The first novel by David Gemmell, and it is a classic piece of heroic fantasy fiction.

The story revolves around a warrior, called Druss, who has achieved such status amongst his people, the Drenai, that he is simply known as The Legend. When the Nadir horde invade his homeland, he journeys to fight against them at the fabled fortress of Dros Delnoch, carrying with him his butterly shaped bladed axe.

The fortress is has a central keep, encircled by seven massive walls, and the defenders hold each as long as possible before having to fall back to the next. At the midst of the battle is Druss, wielding his mighty axe, hewing down Nadir warriors by the score.

Although this is the first of the Drenai novels that David Gemmell has written, this and each subsequent book can be read on their own without having read any of the others. Gemmell has also written two further novels about Druss, one of which deals with Druss's history and the reason he became known as Druss the Legend. (The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend)

David Gemmells writing style is short, sharp and to the point. While his characters are well described and easy to identify with, you are not laden down with un-necessary detail. Once you start reading you will find it very difficult to put down, until you've read the very last words.

All in all a great book by the King of British Fantasy writers, and it serves as an excellent introduction for those readers that are new to the realm of fantasy fiction.