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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
dark fantasy at it's finest!, April 22, 2003
This review is from: Gods in Darkness: The Complete Novels of Kane (Hardcover)
Gods in darkness is stunning dark fantasy containing three novels about unforgettable anti-hero named Kane.Kane is cursed to wander the world immoral until he is destroyed by the violence that he himself has created!the first book:Bloodstone, Kane has found a ring that part of ancient alien empire that will give him incredible power which he will use for conquest not knowing that he himself is being used by the Ring's sinsister masters in the bid to enslaving the planet! This story itself has terrifying scenes of monsters, magic and battles as Kane uses his army of froglike beasts in pursue of his goal! Second Book: Dark Crusade finds Kane joining forces with fanatical cult leader who seeks to conquer kingdom with the use of dark magic and finally in Darkness Weaves: Kane aids a depraved and hideous sorecress who wants to reclaim her empire by using a ancient race of aquatic demons and their advance technology! This book is brilliant marriage of horror of Lovecraft with violent swashbuckling of Robert Howard. Wagner's world-building skills are awesome and lyrical prose which heigtens the atmosphere of his dark world!Wagner's descriptions of gruesome and bloody battle scenes and intrigue and betrayal will have you turning pages all through the night! You may not like Kane, who acts more of a villian than hero but you can't stop reading about him and his dark adventures as his hunger for power almost consumes him and his world!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Anti-hero, March 11, 2006
This review is from: Gods in Darkness: The Complete Novels of Kane (Hardcover)
The three Kane books in my opinion are some of the best old style sc-fi/fantasy/horror written. It is not a Robert Jordon that sends you to sleep, it is that old fashion - torch under a blanket/can't put it down fantasy. I have read the three as separate novels and each one is awesome. Rather than some of the previous reviewers, I don't think that Bloodstone is a weaker novel - it is better seen as a faster, rollicking read not as layered or dark as the other novels.
I love the "Who won this war, that killed so many" attitude that Kane invaringly answers "I did" - "but why", "because I lived and they died.". It is so refreshing to see what is called an anti-hero, but is probably more acurately called a realist in todays terms. Not quite an opportunist, as Kane will often sacrifice self needs for cold or hot revenge or dark justice. To me this is how more of our heros should be written - all of the care but for darker reasons :-)
If you have not read these novels please do yourself a favour and do so. For Conan, Deathstalker, Corwin of Amber fans I belive you will be the richer. For Robert Jordon, Stephan Donaldson and those who want to read 1000 pages before the hero gets the fortitude to leave his town and love it - steer clear.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mind of an Immortal, August 7, 2003
This review is from: Gods in Darkness: The Complete Novels of Kane (Hardcover)
Wagner's stories about Kane are not simply dark fantasy at it's best. It shows the influence of immortality on a human being. From our (mortal) point of view Kane looks quite evil until you understand that for Kane reality is totally different. He is the only constant thing in a world of change. Empires rise and fall but he stays the same. It's Wagner's greatest achievement to give us a look into the workings of a mind you can no longer consider simply human.
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