I finished this book (for about the seventh time) about a week ago, but this is the first chance I've had time to write a review. Although, not Gemmell's best work (Sword In The Storm, Midnight Falcon, Legend, Winter Warriors, Waylander II & III, Dark Moon), it is up there with them. As I've already said, I've read this book (and many others) several times over the years, and there are only so many books that are gripping enough to do that with. Gemmell was always the master at character driven stories. You follow the characters because Gemmell gave you that depth of description and life, strengths and weaknesses, in a style I have yet to see reached by other authors. Stormrider, although a stand-alone read, follows on with the story of Ravenheart and Gaise Macon (son of the dreaded Moidart). There's no shortage of deep character's including Huntsekker, Lord Winter Kay and his Redeemer Knight's, and the Moidart who almost steals the show. There is civil war between the King and Ludan Macks, there's a powerful relic of a Rigante Seidh God, and the Rigante are required to fight alongside their long time enemy, the Moidart.The actions of the Cochland brother's shows, and the result of their actions, shows what Gemmell was largely about in his writing and messages he felt deeply about.This is still a 4 star read, although not the best of the Rigante books.
I would have given this four stars, but the ending kind of dragged on for me. Too much war and carnage, blood and gore for me! This one focused more on a very evil group of men led by an evil Spirit and it was sometimes too dark for my taste. I loved the characters and their flawed natures...something that seems to be a trademark of David Gemmell in this series, at least. So, I have to say this would be my least favorite of all four that I have read. But the ending of this was very poignant. It redeemed it a little after all the bloody descriptions of war.There were some beautiful segments about the true horrors of war being done in men's hearts. How it ravages the men that fight. How it hurts that land. How we always lose if we fight evil with evil. Those parts were breathtaking in their wisdom and insight.
What do You think about Stormrider (2003)?
I was loaned the Ravenheart series by a good friend and read it during a summer camping trip to a state forest; one of those trips that the extended family goes on and spends a week at a 4 campsites with tents and picnic tables. I was surprised that I'd never heard of Gemmell at the time, but really loved his storytelling! For the past 4 years, I bring the four Rigante books (Ravenheart, Midnight Falcon, Stormrider and Sword in the Storm) with me for this annual trip and have a great time rereading them. I was sad to hear that he had passed away last year, but happy knowing he was a prolific writer, and there's quite a number of his books that I haven't read yet! Fantasy storytelling at it's best.
—Paul
I reread this as I was wanting an enjoyable David Gemmell experience and, as I remembered, this didn't disappoint. The book is, on one level, a fun heroic fantasy romp. Tolkien once described fantasy as tragedy that unexpectedly ends well and this novel definitely fits this description, where in battles of good versus evil it all ends well due to heroes - characters who save the day through their skill and cunning. On another level this is an exploration of whether an 'evil' act, when done to prevent a greater evil, be justified. It does not preach, merely offers different perspectives, degrees and consequences of this. With both of these readings this novel is simultaneously a fun easy read and enjoyably complex. Added to typically nuanced and likeable characters and great writing and I really enjoyed this.
—Alex Jones
I love David Gemmell novels and like most this one made me cry. It is full of heroes flawed and unsuspected. It is the final installment of the Rigante books telling the story of Stormrider and Ravenheart. It also is unusal for a fantasy novel, there is magic and swords, but there are also muskets and pistols. David Gemmell's novels can be a little formualic but that is not necessarily a bad thing. He writes heroic fantasy and does it well drawing you into the story and making you care about the characters.
—Jane
