Silverheart - Michael Moorcock & Storm Constantine

by Harbinger

Good day chaps and chapesses, my review has been a bit delayed due to Uni. Yes contrary to popular belief students do work. It is true honest.... well kind of. I had to meet with my 'dissertation supervisor', who is impossibly Welsh, with a beard ZZ Top would be proud of.

The book I am reviewing is jointly written by another man with a huge beard, tenuous connection I know. Michael Moorcock, is of course a very well respected author in sci -fi and fantasy circles (or so I am told). Yes I am afraid this is another, book selected because it has a pretty picture. As I understand this book was originally an outline for a computer game, that was canceled. It was revisited and fleshed out into a novel by Storm Constantine, who is also a successful author in her own right having written the Wraeththu series of books.

Silverheart is set in Moorcock's Multiverse series. Max Silverskin, a thief, has six days to make sense of his past, or die from the witch mark (the Silverheart on his chest). Joining him is Lady Rose Iron who is attempting to protect the Industrial city of Karadur. All the time they are pursued by the Love sick Captain Cornelius Coffin (a misguided attempt at alliteration). To complicate matters Karadur, is connected to the magical city of Shritlasi which is not in a good way either.

The world that Moorcock and Constantine has created is very rich and detailed, much of the early part of the book provides a great deal of background. However I found the book disappointing at times. The plot is rather formulaic, the old fashioned hunt down all the relics required to save the world and lets learn something about ourselves along the way. Which can make the book seem rather flat. However I don't want to be overly critical, it is not a bad book, it is actually quite solid. It is brilliant book to pick up and read in a few days, however I don't feel it has much re-read value, it is quite entertaining but it will never be classic and there are much better books out there (This review is turning out a bit meaner than I intended).

The characters are again solid without being spectacular. Max Silverskin is a bit of a trickster, very much in the mold of a rakish gentleman thief. Lady Rose Iron is also no damsel in distress (which will please you feminists out there), and in some ways relates to Morrcock's Anarchist leanings. Someone who is a part of the rich aristocracy leaving behind her commitments to be among the ordinary people. Also seeing as she does not like the erstwhile Captain, gosh imagine who her love interest will be! I really can't think.

On the whole as I have said before it is not a bad book, but it is hardly special. It is good for a bit of light reading on a plane or something. You don't really have to think too hard, the plot won't leave you in knots. However if you prefer something more complicated this is not for you.

Over and out!