Legend will make you believe in Heroes
Legend is a wonderfully engaging tale of an old Hero of the Drenai named Druss the Legend.
An undermanned fortress of the Drenai is being targeted by an invading force of Nadir, a mongol like horde of warriors. Druss travels to Dros Delnoch, the aforementioned fortress, to aid in the defense of his homeland. Druss' job is to help get the inexperienced defenders into fighting condition. Along the way he converts and inspires all of the men from the leader of the keep down to the lowest private.
Druss is a legend amongst the Drenai as well as other nations. He is known as Deathwalker and the Silver Slayer. He is known for his huge greataxe and unstoppable strength and endurance. One of my favorite quotes from any book comes from this text. I won't quote it verbatim but in essence Druss tells an enemy that his axe has marked the soul of the man for future taking.
Gemmell does such a wonderful job of characterization. His imagination is amazing and he writes battle scenes very well in my opinion. He introduces one of my favorite aspects in The Thirty, which are thirty individuals who are warrior-priests. They train for battle and are yet very devoted to all life.
But what it comes down to for me is that Druss is a Hero, a Legend. When he steps into the breach to hold back the horde you want to give strength to him to help in repelling the invaders. He's not a man who glories in killing he glories in defending the weak. If you like stories of man overcoming incredible obstacles and demons within himself, you'll enjoy Legend.
