Ulrich Von Bek discovers that Lucifer had claimed his soul. Now the only chance for redemption is to go on a quest for the holy grail to restore lucifer in god's good grace.

Very well written adventure novel. Unique writing style but I enjoyed the plot and development of the characters very much. Highly recommend to anyone who likes the fantasy adventure genre with a little theology mixed in. ( )

Ulrich von Bek, a mercenary captain in the Thirty Years War, finds a mysterious estate in the woods which turns out to be owned by Lucifer. Lucifer tells Ulrich that he is tired of his conflict with God and needs to find the Holy Grail as a way to make peace. If Ulrich can find the Grail, his soul will be saved from going to Hell. Ulrich takes up the quest and searches the world, including an alternate dimension called the Mittelmarch.

This was a good story with plenty of action and a different twist on the idea of the deal with the devil. The story does falter somewhat towards the ending when the pacing totally changes and Ulrich and his companion journey through a year's worth of fantastic adventures in a few pages. It seems like Moorcock just wanted to get the story done, and did not have much more to say, but did not want to make the quest seem too easy. It does come to an interesting conclusion, however, with a unique resolution. ( )

The Devil is really pretty sneaky. That will be no shock to anyone. Von Bek is a mercenary, and a very dangerous man and a bit of a lost soul, both figuratively and literally.

The Devil has a deal for him. If he can find him the Holy Grail, he can have his soul back.

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2006/1... ( )