Reviews and Comments

This is the first book in a project to read as much of the Eternal Champion saga as I can. Some is a reread but much of it I have never read.

This is really my kind of sword and sorcerery. Brooding, tragic anti-hero; weird landscapes and artifacts; escalating deals with devils. I dig it all and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book I hadn't touched in 40 years.

Disturbing as is all the best of Ballard. He hides the horror of societal decay and dysfunction inside beautiful prose. I was impressed with how he maintained the even but relentless pace of breakdown.

I would not quite put it at the high water mark of Crash but it is in the neighborhood.