Book Review: The Skrayling Tree

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Skrayling Tree     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Michael Moorcock
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Series: Tales of the Albino
Aspect, Feb 2002, $24.95, 326 pp.

The multiverse consists of multiple realms each linked in such a way that an impact on any world affects all in some manner. Oona was a person a person who walked through the realms until she met Baron von Bek and decided to stay in his world where they marry and have children. One day on vacation her husband is kidnapped by Native Americans and taken to their realm Kakatanawa, a pyramid of gold, which lies on a lake of ice.

Elric, sorcerer and emperor of Melnibone must find his magical sword Stormbringer or he, his friend Moonglum and perhaps Melnibone will be destroyed. He enters a dream, which is another person’s reality where he learns that his sword is in Kakatanawa. He temporarily joins forces with the Pukawathers (pygmy) tribe who claim the sword is theirs stolen by White Crow. He enters the realm just as Oona has turned into a magical Buffalo who must fight one of the elementals.

Ulric von Bek is brought by the people of Nihrain (they made Stormbringer) because they desperately need his help. The Nihrain tend the tree of the multiverse and they want Ulric to deliver a certain sword to Elric. All three warriors are working to keeping the tree of the multiverse healthy and free of poison so the multiverse doesn’t perish.

Michael Moorcock has never written a book this reviewer doesn’t like. His point of view of the multiverse, the interconnection of the worlds within it, the people who travel between the realms performing daring feats of bravery make his novels totally enthralling. In THE SKRAYLING TREE, the connection between von Bek and Elric, who are both linked through Oona, makes for a fascinating tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner