Reviews

Pretty alright. These are old-school tasteful adventures where a more critical reading doesn't seem necessary. Bad guys are ridiculously bad, Elric fights winged whales and most fights end through literal deus ex machina, so, the ball has already been dropped and there doesn't seem to be much of a reason to do so. But oh well, I enjoy the psychedelic writing of Moorcock, it's all very crazy and you never know what he's going to throw at you next (worldbuilding-wise anyway, the structure of the tales are practically identical each and every time which makes it seem like a Sunday Cartoon type of dynamic). This collection doesn't seem that important in the grander scheme of things anyway, Elric didn't even kill the baddie he's been chasing for a couple of stories now, but he's aware now (I think?) of his other incarnations... whatever that's supposed to mean. I don't know, I don't care that much about this universe.

I do have to mention my indifference towards the rest of the Champions. Every time Moorcock pulled off an Endgame with them I would get bored to tears and I don't know why. I guess, just in case, I would probably do good by avoiding their respective sagas, I've barely started liking Elric again.

Inconsistencies in quality brought the rating down a little bit and I still liked the first volume more, but so far it has been one of the most satisfying volumes in this series.

slouchingtowards's review

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

funfamilyvideos's review

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mirtlifthewise's review

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adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mikepalumbo's review

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

wdomingue's review

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4.0

This is probably closer to a 3.5/5, but the nature of the 3 stories in one book cause me to give heavier weight to some of the greater moments in the book. The three stories are loosely connected and the worldbuilding done here really starts to color in some of the missing holes of Elric lore. Will definitely continue into the dark and lovely world of Elric.

cmcrockford's review

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4.0

All I ever wanted was a truly depressed, doomed cynic anchoring a fantasy series and here we are

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