Not subtleties here. Plot synopsis in the title.
Gardner F Fox was mostly known for writing and creating DC Comics characters. He created “the original” Flash and The Justice League of America and was one of the earlier writers for Batman. He also wrote for pulp mags like Weird Tales and Amazing Stories. In the beginning of the 70’s he created a Sword & Sorcery character named Kothar. In the mid 70’s he created another and his name doth, Kyrik.
And here we are. This is the second of a four-part series starring Kyrik. I haven’t read the first one yet so I can’t compare. Kyrik is a warlock warrior. He says it a few hundred times. I don’t remember him busting out any spells though. The cover proudly displays the caption, “In the tradition of Conan.” But honestly, I thought this was way more Dungeons & Dragons than Conan. But being that D&D was only released for the first time the previous year it’s probably just coincidence.
The beginning starts like a D&D session wherein the players just want the action to get going and damn a plot. Kyrik and his gypsy wench girlfriend, Myrnis, come upon a dying thief. The thief tells them crucial info on a magic item that he was hired to steal called the Bells of Salmalinda. He dies before telling Kryrik who hired him. Myrnis is then semi-possessed by a spirit and her eyes glow emerald green.
A very Conan-esche mini-adventure develops where Kyrik must fight a giant snake. Bells are achieved. Off to the town to meet up with other thieves and new employer. In a brutal gorefest they come upon the decapitated body of their would-be employer in his room at the Inn. Kyrik puts together that he’s the guy by how there are bags of money sitting around. It’s all very loose. Like I said, damn a plot, let’s hack and slash.
Downstairs he connects with two of the other thieves, a lady and a fat guy. Mistrust at first. But he’s Kyrik and everyone is impressed. Eventually the other two thieves show up. Kyrik lets them know that they are dealing with mighty demons who are battling for control over their world. The demons will kill the thieves who have collected the magical items brought about to bring the end of the world. Reluctantly everyone bands together and heads off for adventure.
It is discovered that Myrnis is possessed by Kyrik’s lady God girlfriend, Illis. It’s in the first couple chapters so I wouldn’t call it a spoiler. She directs and protects the group with magic. There are some fight scenes with killer cat men and giant vultures. Some undead zombies from hell. Demons. Tornados. Puzzles are solved. Heads are chopped off. Magic happens.
Unfortunately, no sex scenes, implied or otherwise.
This was just OK. It felt rushed. How they got from point A to point B was usually pretty thin, which usually doesn’t bother me too much, but I need more flowing action going on. This was a lot of start and stop. You don’t need that much talking or inner monologue pondering when it doesn’t matter.
Leisure Books 1975
Review by: Nick Anderson
Instagram: @next_stop_willoughby
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