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Title: The King Beyond the Gate
Series: Drenai Saga #2
Author: David Gemmell
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 321
Format: Digital Edition
Series: Drenai Saga #2
Author: David Gemmell
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 321
Format: Digital Edition
Synopsis:
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Several generations
after the events that took place in Legend,
Drenai is now ruled by a mad sorcerer who discovered ancient
machines that allowed him to fuse men and animals, thus creating
super warriors completely under his thrawl. Ceska started out as just
an advisor but now he rules. Along the way he destroyed the one group
that could have destroyed him, The Dragons. Elite Warriors, the
Dragons chose not to oppose Ceska when he initially took control but
were later destroyed by him. A few of them survived the ambush mainly
by not being there. One such Dragon was Tanaka Khan, a half caste of
Drenai Nobility AND Nardir nobility.
He sets out on a
quest to assassinate Ceska, not caring if he lives or dies
afterwards. Along the way he comes across old and new friends and
realizes he really doesn't want to die. He gets help from the new 30
and eventually must seek the aid of his Nardir brethren. However, the
only way to gain such aid is to become their Chief. He does so but
visions of Nardir supremacy begin dancing through his head like sugar
plums on Christmas Eve.
Ceska is destroyed
along with his Dark Templars (dark versions of the 30) and Tenaka
returns to the Nardir. The Epilogue reveals how he comes back to
Drenai with a Nardir army in several years and is opposed by former
allies from this story.
My
Thoughts:
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I enjoyed this a tiny bit more than Legend even while the
action was a bit less. It “almost” bordered on the repetitive
what with the multi-walled stalling approach but the Joinings (the
man/beast hybrids) were a cool idea even if a bit under utilized.
I was talking with someone on Librarything about Gemmell and I
realized that I would have enjoyed this stuff much more 15-20 years
ago. I think this is geared a bit more towards the adolescent and
young adult male but I don't know how the modern soyboi would take
it. Anyone CAN read this but if you've read fantasy for close to a
decade I suspect this won't tickle your fancy quite as much.
Nothing bad and I enjoyed this and plan on continuing the series,
just not “fantastic” if you know what I mean.
★★★☆½
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