Sword In The Storm 1999, ISBN 0552142565 Midnight Falcon 2000, ISBN 0552142573 Ravenheart 2002, ISBN 0552146757 Stormrider 2003, ISBN 0552146765
Another series by David Gemmell? Lots of action, a high body count, unlikely heroes and anti-heroes, even more unlikely alliances, and a nice easy read, you might think. And yes, this series delivers all of the usual Gemmelly goodness that one might expect. So why am I singling this series out, then? Well, I'd like to argue that these have a bit more too them than his average output, and I hope that after reading them, you'll agree with me.
The story starts with the birth of the Rigante tribesman Connavar, the son of a village chieftain. As he grows, and becomes respected - and feared - by his fellow Rigante, he learns of the growing might of the empire of Stone, and what he must do to protect his people. In Midnight Falcon, we pick up the story through the eyes of his outcast son Bane.
As you might have guessed, there is something of an analogy between this setup, and the history of the Celts and the Romans in our world. And this occasionally grates. It's the biggest flaw of the series, and the grating continues in Ravenheart/Stormrider, which resembles 17th century Britain, complete with the looming threat of civil war.
This, however, can be forgiven, precisely because it creates some interesting situations. It makes the big enemies more human, more familiar - it brings in more of the shades of grey that lifts the series beyond a straight hack-fantasy romp. Gemmell is also careful in this series to take a bit more time than usual to establish his characters and situations fully before the main action starts. As well as doubling the number of books, it's also good for making the reader care more about both the individual people and the sweep of history presented.
And oh, does Gemmell do personal heroism! He's at his best in Ravenheart, with lots of individuals choosing to do the right thing (or not), regardless of the cost - and sometimes succeeding. It's well-written and rousing stuff, and all the better for being off the battlefield and not involving the more 'legendary' characters. The trial scene in Ravenheart is particularly stirring - in fact it outdoes most of the combat.
The weak point of the series is the fourth book. It reads too much like yet-another-Drenai novel, with too many demonic enemies the like, losing what was special about the rest of the series.
So, to summarise, I'd say that these are Gemmell's deepest books, but still essentially light reading. If you can get over the occasionally annoying bits, they're still very much worth a read.
This review originally appeared in the CUSFS 'termly' magazine, TTBA