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From World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Moorcock comes the first book in his famous Elric of Melniboné series, brought to vivid new life with stunning illustrations.
In one of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy epics of the 20th century, Elric is the brooding, albino emperor of the dying Kingdom of Melnibone. With Melnibone’s years of grandeur and decadence long since passed, Elric’s amoral cousin Yrkoon sets his eyes on the throne. Elric, realizing he is his country’s best hope, must face his nefarious cousin in an epic battle for the right to rule.
Elric of Melnibone is the first in Michael Moorcock’s incredible series, which created fantasy archetypes that have echoed through the genre for generations. The beautiful, vivid illustrations bring new life to the story and are sure to captivate fans, new and old.
In one of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy epics of the 20th century, Elric is the brooding, albino emperor of the dying Kingdom of Melnibone. With Melnibone’s years of grandeur and decadence long since passed, Elric’s amoral cousin Yrkoon sets his eyes on the throne. Elric, realizing he is his country’s best hope, must face his nefarious cousin in an epic battle for the right to rule.
Elric of Melnibone is the first in Michael Moorcock’s incredible series, which created fantasy archetypes that have echoed through the genre for generations. The beautiful, vivid illustrations bring new life to the story and are sure to captivate fans, new and old.
429 Reviews
3.5
Caitlyn Alexandra
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“Phenomenal!! I’m reading the omnibus volume that includes “Elric of Melniboné”, “Fortress of the Pearl”, “The Sailor on the Seas of Fate”, and “The Weird of the White Wolf”.
Having just finished Elric of Melniboné, I can easily say this will be a favourite series of mine. It’s incredibly atmospheric, and I love that each chapter is like an “episode” or a contained short story with an overarching plot. Others have commented they don’t enjoy the prose, I think it is told like an epic. It reminds me of the Poetic or Prose Edda, actually.
The story is deep — it tackles the concept of predestination well.
I love Elric. He’s moody, he’s broody, he’s tortured, he’s merciful but also so so so dumb. He makes deals, he’s intelligent, he’s a leader, he’s ill, he’s both strong and weak, he’s detached for survival yet cares so deeply he lets it cloud his judgement.
The world building is neat, although the characters are generally more on the one dimensional side. Elric is by far the most interesting, Yykroon is unfathomably unhinged, Dyvim Tvar is like “aw man aren’t you sure we can’t fix this with dragons?”, Cymoril is going “Elric, Elric listen to me, you’re doomed by the narrative. Doomed, I tell you!!” alas Elric won’t listen.
This had quite a bit more humour than I anticipated. The dialogue was deadpan but witty; the fact his servant was named Tanglebones absolutely took me out only a few pages in. The Ship Which Sails Over Land and Sea being referred to by its full title, each time, conjoined with Dyvim being like “not sure about this boat tbh seems like a big bag of nope to me” was hilarious. Even when Elric had to be pulled out of the quicksand, I found it so funny that he was like, it’s alright, just leave me behind. This quicksand seems intent on taking me. No worries.
Overall, loved this!! I will also pick up the comics, I think. I have high hopes for these stories. Looking forward to a great adventure!”
Michael L. Morrison
Created 7 days agoShare
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“I'll keep my thoughts brief on this book. While I liked it overall, I found it to be just okay. There wasn't much that stood out as unique compared to other fantasy novels I've read. However, considering it was written in 1972, before many of the books I enjoy now, I can appreciate its legacy. I recognized familiar themes of fate, free will, and the struggle between good and evil, as well as the concept of sentient artifacts. Given its historical context, I rated it three stars instead of two. The main character, Elric, is flawed with physical limitations and moral conflicts, yet he still manages to assert his presence as a protagonist. His narrative is central to the story, driving the plot with his adventures, struggles, and dilemmas. Despite this, I won't be continuing with the series beyond this book.”
Gregory Thurber
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Reaper Hound
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Braxton Snuffer
Created 9 days agoShare
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About Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock is one of the most important and influential figures in speculative fiction and fantasy literature. Listed recently by The Times (London) as among the fifty greatest British writers since 1945, he is the author of 100 books and more than 150 shorter stories in practically every genre. He has been the recipient of several lifetime achievement awards, including the Prix Utopiales, the SFWA Grand Master, the Stoker, and the World Fantasy, and has been inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. He has been awarded the Nebula Award, the World Fantasy Award, the John W. Campbell Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize, and has been shortlisted for the Whitbread Award. He has been compared to Balzac, Dickens, Dumas, Ian Fleming, Joyce, and Robert E. Howard, to name a few.
Other books by Michael Moorcock
Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is an award-winning author of books, graphic novels, short stories, and films for all ages. His titles include Norse Mythology, The Graveyard Book, Coraline, The View from the Cheap Seats, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neverwhere, and the Sandman series of graphic novels, among other works. His fiction has received Newbery, Carnegie, Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Eisner awards. The film adaptation of his short story “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” and the second season of the critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated television adaptation of his novel American Gods will be released in 2018. Born in the UK, he now lives in the United States.
Other books by Neil Gaiman
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