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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
A nostalgia book I actually liked! Not as good as Conan, I think Arnie helped in making Conan stories fun. I would totally stick Elric on the same shelf as Conan, though.
This was great to listen to while doing mindless filing at work. A bit corny, but then you can't have nostalgia without corn.
This was great to listen to while doing mindless filing at work. A bit corny, but then you can't have nostalgia without corn.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this and the original Elric novels at approximately age 12, when I still read sci-fi and fantasy and wandered through my library's adult and young adult collections reading whatever looked interesting.
This short novel and its sequels are pagan gothic sci-fi/fantasy, about the adventures of an outcast former emperor who becomes the servant of a chaos god and travels the world (and eventually the multiverse) fighting battles. This first novel serves mainly to introduce the character and set up the circumstances of his adventures.
Fans of goth (not so much "gothic" as "goth") will like this book and its sequels if they don't already know it, because Elric has been described as the "original gothic punk" of fantasy and because the books are increasingly dark and unpleasant. Prevalent themes are forms of vampirism, enslavement to demons, Elric suffering endless angst, and Elric being endlessly manipulated by dark forces beyond his control.
Those preferring well-written, "literary" fantasy and sci-fi probably won't particularly like this series. It's not so much poorly written as cartoonish; Peter David could generally have written it. It's shallow, offering more of plot than character. (Most characters don't stay for long, often because Elric's vampiric sword murders them.) I remember the series for its strangeness and darkness, but wouldn't read it now.
The many fawning reviews by fantasy geeks make the series even more unappealing.
This short novel and its sequels are pagan gothic sci-fi/fantasy, about the adventures of an outcast former emperor who becomes the servant of a chaos god and travels the world (and eventually the multiverse) fighting battles. This first novel serves mainly to introduce the character and set up the circumstances of his adventures.
Fans of goth (not so much "gothic" as "goth") will like this book and its sequels if they don't already know it, because Elric has been described as the "original gothic punk" of fantasy and because the books are increasingly dark and unpleasant. Prevalent themes are forms of vampirism, enslavement to demons, Elric suffering endless angst, and Elric being endlessly manipulated by dark forces beyond his control.
Those preferring well-written, "literary" fantasy and sci-fi probably won't particularly like this series. It's not so much poorly written as cartoonish; Peter David could generally have written it. It's shallow, offering more of plot than character. (Most characters don't stay for long, often because Elric's vampiric sword murders them.) I remember the series for its strangeness and darkness, but wouldn't read it now.
The many fawning reviews by fantasy geeks make the series even more unappealing.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Gravitas! Mythological! Thoughtful!
I really enjoyed this novella and found it a delightful read. It posseses the weight of a legend, but a fast-paced plot. Can't wait to keep reading!
I really enjoyed this novella and found it a delightful read. It posseses the weight of a legend, but a fast-paced plot. Can't wait to keep reading!
“I am no fool. All I am is Elric.” Best quote of the book
Reading this book was more about the size of the paperback and the fact that I read it as a teen. I wanted a Conan style adventure with my favorite merciful, questioning, conscience anti-hero. I got that, but I also felt the thrill of recalling Moorcock's multiverse, and Eternal Champion stuff -- like when the demon mutant beast cries out its name as Elric slays him, "Frank." Now I know Frank Cornelius's fate. Frank was the brother and enemy of Jerry Cornelius. Moorcock's multiverse may be one of the best marketing strategies in the genre.
I'm looking forward to continuing the saga.
I'm looking forward to continuing the saga.