Saberhagen, Fred

The Last Book of Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story (Swords Series)

Average customer rating:

Surprised, not disappointed.
Heavens to Betsy!
Egads!
Do not read this book!!!
Unsatisfying ending makes a good book mediocre

The Last Book of Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story (Swords Series)
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Sixth Book of Lost Swords: Mindsword's Story (6th Book of Lost Swords)
The Fifth Book of Lost Swords: Coinspinner's Story (Swords)
The Fourth Book of Lost Swords: Farslayer's Story
The Third Book of Lost Swords: Stonecutter's Story (Swords)
The Second Book of Lost Swords: Sightblinder's Story (Lost swords)

ASIN: 0312850018

Book Description

Long ago, the gods forged Twelve Swords of Power and threw them on the gameboard of life for greedy mortals to scramble over. Too late, the gods learned that they had forged too well; the Swords could kill the gods themselves.Now, ages later, the Swords are back in human hands, as powerful as ever. Vilkata the Dark King returns from exile seeking revenge on those who defeated him. His first goal is the vault in which is enemy Prince Mark has placed the remaining Swords; with these in hand, none can oppose his rule. Only one untested warrior stands in his way: fourteen-year-old Prince Stephen, with Shieldbreaker in hand.

Customer Reviews:

Surprised, not disappointed........2006-05-19

If I hadn't already read this book, I probobly wouldn't after reading all but one of these reviews...then again, that hasn't been all that unusual with the reviews I've seen on Amazon. Almost every review that I've bothered to write has been because I felt the need to counterbalance some very over-the-top reviews; this is definitely a case in point...

Some of the reviewers here claim to have enjoyed the rest of the series which almost made me stop myself from making this statement, but I'll take a chance and make it anyway: If you enjoyed the rest of the series, chances are good that you'll enjoy this book as much or more. The ending was not what I expected but in most of the books that I have enjoyed, the ending was somewhat of a surprise; frankly, I would have been disappointed if Fred HAD done the most obvious thing (whatever that is!).

Is it possible that he wanted to be done with the Swords? Certainly. If that was the reason, I really don't care. It is said that Tchaikovsky's 6th symphony was his way of dealing with his homosexual feelings; when I heard that I gave a little shudder and continued enjoying the music as much as I ever did. Whatever Fred's reason for ending the series the way he did doesn't change the fact that this is a fantastic book by any standard.

As a postscript I should point out that if Fred truly was sick of the world of the swords, explain the recent release of "Ardneh's Sword". This book was truly unnecessary to the series and the questions it answers could have been answered without going to the trouble of adding another 348 pages to the series.

Heavens to Betsy!.......2006-02-24

Don't read the other reviews of this book and walk away thinking that this series is not worth checking out. I wept when this book ended, but mainly because it ended and I read it long after it was published and thus knew that no other books in the series would be forthcoming.

I was a bit disappointed that Saberhagen felt the need to destroy all the swords at the end of the book. I guess he was getting tired of the setting and wanted to slam, not shut the door. I wish that he had left Coinspinner around at the least..... Ah, but life is filled with tragedy.....

If you enjoy fantasy, you simply MUST read this book. The world is incredibly detailed and it really is a crime that there never was a role playing game developed based on the novels.

I won't go as far as to say that these books are better than the LOTR, but they are comparable. That statement, in it self speaks volumes.

Egads!.......2003-05-17

I was all set to write a stinging review of the terrible book that killed this great series- but it would just echo what has already been written. And that ending- good grief Fred, what were you smoking??? So, I am here just to slam this piece of garbage with 1 star.

Do not read this book!!!.......2002-07-02

If you enjoyed the rest of the series, stop and don't read this book. Yes, you will be left wondering what happens to the rest of the swords, who is the Emperor, what happens to Mark and the rest, but live with the curiosity. This book goes beyond anticlimactic, it is just awful. The ending and the explanation of the Emperor is so...I can't even find words for how disappointing it is.
I'm left wondering if Saberhagen didn't outgrow the series and quickly wrote Shieldbreaker's story to bring the series to a close so he could move on to other endeavors. I can not believe that he actually thought that this ending would satisfy his readers.

I can not stress enough how thoroughly disappointing and frustrating the ending of this book is. Saberhagen should personally apologize to everyone who read this book

Unsatisfying ending makes a good book mediocre.......2001-09-21

Most of the book was fine, but the end section was a poor conclusion to the book, and the series. (WARNING! Specific plot details follow!) Just so readers are forewarned, the Emperor is never explained, and he gives a strange quasi-religious statement about himself. Here it is, verbatim: "Some long ago have called me the Sabbath, or the Covenant--Some have called me Wisdom. Some lately have said that I am the Program of Creation."

Has Saberhagen found Christianity, and he's trying to inject it into his fiction? What the heck is he trying to get at, here? Beats me, and the book left me scratching my head and wondering what happened to this gifted writer.

Empire of the East (Bks. 1-3: The Broken Lands, The Black Mountains, and Ardneh's World)
Average customer rating:

Empire of the East

Empire of the East

No-Frills Fantasy at its Best!

A HORRIBLE BOOK - I CANNOT BELIEVE THE POSITIVE REVIEWS

Bewildered by the praise!

Empire of the East (Bks. 1-3: The Broken Lands, The Black Mountains, and Ardneh's World)
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Saberhagen, Fred | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Ardneh's Sword

The First Swords: The Book of Swords Volumes 1, 2, & 3

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The Sixth Book of Lost Swords: Mindsword's Story (6th Book of Lost Swords)

Berserkers: The Beginning

ASIN: 0765307421

Book Description

The classic trilogy returned to print! In the distant future, society has crumbled. Dark forces now rule the land, keeping all humans under their oppressive thumbs. Determined to regain their freedom, a small band of plans to overthrow an army of thousands .... with the help of one incredible weapon.

Customer Reviews:

Empire of the East.......2007-03-09

Fred Saberhagen is an icon in the world of fantasy and science fiction writing. Some of the first sci-fi I read was his work. His style has evolved since the fist book in this trilogy, the Broken Lands.
The Broken Lands tells the story of Rolf, a farm boy whose family is murdered by the Eastern Empire army that has conquered his homeland. Rolf, while searching for his missing little sister. In his journey he joins the small resistance and gets swept into the search for the Elephant, a mythical beast prophesied to help free them.
The Elephant is part of the Old World. The story revolves around the fact that the world of technology was destroyed and the world of magic arose. The Elephant is a relic of the old world that still works, a nuclear powered tank that has remained hidden in a secure bunker for thousands of years. Apparently, technology from the Old World is far advanced of what we have today.
Rolf and his allies defeat the local Satrap of the East, but in the process, they lose the Elephant and all it's power. The book ends with the resistance preparing for a larger war against the Empire.
This first book has a fast pace, but leaves a lot of the details unexplained. It is a little unbelievable, but the pacing and characters are good, so it is a pleasant read. Luckily the next two books are much better.
In the Black Mountain, the Eastern Empire's local lord is Som the Dead. He is an undead sorcerer that has been given control over the Western lands. In this book, you see just how evil the East is. It is full of political infighting and deceit.
The story is told from Rolf's point of view as well as Chup, a former Satrap of the East who was captured by the resistance in the last book. Rolf and the resistance go up against Som and his demon minion, Zapranoth. In this book you see more of the technology and get a better idea of the fall of the Old World. The characters are much better defined and written. There is plenty of action, which I like.
This story is also about redemption. Chup turns from the path of evil and defects to the Western armies. To be honest, I like Chup's character the best. Chup has an iron code of honor and a blunt honesty that is admirable. He turns out to be the hero that defeats Zapranoth.
In Ardneh's World, we meet the Emperor of the East, an immortal named John Ominor. He has command of the most powerful wizards and demons on the planet. We also meet Ardneh, the Godlike being indirectly supporting the West. This book is the ultimate confrontation between the two.
The power of the east is anchored in the might of the demon Orcus, the most powerful being in existence. The story tells of the creation of magic and demons by the Old World.
There was a great nuclear war in the past. The scientists of the Old World developed a technology against nuclear war that changed the rules of physics. This change caused advanced technology to stop working and brought into being the powers of magic. Orcus was created by a nuclear explosion that went off at the same time that the rules changed. Any act of violence that happened at that exact moment created a demon. The more violent and powerful the act, the more powerful the demon. But the rules of magic were not fixed, and have slowly been sliding back to where science works again.
Which is where Ardneh comes in. Ardneh is a self aware computer designed to reverse the change and allow science to come back into ascendancy. Ardneh is a benevolent being who stands for all that was good from the Old World. He has set his course against the Empire of the East and all the evil that supports it.
Rolf is recruited by Ardneh to assist in the final battle against Orcus and the Eastern Armies. The story ends with the rules being partially reversed and Orcus is turned back into the nuclear explosion that birthed him. But the rules did not totally reverse. They are now equal. Science and magic powers coexist in the New World.
This story is a prequel to Fred's massively successful fantasy series The Books of Swords. It tells the back story of Ardeh and Draffut that figure so much in that series.

Empire of the East.......2007-01-10

Excellent epic by Saberhagan. Long tale of a post-apocalyptic Earth and how magic and magical beings good and evil, have been loosed upon the Earth. Good read.

No-Frills Fantasy at its Best!.......2006-04-22

Anytime I get sick of the over-written, under-edited garbage that many publishing houses pass off as fantasy literature these days, I turn to my 1979 Ace Books edition of Empire of the East.

Saberhagen's sparse, fast-paced style may seem harsh to people who grew up with the 90's and new millennium bloated literary vomit of Robert Jordan and his ilk; however, anyone who is willing to step past the "more words = better writing" mindset will be happily surprised by the energy, characterization, plotting, and true sense of proper conclusion that Empire of the East provides.

Empire of the East is a fine example of late 60's, early 70's fantasy: characters grow in direct correlation to their deeds and not through some unappetizing mechanism of video game-like power levels that has become the norm these days; moral and ethical issues are explored through the stories and not through the preachy 40-page socio-political rants made famous by Terry Goodkind; and, best of all, it's a rousing good tale that you can get through in a few days and walk away from deeply satisfied.

I would recommend Empire of the East to anyone, but would also warn that it is not for everyone. Most people who only know fantasy that reads tolerably well when skipping one page in eight will need to develop a taste for books like Empire of the East. Still, it is well worth doing if you are looking for an exceptional book that can be read and re-read once every five or so years over your entire lifetime.

A HORRIBLE BOOK - I CANNOT BELIEVE THE POSITIVE REVIEWS.......2006-03-02

When I first saw this book in the Fantasy Section of the bookstore, my interest was piqued. Being a relatively fast reader, I tend to look for long, complex books, with memorable characters and good, original plots. After reading the back of the book, I was sure this book fulfilled both counts; it was long, at 512 pages, it was a self-contained trilogy of three shorter books (The Broken Lands, The Black Mountains, and Ardneh's World), but best of all, the plot seemed fascinating.
To summarize, it is about a world at least 50 000 years in the future, after a devastating nuclear near-holocaust has wiped out technology, but introduced a weak form of magic, as well as demons. The evil Empire of the East has conquered the lands of the West, but a bold army of freedom fighters has risen up in revolt. Despite their bravery, they cannot win unless they find Elephant, a legendary creature of great power. Into this steps Rolf, a farmer who lost his entire family to the Empire of the East. Thirsting for revenge, he agrees to find Elephant. He does find it (in reality a tank), and thanks to this, they are able to liberate the West. The next two-thirds of the book chronicle how he helps the West overthrow the East. While doing this, he rescues a Princess and discovers the sentient supercomputer Ardneh, which helps him defeat the Demon Orcus at the cost of its own existence.
Now on to the review! First, the good things. This story had some very memorable characters, ranging from the seductive, yet ultimately evil, Charmain, to the noble, omnicompassionate Draffut, called the Beastlord, not to mention Ardneh itself. Secondly, this story had some very well written scenes; the chapter in which Ardneh describes its origins as a computer designed to ward off a nuclear holocaust is particularly well-crafted.
Now on to the bad things about this book.
Firstly, the plot much too simple for an adult novel. While reading it, one can't help but feel at times that the story reads like the novelization of a B-movie. Movies should have reasonably simple, visual plots, while good novels should have more complex plots. The lack of complex plotting makes this story feel like a movie. The description on the back, which had so enthralled me, turned out to be the description for the first book only, the bare bones of which could have had great potential if handled in the right way. This kind of book would be good for young adults, or adults who don't like overly-complex storylines, but if you're looking for a book with even a moderately complicated plot, avoid this one all costs.
Secondly, the story is simply too clichéd. A literary cliché can actually be very subtle and well-written, if it is written with enough originality. The plot of The Broken Lands, book one of the trilogy, is basically a "get the sword" story, the only difference being the replacement of "the sword" with "Elephant". In Ardneh's World, the final book of the trilogy, Rolf actually rescues and falls in love with a princess! And I always thought Fantasy had moved past such tired "rescue and fall in love with the beautiful princess" clichés! A literary cliché can actually be very subtle and well-written, if it is written with enough originality. Unfortunately, Saberhagen obviously failed to recognize this, as evidenced by the fact that his clichéd plot devices possess little, if any originality
Thirdly, the story was riddled with characters who should have been (more) important, but for some reason weren't. At times, they appeared at random and vanished again, only to reappear again much later, or not at all. For example, at one point, Rolf rescues his long-lost sister, who should have become, if not major, at least a medium character. You would think that this would at least be a major plot development. Well, guess what? Rolf's sister gets only one line at the end of The Black Mountains, after which she and the rescue are never mentioned again!
This leads me to my fourth complaint: the story was very disjointed, almost (in my opinion) too disjointed to be called a trilogy. Not just characters, but entire plotlines which seem important disappear, never to be seen again. eVEN THE "GOOD" elements have been done to death: evil, seductive princess: Check; sentient supercomputer: Check; nucleur holocaust/post apocalypse: Check. wHILE THESE THEMES have been done well elsewhere, they were not well done here. Unfortunately, there is an overlying plot, however tenuous, so one cannot hope to understand it if one reads the last two parts alone. The first part could be read as a stand-alone book, but it's mediocre at best, so it shouldn't be worth the bother. If you are looking for good fantasy novels (something which, contrary to popular belief, is not an oxymoron) look elsewhere. I would recommend A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin, AND The Lion of Macedon, by David Gemmal. As an introduction to fantasy for young adult readers, I highly recommend Goblin Wood and The Farsala Trilogy, both by Hilari Bell, as well as The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathan Stroud.

Bewildered by the praise!.......2004-01-27

I bought a used copy of this book and read it because a review by Roger Zelazny compared it to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and called it superior. I don't know what everyone is smoking who praises this book so lavishly, but send me some now!!! There are a number of interesting plot elements, characters, and settings which is why I allowed it two stars. The problem is that the disjointed storyline and plot threads that trickle off to nothing take away from what might have been a great story. By the time I had finished reading the book I was wondering if I had mistakenly purchased a first outline that was meant for a publisher to review. But, alas, the book is the final product. I am not a sci-fi or fantasy snob and read everything from Niven to Piper and Tolkien to Piers Anthony so I think that I have a wide range of reading experience to use in evaluating this book. I would not go so far as to recommend avoiding the book (reference the above mentioned good points) but would warn any potential reader that there is far better Saberhagen out there. It's not often that I feel negatively about a book that I've read but I just feel that the praise of this one led me to an unfulfilled sense of expectation which did not materialize once the story spun out. Good luck.

The First Swords: The Book of Swords Volumes 1, 2, & 3

Average customer rating:

A decent read mostly
great fun!
Great Collection
A fantastic series of Sci-Fi Fantasy
Not as good as his vampire books

The First Swords: The Book of Swords Volumes 1, 2, & 3
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Fourth Book of Lost Swords: Farslayer's Story
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The Last Book of Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story (Books of Lost Swords)
The Fifth Book of Lost Swords: Coinspinner's Story (Swords)

ASIN: 0312869169

Amazon.com

The First Swords were forged by the gods as pieces in a great game, to be scattered across the world for mortals to fight over. Each of the 12 Swords was infused with a unique, powerful ability: the Sword of Siege could reduce a castle to rubble; Coinspinner would bring its wielder phenomenal luck; Shieldbreaker could best any weapon, even another Sword; Sightblinder would make its wielder appear to others as someone either greatly loved or greatly feared. These three books--the First, Second, and Third Book of Swords, first published in 1983 and 1984 and combined here in one volume--follow the slippery Swords as they pass from hand to hand, from queen to commoner and back again.

This trilogy probably qualifies as a fantasy classic just because it's such a great story. And it's probably so well loved because Saberhagen is such a genius. But what really cements the Swords books in the fantasy canon is simply that they tell a smart, involving story without ever getting bogged down in details. Many current authors, with their endless sequels and flabby plot lines, could learn from Saberhagen's tight pacing. Just as his equally engaging Berserker stories are a must for SF fans, no fantasy reader should miss out on these well-executed (and addictive!) books. --Paul Hughes

Book Description

Fred Saberhagen's Book of Swords novels have captivated fantasy readers for more than a decade. Here, now available in one volume, are the three books that started it all.For a game the gods have given the world twelve Swords of Power so that they might be amused as the nations battle for their possession. But Vulcan the Smith has had his own little joke: the Swords can kill the gods themselves. What started out as Divine Jest has become all too serious as the gods fight to recover the Swords, and mortals discover that the mantle of power is more delicious and more terrible than anything they could have imagined.

Customer Reviews:

A decent read mostly.......2007-01-11

The first book of swords is the best.It was good and didn't wander too much,Saberhagen just tries to fit too much in and eventually runs the story to the ground.But I repeat Read the first three anyways,they do make for a good read.

great fun!.......2005-11-21

This book will never be mistaken as great literature, but it sure was a fun read. Lots of nice plot devices, and a unique story idea!

Great Collection.......2005-09-02

Fred Saberhagen is a master at writing a fast paced, tight story. This trilogy is a fantasy classic and I would recommend it along with the Empire of the East trilogy to anyone. With Gods, magic, and twelve mythical swords, adventure abounds in this story. I would recommend his Lost Swords series as well, which can be picked up in collected editions much like this original tale.

A fantastic series of Sci-Fi Fantasy.......2005-08-26

I remember picking up these books as a kid, reading the first 30 pages and then let it sit on my shelf for 2-3 years. When I finally got around to reading them, however, I found myself itching for the next book and quickly caught up to the publishing schedule. After that it was like withdrawls - waiting and waiting for the next Sword book was torturous and then i would gobble it down in a weekend when it finally arrived.
My only negative critiques are these:
1. The first book of the series is very slow (and by book I mean the introduction of the story and the storyline of the first sword). It will take some constitution to get through it. After that it is gets better and better.
2. There are a lot of books. Be prepared to enjoy yourself so much that you end up buying them all.
3. Dispite how good these books were, they never matched the quality of Empire of the East (a five star if I ever read one). My recommendation would be to read the first three books, then go back and read Empire of the East. That's the order I read them in and I am glad I did.

Not as good as his vampire books.......2004-11-04

I picked this book up in a used book store after reading one of his books from the Vampire series. Although it was interesting and entertaining, I didn't find it nearly as interesting as his Vampire series.

I found the book a bit lacking in the descriptions of what was going on. I wasn't sure by the end of the book if we had 2 or 3 swords in play since they all seemed to have so many different names. Also some of the plot didn't seem quite connected.

I must temper this criticism by saying that I'm not a real fantasy series lover. I prefer my books (usually) to end at the last page and not to be continued in the next book. The thought of having to read 11 more books to get the full story really turns me off.

If you like fantasy books that are part of a series, you'll probably enjoy this. If you're not, it's worth a try, but no guarantees.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book

Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author

Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.

Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.

Five stars - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.

The Fourth Book of Lost Swords: Farslayer's Story

Average customer rating:

Fourth Book of Swords
Great Book, Slow Start

The Fourth Book of Lost Swords: Farslayer's Story
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

The Sixth Book of Lost Swords: Mindsword's Story (6th Book of Lost Swords)
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The First Swords: The Book of Swords Volumes 1, 2, & 3
The Last Book of Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story (Books of Lost Swords)
The Third Book of Lost Swords: Stonecutter's Story (Swords)

ASIN: 0812552849

Book Description

Long, long ago, the Gods forged Twelve Swords of Power, each with a unique and deadly quality. They forged too well, for the swords could kill the Gods themselves. Then the swords were lost, scattered across the land; and many are they, both good and evil, who are desperate to find them again.This story is of Farslayer, the sword that can kill from across and entire world. The game is fierce; the prize is the sword. The players are Black Pearl, and enscorcelled mermaid, and Cosmos her treacherous lover; Prince Zoltan and Prince Mark; the evil macrowizard Wood; and an enigmatic woman who arrives astride a griffin....

Customer Reviews:

Fourth Book of Swords.......2007-01-11

This book does not deserve to be in print.It wanders too far from where the story needs to be,I wish I could get a refund for it.

Great Book, Slow Start.......2000-04-06

I think I've read this whole series, or at least the books I can get my hands on that is. The books are excellent, with well-developed characters and interesting story line. The author uses a system of magic I haven't seen anywhere else, the universe is based on group belief, if enough people believe something it's real... as people lose belief it dies... Well Far slayer's story is about 2 feuding families who hate each other so much; they forget what they hate each other for. Far Slayer enters their world and the two families start killing each other off... There is a Romeo And Juliet thing going here too... it starts slow, but ends well... I enjoyed it very much... just hang in through the beginning and you'll be glad you did.

The Seventh Book of Lost Swords: Wayfinder's Story (Books of Lost Swords)

Average customer rating:

Unsatisfying

The Seventh Book of Lost Swords: Wayfinder's Story (Books of Lost Swords)
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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The Last Book of Swords: Shieldbreaker's Story (Books of Lost Swords)
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The Fourth Book of Lost Swords: Farslayer's Story
The Second Book of Lost Swords: Sightblinder's Story (Lost swords)

ASIN: 0812505751

Customer Reviews:

Unsatisfying.......2000-02-13

None of the many characters is given more than a few pages for the reader to get to know them, and the result is that the successes or failures of their individual quests ends up not having very much impact. There is also a disturbing story line involving a female character who is turned into the mental equivalent of a child and then bedded and wedded by a hero(?) who apparently isn't bothered by the fact that she's still sucking her thumb. Definitely not my cup of tea.

Average customer rating:

An Old Compendium of Shorts
The Best of SF
Can't We All Just Get Along?
How do you fight an enemy that isnt alive?
Brilliant science fiction from a master short story teller..

Berserkers: The Beginning
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0671878840

Customer Reviews:

An Old Compendium of Shorts.......2006-08-07

Decades ago, Fred Saberhagen created a universe where humanity and a few other species are at war with a race of machines. Nobody knows too much about the machines except that they are programmed to destroy all life. The supposition is that they were created for an ancient war and that they eventually destroyed their creators. Now they are the problem of the entire galaxy.

This is not one story. Instead, it is a collection of shorter stories. Some are very compelling and some were, to me, a bit tedious. This impression may just be because of the mood I was in while I was reading them. They are all old but very timeless. This was a major series in its time and it is still worthwhile today. It is not my favorite but I have no regrets in having read it. I will probably read all the others as well.

The Best of SF.......2003-07-31

If you haven't read Fred Saberhagen's stories about the Berserkers, you haven't read some of the best science fiction ever writen. Buy this book--you won't be disappointed!

Can't We All Just Get Along?.......2000-03-08

Saberhagen's Berserkers have been scaring you pitiful humans for years. Powerful, insensate, planet-sized warships dedicated to wiping out all life everywhere. Now, I come to you as a representative of a powerful machine civilization to offer you peace. Berserkers are only a myth. We robots are perfectly friendly. There is no need to fear. Hemphill, put down that blaster! Argh! Help, goodlife! Save me!

How do you fight an enemy that isnt alive?.......1999-11-04

How dose one kill what isnt alive, how do youhurt somthing thats feels no pain,how do you reason with something that knows only how to kill, how do you survive aginst somthing that has never lost and will never stop? Bersekers is a book about a group machines created millions of years ago with an artifical brain. These brains knew one thing and had one objective, kill all life. They had traveled threw the galexy for hundreds of millions of years killing all life they came across untill they ran into a small group of life that refused to die, man. This book is made of many short stories from boath sides of the war. They tell of the berserkes never ending pursuit for the end of life and of the human fight aginst geniside. I liked this book because its diffrent. The good guy doesnt always win but story stays posotive. In my opinion its one of the best sci-fiction books I have ever read.

Brilliant science fiction from a master short story teller.........1999-07-25

This compendium contains Saberhagen's tauted Berserker stories chronicled from the perspective of a benign historian of an advanced pacifist race. Individually the stories vary in their expose of humanity's battle against ancient war machines whose sole purpose is the extinction of all life. The berserkers have spent millenia cutting a swath through the galaxy until they finally come upon human occuppied space. Humanity, being the least evolved race and therefore having retained the barbaric ability to kill and make war, are, ironically, the only beings capable of defending life.

These stories are almost legendary classics among science fiction and have bred numerous reincarnations from Star Wars' Death Star to Star Trek's Borg. From Dr. Who to Babylon 5, these tales have been inspiration to the current generation of science fiction.

Book Description

It's been a thousand years since the time of Ardneh, the transcendent being that saved humanity from the vicious archdemon Orcus. It was a legendary battle between magic and technology that killed them both, but left behind tales of Ardneh's heroism and newly found hope for humanity. But in the passing years only a few remain that actually believe these legends as truths.

Chance Rolfson comes from a long line of Ardneh's followers, descendants from Rolf, the illustrious warrior who fought in Ardneh's name for humanity many years ago. A young man plagued with vivid nightmares, Chance hopes to clear his head by joining a forest expedition that seeks physical proof of Ardneh's existence. Their goal is to discover the great vault prophesized to hold the savior of humanity's secrets to his own power and wisdom. But the dangers are high in the dark forests, rife with bandits and demons that no magic can stop. And as Chance's dreams become clearer, he soon realizes these are not merely dreams but visions, and he alone holds the key to unlocking Ardneh's greatest gift, known to the followers as Ardneh's Sword.

Customer Reviews:

Satisfying.......2007-06-13

I've said it more often than not; Fred Saberhagen is my favorite author for several reasons. One that came to mind throughout Ardneh's Sword was the way he satisfied me with recurring details from the previous books to foreshadow events in this one. He has a knack for causing me to smile and say "Yes!" Of course no one in the room around me understands my muttered outburst. Mr. Saberhagen, thank you for the wonderful sequel to my favorite series, Empire of the East. That series, in one paper bound volume, was one of only two books I lovingly covered with plastic just after I read it as a young man.

Disappointing.......2006-10-18

Warning: Spoilers follow.

This novel is set in the same universe as Empire of the East and the "sword" novels..

This is important to know, because in the Sword novels Saberhagen makes it fairly clear that humanity is evolving/maturing and no longer needs the gods---they die because as a whole humanity does not believe in them anymore. I especially love the scene in which the gods are dying and one of them cries out, "...then who created them?"

I wondered one day why Saberhagen had placed the swords novels in the same universe as Empire, so I re-read Empire of the East, scanning for clues. I found a few near the end of the book. Ardneh, concerned that humands think of him as a god, reminds people not to believe in "gods" [Not the exact words; I'm going from distant memory].

This book was disappointing to me because in this book Saberhagen throws that all away. This novel takes place before the sword novels.
The Gods are a result of technology. You can probably guess whose technology. They are not a result of humanity's need for and belief in supposed gods.

It didn't work for me. Did Saberhagen even review/re-read his previous novels before doing this piece?

It was disappointing because it is simply not that well-writtena book.
It is simply written. I read it in one night.
I didn't like the prose (has Saberhagen gotten worse, or have I matured?). Too many plot holes: e.g. No one knows where the hospital is, but when they get there, Chance knows the woman who runs the place? Chance knows her daughter too, but we never learn just what their argument (from years before) was about. There's this gready novice who just disappears. And there's a demon who acts like no other demon has ever acted in any of the books (and how/why was he able to enter the workshop?).

If like me, you love the Empire/Gods universe, you may be tempted/want to add this book to your collection. Even on its own, however, it is simply not a good book.

I bought it with great expectations. They were not met at all.

Ardneh's Legacy.......2006-09-10

Ardneh's Sword (2006) is a sequel to the Empire of the East series, following Ardneh's World. It is also a bridge to the Swords series, taking place about one thousand years after the mutual annihilation of Ardneh and Orcus.

In this novel, Chance Rolfson is a direct lineal descendent of Rolf, agent of Ardneh in the great war against the Emperor of the East. Chance has been forced by his family into an expedition searching for Ardneh's Sword. They are certain that an opportunity to get out into the fresh air of the countryside will cure him of his dreamy ways. He serves as assistant to the Scholar Jervase, often taking care of the talking owl Mitra.

One night, just before dawn, Chance is awakened by a thump on the canvas cover of the wagon. Then a slit is cut in the cover with a sharp claw and an object on a necklace chain falls into this hand. He sees a distorted human face through the tear. Scrambling outside, he finds Mitra on the ground with a wounded wing, but no other bodies. A net is lying nearby. The object on a chain has disappeared, but his hand tingles.

Scholar Jervase and Captain Horkos, commander of the military escort, question Chance about the commotion, but seem to class these events with his prior sleepwalking episodes. Enchantress Ayaba checks him for signs of magical influence, but finds nothing unusual. She also checks out the net that had presumably entangled Mitra, yet still finds nothing. Later Lady Ayaba's little helpers vanish and she knows not why or where they are gone.

Then Chance goes wandering one evening after the midday meal and finds a very young female creature by the river. She is wearing an unusual garb much like long underwear that she claims is keeping her warm, including her bare feet. She says her name is Zalmo and tries to interest him in wearing another such garment of his size. Then she asks him some strange questions. She disappears as he is leaving.

Later Chance meets her older brother, Moxis, further downstream and notices that he is wearing a larger version of the strange garment. Moxis also tries to convince him to wear one of them. Apparently these suits were found, not made, and are old technology. He also tells Chance that the infirmary of the Servants of Ardneh is further downstream. As he is leaving, Chance hears a noise and Moxis informs him that the expedition is being attacked by bandits. Moxis vanishes underwater as Chance leaves.

By now, the object on a chain has manifested itself around his neck. When he returns to camp and observes the bandits attacking, he is surprised by two bandits directly behind him. But they do not see him, even when one of them trips over his leg. However, they can hear him and flee anxiously while searching for the source of the sounds, yet never seeing him despite being in plain sight.

Both of the strange children have very bright red hair and green eyes. Now their grandmother, an older woman with bright red hair, although graying, appears to him. By now Chance is almost convinced that the children are demons. But Grandmother names herself as Zalmoxis, admits that all three are manifestations of the same entity, and claims to be a tech-djinn. She knows about the object around his neck and states that it is Ardneh's Key, which will allow him entry to Ardneh's Workshop.

Zalmoxis may not be a demon, but at least one powerful demon exists in this area. Avenarius is a very powerful demon, although not as strong as Orcus had been. The local bandit chieftain, Nathan Gokard, worships Avenarius and invokes his aid. Of course, Avenarius cannot be summoned by the likes of Gokard, but the bandit chief keeps trying; his usual approach involves child sacrifice.

Then Mitra discovers that more bandits are converging on the area. Unfortunately, these bandits may not be actual bandits; one scout notices that some of them are wearing the colors of the mad king of Yasodhara. Whether bandits or irregulars, they are massing a small army and the expedition is obviously their target.

In this story, Chance is intimidated by a demon, befuddled by a tech-djinn and beguiled by a young female Servant of Ardneh who is also a budding mage. The expedition is besieged in a cavern complex by Gokard, infiltrated by reptilian flyers and rescued by a mythical being. All told, this story keeps Chance busy, worried and confounded.

This story presumes some knowledge of the Empire of the East trilogy. Although most significant information is hinted in the narrative, full understanding of the plot requires more exposure to past events than is conveyed herein. Moreover, this story does not really terminate with all loose threads woven into the plot, but rather provides information that explains the genesis of the Swords series. This is the missing link in the larger series.

For those who have not read the Empire of the East stories, I highly recommend them as some of the best fantasy ever written. Although the plot is rather derivative, some of the concepts therein are highly original. Moreover, this series is a good example of a SF story transforming to a Fantasy through a modification of physical laws, with high tech and magic commingled.

Highly recommended for Empire of the East fans, but anyone else should read that series prior to this volume.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I was hoping this was going to be just as good as Empire of the East was, but ...........2006-08-17

Well, I was hoping Saberhagen with this book was going to carry forward the saga that 'Empire of the East' had laid out, but I was mistaken. It took a long time to lay out the plot and when he finished setting the stage for the players, he hurried through and finished the ending??? It seems like he finished the book abruptly because a) he ran out of ideas or more likely b) his editor was getting on his case, which is what I suspect. I understand he had to dovetail it into his existing story arcs, but it seems he let the story fall from his grasp just when it was starting to get really interesting.

P.S. - Writing this review kills me, because I consider 'Empire of the East' one of the finest imaginative and thought provoking books I've had the pleasure to read. I consider it up on par with some of Zelazny's works. It's a shame, I know he can do better.

The Empire Makes A Quiet Return.......2006-07-07

In this sequel to masterpiece Empire of the East, Fred Saberhagen makes the deliberate choice not to overwhelm the reader with a titanic story. Set 1,000 years following the events of Empire, the nominal protagonist is Chance Rolfson, Rolf's lineal descendent. The action involves a quiet archeological expedition to locate Ardneh's Sword, a powerful artifact of unknown nature.

Rolfson is literally along for the ride, his parents having hoped that he might find some ambition and practicality along the way. This leades to the principal flaw in the book, Saberhagen's portrayal of Rolfson as a something of a passenger. This is true even when Rolf confronts peril and begins to develop a love interest, and a less subdued approach is called for. Another weakness, the relatively pedestrian nature of the demon-worshipping bandit threat, is nicely offset by the eerily effective demon Avenarius.

The strength of this story is the very accurate sense it conveys that the journey is leading somewhere unpredictably special. Hopefully this book and the broad canvas of possibilities it has opened up will found the beginning of a new series.

Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy

Average customer rating:

Very Irish & Very Fanciful
A great group of stories
Ah, Irish Magic!

Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy

Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765305046

Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Andrew M. Greeley, a collection of all new Irish tales to treasure and enjoy hough the Emerald Isle is no stranger to tales of the fantastic (everything from the Hound Cuchlain to Darby O'Gill and his leprechaun friends), most of the fantasy works dealing with Ireland have limited themselves to either ancient history/Celtic legends and lore, sentimental tales of wee folk, or ghostly tales of hauntings in old desterted castles. Needless to say, there is more to the history and culture of Ireland than the sort of entertainment fare popularized each year around March 17th. Emerald Magic presents the entire cavalcade of Eire from its earliest beginnings right up to the current climate that has begotten such popular phenomenons as the rock band U2 and the novels of Roddy Doyle as the backdrop for a collection of all new stories of the fantastic. Ideal for any fan of Irish books and perfectly timed for the Saint Patrick's Day season, Emerald Magic will be a collection to be treasured and enjoyed. Featuring works by such bestselling authors as: Ray BradburyJacqueline Carey Tanith LeeCecilia Dart-Thorton Peter TremayneMorgan Llywelyn Fred SaberhagenL.E. Modesitt Charles de LintJudith Tarr Jane LindskoldElizabeth Haydon Andrew M. GreeleyJane Yolen Adam StempleDiane Duane

Customer Reviews:

Very Irish & Very Fanciful.......2004-07-16

I suggest pausing between stories to clear the mind. All the writers bring their own style, but also that Irish lyrical writing. To really savor each one, you need to avoid rushing straight through.
Not being well-grounded in all the creatures of Irish folklore, some of the scarier stories surprised me. These are not your Lucky Charm leprechauns.
I'd also recommend Norah Roberts'A Little Magic which embraces Irish fantasies with a romantic flair.

A great group of stories.......2004-02-19

This wonderful book is a collection of some fifteen stories of Irish magic. The authors of the stories are all masters of the writing profession - Tanith Lee, Ray Bradbury, Fred Saberhagen, Morgan Llywelyn, and others. The book is arranged into two groups: The Little People, and Literary Fantastics, but don't imagine that it is quite that clear. The stories all range in setting from the ancient past to the very modern, and each is a masterpiece, ranging from the sad to the heartwarming to the hilarious.

As you might expect with an anthology, I found some of the stories to be better than others. I loved Cecilia Dart-Thornton and Jacqueline Carey's stories of ancient times (I always loved the old Irish heroic stories), and also Fred Saberhagen horror story. Those are my three favorites, but my hat is off to Peter Tremayne's story, which juxtaposes the horrors of yesterday with those of today. (I wish I could tell you about it, but that would be spoiling things!)

Yep, this is a great group of stories. If you like Irish stories, then you absolutely most get this book. And even if it's just that you like good modern stories of the fantastic, you will love this book. I highly recommend it!

Ah, Irish Magic!.......2004-02-05

What a lovely book! I gave it as a gift to myself, because Father Greeley is one of my guilty pleasures. I have always been a huge fan of the work of Charles De Lint, and the Butter Spirit's tithe was a great read, very fun. Likewise Elizabeth Haydon, whose prose has always reminded me a little bit of William Butler Yeats, infuses her charming take with the poetry only found in Irish blood. Judith Tarr, an author I had not read before, also impressed me favorably.

Book Description

Dracula didn't spend all of his time in London stalking Mina Harker. He occupied his days exploring the teeming city-and meeting the likes of actress Ellen Terry, the Prince of Wales, and even a young author named Abraham Stoker...

These brand new stories follow the legendary count through the gaslit streets of historic London-with the biggest names in vampire fiction as your tour guides: Fred Saberhagen * Chelsea Quinn Yarbro * Tanya Huff * Elaine Bergstrom * Roxanne Longstreet Conrad * Nancy Kilpatrick * P.N. Elrod and Nigel Bennett * Brad Sinor * Gary Braunbeck * Jody Lynn Nye * Gene DeWeese * Bill Zaget * Judith Procter * Julie Barrett * K.B. Bogen * Amy L. Gruss * and Catt Kingsgrave-Ernstein

Download Description

How did Dracula occupy his time in London when he wasn't stalking Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker? Today's top authors take the infamous nosferatu on a tour of 1890s London--in sixteen wonderfully inventive stories.

Customer Reviews:

A not-too-bad book.......2006-02-26

Not much to say than if you like this book check out Nigel Bennett's books with P.N. Elrod, Keeper of the King His Father's Son and Siege Perilous

An enjoyable read.......2005-11-08

I read this around halloween. I enjoyed having some short stories to read. I thought they were all inventive & interesting. This book is worth a read.

The Count Would be Spinning in His Grave.......2005-02-23

We have 16 short stories based on/inspired by the legendary book by Bram Stoker. Each of these stories takes place in a similar setting; namely London of the 1890s. Most of these stories are medicore at best, some of them downright laughable. Dracula acts as some sort of benign Sherlock Holmes helping unfortunates with his "investigations" and further aids them escape authorities or killers in some cases. In one story he even performs in a play on stage! The count singing on stage? How out of character is all this? I found many of these stories to be so far-fetched from the spirit of the original. Some authors make the Count & certain historic figures cross paths, such as Prince Edward (of Wales) And even Mr. Stoker himself, but some of these writers did NOT do their homework. While not important to the overall story, it is implied Nikola Tesla is Hungarian, while he was in fact of Serbian descent. Also, Aleister Crowley was not from Scotland, but from mid-England (Warwickshire), among other things. That's how accurate some of these writers are. The two stories that stood out were Judith Proctor's tale "Dear Mr. Bernard Shaw," where a young actress named Ellen Terry writes a letter about how a foriegn nobleman comes to the theater to admire her craft. There was some interesting philosophy there. My other favorite was "Everything to Order" by Jody Lynn Nye. This story focuses on the three brides of Dracula, who arrange to order dresses for themselves after hours and have their eyes on one of the mannequins. Some other stories were alright, but nothing Earth-shattering. I think there are better Vampire stories out there to read. Most of this book is simply filler. If not for the 2 or 3 stories that were relatively well written this book would've deserved 1 star.

16 stories made JUST for this collection..........2005-01-03

I am a vampire fan and when I found out about this book I have to get it. With such authors as Tanya Huff, Fred Saberhagen, P.N. Elrod and K.B. Bogen, this book is full of great works of the craft. Filled with humor and horror, it has something for anybody.
And if you like somebody's work you can always use the information in the back of the book to find their other works. A must for any vampire library!

Multiple Personality Disorder.......2003-01-18

If you try to fit these stories into Bram Stoker's original novel, you will be very disappointed. The Count Draculas characterized in the various stories are all different. They clearly reflect each author's views on vampires.

I sat down and read this book from front to end, and as I was reading it, I began to wonder if the Count had a serious multiple personality disorder. The Count Dracula in one story would morph into a completely different person when I turned the page to the next story.

However, if you take each of these stories individually, most are very entertaining and well written. (Although I completely agree with what a previous reviewer said about K.B. Bogen's "Good Help" entry being thoroughly unfunny - having it included is the main reason I can't give this book 5 stars.)

Each story takes the same starting point, namely 'Dracula in London', and runs with it. The fact that they each take a different route and end up in a completely different place makes it rather interesting. Reading each of these stories is really like speculating how Dracula might have looked, if he was originally conceived of in the 21st century instead of the 19th.

A Coldness in the Blood (The Dracula Series)
Average customer rating:

a quick but enjoyable read

Crocodile Tears

imaginative, colorful and quirky Dracula tale

A Coldness in the Blood (The Dracula Series)
Fred Saberhagen
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0765340119

Book Description

The Bram Stoker Award-Winning saga continues . . . .Matthew Maule has seen many horrific things in his five hundred years as one of the most powerful vampires in the world. But even his formidable talents cannot predict the unthinkable acts about to occur within his own home.When the vampire Dickon and his human partner appear in the middle of the night frightened for their lives, Matthew offers them protection. They carry with them a small Egyptian statue of great value and many secrets. By morning, Matthew has woken from a mysterious trance to discover that Dickon's human friend has been brutally murdered, the vampire has gone missing, and their statue has been smashed to pieces. Matthew has also made a dangerous new enemy, one who possesses strength even Matthew may be no match for.For the statue is no ordinary artifact, but one of six replicas. However, only one contains a gem in the center, a stone of unimaginable magical power that could spell the end of humanity if it ever fell in the wrong hands.Matthew sets out on a heart-pounding journey to track down the remaining statues before his ancient foe finds them. Racing across the country, the vampire teams up with both the living and the undead, though not all are the allies they pretend to be. Using his wits, he must unearth the answers to a millennia-old mystery in order to prepare himself for a final showdown against the evil stalking him at every turn. Acclaimed fantasy and science fiction author Fred Saberhagen takes readers along for a trek of unbelievable suspense, action, and pure page-turning entertainment.

Customer Reviews:

a quick but enjoyable read.......2004-02-02

I was able to read _A coldness in the blood_ in one 3.5-hour sitting... it's a bit formulaic, but is more consistently written than some of Saberhagen's other Dracula books, which I feel suffer from bad editing. the story timeline is kept in the modern day without a parallel historical fiction accompanying it. I enjoyed the read immensely; the pace was consistent and the descriptions tight. I think the biggest drawback is that it so persistently refers back to all the prior books in the series that I sometimes felt I was reading a sales pitch. the backreferences are funny, in some cases better written than the books to which he referred.

Crocodile Tears.......2002-11-14

Fred Saberhagen is a remarkably consistent author. And while he is certainly a prolific author, he rarely pushes a book out too soon just to feed his bank account. Two of the many reasons why an alarming amount of my shelf space is dedicated to his work. For people of my generation, he is most noted for the Berserker series, and for his string of novels about Dracula and his relations with Mina Harker and her descendents. This has been a dry season for vampire lovers, so there was much evil cackling and hand rubbing when I discovered that Saberhagen had finally written a new story.

Matthew Maule (AKA Vlad Tepes AKA Dracula) currently maintains an aerie in Chicago which he uses as his principal residence. His 'nephew,' Andy Keogh is instructing the old vampire in the intricacies of websites when they are interrupted by the sudden appearance of Dickon, the world's most cowardly Nosferatu, and his friend Tamarack. Dickon is convinced that someone is out to kill him. For a change, his convictions seem justified. Dickon's residence has just been firebombed, and he, his friend, and a small white statue have come to beg Maule's protection. Shortly thereafter, Dickon is gone, Tamarck is spectacularly dead, the statue is dust, and neither Maule nor Andy has a clue what hit them.

Dracula is furious that his lair could be invaded and his nephew involved. His investigations reveal that half the world seems to be in pursuit of six Egyptian statues (now down to five), one of which has the Philosopher's Stone in it. Among the pursuers is a reborn crocodile creature named Sobek, whose most irritating trait is that he refuses to take the vampire seriously. With five hidden statues, a dozen or so nefarious hunters, a very angry vampire and a host of his 'breather' friends, this is a classic chase setup, and that is exactly what Saberhagen delivers.

This is not Saberhagen's best, but it is so far ahead of the rest of this year's efforts to make it a grand treat. There is no lack of action, but the characters are a bit thin. The author takes it for granted that we have read enough of the series that we won't need much character development, and so errs on the side of sparseness. Andy, who is new, certainly needs much more time, as does Dolores Flamel, daughter of a mage, who plays an extended part. Even so, Saberhagen's trademark style delivers both depth and complexity while making vampires entirely believable. By all means, take the time to enjoy 'A Coldness in the Blood.'

imaginative, colorful and quirky Dracula tale.......2002-10-09

He has lived for over five centuries by keeping up with technology so Vlad Tepes better known as Dracula and AKA Matthew Maule asks Andy Keogh to help him design a website. Andy, descended from the bloodline of Mina Harker, agrees to help his "Uncle Matt", whom he thinks is human. While at Uncle Matt's apartment, a nosferatu named Dickon, along with a human, ask for Vlad to help in their quest for learning alchemy.

Someone puts a spell over everyone in the apartment and when Dracula awakens, Dickon is gone, the human is dead, Andy is dazed and an Egyptian statue is smashed. The next day Sobeck, a being once worshipped by the Egyptians as a God, confronts Matthew Maule. He wants the Philosopher's Stone, a magical artifact hidden in one of six small statues smuggled into the country. Dracula declines to help but Andy becomes involved when Dickon asks his dead partner's granddaughter Dolly to assist him. Andy's father and Uncle Matt search for the Philosopher's Stone while trying to keep Andy and Dolly out of danger. Thy also hope to send Sobeck back where he belongs.

It's been six long years since Fred Saberhagen has written a Dracula book but the wait was well worth it. His eighth installment in this series is imaginative, colorful and sometimes even quirky. Dickon is comic relief as a millennium old vampire afraid of his own shadow. The race for the Philosopher's Stone is filled with action and adventure as the protagonists keep running head long into villains coveting the same artifact.

Harriet Klausner

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