Customer Reviews

The Mask of Loki

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Starting in the 12th Century Crusades, "The Mask of Loki" follows the centuries long battle between Loki Laufeyjarson, the Norse trickster god, and Hasan al Sabah, the first and Chief Assassin. Loki uses human avatars throughout the history of these battles, while al Sabah is an immortal sorcerer. Starting with Thomas Amnet - a Knight Templar and White Magician - during the Crusades, Loki's avatars have lost this battle over and over; but, in the 21st Century, the final battle between Loki and al Sabah is at hand and Thomas Gurden, the latest avatar will be thrust into history as Loki must win at all costs.

This is an uneven novel, not a common thing for Zelazny; this is probably due to working with a co-author. When a well known writer starts working with a co-writer late in their career, I always assume that the well known writer writes a complete outline and hands it off the younger writer to do the work. There are glimmers of Zelazny in this book, but that makes it uneven. Plus, jumping back and forth in time is not usually his style. Zelazny usually bulls full steam ahead with the storyline, and this book plods along.

I did find the historical aspects of the story interesting, and I did stop abruptly a few times to consult some history books to learn more. But, in the end, I was disappointed with "The Mask of Loki".

Even if this one was only begun by Zelazny and fleshed-out by Thomas. This is not just another Vast-Dark-Powers-meet-Unrelenting-Good-Powers saga, oh no! The premise is a fascinating one, one which I think I'd better keep to myself rather than spoil the flowering of the idea as you read the story. The frame leaps from century to century which can get fairly confusing at times, but it of course all makes sense in the end. I love the way Zelazny doesn't *quite* tell you everything you need (or rather, want) to know right off the bat, but lets you put it all together near the end. This one took me longer than most of his books to finish, but I thoroughly enjoyed it; Zelazny is like a dense baklava compared to most fantasy-writer's yellow cake.

This is a book from the nadir of Zelazny's life and career as a writer. It's a much better book, though still heavily flawed, if the chapters with the flash backs are skipped. The flashbacks are written out of chracter for Zelazny's usual style of writing so I can only guess that they are Thomas T. Thomas's contribution to this book. The story itself isn't much different than the second half of the Amber series, namely that of Merle and his semi-sentient computer. Zelazny usually doesn't bother with a lot of back story and in his better pieces, Tom Gurgen would have known by about page 30 that he was somehow tied to Loki. He'd have his powers and be trying to figure out why he had them, who wanted them and who he should aly himself with. But here the pacing is off and all the really typical (and good) Zelazny stuff doesn't happen until the last thirty pages of the book!

I really didn't like this book the first time I read it-- I don't know why. I found it quite interesting this time around. At first I thought I had a handle on what Zelazny wrote and what Thomas wrote, but now I confess I haven't a clue who wrote what.

I loved the alternation of Thomas Gurden's and Thomas Amnet's tales. I really loved the peek at the Templars, the Crusades, and the almost eerie parallels with current events. I always love how Zelazny plays with story format and chapters as he does here so well.

This story features one of the greatest magical battles I have read. Thomas Amnet and Hasan as Sabah duke it out metaphysically. The book has good characterizations (especially on the Thomas Amnet side of the tale); crisp plotting and some really cool sci-fi window dressings. This book explores Zelazny's common themes of immortality, gods masquerading as men or vice versa, and personal transformation and evolution.

My only fault with the book was the ending (which is usually my favorite part of a Zelazny book-- when I can't put it down much to the detriment of life and relationships and employment) I didn't "get" the ending. I don't fully understand what happened and why. The resolution with Loki and Thomas and Hasan was very unclear to me and I'd love to hear some interpretations of it. All in all, it was a very enjoyable read. Zelazny was far from running out of creative steam when he left us too early...

The book is about a french knight who is reborn over and over again and an arabian immortal sorcerer thet opposes him. Through out the centuries they fight until they confront each other for the last time in the 21 century.

Being a Zelazny fan i was a bit let down at first read. But after a few more reads i became a little more simpathetic. The book is just not "pure" Zelazny , not wholly writen in the style i love so much , so i can understand those Zelazny fans thet gave the book low scores. But i think it's disapointment , and nothing is really wrong with the book. Fast paced , full of martial arts action , a bit of sorcery , all-in-all a likeble book.

I enjoyed this book. It mixed many historical era's and kept you reading at a steady pace. I thought it started out strong and had some interesting conflicts. I was a little let down at the end that seemed too easy to me. Overall I enjoyed it.

Good story about knights and magic from my favourite fantasy writer.

I read other books of zelazny like the amber series and other books, I loved them generaly, but I just dont know what is this book. I read and read, wait for some thing, but nothing. My brother loved it but I dont

I realy enjoyed this book. It was a good way to spend a couple of afternoons. If you have read any of Zelazny's other books, you will probably like this one. Lots of action and engaging dialogue.