The original Swords trilogy is a heavy metal acid trip. It has some shockingly dark content, badass fight scenes, creative visuals and some really wacky outlandish concepts. The second trilogy is surprisingly even more dark and depressing haha, I hope you check those out as well!
That's exactly what I thought. There are so many psychedelic moments throughout the trilogy that are surprisingly well described, like Corum's encounter with the Knight of the Swords or his trip through limbo and different dimensions in the third book. Just so cool. And the fight scenes are also amazing, especially those between Corum and his nemesis (i forget his name)
Good review. Corum is Moorcock's most sympathetic character. From an ancient race that benignly tolerates upstart man as harmless and like pets. He is forced into a brutal new world by the ascendancy of these violent upstarts. The next three novels were a little more low fantasy compared to this trilogy where he laid low the sword rulers. There's less battling lovecraftian gods, more politics between tribal people.
I love your videos, man. I'm relatively new to your channel and I have very similar fantasy tastes -- I really appreciate hearing your thoughts! I'm gonna hunt down the Swords Trilogy, and I recently bought Empire of the Vampire based on your recommendation. Just got in the mail two days ago. Excited to dive in!! Thanks for bringing these awesome authors/books to our attention. :)
I’ve read a number of Elric novels (not all by any stretch) and the Castle of Count Brass trilogy, loved them all so I’m really keen to continue exploring the Eternal Champion Multiverse, awesome to see readers/reviewers my age(ish) who appreciate Moorcocks work! Fantastic! Give us more 😎
I'm definitely glad you chose not to spoil the plot, better to just be swept up by it directly! Also I second your opinion on oldies, they should be appreciated in their own context. Sounds like an interesting read, will have to check it out, thank you
Thanks for this particular review. The Swords Trilogy was the first book I ever chose from the bookstore shelf when I was a kid. I don't remember much about it, but I know I liked it. Consider reading the next book, The Chronicles of Corum. I've wanted to read them again for many years, and so I shall!
Really cool to see that you checked out Elric and Corum, they are some of my favorite series. It's nice to see someone bringing a bit of attention to old sword and sorcery stuff since it is really underappreciated imo. I'd also recommend the original Conan books if you've never read them, I think they would be something you would really enjoy!
@@slowlyred2082 The first six Elric books are essential. The later ones are perhaps not quite as good. I think you would like Hawkmoon too. Personally I really like the Dancers at the end of Time books, but they are a bit more weird than the rest. 😃
I've been binge-reading the entire Eternal Champion multiverse for the past 2 years and it's been one hell of a ride. I've read every Elric, Corum, Erekose, Hawkmoon and Von Bek story. Currently working my way through all the others haha.
One trilogy I think is underrated that you might like is Tyrants and Kings by John Marco. Right up your alley with grey characters, military fantasy and enough blood and gore to satisfy grimdark fans.
Awesome! I’m probably getting to Moorcock within a month or 2 with the first Erlic collection. Going vintage, everything pre 1990 for the rest of the year
I hear you about the fantastic being blown away. The codification of the fantastic that arguably started with the early 80's explosion of D&D is so...ironic given the works you find, other than Tolkein, in the Appendix N reading list... Do you read any contemporary sword & sorcery, like Tales From The Magician's Skull magazine?
Once again another fantastic review, you're very charismatic man. I want to ask you a question, I love grimdark with some deep dark character development, this trilogy is kind of rare and difficult to find, and at the moment there's a compilation of Elric saga available, which series would you recommend to me, Swords or Elric?
Red, I have had Elric in my TBR for probably a year. I had a whole reading order set up and everything. When I eventually got to it. I planned on giving it my full attention. (two and a half weeks ago) Me: Wait a sec...THERE'S MORE THAN ONE ETERNAL CHAMPION?? Well, how many are there? *googles and reads wikipedia* Me: Aw Shit...
Have you read the sequel trilogy? It's even better...for the first two books, though the third one drops the ball imo. Also, Moorcock's THE WAR HOUND AND THE WORLD'S PAIN is a masterpiece.
@slowlyred2082 He seriously is. I confess I initially found him insipid when I started the first book (he started out coming across very much like a sheltered rich kid who it strained my suspension of disbelief to buy as a competent badass), but he grew on me and has quite the arc.
"It's the fucking book that created the trope, OK!" Love that statement.
Read the Mike Mignola Comic Adaptation of the Several of the Corum Books (including the whole “Swords” Trilogy), and I can greatly recommend it!
Oooooooo, I needs that!!
The original Swords trilogy is a heavy metal acid trip. It has some shockingly dark content, badass fight scenes, creative visuals and some really wacky outlandish concepts. The second trilogy is surprisingly even more dark and depressing haha, I hope you check those out as well!
Already picked them up 🖤
That's exactly what I thought. There are so many psychedelic moments throughout the trilogy that are surprisingly well described, like Corum's encounter with the Knight of the Swords or his trip through limbo and different dimensions in the third book. Just so cool. And the fight scenes are also amazing, especially those between Corum and his nemesis (i forget his name)
Good review. Corum is Moorcock's most sympathetic character. From an ancient race that benignly tolerates upstart man as harmless and like pets. He is forced into a brutal new world by the ascendancy of these violent upstarts. The next three novels were a little more low fantasy compared to this trilogy where he laid low the sword rulers. There's less battling lovecraftian gods, more politics between tribal people.
I love your videos, man. I'm relatively new to your channel and I have very similar fantasy tastes -- I really appreciate hearing your thoughts! I'm gonna hunt down the Swords Trilogy, and I recently bought Empire of the Vampire based on your recommendation. Just got in the mail two days ago. Excited to dive in!! Thanks for bringing these awesome authors/books to our attention. :)
Empire is awesome 👌
I hope you enjoy as much as I did 🖤
THE BOOKS ARE IN PRINT FROM TITAN.
Yes finally a modern book Tuber reviews the legend that is Corum by the awesome Michael Moorcock!! The grandfather of grim dark :)))
I’ve read a number of Elric novels (not all by any stretch) and the Castle of Count Brass trilogy, loved them all so I’m really keen to continue exploring the Eternal Champion Multiverse, awesome to see readers/reviewers my age(ish) who appreciate Moorcocks work! Fantastic! Give us more 😎
I'm definitely glad you chose not to spoil the plot, better to just be swept up by it directly! Also I second your opinion on oldies, they should be appreciated in their own context.
Sounds like an interesting read, will have to check it out, thank you
Thanks for this particular review. The Swords Trilogy was the first book I ever chose from the bookstore shelf when I was a kid. I don't remember much about it, but I know I liked it. Consider reading the next book, The Chronicles of Corum. I've wanted to read them again for many years, and so I shall!
Really cool to see that you checked out Elric and Corum, they are some of my favorite series. It's nice to see someone bringing a bit of attention to old sword and sorcery stuff since it is really underappreciated imo. I'd also recommend the original Conan books if you've never read them, I think they would be something you would really enjoy!
I'm hoping to read the next 2 Elric books soon
Totally agree. Moorcock, Howard, Leiber, Zelazny, Vance and quite a few others deserve way more attention!
He wrote these three books in less then a week I heard. When I learned that I was mind blown.
What a savage.
Best review ever. So happy to see that I’m not the only one who still loves Moorcock.
He is a master of imagination! The more of his books I read, the more I keep enjoying them. Looking forward to jumping back into Elric
@@slowlyred2082 The first six Elric books are essential. The later ones are perhaps not quite as good. I think you would like Hawkmoon too.
Personally I really like the Dancers at the end of Time books, but they are a bit more weird than the rest. 😃
I've been binge-reading the entire Eternal Champion multiverse for the past 2 years and it's been one hell of a ride. I've read every Elric, Corum, Erekose, Hawkmoon and Von Bek story. Currently working my way through all the others haha.
@@nightmarishcompositions4536 Nice! I did the same some years ago. Great stuff.
Fuck yeah 🤘
It's been probably 25 years since I last read a Michael Moorcock book but this video gots me fiening for his work again
He's awesome 👌
Gonna dive back into Elric, hopefully soon
Check out the band Eternal Champion if you haven't already, they're a great sword-and-sorcery inspired heavy metal band! Great review
Nice!! Will do. I always loved stuff like that. Blind Guardian's Tolkien inspired stuff
Loved your review and the way it made me feel wanting to get back to reading Moorcock. Subscribed 🙂
One trilogy I think is underrated that you might like is Tyrants and Kings by John Marco. Right up your alley with grey characters, military fantasy and enough blood and gore to satisfy grimdark fans.
my dad got me into this series i love Elric and Corum this trilogy is awesome and prime for a dark fantasy tv show
Awesome! I’m probably getting to Moorcock within a month or 2 with the first Erlic collection. Going vintage, everything pre 1990 for the rest of the year
I hear you about the fantastic being blown away. The codification of the fantastic that arguably started with the early 80's explosion of D&D is so...ironic given the works you find, other than Tolkein, in the Appendix N reading list... Do you read any contemporary sword & sorcery, like Tales From The Magician's Skull magazine?
Definitely adding this trilogy to my tbr.
Once again another fantastic review, you're very charismatic man. I want to ask you a question, I love grimdark with some deep dark character development, this trilogy is kind of rare and difficult to find, and at the moment there's a compilation of Elric saga available, which series would you recommend to me, Swords or Elric?
Elric is the more morally grey character. Some say he's the Grimdark forefather
@@slowlyred2082 Thank you for the suggestion.
You gotta read “hunger of the gods” by John Gwynn it’s new but it’s already in my top 5 it’s amazing
Red, I have had Elric in my TBR for probably a year. I had a whole reading order set up and everything. When I eventually got to it. I planned on giving it my full attention.
(two and a half weeks ago)
Me: Wait a sec...THERE'S MORE THAN ONE ETERNAL CHAMPION?? Well, how many are there?
*googles and reads wikipedia*
Me: Aw Shit...
Hahahaha. Yeah... a lot if champions, a lot of books. I've heard Hawkmoon is really good as well
Have you read the sequel trilogy? It's even better...for the first two books, though the third one drops the ball imo.
Also, Moorcock's THE WAR HOUND AND THE WORLD'S PAIN is a masterpiece.
I haven't read the next trilogy. But definitely plan to. Corum is awesome 👌
@slowlyred2082 He seriously is. I confess I initially found him insipid when I started the first book (he started out coming across very much like a sheltered rich kid who it strained my suspension of disbelief to buy as a competent badass), but he grew on me and has quite the arc.
SOON BACK IN PRINT AS 'VON BEK' FROM SAGA!
This isn't Elric of Melnibone? or that Different series by Moorcock?
Yes, Corum is separate but all Moorcocks characters share connections by being the immortal champion of their individual universes.
So you get different stories like Elric, Corum, Hawkmoon and such
@@slowlyred2082 oh ok, I am in middle of Book 1 of Elric... this is nice to know
pքɾօʍօʂʍ
Ha morecock