Winter Warriors is yet another fantastic example of Gemmell’s fireside myth-mongering. It’s a legend, a myth, something written with such realisation that you believe every word. You WANT to believe every word. Gemmell has always written inspiring heroes that rise to the call, but Bison, Kebra and Nogusta really shine for me. Not only should they turn their backs on the cards fate has dealt them, they shouldn’t be able to even play a hand in their condition – yet they hedge their bets to win all the same.

And my god is this book onto a winner!

Gemmell’s voice is light and easy to read. No info-dumps, no loquacious yet endless paragraphs of scenery description or fathomless lore. Winter Warriors is a good old heroic-fantasy romp with laughs, action, tears and a trademark warmth of hope that Gemmell kindles with every story.

The characters…they’re real. Truly – flawed and fighting to come to life. Need I say more? They’re believable, they’re human. Life isn’t black and white, it’s shades of grey (and there’s more than 50!!!!) and our heroes have more than enough of that in their hair (except Bison – he’s bald).

The plot is rich and entertaining, well thought out and fully realised. Little twists here and there keep it more than interesting, but the need to see the characters succeed is more than enough to keep a reader hooked.

Winter Warriors is a book for those who should not, for those who cannot – but for those who will, no matter what. If you take one thing away from this book, it’s that little glimmer of hope that if others can fight the good fight, then so can you.