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Wednesday 1 June 2011

BOOK REVIEW: Waylander (David Gemmell)

Book:  Waylander

Author:   David Gemell

Rating: 9/10

Recommended Age:  13/14 - 70 - all David  Gemells books are enjoyable for all ages.


The first in David Gemell's books about Waylander.It is set in the same  lands as his other books .


The Drenai empire is in collapse, enemy warriors swarm throughout the land killing all they come across, resistance is low and few areas are left under the Drenai banner.


As the land is being destroyed a wanderer comes across a priest being tortured by 5 men, these men stole his horse and he wants it back. The 5 men refuse seeking a new person to torture and with that the killing starts. For this is no ordinary man.

This is Waylander The Slayer.

A prince of the assassins,one of  the most feared men alive.


Reluctantly he sets out accompanied by the priest who is unable to hate or harm even those who torture him  and through a course of events saves his life again but also taints him with his dark past of death. Now the kind caring loving priest  has had a perspectives change and arms himself ready to try and push back the Vagrians.

But Waylander has a task of his own. He too has been tainted but by the priests purity and now he feels like he needs to do something to repent for all the killings he's done. In particular the murdering of the Drenai king.
and the old man Orion the father of the late king gives him that chance.


He must travel to the mountains of the moon. Deep in Nadir territory and recover the fabled armor of bronze. a beacon of hope for the Drenai people .

Meanwhile the priest Dardalion is finding other priest who want to be warriors and train them to help a force trying to save one of the few places left under friendly control the fortress of Purdol.


Everything is a race and a mystery. Can Waylander Find and return the armour of Gold?
Will Purdol Hold against the thousands of Vagrians trying to breach it?
Will  the leader Egel Rally enough troops to break free of the Skultik forest and save the  People of Drenan?


Everything is resting on the shoulders of a few brave men. But will that be enough. and what will happen when love, traitors and werebeasts get involved?

Read this gripping book and you won't be disappointed.




A absolutely brilliant book, well written with a complicated but understandable storyline following the fate of a entire race in the hands of a assassin. You won't want to put it down. David Gemell is a brilliant writer of Medieval fiction and if you haven't already you should definitely try out his books.


Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer


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