The Sundered Worlds
by Michael Moorcock
Moorcock's Multiverse (book 1), The Eternal Champion (Moorcock's Multiverse book 1)
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The first book of the multiverse. Dorian Hawkmoon ... Corum Jhaelen Irsei ... Elric of Melnibon . Over the years, Michael Moorcock has captivated readers with his unending versions of the Eternal Champion, the timeless warrior who serves the Cosmic Balance in the ongoing battle that rages between Law and Chaos through the many planes and levels of the multiverse. But what is the multiverse and what are its origins? In this essential novel, Michael Moorcock provides readers these critical show more answers. World War Three has come and gone, and humankind has survived its brutal past to assume its place among the stars. Yet their existence is endangered nonetheless, as their entire universe is threatening to collapse. All their hopes rest on the shoulders of Count Renark von Bek, a nobleman of extraordinary psychic abilities and carefully guarded secrets. Aided by his companions, von Bek will delve into the Sundered Worlds, a mysterious galaxy outside the space-time continuum that has materialized on the edges of known space. Inside this roving galaxy, they will uncover the secrets of the multiverse and embark upon a last desperate gamble to save humankind. But as they will soon discover, even survival comes laden with danger, as the solutions to their dilemma may also hold the final keys to their destruction ... Michael Moorcock has been inducted in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers or America, and received the Lifetime Achievement World Fantasy, Bram Stoker, and Prix Utopiales Awards. The Sundered Worlds is one of his earlier novels, now back in print for a new generation. show lessTags
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Read as part of the Eternal Champion Omnibus Edition #1.
Renark von Bek has sacrificed everything on some damned fool idealistic crusade worthy of any Jedi Knight. He has discovered that the universe humanity occupies is collapsing in on itself and in very short order will snuff out all life. His only hope is to discover some means by which humanity can escape into a different universe and hopefully the shifter system (a star system that spans multiple planes within the multiverse) will provide an answer. The answer, of course, is provided - but the cost might be enough to wipe out humanity anyway.
And is the Blood Red Game a strong enough crucible to force mankind to evolve quickly enough to take up its birthright as the dominant show more sentient species within the multiverse? show less
Renark von Bek has sacrificed everything on some damned fool idealistic crusade worthy of any Jedi Knight. He has discovered that the universe humanity occupies is collapsing in on itself and in very short order will snuff out all life. His only hope is to discover some means by which humanity can escape into a different universe and hopefully the shifter system (a star system that spans multiple planes within the multiverse) will provide an answer. The answer, of course, is provided - but the cost might be enough to wipe out humanity anyway.
And is the Blood Red Game a strong enough crucible to force mankind to evolve quickly enough to take up its birthright as the dominant show more sentient species within the multiverse? show less
Renark von Bek discovers that the universe is contracting at an accelerated rate and ventures into a solar system that travels though different dimensions in search of a way to save the human race. He learns information about the true nature of humanity and the Multiverse. Eventually, humanity is forced to fight for its survival in a strange, psychic game against aliens.
This is basically a pulpish, space opera with a lot of fairly cheesy writing. Moorcock seems to be trying to present some bigger themes about the meaning of life, but they just don't fit too well with this kind of story. There are all kinds of large-scale events going on that are made to seem almost trivial while there is also a lot of detail on some seemingly trivial show more emotional issues of the characters. The whole thing just does not make a satisfying mix. show less
This is basically a pulpish, space opera with a lot of fairly cheesy writing. Moorcock seems to be trying to present some bigger themes about the meaning of life, but they just don't fit too well with this kind of story. There are all kinds of large-scale events going on that are made to seem almost trivial while there is also a lot of detail on some seemingly trivial show more emotional issues of the characters. The whole thing just does not make a satisfying mix. show less
The Sundered Worlds
By Michael Moorcock
Publisher: White Wolf Publishing
Published In: Clarkston, GA, USA
Date: 1962
Pgs: 159
Summary:
Beyond the edge of the Universe spins the Shifter occasionally touching this multiversal plane…before shifting away. Pioneers, criminals, and adventurers searching for a new beginning or a different life seek it out. Out there, Count of the Rim Renark von Bek has quit his job. He was a Guide Senser and could with limited information find his way, find things from pennies to stars by thinking about them. This and other abilities earned him the Warden of the Rim Worlds job, which he quit when he learned a disheartening truth from an alien vessel from a neighboring universe came for a visit. This visit and the show more impending doom it brought knowledge of sent him on his quest to the Shifter, beyond the universe, through the dimensions…and beyond death.
Genre:
Space, sci fi, metaphysics, armageddon
Main Character:
Call it a toss on whether Renark is the main character, Asquiol is, or Adam Roffrey was. All three hold the spotlight for a portion of the story. And the book reads almost as if it is parts woven together.
Favorite Character:
Mary the Maze is probably the most interesting character
Least Favorite Character:
Asquiol, who goes from swashbuckling, musketeerish, ne’er-d-well to omnipresent stiff as a board, the transformation robbed the character of it’s charm.
Favorite Scene:
When playing the psychic war game, Adam Roffrey in his last attack of his second round reaches out to his control panel and shouts, “Cats! Crawl along your spines with their claws gripping your nerves. Tides of mud, oozing. Drown, creatures, drown!”
Which I guess would be terrifying to creatures who had no concept what cats were…or possibly mud for the matter with the way their opponents were described.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
What happens to Renark when the refugees evacuate is one big hole.
Last Page Sound:
Meh!
Author Assessment:
Still love Moorcock and I am continuing through the omnibus edition of The Eternal Champion that includes The Eternal Champion, The Sundered Worlds, Phoenix in Obsidian, and To Rescue Tanelorn…
Disposition of Book:
Up in the air. After finishing TEC, the thought was that this was a keep and re-read. We’ll see how I feel about it when I’ve finished the last two books in the omnibus. show less
By Michael Moorcock
Publisher: White Wolf Publishing
Published In: Clarkston, GA, USA
Date: 1962
Pgs: 159
Summary:
Beyond the edge of the Universe spins the Shifter occasionally touching this multiversal plane…before shifting away. Pioneers, criminals, and adventurers searching for a new beginning or a different life seek it out. Out there, Count of the Rim Renark von Bek has quit his job. He was a Guide Senser and could with limited information find his way, find things from pennies to stars by thinking about them. This and other abilities earned him the Warden of the Rim Worlds job, which he quit when he learned a disheartening truth from an alien vessel from a neighboring universe came for a visit. This visit and the show more impending doom it brought knowledge of sent him on his quest to the Shifter, beyond the universe, through the dimensions…and beyond death.
Genre:
Space, sci fi, metaphysics, armageddon
Main Character:
Call it a toss on whether Renark is the main character, Asquiol is, or Adam Roffrey was. All three hold the spotlight for a portion of the story. And the book reads almost as if it is parts woven together.
Favorite Character:
Mary the Maze is probably the most interesting character
Least Favorite Character:
Asquiol, who goes from swashbuckling, musketeerish, ne’er-d-well to omnipresent stiff as a board, the transformation robbed the character of it’s charm.
Favorite Scene:
When playing the psychic war game, Adam Roffrey in his last attack of his second round reaches out to his control panel and shouts, “Cats! Crawl along your spines with their claws gripping your nerves. Tides of mud, oozing. Drown, creatures, drown!”
Which I guess would be terrifying to creatures who had no concept what cats were…or possibly mud for the matter with the way their opponents were described.
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
What happens to Renark when the refugees evacuate is one big hole.
Last Page Sound:
Meh!
Author Assessment:
Still love Moorcock and I am continuing through the omnibus edition of The Eternal Champion that includes The Eternal Champion, The Sundered Worlds, Phoenix in Obsidian, and To Rescue Tanelorn…
Disposition of Book:
Up in the air. After finishing TEC, the thought was that this was a keep and re-read. We’ll see how I feel about it when I’ve finished the last two books in the omnibus. show less
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657+ Works 64,884 Members
Michael Moorcock, 1939 - Writer Michael Moorcock was born December 18, 1939 in Mitcham, Surrey, England. Moorcock was the editor of the juvenile magazine Tarzan Adventures from 1956-58, an editor and writer for the Sexton Blake Library and for comic strips and children's annuals from 1959-61, an editor and pamphleteer for Liberal Party in 1962, show more and became editor and publisher for the science fiction magazine New Worlds in 1964. He has worked as a singer-guitarist, has worked with the rock bands Hawkwind and Blue Oyster Cult and is a member of the rock band Michael Moorcock and the Deep Fix. Moorcock's writing covers a wide range of science fiction and fantasy genres. "The Chronicles of Castle Brass" was a sword and sorcery novel, and "Breakfast in the Ruins: A Novel of Inhumanity" uses the character Karl Glogauer as a different person in different times. Karl participates in the political violence of the French Revolution, the Paris Commune, and a Nazi concentration camp. Moorcock also wrote books and stories that featured the character Jerry Cornelius, who had no consistent character or appearance. "The Condition of Muzak" completed the initial Jerry Cornelius tetralogy and won Guardian Literary Prize in 1977. "Byzantium Endures" and "The Laughter of Carthage" are two autobiographical novels of the Russian emigre Colonel Pyat and were the closest Moorcock came to conventional literary fiction. "Byzantium Endures" focuses on the first twenty years of Pyat's life and tells of his role in the Russian revolution. Pyat survives the revolution and the subsequent civil war by working first for one side and then another. "The Laughter of Carthage" covers Pyat's life from 1920-1924 telling of his escape from Communist Russia and his travels in Europe and America. It's a sweeping picture of the world during the 1920's because it takes the character from living in Constantinople to Hollywood. Moorcock returned to the New Wave style in "Blood: A Southern Fantasy" (1994) and combined mainstream fiction with fantasy in "The Brothel of Rosenstrasse," which is set in the imaginary city of Mirenburg. MoorCock won the 1967 Nebula Award for Behold the Man and the 1979 World Fantasy Award for his novel, Gloriana. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Sundered Worlds
- Original title
- The Sundered Worlds
- Alternate titles
- The Blood Red Game
- Original publication date
- 1965
- People/Characters
- Renark von Bek; Asquiol of Pompeii; Paul Talfryn; Willow Kovacs; Kol Manage; Ragnar Olesson (show all 18); Klein; Mary the Maze; Naro Nuis; Zeni Ouis; Roas Rui; Woui Nas; Bossan Glinqvist; Mordan; Adam Roffrey; Professor Selinsky; Doctor Mann; O'Hara
- Dedication
- For Barry Bayley
- First words
- PROLOGUE
Renark was a wanderer in the galaxy for two years - but he was not lonely
ONE
The three of them met, at last, in a terrible town called Migaa on the harsh, bright edge of a wilderness. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)All promise, all hope.
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- Reviews
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- Languages
- English, French, German, Greek
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 9
- ASINs
- 16
