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midnightcomets's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perhaps a favourite book of the year, although I am sad he did not remain visibly disabled, it would be cool rep for a fantasy main character, especially of such a typical heroic tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Incest, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Classism
sprout_monster's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's ok. Like a good idea but not good writing.
Also, first things first: romance between cousins? Yah no. And then the brother lusting after his sister? That's gross and only understandable if this was written like in the 1800's or by someone obsessed with accurately representing monarchies that have an inbreeding issue, which I guess would explain the sickly royal MC.
Second, the dialogue is so stiff!
Third, there was like 0 lore building. There's a cursed sword but no explanation behind the curse or like the story about the curse or anything. There's just random facts said and then it just continues on.
Fourth, this is just a preference thing, but I find the weird mix of good conscious and evil powers and faery-like society (in that the society seems to love torturing people for entertainment and throwing parties and stuff). It's confusing. I'm not sure what the author is trying to say or is building to.
Also I hate all the portents of doom which as far as I can tell hasn't occured yet. If there are portents of doom, then either the portents should be at the end or the doom should be in the book. I hate when books are like "everyone's gonna die" but whatever event that'll cause it is waaaaay into the future.
Also, did I zone out? They suddenly lost the ability to sail on land so their plan was ruined, but then it changed pov and they suddenly ran in and I think from sea? Idk, it wasn't very clear, but going from "oh no we're totally screwed" to "we won" so suddenly is confusing and a bit of an odd choice, but I guess it would've been repetitive to go through the summoning and talking to a god part again. But still, did they come by sea or by land???
But, like I said, it's a cool idea and kinda cool world and stuff.
Also, first things first: romance between cousins? Yah no. And then the brother lusting after his sister? That's gross and only understandable if this was written like in the 1800's or by someone obsessed with accurately representing monarchies that have an inbreeding issue, which I guess would explain the sickly royal MC.
Second, the dialogue is so stiff!
Third, there was like 0 lore building. There's a cursed sword but no explanation behind the curse or like the story about the curse or anything. There's just random facts said and then it just continues on.
Fourth, this is just a preference thing, but I find the weird mix of good conscious and evil powers and faery-like society (in that the society seems to love torturing people for entertainment and throwing parties and stuff). It's confusing. I'm not sure what the author is trying to say or is building to.
Also I hate all the portents of doom which as far as I can tell hasn't occured yet. If there are portents of doom, then either the portents should be at the end or the doom should be in the book. I hate when books are like "everyone's gonna die" but whatever event that'll cause it is waaaaay into the future.
But, like I said, it's a cool idea and kinda cool world and stuff.
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest
wispy_reviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Slavery
heathengray's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have found a new favourite fantasy series!
For a Melnibonéan, Elric is surprisingly human. This is a problem for Melnibonéan society (and you will get used to reading the word 'Melnibonéan') as he is their emperor. Like his father before him, Elric is introspective and practical rather than narcissistic and arrogant. According to some, his cousin is more suited to rule Melibonéan society. Power struggles and hijinks ensue.
Give Moorcock a chance to win you over with his prose style, and this will fly by. I rarely ready more than 80 pages a day with a full time job and kid, and I found I'd finished 150 on the first day, on a weeknight no less! He manages to cram in a whole elven-like society (but terrible elves like cruel rulers in fairy tales, think of those from Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army), gods, demons, elementals, barbarians, archipelagostic (is that a word?) human tribes and tows, magic swords and items with wonderful names and intimated histories, all in less than 200 pages. I wanted more.
You'll recognize some other inspired fantasy characters such as Drizzt Do'Urden (white hair, fighting against his own people's ways), and Geralt of Rivia (white hair, needs drugs and potions to keep him going). Elric however is the undiluted source of badassery.
For a Melnibonéan, Elric is surprisingly human. This is a problem for Melnibonéan society (and you will get used to reading the word 'Melnibonéan') as he is their emperor. Like his father before him, Elric is introspective and practical rather than narcissistic and arrogant. According to some, his cousin is more suited to rule Melibonéan society. Power struggles and hijinks ensue.
Give Moorcock a chance to win you over with his prose style, and this will fly by. I rarely ready more than 80 pages a day with a full time job and kid, and I found I'd finished 150 on the first day, on a weeknight no less! He manages to cram in a whole elven-like society (but terrible elves like cruel rulers in fairy tales, think of those from Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army), gods, demons, elementals, barbarians, archipelagostic (is that a word?) human tribes and tows, magic swords and items with wonderful names and intimated histories, all in less than 200 pages. I wanted more.
You'll recognize some other inspired fantasy characters such as Drizzt Do'Urden (white hair, fighting against his own people's ways), and Geralt of Rivia (white hair, needs drugs and potions to keep him going). Elric however is the undiluted source of badassery.
Content Warnings
Minor: Incest
Elric is in love with his cousin (though it is not stated if they are first or further), but this is hardly unusual for royalty.silverleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest