"
Tor, Aug 2001, 25.95, 383 pp.
ISBN: 0312879016
Nosferatu Victor Renquist struggles to rebuild his American based vampire colony when he receives the summons from three females of his species, including a former love. Knowing this is not a friendly visit between old friends, Victor drops everything to go to Ravenskeep Priory, England where he learns that Homo Sapiens archeologists disturbed the gravesite of Taliesin, better known as Merlin. The return of Merlin to the world means the belief that the Urshu species is extinct is no longer true.
The question facing Victor and his vampire allies is whether to kill Taliesin before he becomes a powerful wizard that could destroy the current balance of power. As the brooding Nosferatu debate what to do, power struggles and duels from within leave the group somewhat disabled as no can take charge to make the final decisions on the emergence of an Urshu.
Based on his previous novels in this series, this reviewer expected to spend time on a Nosferatu feast, but instead felt lost in the dark of an anemic plot. The background of MORE THAN MORTAL is deep so that readers understand the difference between the species and somewhat how they were “planted” on the planet. The concept of this Merlin is intriguing and the insight into the Nosferatu is quite illuminating. With all that going for it, this novel could have been the horror-fantasy tale of the year, but instead Mick Farren gives fans a tale that feels more like an in betweener novel.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Mick Farren Scholar
Click above for the new Obama Girl Parody video!
Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy story on current Earth
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- deposing an evil leader
- unraveling a conspiracy
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- good magical powers hunting non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Horror story?
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long lived adults
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- can change shapes
- mind reading
- super strength
- can fly
- Invisibility
- is very quick
- can read emotions
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a little/some
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
