What do you think?
Rate this book
Von Bek: The Warhound and the World's Pain and The City in the Autumn Stars
Ulrich von Bek, a facet of The Eternal Champion, makes a deal with the devil in this exciting adventure story from one of the greatest authors of our time.This is the story of Ulrich von Bek, a cynical mercenary who sells his skills as a soldier in the wars taking place all over Europe. After the particularly horrific destruction of a city in which he played a role, von Bek decides to desert the military company he was working for and travel alone for a while before seeking further employment. On his solo journey, he happens upon a castle where he takes refuge with—and then falls in love with—the keeper of the castle, the beautiful Sabrina. It is in this castle that he meets Lucifer, the master of Hell, and finds out that his soul is already destined for Hell. And so, in exchange for his soul, von Bek agrees to go on a quest for Lucifer, namely to find the Cure for the World’s Pain. This quest is also known as the Search for the Holy Grail. As von Bek travels around Europe on his impossible quest, he will find himself caught up in wars, politics, intrigue, and romance. But he can never forget his purpose—or the terrible bargain he has made with the devil…
608 pages, Hardcover
Published December 3, 2024
53 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Michael Moorcock
1,219 books3,801 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 17, 2025
Von Bek: The Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock was a fascinating but somewhat uneven entry in the Eternal Champion saga. This volume (Saga Press edition) gives us two Von Bek stories, ‘War Hound and the Worlds Pain’ and ‘The City in the Autumn Stars.’ Both novels weave together elements of Moorcock’s Eternal Champion mythologies, blending historical fiction, metaphysical adventure, and existential musings.
The first novel WHATWP, showcases Moorcock’s signature ambition—melding deep philosophical themes with swashbuckling adventure. His prose is evocative, and the themes of destiny, identity, and cosmic struggle remain compelling. The second story TCITAS, I really struggle to read. I appreciated the interplay between different incarnations of the Champion, and Moorcock’s worldbuilding is as rich as ever. However, in particular the last book struggles with pacing and coherence at times. The transitions between different settings and realities felt abrupt, and some of the philosophical musings verge on repetitive rather than revelatory. While Moorcock’s ideas are grand, the execution occasionally lacks the narrative drive of his best works, leaving parts of the novel feeling disjointed.
Overall, Von Bek: The Eternal Champion is a rewarding but sometimes challenging read.
The first novel WHATWP, showcases Moorcock’s signature ambition—melding deep philosophical themes with swashbuckling adventure. His prose is evocative, and the themes of destiny, identity, and cosmic struggle remain compelling. The second story TCITAS, I really struggle to read. I appreciated the interplay between different incarnations of the Champion, and Moorcock’s worldbuilding is as rich as ever. However, in particular the last book struggles with pacing and coherence at times. The transitions between different settings and realities felt abrupt, and some of the philosophical musings verge on repetitive rather than revelatory. While Moorcock’s ideas are grand, the execution occasionally lacks the narrative drive of his best works, leaving parts of the novel feeling disjointed.
Overall, Von Bek: The Eternal Champion is a rewarding but sometimes challenging read.
December 6, 2024
I actually got this for my husband to read and review, and you'll see why. Here is the review he wrote:
Michael Moorcock has been on my TBR for some time now - mostly thanks to Matt Colville.
In the spirit of Colville, I shall start with the point:
I wholeheartedly recommend this read for any history fans, Moorcock fans, or fans of a good Arthurian legend.
The revelations and theology of Moorcock's world lead to some very interesting concepts and questions, and the things we learned in Ulrich's tale were my favorite part - I've always been a sucker for dramatic reveals of the secret underpinnings of a fantasy world. I also heartily enjoyed the chance to romp through a couple of less well-known corners of history.
The writing style has a tone that evokes the period it was written in - feeling at once like the memoirs of a 16th-century nobleman and like an Arthurian legend.
The twin stories contained in Von Bek are at once similar and different. The first Von Bek is a Parzival, exploring the uncharted on a quest, but combatting his own beliefs all the while. Meanwhile, the second Von Bek is much more a passenger on his journey, being swept along by the warring personalities around him. Only once he gets his feet under him is he able to assert his own will and forge a final path.
My one quibble with the book is the romance in Manfred's story. I found it to feel more like obsession than love, and I really wish we had seen more of Manfred with agency, applying what he learned from Robespierre to the quest he finds himself dragged into.
Also, for those wondering - while Von Bek does have a place in Moorcock's wider legendarium, one does not need to have read or understand anything else to enjoy Von Bek.
Michael Moorcock has been on my TBR for some time now - mostly thanks to Matt Colville.
In the spirit of Colville, I shall start with the point:
I wholeheartedly recommend this read for any history fans, Moorcock fans, or fans of a good Arthurian legend.
The revelations and theology of Moorcock's world lead to some very interesting concepts and questions, and the things we learned in Ulrich's tale were my favorite part - I've always been a sucker for dramatic reveals of the secret underpinnings of a fantasy world. I also heartily enjoyed the chance to romp through a couple of less well-known corners of history.
The writing style has a tone that evokes the period it was written in - feeling at once like the memoirs of a 16th-century nobleman and like an Arthurian legend.
The twin stories contained in Von Bek are at once similar and different. The first Von Bek is a Parzival, exploring the uncharted on a quest, but combatting his own beliefs all the while. Meanwhile, the second Von Bek is much more a passenger on his journey, being swept along by the warring personalities around him. Only once he gets his feet under him is he able to assert his own will and forge a final path.
My one quibble with the book is the romance in Manfred's story. I found it to feel more like obsession than love, and I really wish we had seen more of Manfred with agency, applying what he learned from Robespierre to the quest he finds himself dragged into.
Also, for those wondering - while Von Bek does have a place in Moorcock's wider legendarium, one does not need to have read or understand anything else to enjoy Von Bek.
April 18, 2026
This review originally posted in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5
This book collects two von Bek novels. The first is The Warhound and the World's Pain.
Ulrich von Bek, one incarnation of the Eternal Champion, is operating as a mercenary, selling his soldiering skills in the wars in 17th century Europe. He decides to take a break after one extremely ugly city destruction and wanders alone to reflect. Choosing to take refuge in a castle he encounters on his wandering, von Bek falls in love with the beautiful Sabrina, keeper of the castle. It also in the castle, however, that von Bek meets Lucifer. Yes, THAT Lucifer.
Von Bek, it turns out, is already destined to spend his eternity in Hell (Was he really surprised by this?) Lucifer is willing to cut him a deal. Lucifer is, let's remember, an angel. A fallen angel, but an angel nonetheless. Lucifer can get in God's good graces if he, or someone he selects, can cure for the world's pain (by finding the Holy Grail).
Von Bek travels through both earthly and magical lands, following up on possible leads to the grail. He picks up a couple of sidekicks (including one named Groot - Philander Groot) and battles all sorts of evil - again earthly and other-worldly along the way. But is it ever possible to cure the world's pain?
The second novel is The City in the Autumn Stars. This one features Manfred von Bek, descendant of Ulrich, who is also a skilled soldier. Though Manfred doesn't like to discuss the stories of his ancestors, he winds up on a grail quest, just Ulrich did. Manfred takes on the quest not for noble reasons (to stay out of hell or get in the good graces of go) but for the affections of a woman - the mysterious Countess.
I first encountered Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion through the exploits of Elric, and then Dorian Hawkmoon, and I'd had grand ideas of reading all the different incarnations of the Eternal Champion, but until recently I'd not read any of the von Bek stories. This was probably a good thing. I don't think teenage me would have appreciated the theological implications here.
Which is not to say that I 'appreciated' them now.
I quite enjoyed the first book here. The chat with Lucifer was interesting and lively. I was reminded of C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. He was almost sympathetic given that he was looking for a cure to the world's pain. Von Bek's adventure then takes on a rather typical sword & sorcery adventure (which is what I would have enjoyed most as a teen).
I'm not quite sure what Moorcock was trying to get at with the theological aspects. It would seem to me that Moorcock often uses 'modern' theology in his fantasies, neither in condemnation or in exaltation. I do think I would have enjoyed the book just as much if we didn't have Lucifer's desire setting the stage.
This first book was an easy 4 stars for me. The second book, however, brought the collected volume down. I was quite looking forward to getting into it, given that I'd enjoyed the first part, but The City in the Autumn Stars felt as lost as the grail itself.
Our hero doesn't live up to the exploits of his more famous ancestor - which is fine, except why is he the focus then? The adventure (ie search for the grail) feels aimless. What is the drive? The motivation? Yes, 'to seek the grail' - I get this, but Ulrich at least had clear motivation for the directions he took. Manfred seems more caught up in questioning things than actually searching. This was a 2, 2-1/2 stars book at best.
I'm glad to have finally gotten around to reading some von Bek by Michael Moorcock. One book good, one not so good. I suppose now I'll have to read a third to see where the series falls.
Looking for a good book? Michael Moorcock's Von Bek gathers two previously published novels in the Eternal Champion saga, featuring two members of the von Bek lineage. One of the stories is a fun adventure and one simply feels lost.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
This book collects two von Bek novels. The first is The Warhound and the World's Pain.
Ulrich von Bek, one incarnation of the Eternal Champion, is operating as a mercenary, selling his soldiering skills in the wars in 17th century Europe. He decides to take a break after one extremely ugly city destruction and wanders alone to reflect. Choosing to take refuge in a castle he encounters on his wandering, von Bek falls in love with the beautiful Sabrina, keeper of the castle. It also in the castle, however, that von Bek meets Lucifer. Yes, THAT Lucifer.
Von Bek, it turns out, is already destined to spend his eternity in Hell (Was he really surprised by this?) Lucifer is willing to cut him a deal. Lucifer is, let's remember, an angel. A fallen angel, but an angel nonetheless. Lucifer can get in God's good graces if he, or someone he selects, can cure for the world's pain (by finding the Holy Grail).
Von Bek travels through both earthly and magical lands, following up on possible leads to the grail. He picks up a couple of sidekicks (including one named Groot - Philander Groot) and battles all sorts of evil - again earthly and other-worldly along the way. But is it ever possible to cure the world's pain?
The second novel is The City in the Autumn Stars. This one features Manfred von Bek, descendant of Ulrich, who is also a skilled soldier. Though Manfred doesn't like to discuss the stories of his ancestors, he winds up on a grail quest, just Ulrich did. Manfred takes on the quest not for noble reasons (to stay out of hell or get in the good graces of go) but for the affections of a woman - the mysterious Countess.
I first encountered Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion through the exploits of Elric, and then Dorian Hawkmoon, and I'd had grand ideas of reading all the different incarnations of the Eternal Champion, but until recently I'd not read any of the von Bek stories. This was probably a good thing. I don't think teenage me would have appreciated the theological implications here.
Which is not to say that I 'appreciated' them now.
I quite enjoyed the first book here. The chat with Lucifer was interesting and lively. I was reminded of C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. He was almost sympathetic given that he was looking for a cure to the world's pain. Von Bek's adventure then takes on a rather typical sword & sorcery adventure (which is what I would have enjoyed most as a teen).
I'm not quite sure what Moorcock was trying to get at with the theological aspects. It would seem to me that Moorcock often uses 'modern' theology in his fantasies, neither in condemnation or in exaltation. I do think I would have enjoyed the book just as much if we didn't have Lucifer's desire setting the stage.
This first book was an easy 4 stars for me. The second book, however, brought the collected volume down. I was quite looking forward to getting into it, given that I'd enjoyed the first part, but The City in the Autumn Stars felt as lost as the grail itself.
Our hero doesn't live up to the exploits of his more famous ancestor - which is fine, except why is he the focus then? The adventure (ie search for the grail) feels aimless. What is the drive? The motivation? Yes, 'to seek the grail' - I get this, but Ulrich at least had clear motivation for the directions he took. Manfred seems more caught up in questioning things than actually searching. This was a 2, 2-1/2 stars book at best.
I'm glad to have finally gotten around to reading some von Bek by Michael Moorcock. One book good, one not so good. I suppose now I'll have to read a third to see where the series falls.
Looking for a good book? Michael Moorcock's Von Bek gathers two previously published novels in the Eternal Champion saga, featuring two members of the von Bek lineage. One of the stories is a fun adventure and one simply feels lost.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2025
The War Hound and the World's Pain - 4.5/5
The City in the Autumn Stars - 2/5
The City in the Autumn Stars - 2/5
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews