The Tritonian Ring

I consider this a minor classic of S&S and one of de Camp's more accomplished solo works (most of his well-known stuff was written in collaboration with Fletcher Pratt).

Unlike his Conan pastiches, which while readable could hardly be considered much more than vaguely inspired hackwork, The Tritonian Ring is a far more original and personal work. De Camp was irritated by what he saw as historical inaccuracies, or rather implausibilities, in the works of Howard and co, who despite working in the regions of fantasy frequently attempted to place their works in a believable pre-historical framework. The Tritonian Ring was his remedy to that. Iron, for instance, is totally unknown, to the point where its very existence is considered magical, show more horseback riding is extremely difficult due to the total absence of stirrups, no buildings attain more than about two storeys, etc.

Unfortunately, his very goal of attaining historical verisimilitude is undermined by a rather too jokey and lightweight tone. De Camp was never a particularly gritty writer, and while the book doesn't shy away from violence and grue, the whole work comes across as somewhat lacking in seriousness. Non-serious S&S can work, of course, but it needs to be strong in other areas, humor, bawdiness, sparkling dialogue, inventiveness etc. The Tritonian Ring contains most of these elements, but it never truly excels in any of them. Many of the settings feel bland and nondescript. Characters never really move beyond the two-dimensional. The plot, a fairly standard hunt the artefact quest, contains few surprises.

Nonetheless, de Camp knew how to entertain, and The Tritonian Ring moves along at a cracking pace for every one of its 200-odd pages. Worth reading, if only as a fun historical curio. show less

I consider this a minor classic of S&S and one of de Camp's more accomplished solo works (most of his well-known stuff was written in collaboration with Fletcher Pratt).

Unlike his Conan pastiches, which while readable could hardly be considered much more than vaguely inspired hackwork, The Tritonian Ring is a far more original and personal work. De Camp was irritated by what he saw as historical inaccuracies, or rather implausibilities, in the works of Howard and co, who despite working in the regions of fantasy frequently attempted to place their works in a believable pre-historical framework. The Tritonian Ring was his remedy to that. Iron, for instance, is totally unknown, to the point where its very existence is considered magical, show more horseback riding is extremely difficult due to the total absence of stirrups, no buildings attain more than about two storeys, etc.

Unfortunately, his very goal of attaining historical verisimilitude is undermined by a rather too jokey and lightweight tone. De Camp was never a particularly gritty writer, and while the book doesn't shy away from violence and grue, the whole work comes across as somewhat lacking in seriousness. Non-serious S&S can work, of course, but it needs to be strong in other areas, humor, bawdiness, sparkling dialogue, inventiveness etc. The Tritonian Ring contains most of these elements, but it never truly excels in any of them. Many of the settings feel bland and nondescript. Characters never really move beyond the two-dimensional. The plot, a fairly standard hunt the artefact quest, contains few surprises.

Nonetheless, de Camp knew how to entertain, and The Tritonian Ring moves along at a cracking pace for every one of its 200-odd pages. Worth reading, if only as a fun historical curio. show less

To save his kingdom from divine wrath, Prince Vakar of Lorsk travels the world seeking a magical ring made from a fallen star, defying gods, sorcerers, and monsters.

Vakar is a pragmatic, skeptical protagonist who survives through wit and luck, facing adversaries like the Gorgonians, the witch Gra, and the sorcerer Qasigan. He also encounters Queen Porfia of Sederado.

One of the earliest, if not the earliest, forays into Sword and Sorcery by De Camp, The Tritonian Ring follows the well-worn noble quest cum travelogue approach to fantasy novels. This gives it a typically episodic style but De Camp's straightforward narrative and humour lifts it above a lot of other entries including much of De Camp's later work.

Prince Vakar of Lorsk, handy with a sword but rather pompous, self-important and prone to beat his hapless servant Fual for any perceived shortcomings in his service level, sets out to "seek the thing the gods fear most", the Tritonian Ring.

Some of Vakar's bawdier encounters recall Cabell's Jurgen and while this isn't in that league it's still and enjoyable journey through Poseidonis, De Camp's show more version of the Hyborian Age. A number of short stories set in Poseidonis also exist but they don't work as well as this novel. show less