A review by isauldur
The Eternal Champion by Michael Moorcock
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.