Book Review - Legend by David Gemmell

 

Books Read in 2026 - No. 3

Welcome Book Nerds and Gemmell Fans!

This is a first for my blog. A review of a re-read.  I have re-read many books when younger, but this may be one of my first re-reads as an adult.

The copy I read was published by Legend Books in 1987.  I've had it since 1994  and bought this and the 4 books after it from Fantasy and Sci-fi Book club for about a quid.

Sadly, I went out meeting my friends and going out on wild weekends and playing on the Playstation to reading.  Even though I kept buying more books telling myself I'll read them soon.

Fast forward to 2003 when I first read Legend by David Gemmell.  I kicked myself, as I was mad I had the book gathering dust and going brown on my shelf for almost 10 years.  I loved it and read many more in the Drenai series.

So when fans of Gemmell arranged the event of GemmellFest, I thought I'd have a re-read and got my old battered copy out.  I was tempted to buy another newer copy that matches the newer Gemmell books I've collected over the years, but stuck to my brown copy.  I had hoped to finish it by GemmellFest but my old eyes are tired when reading for too long.

So I'll give a quick plot briefing.

The lands of the Drenai are under threat of invasion by the tribesmen of the Nadir led by Ulric a fierce and tactical leader who has united the fighting tribes.

To do this they must breach the fortress of Dros Delnoch. This is no easy task as it's got six walls and blocks passage to the Drenai lands.

Although Ulric has the numbers. Half a million men so the fortress should fall. 

But defending the walls are The Thirty. Warrior and spiritual monks led by the albino Serbitar.  Also there is Rek, a baresark married to the dying Earls daughter Virae. Lastly there is Druss. The Legend, Deathwalker. An aging feared warrior seeking death.

Overall -  I'm so glad I re-read the book at an older age.  One of the main themes of the book is mortality and ageing.  When I read it in 2003, I was wanting more battles and blood.  Now I've matured as a reader and read more, including David Gemmell I appreciate the slower parts.  

The parts Gemmell seamlessly puts together.  These include different POVs of minor characters like a Nadir warrior before his death. A woman married to a miller who leaves the Keep and the miller thinking he'll be missed when he dies.

There was also a lot I'd forgotten - mild spoilers - the traitors in the Keep and who they were.  How a major character died and came back.

Gemmells writing is so good. Especially for a first novel. I slightly remember, when I went to a talk he did in 2005 he thought he was ill and wouldn't make it. Depending on the outcome of his diagnosis, if good then the heroes would win.  If bad then the Keep of Dros Delnoch would fall. Obviously the heroes win.

I liked how in a few paragraphs you knew a character straight away.  Plus the fighting scenes were well written and gory and no character was safe.

There were some typos but I think it was more to do the the publisher Legend. 

The main heroes of Rek and Druss were well written too.  I think now the main character is Rek.  As we follow his journey from a wanderer to the Earl of Bronze.

If you haven't read Legend by David Gemmell then you need to.  It's a classic and doesn't get as much love as it deserves.  It's also an inspiration for new fantasy authors including Joe Abercrombie and John Gywnne.

Score -  10/10

Goodreads -  5/5

March 2026 Update!

 Welcome Nerds and Bookworms!

As I usually point out in these monthly blog posts the previous month has gone fast.  This is very true of February.  The shortest month of the year.

As the Sun sets later, there's more daylight and we march onto spring.  My favourite season of the year.

February Review - I finished my second book of the Year.  The Pirate Loop by Simon Guerrier.  A fine Doctor Who novel.

I also started Legend by David Gemmell.  This was in preparation for GemmellFest which was on the last day of the month.

GemmellFest being a fantastic event whereby I met new friends and it also celebrated David Gemmell.  See previous blog post for more of a review.

Sadly I didn't start my writing again.  Although GemmellFest did inspire me to write.  There were some published and budding authors there.

At work I helped organise a book club where I'm basically in charge for March then it moves onto another team in the office.  So that will help get me reading.

I still never started healthy eating and the gym.

In March -  I'm hoping to finish Legend by the end of the first week in March.

This is because the book voted for at the  Works Book Club is Salem's Lot by Stephen King. 

Other books I added which were voted on was Legend by David Gemmell and My Darling Boy by Helen Cooper.

I'm also hoping to get writing again in March - keep an eye out for details.

In March I need to start getting healthier by eating better and light exercise as I noticed at GemmellFest I looked huge!

Also today as I post this on 5th March it's World Book Day so happy reading!

Neil x

GemmellFest 2026 and Royal Armories Visit!

Greetings Fellow Nerds and Gemmell Fans!

This weekend I went along to GemmellFest. This was to honour and remember the late, great David Gemmell and his work in fantasy fiction.  Primarily his Drenai and Rigante novels.

It was also poignant that it has been 20 years since David's passing in 2006.

GemmellFest started from a Facebook group, the members being fans of David's work and life.  The main members of the group being Gary and Anna, (I probably missed a few other Admin who helped too). The event was strengthened by David's own daughter Kate attending and helping the event.

First we met up at ...

The Royal Armories - Leeds.

It was my first time there and I was very impressed.  Firstly by the size of the building, as it was a maze!  I was also astounded my how much weaponry they had from around the world, from different times.  It was also free entry.

At the Royal Armories there is also the chance to enter the Crossbow Challenge.

I think most of the group had a go at the challenge and for my first time I did well and actually hit the target without killing anyone.

We then made our way to the hotel where most of the group were staying and the place where GemmellFest would take place.

Weetwood Hall Hotel

Located near Leeds/Bradford Airport on the outskirts of Leeds, Weetwood Hall Hotel was very nice and posh.  It was different to the usual Premier Inn I stay at in Derby for Edge-Lit.  

With a Brasserie restaurant and separate Pub called the Stables Pub for entertainment and where GemmellFest took place.

It was entertaining in the taxi to the hotel seeing all the drunk students in fancy dress heading towards Leeds City Centre.

GemmellFest 2026 and Stables Pub.

After some dinner we made our way to the rear courtyard and to the Stables Pub, obviously they used to be stables at one point and we're a fitting venue for the event.

At the event itself there was much drinking and we had other people's raffle tickets, so we had to find them and was a great way to break the ice and get chatting.  Even though names were probably forgotten.

I remember Sean, another Neil, Anna, Gary, Suze, Kate and many Marks.

The event had some great food plus the main reason for it was the raffles.  One held online for those who couldn't attend and one for those there.  Prizes included signed David Gemmell books, art and the axe Snaga.

It also launched the new fan based web site https://davidgemmell.com

We also got to pose with the axe Snaga (no one was maimed or killed as far as we know) and wear David's hat.

It was an incredible weekend with lots of drinking and making new friends that are fans of David's work.

 

Luckily I wasn't too rough and managed breakfast the next day, and get a photo with David's daughter Kate.  A big thanks to all the organisers.

I'm off to finish my re-read of Legend and hopefully see everyone and newcomers next year at GemmellFest 2027!

Neil x