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Drenai Saga (Chronological Order) #12
Winter Warriors
Winged demons gather, silent and unseen, above the city of Usa, their talons long and sharp. Their purpose is clear, as is the Upon the deaths of the three kings, the demon riders of the Krayakin will become flesh, free to slake their thirst with human blood - and the stench of evil will cover the land.
Two of the kings are already dead. For the prophesy to be fulfilled, spreading carnage across the world, the Demon Lord must sacrifice the third Queen Axiana's unborn child.
When Emperor Skanda disbands his army, the pregnant queen takes flight, pursued by the Lords of the Undead. All hope lies with three ancient heroes, though discarded by the emperor, they are still Drenai Bison the giant, Kebra the bowman, and the great swordsman Nogusta - the Demon Lord's greatest foe. But will these warriors - once the best in the land - be enough to stem the tide of gruesome horror that threatens to envelop the world?
Two of the kings are already dead. For the prophesy to be fulfilled, spreading carnage across the world, the Demon Lord must sacrifice the third Queen Axiana's unborn child.
When Emperor Skanda disbands his army, the pregnant queen takes flight, pursued by the Lords of the Undead. All hope lies with three ancient heroes, though discarded by the emperor, they are still Drenai Bison the giant, Kebra the bowman, and the great swordsman Nogusta - the Demon Lord's greatest foe. But will these warriors - once the best in the land - be enough to stem the tide of gruesome horror that threatens to envelop the world?
339 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 7, 1997
145 people are currently reading
3064 people want to read
About the author
David Gemmell
197 books3,780 followersDavid Andrew Gemmell was a bestselling British author of heroic fantasy. A former journalist and newspaper editor, Gemmell had his first work of fiction published in 1984. He went on to write over thirty novels. Best known for his debut, Legend, Gemmell's works display violence, yet also explores themes in honour, loyalty and redemption. With over one million copies sold, his work continues to sell worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
December 30, 2019
Winter is coming. But the winter warriors are already here.
“Winter Warriors” is the last part of the Drenai Saga proper chronologically set several decades after the events set in the Quest for Lost Heroes, but you can read it as an independent novel without any difficulties in understanding the content. It might be that the series fatigue is finally catching up with me, but when reading I even thought that if I did not know the other volumes, my rating would be higher. Alas, as this is the eighth instalment in the series, at the back of my head the persistent thought that I have read all this before was somewhat damaging to the whole reading experience.
The biggest downside of “Winter Warriors” is the replication of schemes known from previous volumes: ageing warriors must stand up for the weak and oppressed, saving humanity as a bonus. Many will face a glorious death on the battlefield, preceded by a heroic struggle with a more powerful enemy, supported by black magic.
Still, Mr Gemmell’s magic is palpable and the book reads well. The plot is sound, the pacing measured, the protagonists invariably arouse my sympathy.
If not for this secondaryity ...
Also in The Drenai Saga:
1. Legend ★★★★★
2. The King Beyond the Gate ★★☆☆☆
3. Waylander ★★★☆☆
4. Quest for Lost Heroes ★★★★☆
5. In the Realm of the Wolf ★★★☆☆
6. The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend ★★★★☆
7. The Legend of Deathwalker ★★★★☆
9. Hero in the Shadows ★★★★★
10. White Wolf ★★☆☆☆
11. The Swords of Night and Day ★☆☆☆☆
“Winter Warriors” is the last part of the Drenai Saga proper chronologically set several decades after the events set in the Quest for Lost Heroes, but you can read it as an independent novel without any difficulties in understanding the content. It might be that the series fatigue is finally catching up with me, but when reading I even thought that if I did not know the other volumes, my rating would be higher. Alas, as this is the eighth instalment in the series, at the back of my head the persistent thought that I have read all this before was somewhat damaging to the whole reading experience.
The biggest downside of “Winter Warriors” is the replication of schemes known from previous volumes: ageing warriors must stand up for the weak and oppressed, saving humanity as a bonus. Many will face a glorious death on the battlefield, preceded by a heroic struggle with a more powerful enemy, supported by black magic.
Still, Mr Gemmell’s magic is palpable and the book reads well. The plot is sound, the pacing measured, the protagonists invariably arouse my sympathy.
If not for this secondaryity ...
Also in The Drenai Saga:
1. Legend ★★★★★
2. The King Beyond the Gate ★★☆☆☆
3. Waylander ★★★☆☆
4. Quest for Lost Heroes ★★★★☆
5. In the Realm of the Wolf ★★★☆☆
6. The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend ★★★★☆
7. The Legend of Deathwalker ★★★★☆
9. Hero in the Shadows ★★★★★
10. White Wolf ★★☆☆☆
11. The Swords of Night and Day ★☆☆☆☆
November 17, 2022
Decimo e penultimo romanzo in ordine cronologico del ciclo dei Drenai.
Ancora una volta, come sempre, Gemmell riesce a toccare lo spirito del lettore attraverso i suoi personaggi e le loro gesta. Onore, amicizia e sacrificio sono le tre pietre miliari che sostengono le sue storie di uomini che diventano eroi.
Questa volta, a differenza degli altri romanzi del ciclo, la magia e le creature "fantastiche" hanno maggiore enfasi, svelando retroscena sulla storia passata. I dialoghi sono sempre incisivi, a volte ironici, sempre meravigliosi. I punti di vista sono numerosi e non si focalizzano solo sui protagonisti ma permettono di avere un quadro eterogeneo su tutte le parti in conflitto.
La fluidità narrativa e la capacità di raccontare rendono Gemmell un maestro dell'heroic fantasy che tutti dovrebbero provare.
Ancora una volta, come sempre, Gemmell riesce a toccare lo spirito del lettore attraverso i suoi personaggi e le loro gesta. Onore, amicizia e sacrificio sono le tre pietre miliari che sostengono le sue storie di uomini che diventano eroi.
Questa volta, a differenza degli altri romanzi del ciclo, la magia e le creature "fantastiche" hanno maggiore enfasi, svelando retroscena sulla storia passata. I dialoghi sono sempre incisivi, a volte ironici, sempre meravigliosi. I punti di vista sono numerosi e non si focalizzano solo sui protagonisti ma permettono di avere un quadro eterogeneo su tutte le parti in conflitto.
La fluidità narrativa e la capacità di raccontare rendono Gemmell un maestro dell'heroic fantasy che tutti dovrebbero provare.
September 5, 2021
This magnificent heroic fantasy tale is the 8th part of the amazing "Drenai Saga" series, from the great late, David Gemmell.
Storytelling is as ever of a top-notch quality, the story is superbly structured and executed, also action-packed with great battles and wonderful human actions and emotions, and with all characters coming vividly to life within this heroic adventure of brotherhood, comradeship, honour, fatherly love, but also with hate and death.
The characters featuring in this marvellous fantasy tale can all be related to various cultures, such as Romans, Alexander's Macedonians, Greeks, Mongols, Celts and some others, and these cultures are all wonderfully intertwined with each other when dealing with life and death.
The book starts in a place called Usa where King Skanda is ruling a mighty Empire with at his side Queen Axiana.
At a sudden moment an evil force will start to make it presence felt, in the form of the ghost, Anharat, who's acting as a kind of body-snatcher in an attempt to fulfil his devilish promise when by killing three Kings he can make his prophecy of darkness complete and so thwarting his twin brother, Emsharas, who wants peace and light.
After betrayal during a decisive battle, King Skanda is captured by his General Melikada and sacrificed by the his devilish ghost, Anharat, and when Queen Axiana hears of that treachery she flees from Usa with the three veteran warriors namely, the Swordsman, Nogusta, the Bowman, Kebra, and the hulking fighter, Bison, and with them will come also the servant and Priestess, Ulmenetha and the three children, Canolin, Pharis ans Sufia.
What is to follow is a wonderful heartbreaking story of human sacrifice in the form of Dagorian, Bison and Nogusta, an amazing story about fatherly love with a reluctant Kebra nervously caring for Canolin, Pharis and Sufia, its a marvellous story about pure hearts against dark demons, but most of all a story about love and devotion and making a world where the righteous can survive and try to live in peace and harmony, instead of the darkness and void.
Highly recommended, this is a superb addition to this tremendous series, where love, courage and sacrifice will be at the heart of things, making me love this book so much and that's why I want to call it a: "Fantastic Honourable Mighty Warriors"!
Storytelling is as ever of a top-notch quality, the story is superbly structured and executed, also action-packed with great battles and wonderful human actions and emotions, and with all characters coming vividly to life within this heroic adventure of brotherhood, comradeship, honour, fatherly love, but also with hate and death.
The characters featuring in this marvellous fantasy tale can all be related to various cultures, such as Romans, Alexander's Macedonians, Greeks, Mongols, Celts and some others, and these cultures are all wonderfully intertwined with each other when dealing with life and death.
The book starts in a place called Usa where King Skanda is ruling a mighty Empire with at his side Queen Axiana.
At a sudden moment an evil force will start to make it presence felt, in the form of the ghost, Anharat, who's acting as a kind of body-snatcher in an attempt to fulfil his devilish promise when by killing three Kings he can make his prophecy of darkness complete and so thwarting his twin brother, Emsharas, who wants peace and light.
After betrayal during a decisive battle, King Skanda is captured by his General Melikada and sacrificed by the his devilish ghost, Anharat, and when Queen Axiana hears of that treachery she flees from Usa with the three veteran warriors namely, the Swordsman, Nogusta, the Bowman, Kebra, and the hulking fighter, Bison, and with them will come also the servant and Priestess, Ulmenetha and the three children, Canolin, Pharis ans Sufia.
What is to follow is a wonderful heartbreaking story of human sacrifice in the form of Dagorian, Bison and Nogusta, an amazing story about fatherly love with a reluctant Kebra nervously caring for Canolin, Pharis and Sufia, its a marvellous story about pure hearts against dark demons, but most of all a story about love and devotion and making a world where the righteous can survive and try to live in peace and harmony, instead of the darkness and void.
Highly recommended, this is a superb addition to this tremendous series, where love, courage and sacrifice will be at the heart of things, making me love this book so much and that's why I want to call it a: "Fantastic Honourable Mighty Warriors"!
September 4, 2019
Patteggiare con il passato
"Perché Bison è così depresso? Non ha tre mogli che lo aspettano a casa?"
"Non è già un buon motivo per essere depressi?"
"Oggi ti sei fatto un nuovo nemico", sussurrò Malikada.
Il Lupo Bianco si fermò ed incontrò lo sguardo rapace del principe. "Molto meglio che averti come amico", rispose.
"Mi piacerebbe raccontarti, caro Dagorian, di tutti i miei sogni di redenzione; del perché io sia qui a perdere la vita per persone che neanche conosco."
Il vero pericolo per gli eroi riecheggia perpetuamente nel doloroso passato: accettare una corrosiva consapevolezza di sé e scenderci a patti senza soccombere.
Non esistono eroi perché la perfezione è materia di ballate e leggende da narrare attorno al fuoco; ed è in questa realistica incompiutezza che affiora la bellezza dei piccoli gesti, quei silenziosi tentativi di ravvivare il proprio microcosmo e non allinearlo al mondo che, giorno dopo giorno, si spegne nelle proprie contraddizioni.
Nessuna strategia o prezzo da ponderare quando il destino chiama, solo la forza di volontà nell'accettare se stessi e agire.
"Guerrieri d'inverno", per quanto non goda di eroi dall'afflato epico e carismatico come Waylander o Druss, riesce a sublimare, in una storia autoconclusiva, un senso di cameratismo e ricerca della redenzione a suo modo perfetta.
"Perché Bison è così depresso? Non ha tre mogli che lo aspettano a casa?"
"Non è già un buon motivo per essere depressi?"
"Oggi ti sei fatto un nuovo nemico", sussurrò Malikada.
Il Lupo Bianco si fermò ed incontrò lo sguardo rapace del principe. "Molto meglio che averti come amico", rispose.
"Mi piacerebbe raccontarti, caro Dagorian, di tutti i miei sogni di redenzione; del perché io sia qui a perdere la vita per persone che neanche conosco."
Il vero pericolo per gli eroi riecheggia perpetuamente nel doloroso passato: accettare una corrosiva consapevolezza di sé e scenderci a patti senza soccombere.
Non esistono eroi perché la perfezione è materia di ballate e leggende da narrare attorno al fuoco; ed è in questa realistica incompiutezza che affiora la bellezza dei piccoli gesti, quei silenziosi tentativi di ravvivare il proprio microcosmo e non allinearlo al mondo che, giorno dopo giorno, si spegne nelle proprie contraddizioni.
Nessuna strategia o prezzo da ponderare quando il destino chiama, solo la forza di volontà nell'accettare se stessi e agire.
"Guerrieri d'inverno", per quanto non goda di eroi dall'afflato epico e carismatico come Waylander o Druss, riesce a sublimare, in una storia autoconclusiva, un senso di cameratismo e ricerca della redenzione a suo modo perfetta.
September 4, 2007
The first contemporary fantasy book I have read that deals heavily with demons without leaving me afraid of the dark. Incredibly well written prose, engaging (I could not put it down), dynamic characters, surprising plotline. This is the first I have read by him, but I'd wager that Gemmel is one of the best when it comes to contemporary fantasy.
April 10, 2018
8.5/10
Winter Warriors is another stand-alone book in the Drenai saga, and it is, chronologically, the last one before 'The Damned' sub-series. It is set several decades after Quest for Lost Heroes but, I would say, it can easily stand on its own as Gemmell has made a very beautiful story, taking us into the future, in a world with great wizards, incredible demons and legendary heroes.
Long ago Emsharas, a Windborn sorcerer, banished his race and all the demons to the great Void. But it has been prophesied that when three kings die the long banished demons will once again return to this world.
Now, with the Emperor long dead, and the King about to be, his unborn child, the last king, is in mortal danger.
Three heroes will set to try and save the Queen and her unborn child, three old-school soldiers who are now, long passed their youth. But the Demon Lord is an adversary that they have never faced before, and they will have to fight against demons and monsters and a war that will determine the fate of all mankind.
I really liked Gemmell’s narrative in this book as it shows of how much he had improved since his first book, Legend , and also starting to show more of his true talent at making lovable characters; giving them special attention and developing them very beautiful.
The story, although it is stand-alone, is very good with Gemmell keeping a good balance between the characters and the world-building, which I believe it's what makes this book so good, while he also manages to make some pretty interesting and original races, and some nice unexpected twists.
Overall, this is a very good and enjoyable book so if you have read the others of the series and you liked them, even a little, don’t miss it.
Ελληνική κριτική:
Winter Warriors is another stand-alone book in the Drenai saga, and it is, chronologically, the last one before 'The Damned' sub-series. It is set several decades after Quest for Lost Heroes but, I would say, it can easily stand on its own as Gemmell has made a very beautiful story, taking us into the future, in a world with great wizards, incredible demons and legendary heroes.
Long ago Emsharas, a Windborn sorcerer, banished his race and all the demons to the great Void. But it has been prophesied that when three kings die the long banished demons will once again return to this world.
Now, with the Emperor long dead, and the King about to be, his unborn child, the last king, is in mortal danger.
Three heroes will set to try and save the Queen and her unborn child, three old-school soldiers who are now, long passed their youth. But the Demon Lord is an adversary that they have never faced before, and they will have to fight against demons and monsters and a war that will determine the fate of all mankind.
I really liked Gemmell’s narrative in this book as it shows of how much he had improved since his first book, Legend , and also starting to show more of his true talent at making lovable characters; giving them special attention and developing them very beautiful.
The story, although it is stand-alone, is very good with Gemmell keeping a good balance between the characters and the world-building, which I believe it's what makes this book so good, while he also manages to make some pretty interesting and original races, and some nice unexpected twists.
Overall, this is a very good and enjoyable book so if you have read the others of the series and you liked them, even a little, don’t miss it.
Ελληνική κριτική:
December 30, 2012
Like the majority of David Gemmell's books, I originally read this one when I was a kid. It instantly became one of my favorite Gemmell books behind Legend, Waylander, and a few others. After re-reading this book, however, I have to wonder whether this book may have actually been his masterpiece.
Set a couple centuries past the time of Druss, 3 elderly soldiers are being dismissed from the army due to their age. Meanwhile, a demon is trying to open a gateway between the two worlds. The final step is the sacrifice of the unborn king. The heavily pregnant queen falls into the protection of the aging heroes. They must protect her from enemies both natural and unnatural.
It's a great book with many of the Gemmell trademarks. The characters are deep and engaging, and the story moves at a crisp pace. If you have enjoyed his other books in the past, this one will be no exception.
Set a couple centuries past the time of Druss, 3 elderly soldiers are being dismissed from the army due to their age. Meanwhile, a demon is trying to open a gateway between the two worlds. The final step is the sacrifice of the unborn king. The heavily pregnant queen falls into the protection of the aging heroes. They must protect her from enemies both natural and unnatural.
It's a great book with many of the Gemmell trademarks. The characters are deep and engaging, and the story moves at a crisp pace. If you have enjoyed his other books in the past, this one will be no exception.
August 6, 2012
Two kings are dead – two parts of the prophecy have been fulfilled. The final part, the fate of the third king, rests in the hands of men. Men, who in their prime, stood before the tide of countless battles. But no man had ever stood before a demon.
A queen is hunted by the demons. Though men protect her, they are no longer of their prime. They are not silvered with age, but grey, worn and weary. Three men, heroes of their time. Nogusta the Swordsman, Kebra the Bowman, and Bison the brute.
The child will decide the fate for mankind as his existence is the difference between life and death for the race of man. But for him to live, the three old heroes need to see him born first.
Following on from my review of Legend I thought it time to spread my wings over yet another Gemmell book. I've had a case of writer's block recently, and with little time to read between work and sleep, I needed a book that I could plough through (read: keep me up long into the night reading it).
Winter Warriors is yet another fantastic example of Gemmell's fireside myth-mongering. It's a legend, a myth, something written with such realisation that you believe every word. You WANT to believe every word. Gemmell has always written inspiring heroes that rise to the call, but Bison, Kebra and Nogusta really shine for me. Not only should they turn their backs on the cards fate has dealt them, they shouldn't be able to even play a hand in their condition – yet they hedge their bets to win all the same.
And my god is this book onto a winner!
Gemmell's voice is light and easy to read. No info-dumps, no loquacious yet endless paragraphs of scenery description or fathomless lore. Winter Warriors is a good old heroic-fantasy romp with laughs, action, tears and a trademark warmth of hope that Gemmell kindles with every story.
The characters...wow. Need I say more? They're believable, they're human. Life isn't black and white, it's shades of grey (and there's more than 50!!!!) and our heroes have more than enough of that in their hair (except Bison – he's bald).
The plot is rich and entertaining, well thought out and fully realised. Little twists here and there keep it more than interesting, but the need to see the characters succeed is more than enough to keep a reader hooked.
Winter Warriors is a book for those who should not, for those who can not – but for those who will, no matter what. If I take one thing away from this book, it is that little glimmer of hope to be a better man.
A queen is hunted by the demons. Though men protect her, they are no longer of their prime. They are not silvered with age, but grey, worn and weary. Three men, heroes of their time. Nogusta the Swordsman, Kebra the Bowman, and Bison the brute.
The child will decide the fate for mankind as his existence is the difference between life and death for the race of man. But for him to live, the three old heroes need to see him born first.
Following on from my review of Legend I thought it time to spread my wings over yet another Gemmell book. I've had a case of writer's block recently, and with little time to read between work and sleep, I needed a book that I could plough through (read: keep me up long into the night reading it).
Winter Warriors is yet another fantastic example of Gemmell's fireside myth-mongering. It's a legend, a myth, something written with such realisation that you believe every word. You WANT to believe every word. Gemmell has always written inspiring heroes that rise to the call, but Bison, Kebra and Nogusta really shine for me. Not only should they turn their backs on the cards fate has dealt them, they shouldn't be able to even play a hand in their condition – yet they hedge their bets to win all the same.
And my god is this book onto a winner!
Gemmell's voice is light and easy to read. No info-dumps, no loquacious yet endless paragraphs of scenery description or fathomless lore. Winter Warriors is a good old heroic-fantasy romp with laughs, action, tears and a trademark warmth of hope that Gemmell kindles with every story.
The characters...wow. Need I say more? They're believable, they're human. Life isn't black and white, it's shades of grey (and there's more than 50!!!!) and our heroes have more than enough of that in their hair (except Bison – he's bald).
The plot is rich and entertaining, well thought out and fully realised. Little twists here and there keep it more than interesting, but the need to see the characters succeed is more than enough to keep a reader hooked.
Winter Warriors is a book for those who should not, for those who can not – but for those who will, no matter what. If I take one thing away from this book, it is that little glimmer of hope to be a better man.
September 15, 2010
The best David Gemmell starter book you'll find. A quintessential standalone fantasy novel, and one of the best I've ever read.
March 22, 2022
A brilliant book, that for personal reasons means so much to me! My most read book!!!
March 10, 2019
La bambina sgattaiolò vicino ad Antikas. "Tornerà da noi?"gli chiese. "Io sorveglierò il cielo?"
Lo spadaccino fece un profondo inchino. "Un giorno volerà di nuovo da noi" disse alla bambina, "quando ne avremo più bisogno."
Lo spadaccino fece un profondo inchino. "Un giorno volerà di nuovo da noi" disse alla bambina, "quando ne avremo più bisogno."
February 17, 2021
Eine weiteres starkes Heroic-Fantasy Buch von Gemmell. Wieder einmal geht es um ältere Helden, die eigentlich schon aus dem Heer ausgemustert werden sollen, aber noch einen letzten verzweifelten Kampf bestehen müssen.
Winter Warriors erinnert mich stark an Quest for Lost Heroes mit älteren Helden, die eigentlich dabei sind, sich zur Ruhe zu setzen. Anders als die meisten anderen Drenai-Bücher ist Winter Warriors etwas „fantastischer“. Der Feind besteht diesmal aus einer Horde von Dämonen. Für mich hat sich das ungewohnt angefühlt und ehrlich gesagt nicht so gut in das sonstige Setting gepasst, auch wenn Dämonen in den anderen Büchern schon hier und da Erwähnung fanden. Ansonsten ist es aber wie die anderen Bücher der Reihe: Helden, die ihre charakterlichen Fehler haben und trotzdem stets versuchen das Richtige zu tun, schlechte Chancen auf einen Sieg des Guten und eine schnelle Story, die durchgehend spannend bleibt.
Die Protagonisten sind wieder mit Abstand die größte Stärke des Buchs. Die meisten dieser gehören zu den älteren Drenai-Kriegern, die ausgemustert werden sollen, befinden sich also in einem fortgeschrittenen Alter und nicht mehr die perfekten Krieger von einst. Gerade das macht sie so sympathisch, immer wieder zeigt Gemmell (auch in einigen anderen Drenai-Büchern), wie sich ältere Helden mit vielen kleinen Wehwehchen immer noch fürs Gute einsetzen. Wie immer gelingt ihm das auch hier auf ganzer Linie.
Das Worldbuilding ist – wie immer in der Reihe – solide, aber nichts Besonderes. Die Stärke des Worldbuildings entsteht bei den Drenai-Büchern eher dadurch, dass die vielen verschiedenen Helden in den zeitlich versetzten Büchern immer wieder Erwähnung finden, meistens fast schon als wären sie eigentlich nur Legenden. Ansonsten gibt es hier jedoch keine besondere Tiefe, was die Kulturen der Völker oder die Geschichte der Welt angeht.
Winter Warriors ist ein weiterer starker Eintrag in die Drenai-Reihe – aber für mich nicht der beste. Gerade die Dämonen, die hier so hautnah zu sehen sind, in den anderen Büchern aber kaum Erwähnung finden und fast schon Legendencharakter haben, passen für mich einfach nicht ganz in die Drenai-Welt, die sonst so wenige Fantasy-Elemente enthält. Dennoch ist das Buch durchweg spannend mit interessanten Charakteren. Definitiv lesenswert.
Winter Warriors erinnert mich stark an Quest for Lost Heroes mit älteren Helden, die eigentlich dabei sind, sich zur Ruhe zu setzen. Anders als die meisten anderen Drenai-Bücher ist Winter Warriors etwas „fantastischer“. Der Feind besteht diesmal aus einer Horde von Dämonen. Für mich hat sich das ungewohnt angefühlt und ehrlich gesagt nicht so gut in das sonstige Setting gepasst, auch wenn Dämonen in den anderen Büchern schon hier und da Erwähnung fanden. Ansonsten ist es aber wie die anderen Bücher der Reihe: Helden, die ihre charakterlichen Fehler haben und trotzdem stets versuchen das Richtige zu tun, schlechte Chancen auf einen Sieg des Guten und eine schnelle Story, die durchgehend spannend bleibt.
Die Protagonisten sind wieder mit Abstand die größte Stärke des Buchs. Die meisten dieser gehören zu den älteren Drenai-Kriegern, die ausgemustert werden sollen, befinden sich also in einem fortgeschrittenen Alter und nicht mehr die perfekten Krieger von einst. Gerade das macht sie so sympathisch, immer wieder zeigt Gemmell (auch in einigen anderen Drenai-Büchern), wie sich ältere Helden mit vielen kleinen Wehwehchen immer noch fürs Gute einsetzen. Wie immer gelingt ihm das auch hier auf ganzer Linie.
Das Worldbuilding ist – wie immer in der Reihe – solide, aber nichts Besonderes. Die Stärke des Worldbuildings entsteht bei den Drenai-Büchern eher dadurch, dass die vielen verschiedenen Helden in den zeitlich versetzten Büchern immer wieder Erwähnung finden, meistens fast schon als wären sie eigentlich nur Legenden. Ansonsten gibt es hier jedoch keine besondere Tiefe, was die Kulturen der Völker oder die Geschichte der Welt angeht.
Winter Warriors ist ein weiterer starker Eintrag in die Drenai-Reihe – aber für mich nicht der beste. Gerade die Dämonen, die hier so hautnah zu sehen sind, in den anderen Büchern aber kaum Erwähnung finden und fast schon Legendencharakter haben, passen für mich einfach nicht ganz in die Drenai-Welt, die sonst so wenige Fantasy-Elemente enthält. Dennoch ist das Buch durchweg spannend mit interessanten Charakteren. Definitiv lesenswert.
March 9, 2018
This was my first time reading this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the completely new story I found here. Often with Gemmell, his plots share similarities but here, barely at all. It has no central romantic storyline or moral, it follows the fate of only the littlest king but more so a young commoner, and I argue the story is his. Yes, there are the loyal heroes, yes, they are brutal and lovable and flawed and delicious, but the story is much less about them.
Focused on themes of fatherhood, becoming a man, aging, brotherhood, and the legacy one leaves behind, this book delivers on just a whole new level. Once again, the experience of reading so many points of view allows the reader into the conversation. Whose wisdom do you follow? How do you choose your path? What hopes do you hold for your future? Are you right to follow your head or is it the heart you should trust? What regrets keep you up at night and what memories do you run from? What do you do when those memories catch up? What do you hold to when you have nothing left? Who are you in the end of all things and what do you stand for? And what does that mean? And the wind will still blow tomorrow if you die today, so really what is it all for and does it even matter?
This book answers just as firmly as a hug: Yes. These small moments when there is nothing but you, nothing but the enemy, nothing at all between you and death, your actions matter. You matter. Your heart matters. The wisdom you have chosen to follow matters. The family you have chosen to honor and the legacy you have chosen to carry on matters. As the saying goes, may all your dreams come true, save one— so that you will always have something to live and die for.
While this experience was incredibly moving, incredibly well told, and an honor to read, I cannot give it four stars for a truly haunting technicality. It was lacking an extra Gemmell flourish in the ending. While all the human storylines were tied up, he left it there, without zooming out the camera and cradling this story in the epic history of his world. As the last chronological advancement of this saga, that left me somewhat unsatisfied. To leave the Drenai saga with just one small promise of family... I wanted just a little more. I wanted the promise that the wind would still blow and the mountains would still stand and that all the Drenai’s dreams come true, save one.
Focused on themes of fatherhood, becoming a man, aging, brotherhood, and the legacy one leaves behind, this book delivers on just a whole new level. Once again, the experience of reading so many points of view allows the reader into the conversation. Whose wisdom do you follow? How do you choose your path? What hopes do you hold for your future? Are you right to follow your head or is it the heart you should trust? What regrets keep you up at night and what memories do you run from? What do you do when those memories catch up? What do you hold to when you have nothing left? Who are you in the end of all things and what do you stand for? And what does that mean? And the wind will still blow tomorrow if you die today, so really what is it all for and does it even matter?
This book answers just as firmly as a hug: Yes. These small moments when there is nothing but you, nothing but the enemy, nothing at all between you and death, your actions matter. You matter. Your heart matters. The wisdom you have chosen to follow matters. The family you have chosen to honor and the legacy you have chosen to carry on matters. As the saying goes, may all your dreams come true, save one— so that you will always have something to live and die for.
While this experience was incredibly moving, incredibly well told, and an honor to read, I cannot give it four stars for a truly haunting technicality. It was lacking an extra Gemmell flourish in the ending. While all the human storylines were tied up, he left it there, without zooming out the camera and cradling this story in the epic history of his world. As the last chronological advancement of this saga, that left me somewhat unsatisfied. To leave the Drenai saga with just one small promise of family... I wanted just a little more. I wanted the promise that the wind would still blow and the mountains would still stand and that all the Drenai’s dreams come true, save one.
March 2, 2024
2024 reread: still perfect and probably - though I’ve said this of several of his novels before this - his best book yet. The 1990s were very good to Gemmell, but even better for his fans.
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Seriously, if you're after an introduction to the way Mr Gemmell writes you really couldn't go past this one: it's pretty much a textbook example of everything that's great about his writing with very few of the flaws you find in some of his other books. It has an exciting story, characters that make you feel complex emotions, some continuity porn (but not enough that you feel out of your depth) and he mixes his newer theme of friendship between comrades at arms despite background differences with some of his older ideas like the complexity of choices and how they can affect the larger world. There's very little timey-wimey-ness in this book too, which is a relief after the last few stories.
February 15, 2013
I don't think there is another writer that can bring this amount of vivid adventure into one small book and make it just as epic as if it were a three-book series. Winter Warriors was a delight to read (for the second time). Each character only had so many pages for an introduction, but damn me straight to hell if it wasn't enough to make me believe in them.
For some reason I haven't quite figured out yet Gemmell had the talent of telling stories that would require three or more books from most writers, and compress this to the bare essentials… I am amazed every time I read one of these stand-alone novels by Gemmell…
For some reason I haven't quite figured out yet Gemmell had the talent of telling stories that would require three or more books from most writers, and compress this to the bare essentials… I am amazed every time I read one of these stand-alone novels by Gemmell…
April 9, 2018
A solid fantasy story, a good standalone. I liked the characters- Kebra and Ulmentha especially. I never connected fully with the characters, always at an arms length. The demons made great villains though. One thing that annoyed me was the continued reference to Ulmentha’s weight (in a derogatory way), and referencing Nogusta as “the black man” every two seconds. It’s not a fantasy term, and I barely know what the other warriors look like, so why keep mentioning it? A good story overall.
January 9, 2025
A fourth or fifth reread. Brilliant!
2025. A 6th read? Probably more. Genius! Bison and his wings.
2025. A 6th read? Probably more. Genius! Bison and his wings.
March 28, 2020
good read
July 15, 2021
I have been reading this series in chronological order listed under "Ciclo Drenai". While it is listed as the twelfth book in the series, I find it more of a standalone as it doesn't reference any of the prior novels.
At its core there's a trio of incredible warriors who are past their peak, being in their 50's and 60's. They're being phased out of the Ventrian army and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Their new commander certainly doesn't have their best interests at heart.
A basic battle between good and evil as a demon lord has returned from the void and hopes to bring his fellow demons back and eradicate the humans.
A fine book and able to be read on its own without any foreknowledge of the series.
At its core there's a trio of incredible warriors who are past their peak, being in their 50's and 60's. They're being phased out of the Ventrian army and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Their new commander certainly doesn't have their best interests at heart.
A basic battle between good and evil as a demon lord has returned from the void and hopes to bring his fellow demons back and eradicate the humans.
A fine book and able to be read on its own without any foreknowledge of the series.
June 23, 2019
4 Stars
I have really enjoyed revisiting this book/series. I chose this series as part f my reading challenge for this year, and as a buddy read with one of my colleagues. Even though the first book in the series was released in 1984 (and the latest in 2000) the series has pretty much stood the test of time. It is a fantastic action adventure fantasy- with superb characters and brilliant world building, which brings the whole story/series to life.
I have fond memories of discovering this series and excitedly awaiting each new instalment. My reading buddy hadn’t read the series before, but has also enjoyed discovering David Gemmell’s work/s.
I have really enjoyed revisiting this book/series. I chose this series as part f my reading challenge for this year, and as a buddy read with one of my colleagues. Even though the first book in the series was released in 1984 (and the latest in 2000) the series has pretty much stood the test of time. It is a fantastic action adventure fantasy- with superb characters and brilliant world building, which brings the whole story/series to life.
I have fond memories of discovering this series and excitedly awaiting each new instalment. My reading buddy hadn’t read the series before, but has also enjoyed discovering David Gemmell’s work/s.
September 21, 2020
While engaging, this one didn't seem quite as well fleshed out as some of Gemmell's other books.
April 23, 2019
This book could have been better. It had a decent plat. But the author is a jackass who wants you to know that you can only be beautiful if you are skinny and his reader's are too stupid to remember that Nogusta is black.
Read this is you are looking for garbage, but there are much better high fantasy authors out there, alive or dead. (I get that the author is dead, he's still a bad writer).
Read this is you are looking for garbage, but there are much better high fantasy authors out there, alive or dead. (I get that the author is dead, he's still a bad writer).
June 29, 2022
Same old blueprint exceptionally executed.
Winter Warriors grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until the finish. There was never a dull moment and the character development was outstanding.
5 stars Mr Gemmell, you've done it again.
Winter Warriors grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until the finish. There was never a dull moment and the character development was outstanding.
5 stars Mr Gemmell, you've done it again.
February 18, 2019
The ending really pushed it up to 3☆
August 2, 2022
Just something about Gemmels characters, even the so called bad guys I want to hang out with!
September 22, 2022
Another fine novel from DG. Typical good vs evil. A well paced story set in a beautiful fantasy world. A must read for fantasy fans.
June 15, 2022
Gemmel is the master of heroic fantasy and does not fail.
July 5, 2022
My review of David Gemmell's novels will be the same as my reviews of Elmore Leonard or Richard Stark.
I've read his entire collection, except that one Noir book that's nigh impossible to get ahold of. Some books are better than others, but they're all worth your time.
Start with 'Legend', I did. (Or 'Quest for Lost Heroes' i lifted part of that for my Dungeons & Dragons game. )
I've read his entire collection, except that one Noir book that's nigh impossible to get ahold of. Some books are better than others, but they're all worth your time.
Start with 'Legend', I did. (Or 'Quest for Lost Heroes' i lifted part of that for my Dungeons & Dragons game. )
March 22, 2018
Winter Warriors is a stand-alone book in the Drenai saga. Gemmell has made a very beautiful story, taking us into the future, in a world with great wizards, incredible demons and legendary heroes. It deals heavily with demons without leaving the reader afraid of the dark.
Long ago Emsharas, a Windborn sorcerer, banished his race and all the demons to the great Void. But it has been prophesied that when three kings die the long banished demons will once again return to this world. Now, with the Emperor long dead, and the King about to be, his unborn child, the last king, is in mortal danger. A demon is trying to open a gateway between the two worlds. The final step is the sacrifice of the unborn king.
Three heroes will set to try and save the Queen and her unborn child, three old-school soldiers who are not silvered with age, but grey, worn and weary. But the Demon Lord is an adversary that they have never faced before, and they will have to fight against demons and monsters and a war that will determine the fate of all mankind.
The story, although it is stand-alone, is very good with Gemmell keeping a good balance between the characters and the world-building. He also manages to make some pretty interesting and original races, and some nice unexpected twists. However, there were so many characters flying in and out of the pages at times, that it got a little difficult to keep track of who is who - especially when you've got characters with names like Banelion and Bakilas, and you can't remember which one is good and which one is bad and why. Often with Gemmell, his plots share similarities but here, barely at all. It has no central romantic storyline or moral, it follows the fate of only the littlest king but more so a young commoner, and I argue the story is his. This is book 10 of the 11-book Drenai series, and there are allusions to past events on a semi-regular basis.
Overall, this is a very good and enjoyable book so if you have read the others of the series and you liked them, even a little, don’t miss it.
Long ago Emsharas, a Windborn sorcerer, banished his race and all the demons to the great Void. But it has been prophesied that when three kings die the long banished demons will once again return to this world. Now, with the Emperor long dead, and the King about to be, his unborn child, the last king, is in mortal danger. A demon is trying to open a gateway between the two worlds. The final step is the sacrifice of the unborn king.
Three heroes will set to try and save the Queen and her unborn child, three old-school soldiers who are not silvered with age, but grey, worn and weary. But the Demon Lord is an adversary that they have never faced before, and they will have to fight against demons and monsters and a war that will determine the fate of all mankind.
The story, although it is stand-alone, is very good with Gemmell keeping a good balance between the characters and the world-building. He also manages to make some pretty interesting and original races, and some nice unexpected twists. However, there were so many characters flying in and out of the pages at times, that it got a little difficult to keep track of who is who - especially when you've got characters with names like Banelion and Bakilas, and you can't remember which one is good and which one is bad and why. Often with Gemmell, his plots share similarities but here, barely at all. It has no central romantic storyline or moral, it follows the fate of only the littlest king but more so a young commoner, and I argue the story is his. This is book 10 of the 11-book Drenai series, and there are allusions to past events on a semi-regular basis.
Overall, this is a very good and enjoyable book so if you have read the others of the series and you liked them, even a little, don’t miss it.
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