This is one of my favorite books by him. He writes both fantasy & SF, but this one is definitely fantasy. He dusts off some old myths & tosses a modern man into one. Very well done. ( )

This is a great fantasy book. In fact, it is one of the books that inspired the creator of Dungeons and Dragons. The plot isn't that unusual - in World War 2, a man from our world finds himself in a fantasy world, on a quest that will have consequences in the fight against evil in our world. Dragons, trolls, magic swords, everything you'd expect in a classic fantasy novel, told simply and well. ( )

This fantasy was a delight from start to finish, as I have come to expect from the 'Fantasy Masterworks' series, a selection of 'top of the range' fantasy. I had heard Anderson's name mentioned a lot in relation to good, well told stories but this was the first I have read and I couldn't have asked for more. Except for it to have been about three times as long!

I must note that it is essential that you read the author's note at the beginning. I usually do but sometimes don't and wouldn't want anyone to miss anything.

The story centres around the old fantasy faithful. A man transplanted in a world he doesn't know or understand, where it becomes obvious that he is destined to save this world. The man, in this case Holger Carlsen, is accompanied by a dwarf with attitude, a girl who turns into a swan and has motives of her own, and a whole host of old mythological legends and characters to help or hinder him, including Morgan le Fay, and others of the world of Faerie.

Holger is a likeable main character, as are all those on the side of the 'good' and the premise is brilliant, and made me look at historical events slightly differently, although not in too much depth!

Every page was filled with either action or interesting movement in the plot, and my ONLY criticism is in the way it finished. Much too abruptly for my liking! Some of the secondary characters could also have done with some more depth and background for my liking. But I like epics.

I would recommend it to anyone who likes classic fantasy or would like to try some. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride from start to finish.

In one line: Classic fantasy extremely well done. ( )

Holger the hero.

Is transported from a World War II battle straight to a world where he becomes a sort of Arthurian champion of Law.

However, this resembles Moorcock or Elric completely not at all given it is full of unicorns and knights and trolls, and annoying personifications of Morgan Le Fay, etc.

Pretty light fantasy, not anywhere near such aforementioned sword and sorcery stuff.

e.g. "He glimpsed the beautiful white beast flitting between the trees. A stray wisp of ivy had caught on its horn. Wait. He peered through the half-light. Didn’t someone walk beside it?

Meriven tensed pantherishly. “If we steal close—” she whispered. Her horse moved forward, hoofs noiseless on the turf.

The unicorn stopped, looked back at them, and was away, a shining shadow rapidly lost to sight. Meriven swore with unladylike imaginativeness. Holger said nothing, because he had seen what accompanied the animal. For one moment he had locked eyes with Alianora. Now she was also gone."

Not to mention the odd damsel:
"The girl turned her head. Holger saw how the blush stained her face and bosom. Still more acutely was he aware of her young curves. within the swan tunic, of great gray eyes and soft lips and fluttering hands. “Nay,” she whispered. “I dinna know what ye means, Sir Carahue.”

Then the annoying Arthurians :

"“Well, we of the gentler sex must be permitted a little fancifulness, must we not, my sweet?” She patted his cheek. “It’s God’s truth that I have come to win you back.”

“Win me back to Chaos!” he blustered.

“And why not? What is there about dull Law that drives you to defend it? See, I am honest with you; now do you be honest with yourself. Why, Holger, my darling bear, you’re but bulwarking loutish peasants and fat-gutted burghers, when the mirth and thunder and blazing stars of Chaos could be yours. When were you ever one for a safe and narrow life, locked in its own smugness, roofed with a sour gray sky, stinking of smoke and dung—you who drove armies from the field? You could hurl suns and shape worlds if you chose!”

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/09... ( )

Three Hearts and Three Lions is a hybrid fantasy/historical fantasy novel in the classic time shift mode. Our hero, Holger Carlson, an engineer from Denmark finds himself thrust into the Fantasy realm of King Arthur, Morgan Le Fay, and Charlemagne. Through his journey to discover where he is and how to get back home, he discovers *who* he is and his place in both worlds.

Holger Carlson is an incarnation of the Holger Danske, a Danish hero in the same mode as King Arthur is in England. Seeing the big man interact with some of the legends of English lore was interesting, and upon further research, it was even more interesting to discovery that his legend involved wars, loves, and friendships that were described in this novel. There was a little bit of Connecticut Yankee in this one along with the normal swords and sorcery elements.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. It was obvious that Anderson was master of his craft. ( )