Lotus666
06-08-09, 10:44 PM
Contributed by Lord Destroyer in 2003...
Upon opening Echoes of the Great Song by the British fantasy writer, David Gemmell, I was expecting an action-packed fantasy with characters so vivid they seemed to come alive. It fulfilled my expectations and then some.
The story: The Avatars had lived hundreds of years like gods, their youth assured by special crystals, their preeminence assured by special weapons that smote their enemies by the dozen, and their dominance assured by the subjugation of other races.
The story starts with the Avatars - or rather, those that survived a cataclysm of a tsunami followed by a sudden ice age. The Great Pyramid, which they relied on to keep their special crystals and mystical weapons charged, was buried under ice and recharging became difficult.
The Avatar's dominance was beginning to slip after the sudden ice age - the races they subjugated were starting to realize the Avatar's day is through. Some powerful Avatars are assassinated, and some other tribes are conspiring to march against the Avatar once they realize their crystals and weapons are useless.
That is all placed on hold when a bloodthirsty race, the Almecs, land in Avatar lands and slaughter everyone - Avatars and other tribes alike. Avatars are forced to compromise and unite with those they subjugated so long in order to defeat the Almecs. Out of all the action that takes place, 5 characters play their roles, some not surviving to the end of the book.
Talaban - an Avatar who survived the cataclysm, and is haunted by personal tragedy.
Touchstone - a servant of Talaban, and understands the pain that Talaban carries in his heart. He seeks to be reunited with his wife.
Anu - the Holy One of the Avatar, he was able to predict when the cataclysm would strike. He resides with about 200 followers in a remote region and chooses to age instead of keeping his youth with the crystals.
Viruk - An Avatar warrior who loves to kill. He is sent to assassinate any of those who are conspiring against the Avatar, and later does what he can against the Almec.
Sofarita - A village girl who becomes crystal-joined. Meaning she slowly turns to crystal and realizes the power within said crystals. She is instrumental in the defeat of the Almec.
Echoes of the Great Song lives up to my expectations of a Gemmell fantasy novel, and the characters are vivid to the point they seem to come alive. Though I doubt it will compare to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Gemmell can turn out some fascinating books. I cannot wait for Gemmell's next release, titled White Wolf, slated for a Spring 2003 release.
Overall: 10/10
Upon opening Echoes of the Great Song by the British fantasy writer, David Gemmell, I was expecting an action-packed fantasy with characters so vivid they seemed to come alive. It fulfilled my expectations and then some.
The story: The Avatars had lived hundreds of years like gods, their youth assured by special crystals, their preeminence assured by special weapons that smote their enemies by the dozen, and their dominance assured by the subjugation of other races.
The story starts with the Avatars - or rather, those that survived a cataclysm of a tsunami followed by a sudden ice age. The Great Pyramid, which they relied on to keep their special crystals and mystical weapons charged, was buried under ice and recharging became difficult.
The Avatar's dominance was beginning to slip after the sudden ice age - the races they subjugated were starting to realize the Avatar's day is through. Some powerful Avatars are assassinated, and some other tribes are conspiring to march against the Avatar once they realize their crystals and weapons are useless.
That is all placed on hold when a bloodthirsty race, the Almecs, land in Avatar lands and slaughter everyone - Avatars and other tribes alike. Avatars are forced to compromise and unite with those they subjugated so long in order to defeat the Almecs. Out of all the action that takes place, 5 characters play their roles, some not surviving to the end of the book.
Talaban - an Avatar who survived the cataclysm, and is haunted by personal tragedy.
Touchstone - a servant of Talaban, and understands the pain that Talaban carries in his heart. He seeks to be reunited with his wife.
Anu - the Holy One of the Avatar, he was able to predict when the cataclysm would strike. He resides with about 200 followers in a remote region and chooses to age instead of keeping his youth with the crystals.
Viruk - An Avatar warrior who loves to kill. He is sent to assassinate any of those who are conspiring against the Avatar, and later does what he can against the Almec.
Sofarita - A village girl who becomes crystal-joined. Meaning she slowly turns to crystal and realizes the power within said crystals. She is instrumental in the defeat of the Almec.
Echoes of the Great Song lives up to my expectations of a Gemmell fantasy novel, and the characters are vivid to the point they seem to come alive. Though I doubt it will compare to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Gemmell can turn out some fascinating books. I cannot wait for Gemmell's next release, titled White Wolf, slated for a Spring 2003 release.
Overall: 10/10