Author: David Gemmell
Publisher: Del Rey
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: April 2003
White Wolf is another David Gemmell offering from his Drenai setting. White Wolf is yet another story that can be described a heroic fantasy penned by Gemmell, a term that is becoming synonymous with the author for two reasons. One, Gemmell, in my opinion continues to deliver entertaining reads focused on strong central characters performing epic deeds of heroism and valor, and two on a slightly less positive note, this brand of storytelling is seemingly all he wishes to write. Regardless of the latter however, I have to admit although David Gemmell rarely deviates from a not nearly distinct formula, and relies tremendously on archetypal characters -both elements I have largely come to disdain in the genre – he again (as noted prior in past reviews) makes it work, and delivers a solid, entertaining story despite of these existing elements.
White Wolf also (from the Gemmell novels I have read) introduces us to a new character that will become a major player in Gemmell’s ‘Drenai’ setting, Olek Skilgannon. Gemmell’s creation of Olek demonstrates Gemmell’s aforementioned affection for archetypal characters. Skilgannon, is a former brilliant General of Naashan, a ruthless conqueror whose infamous reputation spans throughout many Empires as much for his martial prowess with his two demon possessed blades, the Sword of Night and Day (Druss himself say Olek “may” be the best swordsman he had ever seen), as for his ruthlessness exhibited during the conquering of one of his campaigns in which he ordered and participated in the butchering every man, woman, and child of the city (except apparently for one), which garnered him the not entirely devoid of respect title of the Damned. In the beginning of White Wolf we find Olek, now a member of a small abbey, a man attempting to redeem his soul, of perhaps find his way, not to mention hide from the very empire he served, whose Queen (enter Love/Hate relationship) seeks his death. He has yet to take his final vows and due to a mob situation occurring at the abbey in which Olek stopped with force, he decids to leave and with him at he request of the Head of the abbey he agrees to take with him Braygan, a member of the abbey so he can take his final vows in the city of Mellicane, and also the brave, and good natured, orphaned boy, Rabalyn, a member of the community the abbey was in, who ran away, after killing someone who caused the death of his aunt, whom he resided with. Skillgannon’s plan after escorting them to Mellicane was to find a mythical place to perhaps resurrect his dead wife (yes I know it sounds rather ridiculous, however it’s not really a major factor in the storyline). On the way, they encounter someone all Gemmell’s fans know, Druss.
Druss himself, is journeying to Mellicane in search for his friend Orastes. Thus the table is set for a entertaining, action novel powered by the joining of forces of Olek Skilgannon “The Damned”, and Druss “the Damn Legend”, that will lead them to storming a stronghold of an antagonist from Skilgannon’s past, thought dead (I told you Archetypes) who is deemed even more deadly with his blades than the Damned himself.
There are a couple of elements in White Wolf I really enjoyed. I truly have come to admire that although Gemmell makes no apologies for writing decidedly straightforward “heroic” fantasy, he does, and smartly I may add weaves his novels together, that I have found not only increases the comfort/familiarity level of his Drenai setting, but gives a true sense of continuity in the series, and gives one the impression that David Gemmell definitely the occurrences in his separate novels mapped out into one larger picture, which is definitely refreshing, as many authors seem to make up plot elements as they go. After reading Legend, I have to admit the character of Druss was not the character I found most interesting, but it was his adversary the Nadir Warlord Ulric, whose brief appearance in White Wolf with Skilgannon at the end offers a great, fun twist for the reader. Also, two characters, beings of some supernatural ability Ustarte and Weldi, speak of Druss’s coming battle, which is of course depicted in Legend. Speaking of Ustarte, fans of Gemmell may recognize the name from his Waylander series. Another example is shown when Druss, and company travel through Nadir territory, where we learn there is no toll asked of the one dubbed ‘Deathwalker’ by the Nadir in their lands, which of course goes back his accolades in a past novel The Legend of Deathwalker. Another element that is somewhat new for Gemmell is his method of depicting Skilgannon’s past. Throughout the novel, the reader is taken in a series of flashbacks, that offer a delightful look into Skilgannon, both as a boy, and as a conqueror, that adds tremendously to the character we see, and setting up present truths in terms of the various empire’s, and offering a different perspective of some battles we have heard depicted by Druss in former novels (such as Skeln). Fans will also be thankful, that this is the first Gemmell ‘Drenai’ novel I have run across that offers a map.
Once again, I have to admit Gemmell succeeds in writing an entertaining read, archetypal or not, the stories are fun, and enjoyable, and offer just enough depth, and continuity to stay just above the worst criticism. As usual with Gemmell, you are not going to read anything new or groundbreaking in anyway, your not going to be offered a complex, unpredictable plot that keeps the pages turning with anticipation. What your going to find, is a simple, heroic storyline, written about as good as one can expect, in respects to the limitations of such stories.
White Wolf is another fun, entertaining installment into the Drenai saga, that shouldn’t disappoint any fans of Gemmell, but both for better and worse should make them feel comfortable.
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