As mentioned in a previous Book Review (of the Dack Shannon Anthology, NOCTURNAL VACATIONS, by Steven L. Shrewsbury), I am a sucker for stories dealing with tall, long-haired Albinos dressed in black. I guess that's one reason why I absolutely love everything Michael Moorcock has ever written about his Eternal Champion, the Albino Prince Elric of Melnibone, and his black blade Stormbringer.

I have devoured over the years all of the Elric books, soaking up all of the mystical and spooky meat of the tales told within them, and enjoyed them so much that I gave several of Moorcock's other incarnations of The Eternal Champion a try as well. Although, in my opinion, all of Moorcock's work has been fantastic, nothing comes as close to perfection as his Elric tales. The White Wolf sucked me in early on and I keep going back for more whenever Moorcock's fertile mind makes it possible.

So, imagine my excitement at seeing a brand new Elric Paperback on the shelves of my local Waldenbooks last year. The black cover beckoning, the illustration by Robert Gould haunting and mesmerizing (just as a good fantasy cover should be). I snatched it up quick and recently had the pleasure of devouring this wonderful tale in less than three days (while on vacation in Florida). This new novel is THE DREAMTHIEF'S DAUGHTER and it contains a clever twist in the saga of The Eternal Champion. This time, there are two incarnations of the hero intertwined into one.

One book, two characters, both Albinos, both near mirror images of the other. A great little concept, you say? Yep, I do agree, but to go one step further, Moorcock took care to base this story deep into the dark and shadowy lair of Nazi Germany during World War II.

This story begins with a German, an Albino, who is not a Nazi sympathizer in the least, by the name of Count Ulric Von Bek who is visited one day in his family stronghold in the German countryside by a cousin and an old skeleton of a Nazi who come calling with a strange request. It seems that they are looking to store away some so-called National Treasures for safe keeping in Hitler's "trusty" hands and are requesting that Von Bek give up two important family heirlooms that he has no intention whatsoever of giving up.

This decision lands our hero in a Nazi concentration camp where they hope to break his will and get him to give up the prized-commodities: an ancient bejewelled cup or grail, whose protection was bestowed upon Von Bek's family many years before, and a peculiar black sword known as Ravenbrand.

By now, anyone who is familiar with Moorcock's tales of The Eternal Champion knows where this is leading. This tale quickly races across the Multiverse, bringing the two incarnations of the Albino hero together to work against the evil of the Third Reich and the supernatural elements that are supporting Hitler's minions.

Their one great nemesis in all of this turns out to be Vok Bek's cousin, Gaynor Von Minct, a man who has sworn his allegiance to countless evil beings throughout the multiverse (including Elric's favorite Duke Of Hell, Lord Arioch) in order to increase his power. A man who will stop at nothing, go anywhere, do anything, to gain control of as many magical objects as it takes to ensure his place as supreme ruler of the Multiverse.

Of course, the opportunity to acquire both Ravenbrand and Stormbringer, the soul-drinking swords, and adding them to his collection proves too much for Gaynor to resist and he chases both Elric and Von Bek over many planes of existence in his efforts to gain these prized treasures.

Told with the sweeping and epic style that only Michael Moorcock possesses, this novel is quite a page-turner. Mostly set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany and the perils that await anyone who does not support the Fuhrer's plans of conquest and Germanic Superiority, this novel takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of suspense and intrigue. Throw in several other extremely memorable characters, including Oona, Elric's fully-grown daughter on another plane, and the dragons of Melnibone doing battle with the Luftwaffe, and this book is sure to indulge every die-hard fan of High Fantasy without a doubt.

At the end of this paperback edition is a mention of the book's sequel, THE SKRAYLING TREE, which was scheduled for release in February of this year. All I can say is, my next trip to the bookstore will be sure to leave me about $7.00 poorer and one Moorcock novel richer. And I simply can't wait.