Were it not for the awesome power of the Hasturs, the creatures contained by the dark border would overrun mankind. As humans reeled from the constant onslaught only to rebound, the darkness searched for another path to victory. It stole a princeling and raised him in Shadow, teaching him what no human had ever learned. It taught him how to command the living and the dead, how to usurp his brother's throne through magic, and how to turn the humans against themselves. And then it sent him home.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A True Diamond in the Rough,
By "rtrifts" (Toronto) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Lost Prince (Dark Border, Vol. 1) (Paperback)
One of the all time under-rated fantasy "series" (it is a diptych in an age of trilogies) The Lost Prince and King Chondos' Ride were dark and innovative in their day in 1982. They have stood the test of time and are still fresh and oozing with style in 2004.A study in contrasts and character development in a High Fantasy backdrop, Paul Zimmer also writes in a dark style and was not shy writing about gore, sexual themes and adult situations. The reluctance of the author to remove this material from the novels lead to mainstream publishers like Del Rey rejecting the work. Playboy Paperbacks published the first printing, with Ace picking up the reprinting in 1987. While the story is better for the adult feel, this probably was the major factor in why the series did not make it onto most bookseller's shelves and why it is so unknown. To be clear, the novels are not full of smut; there are only a few scenes in question. However, back in 1981-82 when squeaky clean Del Rey dominated the fantasy genre, that was enough to be make sure they would be rejected. As noted by other reviewers, the world of the Dark Border is beset by evil that literally lives within shadow and darkness, a visible border across the sky which destroys and turns to ash the wholesome earth that falls under its sway. The denizens of this evil land are nameless and they are no-holds-barred-evil. There is no romanticizing the bad guys in these novels. While humanity's morality is gritty and grey and very ambiguous, the true evil within the Dark Border are monstrously twisted and possess an alien hatred of all life. That is not to say there is no moral relativism in Zimmer's writing, it is a sophisticated novel in terms of its morality. There is much here that compares with Glen Cook. But True Evil™ is presented as something that cannot be understood or bargained with; it can only be opposed. I find that clear imperative as refreshing now as in 1982. The characters are memorable. Istvan and Martos are very much tragic figures. Like Hector and Achilles, they are the best their age has to offer. Like Homer's heroes, they fight for their own honour, even though good sense has abandoned the men they serve. Chondos is, on the other hand, a man you do not like initially. It is only as Chondos grows and finds himself that the reader comes to smile when the next chapter focuses on him. Jodos is a study in how a society can pervert a mind and nurture alien values through lies and deceit. A human, raised by those within the Dark Border, his view of the rules of that society and the alien morality that underlies it are the reader's only real insight into the monstrous evil that besets the heroes. The author was a founder of the SCA and was a serious swordsman who knew his craft well. The combat descriptions in the novels are wholly unique and the descriptions of the battles are both riveting and compelling. No author has written about swordplay better than Zimmer does in King Chondos' Ride. It is worth the price of admission for those passages alone. Regrettably, Paul Edwin Zimmer, the brother of Marion Zimmer Bradley, died in 1997. Four novels set in the Dark Border have been published and a fifth was close to being finished when Zimmer died. The Other Dark Border Novels: Truth be told, I did not find either a Gathering of Heroes or Ingulf the Mad all that well written and they lacked the grit, darkness and charm of The Lost Prince and King Chondos' Ride. If you are looking for more after the last page of King Chondos' Ride has been consumed, regrettably, you will not find it within the author's other novels.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Would I had More Stars to Give,
By
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This review is from: The Lost Prince (THE DARK BORDER, VOLUME 1) (Paperback)
I don't much like the cover.
Otherwise, this book and its sequel, <King Chondos Ride>, make up one of the great works of fantasy literature. As you can see, they are out of print. They were written as one book, just as Tolkien wrote TLotR as one book, and they were divided as a publishing decision. This is a review of both books. The late Paul Edwin Zimmer wrote the best action scenes in fantasy. It was no wonder. He was quite at home with a sword in his hand and had been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism for decades. However, knowledge would not be enough. Paul was a poet and his words never rang any truer than when blades were meeting and men, and other beings, were sweating in the hurly-burly. However, he handled love and intrigue and conversations, an occasional flash of humor with equal truth and grace. It is just that the field of fantasy, with so many swords drawn and arrows flying, is sorely lacking in people who can describe them well. His characters are fascinating, his "monsters" compelling. The Hastur, the closest things to gods that he portrays, glow on the page. This book, its sequel, <King Chondos Ride> rate at least five stars. The related but somewhat less compelling books, are both fine, worth four stars. And all of his work, except the two books he co-wrote with his sister, Marion Zimmer Bradley, are out of print. I blame the covers.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like Game of Thrones,
By Quark Master (Chicago) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Lost Prince (Dark Border, Vol. 1) (Paperback)
While I have the first several of the Song of Ice and Fire books, I never found time to read them. I did however, watch the HBO version, (which I loved) and all I could think was...George Martin read these books. (Lost Prince, King Chondos' Ride, Gathering of Heroes, Ingulf the Mad)
No, I am not claiming plagerism, they are very different stories. However, the general theme of Impending Supernatural Evil from beyond a "border", the whole idea of isolated, noble, border keeps defending the indulgent kingdom, good kings/bad kings, usurpation, politics and graphic combat--same overall concept. I kept getting the feeling, watching GoT, that this is what these books would have looked like if ever filmed. Many great reviews, I concur with them at 90% level, however I loved all of the published books. Maybe a few were a bit more 4.8 or so...but quibbling. The first two were my favorites though. So my recommendation is, if you are into the Song of Ice and Fire, see what was happening in Fantasy 13 years earlier. (1983 vs 1996). George Martin is the undisputed heir to King Paul. The (literary) blood runs true.
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