Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Menion · 27th February 2011, 11:36 PM

I just re-read KoDR and at the end of the Epilogue, after spending exactly 400 pages with some of David Gemmells greatest characters.
Those four words that made me feel cold and empty inside...

"They did not return."

...Possibilities for a second book? or just one of the greatest endings ever written. Sadly we will never know if it was a cliff hanger for a next book.

drush9999 · 2nd March 2011, 06:07 PM

Yep that's a great ending, one of my favourites of the standalone David Gemmell books.
Morningstar seems to be set in the same world and mentions some things from Knights of Dark Renown, but isn't a sequel.

TheImmaterial · 2nd March 2011, 09:41 PM

Wow, a Gemmel thread! I enjoyed KotDR and Morningstar. My first intro to Gemmel was picking up something for a plane journey in an airport. Luckily I got Legend and subsequently bought everything he'd ever written (altho i stopped at the troy stuff). KotDR was the final one of his I read.

Menion · 2nd March 2011, 09:50 PM

Drush9999
Actually if you search hard enough and look at the Drenai map, and the name of the country that Morningstar is in, Morningstar and KodR or in the Drenai world. Just in distant edges of the map. I was so happy when I found that out!

The Immaterial
I started with his Rigante series. And the same as you I found Legend in an airport, read everything apart from his HawkQueen series.
You should read his Troy series, he adds another like 10 amazing characters. And soem of the scenes... dear god, there amazing.

Gabriel007 · 25th July 2011, 09:50 PM

One of the greatest ending ever!
I like to think that they are still alive and fighting for the captured Nomads and battling evil beyond the gateway...

Menion · 26th July 2011, 04:07 PM

I hope they have allready saved them and are now living a life of luxury surounded by booze and women.

Varangian · 6th September 2011, 12:54 PM

One of the greatest sequels I would have loved to read would be the twins. I think it was King Beyond the Gate? I can't remember, but at the very end of the book the two twin boys are hundreds of miles apart and yet staring towards one another.

"What are you looking at?" Someone asks a twin.

"The enemy," he replies.

It's a shame we'll never read about that, would have been a great story.

Menion · 7th September 2011, 05:03 PM

That's the scene where, Sharim Khan? can't remember, is looking after the Nadir twin. Loved it.

jameswalker · 26th September 2011, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varangian

One of the greatest sequels I would have loved to read would be the twins. I think it was King Beyond the Gate? I can't remember, but at the very end of the book the two twin boys are hundreds of miles apart and yet staring towards one another.

"What are you looking at?" Someone asks a twin.

"The enemy," he replies.

It's a shame we'll never read about that, would have been a great story.

Love that one, think it is Quest for lost heroes

Gunwinds69 · 14th October 2011, 01:13 PM

It is the general opinion, I think, of most serious Gemmell fans that the War of the Twins should have been written. I, for one, would have preferred it to Winter Warriors, which gives a brief synopsis of the WotT, but overall was not one of Gemmell's finest books, IMO.

Perhaps he was tired of that particular time period, after residing there for 4-5 books, since further Drenai books jumped forward in time significantly (i.e. Skilgannon and WW).

I hope that notes exist as to his plans for the unwritten tale, and I've always thought it would fun to try and contact Stella Gemmell to both show my appreciation for her husband's work (which literally had a hand in making me who I am today), and to inquire about the existence of any notes or unfinished manuscripts David left behind.

Bugg · 21st March 2012, 11:23 AM

I finished reading this book last night, and I can't get the ending out of my head this morning. I'm a latecomer to Gemmell's books - I've only read five or six so far - but, each time I read one, I finish it with a determination to collect everything he wrote. I just wish I had room on my shelves - if I did I'd buy them all today

Menion · 21st March 2012, 08:29 PM

In my opinion, if you don't have room on your shelves. Make some! Gemmellian books are the best fantasy books in existence, not to long, not to complicated and amazing characters.

Memnoch · 24th March 2012, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugg

I finished reading this book last night, and I can't get the ending out of my head this morning. I'm a latecomer to Gemmell's books - I've only read five or six so far - but, each time I read one, I finish it with a determination to collect everything he wrote. I just wish I had room on my shelves - if I did I'd buy them all today

You are so lucky, you have so many heart warming, heroic, sorrowful, edge of your seat delights ahead! Gemmell brought me to this forum following his passing and my utter grief and disbelief at the loss of such an inspirational writer, his succinct, heroic, perfect novels all sit proudly on my shelves. If you can't make room fill draws, put them under the bed . . . just read n leave for others to marvel at them.

I started with Legend and never looked back. I envy you in many ways. I'll never have an unread Gemmell book to anticipate, but can't resist re-reading them regularly, when I want a lighter read.

Bugg · 26th March 2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memnoch

You are so lucky, you have so many heart warming, heroic, sorrowful, edge of your seat delights ahead! Gemmell brought me to this forum following his passing and my utter grief and disbelief at the loss of such an inspirational writer, his succinct, heroic, perfect novels all sit proudly on my shelves. If you can't make room fill draws, put them under the bed . . . just read n leave for others to marvel at them.

I started with Legend and never looked back. I envy you in many ways. I'll never have an unread Gemmell book to anticipate, but can't resist re-reading them regularly, when I want a lighter read.

Thanks Memnoch. It is most definitely my intention to read them all. I would like to get them in paperback, seeing as I've read that the Kindle versions are poorly formatted. I'm planning a visit to Forbidden Planet later this week, as getting the books in Waterstones and Smiths seems to be next to impossible. Failing that, I'll have to go to Amazon for them. I'm after Sword in the Storm and Winter Warriors next. I know I'm all over the place in my reading order, but those two really appeal at the moment

Coragem · 26th March 2012, 01:40 PM

I love Gemmell, but I don't think Knights of the Dark Renown is anywhere near his best.

Troy, for example, is polished to perfection. It would stand up alongside (or above) the best work of today's best fantasy writers (GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, or whoever). Of all the Gemmell books, I think Knghts of the Dark Renown has the most technical mistakes, and is unique in its questionable shifts in character motivation.

Still great characters, though, keeping the pages turning!

Gemmell never seemed afraid of going back to previous worlds or stories, so it's sad to think of all we'd have been given if he hadn't died so young. The war of the twins, definitely …

Coragem.

27th February 2011, 11:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Menion ze Spaniard! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 502	Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. I just re-read KoDR and at the end of the Epilogue, after spending exactly 400 pages with some of David Gemmells greatest characters. Those four words that made me feel cold and empty inside... "They did not return." ...Possibilities for a second book? or just one of the greatest endings ever written. Sadly we will never know if it was a cliff hanger for a next book.

2nd March 2011, 06:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
drush9999 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK: ENGLAND: Posts: 47	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. Yep that's a great ending, one of my favourites of the standalone David Gemmell books. Morningstar seems to be set in the same world and mentions some things from Knights of Dark Renown, but isn't a sequel.

2nd March 2011, 09:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheImmaterial Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK: ENGLAND: Posts: 9	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. Wow, a Gemmel thread! I enjoyed KotDR and Morningstar. My first intro to Gemmel was picking up something for a plane journey in an airport. Luckily I got Legend and subsequently bought everything he'd ever written (altho i stopped at the troy stuff). KotDR was the final one of his I read.

2nd March 2011, 09:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
Menion ze Spaniard! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 502	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. Drush9999 Actually if you search hard enough and look at the Drenai map, and the name of the country that Morningstar is in, Morningstar and KodR or in the Drenai world. Just in distant edges of the map. I was so happy when I found that out! The Immaterial I started with his Rigante series. And the same as you I found Legend in an airport, read everything apart from his HawkQueen series. You should read his Troy series, he adds another like 10 amazing characters. And soem of the scenes... dear god, there amazing.

25th July 2011, 09:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gabriel007 say w00t? Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 35	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. One of the greatest ending ever! I like to think that they are still alive and fighting for the captured Nomads and battling evil beyond the gateway...

26th July 2011, 04:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Menion ze Spaniard! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 502	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. I hope they have allready saved them and are now living a life of luxury surounded by booze and women.

6th September 2011, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Varangian Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Australia, Queensland Posts: 85	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. One of the greatest sequels I would have loved to read would be the twins. I think it was King Beyond the Gate? I can't remember, but at the very end of the book the two twin boys are hundreds of miles apart and yet staring towards one another. "What are you looking at?" Someone asks a twin. "The enemy," he replies. It's a shame we'll never read about that, would have been a great story.

7th September 2011, 05:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Menion ze Spaniard! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 502	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. That's the scene where, Sharim Khan? can't remember, is looking after the Nadir twin. Loved it.

14th October 2011, 01:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
Gunwinds69 Science fiction fantasy Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 4	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. It is the general opinion, I think, of most serious Gemmell fans that the War of the Twins should have been written. I, for one, would have preferred it to Winter Warriors, which gives a brief synopsis of the WotT, but overall was not one of Gemmell's finest books, IMO. Perhaps he was tired of that particular time period, after residing there for 4-5 books, since further Drenai books jumped forward in time significantly (i.e. Skilgannon and WW). I hope that notes exist as to his plans for the unwritten tale, and I've always thought it would fun to try and contact Stella Gemmell to both show my appreciation for her husband's work (which literally had a hand in making me who I am today), and to inquire about the existence of any notes or unfinished manuscripts David left behind.

21st March 2012, 11:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
Bugg A Lerxst in Wonderland Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Greater London Posts: 166	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. I finished reading this book last night, and I can't get the ending out of my head this morning. I'm a latecomer to Gemmell's books - I've only read five or six so far - but, each time I read one, I finish it with a determination to collect everything he wrote. I just wish I had room on my shelves - if I did I'd buy them all today

21st March 2012, 08:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Menion ze Spaniard! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 502	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. In my opinion, if you don't have room on your shelves. Make some! Gemmellian books are the best fantasy books in existence, not to long, not to complicated and amazing characters.

26th March 2012, 01:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
Coragem Believer in flawed heroes Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 473	Re: Knights of Dark Renown: Last four words. I love Gemmell, but I don't think Knights of the Dark Renown is anywhere near his best. Troy, for example, is polished to perfection. It would stand up alongside (or above) the best work of today's best fantasy writers (GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, or whoever). Of all the Gemmell books, I think Knghts of the Dark Renown has the most technical mistakes, and is unique in its questionable shifts in character motivation. Still great characters, though, keeping the pages turning! Gemmell never seemed afraid of going back to previous worlds or stories, so it's sad to think of all we'd have been given if he hadn't died so young. The war of the twins, definitely … Coragem.

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