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thinkspink's review against another edition
4.0
Not what I expected at all. Jirel is such a great character, one of the most single minded and aggressive fantasy lead characters I've read. Plus don't expect your cosy Tolkein-esque pastoral fantasy, in the stories here Jirel takes on the demons of hell itself!
Great collection and worth reading for The Black God's Kiss story alone.
Great collection and worth reading for The Black God's Kiss story alone.
carilius's review against another edition
2.0
Demasiada oscuridad y seres oscuros, un poco desfasado
todd_bissell's review
1.0
Ugh
Another example where I appreciate old timey pulpy fiction far more in theory than in practice.
The turgid pace, meant to instill dread and fear, instead brings nothing but annoyance and boredom. I never cared about the character or her actions. The author seemingly copying/pasting entire passages from one story to another only highlighted the malaise I felt plowing through these stories. What better way to "enjoy" slogging through muddy and barely comprehensible passages than to do so multiple times in the same book, eh?
So much purple prose, amounting to nothing. Unfinishable.
Another example where I appreciate old timey pulpy fiction far more in theory than in practice.
The turgid pace, meant to instill dread and fear, instead brings nothing but annoyance and boredom. I never cared about the character or her actions. The author seemingly copying/pasting entire passages from one story to another only highlighted the malaise I felt plowing through these stories. What better way to "enjoy" slogging through muddy and barely comprehensible passages than to do so multiple times in the same book, eh?
So much purple prose, amounting to nothing. Unfinishable.
adperfectamconsilium's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Golden Age Masterworks paperback collects all six Jirel stories which were originally published in Weird Tales magazine in the 1930s.
With Jirel, Catherine Moore created a strong female character in the male dominated pulp fiction of the sword and sorcery genre.
Before Xena or Red Sonja there was Jirel, the fiercest and most relentless warrior in the land of Joiry which appears to be based on medieval France.
With her flaming red hair and yellow eyes she cuts quite the figure.
The first tale, Black God's Kiss starts in the midst of the action as the kingdom has been captured and Jirel is at the mercy of Guillaume. The situation changes fast as she's not only defiant but her anger takes her on a quest into Hell itself to find a weapon to help regain freedom and to have her revenge.
Although handy with a sword or knife she's no pale copy of Conan but a new kind of hero forever simmering with rage and it's this strong will that sees her triumph against foes that lesser mortals would run from.
These are tales of magic, demons and other worlds, dangerous quests and impossible odds.
Only one of the stories has more of a sci-fi flavour and that is Quest of the Starstone which was co-written with her husband Henry Kuttner.
There's a descriptive quality to the prose which shows great artistry. These aren't just pulp fantasy tales quickly dashed off but character building, immersive stories of blood, honour and righteousness.
Maybe not as prolific as Robert E Howard or Poe or Rice Burroughs but she deserves to be as well known.
'Anger burned out all trace of fear as she remembered the scorn in that ringing laugh.'
With Jirel, Catherine Moore created a strong female character in the male dominated pulp fiction of the sword and sorcery genre.
Before Xena or Red Sonja there was Jirel, the fiercest and most relentless warrior in the land of Joiry which appears to be based on medieval France.
With her flaming red hair and yellow eyes she cuts quite the figure.
The first tale, Black God's Kiss starts in the midst of the action as the kingdom has been captured and Jirel is at the mercy of Guillaume. The situation changes fast as she's not only defiant but her anger takes her on a quest into Hell itself to find a weapon to help regain freedom and to have her revenge.
Although handy with a sword or knife she's no pale copy of Conan but a new kind of hero forever simmering with rage and it's this strong will that sees her triumph against foes that lesser mortals would run from.
These are tales of magic, demons and other worlds, dangerous quests and impossible odds.
Only one of the stories has more of a sci-fi flavour and that is Quest of the Starstone which was co-written with her husband Henry Kuttner.
There's a descriptive quality to the prose which shows great artistry. These aren't just pulp fantasy tales quickly dashed off but character building, immersive stories of blood, honour and righteousness.
Maybe not as prolific as Robert E Howard or Poe or Rice Burroughs but she deserves to be as well known.
'Anger burned out all trace of fear as she remembered the scorn in that ringing laugh.'
sailor_marmar's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
mikepalumbo's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
themorbidcorvid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mankan's review against another edition
2.0
Podcast review (swedish) http://lashart.podbean.com/e/cl-moore-jirel-of-joiry/