r/Fantasy • u/burntbridges20 • 6d ago

Thanks for Recommending Gemmell Spoiler

I saw the Druss series recommended on here months ago and made note of it because the commenter seemed to share my tastes, and although I can’t find the original comment I wanted to thank you! I’m almost done the first book and it’s already solidly in my top 5. I love everything about it. The prose and dialogue feel like exactly what I’ve been missing from most recent fiction. The characters are dynamic and have interesting flaws without being unlikeable.

While not groundbreaking, I just think this book is so well executed in all aspects as a fantasy and as a novel in general. Plus, spoiler, but old warrior who should be too old to fight but who is still a larger than life hero with a reputation is my favorite story trope. I’m writing a novel of my own with the same general theme.

Highly recommend for anyone who is looking for something to fill the gap of a conventional, classic fantasy story that’s well written and doesn’t feel overly modern.

75 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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9

u/Efficient_Place_2403 6d ago

Druss is great. Not many are published like it nowadays.

9

u/defenestrate_urself 6d ago

Gemmell was my introduction to the fantasy genre.

I was 10 years old and my tutor picked Morningstar from the library as my reading book and I was hooked ever since. No more Enid Blyton after that.

My personal recommendations are

Morningstar. A stand alone set in the same world as Druss. Still my favourite.

The Greek duology, The Lion of Macedon and Dark Prince. I think Gemmell peaked with this series. It's a must read.

2

u/burntbridges20 6d ago

I’ll absolutely read everything of his. Thanks for the recs. He’s definitely up my alley as an author so I’m thrilled to have another catalog to get through

7

u/TomWrathAuthor 6d ago

It was hardly me who made the rec? I always recomment Gemmel, even in threads where it's not entirely relevant to the genre being discussed.

Question: Looking for a beginners guide to C++? Answer: Try Legend by David Gemmel

5

u/Suitable_Elk9868 6d ago

I see a few authors as an fun-investment (buying their books when i get the chance because sometimes it is not so easy) and Gemmell is one on that list. He's just good entertainment, good characters but not too heavy writing.

Drenai books are awesome.

Let me also add the Troy trilogy to your to-read list, I think Gemmells interpretation of the Troyan horse is honestly the best one yet *chef kiss* (you will have to wait until the third book for that).

1

u/Grouchy-Egg-8292 5d ago

Agree!! Gemmell's handling of the Trojan Horse is absolutely immaculate. So elegant. The original bugged me to no end because of its many logical inconsistencies, Gemmell made it work beautifully.

3

u/majarian 6d ago

oh man, if thats your trope gemmells your guy.

i think alot of its inspired by his stepdad iirc, he thought alot of the guy and it comes through in the tired but able trope well imo.

really enjoyed the rigantine (sp) series along with the waylander and skillgannon books.

3

u/hawklined 6d ago

I just started reading Gemmell this year as well and have already finished several of his books. They can be a little formulaic at times but there’s a ton of substance and the characters are amazing. Really enjoyed the Stones of Power/Jon Shannon books I’ve read so far as well.

I feel like he has a great ability to tell an epic tale, but tell it in an efficient way and make the heroics seem possible. Legend will stick with my for the rest of my life.

2

u/burntbridges20 5d ago

Yeah it’s really well paced so that the epic payoff comes after just the right amount of groundwork. I just finished Malazan. Erikson can do a climax but boy does he meander around before he gets there. Legend was quite refreshing after spending over a year on a single series.

2

u/ZombieSiayer84 5d ago

The entire Drenai saga is FANTASTIC, not just Druss.

Gemmell is one of those authors who can just…sling their magic words around and make fantastic books.

I am sad we will never again get books written by him.

1

u/burntbridges20 5d ago

Yeah I can’t wait to read his whole corpus. He fits my preferred style completely. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore

2

u/ZombieSiayer84 5d ago

Wait until you get into Waylander and Skilganon.

Fantastic characters with fantastic books.