Яростный клинок. Полуночный Сокол

The Rigante #1-2

by David Gemmell, Дэвид Геммел

Новая сага от автора легендарного Дренайского цикла! Сага о народе ригантов, что веками существовал рядом с Перворожденными-сидхами - и использовал их стихийную магию...
Сага о королях, противостоявших железной поступи Каменной Империи, - и их наследниках, мечом и колдовством сдерживающих армии новых завоевателей.
Сага о самоотверженном мужестве и изощренном коварстве, о ведьмах и призраках, о богах - и людях!..

Два первых романа тетралогии «Риганты».
Яростный клинок (роман, перевод М. Рыжковой), стр. 5-370
Полуночный Сокол (роман, перевод Е. Рачковой), стр. 371-797

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

797 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

David Andrew Gemmell was a bestselling British author of heroic fantasy. A former journalist and newspaper editor, Gemmell had his first work of fiction published in 1984. He went on to write over thirty novels. Best known for his debut, Legend, Gemmell's works display violence, yet also explores themes in honour, loyalty and redemption. With over one million copies sold, his work continues to sell worldwide.

Reviews

[Jason Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

the 2 titles combined rank a 4, perhaps even 4.5. #1, Sword in the Storm, is a great heroic tale told somewhat at a distance. it felt off, like I was held an arm's length away throughout. the hero Connavar is rather stellar, and Gemmell definitely puts him through the wringer. the culture and creeds of his people (faux Celtic) shine and the magical aspects are woven extremely well into the tale. lots of blade swinging and brotherhood, good action, thoughtful decision-making (and emotional too!), all around decent...just doesn't ring like a Druss story for me. if it hadn't been part of an omnibus, I probably would not have read #2.

Midnight Falcon is Bane's story. Connavar is King, still present throughout, but this book is of the next generation (a glance at the next Rigante books reveals this changing of protagonists pattern). I was slightly disappointed at first, as Connavar had more to accomplish -- which Gemmell glossed over in a paragraph at the start -- but Bane turned out to be much more of a complete character, really rather terrific as a fully rounded individual who gains his rounding out right before the reader's eyes. his maturing is well-done. again, the Celtic-like magic works smoothly throughout, there's lots of sword, strategy, death, danger, sacrifice, sorrow, love, family, betrayal...just plain ol' good stuff galore that played my emotions well. Bane begins as maybe even an irritant, but by story end he could be a companion...though he most likely wouldn't want or need one. I highly recommend this second book, though you'll miss so much depth in backstory that some of its impact will soften if you don't read book one. your call.

[Abiearam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2019

[C.J. Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. It has the distinct feel of the nature of celts in pre Roman times but there is no distinct correlation that confirms this.
If you like Gemmell, you'll like this. Not quite as strong as the Drenai stories but still thoroughly enjoyable.
Characters are pure Gemmell, nobody is perfect, everyone has flaws and they have rich backstories that are slowly eeked out through the unfolding plot.

The plot itself is strong but though it is gripping and entertaining throughout, I felt myself still missing Drenan.

It follows Gemmell's usual stance of incorporating simple magics that do more to enhance characters and nudge the plot rather than to be the baffling 'Magic saves all' scenarios.

[Kik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peut-être un peu masculin nostalgique des capes et épées. Mais bon...
Impatient de lire la suite !