really good time. He has succeeded where others have failed. In this novel, Gemmell tells us a tale of a warrior that has fallen from grace. Once, he was among the greatest of knights, but he fell cowardice to the evil that consumed his fellow comrades. Years later, he is once again confronted with his fear, and he must go to save his friends, or the world will fall to dark powers. Gemmell builds strong characters and stronger images in the reader's mind when he writes, for the relationships between characters and their struggles are defined so eloquently and carefully. Never one to drag out a story, he writes clearly and to the point, avoiding excessive moments of detail. His world is still fully realized however, and since the result of this novel is unknown until the end, it will make you want to read it from start to finish