David Gemmell is the most underappreciated fantasy novelist I know of. I’ve only read four of his books, but I have enjoyed them all. Hero in the Shadows was no exception. I really enjoyed the opening and the main character, Waylander. Who doesn’t enjoy a story of an ex-assassin-turned benevolent leader who can’t keep from killing the bad guys.
As I like to say about books like this, it isn’t literature, but it’s a fun read.