Book: The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend
Author: David Gemmell
Rating: 8/10
Druss , the most famous and dreaded of Drenai's heroes.
In this book David Gemmell tells the story of how he became a Legend.
Druss is a woodcutter in a small frontier town, married to a girl called Rowena. He is the Grandson of the Murderer Bardan, and him and his father had spent years travelling from place to place trying to escape from the dark shadow he cast.
He is not liked by the other villagers and is in trouble for breaking a mans jaw, But he is the best axeman in the area.
He was working when raiders hit the village. His father and the others put up a fight but to no avail, they are slaughtered and the women taken.
Druss returns in time to ear his father's last words and to find Snaga-The Sender.
A armed rider rides in and Druss goes to meet him, he is Shadak the Hunter, a champion swordsman who is also hunting the bandits and they join forces.
Sneaking into the raiders camp seems like a suicide mission, it's 2 vs 40, but they reach the women and free thme without anyone raising the alarm, as the women escape Shadak enters the leaders tent, where the leader tricks him and ties him up.
Then Druss charges in stampeding horses before fighting his way through the bandits.
The Bandits run from him and their leader is killed, But Rowena is already gone, taken ahead to Mashrapur, for she has the Talent and will fetch a great price.
The book then details all of Druss's adventures on his quest to find Rowena. Following the trail to Ventria where he joins the Immortals of Gorben. Slaying the Chaos Beast and much more until we reach the Battle of Skeln pass.
This book details many of Druss's legendary battles and the story that made him a Legend. It is a fantastic book But I think you really should read Legend first as that will hint at things from this book and lead to even more enjoyment as Gemmell explains Druss's early life.
But it's a very good read for a Drenai series fan such as I.
Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer
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