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outcolder's review against another edition
4.0
Old fashioned sword and sorcery. The character of D'Averc is interesting.
jackdoud's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
cookiedoof's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jeffkevlar's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second little novel in the Hawkmoon/ Runestaff series.
I liked it, keeping in mind what it is: a pulpy little adventure and sword and sorcery type story. I think that too many pages (of the rather small book) are spent describing blow by blow accounts of sword fights, but it’s still a fun read. I plan on finishing the series, especially as it’s getting a bit weirder as we go.
As I understand it, while Hawkmoon becomes part of the Eternal Champion story Moorcock threads through his works, it was not conceived as such when this book was written. I’m curious to see if that begins to play a part as we carry on.
I liked it, keeping in mind what it is: a pulpy little adventure and sword and sorcery type story. I think that too many pages (of the rather small book) are spent describing blow by blow accounts of sword fights, but it’s still a fun read. I plan on finishing the series, especially as it’s getting a bit weirder as we go.
As I understand it, while Hawkmoon becomes part of the Eternal Champion story Moorcock threads through his works, it was not conceived as such when this book was written. I’m curious to see if that begins to play a part as we carry on.
will_cherico's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm a fan, but I think I preferred the Jewel in the Skull. This one lacked the political intrigue of the first one, eschewing Count Brass altogether to instead focus entirely on Dorian. I do think Dorian's a cool action hero, but I preferred when he could bounce off the more deliberate Bowgentle and Count Brass. The worldbuilding here leaves a lot to be desired too. While it was great to see the Warrior in Jet and Gold again with some more personality, a lot of newly introduced elements (barring the Mad God himself, who was a great Mad Max-esque villain) fell flat for me. If The Sword of the Dawn doesn't have more about Soryandum, it's gonna feel like a lot of this book was somewhat pointless. That said, fantastic cliffhanger ending of Castle Brass just being in a new dimension now.
weng's review
5.0
Very succinct at only 141.2 pages. Rereading these books, I am surprised at how much the key events in each book are covered in such a small number of pages despite considerable build up. Still, each book moves along at a considerable pace and is a joy to read so no complaints.
smiorganbaldhead's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5. This is a really fun adventure with a somewhat lighter tone compared to Elric or Corum. D’Averc is an interesting new character whose true loyalties (or lack thereof) remain uncertain for most of the story. Perhaps the most memorable part of the book is the titular Mad God’s evil plan. It’s is so over the top that it made me want to picture him as a certain genetically altered, cranially enlarged lab mouse. Overall I really liked this one and look forward to continuing the series.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
2.0
Frequent sexism, inconsistent characterisation, and a plot which is essentially filler makes this a rather inessential entry in a rather inessential Moorcock series. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/the-runestaff-and-the-empires-end/
williemeikle's review against another edition
4.0
THE MAD GOD's AMULET has the feel of a middle-eight, an episodic set of adventures there to move the main story forward to the next adventure. It's the IRON MAN 2 of the series.
It's very short, and all done at Moorcock's trademark breakneck speed of course, so you hardly notice the joins, but for me too much time is spent away from the main conflict in this one, although we do get a lovely set piece fight scene on a pirate vessel, a mad sorceror's castle, a fight with a robot monster, and a big climactic battle scene to get all the main protagonists, more mcguffins, and a new enemy-turned-friend, back into place for what's to come.
Still loads of fun of course, but I'm looking forward more to the main events about to be unleashed in the following sections.
It's very short, and all done at Moorcock's trademark breakneck speed of course, so you hardly notice the joins, but for me too much time is spent away from the main conflict in this one, although we do get a lovely set piece fight scene on a pirate vessel, a mad sorceror's castle, a fight with a robot monster, and a big climactic battle scene to get all the main protagonists, more mcguffins, and a new enemy-turned-friend, back into place for what's to come.
Still loads of fun of course, but I'm looking forward more to the main events about to be unleashed in the following sections.