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The Elric Saga #8-9 omnibus
The Elric Saga, Volume III
Books 7 and 8 of the Elric Saga
First published January 1, 2002
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397 people want to read
About the author
Michael Moorcock
1,210 books3,752 followersMichael John Moorcock is an English writer primarily of science fiction and fantasy who has also published a number of literary novels.
Moorcock has mentioned The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw and The Constable of St. Nicholas by Edward Lester Arnold as the first three books which captured his imagination. He became editor of Tarzan Adventures in 1956, at the age of sixteen, and later moved on to edit Sexton Blake Library. As editor of the controversial British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States. His serialization of Norman Spinrad's Bug Jack Barron was notorious for causing British MPs to condemn in Parliament the Arts Council's funding of the magazine.
During this time, he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym of "James Colvin," a "house pseudonym" used by other critics on New Worlds. A spoof obituary of Colvin appeared in New Worlds #197 (January 1970), written by "William Barclay" (another Moorcock pseudonym). Moorcock, indeed, makes much use of the initials "JC", and not entirely coincidentally these are also the initials of Jesus Christ, the subject of his 1967 Nebula award-winning novella Behold the Man, which tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a time-traveller who takes on the role of Christ. They are also the initials of various "Eternal Champion" Moorcock characters such as Jerry Cornelius, Jerry Cornell and Jherek Carnelian. In more recent years, Moorcock has taken to using "Warwick Colvin, Jr." as yet another pseudonym, particularly in his Second Ether fiction.
Moorcock has mentioned The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw and The Constable of St. Nicholas by Edward Lester Arnold as the first three books which captured his imagination. He became editor of Tarzan Adventures in 1956, at the age of sixteen, and later moved on to edit Sexton Blake Library. As editor of the controversial British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States. His serialization of Norman Spinrad's Bug Jack Barron was notorious for causing British MPs to condemn in Parliament the Arts Council's funding of the magazine.
During this time, he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym of "James Colvin," a "house pseudonym" used by other critics on New Worlds. A spoof obituary of Colvin appeared in New Worlds #197 (January 1970), written by "William Barclay" (another Moorcock pseudonym). Moorcock, indeed, makes much use of the initials "JC", and not entirely coincidentally these are also the initials of Jesus Christ, the subject of his 1967 Nebula award-winning novella Behold the Man, which tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a time-traveller who takes on the role of Christ. They are also the initials of various "Eternal Champion" Moorcock characters such as Jerry Cornelius, Jerry Cornell and Jherek Carnelian. In more recent years, Moorcock has taken to using "Warwick Colvin, Jr." as yet another pseudonym, particularly in his Second Ether fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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August 26, 2021Finally an Elric Saga with some sort of happy ending.
The prince keeps looking for release and he keeps being sway around by other's will, until he founds the right people to walk the multiverse with.
The prince keeps looking for release and he keeps being sway around by other's will, until he founds the right people to walk the multiverse with.
February 24, 2023
After reading Elric of Melnibone and Other Stories, a chronological start to the long line of Michael Moorcock’s Elric books, I was filled with wonder for the grandiose, reality bending world he had crafted. The first book had set the stage for many plot points and even more possible stories in the surreal realm of Moorcock’s multiverse. How does the next chronological story in the Elric series, Elric and the Fortress of the Pearl, hold up compared to its predecessor?
The new settings of both the sighing desert, and the trippy ever changing dream realms make for interesting locations that provide more world building to Elric’s multiverse. The Sighing Desert comes with the ruined city of Quarzhasaat. The rulers of this city, either oblivious to or in denial of their defeat against Melnibone, portray to their public that Melnibone was defeated in its conflict with Quarzhasaat, rather than the other way around. It’s a fun history lesson that further emphasizes the power Melnibone wields. The dream realm of Varadia’s mind is bizarre as it is dangerous, and gives an excuse to put Elric in all manner of otherworldly places. These settings are brought to life by Moorcock’s excessive employment of colors in the text, which is very akin to the previous book. Once you're in the dream realm, it’s anyone’s guess where you might go next, or what/who you will encounter.
Though Elric as a protagonist has moments where he displays a cruel, dark side to him, he is still easy root for, as he also makes many wholesome relationships and friends, and if given the opportunity, will do what in his heart he believes is good, opposing evil simply because it is the right thing to do. Of course, he will go on his occasional murder rampage if he feels he is morally justified, but that’s besides the point. This ties into the main antagonistic force of the book, Lord Gho Fhaazi, an ethically bankrupt, power-driven man, with the simple goal of becoming one of the monarchs of Quarzhasaat through any means necessary. In my review of “Elric of Melnibone and Other Stories,” I mentioned how the reader can easily side with Elric, since his opponents are utter trash people in comparison to him, and Lord Gho (and Quarzhasaat as a whole) is no exception to this rule.
Unlike the previous edition to the Elric series, this book doesn’t really set up any plot points for the future, as I don’t think Elric will meet up with any of the characters in this story ever again. The book did introduce “dream thieves,” but according to others who have read many more Elric books than I, they don’t seem to appear again. Though it technically takes place after the events of Elric of Melnibone and Other Stories, it could just exist anytime the reader wants between the events of the first book and whenever Melnibone falls. It’s just another adventure Elric had before he was doomed to wander the multiverse.
Overall, it’s a fun time. Cool setting and world-building , plus blood and souls for our lord Arioch, gives this book 4 stars.
The new settings of both the sighing desert, and the trippy ever changing dream realms make for interesting locations that provide more world building to Elric’s multiverse. The Sighing Desert comes with the ruined city of Quarzhasaat. The rulers of this city, either oblivious to or in denial of their defeat against Melnibone, portray to their public that Melnibone was defeated in its conflict with Quarzhasaat, rather than the other way around. It’s a fun history lesson that further emphasizes the power Melnibone wields. The dream realm of Varadia’s mind is bizarre as it is dangerous, and gives an excuse to put Elric in all manner of otherworldly places. These settings are brought to life by Moorcock’s excessive employment of colors in the text, which is very akin to the previous book. Once you're in the dream realm, it’s anyone’s guess where you might go next, or what/who you will encounter.
Though Elric as a protagonist has moments where he displays a cruel, dark side to him, he is still easy root for, as he also makes many wholesome relationships and friends, and if given the opportunity, will do what in his heart he believes is good, opposing evil simply because it is the right thing to do. Of course, he will go on his occasional murder rampage if he feels he is morally justified, but that’s besides the point. This ties into the main antagonistic force of the book, Lord Gho Fhaazi, an ethically bankrupt, power-driven man, with the simple goal of becoming one of the monarchs of Quarzhasaat through any means necessary. In my review of “Elric of Melnibone and Other Stories,” I mentioned how the reader can easily side with Elric, since his opponents are utter trash people in comparison to him, and Lord Gho (and Quarzhasaat as a whole) is no exception to this rule.
Unlike the previous edition to the Elric series, this book doesn’t really set up any plot points for the future, as I don’t think Elric will meet up with any of the characters in this story ever again. The book did introduce “dream thieves,” but according to others who have read many more Elric books than I, they don’t seem to appear again. Though it technically takes place after the events of Elric of Melnibone and Other Stories, it could just exist anytime the reader wants between the events of the first book and whenever Melnibone falls. It’s just another adventure Elric had before he was doomed to wander the multiverse.
Overall, it’s a fun time. Cool setting and world-building , plus blood and souls for our lord Arioch, gives this book 4 stars.
December 1, 2018
Two novels here: Fortress of the Pearl and Revenge of the Rose. The former gets a 4/5 from me. Very cool setting, fast pace, and interesting characters, though not the most developed in the world. This is the second novel in the chronological order of the series, and Elric is still early on in his journey, so I'd recommend reading it then as well.
It is difficult to describe why Revenge of the Rose works as well as it does, but it is one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. The characters and settings are interesting, varied, and well described, as per usual for Moorcock, but the themes of the work are better developed here than ever, and are reflected in every element of the novel. Some fantasy novels interesting settings for the sake of having an interesting setting; here the settings are thematically resonant on top of being interesting. Elric himself is also more developed here than ever, as is the villain, which is a welcome change from previous, flatter villains of some of the other stories. 6/5, will read again.
Overall, 5/5, great pair of books.
It is difficult to describe why Revenge of the Rose works as well as it does, but it is one of the best fantasy novels I've ever read. The characters and settings are interesting, varied, and well described, as per usual for Moorcock, but the themes of the work are better developed here than ever, and are reflected in every element of the novel. Some fantasy novels interesting settings for the sake of having an interesting setting; here the settings are thematically resonant on top of being interesting. Elric himself is also more developed here than ever, as is the villain, which is a welcome change from previous, flatter villains of some of the other stories. 6/5, will read again.
Overall, 5/5, great pair of books.
August 29, 2014
Really finished now: Book 8, The Revenge of the Rose.
Elric Saga Part III was not excellent, as the previous books, but we can see our anti-hero Elric again sucking souls and punishing the minions of Chaos.
Book 8 starts with Elric butchering the Haghan'iin Host; then we see another consort for some time, Countess Guyë;
another companion of the eternal Champion is introduced in the saga, Ernest Wheldrake, the red-headed, English Time-traveller: is he one incarnation of Moonglum? His remarks are unforgettable:
"I understand nothing and say everything."
"Even the French have religion!"
The she-dragon (or dragon-she, as Moorcock prefers...) Scarsnout appearing out of the blue to take Elric to encounter a ghost of the past, whose soul is disputed between Count Mashabak and Arioch;
In the Realms of Central Significance, Gaynor the Damned is introduced into the story; in Anguesh-Val, they encounter the Rose in a tavern and go to join the Gypsy Nation with their ever-moving village-ships;
We also see the author playing with us when Wheldrake quotes a stanza from an old poem by M.C. O'Crook (MOORCOCK), who is a popular pantomime artist...
Elric is sent to Ulshinir by Arioch, where he is reunited with Gaynor and another monster is introduced - the Toad Khorghakh; some time later, Elric sees a giant clock, devised by his patron Duke of Hell, which is a magnificent obscene view;
the Three Sisters are found and their quest revealed; three swords must be forged to fight Chaos; and one of the best battles of Moorcock's descriptions is ensued, the Battle at the Crystalline Forest, and Elric once more is aided by a quasi-supernatural The Tangled Woman.
Elric Saga Part III was not excellent, as the previous books, but we can see our anti-hero Elric again sucking souls and punishing the minions of Chaos.
Book 8 starts with Elric butchering the Haghan'iin Host; then we see another consort for some time, Countess Guyë;
another companion of the eternal Champion is introduced in the saga, Ernest Wheldrake, the red-headed, English Time-traveller: is he one incarnation of Moonglum? His remarks are unforgettable:
"I understand nothing and say everything."
"Even the French have religion!"
The she-dragon (or dragon-she, as Moorcock prefers...) Scarsnout appearing out of the blue to take Elric to encounter a ghost of the past, whose soul is disputed between Count Mashabak and Arioch;
In the Realms of Central Significance, Gaynor the Damned is introduced into the story; in Anguesh-Val, they encounter the Rose in a tavern and go to join the Gypsy Nation with their ever-moving village-ships;
We also see the author playing with us when Wheldrake quotes a stanza from an old poem by M.C. O'Crook (MOORCOCK), who is a popular pantomime artist...
Elric is sent to Ulshinir by Arioch, where he is reunited with Gaynor and another monster is introduced - the Toad Khorghakh; some time later, Elric sees a giant clock, devised by his patron Duke of Hell, which is a magnificent obscene view;
the Three Sisters are found and their quest revealed; three swords must be forged to fight Chaos; and one of the best battles of Moorcock's descriptions is ensued, the Battle at the Crystalline Forest, and Elric once more is aided by a quasi-supernatural The Tangled Woman.
September 8, 2008
The two books in this collection are a bit odd. They were written after the original Elric saga, so like the Star Wars prequels you not sure what to think. Knowing how the saga ends you know not much major is going to happen in these books, and at the same time, Moorcock doesn't really say much about where they fit into the saga.
At the same time, they are much better reads the a good chunk of the original saga. Yes, Elric is still mopey and on a quest for vengence and a purpose in life, but at the same time it doesn't over power the story like in the original saga.
There are great fantasy elements, clever tie ins to Moorcock's 'Multiverse', adventure and characterization. It's almost like Moorcock finished the Elric saga and then said. "well, that's done, now I can have some fun."
At the same time, they are much better reads the a good chunk of the original saga. Yes, Elric is still mopey and on a quest for vengence and a purpose in life, but at the same time it doesn't over power the story like in the original saga.
There are great fantasy elements, clever tie ins to Moorcock's 'Multiverse', adventure and characterization. It's almost like Moorcock finished the Elric saga and then said. "well, that's done, now I can have some fun."
November 5, 2014
I read these books a long time ago, and so I only remember them hazily. But the character of Elric stands out in my mind. I loved the story of this albino prince traveling all of the world and through space and time, never quite sure what he is hoping to find but unable to return to his own people. Great series.
May 23, 2007
The evil, doom-shrouded hero. A nice break from all those upbeat fantasy books. Tragedy stalks Elric's life, and when you have a sword that sucks people's souls, sometimes your friends souls, you can see why.
January 15, 2015
I thought it was good. There were parts that stimulated my imagination for sure, and other parts that just came across as ok for me. I do like the Elric character, and these stories ... especially the concepts of the dream realm are pretty interesting.
October 26, 2015
Read in 2009
Re-read 2015
The Fortress of the Pearl - 3 Stars
The Revenge of the Rose - 3 Stars
Re-read 2015
The Fortress of the Pearl - 3 Stars
The Revenge of the Rose - 3 Stars
July 22, 2012
Moorcock is a genius.
Read
November 29, 2012False
June 26, 2011
See Elric first book.
August 20, 2013
Cannot get enough of this series
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews