Customer Reviews

Dark Border 1: Lost Pr (Dark Border Series)

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Outstanding. A classis example of Good vs Evil. Plenty of Magic, hate, love, betrayal and action. The setting is dark and gloomy, like the Black company books, but in a way similar to Feists books. A world half covered by a dark shadow in which evil wizards,vampires,trolls,goblins and their evil human allies strive to consume all that is in their path. The forces of good, lead by the Hasturs,who are powerful magicians, constantly battle for survival against overwhelming odds. The war is fought on many fronts in different kingdoms by brave men and women. I have been fortunate enough to have owned and read the other two Dark Border novels, King Chondos's Ride and A Gathering of Heroes. This series is fantastic and does not get the credit it deserves. Too bad that these books are very difficult to find, but they are worth the trouble of finding.

This two-part novel of King Chondos (The Lost Prince and King Chondos' Ride#, Paul Edwin Zimmer's best and most popular work, is remarkable among dark fantasy for character development and interplay. The characters such as Chondos and Jodos, Markos and Istvan DiVega all have their own developmental arcs. The writing is unique in that Paul Edwin Zimmer's experiences in becoming a modern-day swordsman #he studied both Eastern and Western schools) are reflected in the day-to-day lives of his swordsmen. Many authors such as Fritz Lieber and Roger Zelazny wrote intelligent swordfights, but only these books really make you feel what such a life is like.


Paul Edwin Zimmer was a master of dark fantasy and one of the plank owners of the genre, along with John Norman and Glen Cook. Unlike both of those gentlemen, he never built up the notoriety that would have put his work into reprint catalogs. The best example is his last novel, "The King Who Was of Old," that he wrote just before his death. An attempt to generate interest to have it published was established at thedarkborder-dot-com but the project seems to lack the necessary support.

I am not reviewing this here, just saying that I have owned this for several years and it is 1 of the best fantasies.

Do your like Dark Heroic Fantasy where the enemy is implacable, insidious and not constrained by human moral concerns. Where ancient beings of great power wage unending war. Where the humans are completely aware of what will happen to them and all they hold dear if they fail to stand firm and to hold the line. This the world of Paul Edwinn Zimmer. The world of 'The Dark Border'. The writing is tight,fluid and descrpitve. The action fast paced. In this world you know who your enemies are, the problem is knowing who your are friends. So come brave reader journey with Istvan Divega as he tries to honour an oath he made long ago and now deeply regrets. Where honour, daring and bravery still hold true.

An excellent book which pulls you in and makes you feel the emotional trauma and physical ordeals which the characters go through. Very well written. If you are looking for a book that will keep you up late waiting for what will happen next, this is it.

"The Lost Prince" will emerse you in the never ending fight of man against ancient evil and the greed of men. Set in a fantasy world so vividly described you will know what it is like to swing a sword and become a hero

This book is an excellent look at what heroism is and is not. The author explores whether a strong swordarm makes a man great and if belief in your cause makes it just. All this and more in a very dark, despairing fantasy setting that fires the imagination. There is a lot to appreciate here and it is a shame this author has not been read by a larger audience. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book!!

The book is great..Does anyone know where I can get the series by Paul E. Zimmer?