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The Dreamquest Trilogy #3
The White Wolf's Son: The Albino Underground
Šesti tom Sage o Elriku sadrži jedanaesti roman u hronološkom nizu Elrikovih avantura.
Jednog letnjeg dana u Jorkširu mlada Uuna fon Bek se upušta u neobičnu i rizičnu avanturu. Tlo ispred njene porodične kuće se otvara i dva opasna muškarca gone je u podzemno carstvo Srednjeg puta. Njeni baka i deda – Una, Snokradičina kći, i Elrik, poslednji vladar Melnibonea – stižu za njom, potičući i druge važne avatare Večnog Zatočnika i tragajući za Elrikovim sinom. Dok lutaju kroz beskrajna carstva postojanja i vremena, nadaju se da će zaustaviti Uunine otmičare, Gejnora Prokletog i njegove saveznike, koji planiraju da, kao večni vladari, zauzmu mesto Kosmičke ravnoteže...
Saga o Elriku najpoznatiji je serijal Majkla Murkoka, pisca koji je stvorio neke od najistrajnijih arhetipova žanra, uključujući i samog Belog Vuka, antiheroja koji je poslužio kao inspiracija za mnoge kultne likove epske fantastike, od Anomandera Rejka do Geralta od Rivije.
„Murkok nas vraća u vreme gigantskih romansijerskih talenata poput Dikensa i Tolstoja.” – Locus
„Murkokova dela su složena, maštovita i milozvučna.” – Volter Mozli
„Trenutno u Engleskoj niko više od Murkoka ne radi na tome da se razbije veštačka podela u romanesknom stvaralaštvu na realizam, nadrealizam, naučnu fantastiku, istorijsku prozu, društvenu satiru, poetski roman.” – Angus Vilson
Jednog letnjeg dana u Jorkširu mlada Uuna fon Bek se upušta u neobičnu i rizičnu avanturu. Tlo ispred njene porodične kuće se otvara i dva opasna muškarca gone je u podzemno carstvo Srednjeg puta. Njeni baka i deda – Una, Snokradičina kći, i Elrik, poslednji vladar Melnibonea – stižu za njom, potičući i druge važne avatare Večnog Zatočnika i tragajući za Elrikovim sinom. Dok lutaju kroz beskrajna carstva postojanja i vremena, nadaju se da će zaustaviti Uunine otmičare, Gejnora Prokletog i njegove saveznike, koji planiraju da, kao večni vladari, zauzmu mesto Kosmičke ravnoteže...
Saga o Elriku najpoznatiji je serijal Majkla Murkoka, pisca koji je stvorio neke od najistrajnijih arhetipova žanra, uključujući i samog Belog Vuka, antiheroja koji je poslužio kao inspiracija za mnoge kultne likove epske fantastike, od Anomandera Rejka do Geralta od Rivije.
„Murkok nas vraća u vreme gigantskih romansijerskih talenata poput Dikensa i Tolstoja.” – Locus
„Murkokova dela su složena, maštovita i milozvučna.” – Volter Mozli
„Trenutno u Engleskoj niko više od Murkoka ne radi na tome da se razbije veštačka podela u romanesknom stvaralaštvu na realizam, nadrealizam, naučnu fantastiku, istorijsku prozu, društvenu satiru, poetski roman.” – Angus Vilson
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published September 1, 2006
12 people are currently reading
1027 people want to read
About the author
Michael Moorcock
1,207 books3,744 followersMichael John Moorcock is an English writer primarily of science fiction and fantasy who has also published a number of literary novels.
Moorcock has mentioned The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw and The Constable of St. Nicholas by Edward Lester Arnold as the first three books which captured his imagination. He became editor of Tarzan Adventures in 1956, at the age of sixteen, and later moved on to edit Sexton Blake Library. As editor of the controversial British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States. His serialization of Norman Spinrad's Bug Jack Barron was notorious for causing British MPs to condemn in Parliament the Arts Council's funding of the magazine.
During this time, he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym of "James Colvin," a "house pseudonym" used by other critics on New Worlds. A spoof obituary of Colvin appeared in New Worlds #197 (January 1970), written by "William Barclay" (another Moorcock pseudonym). Moorcock, indeed, makes much use of the initials "JC", and not entirely coincidentally these are also the initials of Jesus Christ, the subject of his 1967 Nebula award-winning novella Behold the Man, which tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a time-traveller who takes on the role of Christ. They are also the initials of various "Eternal Champion" Moorcock characters such as Jerry Cornelius, Jerry Cornell and Jherek Carnelian. In more recent years, Moorcock has taken to using "Warwick Colvin, Jr." as yet another pseudonym, particularly in his Second Ether fiction.
Moorcock has mentioned The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Apple Cart by George Bernard Shaw and The Constable of St. Nicholas by Edward Lester Arnold as the first three books which captured his imagination. He became editor of Tarzan Adventures in 1956, at the age of sixteen, and later moved on to edit Sexton Blake Library. As editor of the controversial British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States. His serialization of Norman Spinrad's Bug Jack Barron was notorious for causing British MPs to condemn in Parliament the Arts Council's funding of the magazine.
During this time, he occasionally wrote under the pseudonym of "James Colvin," a "house pseudonym" used by other critics on New Worlds. A spoof obituary of Colvin appeared in New Worlds #197 (January 1970), written by "William Barclay" (another Moorcock pseudonym). Moorcock, indeed, makes much use of the initials "JC", and not entirely coincidentally these are also the initials of Jesus Christ, the subject of his 1967 Nebula award-winning novella Behold the Man, which tells the story of Karl Glogauer, a time-traveller who takes on the role of Christ. They are also the initials of various "Eternal Champion" Moorcock characters such as Jerry Cornelius, Jerry Cornell and Jherek Carnelian. In more recent years, Moorcock has taken to using "Warwick Colvin, Jr." as yet another pseudonym, particularly in his Second Ether fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 26, 2012
During a strange earthquake, Oonaugh von Bek falls down a chasm into the subterranean world of Off-Moo. Pursuing her are Gaynor the Damned and Klosterheim, bent on capturing her and draining her blood, along with that of Onric, the son of Elric and the Dreamthief. Meanwhile, Elric, aka Monsieur Zodiac, searches for Oonagh, as do a group called the League of Temporal Adventurers, as well as Oonagh's grandmother, Oona. Can Elric save Oonagh before the cosmic balance is destroyed?
The White Wolf's Son is a satisfying conclusion to the Eternal Champion saga, at least until Moorcock writes another one. The whole story takes place during a dreamquest Elric undergoes to summon Stormbringer while hanging crucified from the mast of the Theocrat's ship about halfway through Stormbringer.
By focusing on Oonaugh and Onric, Moorcock gives us a fresh look at the Elric Saga. Oonaugh's an interesting addtion to the Elric mythos, as is young Onric. A lot of the tale had an Indiana Jones feel, what with the underground cities and Nazis. Once again, Middle March proved to be an interesting setting.
Klosterheim and Gaynor are utter bastards, as are the men of Granbreton. I always thought Hawkmoon's reality had a lot of untapped potential. Now I can consider it well-tapped.
The White Wolf's Son is a good read for any Moorcock fan but it's not one of his best, and it's pretty tied to the previous two books, The Dreamthief's Daughter and The Skrayling Tree. Still, a good read for when you're craving Moorcock. Wink.
The White Wolf's Son is a satisfying conclusion to the Eternal Champion saga, at least until Moorcock writes another one. The whole story takes place during a dreamquest Elric undergoes to summon Stormbringer while hanging crucified from the mast of the Theocrat's ship about halfway through Stormbringer.
By focusing on Oonaugh and Onric, Moorcock gives us a fresh look at the Elric Saga. Oonaugh's an interesting addtion to the Elric mythos, as is young Onric. A lot of the tale had an Indiana Jones feel, what with the underground cities and Nazis. Once again, Middle March proved to be an interesting setting.
Klosterheim and Gaynor are utter bastards, as are the men of Granbreton. I always thought Hawkmoon's reality had a lot of untapped potential. Now I can consider it well-tapped.
The White Wolf's Son is a good read for any Moorcock fan but it's not one of his best, and it's pretty tied to the previous two books, The Dreamthief's Daughter and The Skrayling Tree. Still, a good read for when you're craving Moorcock. Wink.
June 25, 2010
Overall I thought this was good, though it had some weak moments. The main character who narrates the majority of the book was a bit unbelievable for me, but perhaps some of that was supposed to reflect the fact that she was recounting the story many years after it had happened.
In some ways this book helped to more clearly define the whole Eternal Champion theme that has carried through so many of Moorcock's books, and I thought the quality of his writing was generally quite good. However, as with most of his later books I found it to be less passionate than the early Elric or Corum books, leaving me feeling a bit uninvolved.
I was torn between a 3-star of 4-star rating on this one, and decided to round up simply because I was, in the end, glad that I read it.
In some ways this book helped to more clearly define the whole Eternal Champion theme that has carried through so many of Moorcock's books, and I thought the quality of his writing was generally quite good. However, as with most of his later books I found it to be less passionate than the early Elric or Corum books, leaving me feeling a bit uninvolved.
I was torn between a 3-star of 4-star rating on this one, and decided to round up simply because I was, in the end, glad that I read it.
June 18, 2025
Elric Goes Spelunking
Moorcock’s The White Wolf’s Son follows Oonagh von Bek as she stumbles into a multiversal conflict after her home fractures, revealing the Middle March. Pursued by dark forces, she is aided by Elric, Oona, and other avatars of the Eternal Champion, leading to a confrontation in Granbretan—an empire where magic fuels tyranny.
Granbretan is one of the novel’s highlights, a grotesque dystopia that amplifies Moorcock’s knack for unsettling world-building. Oonagh, while a fresh perspective, is more reactive than decisive, limiting her narrative weight. Elric and Oona return as guiding figures, but their involvement feels more obligatory than essential.
The villains, particularly Gaynor the Damned and King Juan, embody chaos and oppression, yet remain more symbolic than complex. Gaynor is ruthless but one-note, while Juan, a calculating ruler, reinforces Granbretan’s cruelty without adding much personal depth.
I've never really been a fan of Moorcock's cosmology and the Order vs Chaos war still feels off to me. I did enjoy the recurring theme of the Holy Grail existing as an object of power across the multiverse in various forms. Ultimately though, The weird of the white wolf proved a little too weird for my taste.
Moorcock’s The White Wolf’s Son follows Oonagh von Bek as she stumbles into a multiversal conflict after her home fractures, revealing the Middle March. Pursued by dark forces, she is aided by Elric, Oona, and other avatars of the Eternal Champion, leading to a confrontation in Granbretan—an empire where magic fuels tyranny.
Granbretan is one of the novel’s highlights, a grotesque dystopia that amplifies Moorcock’s knack for unsettling world-building. Oonagh, while a fresh perspective, is more reactive than decisive, limiting her narrative weight. Elric and Oona return as guiding figures, but their involvement feels more obligatory than essential.
The villains, particularly Gaynor the Damned and King Juan, embody chaos and oppression, yet remain more symbolic than complex. Gaynor is ruthless but one-note, while Juan, a calculating ruler, reinforces Granbretan’s cruelty without adding much personal depth.
I've never really been a fan of Moorcock's cosmology and the Order vs Chaos war still feels off to me. I did enjoy the recurring theme of the Holy Grail existing as an object of power across the multiverse in various forms. Ultimately though, The weird of the white wolf proved a little too weird for my taste.
December 19, 2014
This is the third installment of the Sleep of a Thousand Years offshoot of the original Eternal Champion sagas and a direct outgrowth of the Elric of Melnibone novel, "The Fortress of the Pearl". Moorcock's invention of the Gods of Chaos and Law, and the Balance represents one of the great fantasy innovations in the post-Tolkien era. Writing the initial works in 60s England, his work represents a rejection of the Good vs. Evil paradigm and by extension the Cold War political basis. Quotes like the following remind us that there is more to a well-crafted fantasy than storytelling:
"During one of my spells I spent in the carriage we rode by towns which were in ruins, some from the recent battles and some from earlier conquests of the Dark Empire, whose policy was to attack from the air, killing anything that moved before landing its troops. I had only ever looked at scenes like these on the TV. And then it had always been our side making most of the ruins, and I'd felt differently about it - often angry, sometimes guilty, but not like this. This was a feeling of furious frustration and a deep hatred of the cowardly people who did this, flying out of the clouds to bring destruction to whole families."
In these later and more expanded works Moorcock is asking us to think what a Balanced world might look like and how it would be achievable in our own world without magic and religion. They are also demanding that we see our reality in all its naked glory and shame.
It is hard for me to see how a new reader could start with these novels despite the significant in-story "histories" relayed to new characters in each of these novels, however, given the size of the early Elric novels catching up is not an impossibility. I am envious of new readers' first steps into the world of the Eternal Champions but I am also glad more works are being produced by Mr. Moorcock.
"During one of my spells I spent in the carriage we rode by towns which were in ruins, some from the recent battles and some from earlier conquests of the Dark Empire, whose policy was to attack from the air, killing anything that moved before landing its troops. I had only ever looked at scenes like these on the TV. And then it had always been our side making most of the ruins, and I'd felt differently about it - often angry, sometimes guilty, but not like this. This was a feeling of furious frustration and a deep hatred of the cowardly people who did this, flying out of the clouds to bring destruction to whole families."
In these later and more expanded works Moorcock is asking us to think what a Balanced world might look like and how it would be achievable in our own world without magic and religion. They are also demanding that we see our reality in all its naked glory and shame.
It is hard for me to see how a new reader could start with these novels despite the significant in-story "histories" relayed to new characters in each of these novels, however, given the size of the early Elric novels catching up is not an impossibility. I am envious of new readers' first steps into the world of the Eternal Champions but I am also glad more works are being produced by Mr. Moorcock.
June 17, 2013
This is the third part of the latest tale of the doomed Prince and his many aspects. As I noted in my review of the first novel (The Dreamthief’s Daughter) my go-to source for borrowed books was unable to produce volume 2 (The Skyraling Tree). While I am enough of a completist to miss it, I’ll hope to read it in some future time. This novel ends the saga of the dreaming Elric as it attempts to draw together the many threads of this trilogy as well as the 40-year writings that comprise the Eternal Champion’s story.
I’ll confess to feeling a bit more “lost” than usual because of the missing volume, but I found the story to be engaging and understandable. Stylistically, the tale has moved from the historical fiction that forms basis of the first volume’s first half and has moved more into the magic and multiversal aspects that continued that novel. This book also has “history” set in what is supposed to pass for the “real world” and while it occupies the thoughts of one central character, it plays a much smaller role, here.
Again, I will forego writing details of the narrative. There are tens and hundreds of synopses available to those who desire them. Rather than add my poor version of the same, I’ll keep quiet and hope that you can “discover” such secrets while reading the book yourself.
Because this ends the story of the dreaming Elric, it ends with a familiar passage taken from the “original” story that had the Melnibonean in the power of a human sorcerer. Perfect or not, it is a fitting way to return the Prince to his previously established destiny. I thought it was a nice touch.
I also enjoyed how other parts of the Eternal Champion series were merged into what began as part of our own “mainline” history. I always considered the not-to-be-named Empire’s story to be one of the better inventions of the later tales. I enjoyed revisiting their world and technology. I won’t insert any quote sin this review, but I found the writing as pleasurable as before. Four more Stars (4.0) for The White Wolf’s Son.
April 15, 2010
This book kept getting put on the back burner, so I am happy I finally took the time to read it. A tale of the Eternal Champion and his allies and families across many worlds, this story is classic Moorcock. I enjoyed it thoroughly; but then, I've always enjoyed the tales of Elric . . .
August 19, 2022
Will likely be incomprehensible to anyone who hasn't read a fairly big chunk of the preceding Eternal Champions stories, and offer nothing new to anybody who has. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201...
August 24, 2020
Book#12, and the final installment in the Elric-Oona trilogy of, well, three books about Elric and Oona. The first two were unfavorably reviewed by me, though I promised myself I would finish, being a completist and all that.
So, Elric is in his Dream of a Thousand Years, so what happens here is hard to get overly excited/concerned about, at times. The nature of the Multiverse - which takes full flight here in a multitude (!) of ways - is on full, grandiose, mindbending, and stunning display. With the trilogy, and its (moderately) cordoned off timeframe (can you even say that for the Eternal Champion books?!?) Moorcock has brought into full recognition that what happens in one place is also happening in a, wait for it, multi(tude) of (uni)verse(s). So the battle between Law and Chaos is not only endless, it is also placeless, timeless, and quite possibly occurring everywhere (with a variety of individuals) and nowhere (maybe? Wth no one… all a dream…).
The problem I have with the Multiverse is the tendency for things to be repeated or feel that way, which sounds obvious, but relates more to the redundancy of the battles. One could almost make an operation, call it The Multiverse Algorithm, and plug in your Heroine/Hero, Villain, Lord (Chaos or Law), Sidekick(s), Weapon-of-Choice, Mythology, Desired Object, Random Filler Characters, Location, Date (if possible), and, OK, you get the point and I am likely minimizing the brilliance of the Multiverse concept, but still... OK, it is quite amazing, and in the current media frenzy for graphic novels, serializations, Comic Book films, etc. the idea is a seething and ever-expanding explosion of stories waiting for someone to run with. One is left to wonder how Elric and The Multiverse has not made it to movies yet. Fucking hell, there are 5 Twilight films and 12 Friday the 13th films (and if there is a Horror Multiverse, it may be the Jason Saga!), and strangely, only one film version of The Neverending Story. I mean, come on, it’s neverending, right?!? Anyway.
So Elric is dreaming, Ulric is aggrieved, and Oona, Oonagh, Una, and Uno (OK, made that one up! but as maddening as it is, I like how Moorcock backhands you that these characters are all in various ways manifestations of earlier - and later - characters in the Multiverse) are not dreaming - Oona may be, right? It IS her thing - but are actually fighting against real opponents for real stakes, where/whenever it is/was/will-be was fun, if not - like this sentence - hard to follow.
Some have praised Moorcock for his ability to connect the variable constructs of his Multiverse/Eternal Champion mythos, but I found it almost overloaded, and therefore kind of thin. But, he does accomplish the feat, and in doing so opens up a (non-standard) Elric tale to the vastness of his prose undertaking, ensorcelling you to read outside of the Elric-specific books.
Which cycles back to my earlier complaint, if it can be called that, in that the repetitive/recurring nature of the Multiverse means things feel, well, repetitive at times, and wouldn’t reading just the Elric books cover the ideas (good vs. evil, Law vs. Chaos, battles in whichever place/time, each Champion in one of many guises)? Does one need to read the Corum books, or the Eternal Champion Omnibus trade paperbacks? Hard to say.
Ultimately it is up to each reader to decide how this book, the Elric-Oona trilogy, and the Elric Saga satisfy the desire for escape, adventure, and reading enjoyment. I will admit to enjoying the “Canon Elric” books more than any that followed, but that doesn’t mean much, it’s just an opinion. Maybe I lack the capacity to mentally Venn diagram a “multi-book universe” to help it all make sense, or maybe “killing the dragon” once is enough, or maybe an “endless battle between Law and Chaos” is unspectacular and trite. Regardless, Moorcock has done something few authors have, and there’s something to be said for that. Which, for me, is “good job!”. Hah!
So, Elric is in his Dream of a Thousand Years, so what happens here is hard to get overly excited/concerned about, at times. The nature of the Multiverse - which takes full flight here in a multitude (!) of ways - is on full, grandiose, mindbending, and stunning display. With the trilogy, and its (moderately) cordoned off timeframe (can you even say that for the Eternal Champion books?!?) Moorcock has brought into full recognition that what happens in one place is also happening in a, wait for it, multi(tude) of (uni)verse(s). So the battle between Law and Chaos is not only endless, it is also placeless, timeless, and quite possibly occurring everywhere (with a variety of individuals) and nowhere (maybe? Wth no one… all a dream…).
The problem I have with the Multiverse is the tendency for things to be repeated or feel that way, which sounds obvious, but relates more to the redundancy of the battles. One could almost make an operation, call it The Multiverse Algorithm, and plug in your Heroine/Hero, Villain, Lord (Chaos or Law), Sidekick(s), Weapon-of-Choice, Mythology, Desired Object, Random Filler Characters, Location, Date (if possible), and, OK, you get the point and I am likely minimizing the brilliance of the Multiverse concept, but still... OK, it is quite amazing, and in the current media frenzy for graphic novels, serializations, Comic Book films, etc. the idea is a seething and ever-expanding explosion of stories waiting for someone to run with. One is left to wonder how Elric and The Multiverse has not made it to movies yet. Fucking hell, there are 5 Twilight films and 12 Friday the 13th films (and if there is a Horror Multiverse, it may be the Jason Saga!), and strangely, only one film version of The Neverending Story. I mean, come on, it’s neverending, right?!? Anyway.
So Elric is dreaming, Ulric is aggrieved, and Oona, Oonagh, Una, and Uno (OK, made that one up! but as maddening as it is, I like how Moorcock backhands you that these characters are all in various ways manifestations of earlier - and later - characters in the Multiverse) are not dreaming - Oona may be, right? It IS her thing - but are actually fighting against real opponents for real stakes, where/whenever it is/was/will-be was fun, if not - like this sentence - hard to follow.
Some have praised Moorcock for his ability to connect the variable constructs of his Multiverse/Eternal Champion mythos, but I found it almost overloaded, and therefore kind of thin. But, he does accomplish the feat, and in doing so opens up a (non-standard) Elric tale to the vastness of his prose undertaking, ensorcelling you to read outside of the Elric-specific books.
Which cycles back to my earlier complaint, if it can be called that, in that the repetitive/recurring nature of the Multiverse means things feel, well, repetitive at times, and wouldn’t reading just the Elric books cover the ideas (good vs. evil, Law vs. Chaos, battles in whichever place/time, each Champion in one of many guises)? Does one need to read the Corum books, or the Eternal Champion Omnibus trade paperbacks? Hard to say.
Ultimately it is up to each reader to decide how this book, the Elric-Oona trilogy, and the Elric Saga satisfy the desire for escape, adventure, and reading enjoyment. I will admit to enjoying the “Canon Elric” books more than any that followed, but that doesn’t mean much, it’s just an opinion. Maybe I lack the capacity to mentally Venn diagram a “multi-book universe” to help it all make sense, or maybe “killing the dragon” once is enough, or maybe an “endless battle between Law and Chaos” is unspectacular and trite. Regardless, Moorcock has done something few authors have, and there’s something to be said for that. Which, for me, is “good job!”. Hah!
June 9, 2023
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5
It's another era - closer now to our own time - and we're introduced to Oonagh, the grand-daughter of Oona and Ulric. She's enjoying her holiday in her grandparents' home when she's visited by a number of strangers. First it's Klosterheim and Gaynor von Minct - a pair likely up to no good. Then it's the mysterious Monsieur Zodiac with associates Oswald Bastable, the Chevalier St. Odhran, Lt. Fromental and Prince Lobkowitz who are looking to stop Klosterheim and von Minct.
After an unnatural earthquake, Oonagh finds herself using the Multiverse to try to hide from Klosterheim and von Minct, hiding from Zodiac and his associates who are looking to help her. She is not alone, however - she's aided by a talking fox (Lord Reynard, of course).
One one plane of existence, Oonagh meets a blind, albino boy by the name of Onric (who turns out to be the son of Elric and the Dreamthief Oone.
All parties ultimately converge on one plane - where Hawkmoon struggles against the Dark Empire. Chaos appears to be winning the battle, but Zodiac will use the distraction of the chaos to face off against Klostersheim and the Dark Empire.
Despite the chaotic summing of the story, I actually enjoyed this book. It was certainly much more direct in the narrative (despite my attempt to explain it). And this was narrower in point of view as well, which made it easier to follow.
You may have noticed that there's little mention of Elric - he's here, but in disguise. Why? Yeah ... that's a good question. I did wonder if the introduction of Oonagh was intended as a way to keep the Elric stories going but with a new main character, a descendent of the albino prince. In this sense, it worked for me, and I would read more books staring this granddaughter.
I had a small problem while reading regarding the character of Oswald Bastable. I've greatly enjoyed the classic children's books by Edith Nesbit, including The Treasure Seekers, which features the Bastable Children - one of them being Oswald Bastable. Every time he appears in this book I wonder if it's supposed to be the same person now grown. Certainly Moorcock is familiar with this classic British series as well.
This is easily better than the previous book (that shouldn't be difficult) but it's not nearly as good as the first book in this Dreamquest trilogy.
Something I've only touched on through the now ten-plus books reviewed in the Elric saga, is the concept of the Eternal Champion. In a nutshell, Moorcock has created a number of other heroes and his conceit is that they are all, at their core, the same person on different planes or realities. There was an instance, many books ago, when Elric gathered with a number of different heroes (at least one who had met Elric already but in Elric's future) - these heroes were alternate versions of himself - each an Eternal Champion.
We get that again here with Hawkmoon ... Dorian Hawkmoon is another of Moorcock's heroes whom I read back in the 70's (and I seriously hope that this publisher will continue to reprint Moorcock's books and look to some of the other Eternal Champions.
If you've been on the Elric journey this far, of course you should read this book as well. I wouldn't recommend starting here (at the end) and if Moorcock's metaphysical shenanigans don't sit well with you, then perhaps you'd be better off without this volume.
Looking for a good book? The White Wolf's Son by Michael Moorcock finishes the The Dreamquest Trilogy, which has been a coda on the end of the Elric series. The introduction of his granddaughter, Oonagh is somewhat promising, for those of us who hope there will continue to be adventures in the Moorcock multiverse.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
It's another era - closer now to our own time - and we're introduced to Oonagh, the grand-daughter of Oona and Ulric. She's enjoying her holiday in her grandparents' home when she's visited by a number of strangers. First it's Klosterheim and Gaynor von Minct - a pair likely up to no good. Then it's the mysterious Monsieur Zodiac with associates Oswald Bastable, the Chevalier St. Odhran, Lt. Fromental and Prince Lobkowitz who are looking to stop Klosterheim and von Minct.
After an unnatural earthquake, Oonagh finds herself using the Multiverse to try to hide from Klosterheim and von Minct, hiding from Zodiac and his associates who are looking to help her. She is not alone, however - she's aided by a talking fox (Lord Reynard, of course).
One one plane of existence, Oonagh meets a blind, albino boy by the name of Onric (who turns out to be the son of Elric and the Dreamthief Oone.
All parties ultimately converge on one plane - where Hawkmoon struggles against the Dark Empire. Chaos appears to be winning the battle, but Zodiac will use the distraction of the chaos to face off against Klostersheim and the Dark Empire.
Despite the chaotic summing of the story, I actually enjoyed this book. It was certainly much more direct in the narrative (despite my attempt to explain it). And this was narrower in point of view as well, which made it easier to follow.
You may have noticed that there's little mention of Elric - he's here, but in disguise. Why? Yeah ... that's a good question. I did wonder if the introduction of Oonagh was intended as a way to keep the Elric stories going but with a new main character, a descendent of the albino prince. In this sense, it worked for me, and I would read more books staring this granddaughter.
I had a small problem while reading regarding the character of Oswald Bastable. I've greatly enjoyed the classic children's books by Edith Nesbit, including The Treasure Seekers, which features the Bastable Children - one of them being Oswald Bastable. Every time he appears in this book I wonder if it's supposed to be the same person now grown. Certainly Moorcock is familiar with this classic British series as well.
This is easily better than the previous book (that shouldn't be difficult) but it's not nearly as good as the first book in this Dreamquest trilogy.
Something I've only touched on through the now ten-plus books reviewed in the Elric saga, is the concept of the Eternal Champion. In a nutshell, Moorcock has created a number of other heroes and his conceit is that they are all, at their core, the same person on different planes or realities. There was an instance, many books ago, when Elric gathered with a number of different heroes (at least one who had met Elric already but in Elric's future) - these heroes were alternate versions of himself - each an Eternal Champion.
We get that again here with Hawkmoon ... Dorian Hawkmoon is another of Moorcock's heroes whom I read back in the 70's (and I seriously hope that this publisher will continue to reprint Moorcock's books and look to some of the other Eternal Champions.
If you've been on the Elric journey this far, of course you should read this book as well. I wouldn't recommend starting here (at the end) and if Moorcock's metaphysical shenanigans don't sit well with you, then perhaps you'd be better off without this volume.
Looking for a good book? The White Wolf's Son by Michael Moorcock finishes the The Dreamquest Trilogy, which has been a coda on the end of the Elric series. The introduction of his granddaughter, Oonagh is somewhat promising, for those of us who hope there will continue to be adventures in the Moorcock multiverse.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
August 7, 2023
Overall I enjoyed this book. Like much of the later Moorcock's later books that I've read, it is sometimes confusing, but also has aspects I love. I enjoyed how it brought together Elric with the Von Beks, Hawkmoon, Bastable, and Erekose (though it makes me wonder why Corum wasn't included). In particular, I loved how the ending (avoiding spoilers) relates to the first Erekose book, the Eternal Champion. Echoing the ending of the Dragon in the Sword, it highlights the eternal and cyclical nature of the multiverse and the Eternal Champion saga.
On the downside, I wish I understood better the actions of Elric and other aspects of the Champion regarding the Balance at the end. I get the sense I might have understood them better if I had read the entire Hawkmoon series first (particularly the Quest for Tanelorn), though unfortunately I've only read the Jewel in the Skull so far.
This book feels very different from the other Elric books, even the others in the Dreamquest trilogy. Most of the story is from a child's point of view, and the beginning feels like a mix of the Dark is Rising series with Narnia. (It's certainly not for children, however.) I also would have liked more of Elric himself, as he's frequently absent, even compared with previous Dreamquest novels. It seems to me that the Dreamquest trilogy might more accurately by considered part of the Von Bek saga, with Elric as a guest (as, e.g. in the Corum series), rather than part of the Elric saga proper. Nonetheless, an enjoyable read, with some outstanding moments.
On the downside, I wish I understood better the actions of Elric and other aspects of the Champion regarding the Balance at the end. I get the sense I might have understood them better if I had read the entire Hawkmoon series first (particularly the Quest for Tanelorn), though unfortunately I've only read the Jewel in the Skull so far.
This book feels very different from the other Elric books, even the others in the Dreamquest trilogy. Most of the story is from a child's point of view, and the beginning feels like a mix of the Dark is Rising series with Narnia. (It's certainly not for children, however.) I also would have liked more of Elric himself, as he's frequently absent, even compared with previous Dreamquest novels. It seems to me that the Dreamquest trilogy might more accurately by considered part of the Von Bek saga, with Elric as a guest (as, e.g. in the Corum series), rather than part of the Elric saga proper. Nonetheless, an enjoyable read, with some outstanding moments.
February 4, 2021
It was ok.
Honestly, I don't have much more to say other than that. If you enjoyed The Dreamthief's Daughter then you'll enjoy this. I found it to be pretty far removed from the original series in tone and focus. It felt very repetitive and unoriginal at this point. The new protagonist was very forgettable for me and I never cared for this Moo-Oria setting/narrative arc.
It wasn't offensively bad, but just kind of very unspecial. Worth reading if you're a completionist or if you enjoyed Moorcock's more modern works.
Honestly, I don't have much more to say other than that. If you enjoyed The Dreamthief's Daughter then you'll enjoy this. I found it to be pretty far removed from the original series in tone and focus. It felt very repetitive and unoriginal at this point. The new protagonist was very forgettable for me and I never cared for this Moo-Oria setting/narrative arc.
It wasn't offensively bad, but just kind of very unspecial. Worth reading if you're a completionist or if you enjoyed Moorcock's more modern works.
September 12, 2020
Elric is almost at the end of his quest. There are parallel worlds in this story, where the characters can move from one time to another. Oonagh is on the run from her family home. She ends up meeting relatives from various times. It seems that many people don't age. There's a lot of magic in this story. Swords that move on their own.
November 25, 2022
The main character here is a contemporary 12 year old named Oona, granddaughter of Oona introduced in The Dreamthief’s Daughter, who is the daughter of Oona from The Fortress of the Pearl. This one is but more exciting than book 2, but overall not as fun as book 1.
May 31, 2024
Immeasurably better than its predecessor, the need to read which beforehand is the worst thing about this one. First two chapters were a painful crawl that consumed years of procrastination, but the rest was well paced and entertaining, and the end was not short of tingly hackly Champion bits.
July 31, 2018
Great addition to The Eternal Champion series
February 7, 2022
Loved it. I could go on and into deep detail, but it's Moorcock and I'm a fan. So if you are like me, this book will NOT disappoint.
January 2, 2025
Actually listened to the audio but that is not listed as an option for edition.
December 14, 2020
Among the best written Eternal Champion trilogies ever.
Part of the most intricate story-arcs combining the many aspects of the Eternal Champion and the multiverse Moorcock mastered long before most readers even knew of the concept.
As a long-time re-reader of Elric, Corum, Hawkmoon, and the Arch-Nemesis: Prince Gaynor the Damned, I highly recommend the books that make up this particular trilogy. (Published differently in different nations).
Part of the most intricate story-arcs combining the many aspects of the Eternal Champion and the multiverse Moorcock mastered long before most readers even knew of the concept.
As a long-time re-reader of Elric, Corum, Hawkmoon, and the Arch-Nemesis: Prince Gaynor the Damned, I highly recommend the books that make up this particular trilogy. (Published differently in different nations).
December 20, 2023
Overall I enjoyed this book. Like many of Moorcock's later books that I've read, it is sometimes confusing, but also has aspects I love. I enjoyed how it brought together Elric with the Von Beks, Hawkmoon, Bastable, and Erekose (though it makes me wonder why Corum wasn't included). In particular, I loved how the ending (avoiding spoilers) relates to the first Erekose book, the Eternal Champion. Echoing the ending of the Dragon in the Sword, it highlights the eternal and cyclical nature of the multiverse and the Eternal Champion saga.
On the downside, I wish I understood better the actions of Elric and other aspects of the Champion regarding the Balance at the end. I get the sense I might have understood them better if I had read the entire Hawkmoon series first (particularly the Quest for Tanelorn), though unfortunately I've only read the Jewel in the Skull so far.
This book feels very different from the other Elric books, even the others in the Dreamquest trilogy. Most of the story is from a child's point of view, and the beginning feels like a mix of the Dark is Rising series with Narnia. (It's certainly not for children, however.) I also would have liked more of Elric himself, as he's frequently absent, even compared with previous Dreamquest novels. It seems to me that the Dreamquest trilogy might more accurately be considered part of the Von Bek saga, with Elric as a guest (as, e.g. in the Corum series), rather than part of the Elric saga proper. Nonetheless, an enjoyable read, with some outstanding moments.
On the downside, I wish I understood better the actions of Elric and other aspects of the Champion regarding the Balance at the end. I get the sense I might have understood them better if I had read the entire Hawkmoon series first (particularly the Quest for Tanelorn), though unfortunately I've only read the Jewel in the Skull so far.
This book feels very different from the other Elric books, even the others in the Dreamquest trilogy. Most of the story is from a child's point of view, and the beginning feels like a mix of the Dark is Rising series with Narnia. (It's certainly not for children, however.) I also would have liked more of Elric himself, as he's frequently absent, even compared with previous Dreamquest novels. It seems to me that the Dreamquest trilogy might more accurately be considered part of the Von Bek saga, with Elric as a guest (as, e.g. in the Corum series), rather than part of the Elric saga proper. Nonetheless, an enjoyable read, with some outstanding moments.
May 2, 2016
My enjoyment of this work was in the structure and quality of the writing. Multiple point of views with a reasonably straight narrative arch made for interesting reading without getting too lost. However, the plot revolved around the granddaughter of the Dreamthief Oona who falls into an Alice like adventure underground. The central character didn't work for me. I didn't seem to care about whether she found her way home or was killed or got lost. She seemed to manage in most situations so it all seemed predetermined and for form's sake. Worth reading if you need to read every story that Elric is in - but I definitely wouldn't start here.
April 18, 2015
When Prince Gaynor the Damned attempts to kidnap the book's narrator, Oonagh von Bek--the granddaughter of the Dreamthief's Daughter, Countess Oona von Bek--Oona and Elric of Melnibone rescue her, and then they and various other incarnations of the Eternal Champion go in pursuit of Gaynor and his henchman Klosterheim, who plan to destroy and then remake the Multiverse.
March 15, 2022
When Prince Gaynor the Damned attempts to kidnap the book's narrator, Oonagh von Bek--the granddaughter of the Dreamthief's Daughter, Countess Oona von Bek--Oona and Elric of Melnibone rescue her, and then they and various other incarnations of the Eternal Champion go in pursuit of Gaynor and his henchman Klosterheim, who plan to destroy and then remake the Multiverse.
May 25, 2016
Amazing book, but you do have to be familiar with previous books, or you may miss some of the subtler things.
Moorcock is in my top 3 authors of all time. His writing takes your mind and stretches it out.
Moorcock is in my top 3 authors of all time. His writing takes your mind and stretches it out.
December 19, 2012
Nice to have a real conclusion to the entire Eternal Champion cycle, though it's too neat at times and the story is really just a long chase through a few planes of the multiverse.
January 8, 2013
third book of the latest (and best Elric) trilogy.
January 14, 2015
Couldn't finish this book. Just didn't interest me..
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