Fantasy Books > D Fantasy Books

Advantages: good adventure story
Disadvantages: slow in parts, not as good as other works.

...series, as well as "Belgarath The Sorcerer", "Polgara The Sorceress", "The Riven Codex" and "The Redemption of Althalus", I expected this book to be up to the same, rather cracking, standards. It wasn't. There isn't the same connection with the majority of characters as there has been in previous novels, the same development of them (Redbeard and Rabbit, aside. Both of those are reminiscent of character development in novels gone by). The usual ...
...was also missing, with the book suffering from slow periods. Whatever it's bad points, it still managed to give an entertaining read; especially the further into the book you get. So, as a book to read on the train, or as and when you've time, it's still great; just don't expect the same spark and un-put-downable aspect of previous works. The end of the book is where it's at it's best, so you really do have a desire to go straight on to "The Treasured ... Read review

Advantages: Greek history with a touch of fantasy - Brilliant!!
Disadvantages: Not a single one

to put it simply, exceptional! I have read, re-read and read again many, many of D. Gemmell's books. All of them have been superb, but this is definateley in the top 5. The thing that really stands out for me is how well the Author has blended history with fanatsy and brought to like quite possibly the greatest era of greek history. The story is formed around the life of Parmeneon, the half-spartan half-macedonian general of King Philip of Macedon, ...
...time. Giving away too much of the story would certainly spoil the book for some, so all I will say is, if you are interested in greek history, buy this book. If you like Heroic Fantasy novels, buy this book, and if you are a Gemmell fan (and somehow has not read this book) buy it, read it, then re-read it. ... Read review

Advantages: beautifully written,engaging,realistic characters
Disadvantages: slightly slow paced

...of a warrior with a sword and shield and a ghostly bear standing by a large knarled tree. Below the picture is the name of the book in plain white bold print and the background colour to all this is a mix of orange, red and black. David Gemmell is one of my all time favourite Authors. He writes what is classed as Heroic fantasy. Basically all his stories involve war, fighting and battles set in fantasy world where high tech is chain mail and a running ...
...always plenty of love, sex, heroes and villains. Any book by David Gemmell is the perfect way to escape in to another world for a few hours. The particular book I am reviewing is called “Sword in the storm” and is book one of the four booked Rigante Series. With David Gemmell I find you do not have to read the series in order because each story stands alone but book one is always a good place to start. Connavar’s Father was killed when he was tiny. ... Read review

Advantages: Fills up an empty afternoon.
Disadvantages: Somewhat lacking in execution

Synopsis: A naval Lieutenant is called to duty aboard an unusual craft. Built in a secret location and having no iron permitted among the crew, it has a strange aura of power moving as it does without benefit of Steam or Sail. It has been built to engage and destroy an adversary of similar power that appears to be fuelled by blood and cruelty. This is a book that I read in one afternoon and evening. It is one of those fantasy books set in an alternative ...
...set in America during the War between the States in 1862 The novel follows the fortunes of several Union supporters through their reports and diaries. The writing style being in the first person for each character. Principal of them is Lieutenant John Nevis, and Miss Colombia Abrams. Other entries are from letters and reports. It is an interesting way of writing a novel where characters are seen through their own and other person's eyes as are ... Read review

Advantages: An epic fantasy novel
Disadvantages: Not to everybodys taste

...Robert E Howard and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (LOTR) in his youth. This is a work more similar to the LOTR end of the fantasy spectrum, rather than the Heroic fantasy of Howard. You have a central theme, The guest for the Throne of Malkar, and intertwined are the lives of the other characters. How they interact among themselves and others make for a very interesting read. It is written so that we act as the observer of the events that take place ...
...is not an Epic as Lord of the Rings is an Epic. However I do believe that the scale of this work and the subsequent works do make for an Epic type of fantasy. The characters are very believable, They do not have a Superhero type of life. They are all to human, the get tired, they can make mistakes, they get injured and they can die. There may not be the clash of large armies and the slaughter of hordes of Orcs, but you do get a very interesting read ... Read review