Corum: Coming of Chaos: 7 (Eternal Champion) [Hardcover]

I have not read all of the Eternal Champion novels, but of the ones I have read, this is my favorite. The exposition of this book does not conform at all to the Lord of the Rings formula that has been copied and recopied in epic fantasy novels ad nauseum. If all the fantasy books you've been reading are Lord of the Rings clones, do yourself a favor and get anything, and I mean anything, by Michael Moorcock.

Corum's struggle is easy to support and get behind. He doesn't come across as a psycho with a death wish the way Elric does; his motives are nobler and more heroic. The story begins when Corum's race, the Vadhagh, is killed off by wild Mabden tribes. They capture Corum and give him his characteristic missing hand and eye before he miraculously escapes. He reaches a castle held by civil, peaceful Mabden who bring him back to health and give him a place to live.

At first, Corum's struggle is against the Mabden who killed his family, but he quickly becomes involved in a battle on the side of Law against the Chaos lords known as the Sword Rulers, whose cause is behind the destruction of Corum's race.

This is a great book to read even if you have never read another Eternal Champion novel and had no intention of doing so. This was the first Eternal Champion book I read, and I had no trouble understanding it, or the concept of the Eternal Champion, which is explained in detail in Queen of the Swords. You don't even need to read this book's sequel, Corum: the Prince With the Silver Hand, to fully enjoy it, though I would recommend it since it is also very good.

The story: Corum is from a race of elf-like beings who have ruled the world for thousands of years and have settled into their way of life after centuries of peace with their life long enemies. Along comes man, basically an animal compared to Corum's race of refined individuals. Man is hardly a threat and mostly ignored. Well, centuries like this pass and man rises in power and starts killing off other members of Corum's people and finally they take notice.

Well set up, well executed and a lot of fun to read.

If you liked Corum, you'll like the other eternal champion books, I especially liked the Elric set, but enjoyed some of the earlier Eternal Champion works including the first book on Erecose.