Stormrider (Rigante)

Something about Gemmel grabs hold when you enter his worlds. I have read most that have shown up in the U.S. He keeps it simple but somehow adds a depth to his characters that entices real emotional responses to their life / love / adventures / etc.Stormrider is set in pretty much the same "world" as his other novels. His hero is Gaise. An unloved Prince put in a position of battling evil. This is not Gemmels best, but is still better than anything Jordan has written.

I must admit that the first 50 pages were not up to Gemmell's standard. But after that it was gripping I couln't put it down.I can only recommend it. A must for all Gemmell friends.

I have enjoyed all of the Rigante series by Gemmell, most especially the heart rending Ravenheart. Stormrider is a thought provoking finale. As always his characters leap from the pages - particularly the dark and deadly Moidart, and the grimly powerful Huntsekker. Other reviewers have criticised the similarity of themes previously used in past novels like Lion of Macedon, and the Druss series. I think this misses the point. Gemmell has written more than thirty novels, and themes of love, courage and heroism are bound to re-occur in what are, at base, action driven novels. Gemmell's literary hero, after all, is Louis Lamour, who wrote more than 200 short novels of the Old West, many of them with identical story lines.Gemmell's best work - Waylander, Lion of Macedon, Ravenheart, Echoes of the Great Song, Knights of Dark Renown, and Legend - are all Five star quality. Stormrider comes close.For me it misses only because of the large cast, which slows the narrative, and the lack of a sustained central character with the power of Druss or Jaim Grymauch from Ravenheart.

Stormrider focuses on Gaise Macon and Kaelin Ring who face an impending war against Winter Kay and the armies of a dead king. The enemy is fueled by an ancient evil, embodied in a skull known only as the Orb of Kranos, bent on the destruction of all mankind. The Black Rigante joins with the forces of the Moidart in a twist of fate against their common foe. Although a conquered people and against insurmountable odds, the Rigante fight with courage and integrity, serving as shining examples in a war that will bring bloodshed, death and destruction to the people. Gemmell in Stormrider has done it again. He has an amazing talent for developing his characters and unfolding a storyline that is exciting, sad and gripping at the same time. He describes the events through the eyes of his main characters and offers contrasting viewpoints as events unfold. His characters are very real and their reactions are believable.From the very first page to the last, Stormrider fails to disappoint. Gemmell has shown his mastery over the heroic fantasy genre. I can't wait for his next installment.

Eight hundred years after Connavar and Bane defeated the Stone (see SWORD IN THE STONE) freeing the Rigante, the clan needs a hero to end their current oppression. That champion appears to be Kaelin Ring, better known as Ravenheart, who becomes the leader of the still proud but slaved Rigante clan. He leads the demand for freedom from the Varlish and their Lord Moidart. Ravenheart takes his revolution to the north where Moidart's son Gaise Macon, the Stormrider, awaits the confrontation. As the war comes closer, the Knights of the Sacrifice obtain a skull said to contain the evil of the Orb. If true, an evil artifact owned by unconscionable individuals who slaughter innocents for fun will spin the war-wracked lands into deeper dismay and chaos. Then there is the anticipated impact of preadolescent Feargol who as the Ghost Walker might prove to be the ultimate savior or destroyer of all. STORMRIDER is an exciting sword and sorcery fantasy that never slows down for a moment. The keys to this exciting, action-packed tale are the prime characters. Ravenheart and Stormrider, in spite of their respective positions, seem real and will remind the audience of Harold and William. The two rival stars are giants whose persona overwhelm the support cast, even the evil orb; yet they entice readers to refuse to put David Gemmell's latest fantasy down until the novel is complete to see how the final battle between these giants ends.Harriet Klausner