Enjoy! I mention in this review that Legend was written as, and could be considered a, standalone novel, but I forgot to mention that from it, evolved the broader Drenai series that spans 11 books. It’s the first in publication order, though the series is also commonly read in chronological order - check Google for some more info on the series!

Great review man! I had no idea Gemmell was dealing with all of this externally while in the process of writing this. Gemmell is another author that I really want to get to, and you've certainly sold me!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, bro!! Yeah it definitely adds a lot to the story, in my opinion.

Wow, what a background story! That’s amazing to learn how that directly impacted the way Gemmell wrote the book. Amazing how that also impacted the way you experienced the story and identified themes and metaphors. Great video! 😊

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Johanna!!! I got so much more out of this read than I expected, and it’s SO AMAZING when that happens. 🥰

@jennychasteen

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it's so cool to learn about book backstories! Especially when they have such a big impact on the writing process.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

@@jennychasteen agreed

A great review of a great book! Glad you're also jumping on the Gemmell train!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

🙌🏻🙌🏻

I really love seeing you honing your reviewer skills, this review was fantastic! Legend has just been popping up everywhere on my radar lately, so I think that means I should get to it asap! Military focused stories can be hit or miss for me, but this one sounds like it might work very well because of the deeper themes. I am happy for you that you found this such a compelling and impactful story, I hope you enjoy more of Gemmell's books when you get to them! 🤩

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Esmay!! I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on it, for sure 😀

Great review! And fantastic video! The visuals are top notch. Legend has flown under my radar until now, but it sounds fantastic!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dylan!! Yeah, if it wasn’t clear enough in the video, I had a blast with it and highly recommend it 😂

Theo, this was a great review!! Be proud of this one. And you SOLD me!! I’ll definitely be reading it sooner rather than later!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thank you SO MUCH ❤️🙏🏻

I have very similar thoughts on this book, especially the humanity given to characters that so easily could have one-dimensional, especially Orrin comes to my mind, almost had me in tears at the end! Also I think this book hit the “zeitgeist” of the 80s very well, with a UK that did not back down during the Falkland War and Reagan’s speech of tearing the Berlin Wall down, I would not be surprised if this novel got some new wind in regards to Ukraine!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Wow what interesting insight, thanks for that!! I appreciate you stopping by and watching as well!

Thanks for the review Theo! It’s nice to know the background of the author for this one. Seems like it gives it more meaning.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely, it really made it a whole different experience!

I read this many years ago and had no idea about Gemmell's health. Definitely puts it in a new context and makes me want to revisit it. Great review!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! I agree, it definitely adds an interesting layer to it.

Another fan of Gemmell. Welcome to the party. He remains one of my favourite authors and perhaps, the biggest influence on my own books.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Wow that’s amazing! I’ll keep that in mind when I read The Coward soon. I have books 1 and 2 on the shelf and I’m excited to read them!

@StephenAryan44

Жыл бұрын

@@RekindledReader Yes definitely keep it in mind. I'll be curious to hear what you think of it.

Awesome video, Theo! I recently acquired this as a gift from Nikosbookreviews and I slotted it in for my May TBR/MBR. Super excited to get to this and I really appreciate how well done your review was because it got me amped up!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Ah I’m so happy - appreciate it! Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Great video. All Drenai books are very good. My favourites are the Waylander ones, but all Gemmel work is exellent, in my opinion.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!! I’m very excited to continue!!

This is an EXCELLENT book review, Theo. Love it.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Aw thank you!!! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️

Excellent review Sir!! This one is quickly climbing up my TBR. I was surprised to find that for a fantasy book is it actually not a tome. When seeing people talk about it in other videos I always assumed it was a chunker. Again, excellent breakdown my man.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks bro! Honestly, it’s a quick read! I think you’d enjoy it 🤙🏻

"Fun, heroic fantasy written in the 1980s with metaphor and deep themes woven throughout" --ok, sold. 😂 I also love that it's about an older character. That sounds unique and refreshing since so much fantasy focuses on teens or young adults.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

YES!! Thank you :) Though I’m currently reading the prequel, The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend, which starts with Druss at about 17 years old. Love it.

@jennychasteen

Жыл бұрын

@@RekindledReader Sounds fun to follow the character through different life stages like that!

Excellent review, Theo. This book is just so good

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Kyle. That means a lot, I know how much you like this book. Cheers!

Awesome review! Legend rocks and was indeed surprisingly deep and profound in many moments. The sequel his publishers strong-armed him into writing is not the best follow up but I’m psyched to try the Druss prequels!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Ahh good to know! Absolutely, I hear the prequels are sweet and the Drenai series as a whole is a good time, so I can’t wait.

Great review, Theo. I'm definitely more interested in picking this up now though I'm still not that big on Heroic Fantasy.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!! And totally fair. I’d say that this hits different than the stereotypical heroic fantasy story but it has that flavour. Maybe wait till the mood strikes and take comfort in knowing it’s pretty short and reads quick 👌🏻

I love the story behind the story. It makes me want to read it more! I haven't read him yet, but I intend to one of these days!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

The background story definitely made for a deeper, more impactful, experience overall. Loved it!

Good review. Never heard of this author so I dug a little deeper...sadly he passed away back in 2006 of a heart attack at his desk while writing his last book at only 57. His wife then finished writing it for him and had it published to fulfill his legacy...sad but cool

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching 🙏🏻 I think Stella Gemmell finished the Troy trilogy for him and it’s become one of his best series apparently.

Good to hear you liked it. Not my cup of tea. So many good books to read. Have fun.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Cheers, Curt!!!

Good review video 📽

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!!

Looks great, I’ll have to read it!

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

💯👌🏻

💗

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

❤️❤️

Great review, Theo! Your images reminded me of the wall in ASOIAF. I've been wanting to read Gemmell for quite a while now. It's on my TBR for this summer. Fascinating to hear about the author's health struggles and how those influenced the novel. I'm wondering what period or location this fantasy novel is inspired by, if any at all. Does it have a Norse/Viking feel to it? Just curious.

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Jordan! Speaking of the wall, there are several layers of defence, and each one is named something different, and they sort of mirror the stages of grief or at least serve the metaphor of confronting a (potentially fatal) challenge. Very interesting. To me it felt quite sword and sorcery fantasy, that is to say, it didn’t feel overly reminiscent of any age, since there are different civilizations represented. At times it felt a rather barbaric age, and others, a little more civilized. Honestly, I’d love for you to give it a try and let me know what you think!

What an amazing book. Just wait till you read The First Chronicles of Druss. Now that's even better ❤❤❤

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, Legend is special. I actually read First Chronicles right after because I wanted more Druss. It was great! I still liked Legend more, but it scratched the itch of Druss is a character you need to know more about! I continue to recommend it :)

@noname3609

Жыл бұрын

@@RekindledReader Pretty cool. I understand. Have u ever read authors like Sanderson, Jordan, Abercrombie or Martin? I think those are better than Gemmell imho 🙏

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

@@noname3609 I’ve read all except Jordan. It’s hard to compare, since I view them as representing different ages of fantasy - and all very different styles/sub-genres. But I agree, those are among the best!!

@noname3609

Жыл бұрын

@@RekindledReader You are right. 😊 Wheel of time is amazing. You should try IT some day. Jordan is such a good plotter.🙏

@RekindledReader

Жыл бұрын

@@noname3609 I plan to give it a shot one day!