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Eternal Champion #3
Hawkmoon
Experience Michael Moorcock's infamous multiverse and the journeys of the Eternal Champion. Hawkmoon chronicles the fate of yet another aspect of the Eternal Champion, Doriam Hawkmoon, Duke of Koln.
502 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
13 people are currently reading
1083 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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March 18, 2018This series of stories was written in the dark days of declining Britain before the countries of Europe took mercy upon that wild and lonely Goddess and invited her in off her storm tossed Atlantic rock into the EEC.
In this future, unity has failed, Europe is a patchwork of tiny, frequently warring states, except for Britain which in reversion to traditional forms interacts with Europe through violent domination, urging the continent to lie back and think of England, while a monstrous bridge penetrates the mainland along which surge armies of brutish Britons, distinguished from their ancestors by the habit of wearing animal masks to get round national shyness (as opposed to the currently popular tattoo).
Harold Wilson, Winston Churchill, and the Beatles are distantly remembered only as gods by the inhabitants of Great Britain, or Granbretan here. In line with this future, resistance is led by the German Hawkmoon, the Duke of Cologne, who is fated to fight to preserve order and unwilling to accept that duty. Over four books and with the assistance of several French people and various non-French magical objects he largely wins, defeating the evil Britons
I started reading the series when I was eleven , since, then, the four volumes where only available separately I think I was almost out of the teens by the time I came across the last one in some second hand bookshop or other. In addition to possibly reflecting a certain degree of, long enduring, national angst: whither Britannia? It seems to me in some of the descriptions of clothing to have been strongly influenced by Philip K. Dick.
I can only imagine that a distinctly curious set of circumstances would lead me to read these again, though who knows maybe one day a combination of high tides and heavy rain will trap me inside a mysteriously stocked library on an otherwise deserted island . In common with much of Moorcock's fiction it probably takes you longer to read it than he did to write it. Any insufficiency of fossil fuels in these stories which feature flying devices with large flapping wings is circumvented by magic, just like in real life.
In this future, unity has failed, Europe is a patchwork of tiny, frequently warring states, except for Britain which in reversion to traditional forms interacts with Europe through violent domination, urging the continent to lie back and think of England, while a monstrous bridge penetrates the mainland along which surge armies of brutish Britons, distinguished from their ancestors by the habit of wearing animal masks to get round national shyness (as opposed to the currently popular tattoo).
Harold Wilson, Winston Churchill, and the Beatles are distantly remembered only as gods by the inhabitants of Great Britain, or Granbretan here. In line with this future, resistance is led by the German Hawkmoon, the Duke of Cologne, who is fated to fight to preserve order and unwilling to accept that duty. Over four books and with the assistance of several French people and various non-French magical objects he largely wins, defeating the evil Britons
I started reading the series when I was eleven , since, then, the four volumes where only available separately I think I was almost out of the teens by the time I came across the last one in some second hand bookshop or other. In addition to possibly reflecting a certain degree of, long enduring, national angst: whither Britannia? It seems to me in some of the descriptions of clothing to have been strongly influenced by Philip K. Dick.
I can only imagine that a distinctly curious set of circumstances would lead me to read these again, though who knows maybe one day a combination of high tides and heavy rain will trap me inside a mysteriously stocked library on an otherwise deserted island . In common with much of Moorcock's fiction it probably takes you longer to read it than he did to write it. Any insufficiency of fossil fuels in these stories which feature flying devices with large flapping wings is circumvented by magic, just like in real life.
June 22, 2023
Radnja se redja kao na traci, i svi "stereotipi" epske fantastike, sa primesama steam panka, su tu! Ali nesto magicno, nesto sto vas vuce da bez daha citate ovu knjigu i da uzivate u cesto veoma prostoj radnji je sve prisutno. Likovi iz ove knjige su od ranog detinjstva urezani u moje secanje i cesto ih se setim. Valjda ima necega mocnog u toj jednostavnosti, u prici gde se dobro bori protiv zla a vi navijate za dobre momke koji nekako i pored losih izgleda uspevaju da pobede.
July 4, 2015
I wish to address some complaints at the alleged lack of moral ambiguity in the Hawkmoon stories. It is my impression that those complaining feel that the stories lack of moral ambiguity makes them inferior to Moorcock's stories about Elric or other chataters. There is the oft-heard complaint that Hawkmoon is lacking in shades of gray or that it is too "black-and-white." These stories are denegrated for being too "simplistic" in their representation of the conflict between good and evil.
I agree with those statements in that the difference between good and evil as represented in these stories is fairly stark, clear-cut, and unambiguous. I differ with those who contend that this makes them inferior to Moorcock's stories that possess greater moral gray-zones. I also dislike the implication, made by some, that those who prefer stories where the distinction between "good" and "evil" is more clearly defined lack intelligence, sophistication or subtlety.
Quite frequently in life, the conflict between good and evil actually is as simple and straight forward as it is represented as being in the Hawkmoon stories. Sometimes in life, there really is no moral ambiguity in a conflict.
I am frankly surprised that people think it strange that someone who was born during the year when WWII began would write even one storyline in which there is no moral ambiguity to the conflict and the distinction between the moral stance of the conflict's participants is very clear and straight forward. Is it possible that these critics can see no parallel between the maniacally destructive behavior of the nobles of Granbretan and the actions of the leaders of the Nazi Third Reich?
The Nazi Reich is by no means the only example of a group of people whose behavior is wantonly and umabiguously evil. Tell me, where is there any moral ambighity what-so-ever in the recent murder of 9 innocent people who were simply attending a midweek Bible study group? The reason for their murder is completely unambiguous. The murderer himself has explained it: he hated them for having dark-colored skin. How is there any moral ambiguity in that? Where is this moral gray area that it's claimed must be present for a story to be realistic?
What about the arson of 6 six black churches in the southern United States? (Specificaly in states of the defunked Confederacy) Is there really any doubt as to the reason for those attacks in anyone's mind? Can you honestly point out any moral ambiguity in these acts of racist destruction and terrorism?
What of the act of capturing and enslaving other human beings? How can packing people into the dank holds of slave ships where a great many died be seen as being in any way at all morally ambiguous? Where is this moral gray zone that some feel is required for a story to be "realistic?"
Yes, there are a great many episodes in history and in current events where there is real moral ambiguity. There are human conflicts in which a gray zone is present and where it is not at all easy to determine the "right" from the "wrong" or the "good" from the "evil."
Not all human conflict is morally ambiguous though. There have been and still are conflicts where the differences between good and evil are extremely clear and distinct. If you prefer stories in which there is moral ambiguity, that's perfectly fine. In that case simply restrict your reading of Moorcock's stories to Elric or von Beck. Do not, however, imagine that this preference makes you more intelligent or sophisticated than those who enjoy stories of more clearly defined moral conflicts such as are presented in Hawkmoon. It does not. One of the things that I personally like best about Moorcock's writing is that he acknowledges the reality of both morally ambiguous and unambiguous conflicts.
I agree with those statements in that the difference between good and evil as represented in these stories is fairly stark, clear-cut, and unambiguous. I differ with those who contend that this makes them inferior to Moorcock's stories that possess greater moral gray-zones. I also dislike the implication, made by some, that those who prefer stories where the distinction between "good" and "evil" is more clearly defined lack intelligence, sophistication or subtlety.
Quite frequently in life, the conflict between good and evil actually is as simple and straight forward as it is represented as being in the Hawkmoon stories. Sometimes in life, there really is no moral ambiguity in a conflict.
I am frankly surprised that people think it strange that someone who was born during the year when WWII began would write even one storyline in which there is no moral ambiguity to the conflict and the distinction between the moral stance of the conflict's participants is very clear and straight forward. Is it possible that these critics can see no parallel between the maniacally destructive behavior of the nobles of Granbretan and the actions of the leaders of the Nazi Third Reich?
The Nazi Reich is by no means the only example of a group of people whose behavior is wantonly and umabiguously evil. Tell me, where is there any moral ambighity what-so-ever in the recent murder of 9 innocent people who were simply attending a midweek Bible study group? The reason for their murder is completely unambiguous. The murderer himself has explained it: he hated them for having dark-colored skin. How is there any moral ambiguity in that? Where is this moral gray area that it's claimed must be present for a story to be realistic?
What about the arson of 6 six black churches in the southern United States? (Specificaly in states of the defunked Confederacy) Is there really any doubt as to the reason for those attacks in anyone's mind? Can you honestly point out any moral ambiguity in these acts of racist destruction and terrorism?
What of the act of capturing and enslaving other human beings? How can packing people into the dank holds of slave ships where a great many died be seen as being in any way at all morally ambiguous? Where is this moral gray zone that some feel is required for a story to be "realistic?"
Yes, there are a great many episodes in history and in current events where there is real moral ambiguity. There are human conflicts in which a gray zone is present and where it is not at all easy to determine the "right" from the "wrong" or the "good" from the "evil."
Not all human conflict is morally ambiguous though. There have been and still are conflicts where the differences between good and evil are extremely clear and distinct. If you prefer stories in which there is moral ambiguity, that's perfectly fine. In that case simply restrict your reading of Moorcock's stories to Elric or von Beck. Do not, however, imagine that this preference makes you more intelligent or sophisticated than those who enjoy stories of more clearly defined moral conflicts such as are presented in Hawkmoon. It does not. One of the things that I personally like best about Moorcock's writing is that he acknowledges the reality of both morally ambiguous and unambiguous conflicts.
October 6, 2014
To say anymore than that it's great and I loved it would require another spoiler warning, so I won't I suppose. I'll just say that some will think that again the writing is a little weaker than in the Elric stories, but I don't think so. It's a bit more abrupt, a bit more plot driven, but it's one of my favorites. It's also still a somewhat "light" page turner (at least in some ways. There is depth, but it doesn't jump out at you)as are most of the Eternal Champion Cycle.
The 5 star here is again based on my personal enjoyment of the
books", Hawkmoon is my favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion. There are books By Mr. Moorcock that (for me) range from 5 stars to 1 star. As I said, my personal favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion character.
The 5 star here is again based on my personal enjoyment of the
books", Hawkmoon is my favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion. There are books By Mr. Moorcock that (for me) range from 5 stars to 1 star. As I said, my personal favorite incarnation of the Eternal Champion character.
December 8, 2020
The Hawkmoon sequence seems to get less love than other entries in Moorcock's Eternal Champion series. This is certainly not because it lacks for imagination, colour and high adventure - if anything there is a surfeit of such qualities.
But even reading the series as a teenager, many years ago, I was aware that the plot was built up from well-used fantasy tropes (not in itself a bad thing, but less than we might expect from Moorcock) and that the character of Hawkmoon himself was a bit lacklustre - certainly compared to Moorcock's other, more complicated heroes. And that the writing - overwhelmingly vivid in the first books - becomes increasingly sloppy as the sequence progresses, as if the writer was losing interest (which it appears he was).
Having said all that, there is no denying that the books are huge fun - giant flamingos! horned horses! masked villains and evil homunculi! ornithopters! flame-lances! hairy men! AND MORE! - Moorcock's most colourful, direct and uncomplicated tribute to spirit of the pulps...
But even reading the series as a teenager, many years ago, I was aware that the plot was built up from well-used fantasy tropes (not in itself a bad thing, but less than we might expect from Moorcock) and that the character of Hawkmoon himself was a bit lacklustre - certainly compared to Moorcock's other, more complicated heroes. And that the writing - overwhelmingly vivid in the first books - becomes increasingly sloppy as the sequence progresses, as if the writer was losing interest (which it appears he was).
Having said all that, there is no denying that the books are huge fun - giant flamingos! horned horses! masked villains and evil homunculi! ornithopters! flame-lances! hairy men! AND MORE! - Moorcock's most colourful, direct and uncomplicated tribute to spirit of the pulps...
June 26, 2011
Hawkmoon was much more straightforward, and thus somewhat less interesting but also less annoying, than Von Bek or The Eternal Champion. It's a four-part novel, and very much a straight lone-hero-against-evil-empire adventure. One of the problems I have with Moorcock in general (at least in this multiverse) is that because the villain is always Chaos, it has zero subtlety - the villains rape and torture and perform hideous experiments because they're the villains, not out of any sort of serious characterization. That's less of a problem when the story is as twisty and multilayered as the Von Bek stories (although it's still a problem) but Hawkmoon has none of that and it just grew tedious.
That's not to say I totally dislike it - it's still a fast-moving adventure and it held my interest to the end - but it's pretty badly flawed as anything other that straight-up pulp fantasy.
(I'm plowing through the American collections very, very slowly, because Moorcock is not quite to my taste but he's interesting and also tremendously influential in the genre.)
That's not to say I totally dislike it - it's still a fast-moving adventure and it held my interest to the end - but it's pretty badly flawed as anything other that straight-up pulp fantasy.
(I'm plowing through the American collections very, very slowly, because Moorcock is not quite to my taste but he's interesting and also tremendously influential in the genre.)
June 24, 2013
The first fantasy book I ever read, the first book for me that opened the door to the possibilities of an out there imagination.
The characters are simple archetypes of the fantasy mould, but there's nothing wrong with that. I like the stoic leading man, the beautiful lady he falls in love with, her admirable and brave father who becomes the hero's surrogate father. I like the support characters for the companionship they provide the hero, the crutch that he leans on to get through the tough times.
But more than anything, the adventures that they go on are exciting and dangerous and full of discovery. The way Moorcock sets up their world as a twisted reflection of our own is very clever, and the constant threat of Hawkmoon turning back to the dark side is a great point of tension.
It's well written and well plotted, and if you can handle a somewhat slow start up while Moorcock world builds, you'll be rewarded with a very creative ride.
The characters are simple archetypes of the fantasy mould, but there's nothing wrong with that. I like the stoic leading man, the beautiful lady he falls in love with, her admirable and brave father who becomes the hero's surrogate father. I like the support characters for the companionship they provide the hero, the crutch that he leans on to get through the tough times.
But more than anything, the adventures that they go on are exciting and dangerous and full of discovery. The way Moorcock sets up their world as a twisted reflection of our own is very clever, and the constant threat of Hawkmoon turning back to the dark side is a great point of tension.
It's well written and well plotted, and if you can handle a somewhat slow start up while Moorcock world builds, you'll be rewarded with a very creative ride.
July 28, 2010
Hawkmoon is my favorite iteration of the eternal champion.
May 29, 2021
Honestly, compared to the other EC volumes I've read, kind of clumsy. There were flashes of greatness, but clumsy.
April 21, 2014
Moorcock. He certainly has an odd syle, doesn't he? An odd way in which his narrative evolves. He focuses on things and sort of... pans out from there. You know what I am talking about. I mean... how many people in an Elric story wore a chequered vest? You know, because you heard about these things in every scene from Mr Moorcock.
I have to say this is probably the most adventurous and fun read of any of his stories. There is just an ease and lightness to it. From one to another, our heroes bounce from objective to set-back to some other third thing. It just flows quick and easy. Not the stuff of deeper meanings and foreshadowing here. Which is odd, given his penchant for everything just being another retelling of the Eternal War.
The setting is why I'm here writing this review. It is just splendid. The Bright Empire of Great Britian (Granbretan), somehow converted into the fascist mask-wearing heavies. The Shining Bridge. Count Brass & Karmagh. The steampunk sensibilities and inventions. Its really perfect. The story, to me, is just a lighthearted romp through the very best world-setting Moorcock has ever devised and (honestly) one of my favorites of all time. The Shire and Minas-Tirith hold nothing in the face of this brave, mask-heavy steampunk new world.
Set in this world, the story can't help be very enjoyable. I especially Loved the mad architect (D'Averc). A mad Frenchman artist/architect who goes along with his British conquers just because. He evolves into something quite enjoyable to read, as well.
Worth the effort, honest!
I have to say this is probably the most adventurous and fun read of any of his stories. There is just an ease and lightness to it. From one to another, our heroes bounce from objective to set-back to some other third thing. It just flows quick and easy. Not the stuff of deeper meanings and foreshadowing here. Which is odd, given his penchant for everything just being another retelling of the Eternal War.
The setting is why I'm here writing this review. It is just splendid. The Bright Empire of Great Britian (Granbretan), somehow converted into the fascist mask-wearing heavies. The Shining Bridge. Count Brass & Karmagh. The steampunk sensibilities and inventions. Its really perfect. The story, to me, is just a lighthearted romp through the very best world-setting Moorcock has ever devised and (honestly) one of my favorites of all time. The Shire and Minas-Tirith hold nothing in the face of this brave, mask-heavy steampunk new world.
Set in this world, the story can't help be very enjoyable. I especially Loved the mad architect (D'Averc). A mad Frenchman artist/architect who goes along with his British conquers just because. He evolves into something quite enjoyable to read, as well.
Worth the effort, honest!
April 30, 2015
This is the closest dark fantasy comes to jazz rock fusion in my always twisted view and appreciation. Moorcock wrote these books shortly and briefly conceiving and honestly intending them as fast paced action books, but his style - elegant - and vivid imagination ( the story takes place in a post apocalyptic Earth 3000 years in the future ) makes this a classic anti typical fantasy story. For starters, the British Empire are the villains ( not close from truth if you think of the old Empire isn't it?). Shades of irony and good humor.
Hawkmoon is a simply lawful good type of character and unlike Elric it is not a real layered character. But I cannot remember many other dark fantasy books that left me so many good memories and were so real in my memory.
The jazz musician has lots of chordal ideas and melodies in his mind and when he or she improvises brilliance comes into reality. Moorcock wrote this fast but wrote this greatly.
Hawkmoon is a simply lawful good type of character and unlike Elric it is not a real layered character. But I cannot remember many other dark fantasy books that left me so many good memories and were so real in my memory.
The jazz musician has lots of chordal ideas and melodies in his mind and when he or she improvises brilliance comes into reality. Moorcock wrote this fast but wrote this greatly.
March 3, 2010
• While this book was exceedingly entertaining, I find myself a little more confused about the Eternal Champion as a whole. In the small sections in between books, The High History of the Runestaff kept referring to Hawkmoon as an aspect of the Eternal Champion. He obviously was not the same person as John Daker and Erekose. He had no mention of Ermizhad, and, in fact, he fell in love with someone else. While these stories have only the smallest strings connecting them to anything to do with the Eternal Champion, I found that I flew through them. All four stories are excellent. And while I hope Moorcock goes back to the character he introduced in the first two books, I also hope that his writing stays in this style.
March 12, 2018
hawkmoon is the first of (unfortunately only) two books about Dorian Duke von Koln (the second is count brass). a fast adventure in a high fantasy world where sorcery-science assists beast lords of a monstrous kingdom who wants to enslave the whole universe! hawkmoon is a victim of this kingdom and turns into their deadliest nemesis. the setting is an alternate earth where after some great disaster the civilization had collapsed and new powers had emerged. the hero with his companions travels around the glove using giant flamingos, ships, motor globes and dimension altering rings engaging in numerous acts of bravery. Moorcock wrote a masterpiece!
January 26, 2020
This third volume in the Eternal Champion cycle is a nice escapist swords and sorcery plot set in a distant-future-post-apocalyptic Europe which is slowly being taken over by the Dark Empire of Granbretan. There is plenty of over-the-top swordsmanship and heavy use of Deus Ex Machina, but within Moorcock's framework of the eternal champion and the cosmic balance/runestaff I think it works. The narration was for the most part less cynical and preachy in this storyline than in the first two Eternal Champion volumes, which for me made the reading experience more enjoyable.
May 15, 2021
On a ravaged, post-apocalyptic Earth thrust back into the dark ages, the hell and horrors of war are a part of everyday existence. Granbretan, or the Dark Empire holds all nations under its iron-shod heel of evil and tyranny, and into this strides Dorian Hawkmoon, Duke of Koln, son of now-slain aristocratic father, prisoner of Granbretan, and unaware aspect of the Eternal Champion. Within him lies the power to liberate the Earth from the Dark Empire’s clutches….
I honestly didn’t know what to expect picking up this particular omnibus edition of Michael Moorcock’s “Hawkmoon Series,” otherwise known as “The History of the Runestaff.” The cover art and design always greatly intrigued me, as did the interior artwork.
My first exposure to Michael Moorcock’s “Eternal Champion Cycle” was the SFBC omnibus editions of “The Elric Saga,” in three volumes, all of which were deliciously dark sword and sorcery that absolutely blew my mind. Through the years after that, I had read the White Wolf omnibus editions of the “Erekose Series” (which was simply titled “The Eternal Champion”) and the “Von Bek Series” which, I must say, I was a bit disappointed in. I had heard some great things about Hawkmoon, though, and also had learned that it was being currently adapted into a Netflix original series.
The White Wolf omnibus edition I have of Hawkmoon includes the four novels “The Jewel in the Skull,” “The Mad God’s Amulet,” “The Sword of the Dawn” and “The Runestaff.” with brilliant interior illustrations by James Cawthorn.
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed the strength of this series. It is true sword and sorcery, set on a war-torn future Earth where sorcery and advanced science/technology seem to go hand in hand. Civilization as we know it has been thrown back into the dark ages, thanks to the horrors that occurred during what is termed as the “Tragic Millennium.”
The series isn’t as dark as the Elric Saga, but it is set in a very disturbing future hellscape ruled by the Dark Empire, or the Granbretanians, who are absolutely diabolical and almost alien in their cruelty and sadism. The main protagonist of this series is Dorian Hawkmoon, son of the slain Duke of Koln, who is taken into captivity by the Dark Empire, has a black jewel drilled into his skull to control him, and is set free to be their secret agent in the lands of Kamarg, one of the last bastions of true freedom that the Granbretanians are working to destroy.
When encountering the supreme guardian of Kamarg, Count Brass, and his mage, Bowgentle, the effects of the cursed black jewel are rendered dormant through Bowgentle’s magic, and Hawkmoon is brought out of the stupor he entered when he was captured and swears vengeance on the Dark Empire for the subjugation of his country, the slaying of his father, and for the enslavement of Earth itself.
The Hawkmoon Series is filled to the brim with adventure, swashbuckling, action, sorcery, futuristic machines, monsters, and ruins and relics of ancient and mysterious civilizations. Post-apocalyptic sword and sorcery is a subgenre of fantasy that definitely intrigues me and this series is no exception. The characters are very enjoyable. from the heroic and battle-hardened Hawkmoon to the good-natured and warriorlike Count Brass to the diabolical Baron Meliadus. While not as strong as Elric, this series really packs a punch and there are much thrills to be had. I really loved reading it and immensely look forward to the Netflix adaptation.
I give Michael Moorcock’s “Hawkmoon” a 5 out of 5.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect picking up this particular omnibus edition of Michael Moorcock’s “Hawkmoon Series,” otherwise known as “The History of the Runestaff.” The cover art and design always greatly intrigued me, as did the interior artwork.
My first exposure to Michael Moorcock’s “Eternal Champion Cycle” was the SFBC omnibus editions of “The Elric Saga,” in three volumes, all of which were deliciously dark sword and sorcery that absolutely blew my mind. Through the years after that, I had read the White Wolf omnibus editions of the “Erekose Series” (which was simply titled “The Eternal Champion”) and the “Von Bek Series” which, I must say, I was a bit disappointed in. I had heard some great things about Hawkmoon, though, and also had learned that it was being currently adapted into a Netflix original series.
The White Wolf omnibus edition I have of Hawkmoon includes the four novels “The Jewel in the Skull,” “The Mad God’s Amulet,” “The Sword of the Dawn” and “The Runestaff.” with brilliant interior illustrations by James Cawthorn.
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed the strength of this series. It is true sword and sorcery, set on a war-torn future Earth where sorcery and advanced science/technology seem to go hand in hand. Civilization as we know it has been thrown back into the dark ages, thanks to the horrors that occurred during what is termed as the “Tragic Millennium.”
The series isn’t as dark as the Elric Saga, but it is set in a very disturbing future hellscape ruled by the Dark Empire, or the Granbretanians, who are absolutely diabolical and almost alien in their cruelty and sadism. The main protagonist of this series is Dorian Hawkmoon, son of the slain Duke of Koln, who is taken into captivity by the Dark Empire, has a black jewel drilled into his skull to control him, and is set free to be their secret agent in the lands of Kamarg, one of the last bastions of true freedom that the Granbretanians are working to destroy.
When encountering the supreme guardian of Kamarg, Count Brass, and his mage, Bowgentle, the effects of the cursed black jewel are rendered dormant through Bowgentle’s magic, and Hawkmoon is brought out of the stupor he entered when he was captured and swears vengeance on the Dark Empire for the subjugation of his country, the slaying of his father, and for the enslavement of Earth itself.
The Hawkmoon Series is filled to the brim with adventure, swashbuckling, action, sorcery, futuristic machines, monsters, and ruins and relics of ancient and mysterious civilizations. Post-apocalyptic sword and sorcery is a subgenre of fantasy that definitely intrigues me and this series is no exception. The characters are very enjoyable. from the heroic and battle-hardened Hawkmoon to the good-natured and warriorlike Count Brass to the diabolical Baron Meliadus. While not as strong as Elric, this series really packs a punch and there are much thrills to be had. I really loved reading it and immensely look forward to the Netflix adaptation.
I give Michael Moorcock’s “Hawkmoon” a 5 out of 5.
April 20, 2025
The third volume of The Tale of the Eternal Champion, Hawkmoon, contains the novels The Jewel in the Skull, The Mad God’s Amulet, The Sword of the Dawn and The Runestaff. All written quickly between 1967 and 1969, these are fast moving fantasies set in a far future Earth where the Dark Empire of Granbretan has conquered most of Europe at the behest of the mad immortal Emporer Huon.
Moorcock has fun making what is essentially an analog for the British Empire (although a depraved, violent, psychopathic version) the villains, while his hero, Hawkmoon, is a German. Defeated and captured, Hawkmoon has a black jewel implanted in his forehead so that Baron Meliadus of Granbretan can control him while he infiltrates the last territory that holds out against their might - the Kamarg, home of Count Brass.
With the Count’s help Hawkmoon is freed from the jewel’s influence and over the course of the next three books he manages to gather various items of power to aid in his fight against the Dark Empire - the red amulet, the Sword of The Dawn and the Runestaff itself, whom Hawkmoon has been an unwilling, or at least reluctant, servant of.
Aided along the way by the mysterious Warrior in Jet and Gold, as well as the turncoat mercenary Huillam D’Averc our hero travel the globe in the quest to defeat Meliadus and the Dark Empire. The battles are bloody, the body count enormous.
Moorcock is a good writer and keeps things moving quickly and these are fun novels to read. They are fairly straightforward fantasy adventures, with a little satire thrown in, but he does introduce core elements of the Eternal Champion tales such as the Runestaff. Good stuff.
Moorcock has fun making what is essentially an analog for the British Empire (although a depraved, violent, psychopathic version) the villains, while his hero, Hawkmoon, is a German. Defeated and captured, Hawkmoon has a black jewel implanted in his forehead so that Baron Meliadus of Granbretan can control him while he infiltrates the last territory that holds out against their might - the Kamarg, home of Count Brass.
With the Count’s help Hawkmoon is freed from the jewel’s influence and over the course of the next three books he manages to gather various items of power to aid in his fight against the Dark Empire - the red amulet, the Sword of The Dawn and the Runestaff itself, whom Hawkmoon has been an unwilling, or at least reluctant, servant of.
Aided along the way by the mysterious Warrior in Jet and Gold, as well as the turncoat mercenary Huillam D’Averc our hero travel the globe in the quest to defeat Meliadus and the Dark Empire. The battles are bloody, the body count enormous.
Moorcock is a good writer and keeps things moving quickly and these are fun novels to read. They are fairly straightforward fantasy adventures, with a little satire thrown in, but he does introduce core elements of the Eternal Champion tales such as the Runestaff. Good stuff.
May 29, 2023
I've read a bunch of Michael Moorcock's Eternal Champion stuff, but jeez, there's so much more. This was one I'd been meaning to get to forever. I think I read The Jewel in the Skull maybe 20 or even 30 years ago, but I hadn't gotten around to finishing the whole series. Now I have. It feels more self-contained than some of the others, though there are hints of the greater Multiverse (yes, this was the first fictional multiverse). I'm sure I also missed a few.
Moorcock isn't a great writer. How could he be? He was writing these books so fast they rarely had time to gestate and grow into more mature and complex works. However, the ideas he blasts at you at a million miles an hour are top tier. Are Count Brass, Hawkmoon, or Baron Meliadus well rounded or particularly interesting characters? No. Not even remotely. However, the things they see, the adventures, the wars, the weird science, their strange world(s)...That stuff is fantastic.
And you can see how influential Moorcock's stuff is anytime you read it. In this series especially, I saw so much of Games Workshop's greater Warhammer universe, up to and including the Emperor of Mankind.
The final book in this set is short and kinda brutal. For a series that didn't have the same fated doom of some of his others, it takes a pretty dark turn near the end, even if there are rays of light.
Moorcock isn't a great writer. How could he be? He was writing these books so fast they rarely had time to gestate and grow into more mature and complex works. However, the ideas he blasts at you at a million miles an hour are top tier. Are Count Brass, Hawkmoon, or Baron Meliadus well rounded or particularly interesting characters? No. Not even remotely. However, the things they see, the adventures, the wars, the weird science, their strange world(s)...That stuff is fantastic.
And you can see how influential Moorcock's stuff is anytime you read it. In this series especially, I saw so much of Games Workshop's greater Warhammer universe, up to and including the Emperor of Mankind.
The final book in this set is short and kinda brutal. For a series that didn't have the same fated doom of some of his others, it takes a pretty dark turn near the end, even if there are rays of light.
March 11, 2025
Just bad on so many levels.
A series of improbable encounters, leading to mini-quests retrieving an almost random set of "magical" artifacts, whose powers are conveniently forgotten or remembered as the narrative needs at the moment.
The connection to the Eternal Champion is forced as well. Except for the monotonous insistences that that is the case, there's no real meaning there.
A series of improbable encounters, leading to mini-quests retrieving an almost random set of "magical" artifacts, whose powers are conveniently forgotten or remembered as the narrative needs at the moment.
The connection to the Eternal Champion is forced as well. Except for the monotonous insistences that that is the case, there's no real meaning there.
September 20, 2020
An epic read that suffered somewhat from not giving the few female characters enough to do but fun nonetheless. I was intrigued by the setting, which suggests the story takes place in the far future, after a calamitous event that destroyed previous high-tech societies, leaving behind the odd mysterious 'magical' artefact. The story itself has all the usual fantasy tropes. I liked the flashes of humour (the suggestion that the ancient gods of Granbretan were The Beatles was funny). I was going to add that it seems somewhat dated, but having the Brits as world villains looks like it might be coming back into vogue for real...
May 29, 2023
This Omnibus includes:
The Jewel in the Skull
The Mad God's Amulet
The Sword of the Dawn
The Runestaff
3 of the 4 were new to me, and the 4th I barely remember.
This "Dark Fantasy" volume is a pleasure to read. On the back cover it is described as fantastic(al) fiction. Maybe in the same way that E.E. Doc Smith is fantastical fiction, albeit with a Sci-Fi bent.
Certainly I have a long way to go if I want to read the entirety of M.M.'s work. Hope to get to more of these Omnibus's, if I can find them.
Happy Reading.
The Jewel in the Skull
The Mad God's Amulet
The Sword of the Dawn
The Runestaff
3 of the 4 were new to me, and the 4th I barely remember.
This "Dark Fantasy" volume is a pleasure to read. On the back cover it is described as fantastic(al) fiction. Maybe in the same way that E.E. Doc Smith is fantastical fiction, albeit with a Sci-Fi bent.
Certainly I have a long way to go if I want to read the entirety of M.M.'s work. Hope to get to more of these Omnibus's, if I can find them.
Happy Reading.
August 5, 2021
If this book was written in the last 20 years I'd give it two stars: POV breaks, awkward adverbs, deus ex machina plot devices that put Tolkien's eagles to shame... about half way through the final book Moorcock seemed to discover the word "sardonic," then proceeded to use it every three or so pages.
But it's old-school and it's Moorcock: he helped build the sandbox that modern dark fantasy authors play in. Plus, I'm cutting him a break because he was probably out partying with Hawkwind all night before he wrote some of the weaker chapters.
HAWKMOOOOOOOOOON!
But it's old-school and it's Moorcock: he helped build the sandbox that modern dark fantasy authors play in. Plus, I'm cutting him a break because he was probably out partying with Hawkwind all night before he wrote some of the weaker chapters.
HAWKMOOOOOOOOOON!
September 10, 2023
A long, convoluted story of a hero less than focused on the goal. It's a great read with a wild blend of ancient tech (our far future) and magic, with flame lances (whatever those are), and large flamingoes that one rides. My only gripe is the deus ex machina plot twists of having another character show up and save the hero and/or gift the hero a marvelous device, rather than having the hero save themselves.
I still love the pulp sword and sorcery, eternal champion thread despite this not being the best story arc.
I still love the pulp sword and sorcery, eternal champion thread despite this not being the best story arc.
July 8, 2024
Classic fantasy and well worth a read.
Hawkmoon isn't Moorcock's best, but it's still solid pulp action all the way.
The world of hawks is well built and interesting, with plenty of Moorcock's hallmark imagination and unique ideas, his multiverse mysticisms and weirdness, which is always lovely.
I felt like it dragged on a bit and that it has too many big battles and clashes that are too long, but this is essentially a matter of taste.
All in all I was entertained, but not always engaged.
Hawkmoon isn't Moorcock's best, but it's still solid pulp action all the way.
The world of hawks is well built and interesting, with plenty of Moorcock's hallmark imagination and unique ideas, his multiverse mysticisms and weirdness, which is always lovely.
I felt like it dragged on a bit and that it has too many big battles and clashes that are too long, but this is essentially a matter of taste.
All in all I was entertained, but not always engaged.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
By far the most linear of the Eternal Champion's cycle so far, this volume stays with the titular Dorian Hawkmoon in a single incarnation for its entire length. Moorcock's signature style if high fantasy mixed with grim reality and almost pessimistic view of heroes and heroism is on full display here. Have fun with this one, it's a doozy!
June 17, 2020
"Justice?" Hawkmoon called after him as he left the room. "Is there such a thing?"
"It can be manufactured in small quantities," Frank told him. "But we have to work hard, fight well, and use great wisdom to produce just a tiny amount."
"It can be manufactured in small quantities," Frank told him. "But we have to work hard, fight well, and use great wisdom to produce just a tiny amount."
August 31, 2020
I read each of the four tales in this book separately, and reviewed them as such on their respective Goodreads pages.
I still want to find this book and see what, if any, extras there may be. Not counted as part of my Reading Challenge, yet.
I still want to find this book and see what, if any, extras there may be. Not counted as part of my Reading Challenge, yet.
August 21, 2020
I really don’t know why I enjoy these stories. There are all the same plot lines. Still, I keep reading.
October 1, 2024
You wanted sword & sorcery fantasy, you've got it.
December 21, 2024
Rushed at times epic fantasy. Engaging pulp fiction. Moorecock did oladahn dirty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2014
An Epic Epic.
Of all the incarnations of the Eternal Champion, Hawkmoon is the least complicated. Unlike his peers, he is not prone to bouts of self analysis or introspection.
Cleverly reversing the traditional jingoism of 'good' Brits against 'bad' Germans, Moorcock gives us a no-nonsense fantasy thriller, with a no nonsense protagonist. Not for Hawkmoon meta-physical debates or philosophical discourse. Hawkmoon is clear in purpose and action.
As much as I enjoy the Eternal Champion series, there are times when I wish Moorcock could have laid off the philosophy. Arguably, it's this philosophy that drives the series and raises it above the works of others. But there are times when you're not in the mood for prime steak, and a cheeseburger will suffice. With Hawkmoon, Moorcock does this, letting the characters and the action roar along at a terrific pace.
Easily one of my favourites in the series.
Of all the incarnations of the Eternal Champion, Hawkmoon is the least complicated. Unlike his peers, he is not prone to bouts of self analysis or introspection.
Cleverly reversing the traditional jingoism of 'good' Brits against 'bad' Germans, Moorcock gives us a no-nonsense fantasy thriller, with a no nonsense protagonist. Not for Hawkmoon meta-physical debates or philosophical discourse. Hawkmoon is clear in purpose and action.
As much as I enjoy the Eternal Champion series, there are times when I wish Moorcock could have laid off the philosophy. Arguably, it's this philosophy that drives the series and raises it above the works of others. But there are times when you're not in the mood for prime steak, and a cheeseburger will suffice. With Hawkmoon, Moorcock does this, letting the characters and the action roar along at a terrific pace.
Easily one of my favourites in the series.
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