Author: David Gemmell
Publisher: Del Rey
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: July 1986
Legend is the first book of David Gemmell’s Drenai saga, and the moniker of the central character Druss, and chronicles the events around the last stand of the most renowned warrior in the land. Gemmell dictates a fast, completely linear, direct pace in Legend that will both draw some readers to his novels, and cause some in my opinion not to read another example of his work due to some circumstances in the plot that may make some readers disenchanted with what can only be described as at least grossly unexplainable, and at times are “leaps of faith” concerning some character developments and plot elements.
In Legend, the Drenai Empire is facing the threat of war from the northern Nabir tribes who had been recently reunited under one banner, led by a tactically brilliant warlord, Ulric. The war will first come to a northern stronghold of Drenai, Dros Delnoch, which apparently if lost, Gemmell tells us the whole Drenai Empire will fall afterwards in similar fashion.
Legend really ‘revolves around two characters, the aforementioned Druss, and Rek, a former soldier, who at the onset of the novel is decidedly against involving himself in the looming war, or any war for that matter. Gemmell makes a point in the beginning of the novel to illustrate to the reader Rek’s vehement reluctance to take part in war again, which brings us to one of the drastic shifting of characterization mentioned earlier. While traveling, Rek witnesses a woman in the middle of fighting a few bandits that Rek is familiar with under the leadership of bandit chief named Rein. Upon coming to her aid Rek takes Virae (the woman) with him and warns her one of the bandits they killed was Rein’s brother, and he would be looking for vengeance. Rein, catches up with Rek and Virae with a group of 20 men, and demands Rek relinquish Virae. Suddenly, they are miraculously saved as Rein’s long time trusted confidante, and friend kills Rein, in what I suppose is a moment of internal reflection, and allows Rek and Virae to go on their way. We find that Virae is the daughter of the Earl Delnar, of Dros Delnoch, and she was a messenger attempting to find aid for the coming battle. In what can only be described as a whirl-wind romance, and a sudden change of personal principles, Rek decides to not only aid Virae, but the two fall completely in love with each other. This revelation and drastic change in both character’s principles all occur in no more then a dozen pages of the text, and admittedly took me off guard, and left something to be desired. The couple set off together to deliver one last message requesting the aid of a sect of mystic-monks, and upon being successful head to Dros Delnoch and war.
Druss, himself, is headed toward Dros Delnoch, leaving from his mountain home, after receiving a letter requesting his assistance from Earl Delnar, a former comrade-in-arms, who has taken ill, and is on his deathbed. Gemmell successfully depicts Druss as a legendary warrior, very wary of his richly deserved reputation, and his own awareness of his own mortality, as although Druss remains a peerless warrior he has reached the age of 60, an age Druss had always noted would be his last year of living. He intended to meet the end of his life as he lived his entire life, a Legend. His arrival proves to have a profound, and immediate positive impact. Before arriving he enlists the aid of rouge archers, offering them pardons and pay for their contributions. His mere presence raises morale, he is a Legend, known and respected by all, both friend and foe, even and perhaps mostly by the warlord himself, Ulric. He trains his troops, consisting of mostly conscripts, and prepares them for the coming battle, one in which victory seems is impossible. Ulric, commands a seasoned host, 500,000 strong, outnumbering the garrison at Dros Delnoch 500 to 1. The stage is sent, however this instance is yet another plot circumstance that simply seems a bit loose to me. The Drenai Empire which is depicted in gaining their dominion in similar circumstances as the Nabir tribes under Ulric intend to do has stood for many years as the power in the realm at risk of losing not only their dominion, but their very traditions and culture can only muster up such a paltry, pittance of a force for the their defense? The weakness and naïve nature of Lord Abalayn, the ruler of Drenai is touched on briefly, but is the entire chain of command, and counselors of such a Empire that aloof from the potential threat of a marshaling Nabir army of that size led by a known, and brilliant warlord? This is one of the questions that was constantly bothering me as I read the novel, that I wish more insight was granted us from Mr. Gemmell.
When the fighting finally commences, one feels Gemmell reaches a comfort level in the writing. Gemmel does an admirable job depicting the battles, explaining battle strategy of both forces in all the stages of the battle. He takes care in giving us insights of the thoughts of the focal characters and various soldiers as well with equal merit. Gemmell excels at his depiction of a Legend making his last stand, and the inspiration that exudes from him to all others. Druss lives up to his over whelming reputation, becoming a character that truly rivaled if not surpassed his own legend. His depiction of the plight some characters such as Gann Orrin, (Abalayn’s cousin) who leads Dros Delnoch, from a politician over his head and out of place in times of war, at first not inspiring to his troops, to a man bent on gaining their respect and coming into his own as a leader of men is delightful. Ulric, is both a figure to be respected for his prowess in war, and as a man of honor and code, the dialogue between him and Druss, and their shared respect, are scenes I found the most gratifying in the novel. Gemmell nicely exhibits two men set opposed to each other, each the best at what they do, masters of warfare, sharing admiration for one another. The story of Serbitar, one of the mystic monks, an albino, is one of personal redemption in the eyes of his countrymen.
All these elements I enjoyed, but equally strong are the detractions. The conclusion seemed rather convenient, which included a rather silly resurrection and an end to the battle, that although I must admit offers a very thoughtful dialogue between the two forces, it simply fails to make any rational sense, and almost seems a deliberate effort to find the only possible heart-warming conclusion for all participating sides.
In conclusion, if one is a fan of a very linear novel that rarely deviates from its direction to offer practical depth of characterization and questionable holes in the plot, admirably depicting action scenes, and offering a story of heroism against all odds, than Legend is a novel to appreciate. Offering a quick, and at times enjoyable read, as it really presents itself as a story of the Alamo in a fantasy setting. If a reader is a fan of more epic style storylines, who put an emphasis on a tight plot, description, and practical growth of characters and their relationships toward other characters, Legend would not come to my mind as a viable recommendation, for many of the reasons I mentioned. Some of those reasons I didn’t fully describe for the purposes of keeping the integrity of the story for potential readers of Legend (for the purposes of keeping spoilers minimal), but they remain very evident and I found were not avoidable as I read the novel. In short, a quick, enjoyable read, with some memorable moments, it will no doubt be found with no loss of appeal by some, but the aforementioned negatives are just too overwhelming for my personal preferences.
This is a very definition of an average fantasy novel.
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