Superb

I read this book in my early twenties and twenty years on i thought I would give the audio book a go i wasn't disappointed in the slightest ,the narrator is excellent and brings this superb story of sword and socerry to life with heroes that have flaws and villains that are likeable it s Gemmell at his best . A stand alone novel so not part of any of his series, so if your new to the author i r recommend this as a start point . Brilliant .

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2 people found this helpful

David Gemmells Storytelling

I've been a fan of David Gemmell since he started writing. I often used to wait for his latest novel to be released. Without a doubt he is my favourite author. Love this book only wis perhaps there had been a sequel

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Awesome as always

David Gemmells stories are always awesome I've not come across a bad one in either the physical form of books or whether here on audible.

Whoever decides on who tells the stories on these types of platform are also doing a really good job as the narrator grabs you from the off and doesn't let you go until he's finished.

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Fantastic

Fantastic reading , finished this in 2 sittings. The narrator really sets the scene and keeps the tension going

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Great book , performance could be better

Great book , performance could be better . still worth a listen as the story is so good

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An entertaining escape into myth and magic

In summary, a lively and action-packed tale with a distinctive and sonorous narration, a cast of many characters and a mix of swordplay, magic and mythos all packed very tight into 14 hours. Sure, not a timeless classic like Legend (but what is?), and not the classic fireside lilt of Sean Barrett (but who is?), but more of a "side dish" of storytelling with a some interesting plot twists, and a sincere, earnest narrator with a rich and deep vocal tone. I would specifically and strongly recommend this once you have a few David Gemmell books under your belt (especially listening), NOT as your first sample, as familiarity with his style and his themes will make the speedy pace of this one easier to manage.


On to the narrator Ben Onwukwe - he has a deep and musical voice, excellent enunciation and his default style is perfect for this (and I'd say this genre), as he conveys both gravitas, power and the range of sadness, anger and urgency. The large cast, multiple set-pieces and heady mix of character name styles (many with Celtic origins) don't make this easy, and he occasionally races through some of the back-and-forth exposition, but he was also able to bring a rich Shakespearian tonality which I think added emotional depth to the listen. Maybe there were a few more London-ish accented moments than you typically get in this genre (obviously Steven Pacey's Black Dow is a classic), but I'd be happy for him to re-vocal some of the Gemmell books not already read by Sean Barrett, who lest we forget has 50 years more experience than most of his competitors!


Back to the story - set in a different era from the Drenai universe, and with a different kind of storytelling from the climactic battles, epic journeys and redemptions of Druss, Waylander and the rest, this was still an enjoyable and fast-moving standalone adventure with many distinctive Gemmell touches. Incorporating a number of well-known Celtic mythological character names (but not the characters themselves, so watch out for assumptions), a simple but elegant magical system, and a conflict between our world and a world beyond, it felt something like a retelling of ancient myths and legends, but with an interesting if lightly-sketched ensemble cast of flawed and reluctant heroes and heroines stepping up to meet the eternal challenge of good and evil. Almost every step is unpredictable, with murderous bandits, rogues, failed warriors, crippled knights and blacksmiths all unexpectedly (and often unwillingly) playing their part, and with many deaths, dangers and defeats to both friend and foe.


The storytelling is episodic and step by step draws the characters and central themes together without revealing all the strands to the participants or the reader until deep into the narrative, and from that point the action moves very quickly, so I wouldn't describe it as immersive or atmospheric, but a pacy series of decisive set-pieces. The characters wrestle with their weaknesses, they argue and compete, but this is softened by Gemmell's typically wistful and honest style of writing, and further diluted by the speed of the narrative arc. Sometimes feels a bit hasty or arbitrary, but it's easier to just go with flow, as there is a always a lot happening or just about to happen, and nothing is deeply mysterious or madly complicated.



So for anyone needing a quick fix of Gemmell (or -esque) adventure, and remembering this is a one-off (so you won't have seen these these characters before, and you won't see them again), I'd recommend this as a convenient, quirky and digestible in-betweener before you start the next epic series.

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1 person found this helpful

Very good book 📖

This is a very good story which bring an end that shows there more to come

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Slow starter

I’m fairly new to audiobooks and this was my first attempt to listen to a story rather than a biography type. I found it hard going keeping track of all the characters movements and relationships with one another, I also felt the story took a long time to get going but once it did it was a rather good one! This is also the first David Gemmell novel that I had t previously read. Looking forward to getting into the Drenai series on these long journeys

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Dark fantasy at its best

This must have been the twentieth time I have been lost in his fantastic story. The realism and believable storytelling in a heroic fantasy setting are testament to Gemmell’s brilliance. A perfect read!

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Excellent

One of Gemmells best stories, brilliantly told here by Ben Onwukwe. Onwukwes tone of voice and style remind me very much of Nicol Williamson narrating the Hobbit many, many moons ago. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

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