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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Review en français spoiler free.
Globalement je suis partagé, mais y a du bon. Globalement le lore est bien développé (d'autant plus impressionnant vu la valeur fondatrice de l'oeuvre), et niveau personnages, même si les principaux sont un peu cliché pour l'instant, Arioch est vraiment intrigant. Il y a pas mal de symboliques intéressante, sur les démons, l'identité des hommes, et pas mal de trucs liés aux lore qui font que je trouve la troisième partie bien meilleure que les autres. Ce qui me gêne plus, c'est l'aspect un peu cliché/enfantin du récit et du style (j'arrive pas à déterminer si je le trouve simpliste ou poétique). Après, on est vraiment sur un prologue, donc c'est normal que le début soit un peu lent. Mais en tout cas ça m'intrigue, si les thématiques sont développées par la suite, ça peut donner une saga intéressante.
Globalement je suis partagé, mais y a du bon. Globalement le lore est bien développé (d'autant plus impressionnant vu la valeur fondatrice de l'oeuvre), et niveau personnages, même si les principaux sont un peu cliché pour l'instant, Arioch est vraiment intrigant. Il y a pas mal de symboliques intéressante, sur les démons, l'identité des hommes, et pas mal de trucs liés aux lore qui font que je trouve la troisième partie bien meilleure que les autres. Ce qui me gêne plus, c'est l'aspect un peu cliché/enfantin du récit et du style (j'arrive pas à déterminer si je le trouve simpliste ou poétique). Après, on est vraiment sur un prologue, donc c'est normal que le début soit un peu lent. Mais en tout cas ça m'intrigue, si les thématiques sont développées par la suite, ça peut donner une saga intéressante.
This is a classic 'I really wanted to like it' review. I mean, this book is the start of an entire genre of morally ambiguous characters!
It turns out I appreciate that in theory, but the book itself was just... dear lord. In this case 'morally ambiguous' mostly comes down to a moping emo drama king, a very stupid arch nemesis, and a completely passive True Love.
Some of the descriptions were nice, and the world building was a bit shallow, but potentially interesting. That's the best I can do. It pains me to say, but won't read again, won't read the sequels, would not recommend.
It turns out I appreciate that in theory, but the book itself was just... dear lord. In this case 'morally ambiguous' mostly comes down to a moping emo drama king, a very stupid arch nemesis, and a completely passive True Love.
Some of the descriptions were nice, and the world building was a bit shallow, but potentially interesting. That's the best I can do. It pains me to say, but won't read again, won't read the sequels, would not recommend.
This was okay, but... I think it was way, way overrated. What classic fantasy aspects here? I'm... yeah. Not getting why this book is such a big deal.
It was an okay short read. Classical fantasy so we have our damsel in distress (even though she wasn't annoying),our shoft magic system and some -quite unsettling to be honest- demon calling. Of course we have some severe "Deus Ex machina" and some inscest. The regular classical fantasy meal. The only one missing was Gandalf. I did like Elric's character though and I'd like to see where he's going, despite the fact that his "arc" seemed like it was going in circles (moral-moralish-not so moral-moral again!)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I bet the magic potions Elric takes to function are just a cup of coffee, a tylenol, and an anti-depressant.
I read this because of its influence on A Song of Ice and Fire, and the inspiration is obvious. Martin's Valyria cribs pretty strongly from Melniboné , an island empire ruled by incestuous, decadent dragon-taming sorcerers (Elric himself seems to be the inspiration for the historical figure Bloodraven in ASoIaF). It was definitely fun to see the foundations of modern sword-and-sorcery fantasy being laid, and the concept is cool. Even the premise of the story is intriguing; Elric, Melniboné's emperor, feels alienated from his subjects because of his albinism, disabilities, and education, and feels torn between duty to his empire and his own curiosity about more just ways of living and ruling. Inventiveness alone saves this book from a worse rating.
The execution, unfortunately, completely falls short of ASoIaF, lacking the nuanced, interesting characters and complicated relationships between people and history that really grounds the successor series. It was hammy, the prose was overwrought, and I was often bored. Also, spoiler alert, it has the dumbest ending to a book I've ever read. Elric's liberal arts education may make him feel superior to his subjects, but it doesn't compel him to think through the ethics of torture or to consider how stupid it would be to hand over his throne to his cousin, who has done nothing but try to usurp Elric and marry his fiance, who is also Yrkoon's sister and Elric's cousin.
I read this because of its influence on A Song of Ice and Fire, and the inspiration is obvious. Martin's Valyria cribs pretty strongly from Melniboné , an island empire ruled by incestuous, decadent dragon-taming sorcerers (Elric himself seems to be the inspiration for the historical figure Bloodraven in ASoIaF). It was definitely fun to see the foundations of modern sword-and-sorcery fantasy being laid, and the concept is cool. Even the premise of the story is intriguing; Elric, Melniboné's emperor, feels alienated from his subjects because of his albinism, disabilities, and education, and feels torn between duty to his empire and his own curiosity about more just ways of living and ruling. Inventiveness alone saves this book from a worse rating.
The execution, unfortunately, completely falls short of ASoIaF, lacking the nuanced, interesting characters and complicated relationships between people and history that really grounds the successor series. It was hammy, the prose was overwrought, and I was often bored. Also, spoiler alert, it has the dumbest ending to a book I've ever read. Elric's liberal arts education may make him feel superior to his subjects, but it doesn't compel him to think through the ethics of torture
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh such a story of adventure, romance, and tragedy, but not without its humor! I so love this. A wonderful, self-contained story that yet opens a whole world of possibilities and teetering disasters! An excellent start to a series.
The characters are great, the prose is often beautiful, and the places are so fantastical. The locations evoked images from some of my favorite fantasy films and books… Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Alice in Wonderland, Princess Bride.
The prose and dialogue within these scenes are often so enchanting to read. I reread a few passages repeatedly just for the joy of it.
The characters themselves have such magnetism. At least with some of the major characters, I could really feel their love, joy, wrath, and terror. The cast is small, but every named character is memorable and each has clear purpose within the narrative. Elric is so noble and daring, and has such gravity. I love his imperfect self-assuredness. There’s Dyvim Tvar the loyal, lovely Cymoril, Yrkoon the treacherous and wrathful, and a few others. I would complain that Cymoril falls too heavily into damsel-in-distress and I wish she, or another female character, had greater presence in the narrative.
The influences this book has had on some of my other favorite characters, Malus Darkblade and Drizzt Do’Urden, are apparent. While Melniboneans closely resemble the dark elves that follow them in later literature, the major distinction is that rather than being natively sadistic, they simply lack a moral sense, Elric being the tentative exception. This facet is not necessarily explored meaningfully here, but is portrayed wonderfully. I would not consider this text to contain any meaningful philosophical or moral discussion, though the premise is itself both interesting and engaging.
I would recommend this book on its own without hesitation. This is easily one of my favorite sword & sorcery novels I have read yet. I would also recommend Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars, simply as I was reminded of it here. I am very excited to continue this series!
The characters are great, the prose is often beautiful, and the places are so fantastical. The locations evoked images from some of my favorite fantasy films and books… Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Alice in Wonderland, Princess Bride.
The prose and dialogue within these scenes are often so enchanting to read. I reread a few passages repeatedly just for the joy of it.
The characters themselves have such magnetism. At least with some of the major characters, I could really feel their love, joy, wrath, and terror. The cast is small, but every named character is memorable and each has clear purpose within the narrative. Elric is so noble and daring, and has such gravity. I love his imperfect self-assuredness. There’s Dyvim Tvar the loyal, lovely Cymoril, Yrkoon the treacherous and wrathful, and a few others. I would complain that Cymoril falls too heavily into damsel-in-distress and I wish she, or another female character, had greater presence in the narrative.
The influences this book has had on some of my other favorite characters, Malus Darkblade and Drizzt Do’Urden, are apparent. While Melniboneans closely resemble the dark elves that follow them in later literature, the major distinction is that rather than being natively sadistic, they simply lack a moral sense, Elric being the tentative exception. This facet is not necessarily explored meaningfully here, but is portrayed wonderfully. I would not consider this text to contain any meaningful philosophical or moral discussion, though the premise is itself both interesting and engaging.
I would recommend this book on its own without hesitation. This is easily one of my favorite sword & sorcery novels I have read yet. I would also recommend Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars, simply as I was reminded of it here. I am very excited to continue this series!