The Swords of Night and Day - David Gemmell Book Review

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Review Summary

Del Rey, Apr 2004, 24.95, 432 pp.
ISBN: 0345458338

A thousand years ago, Skilgannon heroically died in battle. Over time the legend of the hero grew to monumental proportions. Now Drenai is under threat of annihilation with no champion arising to stop the dark sorceress Eternal or her joinings of man and beast into one. Desperate for a defender, none have any hope except Landis Kan, who has some doubts but wonders if he can fulfill the ancient prophecy that stated Skilgannon would return when his people were on the brink of disaster.

Landis believes he has found Skilgannon's resting place. He experiments on another set of bones bringing back a churlish individual who Kan writes off as a loser. He next performs the ritual on the remains of Skilgannon, but instead of a Herculean warrior, the reincarnation seems much less than the legend and even Kan questions whether this youngster could save the realm. Skilgannon realizes that not him, but the other experiment is the only chance for the realm to find victory

This Drenai epic sword and sorcery saga can stand alone as a delightful fantasy that points out what time does to heroes. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with action yet characters like Kan and Skilgannon come across as genuine. Though trying to make this book fit into the full saga will need an access database, fans of the series and newcomers will enjoy this fabulous fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Detailed literary breakdown of The Swords of Night and Day

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%

Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - great warrior
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - champion of justice
Age: - long lived adults
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status: - mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Earth setting: - during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript

Most similar books to The Swords of Night and Day
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Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett
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The Secret of Shabaz by Jennifer Macaire

Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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