smiorganbaldhead's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story, and I’m excited to see how the ominous portents play out in the final book of the series. As usual, Moorcock’s imagination is vivid and keeps the story entertaining, and I liked Corum’s new allies, especially the “dwarf.” It’s also interesting to see yet another major element of more recent popular fantasy, the icy invaders with an army of undead, showing up much earlier in Moorcock’s work. One minor plot point I found confusing was Corum giving the Mantle to Jhary, despite the previous statement that it would only work for the Sidhi or their kin. I suppose it might work for Jhary since he is also from another plane, but this wasn’t explained. This is a small point, though, and I still really liked the book.
mordecai's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
arthurbdd's review against another edition
2.0
The previous book in the second Corum trilogy had significantly tightened things up by dialling back all the crossovers with Moorcock's other series, allowing Corum to stand on his own two feet and facing foes specific to him rather than just going through rehashes of other sword and sorcery tales by Moorcock. Unfortunately, all that nonsense starts creeping back in here. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/the-vengeance-of-cornwall/
kateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
One of the creepiest, saddest and most disturbing books I've read in any genre. Wow!
riduidel's review against another edition
4.0
Corum doit maintenant sauver le guide spirituel des hommes qui l'hébergent. Pour ça, il repart chercher des objets magiques et, ce faisant, découvre de nouveaux alliés.
Il y a décidément dans cette œuvre une scancion particulière au charme délicatement désuet, et c'est vraiment visible dans ce tome où l'auteur tente clairement de relire son champion à une espèce de mythe celte. Et c'est très bien écrit.
Il y a décidément dans cette œuvre une scancion particulière au charme délicatement désuet, et c'est vraiment visible dans ce tome où l'auteur tente clairement de relire son champion à une espèce de mythe celte. Et c'est très bien écrit.
smcleish's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog here in July 2000.
The second novel in The Chronicles of Corum is even more sombre than the first. The Fhoi Mhore continue to overwhelm the world, though only six of them remain - the warmth of the world is killing them even as they destroy it. Yet mankind is unwilling to unite against them, using the excuse that the High King Amergrim has not ordered them to do so. He is unable to, having been captured by the Fhoi Mhore and enchanted to think himself a sheep (Moorcock presumably being inspired by the fate of Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel). In this novel, then, Corum's task is to rescue Amergrim and obtain the items needed for a counterspell - Sidhe talismans, the Oak and the Ram.
As always in Moorcock, the background is particularly strong, with a universal sense of decay (both in the institutions of men and in the slow sinking into death of the Fhoi Mhore). The only real characters in this novel are Corum and his companions; all the others are marginalised, and their adventures are only important to hold the attention while the reader soaks in the background.
The second novel in The Chronicles of Corum is even more sombre than the first. The Fhoi Mhore continue to overwhelm the world, though only six of them remain - the warmth of the world is killing them even as they destroy it. Yet mankind is unwilling to unite against them, using the excuse that the High King Amergrim has not ordered them to do so. He is unable to, having been captured by the Fhoi Mhore and enchanted to think himself a sheep (Moorcock presumably being inspired by the fate of Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel). In this novel, then, Corum's task is to rescue Amergrim and obtain the items needed for a counterspell - Sidhe talismans, the Oak and the Ram.
As always in Moorcock, the background is particularly strong, with a universal sense of decay (both in the institutions of men and in the slow sinking into death of the Fhoi Mhore). The only real characters in this novel are Corum and his companions; all the others are marginalised, and their adventures are only important to hold the attention while the reader soaks in the background.
More...