Having read all of Jordan, Weiss & Hickman, Feist and of course Tolkien I was starving for something new. Happily I picked up Legend as an impulse at the library. Sixteen hours later I was forever changed and hopelessly addicted to GEMMEL's brutal and brilliant style of writing. With worlds and characters that we've all been to and met somewhere before in our life. GEMMEL makes you identify with every character and feel as if you had always known them. I have now read every work of GEMMEL, just finished the swords of night and day. Each new work is filled with beauty and cunning. Each is in it's own right a masterpiece.

First this is probably the best book that I have ever read in my life, and having read Lord of the Rings that is saying something. Where Lord of the Rings keeps you interested and enthralled when reading Legend I became totally immersed in the story. An unbeatable fortress and an old man that has never been beaten but also the story of how Gemmell himself battled cancer. The idea of this one old man and the spirit and willingness to fight and die that he instills in others is amazing and after sadly returning to reality after finishing the book I find that I can just pick it up and read it over and over again. A truly inspiring story.

I've never been a natural reader, it takes me time to involve myself in a book. Issac Assimov, Anne Rice, Tolkien, these are authors I can read without losing interest, but even they wear on me. But During a vacation to Japan I decided to read the first in the 9 novel strong series "Legend" And immediately it had me craving for more, the story involves an intricate cast of heroes, a world of magic and religion, war and love. It promotes the heroism of the common man, and that the most cowardice of men can perform the ultimate sacrafice to protect his friends, his country and family.
An army the likes has never been seen marches from the steppes, Nadir tribes united under one "the uniter" half a million men, bred on battle, born for the day the Nadir rise as one and flood the world.
Country after country fall to the tide of Nadir, until one small land of farmers stands between them and what remains to be conquered. All is lost, the fortress protecting the small Drenai land is one of colossal size and strength, and when its defended by its 30,000 strong guard is almost impenetrable, but even with its full contingent it could not hold against such a force as the Nadir. And all it has as a guard is 10,000 men, a third of what its meant to, and desertion is common place.
But a hero comes from the mountains, shrouded in Legend, he is the death walker, weary with age, he hears the call to war, and fronts the defenders, and bellows insults at the torrent.

A must read. It starts you in a world of the greatest fantasy ever writen.

I cant wait til april for the next instalment " THE TENTH BOOK!!!"