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A review by dantastic
Bloodstone by Karl Edward Wagner
4.0
When a bloodstone ring winds up in Kane's possession, he launches a plan of conquest. But does Bloodstone serve Kane or does he serve it?
I last read this about fifteen years ago so it was a mostly new reading experience. This is the kind of fantasy novel I wish they still made. It's 200 pages and denser than one would think. Karl Edward Wagner had a gift with language, reminding me of both Robert E Howard and Raymond Chandler at times.
The story is some bad ass fantasy fare. An evil from beyond the world, the degenerate remnants of an ancient civilization, and the outcast warrior wizard Kane in the middle of everything. I once said Kane was like if Conan and Elric were able to mate successfully. I still feel that way. Kane's origins are only hinted at in this volume but he's a nigh immortal being that's lived for centuries after being cast out of paradise by mad god and doomed never to find a home for long.
Since this was my second read I had a good idea how thing ended but it was still a hell of a ride getting there. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I last read this about fifteen years ago so it was a mostly new reading experience. This is the kind of fantasy novel I wish they still made. It's 200 pages and denser than one would think. Karl Edward Wagner had a gift with language, reminding me of both Robert E Howard and Raymond Chandler at times.
The story is some bad ass fantasy fare. An evil from beyond the world, the degenerate remnants of an ancient civilization, and the outcast warrior wizard Kane in the middle of everything. I once said Kane was like if Conan and Elric were able to mate successfully. I still feel that way. Kane's origins are only hinted at in this volume but he's a nigh immortal being that's lived for centuries after being cast out of paradise by mad god and doomed never to find a home for long.
Since this was my second read I had a good idea how thing ended but it was still a hell of a ride getting there. 4.5 out of 5 stars.