What do you think?
Rate this book
Drenai Saga (Chronological Order) #1
Ritter dunklen Rufs
Sie sind böse, feige und brutal – doch sie sind die letzte Hoffnung der Menschen
Einst waren die neun Ritter der Gabala strahlende Verfechter der Gerechtigkeit. Doch in ihrem Stolz sind sie dem Bösen verfallen und terrorisieren nun das Reich. Nur Manannan, der schwächste von ihnen, glaubt noch an ihre alten Werte. Ausgerechnet seine Feigheit hat ihn vor der Finsternis bewahrt. Um seinen alten Gefährten entgegenzutreten, will er eine neue Gabala gründen. Doch als zukünftige Ritter stehen ihm nur Diebe, Mörder und Ausgestoßene zur Verfügung. Manannan weiß, dass er keine Chance hat. Und dennoch muss er es versuchen!
Einst waren die neun Ritter der Gabala strahlende Verfechter der Gerechtigkeit. Doch in ihrem Stolz sind sie dem Bösen verfallen und terrorisieren nun das Reich. Nur Manannan, der schwächste von ihnen, glaubt noch an ihre alten Werte. Ausgerechnet seine Feigheit hat ihn vor der Finsternis bewahrt. Um seinen alten Gefährten entgegenzutreten, will er eine neue Gabala gründen. Doch als zukünftige Ritter stehen ihm nur Diebe, Mörder und Ausgestoßene zur Verfügung. Manannan weiß, dass er keine Chance hat. Und dennoch muss er es versuchen!
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1989
141 people are currently reading
2980 people want to read
About the author
David Gemmell
197 books3,777 followersDavid 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 sell worldwide.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
February 11, 2022
This amazing heroic fantasy novel is another wonderful book from the formidable author, the late great, David Gemmell.
Storytelling is once more of a superb quality, the story is well structured and executed, and all characters come tremendously to life within this tale of heroes and villains.
All characters can be referred to as Romans, Celts, Mongols, Vikings and many others, each with their own cultures and each with their dealings with life and death.
The book also have quite some symbolic aspects, for example about how the Nomads are being herded and deported to be destroyed reminds me of the Jews in WWII, and the poet Nuada is in my view symbolised and seen later on in the story as a kind of Jezus Christ in his preaching and teaching before being crucified on a tree, and so are several more symbolic occurrences will appear when you read this wonderful story very closely.
The story itself is at first about Manannan, a coward Knight of the Gabala, who stayed behind while his fellow Knights enter a world of evil, where everything is doom and gloom, and where dark minds and corruption of flesh will bring death to all who stands against them.
The dark represents evil deeds, where the Nomads are condemned for who they are and annihilated just like the Jews in WWII, and against that evil other people will stand up and confront it in an effort to establish a world of balance and stabilization in mind and heart.
What is to follow is a masterpiece of a heroic fantasy, where good against evil, heroics against villainy, and where the heart and soul of a society will have to deal and fight the brutal and deadly elements that wants to destroy lands and its peoples, and in my view this is brought to us in a brilliant symbolic fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is an tremendous heroic fantasy novel that will certainly touch many emotions within the human minds, and that will keep us spellbound from start to finish, and that's why I like to call this most powerful and emotional book: "Holy Knights Prevail"!
Storytelling is once more of a superb quality, the story is well structured and executed, and all characters come tremendously to life within this tale of heroes and villains.
All characters can be referred to as Romans, Celts, Mongols, Vikings and many others, each with their own cultures and each with their dealings with life and death.
The book also have quite some symbolic aspects, for example about how the Nomads are being herded and deported to be destroyed reminds me of the Jews in WWII, and the poet Nuada is in my view symbolised and seen later on in the story as a kind of Jezus Christ in his preaching and teaching before being crucified on a tree, and so are several more symbolic occurrences will appear when you read this wonderful story very closely.
The story itself is at first about Manannan, a coward Knight of the Gabala, who stayed behind while his fellow Knights enter a world of evil, where everything is doom and gloom, and where dark minds and corruption of flesh will bring death to all who stands against them.
The dark represents evil deeds, where the Nomads are condemned for who they are and annihilated just like the Jews in WWII, and against that evil other people will stand up and confront it in an effort to establish a world of balance and stabilization in mind and heart.
What is to follow is a masterpiece of a heroic fantasy, where good against evil, heroics against villainy, and where the heart and soul of a society will have to deal and fight the brutal and deadly elements that wants to destroy lands and its peoples, and in my view this is brought to us in a brilliant symbolic fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is an tremendous heroic fantasy novel that will certainly touch many emotions within the human minds, and that will keep us spellbound from start to finish, and that's why I like to call this most powerful and emotional book: "Holy Knights Prevail"!
June 21, 2017
خوندن این کتاب بهترین اتفاق ممکن بعد از یک ماه امتحان نفس گیر بود. D:
به نظرم روند داستان فوقلعاده بود و انقدر گیرا و زیبا بود که نمیتونستم ازش چشم بردارم.
کتاب با چند داستان شروع میشه که در ادامه این چند داستان به هم گره میخوره و ادامه پیدا میکنه که اینکار خیلی قوی انجام شده بود و مورد پسندم بود.
استفاده از جادو در این کتاب عالی بود که شبیهش و بهترش رو توی هیچ کتابی ندیدم...
و بهتر از همه شخصیت ها بودن که خیلی خوب میشد باهاشون ارتباط برقرار کرد، با دیالوگ هاشون و کارهایی که انجام میدادن شناخت تغریبا کاملی میشد ازشون داشت.
به نظرم یک کتاب کامل بود ، سرشار از متن ها و دیالوگ های زیبا. به جرعت میتونم بگم بهترین کتابی بود که تا این لحظه خوندم...
بی صبرانه میخوام کارهای بعدی گمل رو بخونم.
به نظرم روند داستان فوقلعاده بود و انقدر گیرا و زیبا بود که نمیتونستم ازش چشم بردارم.
کتاب با چند داستان شروع میشه که در ادامه این چند داستان به هم گره میخوره و ادامه پیدا میکنه که اینکار خیلی قوی انجام شده بود و مورد پسندم بود.
استفاده از جادو در این کتاب عالی بود که شبیهش و بهترش رو توی هیچ کتابی ندیدم...
و بهتر از همه شخصیت ها بودن که خیلی خوب میشد باهاشون ارتباط برقرار کرد، با دیالوگ هاشون و کارهایی که انجام میدادن شناخت تغریبا کاملی میشد ازشون داشت.
به نظرم یک کتاب کامل بود ، سرشار از متن ها و دیالوگ های زیبا. به جرعت میتونم بگم بهترین کتابی بود که تا این لحظه خوندم...
بی صبرانه میخوام کارهای بعدی گمل رو بخونم.
June 4, 2016
یه جاهایی بود که علامت زدم و خوشم اومده بود. ولی میخوام بیشتر به بن مایه ی اثر بپردازم. اگه تمثیل داستان نهادینه بشه، خیلی خیلی جای واکاوی داره. جریان رنگ ها به خصوص، و پیشگویی های جالب اولاتار و اوگدا و خود لامف هادا و دوپهلویی بودن و عدم مطلق گرایی شون.. خیلی جای تحلیل دارن. شخصیت ها همون قد بد بودن که خوب بودن. و بالعکس. و من این خاکستری بودنشونو خیلی دوست دارم. میشه مثلاً مانانان رو سرزنش کرد بخاطر اینکه اسیر آمبریا شد. ولی مگر ما هم کم اسیر وسوسه هامون میشیم؟ و بهترین قهرمان همین شخص بود؛ چون به هوسش چیره شد. با همه پلیدی هاش، سعی کرد نور وجودشو پیدا کنه. چیزی که ما آدما ازش قطع امید میکنیم و باعث میشه هی بیشتر تو غرقاب گناهامون فرو بریم. امید امید امید. چقد این واژه سنگین و مهمه، انگار شالوده دنیاست. و این داستان چقد قشنگ نشونش داد. با وجود پیشگویی ها، امید بود که برنده شد. نه شوالیه های گابالا و نه ضعف های شوالیه های سرخ و پلیدی ها و خیر و شرها. فقط امید بود.
یه جاهای داستان خیلی قابل پیش بینی بود. ولی یه جاهایی هم چقد قشنگ نویسنده مخاطبو دور زد. نشونه میداد و بعد شعبده بازی میکرد. انگاری عمدی بوده همون قسمت های قابل پیش بینی هم. یه جا می خوندم که این حرکت، یه شگرد حرفه ایه. نویسنده ذهن مخاطبو سوق میده به سمتی که فک کنه میتونه داستانو پیش بینی کنه و چندبار هم موفق شه. ولی چندباری هم ضربه میخوره.
بین شخصیت ها هم، الودان رو خیلی خیلی دوست داشتم. نه به خاطر اینکه بار همه شوالیه های گابالا رو به دوش کشید و جوانمردانه و اینا جنگید. علاقه ـم به خیلی قبل تر برمیگرده. ولی نمدونم کجا، دقیقاً. درین حد بگم که من حتی فک میکردم تهش اینا شکست میخورن. ولی اون بازی های روانی با سامیل داتاچ و خاطراتش.. چقد خوب بودن. چقد حرفه ای بودن. انتقادی که میخوام کنم، اینه که مشخص نشد سامیل داتاچ چرا از لامف هادا خواست دست علیل الودانـو برگردونه. به نظرم چالش بیشتر میشد اگه همون طور علیل می موند. من با این قسمت مقداری مشکل داشتم. فکر میکردم قراره مثلاً الودانـو به چالش بکشونه، بعد دلش برای اون مرد ِ پرآوازه ی قدیم هاش تنگ شه و دست بکشه. بخاطر اینکه اشاره هم شد به چنین نکته ای؛ شاید یه روزنه ی خوبی میون تاریکی وجودش باشه. ولی خب، این مسئله مبهم موند. حداقل برای من. نکته بعد هم، لامف هادای تقریباً بی عرضه و نپخته، خیلی یهویی به توانایی هاش دست پیدا کرد. خیلی یهویی انگار بیست سال بزرگ شد و دیالوگ هاش رشد کرد و انگار بخشی از روح اولاتار توش حلول کرد. خیلی اغراق گونه بود به نظرم. ارین هم بخاطر وفاداریش کم و بیش دوسش داشتم. اونم خیلی اغراق شده بود. الآن داریم پسری که مث ارین برا معشوقش اینقد خودشو به آب و آتیش بزنه؟ نه خدایی داریم؟ :| نوادا هم دوست داشتم. سرشت ِ شاعری ـش جذبم کرد. و اون فداکاری خفنی که در حق لامت و قبیله ـش به خرج داد.. اصن انتظارشو نداشتم. آریان هم با اینکه خیلی سعی شده بود دختر تو دل برویی در بیاد. ولی آقا، شخصیت لوسی بود. :|
میخواستم از منفعل بودن ِ شخصیت های زن تو داستان های گمل ایراد بگیرم. ولی اینجا، انگار که یهو نویسنده فهمید دیگه خعلی داره مردها رو بالا می بره،، از ثلث ِ آخر کتاب شروع کرد به افزودن غنای شخصیت های زن. حرکت فوق العاده ی موریگان، اصن عالی بود. چقد غیرقابل پیش بینی. با وجود اینکه مانانان طردش کرد، انتظار نمی رف بره شاه رو بکشه. البته بازم میگم، زن ها نسبت به مردها خیلی خیلی منفعل بودن و این حرکت ها خیلی به چشم نمی اومدن. به ویژه که همش مردا چشمشون دنبال زن ها بود و سلحشوربازیاشون واسه به دست اوردن دل اونا. :| و خدایا منو بیگیر در مقابل این همه نگاه ابزاری ِ خاک بر سرانه :| آخه آقای گمل، نمیگی یکی که کهن الگوی آرتمیسش قویه، عصبی میشه با این داستانات؟ من نمدونم شما مردا به چی تون می نازین :|
و در آخر، پایانش! عجب پایان! ینی پایان خیلی معمولی و سطحی و قابل پیش بینی بود برا همه شخصیت ها. ولی دو- سه خط آخرش... تو دو- سه خط ضربه نهایی رو زد! الودان و مانانان از دروازه سیاه می گذرن که برن دنبال عشایر اسیر وایرا، ولی هرگز بر نمیگردن! چقد این پایان معنی داره! واقعاً پایان محشر بود.
یه جاهای داستان خیلی قابل پیش بینی بود. ولی یه جاهایی هم چقد قشنگ نویسنده مخاطبو دور زد. نشونه میداد و بعد شعبده بازی میکرد. انگاری عمدی بوده همون قسمت های قابل پیش بینی هم. یه جا می خوندم که این حرکت، یه شگرد حرفه ایه. نویسنده ذهن مخاطبو سوق میده به سمتی که فک کنه میتونه داستانو پیش بینی کنه و چندبار هم موفق شه. ولی چندباری هم ضربه میخوره.
بین شخصیت ها هم، الودان رو خیلی خیلی دوست داشتم. نه به خاطر اینکه بار همه شوالیه های گابالا رو به دوش کشید و جوانمردانه و اینا جنگید. علاقه ـم به خیلی قبل تر برمیگرده. ولی نمدونم کجا، دقیقاً. درین حد بگم که من حتی فک میکردم تهش اینا شکست میخورن. ولی اون بازی های روانی با سامیل داتاچ و خاطراتش.. چقد خوب بودن. چقد حرفه ای بودن. انتقادی که میخوام کنم، اینه که مشخص نشد سامیل داتاچ چرا از لامف هادا خواست دست علیل الودانـو برگردونه. به نظرم چالش بیشتر میشد اگه همون طور علیل می موند. من با این قسمت مقداری مشکل داشتم. فکر میکردم قراره مثلاً الودانـو به چالش بکشونه، بعد دلش برای اون مرد ِ پرآوازه ی قدیم هاش تنگ شه و دست بکشه. بخاطر اینکه اشاره هم شد به چنین نکته ای؛ شاید یه روزنه ی خوبی میون تاریکی وجودش باشه. ولی خب، این مسئله مبهم موند. حداقل برای من. نکته بعد هم، لامف هادای تقریباً بی عرضه و نپخته، خیلی یهویی به توانایی هاش دست پیدا کرد. خیلی یهویی انگار بیست سال بزرگ شد و دیالوگ هاش رشد کرد و انگار بخشی از روح اولاتار توش حلول کرد. خیلی اغراق گونه بود به نظرم. ارین هم بخاطر وفاداریش کم و بیش دوسش داشتم. اونم خیلی اغراق شده بود. الآن داریم پسری که مث ارین برا معشوقش اینقد خودشو به آب و آتیش بزنه؟ نه خدایی داریم؟ :| نوادا هم دوست داشتم. سرشت ِ شاعری ـش جذبم کرد. و اون فداکاری خفنی که در حق لامت و قبیله ـش به خرج داد.. اصن انتظارشو نداشتم. آریان هم با اینکه خیلی سعی شده بود دختر تو دل برویی در بیاد. ولی آقا، شخصیت لوسی بود. :|
میخواستم از منفعل بودن ِ شخصیت های زن تو داستان های گمل ایراد بگیرم. ولی اینجا، انگار که یهو نویسنده فهمید دیگه خعلی داره مردها رو بالا می بره،، از ثلث ِ آخر کتاب شروع کرد به افزودن غنای شخصیت های زن. حرکت فوق العاده ی موریگان، اصن عالی بود. چقد غیرقابل پیش بینی. با وجود اینکه مانانان طردش کرد، انتظار نمی رف بره شاه رو بکشه. البته بازم میگم، زن ها نسبت به مردها خیلی خیلی منفعل بودن و این حرکت ها خیلی به چشم نمی اومدن. به ویژه که همش مردا چشمشون دنبال زن ها بود و سلحشوربازیاشون واسه به دست اوردن دل اونا. :| و خدایا منو بیگیر در مقابل این همه نگاه ابزاری ِ خاک بر سرانه :| آخه آقای گمل، نمیگی یکی که کهن الگوی آرتمیسش قویه، عصبی میشه با این داستانات؟ من نمدونم شما مردا به چی تون می نازین :|
و در آخر، پایانش! عجب پایان! ینی پایان خیلی معمولی و سطحی و قابل پیش بینی بود برا همه شخصیت ها. ولی دو- سه خط آخرش... تو دو- سه خط ضربه نهایی رو زد! الودان و مانانان از دروازه سیاه می گذرن که برن دنبال عشایر اسیر وایرا، ولی هرگز بر نمیگردن! چقد این پایان معنی داره! واقعاً پایان محشر بود.
May 4, 2015
شوالیه های بدنام.
کتابی که روی من به شدت تاثیر گذار بود و نه تنها فلسفه ی درونش من رو جذب کرد بلکه استادی نویسنده هم من رو به وجود آورد و توصیفاتش بسیار دلنشین و زیبا دیدم.
توی این کتاب ما با حقیقتی عجیب و عمیق روبرو می شیم، دشمنانی که هر دو نیتی خیر دارن. کسایی که هم رو می کشن به خاطر مصلحت و درست شدن جامعه و چه قدر این موضوع توی دنیای ما واقعیه و کسی بش توجه نداره.
چه قدر مطلق گرایی و خود حق پنداری زیاده که من به همه ی دوستان برای مواجه با واقعیت ها توصیه می کنم این کتاب رو بخونن و در مورد معنی اش تعمق کنن.
یا علی.
کتابی که روی من به شدت تاثیر گذار بود و نه تنها فلسفه ی درونش من رو جذب کرد بلکه استادی نویسنده هم من رو به وجود آورد و توصیفاتش بسیار دلنشین و زیبا دیدم.
توی این کتاب ما با حقیقتی عجیب و عمیق روبرو می شیم، دشمنانی که هر دو نیتی خیر دارن. کسایی که هم رو می کشن به خاطر مصلحت و درست شدن جامعه و چه قدر این موضوع توی دنیای ما واقعیه و کسی بش توجه نداره.
چه قدر مطلق گرایی و خود حق پنداری زیاده که من به همه ی دوستان برای مواجه با واقعیت ها توصیه می کنم این کتاب رو بخونن و در مورد معنی اش تعمق کنن.
یا علی.
December 16, 2017
Gemmell's first standalone novel may lack the fame of his Drenai saga - or even his Jerusalem Man or Troy trilogies - but it stands as a sterling demonstration of the power, and underestimated sophistication, of his approach to fantasy, and is a valuable and entertaining read for fans of the genre.
Those who worry about modern fantasy's love of trilogies and unending sagas may admire the concision with which Gemmell compresses an entire epic plot into under 400 pages of increasingly intense drama. Those skeptical of the dichotomy of cynical 'grimdark' and naive 'noblebright' may be reenthused by the way Gemmell out-antiheros most grimdark, while retaining a core of optimism and passion.
Those who worry that fantasy is often called to choose either entertainment or intelligence, meanwhile, may appreciate the surprisingly ideological, thematic orientation of the novel, as Gemmell explores his inherited paradox - the paradox, ultimately, of chivalric war - between his (unstated here, but thematically evident) Christian faith in a world of peace, love, gentleness and forgiveness, and the violent, bloody, sometimes despicable men who may at times, he believes, be required to ride to its defence. In particular, this is a novel of impossible and tragic heroism (the kind of 'war movie' story designed to make men cry), and where many novels suggest that even bad men can become heroes, Gemmell is more interested in whether heroes may be bad men at the same time.
Unfortunately, Gemmell's ambition probably outpaced his talent. His prose and craft, while improved from his earliest works, remains pedestrian, and his story is just too large for his wordcount, resulting in shallow characterisation (and worldbuilding), and plot arcs that often have to merely gesture, rather than depict. Modern readers may find the prose and dialogue style a little old-fashioned (in the way of old fantasy novels - far from the worst of its kind, but clearly less with-it than the anachronistic modern approach), and some may also find its willingness to accept moral complexity disturbing, particularly combined with the heavy emphasis on male characters and masculinity - while I don't believe Gemmell or his novel are misogynist, it's clear that, like the fan of Westerns and war films that he was, he approaches his genre through the tropes of boy's fiction, and is speaking primarily to a male audience, with few overt concessions to entice in female readers.
The charitable modern reader, however, could do worth than finding, or remembering, this novel, as a fine, if flawed, exemplar of a certain style of fantasy. It's pulp; but it's exciting, moving, thoughtful, reliable pulp. It's not a must-read, and it doesn't transcend its genre; but, for what it is, it's jolly good.
If you want to know what I really think of it, my longer review is up on my blog.
Those who worry about modern fantasy's love of trilogies and unending sagas may admire the concision with which Gemmell compresses an entire epic plot into under 400 pages of increasingly intense drama. Those skeptical of the dichotomy of cynical 'grimdark' and naive 'noblebright' may be reenthused by the way Gemmell out-antiheros most grimdark, while retaining a core of optimism and passion.
Those who worry that fantasy is often called to choose either entertainment or intelligence, meanwhile, may appreciate the surprisingly ideological, thematic orientation of the novel, as Gemmell explores his inherited paradox - the paradox, ultimately, of chivalric war - between his (unstated here, but thematically evident) Christian faith in a world of peace, love, gentleness and forgiveness, and the violent, bloody, sometimes despicable men who may at times, he believes, be required to ride to its defence. In particular, this is a novel of impossible and tragic heroism (the kind of 'war movie' story designed to make men cry), and where many novels suggest that even bad men can become heroes, Gemmell is more interested in whether heroes may be bad men at the same time.
Unfortunately, Gemmell's ambition probably outpaced his talent. His prose and craft, while improved from his earliest works, remains pedestrian, and his story is just too large for his wordcount, resulting in shallow characterisation (and worldbuilding), and plot arcs that often have to merely gesture, rather than depict. Modern readers may find the prose and dialogue style a little old-fashioned (in the way of old fantasy novels - far from the worst of its kind, but clearly less with-it than the anachronistic modern approach), and some may also find its willingness to accept moral complexity disturbing, particularly combined with the heavy emphasis on male characters and masculinity - while I don't believe Gemmell or his novel are misogynist, it's clear that, like the fan of Westerns and war films that he was, he approaches his genre through the tropes of boy's fiction, and is speaking primarily to a male audience, with few overt concessions to entice in female readers.
The charitable modern reader, however, could do worth than finding, or remembering, this novel, as a fine, if flawed, exemplar of a certain style of fantasy. It's pulp; but it's exciting, moving, thoughtful, reliable pulp. It's not a must-read, and it doesn't transcend its genre; but, for what it is, it's jolly good.
If you want to know what I really think of it, my longer review is up on my blog.
August 29, 2017
لذت خوندن این کتاب غیر قابل توصیفه،
نمیتونم بگم چقدر از تمام شدنش ناراحت شدم، این کتاب، کتابی بود که از همه نظر کامل و بی نقص ب��د،داستان ،شخصیتها و پایان بندی خیلی عالی کار شده بود،نمیخوام تا یه مدتی چیزی بخونم که در همون دنیای شوالیهها بمونم،
از دست ندید این کتاب رو چون در این صورت یه شاهکار از زیر دستتون در رفته،
حیف که ستارههای گودریدز فقط پنجتان،
نمیتونم بگم چقدر از تمام شدنش ناراحت شدم، این کتاب، کتابی بود که از همه نظر کامل و بی نقص ب��د،داستان ،شخصیتها و پایان بندی خیلی عالی کار شده بود،نمیخوام تا یه مدتی چیزی بخونم که در همون دنیای شوالیهها بمونم،
از دست ندید این کتاب رو چون در این صورت یه شاهکار از زیر دستتون در رفته،
حیف که ستارههای گودریدز فقط پنجتان،
June 3, 2022
بالاخره تونستم کتابی تموم کنم
شوالیههای بدنام ایده خوبی داره ولی از پرداخت خوبی برخوردار نیست متاسفانه، شخصیتهای اصلی و فرعی شخصیتپردازی خوبی ندارن، مجیک سیستم کاملاً دم دستی و بدون پرداخت بود، پایان هم متاسفانه عجلهای بود، در کل به نسبت شبح شاه برای من تجربه متوسطی بود.
ولی همچنان معتقدم گمل نویسنده خوبی هست، برنامه دارم ده تا کتاب از گمل بخونم بعد تصمیم بگیرم بازم ادامه بدم یا نه ...
شوالیههای بدنام ایده خوبی داره ولی از پرداخت خوبی برخوردار نیست متاسفانه، شخصیتهای اصلی و فرعی شخصیتپردازی خوبی ندارن، مجیک سیستم کاملاً دم دستی و بدون پرداخت بود، پایان هم متاسفانه عجلهای بود، در کل به نسبت شبح شاه برای من تجربه متوسطی بود.
ولی همچنان معتقدم گمل نویسنده خوبی هست، برنامه دارم ده تا کتاب از گمل بخونم بعد تصمیم بگیرم بازم ادامه بدم یا نه ...
March 28, 2025
It's David Gemmell! Nuff said!
3rd Read: I still believe, after decades, that Gemmell was a master storyteller. 5⭐️
3rd Read: I still believe, after decades, that Gemmell was a master storyteller. 5⭐️
March 19, 2019
“True knights protect the weak.”
He snorted. “There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can’t protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don’t ever believe any different.”
Sansa backed away from him. “You’re awful.”
“I’m honest. It’s the world that’s awful.”
Georgr r.r. Martin , A clash of kings
خب باید بگم که دیوید گمل بدجوری انتظاراتم رو برآورده کرد. به جرات میتونم بگم که جزو بهترین فانتزی حماسی هایی بود که خوندم و به حدی من رو منو مجذوب شیوه داستان گویی و روایتش کرد که مجاب شدم بقیه کتاباش رو هم بخونم.
داستان تقریبا دچار هیچ گونه اضافه گویی نشده و به شدت خالصه و همین باعث میشه وقتی دستت میگریش به سختی میتونی بذاریش زمین.اوایلش فکر میکردم داستانای قهرمانانهی گمل یه چیزی تو مایه های داستان های افسانه ای ایه که ننه پیر برای سانسا تعریف میکرد. داستانی پر از شوالیه های درستکار و خوش قیافه ای که زره براق به تن دارند و راه به راه به ضعفا کمک میکنن. ولی شوالیه های بدنام دقیقا خلاف این عقیده رو بهم نشون داد. آدم های درستکاری که به تاریکی کشیده میشن و دزد و غارتگر هایی که تبدیل به قهرمانان داستان میشن.از شخصیت پردازی و قهرمان سازی گمل حرف زدن هم نوعی اضافه گوییه.باید کتابو دستتون بگیرین تا متوجه عظمت کار گمل بشین.
این کتابو به طور تصادفی تو یکی از گشت زنی های اخر هفته تو باغ کتاب پیدا کرده بودم و راستش به خاطر قیمت پایینش اون خریدم(خرید جلد اول گروهان سیاه هم همینطوری آغاز شد). بعد از خوندن تعدادی از ریویو های دوستان مجاب شدم که هرچه زودتر اونو بخونم. و حالا از این تصمیم بی نهایت خوشحالم چون میتونم به لیست بهترین اتفاقات سال 97 اضافه کنم.
پ.ن1: ویراستاری کتاب خیلی بد بود. البته شاید به خاطر چاپ قدیمی بودنش.در هر صورت باعث تعجبه که همچین کتابی با سال چاپ1390 هنوز تو قفسه های باغ کتاب باقی مونده.
تجسم موسقیایی کارای گمله.شدیدا توصیه میشه.two steps from hell پ.ن2: به نظرم
He snorted. “There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can’t protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don’t ever believe any different.”
Sansa backed away from him. “You’re awful.”
“I’m honest. It’s the world that’s awful.”
Georgr r.r. Martin , A clash of kings
خب باید بگم که دیوید گمل بدجوری انتظاراتم رو برآورده کرد. به جرات میتونم بگم که جزو بهترین فانتزی حماسی هایی بود که خوندم و به حدی من رو منو مجذوب شیوه داستان گویی و روایتش کرد که مجاب شدم بقیه کتاباش رو هم بخونم.
داستان تقریبا دچار هیچ گونه اضافه گویی نشده و به شدت خالصه و همین باعث میشه وقتی دستت میگریش به سختی میتونی بذاریش زمین.اوایلش فکر میکردم داستانای قهرمانانهی گمل یه چیزی تو مایه های داستان های افسانه ای ایه که ننه پیر برای سانسا تعریف میکرد. داستانی پر از شوالیه های درستکار و خوش قیافه ای که زره براق به تن دارند و راه به راه به ضعفا کمک میکنن. ولی شوالیه های بدنام دقیقا خلاف این عقیده رو بهم نشون داد. آدم های درستکاری که به تاریکی کشیده میشن و دزد و غارتگر هایی که تبدیل به قهرمانان داستان میشن.از شخصیت پردازی و قهرمان سازی گمل حرف زدن هم نوعی اضافه گوییه.باید کتابو دستتون بگیرین تا متوجه عظمت کار گمل بشین.
این کتابو به طور تصادفی تو یکی از گشت زنی های اخر هفته تو باغ کتاب پیدا کرده بودم و راستش به خاطر قیمت پایینش اون خریدم(خرید جلد اول گروهان سیاه هم همینطوری آغاز شد). بعد از خوندن تعدادی از ریویو های دوستان مجاب شدم که هرچه زودتر اونو بخونم. و حالا از این تصمیم بی نهایت خوشحالم چون میتونم به لیست بهترین اتفاقات سال 97 اضافه کنم.
پ.ن1: ویراستاری کتاب خیلی بد بود. البته شاید به خاطر چاپ قدیمی بودنش.در هر صورت باعث تعجبه که همچین کتابی با سال چاپ1390 هنوز تو قفسه های باغ کتاب باقی مونده.
تجسم موسقیایی کارای گمله.شدیدا توصیه میشه.two steps from hell پ.ن2: به نظرم
October 24, 2018
شیطان به ندرت با بوق و آتیش توی یک سرزمین رفت و آمد میکنه. اگه این کار رو میکرد همهی مردم ازش رو میگردوندن
+ از اون دست کتابهای پر از شخصیتهای مختلف و زیاد و روایتهای موازی بیشتر است. من به شخصه از این سبک خوشم نمیاد ؛ نمیتونم شخصیتها رو همزمان توی ذهنم حلاجی کنم و قاطی میکنم. ولی این کتاب فرق داشت. با وجود تعداد شخصیتهای اصلی زیادش به هیچ وجه خستهکننده نبود. به نظرم چون روی شخصیت هر کاراکتر به اندازه کافی، نه بیشتر و نه کمتر، مانور داده بود. ویژگیهای افراد توی ذهنم تهنشین شده بود به طوری که وقفه سه هفتهای بین مطالعه این کتاب اصلا اذیتم نکرد
+ بعد از شش کتاب که از گمل خوندم باید بگم عناصری که گمل توی داستانهاش به کار میبره یکسانه. همیشه یک فرد عادی هست که در طول زمان به مدارج عالی میرسه. همیشه جادوی داستان مبهم و تقریبا بی قید و شرطه (طوری که حتی توی این داستان لامف هادا نمیدونست چه کاری از دستش بر میاد). علاقه زیادی به کار کردن با دروازهها (حالا بین زمانها یا بین دنیاهای مختلف) داره. توی این داستان همه اینها بود ولی خب به جرأت میگم متفاوتتر بود.
+ برای من بخشی از لذت مطالعه داستان به علت ترجمه خوبش بود و اون هم ناشی از این بود که صحنههای عشقورزی داستان کمتر بود و در نتیجه ممیزی کمتری به ترجمه خورده بود و داستان زخم و زیلی نشده بود.
+ گمل تو این داستان از قربانی کردن قهرمانها ابایی نداشت و خب، این موضوع رو پسندیدم :)
شخصی نوشت: بیشتر از 80 درصد کتاب در اتوبوسهای بین خانه و دانشگاه خوانده شد و اینگونه با پرت شدن وقت مبارزه شد :)
July 21, 2022
2.5 stars.
Phew, I finally finished it. I listened to this alongside my partner.
Although I've heard great things about David Gimmell, I was disappointed with this. While I liked most of the characters, they were not very memorable. The narrative had a few interesting concepts that I like in books, but for most of the book I was bored and found myself only half-listening at some points. All in all, the most positive thing that I can say about this audiobook is that I really enjoyed listening to the narrator.
Phew, I finally finished it. I listened to this alongside my partner.
Although I've heard great things about David Gimmell, I was disappointed with this. While I liked most of the characters, they were not very memorable. The narrative had a few interesting concepts that I like in books, but for most of the book I was bored and found myself only half-listening at some points. All in all, the most positive thing that I can say about this audiobook is that I really enjoyed listening to the narrator.
January 26, 2022
Ieri sera ho finito di leggere questa chicca, "I cavalieri dei Gabala" del maestro David Gemmell. C'è veramente di tutto: atmosfere decadenti, cupe e dark, demoni, vampiri, eroi improbabili e antieroi, una buona dose di violenza e ignoranza. Leggendo Gemmell mi rendo conto dell'importanza che questo autore ha avuto per lo sviluppo del Grimdark più moderno. Lo scrittore britannico può esserne considerato un precursore e forse, forse uno dei fondatori. Super consigliato!
February 1, 2019
اولین تجربه من از دیوید گمل، کتاب خوب و تمیزی بود. جادوگرهاش دوست داشتنی بودن و شخصیتها باور پذیر. بعضی از جملههاش احتمالا همیشه روی قلبم ثبت شده باقی میمونه.
فقط کاش میشد اولاتار و گوییدن رو بیشتر شناخت و بیشتر راجع بهشون خوند.
فقط کاش میشد اولاتار و گوییدن رو بیشتر شناخت و بیشتر راجع بهشون خوند.
April 13, 2017
عالی بود. بین کارای گمل خیلی دوستش داشتم. هرکی نخونده جزو بشدت ضرر کرده. بی نظیر بود
October 28, 2017
Highly suggest this novel for lovers of dark Fantasy. Like all Gemmell books, the pace is quick, the characters, human. Suffering guaranteed.
Read
October 12, 2022بالاخره تمومش کردممممم
البته لازم به ذکره که طولانی شدن خوندنش به خاطر این نبود که دوستش نداشتم
حالا بعدا بیشتر میگم ازش
البته لازم به ذکره که طولانی شدن خوندنش به خاطر این نبود که دوستش نداشتم
حالا بعدا بیشتر میگم ازش
August 16, 2024
5 Stars - dark standalone that fulfills what I wanted from The Saga of the Witcher
For the full review, check out: https://medium.com/@kemerysjourneythr...
What's the story about: Knights of Dark Renown is told via 3rd-person omniscient POVs that finds a nation in turmoil and many who have their individual lives ruined because of an evil lurking beneath it all. We follow a wide cast of characters including: Manannan, a disgraced knight, Lámfhada, an innocent, young magician, Nuada, a renowned bard, Arian, a brash bow-woman, Ruad, a metalsmith with a past, Errin, a man found on the wrong side of royalty because of love, Llaw Gyffes, a dangerous but heroic outlaw, Groundsel, a bandit leader seeking a life better than he's known, and roughly three others in a chaotic tale of rebellion, survival, and the nature of good and evil.
Knights of Dark Renown is probably one of the milder 5-star books I've read, but thinking about how much I appreciated the journey as a whole, I can't help but give it this rating. Mostly I'm just happy to find a Gemmell book I actually like after so long searching. Like I said in the heading, this is the kind of narrative I was hoping The Saga of the Witcher would be; it has a wide scope centered around small storylines that have their own adventures, extremely flawed but understandable protagonists, a world beset by evil monsters and moral dilemmas, an insurmountable threat that is more complex than it seems, and it philosophically meanders on the nature of good and evil really effectively. But unlike the Witcher saga, this one tells a short and standalone book that is satisfying and complete without divulging too deeply into unnecessary areas (though I could've done with a trilogy here). Knights really shines in executing a balance in nearly all areas very well. It may move a little too fast in the last act, is a bit overbearing and confusing at first, can be a bit irksome in the way heroic fantasy is known for, but it still satisfies far more than not. If you're a fan of The Witcher books or short, standalone stories with immense impact, I highly recommend this one.
For the full review, check out: https://medium.com/@kemerysjourneythr...
What's the story about: Knights of Dark Renown is told via 3rd-person omniscient POVs that finds a nation in turmoil and many who have their individual lives ruined because of an evil lurking beneath it all. We follow a wide cast of characters including: Manannan, a disgraced knight, Lámfhada, an innocent, young magician, Nuada, a renowned bard, Arian, a brash bow-woman, Ruad, a metalsmith with a past, Errin, a man found on the wrong side of royalty because of love, Llaw Gyffes, a dangerous but heroic outlaw, Groundsel, a bandit leader seeking a life better than he's known, and roughly three others in a chaotic tale of rebellion, survival, and the nature of good and evil.
Knights of Dark Renown is probably one of the milder 5-star books I've read, but thinking about how much I appreciated the journey as a whole, I can't help but give it this rating. Mostly I'm just happy to find a Gemmell book I actually like after so long searching. Like I said in the heading, this is the kind of narrative I was hoping The Saga of the Witcher would be; it has a wide scope centered around small storylines that have their own adventures, extremely flawed but understandable protagonists, a world beset by evil monsters and moral dilemmas, an insurmountable threat that is more complex than it seems, and it philosophically meanders on the nature of good and evil really effectively. But unlike the Witcher saga, this one tells a short and standalone book that is satisfying and complete without divulging too deeply into unnecessary areas (though I could've done with a trilogy here). Knights really shines in executing a balance in nearly all areas very well. It may move a little too fast in the last act, is a bit overbearing and confusing at first, can be a bit irksome in the way heroic fantasy is known for, but it still satisfies far more than not. If you're a fan of The Witcher books or short, standalone stories with immense impact, I highly recommend this one.
March 2, 2020
یه کتاب فانتزی تک جلی فوقالعاده
از بس کتابهای فانتزی این روزا تو چندین جلد چاپ میشن و طولانین خیلی سخته که بشه تصور کرد کسی بتونه تو یه جلد متوسط یه دنیای فانتزی رو توصیف کنه، شخصیتاشو معرفی کنه و داستانش رو هم پیش ببره ولی دیوید گمل خیلی خوب و ظریف این کار رو انجام داده و داستان هر چی جلوتر میره بهتر و بهتر میشه
جادو خیلی تاثیر زیادی تو داستان داره و قوانینش هم جالبن
برای کسی که فرصت خوندن کتابهای قطور و طولانی رو نداره و طرفدار فانتزی هم هست اولین پیشنهاد من شوالیه های بدنام دیوید گمل خواهد بود
از بس کتابهای فانتزی این روزا تو چندین جلد چاپ میشن و طولانین خیلی سخته که بشه تصور کرد کسی بتونه تو یه جلد متوسط یه دنیای فانتزی رو توصیف کنه، شخصیتاشو معرفی کنه و داستانش رو هم پیش ببره ولی دیوید گمل خیلی خوب و ظریف این کار رو انجام داده و داستان هر چی جلوتر میره بهتر و بهتر میشه
جادو خیلی تاثیر زیادی تو داستان داره و قوانینش هم جالبن
برای کسی که فرصت خوندن کتابهای قطور و طولانی رو نداره و طرفدار فانتزی هم هست اولین پیشنهاد من شوالیه های بدنام دیوید گمل خواهد بود
September 14, 2021
This was the end of empire, he knew. Not the blood-drenched battlegrounds, the screaming hordes, the discordant clash of steel on steel. Just the dust blowing across the cobbles, limbless statues, warped buckets, and the silence of the grave.
3.5 rounded up.
Chronologically this is the first of the two standalone Drenai books, but I read it second after Morningstar. Interestingly there’s no mention of the regions in Morningstar and the magic system seemed to be different so I’m curious to see what shakes out in the main series. (I ended up looking at the Gemmell wiki and evidently this is set 1800 years before the main Drenai saga, not sure when Morningstar is set).
There were some good characters here and multiple plot lines ranging from good to great but overall I felt that it wasn’t quite as good as Morningstar.
3.5 rounded up.
Chronologically this is the first of the two standalone Drenai books, but I read it second after Morningstar. Interestingly there’s no mention of the regions in Morningstar and the magic system seemed to be different so I’m curious to see what shakes out in the main series. (I ended up looking at the Gemmell wiki and evidently this is set 1800 years before the main Drenai saga, not sure when Morningstar is set).
There were some good characters here and multiple plot lines ranging from good to great but overall I felt that it wasn’t quite as good as Morningstar.
March 5, 2019
عالی بود.. یه فانتزی حماسی جذاب که از همون شروعش هیجان انگیز و خوندنیه....
November 30, 2024
Gemmell seldom disappoints and the standalone Knights of Dark Renown delivers his trademark pulpy goodness. The tale starts a little slow, however, as Gemmell introduces the world and the main characters. The land of Gabala for centuries relied upon the legendary Knights of Gabala to maintain order and justice. The Knights acted as arbitrars, dispensing justice when needed, and basically stood up for the powerless and weak. On a quest, however, they disappeared and never came back. 6 years later, our tale here starts.
Gemmell builds a strong cast of flawed characters here-- a mage/armorer, his trainee (and soon run-away slave), the one remaining Knight of Gabala (who 'turned yellow'), a bandit, some nobles and many, many others. In effect, the current king of Gabala has changed since the Knights went missing, and now has new 'demon' knights at his side. Dreaming of empire, the king pulls a Hitler and decrees all those with nomadic blood are tainted (you know where this will go...). Many, however, have fled to the massive forest that borders the kingdom and their they plot...
Such a simple depiction of the plot, however, does not capture the essence of this book. Gemmell (again, as usual) often takes a rather existentialist path, with characters debating the meaning of life and their role in what will come. What is evil and what is good? Are people who have committed 'evil' acts capable to becoming good? Redemption? Toss in some action sequences and lots of twisty plotting and then you have this-- a super pulpy read! Not a bad place to start on Gemmell if you have never read his stuff. 4 Gabalas!
Gemmell builds a strong cast of flawed characters here-- a mage/armorer, his trainee (and soon run-away slave), the one remaining Knight of Gabala (who 'turned yellow'), a bandit, some nobles and many, many others. In effect, the current king of Gabala has changed since the Knights went missing, and now has new 'demon' knights at his side. Dreaming of empire, the king pulls a Hitler and decrees all those with nomadic blood are tainted (you know where this will go...). Many, however, have fled to the massive forest that borders the kingdom and their they plot...
Such a simple depiction of the plot, however, does not capture the essence of this book. Gemmell (again, as usual) often takes a rather existentialist path, with characters debating the meaning of life and their role in what will come. What is evil and what is good? Are people who have committed 'evil' acts capable to becoming good? Redemption? Toss in some action sequences and lots of twisty plotting and then you have this-- a super pulpy read! Not a bad place to start on Gemmell if you have never read his stuff. 4 Gabalas!
April 14, 2009
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
It's been six years since the legendary Knights of the Gabala rode through a gate to hell in order to fight the evil that threatened the realm. They haven't been heard from since. But they are desperately needed now because the King, once a noble man, has begun rounding up the nomad population in Holocaust style. People who oppose his actions are named traitors and the King's new henchmen are very strong and very .... undead. The king's new policies have alienated a lot of people — mostly peasants. Can they band together and defeat this evil? Are there men and women who will rise up and lead this motley group?
Knights of Dark Renown is a deep and engaging multi-layered heroic fantasy. Not one of those that's got a cover sporting a big muscle-man with a sword in one hand and a buxom bikini-clad babe in the other. Gemmell's characters are not stereotyped heroes and villains; They're complex and three-dimensional. Some of his heroes — both men and women — are so flawed that they don't see themselves as noble at all (and even the reader isn't sure that they really are). In David Gemmell's world, all men (and women) have the potential to be both heroes and villains — even at the same moment in time.
Gemmell covers a lot of psychological ground in Knights of Dark Renown. There are themes of love and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness, consequences of behavior, atonement and redemption, courage and cowardice. I was listening on audiobook and found myself often having to pause the recording so I could think for a while.
This book is dark and many of the so-called heroes end up dead. But even through all of the darkness, pain, and death, there are many uplifting “heroic” moments, such as when the coward does a courageous deed (and, as Gemmell said in an interview, only a coward can truly be courageous), or when the man who had done wrong all his life decides to end well.
I heard Gemmell speak of a fan who told him of a heroic deed he had done after reading one of Gemmell's books, and I believe it. Though Gemmell shows us that good people can do evil things, he give us hope by showing us that we are capable also of great deeds — even if we've never done one before. It's this sort of inspiration that separates David Gemmell's fantasy from that of some of the writers in this genre who, striving to be different, give us darkness and leave us there. There's plenty of darkness in David Gemmell's work but, thankfully, he doesn't leave us wallowing in it.
Read more David Gemmell book reviews at Fantasy Literature .
It's been six years since the legendary Knights of the Gabala rode through a gate to hell in order to fight the evil that threatened the realm. They haven't been heard from since. But they are desperately needed now because the King, once a noble man, has begun rounding up the nomad population in Holocaust style. People who oppose his actions are named traitors and the King's new henchmen are very strong and very .... undead. The king's new policies have alienated a lot of people — mostly peasants. Can they band together and defeat this evil? Are there men and women who will rise up and lead this motley group?
Knights of Dark Renown is a deep and engaging multi-layered heroic fantasy. Not one of those that's got a cover sporting a big muscle-man with a sword in one hand and a buxom bikini-clad babe in the other. Gemmell's characters are not stereotyped heroes and villains; They're complex and three-dimensional. Some of his heroes — both men and women — are so flawed that they don't see themselves as noble at all (and even the reader isn't sure that they really are). In David Gemmell's world, all men (and women) have the potential to be both heroes and villains — even at the same moment in time.
Gemmell covers a lot of psychological ground in Knights of Dark Renown. There are themes of love and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness, consequences of behavior, atonement and redemption, courage and cowardice. I was listening on audiobook and found myself often having to pause the recording so I could think for a while.
This book is dark and many of the so-called heroes end up dead. But even through all of the darkness, pain, and death, there are many uplifting “heroic” moments, such as when the coward does a courageous deed (and, as Gemmell said in an interview, only a coward can truly be courageous), or when the man who had done wrong all his life decides to end well.
I heard Gemmell speak of a fan who told him of a heroic deed he had done after reading one of Gemmell's books, and I believe it. Though Gemmell shows us that good people can do evil things, he give us hope by showing us that we are capable also of great deeds — even if we've never done one before. It's this sort of inspiration that separates David Gemmell's fantasy from that of some of the writers in this genre who, striving to be different, give us darkness and leave us there. There's plenty of darkness in David Gemmell's work but, thankfully, he doesn't leave us wallowing in it.
Read more David Gemmell book reviews at Fantasy Literature .
July 12, 2012
It's always nice to read a one-shot fantasy: they can seem crowded with the need to build up a world and characters and a self-contained plotline, and this one certainly does, but it's refreshing to come across something fairly self-contained in this world of fantasy trilogies. It's a pageturner -- which I'm beginning to see is characteristic of Gemmell's work -- and though it has it's flaws, it's a lot of fun as well.
The main flaws are the sheer number of characters and the pacing, which starts slowly and then hurtles to the end at break-neck speed. If it had been a little longer, or some characters had been trimmed out, then it would have been very emotionally effective in those last eighty pages. As it was, I could feel for the characters... but not that much. I think which you find most effective will depend on your own character: I was drawn to Nuada, Morrigan and Samildanach more than the other characters (at least in the last part of the book).
I wish Gemmell hadn't tacked on that epilogue. It feels more like a synopsis of another book which he could see in his mind but couldn't be bothered getting round to writing.
The other weird thing is the raiding of mythology for character names. I recognise a lot of them from other fantasies and from Welsh and Irish mythology, but I'm not quite sure why Gemmell used them, as they seem to bear little relation to their sources. That distracted me a lot, waiting for it to make sense when it just... doesn't.
The main flaws are the sheer number of characters and the pacing, which starts slowly and then hurtles to the end at break-neck speed. If it had been a little longer, or some characters had been trimmed out, then it would have been very emotionally effective in those last eighty pages. As it was, I could feel for the characters... but not that much. I think which you find most effective will depend on your own character: I was drawn to Nuada, Morrigan and Samildanach more than the other characters (at least in the last part of the book).
I wish Gemmell hadn't tacked on that epilogue. It feels more like a synopsis of another book which he could see in his mind but couldn't be bothered getting round to writing.
The other weird thing is the raiding of mythology for character names. I recognise a lot of them from other fantasies and from Welsh and Irish mythology, but I'm not quite sure why Gemmell used them, as they seem to bear little relation to their sources. That distracted me a lot, waiting for it to make sense when it just... doesn't.
May 22, 2025
5.0 Full Stars
This is easily the best book I've had in years. It may well be my all-time favorite Fantasy story.
It checks all the boxes. Character development, moral quandary, world building, a magic system that is both natural and universal, characters that are true to themselves, and a great trade-off between plot and pacing.
This is what Sanderson does, but he needs 700-1000 more pages to accomplish. This is what Wheel of Time took 15 books to do.
Odly enough, I don't feel cheated. Not in the tiniest bit. I almost never re-read a book, but I will happily do so with this one.
This is easily the best book I've had in years. It may well be my all-time favorite Fantasy story.
It checks all the boxes. Character development, moral quandary, world building, a magic system that is both natural and universal, characters that are true to themselves, and a great trade-off between plot and pacing.
This is what Sanderson does, but he needs 700-1000 more pages to accomplish. This is what Wheel of Time took 15 books to do.
Odly enough, I don't feel cheated. Not in the tiniest bit. I almost never re-read a book, but I will happily do so with this one.
December 2, 2010
I've returned to this book more than once. This book is about flawed people that are viewed in legend as flawless heroes. This story strongly opines that it is sometimes our weaknesses that make us strong. One man's claustrophobia saves him from losing his way, and allows him to guide others on the right path. If he were more perfect he would have fallen to the hubris that defiled his friends.
David Gemmell plays with destiny in a way that is hard not to admire. His characters often decry or try to avoid their fate. Sometimes because they feel unworthy, other times because they fear the consequences. Yet always there is something in them... Something that may not be apparent at first... That drives them into accepting their fate. For some it is skill, for others it is stubbornness, fear or individuality.
It isn't Gemmell's best book, but there aren't many better.
David Gemmell plays with destiny in a way that is hard not to admire. His characters often decry or try to avoid their fate. Sometimes because they feel unworthy, other times because they fear the consequences. Yet always there is something in them... Something that may not be apparent at first... That drives them into accepting their fate. For some it is skill, for others it is stubbornness, fear or individuality.
It isn't Gemmell's best book, but there aren't many better.
August 17, 2015
شاید «شوالیه های بد نام» غیر قابل پیش بینی ترین کتاب گمل باشه. داستان خوب و درونمایه عالی. اینکه چطور یه عده از بهترین افراد سقوط میکنن و چطور یه عده از پست ترین افراد صعود میکنن و به مقابله با اونها میرن.
قلم گمل هم مثل همیشه عالی بود. یکی دو جای کتاب جملات انقدر زیبا بود که چند بار خوندم و چند دقیقه صبر کردم تا خوب ازش لذت ببرم!
قلم گمل هم مثل همیشه عالی بود. یکی دو جای کتاب جملات انقدر زیبا بود که چند بار خوندم و چند دقیقه صبر کردم تا خوب ازش لذت ببرم!
April 5, 2017
This was one of his first I read from David Gemmell. He has written so picturesqe that a lot of the places where for long in my mind.
February 7, 2022
پایانش رو دوست نداشتم وگرنه کتاب خوبی بود. شاید بازم سراغ گمل برم.
January 11, 2024
A fun and easy-to-read fantasy adventure story. My main disappointment with Knights of Dark Renown is that it threatened to be something more, something special: author David Gemmell creates this great scenario of a so-called 'Coward Knight' which is never fully utilised. This knight, Manannan, fled when the other eight knights of his legendary Order entered a portal into a hellish magical plain to battle the demons there. The eight never returned, and now, years later, his past is coming back to haunt him.
It's a compelling idea, but Knights of Dark Renown doesn't exploit it. We have little on Manannan's guilt and even less on how the world perceives this apparent 'coward' as he tries to make his way in the world with that stain on his character. Early chapters hint at it, but the story never mines the drama, angst or pathos of it, and the novel becomes a pretty standard good-vs-evil story with magic and swordfights and the other conventional fantasy trappings. Manannan is relegated to becoming the Ishmael of his own story, as Gemmell weaves a (passably interesting) tale of a rebellion brewing against an evil King. Even here, one of the more compelling secondary characters, the reluctant Robin Hood-like commoner Llaw Gyffes, becomes a peripheral figure by the end.
Ultimately, the one-volume Knights of Dark Renown – a rarity in a genre known for its huge tomes and multi-volume epic storylines – doesn't have the bandwidth for the story it wants to tell. The plot-driven story of the rebellion (complete with world-building) cannot be told satisfactorily in 400 pages, let alone allowing space to explore Manannan's angst and redemption, or the character arcs of others like Llaw Gyffes (there are also numerous other characters who could make a reasonable claim to more page time). In the final chapters, all the tantalising threads have been hastily wrapped up, the early promise and originality snuffed out. The perfunctory epilogue has a "Poochie went back to his home planet" vibe and is scant reward for the reader. But it's not solely about the ending: an earlier chapter after Manannan faces his fears and enters the hell-portal devotes a mere couple of sentences to how he battled through the ranks of demons before winning clear and returning to continue the plot. Knights of Dark Renown is a perfectly fine fantasy adventure – an inspiration for the Elder Scrolls video game Oblivion – but becomes rushed and conventional where it threatened to become remarkably original. The book is a creditable one but there is a pang in knowing the story of the Coward Knight could have been so much more.
It's a compelling idea, but Knights of Dark Renown doesn't exploit it. We have little on Manannan's guilt and even less on how the world perceives this apparent 'coward' as he tries to make his way in the world with that stain on his character. Early chapters hint at it, but the story never mines the drama, angst or pathos of it, and the novel becomes a pretty standard good-vs-evil story with magic and swordfights and the other conventional fantasy trappings. Manannan is relegated to becoming the Ishmael of his own story, as Gemmell weaves a (passably interesting) tale of a rebellion brewing against an evil King. Even here, one of the more compelling secondary characters, the reluctant Robin Hood-like commoner Llaw Gyffes, becomes a peripheral figure by the end.
Ultimately, the one-volume Knights of Dark Renown – a rarity in a genre known for its huge tomes and multi-volume epic storylines – doesn't have the bandwidth for the story it wants to tell. The plot-driven story of the rebellion (complete with world-building) cannot be told satisfactorily in 400 pages, let alone allowing space to explore Manannan's angst and redemption, or the character arcs of others like Llaw Gyffes (there are also numerous other characters who could make a reasonable claim to more page time). In the final chapters, all the tantalising threads have been hastily wrapped up, the early promise and originality snuffed out. The perfunctory epilogue has a "Poochie went back to his home planet" vibe and is scant reward for the reader. But it's not solely about the ending: an earlier chapter after Manannan faces his fears and enters the hell-portal devotes a mere couple of sentences to how he battled through the ranks of demons before winning clear and returning to continue the plot. Knights of Dark Renown is a perfectly fine fantasy adventure – an inspiration for the Elder Scrolls video game Oblivion – but becomes rushed and conventional where it threatened to become remarkably original. The book is a creditable one but there is a pang in knowing the story of the Coward Knight could have been so much more.
February 18, 2018
A long time ago, I read David Gemmell’s Legend, The King Beyond The Gate and Quest For Lost Heroes from the Drenai series. It was my first foray into Fantasy Adventure, way before I read Lord of the Rings and other books in that genre. I have to say, I loved it. The King Beyond The Gate was my first introduction to bigger than life heroes.
I don’t know why I didn’t search for all the books in the series but the other night, I found myself thinking about Quest for Lost Heroes and I knew I had to read the Drenai series, properly this time. So I searched for and found all the books of David Gemmell’s that I could. I was sad to see that the author was no longer among the living.
Knights of Dark Renown was in one word, fantastic. I’d forgotten how good David Gemmell’s writing was. The description of the world of Gabala was so elaborate and well-done, I could envision it as if I were seeing it with my eyes.
From the first page, I was hooked in. I was deeply invested in the plight of the Knights of Gabala and how they went missing, why Manannan stayed back. The story has various point of views and shift from one to the next with perfect segue, all adding to the plot.
The characters shared the spotlight with equal unanimity. David Gemmell’s writing was so good, I empathized with each character over the traumas they went through. The fate of the Knights of Gabala was heartbreaking.
Knights of Dark Renown wasn’t just violence and traumatic events but a healthy dose of humor added a wittiness to the writing. Errin and Ubadai’s interactions were super funny. Ubadai’s frustration over Errin had me cracking up.
Ubadai to Errin—“You know nothing. Locked in a pantry, you would starve to death.”
I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.
Posted on Blog
I don’t know why I didn’t search for all the books in the series but the other night, I found myself thinking about Quest for Lost Heroes and I knew I had to read the Drenai series, properly this time. So I searched for and found all the books of David Gemmell’s that I could. I was sad to see that the author was no longer among the living.
Knights of Dark Renown was in one word, fantastic. I’d forgotten how good David Gemmell’s writing was. The description of the world of Gabala was so elaborate and well-done, I could envision it as if I were seeing it with my eyes.
From the first page, I was hooked in. I was deeply invested in the plight of the Knights of Gabala and how they went missing, why Manannan stayed back. The story has various point of views and shift from one to the next with perfect segue, all adding to the plot.
The characters shared the spotlight with equal unanimity. David Gemmell’s writing was so good, I empathized with each character over the traumas they went through. The fate of the Knights of Gabala was heartbreaking.
Knights of Dark Renown wasn’t just violence and traumatic events but a healthy dose of humor added a wittiness to the writing. Errin and Ubadai’s interactions were super funny. Ubadai’s frustration over Errin had me cracking up.
Ubadai to Errin—“You know nothing. Locked in a pantry, you would starve to death.”
I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.
Posted on Blog
Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews