Michael Moorcock's near-forgotten space opera classic "The Sundered Worlds" is back for a whole new generation. First serialized in the British magazine Science Fiction Adventures in two parts (as "The Sundered Worlds" in 1962 and "The Blood Red Game" in 1963) by influential English SF editor John Carnell, Moorcock introduces the concept of the Multiverse, a series of many universes and realities; of alternate lives and destinies. The Multiverse concept would play a pivotal role in the success of Moorcock's writing career, especially with his tragic anti-hero Elric. The plot of "The Sundered Worlds" seems simplistic on the surface: a mission is undertaken by the hero Renark von Bek to save the various sectors of the Multiverse from imminent universal Armageddon. But buried deep within the Star Wars-like action is a deeper story of a man inexorably and inevitable drawn to a hidden Destiny he can neither avoid nor alter, in spite of his (admittedly) super-human efforts. Renark von Bek goes about his mission with an almost casual, even cavalier attitude, and it is this very attitude of heroic yet resigned resolve that earns him the respect of his many friends, and the grudging admiration of his enemies. Amazing technology is on display as well, many of which became reality: virtual reality, computer tablets, digital displays, and advanced quantum physics. For great, dazzling yet classically-spirited science fiction adventure, "The Sundered Worlds" is a winner.
