Customer Reviews

Silverheart (A Novel of the Multiverse)

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

 

 

I do not believe it is accurate to blame the failings (if so they are) of this book entirely on Storm Constantine. This was a collaborative effort. While Constantine may have essentially written the story, she was in liaison with Moorcock for its conception through to its completion, and Moorcock would have undoubtedly read all the drafts and given his approval, seeing as it has his name on the cover. I doubt Moorcock would have blindly allowed Constantine to write what ever she wanted, at the sake of his own reputation.

As for my opinion of the story, I found it a tad laboured and in places quite boring. Conversely, I found it in places unusual and interesting. In other words, it is an uneven story and thus difficult to review or to describe. I will however say that there are much worse examples of fantasy on the market. Silverheart is just unremarkable, but passable. I found Silverheart more enjoyable a second time. There is a lot of detail to absorb - possibly too much, as Storm backfills at every opportunity she gets, laying it on a little too thickly. Probably it could have used some slimming down.

I am not a Moorcock fan, but it seems Moorcock fans are not thrilled with this book. As a former Constantine reader (I've gone off her a bit since the mid-nineties), I can say I am disappointed though not surprised at the outcome.

The plot: In six days Max Silverskin, thief and trickster, must discover the secrets of his heritage or perish from the witch mark - the Silverheart - on his chest which will devour his heart. Lady Rose Iron, daughter of the leader of the mighty Clan Iron in Karadur, city of metal, steam and ancient secrets, is thrown into an uneasy alliance with Max as she searches out the secrets which may save the city's future. Captain Cornelius Coffin, head of the clans' security forces, is in love with Lady Rose and obsessed with capturing Max. And there are others, in Shriltasi, Karadur's underworld twin, who know the prophecy which says that only Max Silverskin can save both realms.

And a note to Amazon: Silverheart is a COLLABORATION between Michael Moorcock AND Storm Constantine. For reasons unknown Amazon omitted Ms Constantine below the title of this book. Not very fair considering she is responsible for fleshing out the story - you know, the difficult bit.

As a longtime sci-fi fan, I realized that I had never actually read any Moorcock besides Gloriana (which I didn't enjoy). Saw this and thought I'd try it. It was pleasant surprise - sucked me into the story, and I couldn't stop reading once it hit the end. A bit predictable in parts, but done well; the world was very well developed, and the mythos interesting. I find scenes from the book stick into my head now, and keep popping up when I'm trying to work. I'd read it again.

A fascinating setting marred by dull characterizations and a tiredly familiar rpg-cliche storyline make this book a profound disappointment. Silverheart is an ode to the typically unusual Moorcockian genre with none of the charm or the lyricism that infects the pages of an actual Moorcock novel. One gets the idea while ploughing through the pages that Moorcock's contribution to the book consisted solely of a few notes scrawled on the back of a napkin, giving the finished product the necessary decor yet none of the necessary structure.

Fortunately, its publication is immediately followed by a true-written Moorcock novel, "The White Wolf's Son".

I've never read a Michael Morecock book before, so i had no expectations coming into this book. I will say that the way it was written was very different, style wise. It read like an entire season of a tv show, with actual puases in the story where you can almost see the credits rolling while you wait for the next episode. It was an interesting take thats for sure & i know it put some readers off.

Max Silverskin is an interesting character with just enough interest to hold the story, which could have been a problem if not for the beautiful tapestry that was the background of this universe. The cities of metal was an interesting concept, as was the idea that when pure metal families inter-marry they take on a composite name based on what there combined elements would form... very clever. Also the concept of a magical item in many parts was an interesting one, if far from unique. Combine this with a city in decline, a multiverse in danger & a plethora of interesting, unique & a little bit cliched cast of characters, you get a generally above average read.

It does get a little slow in places but it works well with the ebb and flow of the narratives pacing. I loved that this book did not try to be a balls to the wall action fantasy, a Tolkien clone, or some other version of a BFFN (Big Flipping Fantasy Novel)

-M

Initially this story posed some interesting characterisations and settings, hinting at the typicaly Moorcockian underlying brooding nature of the realm, its history and the background of the characters. However as the plot unfolds you might begin to feel that opportunities for the usual intrigue and depth, common in other Moorcock tales, are missed out on and the characters fail to achieve their potential. Not only that, the overall plot seems to suffer from a common problem found in a lot of 'trash fantasies' - things just happen for no apparent reason other than to satisfy some weak twist in the story. And as for the conclusion? what weak nauseating trash!

Having ready this directly after reading 'The Dreamthiefs Daughter', a true-blooded Moorcock novel, its plain to me where the weak link lies: Storm Constantine.

If you're a Moorcock fan then don't waste your money, borrow it from a library.

If on the other hand you're a Storm Constantine fan or like 'trash-fantasy' endings and plot twists then go ahead and buy - after all it may lead you to read further into the Moorcock multiverse and uncover some worthwhile and skillful writing.

This co-authored book is sort of an adjunct to Michael Moorcock's Multiverse. I think it was written with a computer game in mind, or something like that. Constantine took Moorcock's notes and input and finished off the novel.

The hero of the piece is Max Silverskin, a dodgy bloke who has to remove a magical mark, or he will cark it.

Society is divided by an allegiance to a particular metal, and Lady Rose Iron will be an ally of Max's. This makes him an enemy of her clan's security guy, who has the hots for Rose.

Questing ensues.