jss97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sillypunk's review against another edition
TERRIBLE: http://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-review-elric-of-melnibone/
shoba's review against another edition
3.0
It is the colour of a bleached skull, his flesh; and the long hair which flows below his shoulders is milk-white. From the tapering, beautiful head stare two slanting eyes, crimson and moody, and from the loose sleeves of his yellow gown emerge two slender hands, also the colour of bone, resting on each arm of a seat which has been carved from a single, massive ruby.
isauldur's review against another edition
5.0
I've reviewed this book before, but I've updated my rating to 5 stars, because here I was, re-reading it less than a year after I read it the first time. Elric's re-readability is pretty great, and that means it deserved 5 stars from me.
alrautio's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this more than I did. There were some very epic moments both in character development and setting, but there was something that felt very distanced to me. I'm not sure why, but perhaps it was just the writing style 'back in the day' that's not jiving with me. This was a very 'less-is-more' approach, but it was understated in description perhaps to the point of things not being said at all... (or alternatively telling, not showing) with no in between? I'm not sure. I can't put my finger on it. It's evident where other authors have been influenced by Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone, but I wanted more. I think I effed up the order of reading high fantasies before the OG shit because comparatively, it's 'less' or underwhelming. Like, I think if this had've been written NOW, it would be very different, and probably a good 600 pages longer. For a book that's less than 200 pages, it's for sure got a lot packed in, but I think there's a loss in that. I may read the next book to see.
I also had problems with Elric. There was so much potential, but I feel it was squandered. He's supposed to be this Philosopher King, but I don't really believe it when I read it. He just tells us he's thinking philosophical thoughts with nothing in depth about these 'deep thoughts'. I was left just confused and underwhelmed. He's painted to be a crippled, reluctant, philosophical ruler, but when he makes decisions, they're never explained through his thoughts or anything. The reader is supposed to just accept that something 'too smart for you to comprehend' took place.
I had no problem with his moody, emo, woe-is-me disposition, because... well... *cough* 13-17 year old me anyone? But, I don't know. His motivation and actions didn't make sense, and the threat of Yrkoon made no sense. Your treasonous cousin has tried to end you how many times? Dude. You're an idiot. No reason is given, except "He will not usurp me. I am more powerful." But like... He fricking DOES. And you fricking aren't! You need meds to stand, boy! You make deals with demons to even match him promising anything this being wants at a later time! That's not even remotely intelligent. You don't deal wth treason with a slap on the wrist, and the entire plot could have been avoided if you'd dealt with your cousin the way your entire court told you to, Yrkoon's sister included! Philosopher king... *scoffs philosophically*. It's not even that he has a problem with murder - he kills everyone against him - or with laying down the law - he kills everyone against him - except the one damn threat against him. But Elric's motivation is not articulated well in the book (if at all.)
I kind of WANT Yrkoon to win out of spite at this point. I just kind of have contempt. I'm ranting now. I am mad about the potential that was left on the table. Perhaps the other books delve into it more. I hope so.
I also had problems with Elric. There was so much potential, but I feel it was squandered. He's supposed to be this Philosopher King, but I don't really believe it when I read it. He just tells us he's thinking philosophical thoughts with nothing in depth about these 'deep thoughts'. I was left just confused and underwhelmed. He's painted to be a crippled, reluctant, philosophical ruler, but when he makes decisions, they're never explained through his thoughts or anything. The reader is supposed to just accept that something 'too smart for you to comprehend' took place.
I had no problem with his moody, emo, woe-is-me disposition, because... well... *cough* 13-17 year old me anyone? But, I don't know. His motivation and actions didn't make sense, and the threat of Yrkoon made no sense. Your treasonous cousin has tried to end you how many times? Dude. You're an idiot. No reason is given, except "He will not usurp me. I am more powerful." But like... He fricking DOES. And you fricking aren't! You need meds to stand, boy! You make deals with demons to even match him promising anything this being wants at a later time! That's not even remotely intelligent. You don't deal wth treason with a slap on the wrist, and the entire plot could have been avoided if you'd dealt with your cousin the way your entire court told you to, Yrkoon's sister included! Philosopher king... *scoffs philosophically*. It's not even that he has a problem with murder - he kills everyone against him - or with laying down the law - he kills everyone against him - except the one damn threat against him. But Elric's motivation is not articulated well in the book (if at all.)
I kind of WANT Yrkoon to win out of spite at this point. I just kind of have contempt. I'm ranting now. I am mad about the potential that was left on the table. Perhaps the other books delve into it more. I hope so.
abitofmoxie's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shane's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. The whole anti-hero idea is done exceptionally well with the writing walking a fine line between the archaic and the modern which in this instance worked, managing to deliver the story very well, which I'm not sure would have been the case with every author.
A very short novel, almost a novella in fact, and therefore a quick read but still, there are many more in the series yet.
Very good. Highly recommended.
A very short novel, almost a novella in fact, and therefore a quick read but still, there are many more in the series yet.
Very good. Highly recommended.
charlibirb's review against another edition
3.0
A big ol' meh.
I can definitely see how this book would have been groundbreaking in its day, but it's dated, and I kept falling asleep while reading it. Definitely not reading all the other Elric books. Main character full of possibility, but too many Deus ex Machina solutions to problems. Literally, gods would come save him. Multiple times.
I can definitely see how this book would have been groundbreaking in its day, but it's dated, and I kept falling asleep while reading it. Definitely not reading all the other Elric books. Main character full of possibility, but too many Deus ex Machina solutions to problems. Literally, gods would come save him. Multiple times.