Heart Of The Dragon: An Untold Tale of Elric

His best observation is that the health of a nation can be de Moorcock starts with a really good historical fiction, telling the story from the viewpoint of a German nobleman who was born at the beginning of the twentieth century. His best observation is that the health of a nation can be determined by looking at its sentimentality for its past, implying that a nation obsessed with a glorious past certainly is headed for ruin. Although his topic is Germany, his comments aptly apply to the U.

In a way, I felt that the fantastical parts of the book ruined the story. I was a fan of the Elric stories as a teenager, but I wanted something subtler out of this story. Even so, the novel is a good parable for the destructiveness that overcomes a society when its citizenry vote away their rights out of fear. Jan 25, Anna rated it it was amazing. Just had a discussion about this book over dinner and realised I hadn't rated it yet. I read it when it was fresh out, hesitantly so because I could never have imagined that it would work.

As a die hard Elric fan I couldn't see how the saga could be transported to s Nazi Germany. It hurts to admit it but it is actually better crafted than the original series. View all 3 comments. Jan 24, Soraiku rated it it was amazing. Micheal Moorcock writes fantasy, but it's so beyond most others in the genre, it's incredibly refreshing. Elric is a great anti-hero, and it was interesting to see him compared with the more human Ulric.

Very well written, I couldn't put it down! Jul 14, Ray rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: That aspect has been missing from the recent books The albino's back in full force. Jul 08, Steve marked it as to-read Shelves: Wonderful example of what fantasy can be. Set in an alternative Europe during the 2nd World War, we're treated to a gritty, semi-realistic kind of historical fantasy.

The world is almost but not quite recognizable as our own interlaced with sorcery and mythical beasts and strange cities and lands that still manage to feel real and with characters that seem alive and real, drawing emotion from the reader and persuading us to care about them. I picked this up from a charity shop as an accidental f Wonderful example of what fantasy can be. I picked this up from a charity shop as an accidental find but vaguely remember reading some of the Von Bek novels when I was younger.

I've picked up the first Von Bek now in kindle format and hope for good things from it if it's anything like as good as this. Very enjoyable alternate historical fantasy. Es el libro que menos me ha gustado pero no por ello he dejado de lado el Multiverso. Dec 27, S. Ellis rated it it was amazing. I was surprised when I stumbled upon this as I thought Michael Moorcock was finished writing Elric stories.

I bought it, fully expecting another good but not great typical Elric adventure. There are scenes in this novel that had my eyes popped open like saucers and my heart pounding. It was like heavy metal music--put onto paper. I don't want to give too much away. The older novels will alwa I was surprised when I stumbled upon this as I thought Michael Moorcock was finished writing Elric stories. The older novels will always have a place in my heart, but this is what I consider to be the best that Michael Moorcock has ever written. Jun 28, Julie Capell rated it it was amazing Shelves: Anyone picking up this novel hoping for a mindless fantasy romp featuring their beloved Elric should be forwarned: Elric is the featured hero in less than half of the book.

The true protagonist is Count Ulric von Bek, who becomes embroiled in a chase across several planes in the multiverse in his attempt to thwart the destruction of his beloved Germany by Adolf Hitler and his minions. In this, his latest novel, Michael Moorcock continues to examine many of the same themes that have concerned him Anyone picking up this novel hoping for a mindless fantasy romp featuring their beloved Elric should be forwarned: In this, his latest novel, Michael Moorcock continues to examine many of the same themes that have concerned him in previous novels.

Moorcock has done much research on Nazi Germany, and infuses the early chapters of the book with fascinating glimpses into the ways in which otherwise rational men convinced themselves that Nazism wasn't so bad. Bringing von Bek together with Elric about halfway through the book, Moorcock proves that he is still one of the masters of fantasy writing.

Various incarnations of Stormbringer fight impossible forces against fantastic backdrops, as Moorcock displays his virtuosity. As you read, you can almost feel the author's delight in creating new foes, finding new ways to describe battles, confronting his protagonists with new situations, and juxtaposing ideas in previously unimagined ways.

The words seem to blast across the pages, flowing and writhing just as do the runes on Elric's sword. I can think of no other fantasy writer who can with such ease conjure whole new worlds in a mere paragraph, describe bloody battles in which the hero simultaneously kills and mourns, and make the reader care so much for his characters. If you enjoy the Elric stories, this novel is a must-read. If you like what you read here, be sure to go and get the other Von Bek novels, which are great reads, too.

The main character is an early twentieth century rural German aristocrat named Ulric von Bek. His Nazi cousin begins to insist that he hand over his family heirloom, a sword, and when he refuses he ends up in a concentration camp. The sword displays mysterious powers which help him break out of the camp, mysterious characters guide him into a sort of underground fairyland, and things just get more bizarre from there.

Unfortunately, the flat prose completely fails to engage my emotions or give me The main character is an early twentieth century rural German aristocrat named Ulric von Bek. Unfortunately, the flat prose completely fails to engage my emotions or give me the impression that any of Ulric's wondrous or terrifying experiences really mean much to him.

The setting has the potential for complexity, but it's presented too impressionistically to give me confidence that any coherence would emerge from reading more books. This book doesn't encourage me to explore any more of Moorcock's vast body of work. I didn't get very far in this novel. It sounded promising and I couldn't wait to get back into fantasy, but I just felt so bombarded with historical facts!

I understand that it was set in Germany in the early 20th century and all but it felt like an unnecessary history lesson a lot of the time, as if the author was trying to show off his knowledge and fill up more pages or something. This is only my opinion. I guess historical fiction is not my thing after all. If anyone can explain to me why I I didn't get very far in this novel. If anyone can explain to me why I should stick with this book and that it is truly worth my time reading, then please feel free to try and persuade me.

I'm not being sarcastic. Honestly, I want to like this story! Also I believe this isn't the first in this series? Was there a previous trilogy? Jan 02, Alexis rated it it was ok. Nothing goes very well here. The ww2 part is decent but small and not enough, Elric is the guy who pulls aces out of his magical sleeves every time things get difficult, Gaynor used to be far more ambiguous and interesting than the nutjob he's here, and of course, the conventions of fantasy may work fine when in Tanelorn and Imrryr, but seem out of place and crude in a "real world" setting.

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Mar 13, Kricket rated it liked it Shelves: I first picked up this book as a teenager. In rereading this, I began to wonder what captured me so hard as a teen. I remember thinking at the time that this book might be a little beyond me but still, I liked it a lot. Plus, there were dragons in the book. See my entire review I first picked up this book as a teenager. See my entire review at Kricket's Korner Sep 12, Bridget rated it really liked it.

Of course, it is kind of intentional! The surreal settings and bizarre creatures keep in line with Moorcock's style and the eternal conflict takes on a whole new visage. I am a romanticist so this book satisfied that little part of me that always wished for more for Elric.

There are some touching scenes and the conclusion to this first of the trilogy is very satisfying. Oh, and I can't forget that there's some major Nazi ass-kicking. May 20, Travis rated it really liked it Shelves: Elric fights the Nazis. What more do you need to know? Okay, Moorcock starts out writing a great historical story about one young german noble getting a harsh dose of reality when the nazis come to power. Plus, there's a nice love story mixed in Elric fights the Nazis. Plus, there's a nice love story mixed in with all that other stuff and a talking fox.

Mar 05, Gene Sullivan rated it it was ok. If have read Michael Moorcock, and enjoyed them, then I suppose you'll enjoy this, or at least you won't hate it. I read the main Elric books 15 or 20 years ago, and I picked this up on a whim. I don't think I enjoyed it as much as those. I don't know if that's because it's not as good or because I'm years older. I'm having a hard time mustering any strong feelings about it. I read it, now it's over. Nov 27, Zori Amber rated it really liked it.

My biggest fear, knowing that many other reviewers have called it a feminist book, was that it was going to unnecessarily hit me over the head with feminist preaching. Though there were definitely very open feminist moments, it was well written, well timed, and well said. Did it cover every aspect of the feminist spectrum? All exotic others, and never the hero, eh? If the Tales of Kintyre Turn — the book that is within the book, The Untold Tale; yeah, I know pretty meta — were actual books, I would bet that this would be a prime example.

Despite a super awesome second job, Forsyth still sees himself as the inadequate younger brother to Kintyre. I really just enjoyed all the elements of The Untold Tale even how Frey was also able to weave in some good and some not so good aspects of what it means to be a fan of a series as well as the idea of a non-traditional hero. Also, the characters are really great.

I loved Pip and Forsyth and many of the other characters. If you want a book that pokes at some issues of the fantasy genre but in a way that still makes you love the main characters and their character development then I really encourage you to read The Untold Tale. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Nov 24, Vippi rated it did not like it Shelves: In my opinion, these are its greatest flaws: And I am here, doing his job, when I have something of my own, something that I should be doing out there, being marvelous myself.

But I am lanky, skinny, and somehow, at the same time, growing to fat. I am book-smart, but life-stupid. Father always said so. Kintyre always said so, and he is a hero. Dec 06, Natasha rated it did not like it Shelves: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange of honest review. I apologize, if the review ended up too honest. The book is written from the first person perspective. Of course it is, most Young adult novels are, don't they? Certainly there are many books from every imaginable genre that uses first person point of view, but in YA it is somehow ubiquitous.

My biggest issue with this book is the characters. We have the main male character, Forsyth, who is the point of view characte I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, in exchange of honest review. We have the main male character, Forsyth, who is the point of view character, and the female character, Lucy.

The protagonist is a strange person. As it turns out, by design, but initially he confused me. He is a spymaster of some kingdom, lord of a large chunk of land. When you think about a head spy, do you imagine a stuttering guy, who gets very upset when he doesn't know something, who blushes and gets lost when in the presence of a girl? Nevertheless, that's our hero. And what wonderful things we find out about him instantly: Who better for a spymaster than the man who becomes physically agitated when he feels ignorant?

Honestly, I can imaging many better men for a spymaster. I fidget until the kettle hisses, welcoming the excuse to duck out from under her odd gaze. The head spy gets flustered by a woman just looking at him? No woman enjoys my touch. Come on, why does the guy have so many issues? The girl, Lucy, who makes our protagonist so uncomfortable, is also weird.

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As soon as we met her, Lucy swears a lot, uses modern slang "cool! And instead of interrogating her to find the source of her knowledge, our guy is just mildly interested of the fact. Fine head of local intelligence he makes! At this point I began to have a sinking feeling that for the first time I encountered the American example of the infamous "popadantsy" genre, so widespread in Russian romantic fantasy - namely a story where a person most often than not a girl in her twenties from "our world" miraculously ends up in some magical medieval-ish society, which might or might not exist in a book.

Usually she saves the world or marries a prince or teachers everyone how to "live their lived properly". As I read further, I realized that that I, sadly, was right. Lucy was summoned from "other world" and she is a so-called Reader, having immense powers and prior knowledge of the characters. The protagonist is already in love with you. And you will save the world or something Even if the intruder from our world tries to lampshade and make fun or use of the genre cliches in her new world, it still never ends in a masterpiece. Some of those are entertaining, so I gave the book a chance.

Granted, I am not male myself, but I have a feeling that men, especially noblemen-turned-spymasters do not swoon like teenage girls whenever an attractive member of an opposite sex smile at them or calls their names. Even Stephenie Meyer managed to spook away even her fans who already have very low threshold of expectations, if they like Twilight by being equally bad in writing male perspective in Life and death.

OK, maybe the author was trying to make the protagonist a whiny guy, worrying about his hair, figure and looks, and full of inferiority complex as a kind of grotesque satire on the girl-centered YA books? I can only hope Skimming other reviews on this book on Goodreads, I found that it is supposed to be "feminist". I am not sure why though. Because Lucy is disgusted by embroidery, saying "I don't do that useless lady stuff"? Handcraft is not useless and shaming a woman enjoying embroidery is as sexist as telling a woman that she can't have any other interests past "lady stuff".

On the very next page I see the main guy thinking about "the image of trousers stretched deliciously over the plump bottom" of Lucy's. Shameless objectifying of a female by the view point character? Again, maybe it is supposed to be subversive and ironic, but I'm too dumb to get it. I was happy to discover that Lucy was half-chinese though. After I braved through about a quarter of the book, things peaked up a bit. At least Lucy started to make fun of how some of the characters are "written". I guess it was an attempt at subversion after all.

Problem is, it doesn't make the main character more likable or the language better. Honestly, if I hadn't felt an obligation to read the book and write the review, I would have never stuck around to even get this far into the novel. Just as I began warming up to this novel, I came across the following sentence: I don't mind the swear words so much though Lucy us dropping f-bombs left and right. Problem is, while it's pronounced by a character who is supposed to be a dumb chauvinistic "typical hero" of a fantasy novel, it sounds jarringly like some hateful internet comment and not kind of words the character in question might choose.

It seems that the author had an aim to discuss the issue, but she didn't manage to fit the story around the topic gracefully. Instead, the episode very obviously sticks out. Admittedly, the fact that Lucy uncovers the in-universe gay relationship behind the usual ho-yay is rather funny. Nice sentiment, but way, way on the nose. Sounds ok in a Hercules cartoon, but not so much in a novel. Again, message us too plainly obvious. As I read on, I realized that Lucy is less a character and more of a plot device.

Someone who speaks in mottos and slogans. It's not right to keep you a slave here, alone and unable to communicate to others that you're not here by choice. People don't talk like that! There is hardly any chemistry between the two protagonists. For at least half of the book he behaves as a horny teenager who have never seen a girl before and she gives mixed signals, like asking the poor guy to wash her hair and then telling him that she will kiss him if he works on his self esteem, while coming across rather cold and manipulative.

As the story progresses, suddenly Lucy needs to go on a quest in order to return home. There's no strong explanation why that has to happen, but it's really convenient for the plot. Moreover, there's talk about spells and summonings, which Lucy known plenty about, because she read the series of books describing the world he ended up in, but I don't, because I haven't and the author doesn't explain the magic properly. Then there's a plot development that had a potential to be interesting: Problem is, we don't see their thought process at all.

We are told that Lucy went over a bunch of documents, made a table and then came to some conclusions. What happened to "show, don't tell"? I will not even go into the longish sex scene in the middle of the book. Definitely not something I want to see in my fantasy novel. One plot development that really infuriated me was when Lucy realized she was mind-controlled and forced to have sex with Forsyth. Obviously she is very upset. Especially considering she was tortured previously.

But wait, let's listen to her complaints: I have been proved wrong! Do you know what that means? I have been proved an idiot by the world I love most. So, she is not angry and hurt by all the bad things happening to her, only by the fact she misunderstood the book she ended up in?!? My favourite part of the book is when after yet another lecture by Lucy, Forsyth finally calls her out on it: You are so full of self-righteous ire that you never once so how much my love for you hurt me.

Lucy comes across throughout as an annoying, one-dimensional bully. Forsyth actually grew on me, but he couldn't save the book for me. I think I had a small Gollum episode but now I am fine! So, in this new fantasy novel we have Forsyth. He is a lord in Turn Hall and Lysse Chipping, areas found in the magical kingdom he lives in, as also secretly he is the spymaster of the King. He is a decent guy with love for books as also quite smart and strategic.

Pip is not just any damsel in distress. She is a Reader! Meaning that she got sucked into Forsyth's world, which is none other than a book! The details are quite a spoiler so, if you know evil mini-me, then you have to read the book in order to learn more. The whole story is an adventure which actually takes all the stereotypes we have about high fantasy novels, deconstructs them, reforms them and then we have the author adding new, more exciting details about everything and everyone!

If you are a good YA reader then I can assure you that Frey can deliver a story with critism but also with romance, fighting and humor. The character I liked most was Forsyth. He is the main POV of the book and through his eyes we learn about Pip, who has dedicated her life reading the book series Forsyth is in. He is always surprised about the way she thinks and silently he falls for her, which I found quite cute. It was nice to have a noble man in a story who did not have the caveman attitude and actually cared about the female character. Although Forsyth is quite a strong character he always doubts himself, has low self-esteem and self confidence since he had to endure his life under the shadow of his older brother who is the type of the alpha-male knight.

His brother also is a jerk, but I will bypass it for now. What makes even more amazing the plot in this book, is the faint feeling I got when reading it. It felt like I was watching "The Princess Bride" both the movie and the book, not to mention the reference of the phrase "As you wish" in the story. Adding to that the fact that Ivy was transported into a bookish world and you have me recommending the book to every person I know!

There was also a small fantasy of me traveling to the world of "Throne of Glass" series but after seeing what Pip got through, I did rethink about it. Not always do you get to become who you think in a bookish world and the evil guy can be even more sadistic than he looks like. I am sure that J. Frey will blow my mind again and I am crossing my fingers wishing for more adventures for Forsyth and Pip! Aug 03, Jason Meyer rated it it was amazing.

Frey's The Untold Tale is a rare balancing act: Born of an obvious love for the genre and tempered by Frey's wry sense of humor, The Untold Tale inverts high fantasy tropes to weave a story that's just as grounded in the charm of its characters as it is in the controversies of speculative fiction. It's sincere yet subversive; as sexy as it is sexually progressive.

Nov 11, Sally rated it liked it Shelves: Frey, is an altogether lovely deconstruction of epic fantasy, portal fantasy, and traditional romantic fantasy - and one that is delightfully entirely self-aware. While other reviewers have labeled it as feminist fantasy, I think that is a mistake. Such a view is simply too. Yes, there are feminist elements within that deconstruction, but they are only a part of the story. This is such a fun tale, and one that delights in twisting tropes and stomping all over stereotypes.

Our hero, young Forsyth, is the traditionally younger, weaker, plainer, stuttering, less heroic brother. An oft-neglected noble and secret spy, he lives in the constant shadow of his stereotypically heroic and barbarian-bimbo brother. Really, it is Kintyre who would traditionally be the hero - he is, after all, who the women swoon over - and Forsyth expects his story to be usurped at any time by the warrior, but denying that literary rebellion is the whole point. Our window into this world is a young woman named Pip, and that is where things get really interesting, She is a Reader from outside the story who made her way into the novel and survived brutal torture to arrive at Forsyth's side.

She is a fan of the The Tales of Kintyre Turn, and is constantly surprised at how little she knows about Forsythe - since, of course, he has never been the main character. The whole world-building mythology here of a civilization that exists in literary terms is just marvelous. Frey has a lot of fun with that portal aspect, and even has Pip drop other literary references throughout the novel that only we, as Readers ourselves, have any chance of recognizing. At the same time, she presents us with a medieval fantasy world that is very real - as full of poverty and disease as it is magic and heroism.

Despite the fun, playful elements, and in start contrast to the clever rewriting of fantasy tropes and stereotypes, this is often a very dark story. Do not let the oddity of it fool you. Yes, it is often laugh-out-loud funny, but it is just as often cringe-and-shudder horrifying. Frey demonstrates a true passion for the genre, as well as a deep understanding of what comprises it.

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The Untold Tale is odd. It can often be unsettling. Once in a while it is even absurd. Yet, it can never be accused of being over-the-top, is never boring, and manages to delight as both an entertaining read and a clever skewering of the genre. Jul 31, Kisa Whipkey rated it it was amazing Shelves: I could just tell, like an instinct. And I was right. Forsyth Turn is a swoon-worthy hero, though he is admittedly not what one pictures when they think of the leading man in an epic fantasy-adventure. And through him, we watch as all the prejudices — intentional or otherwise — of the fantasy genre and fiction in general are brought to light.

The Untold Tale is written in a modern first-person present tense, and yet still somehow manages to evoke the spirits of literary greats it has an Austen-like quality to me, though the author disagrees. I was the acquiring editor for this title, however all opinions stated are my own and were not influenced by bias or compensation. Dec 15, Kathleen rated it it was amazing. What a great story! So well written and a unique premise, I was pulled in and didn't want to leave the world of Hain, the world of Forsyth Turn.

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I can't tell you how many times I wished to be inside her head, but to see her through Forsyth's eyes was a great way to get to know her. A great twist and an ending that left me smiling. As a teen I wanted so much to jump into the fantasy books I loved, and this book gives me my dream. More than that What a great story! That maybe our dreams can go wrong, but with understanding it is possible for everything to change. That we can live together Nov 15, Mike Perschon rated it it was amazing. Frey's The Untold Tale is the most important work of fantasy written in It may be the most important work of fantasy written this decade, but I'll have to get back to you on that in I was excited when I first received an electronic copy of J.

Frey's The Untold Tale, as I loved both Triptych, her breakout novel and one of the best time-travel tales I've ever read, and Dark Side of the Glass, her funny and smart metafictional response to Twilight. When I learned that The Untold Tale was going to be fantasy, I felt like it could be her literary hat trick in speculative fiction - science fiction, horror, and fantasy. I'd also heard this was another work of metafiction, but given what Frey had done with Dark Side of the Glass, I was curious to see what she'd do with a secondary world of wizards and warriors, swords and sorcery, dungeons and dragons.

It turned out to be very intriguing: He's not Conan or Aragorn or even Elric. He's a nice guy. Shadows of Myth and Legend. Roses, Briars and Blood: A Gothic Sleeping Beauty. Wolves In The Mist. Vasilisa and the Queen of Asps. The Lore Keeper's Tale. Pride of the Traveller. The Last Day of Avalon. The Sword of Sifaris. Andora, Quest of the Timekeeper's Daughter.

The Untold Tale

A Most Unserious Dragon. A Goblin Seeks a Career Change. A Claymore For Dragon. Guide an Orc to save a Goblin. The Elves and Elfets. Left Behind Quest Fantasy Series 1. The Disintegration of Dragons, Part 1: A Death in Vastervik. A Tale of Two Brothers Part 1: The Knights of the Emerald Sphinx.

Glory of the Amazons. The Realm of Fire. Nurple The Purple Imp.