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Reading lists

The best fantasy book series to escape into new worlds

(Troy: 2): Epic storytelling at its very best, interlacing myth, history, and high adventure

Troy: Shield Of Thunder

Bestselling author David Gemmell combines his fantasy storytelling skills with epic history in this unputdownable tale of peace and war. Fall of Kings, the final novel in this series, was finished by Stella Gemmell following her husband's tragic death.

The second novel in David Gemmell's bestselling TROY trilogy. Interlacing myth and history, and high adventure, this is epic storytelling at its very best.

The Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell brings the myth and legend of Troy to life in this epic story filled with triumph and tragedy. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"This is how the oldest tales should be read and known. Gemmell is a master of plot, but his triumph is creating men and women so real that their trials are agony and their triumph is glorious" -- CONN IGGULDEN 
" [A] vivid, inspirational re-creation of the Troy myth." -- MANDA SCOTT 
"The best book that I have ever read" -- ***** Reader review 
"The characters are rich, engaging and easy to visualize...perfect historical fiction writing." -- ***** Reader review 
 
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The war of Troy is looming, and all the kings of the Great Green are gathering, friends and enemies, each with their own dark plans of conquest and plunder. 
 
Into this maelstrom of treachery and deceit come three travellers; Piria, a runaway priestess nursing a terrible secret, Kalliades, a warrior with a legendary sword, and Banokles who will carve his own legend in the battles to come. 
 
Troy: Shield of Thunder takes the reader back into the glories and tragedies of Bronze Age Greece, reuniting the characters from Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow; the dread Helikaon and his great love, the fiery Andromache, the mighty Hektor and the fabled storyteller, Odysseus. 
 
The story concludes in Troy: The Fall of Kings. Have you read the previous title Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow?

This is how the oldest tales should be read and known. Gemmell is a master of plot, but his triumph is creating men and women so real that their trials are agony and their triumph is glorious

David Gemmell carries us away to a four-cornered, wholly convincing cosmos, so masterfully done that the reader thinks 'Ah, this is what it was really like'

Gripping and fast-paced, intelligent and intensely readable... should appeal to anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical epic

The loyalties and betrayals, the love and the hate, the endless, everlasting courage of the men - and the women - of both sides are brought to life in this vivid, inspirational recreation of the Troy myth

David A. Gemmell's first novel, Legend, was first published in 1984 and went on to become a classic. His most recent Drenai and Rigante novels are available as Corgi paperbacks; all are Sunday Times bestsellers. 
 
Widely regarded as the finest writer of heroic fantasy, David Gemmell lived in Sussex until his tragic death in July 2006.

(Troy: 1): A riveting, action-packed page-turner bringing an ancient myth and legend expertly to life

Troy: Lord Of The Silver Bow

Compelling, unputdownable novel of love and hatred, ambition and rivalry, peace and war by Sunday Times bestselling David Gemmell.

A compelling, unputdownable novel of love and hatred, ambition and rivalry, peace and war by Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"History and legend combine in an epic recreation of the Troy myth" - CONN IGGULDEN 
"David Gemmell carries us away to a four-cornered, wholly convincing cosmos..." - STEVEN PRESSFIELD 
"What a masterly imagining of Bronze Age Greece" - ***** Reader review 
"The story is thrilling and once you start, you can not stop." -- ***** Reader review 
"Another epic novel that was impossible to put down." -- ***** Reader review 
 
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Three lives will change the destiny of nations. 
 
Helikaon, the young prince of Dardania, haunted by a scarred and traumatic childhood. The priestess Andromache, whose fiery spirit and fierce independence threatens the might of kings. And the legendary warrior Argurios, cloaked in loneliness and driven only by thoughts of revenge. 
 
In Troy they find a city torn apart by destructive rivalries - a maelstrom of jealousy, deceit and murderous treachery. And beyond its fabled walls blood-hungry enemies eye its riches and plot its downfall. 
 
It is a time of bravery and betrayal; a time of bloodshed and fear. A time for heroes. 
 
The story continues in Troy: Shield of Thunder.

History and legend  combine in an epic recreation of the Troy myth

David Gemmell carries us away to a four-cornered, wholly convincing cosmos, so masterfully done that the reader thinks, 'Ah this is what it was really like'

David A. Gemmell's first novel, Legend, was first published in 1984 and went on to become a classic. His most recent Drenai and Rigante novels are available as Corgi paperbacks; all are Sunday Times bestsellers. 
 
Widely regarded as the finest writer of heroic fantasy, David Gemmell lived in Sussex until his death in July 2006.

An awesome tale of swords and sorcery, heroes and villains from the master of heroic fantasy

The Swords Of Night And Day

Even in death, Skilgannon the Damned's name lives on. Now, as an ancient evil threatens to flood the Drenai heartlands in a tide of blood, he returns...

A bloody, brutal and breath-taking epic heroic fantasy by the Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell, perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Duncan M. Hamilton and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"Gemmell is past the point of needing recommending - he is an institution that becomes more valuable with each new novel." -- ENIGMA 
 
"Gemmell's premium-grade heroic fantasies stress the positive values of individualism...stirring, emotionally charged, superbly written." -- TIME OUT 
"A classic of its genre" -- ***** Reader review 
 
"Another masterpiece [-] couldn't put it down. Loved the characters and the twists and turns of the plot.Not many do it better than the master storyteller." -- ***** Reader review 
 
"A very good read, with several surprising twists. This book will keep you guessing until the end." -- ***** Reader review 
 
************************************************ 
Even in death, Skilgannon the Damned's name lives on. Now, as an ancient evil threatens to flood the Drenai heartlands in a tide of blood, he returns... 
 
A thousand years after they fell in battle, two heroes - Druss and Skilgannon - are revered throughout the war-torn lands of the Drenai, where men and women live in abject fear of the dark sorceress known as the Eternal... 
 
But what if one such hero could be called back from the void? An ancient prophecy foretold that Skilgannon would return in his people's darkest hour. To most, this was a foolish hope. But not so to Landis Kan. Having found Skilgannon's ancient tomb, he gathers up the bones and peforms the mystic ritual. 
 
But the reborn hero is an enigma: a young man whose warrior skills are blunted and whose memories are fragmented. He is marooned in a world as strange to him as a dream, remote from all he knew and loved. Or nearly all - for Landis Kan has also experimented upon other bone fragments found in the hero's tomb resulting in a surly giant who possesses astounding strength but no memories. To Kan, he is a dangerous failure. To Skilgannon, this giant represents their last hope. 
 
As ageless evil threatens to drown the Drenai lands in blood, two legendary heroes will once again lead the way to freedom.

'Gemmell is a fireside mythmonger; his characters and plots have the authentic feel of legends handed down through the ages'

'The story flows like a torrent; and if the devil has all the best tunes, then the Damned definitely gets the best weapons'

An epic, all-action tale of love, betrayal and treachery from the master of heroic fantasy

White Wolf

The start of a gripping new series in the tradition of THE DRENAI TALES. Introducing a compelling hero, with a guest appearance by Gemmell's most popular character of all - Druss the Legend.

Sorcery and savagery combine in this heroic fantasy by the Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell, perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Duncan M. Hamilton and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"The story flows like a torrent..." - THE GUARDIAN 
 
"Gemmell is past the point of needing recommending - he is an institution that becomes more valuable with each new novel." - ENIGMA 
 
"How could you fail to be captivated? Gemmell... always guarantees a blasting good read" - FEAR 
 
"Full of fantastic action scenes with beasts warriors and quirky characters..." -- ***** Reader review 
 
"I enjoyed every minute spent reading this book..." - ***** Reader review 
 
******************************************************* 
 
Skilgannon the Damned had vanished from the pages of history. 
 
Following the terrible triumph at Perapolis, he had taken the legendary Swords of Night and Day and ridden from the lands of Naashan. No-one knew where he had gone, and the assassins sent by the Witch Queen could find no trace of his passing. 
 
Three years later, a mob intent on murder gathers outside a distant monastery: they are faced by a single unarmed priest. In a few terrifying seconds their world is changed for ever, and word spreads across the lands of the East. 
Skilgannon is back. 
 
Now he must travel across a perilous, demon-haunted realm seeking a mysterious temple, and the ageless goddess who rules it. With assassins on his trail, and an army of murderous foes ahead, he sets off on a quest to bring the dead to life. But he does not travel alone. 
 
The man beside him is Druss the Legend.

'Gemmell is a fireside mythmonger; his characters and plots have the authentic feel of legends handed down through the ages'

The Rigante Book 4: A high-octane and enthralling page-turner from the master of heroic fantasy

Stormrider

The eagerly awaited final novel in the Rigante series. A sequel to the bestselling Ravenheart.

Stormrider concludes the tale of the Rigante. War and other-worldly magic combine in this heroic fantasy by the Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell, perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Duncan M. Hamilton and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"When it comes to heroic fantasy, nobody does it better than David Gemmell." -- THE DARK SIDE 
"Gemmell is a fireside mythmonger; his characters and plots have the authentic feel of legends handed down through the ages." -- SFX 
"As usual another Gemmell masterpiece.." - ***** Reader review 
"Fantastic read from start to finish.." - ***** Reader review 
 
**************************************************************** 
 
Both Ravenheart and Stormrider are destined to be heroes, but one of them is doomed. 
 
Centuries after Connavar's triumphant battles against the invading army of Stone gained the Rigante their freedom, the clan finds itself oppressed once again. 
 
Magic that once flourished has been all but snuffed out. The Varlish king and his barons have stolen Rigante lands and robbed the people of their culture and liberty. From the Rigante's former seat of power the black-hearted Moidart rules; only in the north are the clansmen free. 
 
There, in the Druagh mountains, the magic still reigns, strengthened by bold, brilliant victories of the outlaw leader known as Ravenheart. In the south, civil war has drenched the land in blood, and the armies of destruction are slowly creeping north where Ravenheart waits, believing the armies of hated Moidart will come, led by the brutal ruler's only son, Stormrider. 
 
But these are not ordinary men. They are clansmen, and more than that, they are Rigante. 
 
Have you read Storm in the Sword, Midnight Falcon and Ravenheart - the first three novels of the Rigante?

A page-turning tale of warriors, war and honour from the master of heroic fantasy

The Legend of Deathwalker

The Legend of Deathwalker continues the extraordinary tale of Druss among the Nadir started in Legend.

A battle - charged and epic heroic fantasy by the Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell, perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, Duncan M. Hamilton and Conn Iggulden. 
 
"In my pantheon of literary greats, David Gemmell stands alone . . . he put me on the path I still walk today" - Conn Iggulden 
 
"In the realm of people-driven fantasy fiction, Gemmell sets the standard" -- TIME OUT 
 
"Impressive story-telling...Compelling and pacey action...The best fantasy inspires genuine involvement. David Gemmell's novels do just that." -- INTERZONE 
 
"I have now read this book at least 10 times and every time I get lost in the intrigue..." -- ***** Reader review 
 
"Fast moving and emotionally charged, you just won't be able to put this down..." -- ***** Reader review 
 
********************************************** 
 
For centuries the tribes of the Nadir have suffered under the despotic tyranny of their Gothir overlords. 
 
Disunited and distrustful of one another they await the coming of a Messianic warlord, who will unite them against the oppressors. 
 
Into this swirling, chaotic landscape come three men who will change the fate of the continent: Talisman the Mysterious, enigmatic Nadir warrior, haunted by his past and filled with dreams of finding the Uniter; Sieben the Poet, searching for the mysteries of life and love; and Druss the Axeman, determined to find two mystic gems to heal a mortally wounded friend. 
 
Together they will journey across a war-torn land, and descend beyond the gates of Hell, where a long-dead king holds the key to a secret that will change the world. 
 
The Legend of Deathwalker continues the extraordinary tale of Druss among the Nadir started in Legend

'Gemmell is a fireside mythmonger; his characters and plots have the authentic feel of legends handed down through the age

Published in 1984, David A. Gemmell's award-winning first novel, Legend, has become a classic. His most recent Drenai and Rigante books are all published as Bantam Press hardcovers and Corgi paperbacks. Hero in the Shadows, Ravenheart and Stormrider are Sunday Times bestsellers. His most recent novel, The Swords of Night and Day, is now available from Bantam Press. 
 
 
Widely regarded as the finest writer of heroic fantasy, David Gemmell lived in Sussex until his death in July 2006.

Stella Gemmell

David Gemmell

History and legend combine in the epic re-creation of the Troy myth

David Gemmell carries us away into a four-cornered wholly convincing cosmos... so masterfully done that the reader thinks, "Ah, this is what it was really like"

(Troy: 3): The stunning and gripping conclusion to David Gemmell’s epic retelling of the Troy legend

High adventure and epic storytelling combine in the final novel in Sunday Times bestselling author David Gemmell's bestselling Troy trilogy. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. 
 
'In my pantheon of literary greats, David Gemmell stands alone . . . he put me on the path I still walk today' -- CONN IGGULDEN 
" [A] vivid, inspirational re-creation of the Troy myth." -- MANDA SCOTT 
"Gripping and fast-paced, intelligent and intensely readable...should appeal to anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical epic." -- JOANNE HARRIS 
"A splendid piece of work that traverses from hero fantasy into legendary and classic writing." -- ***** Reader review 
"Truly captivating" -- ***** Reader review 
 
************************************** 
 
Darkness falls on the Great Green, and the Ancient World is fiercely divided. 
 
On the killing fields outside the golden city of Troy, forces loyal to the Mykene King mass. Among them is Odysseus, fabled storyteller and reluctant ally to the Mykene, who knows that he must soon face his former friends in deadly combat. 
 
Within the city, the Trojan king waits. Ailing and bitter, his hope is pinned on two heroes: his favourite son Hektor, and the dread Helikaon who will wreak terrible vengeance for the death of his wife at Mykene hands. 
War has been declared. 
 
As enemies, who are also kinsmen, are filled with bloodlust, they know that many of them will die, and that some will become heroes: heroes who will live for ever in a story that will echo down the centuries. 
 
Have you read the previous two books in the series Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow and Troy: Shield of Thunder?

David Gemmell

Praise for Troy: Fall Of Kings

History and legend combine in the epic re-creation of the Troy myth

David Gemmell carries us away into a four-cornered wholly convincing cosmos... so masterfully done that the reader thinks, "Ah, this is what it was really like"

Gripping and fast-paced, intelligent and intensely readable... should appeal to anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical epic

History and legend combine in the epic re-creation of the Troy myth

David Gemmell carries us away into a four-cornered wholly convincing cosmos... so masterfully done that the reader thinks, "Ah, this is what it was really like"

Gripping and fast-paced, intelligent and intensely readable... should appeal to anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical epic

History and legend combine in the epic re-creation of the Troy myth

David Gemmell carries us away into a four-cornered wholly convincing cosmos... so masterfully done that the reader thinks, "Ah, this is what it was really like"

Gripping and fast-paced, intelligent and intensely readable... should appeal to anyone who enjoys an action-packed historical epic

Books by David Gemmell

Series by David Gemmell

Drenai Novels4 Books

Rigante4 Books

Troy3 Books

Articles featuring David Gemmell

The best fantasy book series to escape into new worlds

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