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The King Beyond the Gate (Drenai Tales #2)
Once the mighty fortress had stood strong, defended by the mightiest of all Drenai heroes, Druss, the Legend. But now a tyrannical, mad emperor had seized control of the fortress, and his twisted will was carried throughout the land by the Joinings --- abominations that were half-man, half-beast. Tenaka Khan was a half-breed himself, hated by the Drenai for his Nadir blood...more
Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
Published
June 1st 2011
by Del Rey
(first published 1985)
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I was very ready to be disappointed by this novel; second of a series as well as one of the first few Gemmells I've read. There were times when it seemed like the story was a little too similar to Legend; but for the most part this resolved into the fact that it was really the same conflict, a generation later. I also feared that the romantic interests in the novel would see Gemmell starting to emulate that other David, Eddings, in the cozy, cloying way he pairs off members of his party of adven...more
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This is a worthy sequel to Gemmell's classic LEGEND. It doesn't quite live up to that first book, but then what does? The story is fast paced and layed with depth and characterisation, meaning that you're reading about real people who have lives off the page, even though the world is make-believe.
I enjoyed the way that Gemmell's avoided a straight sequel and instead turned his world around, it's a great reveal of how chaos works. He crafts another anti-hero here, sometimes hateful bu...more
I enjoyed the way that Gemmell's avoided a straight sequel and instead turned his world around, it's a great reveal of how chaos works. He crafts another anti-hero here, sometimes hateful bu...more
There is chaos and evil throughout the Drenai lands. A mad emperor rules all, and people die on a whim. But what hope is there of a rebellion, when he has his loyal Dark Templars and the half-man half-beast Joinings to keep down any rebellion. One man is determined to stop him: Tenaka Khan, the Prince of Shadows, his blood half Drenai and half Nadir, the Drenai s racial enemy.[return][return]This book is a well crafted heroic fantasy novel, the sequel to the extremely successful Legend . Whi...more
Dans la foulée de Légende, il y a le Roi sur le Seuil. Là où Légende était un Fort Alamo version heroic fantasy, le Roi sur le Seuil c'est les sept mercenaires (ou les sept samouraïs, c'est au choix) au pays de Drenaï.
Toujours la même fougue, toujours autant d'action, une histoire qui ne s'entartre jamais, même si la filiation avec Légende et un peu trop évidente. Et surtout, Gemmell aime ses personnages. Ils ne sont jamais anodins et servent l'œuvre à la perfection : ils disent au lecteur...more
Toujours la même fougue, toujours autant d'action, une histoire qui ne s'entartre jamais, même si la filiation avec Légende et un peu trop évidente. Et surtout, Gemmell aime ses personnages. Ils ne sont jamais anodins et servent l'œuvre à la perfection : ils disent au lecteur...more
Ce roman est écrit dans un ton qui se veut très réaliste avec des personnages durs, torturés par leur passé qui doivent l'affronter pour survivre. Le Style est bref, concis, rempli d'action et terriblement efficace.
Combats épiques, créatures monstrueuses, personnages courageux et monde ravagé par la guerre forment une superbe alchimie qui nous fait aimer ce livre pour ce qu'il est: un bon roman fantastique.
Combats épiques, créatures monstrueuses, personnages courageux et monde ravagé par la guerre forment une superbe alchimie qui nous fait aimer ce livre pour ce qu'il est: un bon roman fantastique.
Its hard for me not to give anything by David Gemmell absolutely amazing reviews. When I learned of his death I was actually sad for days . . . "No more David Gemmell Books . . . sad . . . " If you are a fan of classic fantasy and haven't read anything by him you're missing out. He was one of the rare writers that could make your heart start to beat faster when the character was in danger, he could make you laugh and want to cry all within a few pages of each other.
Briefly drawn heroes and rapid action intersperse David Gemmell's real interest which is the philosophy of heroism, friendship and love. These languid, inconclusive conversations are the key to his appeal. The driving plot doesn't hurt.
Gemmell really only did one thing. But he did it really, really well. If you're in the mood for people fighting each other with swords, this is great stuff.
David Gemmell is my favorite epic fantasy writer. He makes the charachers real with a great plot and a wonderful moral for teens with his books.
Its an excellent sequel...the only problem is that once you've read this you'll have to read the entire series!
Not quite as good as Legend, but well worth the effort if you like this sort of thing.
Ok, I didnt really like this book at the start. I felt it looked a little short for a good story and the story lines jumped right into themes of instant "love" I hate that! nothing ruins a book for me more than a cheesy lover story. But as the story went on it got better and better. I was able to over look the part I didnt care for and get lost in the great characters and story telling. Gemmell is truly one of the best action writers I have every read. I am definitely becoming a Gemmel...more
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Formulaic Gemmell with fantastic battle scenes and badass characters.
Good story. Really enjoyed it. I'm a major Gemmell fan.
It's Gemmell, it's good. I don't think he wrote a bad one. Just read them.
A GOOD SEQUEL TO LEGEND
Not as good as "Legend" but in the end I did enjoy it quite well. I am really hooked on the whole story of The Thirty and hope to read more about them.
Ben Richardson
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes strong, heroic fantasy
Shelves:
books-i-own,
david-gemmell
Fast moving, full of great characterisation, and genuinely frightening sequences, The King Beyond the Gate is a very compelling read indeed, and is I recommend it to anyone who likes strong, heroic fantasy, whether they are fans of Gemmell or first time readers of his books.
found that the end was a bit rushed. lots of story could have been said after.
anyway a good fantasy reading with interrest steadily growing till the final usual battle.
a summer reading
anyway a good fantasy reading with interrest steadily growing till the final usual battle.
a summer reading
Not my favorite of the Drenai tales but still a solid read.
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David Andrew Gemmell was a bestselling British author of heroic fantasy. A former journalist and newspaper editor, Gemmell had his first work of fiction published in 1984. He went on to write over thirty novels. Best known for his debut, Legend, Gemmell's works display violence, yet also explores themes in honour, loyalty and redemption. With over one million copies sold, his work continues to sel...more
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“There are times, Sember, when I could believe your mother had a secret lover. Looking at you makes me wonder if it was one of my goats.”
—
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