Thanks to DMR for publishing this fantasy masterpiece as it reaches 100 years old. I’m not going to dive into the plot or the fantastic story. I want Thanks to DMR for publishing this fantasy masterpiece as it reaches 100 years old. I’m not going to dive into the plot or the fantastic story. I want to concentrate on the influence.
Abraham Merritt is one of the most influential, yet under appreciated authors of the first half of the 20th century. One can easily see some of Robert E Howard’s, Catherine Moore’s, Leigh Brackett’s etc. inspiration came directly from this book. The dialogue, certain scenes, tropes and the like are easily visible in some of Howard’s Conan and Cormac material. This is similar to Lovecraft’s inspiration from Merritt’s The Moon Pool. It’s also easy to see why this is part of Appendix N. I can definitely picture this as an early Dungeons and Dragons module.
Maybe the most impressive feat was the amount of popularity due to this and a couple of other books by Merritt. At one point, I believe, he was outselling Edgar Rice Burroughs. Whattt??? It’s too bad that he didn’t write more novel length titles. His short stories are also fantastic.
Someone needs to pin a medal on Hocking’s chest. To have to wait this long to get a superior novel published is criminal. This volume contains 2 ConanSomeone needs to pin a medal on Hocking’s chest. To have to wait this long to get a superior novel published is criminal. This volume contains 2 Conan novels. The first, Conan and the Emerald Lotus, was one of the better Tor titles. I remember buying this book when it first came out and thought it was close to the level of the King of Conan pastiches himself, John Maddox Roberts. It’s a great read —even if it had to follow the general Tor Conan format. Well worth a re-read, and very fun!
The second novel, the one people have been craving forever, Conan and the Living Plague, is exactly what Sword and Sorcery fans need. A brutal, tougher than steel, Conan up against Howardian and Lovecraftian horrors, duplicitous sorcerers and all manner of rogues. Dead cities, sorcerous dimensional travel, cosmic horror�- it’s all here with Conan’s relentless will to live. 5 stars for one of best current S & S writers....more
When Tanith Lee was on top of her game, she’s easily one of the best fantasy writers of all time. That is the case with the 2 1970’s novellas here. ThWhen Tanith Lee was on top of her game, she’s easily one of the best fantasy writers of all time. That is the case with the 2 1970’s novellas here. The first story encompasses 3 ill met soldiers on a path of doom after they take a magical chalice from a conquered city. Lurking and hounding are the 3 shades of the former owners, the foremost, the witch daughter of the former ruling family. Excellent story with layers of dark suspense and magical dread. Don’t fall asleep as the 3 companions do. I felt this story as if I was actually there. You won’t find a better dark fantasy for the season. The second story is another beautifully written piece about a priestess who stops at nothing to get a relic back from a very unusual thief. She endures much as she learns about her extraordinary power. She must confront the thief and his extremely powerful sorcerer master. This was a great fantasy story with an excellent ending. The endings of these two stories won’t find you wanting as we usually do. If you enjoy fantasy/dark fantasy or just great fiction, this is a must read....more
I had a lot of fun reading this trilogy. Vance kept me engaged from start to finish. No filler here. What a finish! Princess Madouc, gets serious charI had a lot of fun reading this trilogy. Vance kept me engaged from start to finish. No filler here. What a finish! Princess Madouc, gets serious character development in the finale, and Vance doesn’t disappoint. 5 star fantasy. Excellent!...more
This is the second book in Jack Vance’s Lyonesse fantasy series. Excellent read. Vances unique style makes me wish he would have written more fantasy This is the second book in Jack Vance’s Lyonesse fantasy series. Excellent read. Vances unique style makes me wish he would have written more fantasy than science fiction. It’s the same way I feel about Poul Anderson. Highly recommend....more
This is a fantasy masterpiece. Vance creates a mystic island group off the coasts of Britain and Gaul known as the Elder Isles. A lot of island historThis is a fantasy masterpiece. Vance creates a mystic island group off the coasts of Britain and Gaul known as the Elder Isles. A lot of island history and geography are thrown at you in the first few chapters. Once past this, a gripping fantasy has you intrigued through the end. Vance's flowing prose leads us through many of the ten kingdoms of the Elder Isles. Magicians, witches, all types of halflings-including fairies, dryads, trolls, ogres, imps and many more make multiple appearances. Princess Suldrun's life and tragic end under her uncaring Royal parents is a tale all unto itself. I don't want to put in spoilers, so if you enjoy fantasy, I highly recommend this book. Highly detailed maps, appendices, and other extras are provided. You can tell Vance put in a lot of work for this trilogy.
After reading some reviews, I was somewhat perplexed. This isn't your typical fantasy fodder of the 80s or 90s. More happens here than 5 Eddings books, or several WOT books. It's just the style of a grandmaster like Jack Vance...more
This was a really fun read! I believe there were 8 short stories concerning petty thief Bingor "The Arab" (Actually from Sicily) and the Scottish bardThis was a really fun read! I believe there were 8 short stories concerning petty thief Bingor "The Arab" (Actually from Sicily) and the Scottish bard Donalbain. Their banter back and forth, and with others they meet along the way, is some of the most entertaining you will find in this genre. Good hearted rogues they may be, as their schemes and plotting are against all forms of evil doers. They seem to find a lot of valuables, but usually end up with little to show for it, other than their lives. Be prepared for a fun ride as the duo encounters all sorts of foes including, vampires, werewolves, demons, sorcery, curses, and cutthroats of many varieties. As they are not true warriors, it's really fun to see how they manage against such odds. The stories take place mostly in Eastern Europe/Asia Minor during the decline of the Roman Empire. Excellent read and highly recommended for those who like fantasy adventure/sword and sorcery with some wit and intelligence....more
Another masterpiece. Anderson’s nordic and fantasy tales are so much better than his sci fi, yet it seems his sci fi is most of his catalog. I encouraAnother masterpiece. Anderson’s nordic and fantasy tales are so much better than his sci fi, yet it seems his sci fi is most of his catalog. I encourage anyone who likes historical fiction/ fantasy/ viking sagas to read this. Anderson pieced together various Nordic Sagas to create a fantastic tale of King Hrolf Kraki, King of Denmark, during the most brutal of times-The Dark Ages. Hrolf carved out s peaceful Denmark that wouldn’t be seen again for many, many centuries. Expect everything to show up in this book. Gods, Seafolk, creatures, sorcery, magic blades. Excellent! ...more
Quite honestly, I’m at a loss for words. This is a fantasy masterpiece. Elves battling Trolls, Aesir gods, Erin Gods, Vikings, all manner of fey, witcQuite honestly, I’m at a loss for words. This is a fantasy masterpiece. Elves battling Trolls, Aesir gods, Erin Gods, Vikings, all manner of fey, witches, Norse giants, raising the dead, and even an appearance by the Devil himself. All of this wrapped up in a tragic love story and Viking saga. This is the best book I’ve read in years....more
I remember picking up a copy of this at a used bookstore around the time the Robert Jordan Conan Tor books were on the shelves. The first thing I notiI remember picking up a copy of this at a used bookstore around the time the Robert Jordan Conan Tor books were on the shelves. The first thing I noticed was how much more vivid the writing style seemed. Night and day. It was my first real introduction to Howard's work. I will always remember reading The Slithering Shadow, better known as Xuthal of the Dusk. Nice collection of stories here. Classics. I think I bought about 25 Howard books from the used bookstore right after reading this. This was well over 30 years ago. I still have them all, and have added many more....more
Re-Read- It was a joy to pick up my DAW book and read Elric as it should be. No omnibus, no hardcover, no kindle. I even gave it an extra star than myRe-Read- It was a joy to pick up my DAW book and read Elric as it should be. No omnibus, no hardcover, no kindle. I even gave it an extra star than my previous rating from long ago. After reading this it gives me a similar feeling after reading Robert E Howard stuff. I just can’t ever waste anymore of my life on senseless “epic fantasy� with its endless thousand page books with clueless characters that can’t even use or understand their powers. ...more
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