Von Bek

Volume Two of the Eternal Champion Series (White Wolf edition)  Includes The War Hound and the World's Pain / A City in the Autumn Stars / The Dragon in the Sword / and the short story The Pleasure Garden of Filipe Sagittarius

The War Hound and the World's Pain.  Amazing.  What a wonderful story, it was thought provoking, well paced, and enchanting.  A very different "Holy Grail" tale.    

It was with anticipation that I embarked on the second book in this omnibus collection.  This book was too long, too slow, and plodded along and eventually finished.  Now don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book, it's just not fair to compare it to its predecessor.  This was an engrossing read, and Moorcock is a very gifted writer, however there was a spark missing somewhere.    

Determined to plow the rest of the way through this immense tome I reluctantly began reading The Dragon in the Sword.  This was more like it.  John Daker makes an appearance as the Eternal Champion, and with von Bek as his second, go about saving the mulitiverse from Chaos.  A wonderful story.    

Sadly the overall reading experience is mixed.  It was almost a relief to finish.

Addendum May 2000, for a book I didn't really care for that much when I read it, it sure has stayed with me. Perhaps I was a little too hard on Von Bek. It was a long ponderous read, but it stays with you.

Even more additional April 2002. Yup, I was far too hard on this one. It really did manage to worm it's way into my little brain. Very vivid stuff.

Hawkmoon

Volume Three of the Eternal Champion Series (White Wolf edition)  Includes: The Jewel in the Skull / The Mad God's Amulet / The Sword of the Dawn / The Runestaff

This was a very fast paced set of books, that was classic Moorcock. There is something about his writing that is instantly recognizable, but hard to pinpoint. We meet Hawkmoon who is waging war against an evil empire. Not a lot of depth here, it is a swashbuckling series of books that kept me engrossed, and wanting more. In typical Moorcock fashion he liberally kills of friend and foe alike as the story progresses. All in all a thoroughly excellent waste of time, and I loved every minute of it.

Reviewed May 30, 2000

A Nomad of the Time Streams

Volume Three of the Eternal Champion Series (White Wolf edition)  Includes: The Warlord of the Air / The Land Leviathian / The Steel Tsar

Michael Moorcock is a freaking genius. End of story. There is something about his narrative ability that leaves me in awe. Even his books that appear to plod along, have a majesty and power that is almost haunting.

This time around we meet Captain Oswald Bastable, and follow him through his adventures as he unwillingly travels to various alternate earths - and becomes a pawn in events far beyond his control. Moorcock plays with history, and juggles events to meet his own aims. We witness the bombing of Hiroshima, the selective destruction of "White" dominated society, and finally meet up with a Russian who bears (no pun intended) more than a passing resemblance to Stalin. All the while Bastable, fights to do what is right, and tries to keep his slight grasp on his sanity.

The stories are all presented as factual accounts, either as manuscripts given to his grandfather, and later to himself personally. A fun twist that puts the author in the story not as a teller but as a participant.

Reviewed November 25, 2001

Additional: This was the best book I read in 2001.

Tales from the Texas Woods (©1997)

A collection of short stories and essays, loosely tied into Moorcock's multiverse. The stories themselves are okay, but nothing exceptional. It's like he's trying too hard to mesh everything into his grand design. Elric making an appearance in a western is a interesting idea in theory, but comes acrossd flat upon execution.

Of more interest are the essays where the author discusses his love of the western genre, and its impact on him as a writer.

This was a small market release, and it has been out of print for years now. Recommended for the hardcore fan.

Reviewed December 15, 2005