I struggled to get into this book - it didn't help that it follows on closely with the characters and events of Waylander, but it's a long time since I'd read it.
Therefore I struggled to follow the political events and some of the characters, as I didn't remember them too well. This is especially because the plot split between following Waylander's mission of vengeance, and the political situation regarding the Nadir, Drenai, Ventrians, Chiatze, and Gothir that Miriel becomes involved with.
Typical that I've complained before about Gemmell writing standalones rather than running series - only to stumble upon one without realising.
It did give the impression, though, of a plot-driven rather than character-driven story - I struggle to remember why Miriel was so driven to help the Nadir, as it never seemed to come up after her decision to go help them.
Mention of "the Uniter" brought images of Ulric Khan from Legend, but Dardalion mentions that this relates to another - which was a relief, seeing as the characters were investing so much in protecting this bloodline, even though Ulric never really achieves anything.
Would be good to know who that was going to be - seems to be way ahead in my reading.
The siege of Kar-Barzac felt somewhat perfunctionary, as if Gemmell was falling back to a familiar theme, even though it might not have been really necessary.
However, what was really interesting was the clear indication that Kar-Barzac belonged to a technologically advanced people. I seem to recall a reference to this being tens of thousands of years previous. Clearly this is a very post-apocalyptic world, and reminded a little of Mark Lawrence's setting for Prince of Thorns.
I think Gemmell mentioned before how all his books were connected, which put me in mind of Echoes of the Great Song...
What really brought me into the story was when Dardalion and Kesa-Khan discuss why they are fighting, and reveal that not only will Rek from Legend be one of Miriel's descendents, but also that "the Uniter" isn't Ulric, but instead someone else. I was intrigued to find out more, but unfortunately, can't find much about how the bloodlines relate online.
What I also enjoyed was being able to get a sense of time and place with regards to Legend - that these events were happening one or more generations before then.
I'll probably have to re-read both Waylander novels together, then read the third, for a better perspective on everything.
Therefore I struggled to follow the political events and some of the characters, as I didn't remember them too well. This is especially because the plot split between following Waylander's mission of vengeance, and the political situation regarding the Nadir, Drenai, Ventrians, Chiatze, and Gothir that Miriel becomes involved with.
Typical that I've complained before about Gemmell writing standalones rather than running series - only to stumble upon one without realising.
It did give the impression, though, of a plot-driven rather than character-driven story - I struggle to remember why Miriel was so driven to help the Nadir, as it never seemed to come up after her decision to go help them.
Mention of "the Uniter" brought images of Ulric Khan from Legend, but Dardalion mentions that this relates to another - which was a relief, seeing as the characters were investing so much in protecting this bloodline, even though Ulric never really achieves anything.
Would be good to know who that was going to be - seems to be way ahead in my reading.
The siege of Kar-Barzac felt somewhat perfunctionary, as if Gemmell was falling back to a familiar theme, even though it might not have been really necessary.
However, what was really interesting was the clear indication that Kar-Barzac belonged to a technologically advanced people. I seem to recall a reference to this being tens of thousands of years previous. Clearly this is a very post-apocalyptic world, and reminded a little of Mark Lawrence's setting for Prince of Thorns.
I think Gemmell mentioned before how all his books were connected, which put me in mind of Echoes of the Great Song...
What really brought me into the story was when Dardalion and Kesa-Khan discuss why they are fighting, and reveal that not only will Rek from Legend be one of Miriel's descendents, but also that "the Uniter" isn't Ulric, but instead someone else. I was intrigued to find out more, but unfortunately, can't find much about how the bloodlines relate online.
What I also enjoyed was being able to get a sense of time and place with regards to Legend - that these events were happening one or more generations before then.
I'll probably have to re-read both Waylander novels together, then read the third, for a better perspective on everything.
