The Fortress of the Pearl (original 1989; edition 1989)

Placed chronologically somewhere very early in the Elric saga (before the death of Cymoril), this is the story of Elric taking down an all-but-dead empire that once thought itself a rival for Melnibone. He does this somewhat unwillingly - as he is manipulated into seeking out a particular Pearl that can only be found by a Dreamthief - people who are able to enter another person's dreams and live in those dreams as well as make real items from the dream. Unfortunately for the orchestrater of this little plot, he leaves Elric alive and doesn't quite poison him enough to make him fear death.

With the help of an experienced Dreamthief, Elric enters the dream of a nomadic princess/wisewoman and seeks the Pearl. Throughout the dream, the two are assaulted by dreams. In this place, they temporarily meet up with another aspect of Moonglum who guides them for a little way. Of course, at the end of the day, Elric retrieves the Pearl, rescues the princess and returns from dreamland. He takes the Pearl to his intended murderer and proceeds to stuff it down his throat. Then, our hero draws his sword and dedicates the entire remnant of that ancient empire to Arioch. ( )

This was a very long awaited addition to the Elric Saga. Unfortunately, for me it did not live up to the original books. It didn't have the same alien feel, the same mysticism and strangeness that his earliest books had. This one is perhaps a little darker and more drawn out, less of Elric just going out and being Elric. I still enjoyed it though. Mediocre Moorcock is better than a lot of writers. ( )

The Fortress of the Pearl - Michael Moorcock
This novel was published in the late eighties, but comes in around second, chronologically.

Elric is in trouble, and when he arrives at the mysterious city of Quarzhasaat he is easily convinced to undergo a quest in return for aid.

He must find the Pearl at the Heart of the World. It ain't that easy though, as it is in a fortress. But Elric is still Elric, and having recovered his strength, he still has Stormbringer along with his other talents.

http://freesf.strandedinoz.com/wordpress/2006/12/the-fortress-of-the-pearl-micha... ( )

http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?ID=667 ( )

This novel was published in the late eighties, but comes in around second, chronologically.

Elric is in trouble, and when he arrives at the mysterious city of Quarzhasaat he is easily convinced to undergo a quest in return for aid.

He must find the Pearl at the Heart of the World. It ain't that easy though, as it is in a fortress. But Elric is still Elric, and having recovered his strength, he still has Stormbringer along with his other talents.

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2006/12/elric-2-fortress-of-pearl.html ( )