I was very impressed. You might think that it took me a while to finish this book because I've been busy with work and wedding stuff, but I also wanted to take my time with it as well. It is just so well written that I wanted to digest the book slowly, making sure I was able to fully appreciate every last bit of it. I have already started on the next book in the series; I just could not keep myself away. :)

Anyways, Mr. Gemmell has definately cemented his place in my favorite authors list (along with Ray Bradbury, C.J. Cherryh, and others). I really enjoyed the book. It's just a good story, and I was eager to learn more about Druss. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of The Legend of Deathwalker. I am a big fan of the world Gemmell has created in this series.

On an interesting side note, apparently somebody finally got word to whoever needed to hear it, because the new cover of Legend depicts Druss using his actual weapon, an axe, instead of a sword like on the copy I have. Either way, though, this is a series I plan on rereading a few years down the road. I have just gotten too much enjoyment of it not to.

One of these days, I'm going to sit down and start working my way through the list of Hugo and Nebula Award Winners. I've already read a number of them (Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land, Dune, The Forever War, Ender's Game, and Speaker for the Dead). They are some of my absolute favorite books.

Now I'm reading Ensign Flandry by Poul Anderson. Figured it was time to take a step back from all the fantasy I'd been reading lately.

I found myself thinking of The Riddle of Steel many times in the last few climactic chapters of the book. All that talk of parries, counters, and ripostes really makes me want to give that game a try.

I always enjoy the feeling you get at the end of a series of books. The meaning of series can vary quite a bit though. In this particular case, I am talking about the type of series that is practically one long novel released in serial form. Each book in the series continues the overall storyline and ends at an stopping point/cliffhanger, leaving you with a desire to continue along to the next installment.

The Drenai series, the one I'm reading again now, is another type. In this type of series, the term series is used a little more loosely. Here, the books all take place in the same world that the author has concocted, but the characters and the storyline barely continue from book to book. Characters in one book will possibly make an appearance in the next, or maybe just a reference. The outcome of the previous book will usually affect the situation in the beginning of the next, but that's the extent of its influence.

I enjoy both types of series, and they definately have their strengths and weaknesses. Either way, though, only the former can really give me that wonderful feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment I get from reading that last line and closing the last book.

For those who do read that series, here is a good map, that apparently has David's blessing.. I'll have to keep it handy when I start the next book in the series.