Waylander
"Waylander" by David Gemmell is a gripping fantasy novel that tells the story of a legendary assassin named Waylander, who is hired to retrieve the stolen Armour of Bronze, a powerful relic that is essential to the survival of a kingdom.
One of the strengths of the book is its well-drawn and memorable characters. Waylander is a complex and fascinating protagonist, with his past traumas and personal demons adding depth to his character. The supporting characters, including Dardalion and Miriel, are also well-developed and add to the richness of the story.
The book's action and fight scenes are another highlight, with Gemmell's trademark blend of gritty realism and heroic fantasy creating a sense of tension and excitement. The final battle between Waylander and his enemies is particularly well-done, with its vivid and thrilling depiction of combat.
The book's themes of redemption, morality, and honor are also well-explored, adding emotional depth to the story. Waylander's journey towards redemption is a compelling one, with his struggles and sacrifices making him a sympathetic and relatable character.
However, the book's pacing can be slow at times, with some parts feeling overly drawn-out. Additionally, the book's world-building may be underdeveloped for some readers, especially those who are new to Gemmell's work.
Overall, "Waylander" is a well-written and exciting fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of David Gemmell's work, as well as anyone who enjoys stories of redemption, action, and adventure in a richly imagined world.
Books in Drenai Tales Series (14)
Other books by Gemmell, David
Legend
Gemmell specializes in heroic fantasy. His best book is widely regarded as Legend. Legend doesn’t try to be anything but what it is: a heroic adventure with lots of blood,... Read more
The King Beyond The Gate
"The King Beyond the Gate" by David Gemmell is the second book in the Drenai Saga, which follows the story of Druss the Legend, a skilled warrior and leader who... Read more
Waylander
"Waylander" by David Gemmell is a gripping fantasy novel that tells the story of a legendary assassin named Waylander, who is hired to retrieve the stolen Armour of Bronze, a... Read more
Knights Of Dark Renown
"Knights of Dark Renown" by David Gemmell is a thrilling and intense fantasy novel that follows a group of infamous knights as they journey to a cursed castle to face... Read more
Quest For Lost Heroes
"Quest for Lost Heroes" by David Gemmell is an epic and exciting fantasy novel that follows a group of warriors as they embark on a perilous journey to rescue their... Read more
Waylander Ii: In The Realm Of The Wolf
"Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf" by David Gemmell is a thrilling and action-packed fantasy novel that follows the adventures of the infamous assassin Waylander as he journeys... Read more
The First Chronicles Of Druss The Legend
"The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend" by David Gemmell is a gripping and exciting fantasy novel that tells the origin story of one of Gemmell's most iconic characters, the... Read more
The Legend Of Deathwalker
"The Legend of Deathwalker" by David Gemmell is a thrilling and action-packed fantasy novel that follows the legendary warrior Druss on a journey to avenge the death of his friend,... Read more
Winter Warriors
"Winter Warriors" by David Gemmell is a gripping and action-packed fantasy novel that follows a group of warriors as they defend a fortress against a horde of powerful and relentless... Read more
Hero In The Shadows
"Hero in the Shadows" by David Gemmell is a thrilling and action-packed fantasy novel that follows the infamous assassin Waylander as he is forced out of retirement and drawn into... Read more
The Swords Of Night And Day
"The Swords of Night and Day" is the final book in the "Drenai" series by David Gemmell, and it follows the character of Skilgannon the Damned as he embarks on... Read more
Legend
If you like stories about grand heroes who stand up for the downtrodden, who fight for a righteous cause, then Legend is a shining beacon of this sort of fantasy.... Read more
Troy Trilogy
The best of Gemmell's work -- and the last of his work too. Troy is a retelling of the Greek tale of Troy, but done told in such a refreshing... Read more
Shield Of Thunder
"Shield of Thunder" by David Gemmell is a thrilling historical fantasy novel that continues the story of the ancient Greek hero Odysseus and his quest to unite the Greek city-states... Read more
Fall Of Kings
"Fall of Kings" by David Gemmell is the final book in the "Troy" series, which explores the epic story of the Trojan War. The book picks up where the previous... Read more
Legend
Drawing heavily on the culture of the ancient Norsemen, Gemmell takes familiar archetypes and crafts them into a well-told tale of sacrifice and dying well. Druss and his once-possessed axe... Read more
In The Realm Of The Wolf
"In the Realm of the Wolf" by David Gemmell is a thrilling fantasy novel that follows the adventures of Waylander the Slayer, a legendary assassin and hero, as he embarks... Read more
White Wolf
"White Wolf" by David Gemmell is a fast-paced and thrilling fantasy novel that follows the story of Skilgannon the Damned, a legendary warrior who is forced out of retirement to... Read more
Waylander & Waylander Ii
David Gemmell's Drenai Saga burst onto the heroic fantasy scene in 1984 and bears no relation to the Draenei from World of Warcraft. His lasting impact on the fantasy world... Read more
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