[Mithfânion]

What I wanted to do here is poll what folks all over the board think is the best David Gemmell novel they've read. Do please give a small or big motivation for why you choose that particular series or standalone, rather than just fill out the poll. Hopefully as many people as people will respond because that makes it more interesting.

Cheers!

Mith

P.S.

My personal favorite is The Sword in the Storm as I think that that one beats Ravenheart and Midnight Falcon as best of the Rigante novels, and that is pretty much my favorite Gemmell series sofar. Lord of the Silver Bow is also close for me, Shield of Thunder is rumoured to be even better but I haven't read it yet. I also have high expectations of Ghost King/Lost Sword of Power, Legend and Echoes of the Great Song.

[JamesL]

Out of all the books listed in the poll, Legend is easily my favourite so gets my vote - a timeless classic with great characters and a plot that races along with barely a pause for breath.

Think my personal fave is Winter Warriors though, with Waylander not far behind.

[Nottobrite]

It would be hard for me to answer this since I have only read the Stones of Power series, but I really enjoyed that, particularly the Jerusalem Man part of the series. He is probably one of my favorite fantasy characters, on par with Roland from the Dark Tower series.

[bluetyson]

Legend is mine.

[Ouroboros]

I think, of the books listed, it's likely that 'Legend' will carry the day. The Drenai novels in general, and this book in particular, are likely to be remembered as Gemmell's most iconic and personal work. The whole cancer metaphor which 'Legend' embodies gives this book an emotional weight which I don't think he surpassed later, although it's hard to argue that his writing didn't become significantly more polished between 'Legend' and the Troy novels.

It's worth mentioning, however, that the Rigante novels did actually start generating more fan-mail than the Drenai novels over the past few years, according to Gemmell in interview.

For what it's worth, on a personal level the novel which resounds the most with me is quite idiosyncratic- it's 'The Hawk Eternal'. I don't think many others would pick it as their favourite, but for some reason it really works for me on a few different levels.

[Leiali]

I voted for Legend. I've read all but his latest series, and it would have been a toss up between Legend and Waylander, if Waylander was on the list. My sister is really keen on the Knights of dark renown; and Ravenheart is special to me as it is the only book I own signed by him, when I saw him do a reading (mentioned here many many times so I won't bore you all again).

[Sidmyster]

voted legend

but my fav is a quest for lost heroes

its the 1st fantasy book i read after lotr and got me into the whole genre
and chareos has to be the most "human" main guy ive ever had the pleasure to read

[juzzza]

It's hard to vote for a favorite when my two favorites are not actually listed...

I would have voted for Waylander or Knights of Dark Renown. The former as my fave series and the latter as a standalone.

[Wulfa_Jones]

What a question! I think it would have to be Legend... the orginal.

While I have enjoyed every book of his I've read, Legend will always stand out.

[Kailana]

I would have to go with Lord of the Silver Bow because it is one of the few Gemmell books I have read so far. I just have not got to the rest of them yet.