Winter Warriors (Drenai Tales, Book 8)

Ive read alot of David Gemmell and he is consistantly good and very often great and occasionally utterly brilliant. This book is the latter of the three. The characters are all memorable and all deliciously imperfect, the story is never as black and white as it may appear. Simply put I can think of no fantasy author ive enjoyed as much as Gemmell, and of his work this stands alongside "Hero in the Shadows" as a truly astounding and well crafted tale.

If you have read any of my other reviews, you will notice that I'm a big fan of Gemmels. I love all his books, but none (except this one) have I ever rated 5 star. The characters are fantastic and I even became mournful when ever one of them died. In most novel I'm able to pick out a favourite character right from the begining, but in this story I could not decide who I liked the most.The demons are brilliantly contrasted from one another and I love the way all the odds are stacked against the goodies. You really feel that there is no way out for them, and I can promise that you will never predict the ending.This is a Drenai book, yet it is seperate from the Nadir war story line. So you don't have to read it in link with the others. Simply put: this is one of the best stories you'll ever come across.

I have read all of the Drenai novels written by David Gemmell and I can assuredly say that this is one of his best books set in this world. While the plot is somewhat similar in style to his QUEST FOR LOST HEROES, the execution shows that he has grown considerably as an author. It is a tightly plotted novel that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster and leave you wanting more. Add to this some of Gemmell's best dialogue in ages and you have a book worthy of space on your bookshelf. You will revel in the exploits of Kebra, Nogusta, Bison, as well as Antikas Karios and Dagorian as they attempt to stop a demon-lord from plunging the world into darkness. I can't recommend this book enough.

I only "discovered" David Gemmell very recently but he's rapidly moving onto my list of favorite authors. In this book, complex characters are drawn with intricate detail, but they are never boring. Herioc, honourable and yet flawed in some way, the heroes in Winter Warriors are eminently likeable. You can't help but empathise with them, their quest and principles. There are so many shades of gray in the book, it is a breath of fresh air in an overcrowded fanstasy genre.Highly Recommended!

Gemmell has a gift - he writes stunningly good fantasy which is gritty and realistic. There is no airy-farie whiff about his work, and no long, over-complicated backstory either (such as in the Wheel of Time). Gemmell keeps the story going at a blinding pace.The ancient Drenai empire, once besiged from all sides, has been saved by the armies of its warrior king, and now he has marched onward to glory. However, his newly-taken empire is full of strife and tretchery ... and dark sorcery.A Demon King is attempting to return his people to the world, and destroy humanity. To do so, he only has to kill the unborn child of the warrior-king. That child's only defence is three old men, discarded by their lord: Nogusta the Swordsmen, Kebra the Bowman, and the slow but sure Bison. In their hands rests the fate of the world.This is a tale of sheer brilliance. Each of the characters is clearly defined and explored throughout the book, and we care about all of them, even the Demon Lord. It's a great story, and Gemmell is a great writer. Well worth and look for any fantasy reader.