Status Updates From Flashing Swords! #4: Barbar...

Okay, we're on better footing now with John Jakes and Brak, with a warrior king of a backwards country deciding Brak must be a sorcerer and giving him two days to work a miracle or die. Brak is always derivative, but never dull!

We started off great, with Jack Vance, a scamp, and a portal to another dimension... but then: Poul Anderson! I know a lot of people like this guy, but I am getting tired of hearing about these sexed-up merfok and how totally naked they are. Getting the impression that 70s writing was juvenile about sex.

Swords Against the Marluk by Katherine Kurtz is a Deryni prequel story about a supposedly momentus event. The story was fine. Probably more interesting to Deryni fans.

Storm in a Bottle by John Jakes is about Brak the Barbarian barbarianing against wizardry barbarianly.

The Tupilak by Poul Anderson is about Merfolk traveling to Greenland during the Viking age.

The Bagful of Dreams by Jack Vance features his character, Cugel the Clever engaged in a contest to show the most impressive display at an Exposition of Marvels.