New to these great books, quick quesion

[chris1977]

I know I maybe behind the times somewhat but i have just started reading David Gemmells books (White Wolf and Swords of Night and Day so far). I have to say they a fantastic, but you guys knew that already!
What I would like to know is this. Do the Drenai books have to be read in the order they were written or can they be read as a stand alone novel, I currently own Legend and the first chronicle of Druss.
Thanks in advance.

[pyan]

Legend was the first one to be written, and is really a stand-alone. The success of it led DG to write sequels and back-story, but it's still the best place to start, IMHO.

[nj1]

I started with Legend and went from there, however, they were not written in order but there is a timeframe, i.e Waylander was set before Legend as was the Skillgannon books, they don't have to be read in order but if you want the order search for drenai legends and you should be able to locate the timeframe. This will give a few things away if you have'nt read all his books!

[Threddy]

Can i just ask, chris, why you decided to read those two first?
They were the ones I read first. Maybe it's just coincidence.
Ed - Threddy

[Connavar]

Not the best place to start with the last two Drenai books.


Legend is his best book storywise, his most legendary

It wasnt my first book, it was my third DG but it was the first that filled me which so much emotion that i felt empty at the end. The first and only fiction book to make shed some tears. Not wanna spoil why but you will see if you read it.



Im reading Drenai realese order wise i recommend you try that way and see if you like that order. I like that order cause you see DG grow as writer, hone his skills and get better and better.

[sanityassassin]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Gemmell just sit back relax and enjoy.

They are all pretty much stand alone books but there are refrences to events in other books, but I would take Legend first as it was first written

[chris1977]

I bought White wolf first simply because it sounded like a good story and I didn't realise there was a whole section of books written before it.
I am going to read Legend next and thenhopefully get the rest of the Drenai series and read them in order.

[darkpaladin111]

the first DG book i read was swords of night and day, then saw it was the second so i read white wolf, i really wish there was more written abou skilgannon

[bedderbay]

I just finished reading the whole drenai series....I started with white wolf, then swords of, but then moved to legend and worked through in order....bloody amazing books! I hope that the other stuff he has written is as good! any suggestions where to start next?

[sanityassassin]

I am personally a fan of the Jon Shannow novels (Wolf in Shadow, Last Guardian and Bloodstone) although they are a bit different being post apocalypse they are sort of set in an early western frontier setting. Others are big fans of the Rigante Novels (Sword in the Storm,Midnight Falcon, Ravenheart and Stormrider) but all his books are good if you are looking for a couple of stand alone books I can recommend Knights of Dark Renown or Morning Star

[Connavar]

Shannow series and Rigante is atleast as the best Drenai books.

I think even the first two books of Shannow series is better than KBTG,Waylander but not Legend.

[Narkalui]

I thought King Beyond The Gate was largely good if a little cheesey in places and for many reason a bit of a simple rehash of Legend. Waylander I thought was excellent, the idea that a once good man so far gone to the 'dark side' could come back and find redemption was quite breath taking.

The Shannow books I struggled with to be honest. But it was ten years ago that I tried, perhaps I shall give them another go...

[ladyflorange]

Legend was actually the one I enjoyed least.... but obviously it's still amazing.
Rigante series were the easiest, and Ravenheart is still my fave, but White Wolf and The Swords of Night and Day very close second.