I can't believe that this book hasn't got a review yet!
This was the first Gemmell book I picked up - on the popular 2 week loan shelf, and it captured me immediately.
The story never lets up, the action scenes are few but all fantastic and his characters are immensely well described..their emotions, their own view of things etc.
One character that really captured me was Deacado. He starts off as someone you would really hate, but as the book progresses I liked him more and more - his character was well written, and he's my favourite out of all Gemmell books so far. Whereas with Olek Skillgannon: the main character brought back to life after 1000 years whose destiny it is to destroy the rein of the "Eternal" is someone who doesn't really change all that much through the book, but has the heavy regret of destroying a town under his twin swords.
It has just enough of Druss as well, his views, his morality (code and perceptions) and his overall intelligence, not just on the battlefield. Emotional at times and hugely enjoyable. I couldn't stop reading his books after this one!!