Elric of Melniboné (1972)

Although it's the first book in the series, it's not the first one written, and it shows. In my opinion, the earlier stories were the more original of the lot (which I'm currently reading, collected in the 'Stormbringer' volume). This one reads more like the outline of a story, with some very good ideas, but not a lot of development of them. ( )

When he had meditated for more than five hours Elric took a brush and a jar of ink and began to paint both walls and floor with complicated symbols, some of which were so intricate that they seemed to disappear at an angle to the surface on which they had been laid. At last this was done and Elric spreadeagled himself in the very centre of his huge rune, face down, one hand upon his grimoire, the other (with the Actorios upon it) stretched palm down. The moon was full. A shaft of its light fell directly upon Elric's head, turning the hair to silver. And then the Summoning began.

The first book in the ELric series turned up at the local BookCrossing meet, and I decided to take it because although I've read "Elric at the end of Time" and a few of the short stories over the years, I have never read this one before.

Elric, the young Emporor of Melnibone, the Dragon isle, faces competition at home (from his ruthless and treacherous cousin Prince Yyrkoon) and abroad (due tot he rise of the human-rules Young Kingdoms). In the past his ancestors were powerful sorcerors who called upon the demon lord Duke Arioch for help, but Elric is trying to rule in another way until his cousin forces his hand.

I think I would have prefered this when I was younger; I am probably too old for sword and sorcery tales nowadays. ( )

Elric is the new emperor of Melnibone. He is introspective and considering - traits uncommon and unappreciated in a Melnibonean emperor. He is also an albino and afflicted with fits of exhaustion that would have killed him long ago if not for a regimen of drugs and potions that return some portion of his vigor. In short, he is viewed as weak and eccentric. His cousin, Yyrknoon, is more open and more ambitious than most. This first volume of the Elric saga tells of Yyrkoon's treachery and how Elric strives to solidify his claim to the throne without becoming something that he is not. It's a tight rope to walk and Elric does as well as can be hoped.

The first book introduces Elric and describes how Yyrkoon betrays him during the sea battle against the Young Kingdoms. The second book tells of Yyrkoon's flight with Cymoril and how Elric uses the Ship of Land and Water to find Yyrkoon and how he used blind soldiers to defeat the Mirror of Memory. The third book describes Elric's quest to track Yyrkoon through the shadow portal and stop him from acquiring the black swords. The third book also introduces Rakhir the Red Archer. ( )

Although it's the first book in the series, it's not the first one written, and it shows. In my opinion, the earlier stories were the more original of the lot (which I'm currently reading, collected in the 'Stormbringer' volume). This one reads more like the outline of a story, with some very good ideas, but not a lot of development of them. ( )

I must say I was quite disappointed. I read this book first time as a teenager, in french, and had a good memory of the quality of the writing. can't really say the same to the original english version.nonetheless, the dark ambiance which reigns in these pages, the anti hero, murderer of his own race, his loved one and his closest friend, is still something.a must read in the field of Heroic Fantasy. ( )