I was able to ignore the background music and sounds while listening to this audiobook but I wish that audiobooks did not include background music/sounds, it does not enhance the listening experience, IMO. I really enjoy the Elric series because Michael Moorcock doesn't spend a large amount of time world building, instead, he tells the story and builds the world at the same time. This allows the story to move along and makes it a more enjoyable read. ( )

This first volume in this series contains four of Moorcock's Elric novels, in the order which they took place not the order they were written in. Elric of Melnibone, The Fortress of the Pearl, The Sailor on the Sea of Fate and The Weird of the White Wolf. The review will be for the volume as a whole but also directed more for the first book.
It is actually hard to begin because I am such awe of Moorcock's writing style. In regards to fantasy it is hard for me to hold any character in higher esteem than Conan The Cimmerian. But Elric...well Elric is right on par with our Sullen Northerner. These two characters were created by the hands of fate to be a direct contrast to each other. Elric is chaotic, he is evil, but he does have a slight moral compass that REPEATEDLY goes astray and when it does EVERYBODY suffers for his actions and quite honestly his regrets are short, bitter and cast aside in order to keep his momentum going. He forsakes his race, his subjects and anything of any sensibility for his own purpose. call it a more than critical wanderlust if you will.
The first story, Elric of Melnibone introduces the character, compounds his tragedy, both personal and direct. Moorcock's penmanship is like poetic music that climbs on your back and with one arm, covers your eyes and with the other grabs your throat and chokes the reader to the ground. IT IS BRILLIANT. Elric is a fantastic character who over the last 60 years has been copied and bastardized. Hellboy, The Witcher, Game of Thrones and countless other fantasy franchises owe this writer and his creation a debt of gratitude. If you think Elric is tragic after reading this first book. Hold on to your potatoes because it's about to get dark.
Then there is Stormbringer. Elric's moaning, caterwauling and much demanding, soul stealing blade. The first story highlights it's discovery and the twisted bond that develops between the sword and its wielder. The push and pull of the two come together to form a relationship born in fire and chaos. In short...you can smell this book, the fog, fire, the sea, the blood and Elric's beating and sickly heart are in the reader's face with no apologies. The song of Stormbringer echoes and it is loud. ( )

In my much younger days, I'd go to the fantasy section of a bookstore and admire the covers of the Elric books. I don't remember why, but I always made other choices for purchase. Now I finally remedied this omission.
This is a DM's playground, ripe with gorgeous settings and interesting characters. It's the epitome of sword and sorcery, so there are a lot of warrior types and a lot of battles. This volume is broken into three separate books; the first interested me the most as it laid out Melnibone and Elric's backstory as Emperor.
Once he decided to travel, I admit I lost some interest. While the settings are layered and interesting, I did get bored with the constant battle scenes. I can't complain because this is what this genre is about, but I think I've satisfied my interest there. ( )