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mikepalumbo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
megapolisomancy's review against another edition
3.0
I'm starting to think that maybe I should have left these books in the nostalgia-tinted corner of my mind in which they had resided since I was 10 or so.
findil272's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
thomas_hense's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I read the first omnibus edition of the ELric Saga by Saga Press, but can't find it on Storyboard.
There are four books in this first edition. First two are short novellas, the second two contain several different short stores in each.
Very little character development, mostly world building and plot driven and the dialogue in the first book sounds appropriate for comic books.
My favourite story was the prologue of the fourth book The Weird of the White Wolf. Although very short, it's the first time I saw the world through the eyes of a character and first time seeing a character using only his own wits and skills, without calling out for help or being unexpectedly rescued.
Expecting better, I had already bought all three omnibus hardcover editions plus The Citadel of Forgotten Myths, so it looks like I will be reading some more of these stories. Just hope they improve.
2.5
There are four books in this first edition. First two are short novellas, the second two contain several different short stores in each.
Very little character development, mostly world building and plot driven and the dialogue in the first book sounds appropriate for comic books.
My favourite story was the prologue of the fourth book The Weird of the White Wolf. Although very short, it's the first time I saw the world through the eyes of a character and first time seeing a character using only his own wits and skills, without calling out for help or being unexpectedly rescued.
Expecting better, I had already bought all three omnibus hardcover editions plus The Citadel of Forgotten Myths, so it looks like I will be reading some more of these stories. Just hope they improve.
2.5
assaphmehr's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the prequel Elric of Malnibone (see my review), I wanted to read the first original stories, which were collected and published in this volume.
What to Expect
Three swords-and-sorcery novelettes of one of the most famous heroes of fantasy, plus one semi-related short not involving Elric. Moorcock wrote the original stories in the 1960's, and though he revisited Elric throughout the coming decades I wanted to read the original tales.
The first story, The Dreaming City, tells of Elric's revenge and destruction of the culture on which he was raised. This essentially closes the events described in the prequel Elric of Malnobone (written a decade later), but bear in mind it was the first Elric story published and sets to describe Elric and set the scene for his future adventures.
The second is While the Gods Laugh, and is somewhat hallucinogenic (hey, man, it was the 60's). In this Elric meets his long time companion, Moonglum.
The last is The Singing Citadel, exploring more of Elric's patron god, his revenge motivations, and the earthly magic vs truly demonic powers.
What I liked
A lot of what I listed in my review Elric of Malnibone holds true here: the swords & sorcery atmosphere of ennui, the linguistic choices, the cosmology.
What to be aware of
Again, a lot of my previous comments hold true. This is a dated work, written in a style that will deplete the red pen of any any modern editor and will appall modern readers looking for inclusivity.
Felix's Review
Again, Felix agrees with many of Elric's choices. He has the power, and though Elric is bent on revenge and is self-styling himself evil, he mostly used his skills for the greater good.
Summary
It's a dated work, and it shows. I'd recommend it for those trying to explore classic Swords & Sorcery, to learn from both the (good) style of storytelling and the (bad) way of handling diversity. At this point, I think I got what I wanted out of it and might take me a while to pick up the other volumes.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596954987p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457914061l/29500700._SY75_.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Three swords-and-sorcery novelettes of one of the most famous heroes of fantasy, plus one semi-related short not involving Elric. Moorcock wrote the original stories in the 1960's, and though he revisited Elric throughout the coming decades I wanted to read the original tales.
The first story, The Dreaming City, tells of Elric's revenge and destruction of the culture on which he was raised. This essentially closes the events described in the prequel Elric of Malnobone (written a decade later), but bear in mind it was the first Elric story published and sets to describe Elric and set the scene for his future adventures.
The second is While the Gods Laugh, and is somewhat hallucinogenic (hey, man, it was the 60's). In this Elric meets his long time companion, Moonglum.
The last is The Singing Citadel, exploring more of Elric's patron god, his revenge motivations, and the earthly magic vs truly demonic powers.
What I liked
A lot of what I listed in my review Elric of Malnibone holds true here: the swords & sorcery atmosphere of ennui, the linguistic choices, the cosmology.
What to be aware of
Again, a lot of my previous comments hold true. This is a dated work, written in a style that will deplete the red pen of any any modern editor and will appall modern readers looking for inclusivity.
Felix's Review
Again, Felix agrees with many of Elric's choices. He has the power, and though Elric is bent on revenge and is self-styling himself evil, he mostly used his skills for the greater good.
Summary
It's a dated work, and it shows. I'd recommend it for those trying to explore classic Swords & Sorcery, to learn from both the (good) style of storytelling and the (bad) way of handling diversity. At this point, I think I got what I wanted out of it and might take me a while to pick up the other volumes.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1596954987p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457914061l/29500700._SY75_.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
valjeanval's review against another edition
4.0
You can find my review of this as part of my review for the eBook Elric collection for [b:Elric of Melniboné|30036|Elric of Melniboné (The Elric Saga, #1)|Michael Moorcock|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388345555l/30036._SY75_.jpg|388812]
gon8go's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a weird mishmash of at least two short stories. The big event that I had assumed would be the climax of the novel was over in a paragraph less than a third of the way through.
These books are extremely corny but moorcock is great at setting a mood. He has loads of cool ideas that considering the age of these books have been copied multiple times by better known works.
I’m not well read in the fantasy genre but if Michael moorcock isn’t the granddaddy of dark fantasy I don’t know who is.
These books are extremely corny but moorcock is great at setting a mood. He has loads of cool ideas that considering the age of these books have been copied multiple times by better known works.
I’m not well read in the fantasy genre but if Michael moorcock isn’t the granddaddy of dark fantasy I don’t know who is.
ramonnogueras's review against another edition
5.0
Este libro se podía haber titulado "Las tres mujeres del Lobo Blanco", ya que presenta tres historias centradas en tres romances de Elric. La primera es pura tragedia: Elric trata de rescatar a su amada Cymoril y acaba matándola por accidente - su espada la mata por él -, a su demente primo Yrkoon que ha usurpado su trono, y destruye su propio imperio, para luego abandonar a sus camaradas cuando los de Melniboné vienen con dragones. Esto en menos de 100 páginas. Aprende, Martin.
Las otras dos son aventuras iniciadas por mujeres con las que tiene breves romances, que no pueden ahogar su pena y su culpa por haber matado a su amor. Elric no puede apegarse a ellas por el suficiente tiempo, sobre todo conforme va dándose cuenta de que su destino es inescapable. En la segunda trata de conseguir el Libro de los Dioses Muertos, con una mujer que comparte con él el ser una paria entre su pueblo. Él por ser albino y débil, ella por haber nacido sin alas en un pueblo de humanos alados. Al final es un fracaso, el libro se deshace por el tiempo.
La tercera es un intento de frenar una invasión del Bufón Balo, un dios menor del Caos, a petición de la reina Yishana de Jharkor. Elric lo consigue pero acaba aún más enredado en los planes de Arioch, su patrón demoníaco. Cada paso que da le acerca más a la tragedia final.
Vuelvo a citarme: Moorcock es lo que pasaría si Homero hubiera escrito heavy metal. Rápido, rabioso, imparable. Stormbringer is coming, time to die (Deep Purple).
Las otras dos son aventuras iniciadas por mujeres con las que tiene breves romances, que no pueden ahogar su pena y su culpa por haber matado a su amor. Elric no puede apegarse a ellas por el suficiente tiempo, sobre todo conforme va dándose cuenta de que su destino es inescapable. En la segunda trata de conseguir el Libro de los Dioses Muertos, con una mujer que comparte con él el ser una paria entre su pueblo. Él por ser albino y débil, ella por haber nacido sin alas en un pueblo de humanos alados. Al final es un fracaso, el libro se deshace por el tiempo.
La tercera es un intento de frenar una invasión del Bufón Balo, un dios menor del Caos, a petición de la reina Yishana de Jharkor. Elric lo consigue pero acaba aún más enredado en los planes de Arioch, su patrón demoníaco. Cada paso que da le acerca más a la tragedia final.
Vuelvo a citarme: Moorcock es lo que pasaría si Homero hubiera escrito heavy metal. Rápido, rabioso, imparable. Stormbringer is coming, time to die (Deep Purple).
doruga's review against another edition
2.0
(1.5) Ah, how the things I loved as a child crumble when I read them again. I can see why I loved this when I was in middle school, but cannot currently enjoy it at all. Its ok, Elric will always have a soft spot in my heart no matter what. The Elric in my head is the true Elric. The Elric in these pages in just Moorcock's interpretation.
leukippe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5