Definitely on par with the first book of the series. The most engaging books I've read for a long time. It's a shame the next 2 books are set centuries later but I see they have also been given high ratings so I will continue on with this most excellent series. ( )

While this is the 2nd book in the Rigante Series, it really is a stand-alone novel. The Rigante are Gemmells' alternate-Earth Celts, with multiple tribes, the predominant tribe being the Keltoi. This book follows the life of Bane, the bastard son of the king, Connavar. Rejected by the king and almost everyone else, Bane travels to the capital of the empire of Stone (Rome), along with his friend Banouin. Bane is likeable and a true hero, always jumping in to save anyone or anything in trouble, but his life is changed forever when he falls in love. Bane's future and the future of the Keltoi and Stone are mixed together. Years ago, the Keltoi defeated a Stone army, but Stone never forgets. However, Stone is beset by an evil cult that is trying to take over.
I've always enjoyed Gemmell for his characters and the worlds he builds, even if they are really alternate history. His conversation can be a bit stiff at times, but not enough to take away from enjoyment of the books. ( )

Substance: The illegitimate son of the Rigant king Connavar, Bane the Bastard is an outcast, feared by his fellow highlanders the Rigante and finally hounded from his country. As a gladiator for the Empire, Bane gains renown, but seeks to return and exact vengeance on his tormentors. However, he is forced to decide if he will continue that quest, or aid his clansmen against the armies of the Stone.
Style: Ripping tale. ( )

The second book in the Rigante series continues the epic tale of the Keltoi and the coming of the Stone Empire and sparkles like I knew it would. I tried to resist reading this for a while to give other books on my TBR shelf some attention but the spine-tingling end to the previous volume, Sword in the Storm, made it a temptation I could not resist for too long.

I expected this book to pick up where Sword in the Storm left off – those last few pages were packed with foreboding. Surely, I thought, what happened next would be pivotal and consequential enough to fill several volumes of sequels.

But, effortlessly, Gemmell packaged the happenings immediately after Connovar's ascension to King into a haunting backstory, with spirits locked in eternal battle and Connovar having grown to become an embittered, battle-hardened old man. So instead we follow Connovar's bastard son, Bane, a young man born to a family and into a world where he was never going to be accepted and in his own way as complex a character as his father. Bane's journey echoes that of his father as he comes to terms with his place in life, while the armies of Stone once again turn their attentions on the Rigante lands.

I think the next volume will be bubbling to the top of my TBR shelf.

www.gordopolis.com/writing ( )

When I first started reading this novel I was disappointed that it wasn't a direct follow-up to the first book of the series...I was expecting another novel based around Connavar but instead it is about the life of his bastard son Bane. However, once I had gotten over my initial disappointment I was treated to what has become one of my favorite novels of all time. The characterization is wonderful with the hero being all too human and suffering the consequences of his poor actions. The storytelling is paced perfectly and not once did I find myself bored or skipping paragraphs. Loved it. ( )