THE CITADEL OF FORGOTTEN MYTHS - Michael Moorcock


In my review of the last Elric collection, I noted that author Michael Moorcock had found an interesting way to bring the character 'back from the dead' by having Elric's spirit or 'essence' travel through dimensions and use other bodies in other times so that we could get a new variety of Elric stories.  With The Citadel of Forgotten Myths, Moorcock uses a more conventional method to give us more Elric ... stories that take place between the events of some of the previous books.

Like all the Elric books, the book is comprised of three stories that tie together. The first two of these, "How Elric Pursued His Weird into the Far World" and "How Elric Discovered an Unpleasant Kinship" read like some of the best of the early Elric.  They're faster paced and have that good sword & sorcery element (fighting and magic).  The third story, "In Which Our Heroes Discover a Lost Past" is much more in the vein of the more recent stories (more Elric monologuing).

In the first story, Elric is off with his companion Moonglum, and - leaving his betrothed Zarozinia behind - taken up with a new lover, Princess Nauha.  They head to the World Below where they meet Lady Forentach - a Phoorn, which is a race that is part Melnibonéan but who have mated with dragons. Quest and much fighting ensues.

The second story has Elric in search of a rare flower in which the seeds purportedly cure cure his albinism, which in turn could cure his need for his sword Stormbringer to feed on the souls it slays to provide energy for Elric.  

And finally, a quest for Elric and Moonglum that features rare bees and blue honey and more dragons.

This fits nicely in the Elric saga and I definitely appreciated the return to the more classic sword & sorcery energy. I definitely wouldn't mind even more Elric books like this ... stories that stick to Elric's expansive, slightly psychedelic world(s). I'm not sure this could stand alone for a reader unfamiliar with the series, but it would be a great second or third book to read. .... or 13th.

Looking for a good book? The Citadel of Forgotten Myths by Michael Moorcock is the 13th book in the Elric saga, but it's an 'early' Elric tale and the first two stories definitely feel right at home with the early Elric events.  Fans of the series should enjoy this late addition.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss and Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

The Citadel of Forgotten Myths

author: Michael Moorcock

series: Elric Saga #13

publisher: Gallery / Saga Press

ISBN: 9781982199807

hardcover, 320 pages

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