Why did no one tell me about David Gemmell?

[Andrew]

Why did no one tell me about David Gemmell?

Well, probably, they did. But why didn't they shake me by the nuts and make me listen?

Ahem.

I was in a charity shop about a year ago, and saw a battered paperback of Stormrider:. I thought (don't judge me): "Oh yeah, it's that David fantasy writer who's name isn't Eddings."

So I bought it for the princely sum of 50p, and it languished on my shelf of unread books for many months, along with a complete collection of Peter F Hamilton that a mate from work donated to me because he'd got a Kindle.

I'm looking at moving soon, and decluttering, and sheer bloody-mindedness is forcing me to at least take a stab at all these unread paperbacks before putting them back into circulation. So the other night, I finally finished wincing my way through a dreadful Gary Russell Doctor Who novel and picked up Stormrider.

Well, I'm only 60 pages in, to be honest with you. But I'm hooked. I'm also, for such is my lot in life, starting with the fourth book in a series, but hey, whatever.

What Gemmell should I read next, mighty internet? I was deaf before, but I'm listening now.

[Jamie]

All of his series are fantastic, so really it just depends on what you like.

I'd heartily recommend Sword In The Storm, except you've already read part 4 of that series. It's one of my favourites though.

The Drenai books are pretty straightforward heroic fantasy, starting with Legend. While they are all good, in my opinion, some of them are better than others (I've re-read Legend, Waylander and the Swords Of Night And Day more times than I can remember), but I'd recommend working through them in order.

The Jon Shannow books have a very different setting - a sort of post apocalyptic wild west. It's a brilliant series, and starts with Wolf In Shadow.

His historical fiction is great too, and I loved Lion of Macedon. (I've not read the Troy books, but they are on my list. Sadly, the list is rather long...)

I suppose I am a bit of a David Gemmel fan, so feel free to add a pinch of salt, but I think he wrote some of the best heroes in genre fiction. It's a pity he's no longer with us

[Michael]

I couldn't agree with you more! I devoured all the Gemmell books within the last year and loved every one. If forced to pick, I'd have to say my favorite was the Drenai series.

[Brian]

Everyone's bang-on in this thread so far. The Rigante series (Stormrider is the fourth and last of those, Sword in the Storm is the first) are absolutely top-notch, Guy Gavriel Kay-quality cryptohistoricals, and I can also recommend the standalones Morningstar, Knights of Dark Renown, and Dark Moon. Of the Drenai books, I've only read Legend and Waylander, but both were excellent straight-ahead action fantasy books, especially Waylander, which gets into some pretty interesting thoughts about war and pacifism. Gemmell's one of the under-regarded treasures of the fantasy genre, IMO.

[Andrew]

Loads and loads of suggestions, brilliant, can't wait to get started! And Michael, cheers for the message, I'll reply shortly - working from my mobile at the moment!

[Mike]

I have read all of his books except one he wrote under a pen name, and I must say all 31 are good. I would say the best are the Rigante series (4 books ) the lion of Macedonia and the dark prince ( 2 book series ) and the Troy trilogy. Also enjoyed many of the Drenai books. For some reason I can't seem to get anyone I know to read any Gemmell, I do not know why.

Mike

[Brian]

Just start with Sword in the Storm and read the entire Rigante series. The first two books rival any of the song of ice and fire books IMHO. I was hesitant to read the second two books in the series since of the tonal shift but once I comitted to it, I realized they are excellent as well. Highly recommend.

[AndrewP]

When it comes to the writing of action sequences Gemmell is one of my all time favorites. He's right up there with Bernard Cornwell IMHO.

We should lobby for one of his books as a S&L pick :)

[Andrew]

I do also like Bernard Cornwell, I read the Sharpe books about ten years ago now and loved every page.

I'm definitely going to work my way through the Rigante series, even if I have started with the final book...

[Tamahome]

You didn't ask.

[Andrew]

But I didn't know to ask!

[Kristina]

I went to look up this Gemmell fellow to see about his books you are all gushing about and turns out I've already read one. At some point I read Troy and gave it 4 stars! Guess I need to move some of his other stuff up on the list.

<3 Bernard Cornwell also. I've read a bunch of his stuff, though none of the Sharpe books.

[Ian]

I loved all his books but read them as they came out so when I was (ahem) a bit younger. Would be interested to hear how the earlier ones stand up today - I still look back at Legend as being one of the great fantasy debut novels, but does it feel dated now?

I think I'be probably read pretty much all of them and can't remember a bad one, especially liked the Greek Mythology rewrites like the Troy ones and Lion of Macedon - you have much fun ahead, go read em all!

[Brian]

Is there any particular way to lobby a book for the book club read? I think The Sword in the Storm would be an excellent pick.

[Manuel]

People don't talk a lot about him these days but I think he's one of the big ones for the hardcore fantasy fans.

[Wastrel]

I would caution that even if you like his work (and I think he has good and bad sides), he can be quite repetitive. A lot of the Drenai novels do sort of feel like they were copy-pasted from one another.

[Mark]

Gemmell is one of my all time favs. He's sorely missed.

It's been ages since I read Waylander but I remember it being amazing at the time.

Lion of Macedon is a great mix of Ancient Greek history with a fantasy slant. One of his best I think.

I remember reading once that he collected weapons and used to act out his fight scenes in his back garden. Must have gotten some odd looks from the neighbours :).

[Serendi]

Or with the right neighbors, they might have sparred with him!

[Phil On The Hill]

A good author who really started to get very good with the Troy books and then fate came calling.

Someone was also asking about fantasy with Firearms. The Outlander books do this quite well.

[Mark]

I managed to track down that interview I mentioned. It's a great read.

[Jeremy]

Wastrel wrote: "I would caution that even if you like his work (and I think he has good and bad sides), he can be quite repetitive. A lot of the Drenai novels do sort of feel like they were copy-pasted from one an..."

I agree. I loved his work, but sort of burnt out on it after a while. It will happen a lot faster if you read a number of his books in succession. He was my favorite author for a long time though.

[Pat]

Ian wrote: "I loved all his books but read them as they came out so when I was (ahem) a bit younger. Would be interested to hear how the earlier ones stand up today ..."

I was going to ask the same thing. I loved Gemmel as a teenager but am a bit dubious about how much I'd like it now.

[Michael]

Pat wrote: "Ian wrote: "I loved all his books but read them as they came out so when I was (ahem) a bit younger. Would be interested to hear how the earlier ones stand up today ..."

I was going to ask the s..."

Not sure if you ever read the Troy books but they are pretty damn incredible.