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The War of Powers #1-3
The War of Powers
It seemed like a routine delivery job.
Except that the parcel was a jug containing a genie called Erimines the Ethical, who knew the secret of immortality but was actually more interested in sex after being bottled up on his own for more than 1,400 years.
Except that the wizard to whom the package was addressed turned out to be dead on arrival - murdered - and Fost Longstrider, courier, looked likely to go the same way.
Just the start of a huge sprawling fantasy saga, studded with helter-skelter chases, beautiful bandits, floating sky cities, a super-intelligent war eagle and demonic powers - an epic of high adventure and all-action imagination.
Except that the parcel was a jug containing a genie called Erimines the Ethical, who knew the secret of immortality but was actually more interested in sex after being bottled up on his own for more than 1,400 years.
Except that the wizard to whom the package was addressed turned out to be dead on arrival - murdered - and Fost Longstrider, courier, looked likely to go the same way.
Just the start of a huge sprawling fantasy saga, studded with helter-skelter chases, beautiful bandits, floating sky cities, a super-intelligent war eagle and demonic powers - an epic of high adventure and all-action imagination.
457 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 18, 2008
Its a guilty pleasure to read these books, you know its wrong but there is something which makes the books so much better than all the other fantasy that was around at that time.
2012 review - Well I went back and reread this book because I always had such fond memories of it.
This book is a bit tongue in cheek, the characters are one sided, the direction is fairly obvious and the amount of sex in the novel is fairly generous.
Yet the world that is created has depth, history and variety. There is plenty of intrigue and the writing is snappy. Compared to the tomes of fantasy that are released now, this book is acut down, heavily edited, word conservative version of something like the Game of Thrones. What War of Powers does is really condense everything and I think that is what I like it so much.
With a Game of Thrones type of book it takes me into a world that takes me weeks to read, War of Powers is quick, easy and a full of pulp fiction satisfication.
2012 review - Well I went back and reread this book because I always had such fond memories of it.
This book is a bit tongue in cheek, the characters are one sided, the direction is fairly obvious and the amount of sex in the novel is fairly generous.
Yet the world that is created has depth, history and variety. There is plenty of intrigue and the writing is snappy. Compared to the tomes of fantasy that are released now, this book is acut down, heavily edited, word conservative version of something like the Game of Thrones. What War of Powers does is really condense everything and I think that is what I like it so much.
With a Game of Thrones type of book it takes me into a world that takes me weeks to read, War of Powers is quick, easy and a full of pulp fiction satisfication.
October 24, 2017
I'm reviewing the whole of the War of Powers books together, because I read them as one long story (the version I had was two books, parts 1 and 2, rather than six separate books).
This is a guilty pleasure as much as anything. I think I enjoyed Part 1 the most. It began with action and rarely lets up for long, as it mixes sex and adventure, fighting and near-escapes. Even though they are big books you hurtle through it. I loved them when I read them many years ago. Having just re-read them - well, they weren't as good the second time. I was more aware of the cliches and stock characters (grumpy dwarves, avaricious bankers, barbarian women). However, there are still a lot of surprises, and it often goes in ways you wouldn't expect.
Sometimes it's surprising in the things it includes. One example: the ghost of an old nun masturbates a princess companion that she occasionally refers to as her child. Within the fiction of the world it makes sense, because nearly everyone seems to be motivated by sex or lack of it (Rann becomes a torturer because he can't have sex with the women he fancies). One princess starts having sex with bulls when she tires of gangbangs; another has sex with a humanoid creature that has two dicks for double trouble (while her boyfriend sleeps unaware in another room). And when there's an official meeting with an emperor, the emperor's sister wanks him off during the chat. Again, written like that it is nonsense, but within the tally-ho world created here, it almost makes sense.
There are rare slips of continuity, such as when Fost's collar bone is smashed, yet it is immediately forgotten and he is swinging a sword and fighting again, and only moaning about his broken nose. Or when the Ethereals meet Rann - who had tortured and killed a number of them - but it seems to be forgotten by the writers, and no comment is made on the meeting. Still, the story mostly works, and switches well between personal adventure and larger-scale battles.
It's not high-brow fiction, more like well-written pulp. And sometimes that's what you want.
This is a guilty pleasure as much as anything. I think I enjoyed Part 1 the most. It began with action and rarely lets up for long, as it mixes sex and adventure, fighting and near-escapes. Even though they are big books you hurtle through it. I loved them when I read them many years ago. Having just re-read them - well, they weren't as good the second time. I was more aware of the cliches and stock characters (grumpy dwarves, avaricious bankers, barbarian women). However, there are still a lot of surprises, and it often goes in ways you wouldn't expect.
Sometimes it's surprising in the things it includes. One example: the ghost of an old nun masturbates a princess companion that she occasionally refers to as her child. Within the fiction of the world it makes sense, because nearly everyone seems to be motivated by sex or lack of it (Rann becomes a torturer because he can't have sex with the women he fancies). One princess starts having sex with bulls when she tires of gangbangs; another has sex with a humanoid creature that has two dicks for double trouble (while her boyfriend sleeps unaware in another room). And when there's an official meeting with an emperor, the emperor's sister wanks him off during the chat. Again, written like that it is nonsense, but within the tally-ho world created here, it almost makes sense.
There are rare slips of continuity, such as when Fost's collar bone is smashed, yet it is immediately forgotten and he is swinging a sword and fighting again, and only moaning about his broken nose. Or when the Ethereals meet Rann - who had tortured and killed a number of them - but it seems to be forgotten by the writers, and no comment is made on the meeting. Still, the story mostly works, and switches well between personal adventure and larger-scale battles.
It's not high-brow fiction, more like well-written pulp. And sometimes that's what you want.
February 6, 2021
3.5 stars.
Fost Longstrider is one of the best couriers in the Sundered Realm. His latest delivery is of a jar containing the soul of a former aesthetic, Erimines the Ethical, whose life of abstinence has given him immortality as a spirit, and a desperate urge to experience all the things he missed while alive - namely, sex and violence. When he finds the client dead and is attacked by warriors from the Sky City, Fost discovers that other people are interested in Erimines. Joining forces with a beautiful princess, Fost soon finds himself on a mad chase across the continent for the secret of immortal life.
This was one of the first adult fantasy books I ever read; I think it was the cover that attracted me - I mean, look at it. Nowadays the position of the chap's scabbard bothers me (if it's attached to his belt on such a loose cord wouldn't it be dangling around his knees when he released it? That's a trip hazard if ever I saw one), but really it doesn't matter - and for once, the cover does give a good example of the story within its pages.
War of the Powers was originally released as a set of six small novels, later compressed into a two book set; this is the first trilogy of that set. Is it a good story? Well... yes and no.
The good parts: it's very fast moving and action packed; the plot races along without a slow moment. The world building is also interesting and different; there are no horses - people ride on giant war dogs, or bears, or (in Fost's case) in sledges on rollers pulled by a team of dogs. And the Sky City troops ride giant war eagles. Yes, there's a floating city as well; the travel to the city (either by war eagle or by a giant balloon with the air heated by elementals) leads to a scene that's one of my favourites. And it has a great sense of fun.
The bad parts: the book is pretty shallow; the characters are basic (I wouldn't say one dimensional, but not far off). And they are frustratingly attractive. Every woman who meets Fost wants to bed him. I am not joking. Every. Single. One. To be fair, these women do have other abilities of their own - they're not just here as a prize for the man, but even so it's hard not to notice their lesser status. Naturally, the princess he takes up with is also so attractive every straight male wants her too. It's essentially fantasy in the old 'pulp' style - there's not much depth to anything; the world of the Sundered Realm is refreshingly different, but I would love to know more about it.
If you like old fashioned sword and sorcery with plenty of action and sex in an unusual fantasy world, this could be for you although whether it's still available or not, I honestly couldn't say. If you like the idea of a story that reads like something that might have been written by Leiber or even Howard back in the day but with far more graphic sex and violence than they would ever have been allowed to get away with, check it out.
Fost Longstrider is one of the best couriers in the Sundered Realm. His latest delivery is of a jar containing the soul of a former aesthetic, Erimines the Ethical, whose life of abstinence has given him immortality as a spirit, and a desperate urge to experience all the things he missed while alive - namely, sex and violence. When he finds the client dead and is attacked by warriors from the Sky City, Fost discovers that other people are interested in Erimines. Joining forces with a beautiful princess, Fost soon finds himself on a mad chase across the continent for the secret of immortal life.
This was one of the first adult fantasy books I ever read; I think it was the cover that attracted me - I mean, look at it. Nowadays the position of the chap's scabbard bothers me (if it's attached to his belt on such a loose cord wouldn't it be dangling around his knees when he released it? That's a trip hazard if ever I saw one), but really it doesn't matter - and for once, the cover does give a good example of the story within its pages.
War of the Powers was originally released as a set of six small novels, later compressed into a two book set; this is the first trilogy of that set. Is it a good story? Well... yes and no.
The good parts: it's very fast moving and action packed; the plot races along without a slow moment. The world building is also interesting and different; there are no horses - people ride on giant war dogs, or bears, or (in Fost's case) in sledges on rollers pulled by a team of dogs. And the Sky City troops ride giant war eagles. Yes, there's a floating city as well; the travel to the city (either by war eagle or by a giant balloon with the air heated by elementals) leads to a scene that's one of my favourites. And it has a great sense of fun.
The bad parts: the book is pretty shallow; the characters are basic (I wouldn't say one dimensional, but not far off). And they are frustratingly attractive. Every woman who meets Fost wants to bed him. I am not joking. Every. Single. One. To be fair, these women do have other abilities of their own - they're not just here as a prize for the man, but even so it's hard not to notice their lesser status. Naturally, the princess he takes up with is also so attractive every straight male wants her too. It's essentially fantasy in the old 'pulp' style - there's not much depth to anything; the world of the Sundered Realm is refreshingly different, but I would love to know more about it.
If you like old fashioned sword and sorcery with plenty of action and sex in an unusual fantasy world, this could be for you although whether it's still available or not, I honestly couldn't say. If you like the idea of a story that reads like something that might have been written by Leiber or even Howard back in the day but with far more graphic sex and violence than they would ever have been allowed to get away with, check it out.
November 29, 2023
I've lost count of the times I've read this book. I've just re-read it again and it still entertains. It's one of those books that you keep with you through life and is part of you. Having read it this time, sure, there are editing problems, on reflection there's even a bit of grammatical repetition.
But you know what, it doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter.
So, Fost Longstrider comes across a ghost in a jug who knows the secret to immortality. Trouble is, Fost teams up with Moriana, a beautiful princess, no less, who also wants the amulet of living flame. Both want it, only one can have it.
And that's how the plot kicks off. The story has really rich characters, a well researched fictional world, and numerous plot lines and twists. This is a fast paced story, with lots of sex, violence and humour. With all that going for it how could it possibly go wrong? Forget about the arty literary stuff with this one. It's just a rocking good read.
But you know what, it doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter.
So, Fost Longstrider comes across a ghost in a jug who knows the secret to immortality. Trouble is, Fost teams up with Moriana, a beautiful princess, no less, who also wants the amulet of living flame. Both want it, only one can have it.
And that's how the plot kicks off. The story has really rich characters, a well researched fictional world, and numerous plot lines and twists. This is a fast paced story, with lots of sex, violence and humour. With all that going for it how could it possibly go wrong? Forget about the arty literary stuff with this one. It's just a rocking good read.
January 19, 2012
This was being read by a teacher in the front seat of the bus on the way to a high school camp many years ago now, and I've always remembered enjoying the bits I could catch over his shoulder. Now I've finally read the whole thing. This is a good example of late 70s pulp fantasy. Linear plot, cardboard-cutout characters and visual images basically out of a Boris Vallejo painting. But for all that it's quite a lot of fun, like a more adult version of a Hugh Cook book. Not up to the standards of today's best fantasy, by any means, but rollicking and carefree. Like comparing Big Trouble in Little China to Enter the Dragon. 3/5
February 2, 2018
Smutty humour, comedy, action, a sexy princess and an unwilling hero. What's not to love?
This was my first foray into something that wasn't Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms and opened my eyes as to what I'm missing outside of those two institutions if I was only willing to take a punt. This opened the doorway to discovering future gems and loved it for that reason as well as a great ride across all of the books (War of powers being a compilation of shorter novels).
This was my first foray into something that wasn't Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms and opened my eyes as to what I'm missing outside of those two institutions if I was only willing to take a punt. This opened the doorway to discovering future gems and loved it for that reason as well as a great ride across all of the books (War of powers being a compilation of shorter novels).
July 12, 2025
Could use some better editing and reading the physical book that still had spelling errors after 4 versions of publishing was a bit annoying. I enjoyed Erimines to start with with his frustrating nature and sass about being 1399 instead of 1400 years old, but by the end of the book he was becoming too repetitive.
Not a bad read if you’re looking for something to pass the time, and enjoy hearing about women’s clothes hanging to them like mist, or their hard nipples grazing on silk but they didn’t notice because they were focused on something else. 🤣
Not a bad read if you’re looking for something to pass the time, and enjoy hearing about women’s clothes hanging to them like mist, or their hard nipples grazing on silk but they didn’t notice because they were focused on something else. 🤣
January 16, 2013
This is an omnibus edition of the first 3 books of the war of powers, I read it years go and loved the action and sex (I was 13 or 14). This omnibus along with the second omnibus War of Powers II-Istu Awakened containing books 4-6 were among my favourite reads and I went back and reread them many times.
August 8, 2008
Now this is a romp's romp!
March 24, 2013
I really miss these books
February 19, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
June 30, 2024
This is such a weird book. I found it in a second-hand shop in Paris and was enthralled by its cover, blurb and the fact that it was edited by Playbock pockets :D
Many of its sections are very difficult to read. I don't know which of its two authors it is, but on of them seems to be incapable of finishing a page without inserting at least five forced similes or terribly odd metaphores. Especially sunsets and sunrises seem to be nigh irrestible to this metaphore-applying urge. The abundant love scenes don't escape this principle either and that often leads to hilarious results. Every time a nex character is introduced the question is not if but when will they have sex with one of the main characters in a poetic extravaganza of ridiculous metaphores.
This aside, I actually did enjoy the story, even though I'm not a huge fan of fantasy (LOTR aside). The world presented is interesting and self-contained, not to mention often very funny. It made me laugh out loud more than once. The characters are also well presented. Up until the smallest character is fleshed out and recognizable.
All in all, this is a fun book that's hard to put down, even though at times very difficult to plough through, bordering on unreadable.
Many of its sections are very difficult to read. I don't know which of its two authors it is, but on of them seems to be incapable of finishing a page without inserting at least five forced similes or terribly odd metaphores. Especially sunsets and sunrises seem to be nigh irrestible to this metaphore-applying urge. The abundant love scenes don't escape this principle either and that often leads to hilarious results. Every time a nex character is introduced the question is not if but when will they have sex with one of the main characters in a poetic extravaganza of ridiculous metaphores.
This aside, I actually did enjoy the story, even though I'm not a huge fan of fantasy (LOTR aside). The world presented is interesting and self-contained, not to mention often very funny. It made me laugh out loud more than once. The characters are also well presented. Up until the smallest character is fleshed out and recognizable.
All in all, this is a fun book that's hard to put down, even though at times very difficult to plough through, bordering on unreadable.
July 11, 2023
This is a guilty pleasure from the mid-80s. I'm not sure it dates well in todays sensibilities, but I still love it. It's not brilliantly written, and could use a stricter editor, but by golly it's fun!
The hero is called Fost Longstrider. He is charges with delivering a jar to someone. Someone who ends up dead. The jar contains the spirit of a dead philosopher who preached absinence... but who now regrets it and is hooked on hedonism.
That's the kind of book this is. It is tongue-in-cheek. In all senses of the words... It is also quite racy. Not for children. It's funny, and at times touching, and you never know what is going to happen.
I suspect it was written as Mickey-take of sword and sorcery novels which proliferated around the mid 80s (mostly right-wing noble-bright stuff) and this was Vardeman and Milan's answer to it all.
Great stuff... though I do feel a bit guilty for enjoying it so much.
The hero is called Fost Longstrider. He is charges with delivering a jar to someone. Someone who ends up dead. The jar contains the spirit of a dead philosopher who preached absinence... but who now regrets it and is hooked on hedonism.
That's the kind of book this is. It is tongue-in-cheek. In all senses of the words... It is also quite racy. Not for children. It's funny, and at times touching, and you never know what is going to happen.
I suspect it was written as Mickey-take of sword and sorcery novels which proliferated around the mid 80s (mostly right-wing noble-bright stuff) and this was Vardeman and Milan's answer to it all.
Great stuff... though I do feel a bit guilty for enjoying it so much.
November 12, 2025
I know it’s cheesy, predictable and probably a bit misogynistic but I love this book. I love the hero, the villains (especially the castrated prince), the torture and the crazy world they live in. I love the wise cracking sex obsessed ghost. I’ve loved it for about twenty years and I always will. It’s kinda dated I guess but it’s still so much fun to read. Just don’t tell any poe faced Gen Z that you love it too
March 1, 2021
Fast easy fun read great characters
January 7, 2025
Fun little classic swords and sorcery novel. Or set of three, technically. The relative lack of sexism and strong female characters are pleasant.
October 23, 2014
Not so hot. OK for a quick read & if you get the book cheap.
September 15, 2014
Loved it when I was a teenager
July 6, 2013
Excellent fantasy book. Lot's of sex, violence and humor.
Part 1 of the collected trade.
Part 1 of the collected trade.
August 11, 2013
Great fun to read, fantasy before fantasy became cliche.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews