isauldur's review against another edition
3.0
[b:The Eternal Champion|1826082|The Eternal Champion (Erekosë, #1)|Michael Moorcock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1265763162s/1826082.jpg|44842200]: 3 or 3.5 stars. It's pretty predictable and a little rushed sometimes, but it's fun and has some epic sequences. It doesn't quite reach the heights of Elric or even Corum.
[b:Phoenix in Obsidian|757297|Phoenix in Obsidian (Erekosë, #2)|Michael Moorcock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1308390810s/757297.jpg|1825827]: 3 stars but barely. It's dark and has a lot more atmosphere than the previous novel, but it's a little disjointed and all over the place. The revelations about the Eternal Champion and the Multiverse are certainly helpful for later, if one plans to continue reading Moorcock's multiverse series, but overall it's dark, depressing and falls a little flat.
[b:The Dragon in the Sword|757283|The Dragon in the Sword (Erekosë, #3)|Michael Moorcock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1299425551s/757283.jpg|743397]: 3 maybe 3.5 stars. More cohesive than its predecessor, but not quite as straightforward as the first novel in the trilogy. It's fun most of the time, and it offers a lot of cool looks at the core of the Balance and the struggle between Law and Chaos. Sometimes it drags, but the pacing is better than that of the previous two. I found von Bek unnecessary in this, and I felt like Moorcock just wanted to excuse his presence near the end where von Bek does something "important." Still, I enjoyed it.
Overall, if I were to rate this omnibus as a single novel, I'd probably go as high as 3.5 stars, but wouldn't round up. It's fun, sets up the multiverse, but I'd recommend starting reading Moorcock's series elsewhere. Maybe the first three Elric books, or the first Corum trilogy.
[b:Phoenix in Obsidian|757297|Phoenix in Obsidian (Erekosë, #2)|Michael Moorcock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1308390810s/757297.jpg|1825827]: 3 stars but barely. It's dark and has a lot more atmosphere than the previous novel, but it's a little disjointed and all over the place. The revelations about the Eternal Champion and the Multiverse are certainly helpful for later, if one plans to continue reading Moorcock's multiverse series, but overall it's dark, depressing and falls a little flat.
[b:The Dragon in the Sword|757283|The Dragon in the Sword (Erekosë, #3)|Michael Moorcock|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1299425551s/757283.jpg|743397]: 3 maybe 3.5 stars. More cohesive than its predecessor, but not quite as straightforward as the first novel in the trilogy. It's fun most of the time, and it offers a lot of cool looks at the core of the Balance and the struggle between Law and Chaos. Sometimes it drags, but the pacing is better than that of the previous two. I found von Bek unnecessary in this, and I felt like Moorcock just wanted to excuse his presence near the end where von Bek does something "important." Still, I enjoyed it.
Overall, if I were to rate this omnibus as a single novel, I'd probably go as high as 3.5 stars, but wouldn't round up. It's fun, sets up the multiverse, but I'd recommend starting reading Moorcock's series elsewhere. Maybe the first three Elric books, or the first Corum trilogy.
the_evergrowing_library's review against another edition
4.0
1970’s science fantasy, it’s a wonderful thing. Authors didn’t weigh themselves down with masses of world building and it felt like you learned along with them. This also made them less of a daunting word count for when you just wanted a trip to another world.
I found the story flowed well and while it does have a slightly clunky start, it still had decent pacing throughout. The character of Erekosë does fall into the role a little too easily and it would have been good to get a little more from the acclimatisation.
Once the story gets going though it’s a wonderful journey and Erekosë/John really starts to think for himself after the tides of war are upon him. This is really when the story opens up and takes shape truly and it starts to add the layers needed for a wonderful read.
I got through this fast and no, it’s not a masterpiece, but for its time it’s great and I could fully imagine someone paging through this in 1970 and just being blown away.
I found the story flowed well and while it does have a slightly clunky start, it still had decent pacing throughout. The character of Erekosë does fall into the role a little too easily and it would have been good to get a little more from the acclimatisation.
Once the story gets going though it’s a wonderful journey and Erekosë/John really starts to think for himself after the tides of war are upon him. This is really when the story opens up and takes shape truly and it starts to add the layers needed for a wonderful read.
I got through this fast and no, it’s not a masterpiece, but for its time it’s great and I could fully imagine someone paging through this in 1970 and just being blown away.
miranbatti's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
smiorganbaldhead's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this story, and appreciate its importance to the overall Eternal Champion mythos. I probably would have given a higher rating, except Erekosë's motivations didn't make sense to me at a key moment. Up to the point that Iolinda accused him of being a traitor, I was on board. However, then he suddenly decides to destroy all the Eldren to prove his love for Iolinda, even though his feelings for her were waning. Up to that point, he seemed repulsed by other humans' brutality and lack of honor, but then he starts behaving the same way himself. It's partially explained that this change stops his nightmares, but it doesn't appear he knew this would happen or made his decision for this purpose. I think the story would have been much more satisfying if his motivation at this point made more sense.
addisonleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
wildbillbourbon's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent fantasy novel and the beginning of Michael's Eternal champion multiverse. Overall I found the book compelling and thoroughly entertaining. Some moments felt a little forced and unearned but otherwise a great read. I am looking forward to more books in this expanded universe.
darylnash's review against another edition
3.0
The eponymous book. 3 stars. Pretty decent for an early work, although I guessed the plot twist about three chapters in.
The Sundered Worlds. 1 star. I kind of hated that. There were some great ideas, including the first popular use of the term Multiverse, but there's also a lot of unnecessary running around interspersed with vague descriptions of the characters getting their minds bent. It has not aged well.
Phoenix in Obsidian. 4 stars. Now there’s the weird, poetic, brooding fantasy I remember from Elric that I read so long ago.
To Rescue Tanelorn. 3. Short story. Good for what it was, but either I missed something or it was missing something.
The Sundered Worlds. 1 star. I kind of hated that. There were some great ideas, including the first popular use of the term Multiverse, but there's also a lot of unnecessary running around interspersed with vague descriptions of the characters getting their minds bent. It has not aged well.
Phoenix in Obsidian. 4 stars. Now there’s the weird, poetic, brooding fantasy I remember from Elric that I read so long ago.
To Rescue Tanelorn. 3. Short story. Good for what it was, but either I missed something or it was missing something.
sephranix's review
I'm done with this book/series. Something about it just doesn't work for me, and one of my resolutions for this year is to DNF more books that I'm not enjoying. So. Into the donate pile it goes.
aandnota's review
4.0
Pretty good, if a bit boring. It’s a morality tale and not his best in my opinion. It felt like a semi-fleshed out idea and I couldn’t really get into it.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
4.0
The best of the John Daker stories; heavily influenced by Poul Anderson's Three Hearts & Three Lions, the novel is an interesting meditation on the demands we make of our heroes, and what happens when heroic archetypes are bent towards wicked causes. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/behold-the-eternal-man/