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4.0 

Phoenix in Obsidian

By Michael Moorcock
Phoenix in Obsidian by Michael Moorcock digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

The heroic John Daker makes a triumphant return in this second installment of The Eternal Champion Sequence—a classic staple of the sword and sorcery genre

As Erekosë, the Eternal Champion, John Daker slew the human race that had betrayed his ideals. And loved Ermizhad, the Eldren princess.

Then the voices called to him and he was powerless to resist. As Fate’s soldier, the Eternal One, his lot was to vanquish tyranny. Sent tumbling through the corridors of eternity, he was transformed.

Now he is Urlik Skarsol, Prince of the Southern Ice, and he must take up the Black Sword and conquer the powers of Evil before he can rediscover Ermizhad, the Eldren princess—and know peace once more.

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4 Reviews

4.0
“**Review of *Phoenix in Obsidian* by Michael Moorcock** *Phoenix in Obsidian* is the second book in Michael Moorcock's "The Eternal Champion" series, a complex and compelling continuation of his exploration into the themes of destiny, heroism, and identity. Following the events of *The Eternal Champion*, we once again meet Erekosë, a man fated to be reborn across different times and realities as various incarnations of the Eternal Champion. In this novel, Erekosë is summoned into a new world where he takes on the persona of Urlik Skarsol, a brooding, almost tragic figure, who is the last hope against the encroaching forces of entropy and cosmic despair. Moorcock paints a vividly bleak dying Earth where the sun has cooled, and the remnants of humanity cling to survival in a frozen wasteland. However this time around the setting is more than just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right, reflecting the inner turmoil and existential dread that Erekosë/Urlik faces. Moorcock’s writing is rich in imagery and there is a dreamlike atmosphere where reality and myth blur, and time itself feels fluid. The story is fast-paced, but it doesn't sacrifice depth. The philosophical underpinnings of the Eternal Champion's burden are explored, delving into the nature of free will versus predestination, and the psychological cost of being a perpetual saviour condemned to an endless cycle of violence and sorrow. Urlik Skarsol is a fascinating and complex character. Unlike the traditional heroic archetype, he is weary, haunted by the memories of his past lives and the endless battles he has fought. There is a poignant sense of loss and resignation in Urlik, who yearns for peace and finality but is denied both. This portrayal challenges the expectations of what it means to be a hero, making the novel as much an introspective journey as it is an adventure. The book is not without its flaws, the narrative was disorienting at times, especially if you are not familiar with Moorcock’s multiverse and the concept of the Eternal Champion. The transitions between worlds and realities were jarring, and the abstract nature of some scenes left me puzzled and the ending felt very rushed. However, Phoenix in Obsidian is a thought-provoking entry in Moorcock’s oeuvre creating a dark, and atmospheric tale.”

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