Stormrider: 4 (The Rigante) - Tapa dura

The final novel in the Rigante series may initially appear to lack the fire of its predecessor, Ravenheart, but Gemmell's spell quickly exerts itself. Centuries after Connavar's triumphant battles against the invading army of Stone gain the Rigante their freedom, the clan finds itself oppressed once again. Magic that once flourished has been all but snuffed out. The Varlish king and his barons have stolen Rigante lands and robbed the people of their liberty. In the north, Ravenheart waits, believing the armies of hated Moidart will come, lead by the brutal ruler's only son, Stormrider. Gemmell is top of the tree in the fantasy field, and his particular skill is the interweaving of several complex plot lines. That skill is more than evident in Stormrider.

Centuries after Connavar's triumphant battles against the invading army of Stone gained the Rigante their freedom, the clan finds itself oppressed once again. Magic that once flourished has been all but snuffed out. The Varlish king and his barons have stolen Rigante lands and robbed the people of their culture and liberty. From the Rigante's former seat of power the black-hearted Moidart rules; only in the north are the clansmen free. There, in the Druagh mountains, the magic still reigns, strengthened by bold, brilliant victories of the outlaw leader known as Ravenheart. In the south, civil war has drenched the land in blood, and the armies of destruction are slowly creeping north where Ravenheart waits, believing the armies of hated Moldart will come, led by the brutal ruler's only son, Stormrider. Ravenheart and Stormrider: enemies of uncommon courage, are unaware that the fate of their world lies in their hands. Both are destined to be heroes, but one of them is doomed. For a secret lost in the uncharted past has returned to haunt these two warriors as they face, not only the mallce of powerful men, but the vengeance of an ancient evil, rising from the bloodshed to slake its thirst. As immense armies of darkness advance, it seems as if nothing will stop them. They crush their enemies with ease, until only a few thousand highlanders stand before them, with no help in sight. But these are not ordinary men. They are clansmen, and more than that, they are Rigante.