Hero of Dreams

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Summary: Another New Saga By Lumley
Review: Hero Of Dreams introduces David and Eldin. Two guys from Earth who'd prefer to stay asleep and dream. Eventually they meet in their dreams and join together for many adventures. Using H. P. Lovecraft's Dreamlands world, Lumley takes them through battles with wizards and insect - like men, ancient gods and lots of women and wine. This novel basically is used as the introduction to the characters and Lumley sets them on one adventure together.

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Summary: A rousing fantasy-adventure in H P Lovecraft's dreamland
Review: I am a Brian Lumley fan. Fifteen years ago he was no longer being published in the USA (only in England). So I undertook with my very small press (then known as Weirdbook Press, after the annual weird magazine I put out once a year for 30 years) to publish limited editions of some of his books; one of the earliest was HERO OF DREAMS. I loved it. It does NOT take place in Theem'hdra, the primal land, but in HPL's "dreamland." If you like a combination of heroic fantasy and horror, try it. Brian is a true storyteller! Buy my version (still available from Amazon Dot Com in hardback or trade paper) or buy the Tor mass market paperback. Also see: SHIP OF DREAMS, MAD MOON OF DREAMS, and ICED ON ARAN (and for tales of Theem'hdra, see THE COMPLEAT KHASH I & II.)

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Summary: Where Dreams Begin
Review: This is the first book from Brian Lumleys Dreamworld series ( based on H.P.Lovecrafts Cthulhu mythos ). Following closely in the footsteps of Titus Crow ( an earlier Lumley hero ), David Hero and Eldin the wanderer must save our dreamworld in order to save the waking world from the terror of Cthulhu and his minions.Journeying throughout the dreamworld , they must find the three wands of power stolen by the tenth crazed First One and return them to there rightful place. A wonderful tale of fantasy , including insane wizards, talking trees, beautiful worlds and some of the strangest creatures ever imagined. This is yet another Lumley fantasy adventure classic and I for one cant wait to read "ship of dreams" ( the second book in the series ). If you are a Lumley fan then this is definately a book you will want to get your hands on. It is probably worth mentioning , for those of you not familiar with Brian Lumleys work , that this is not some gory horror story, but in fact a book that manages to stay true to Lovecraft and his ideas. In fact, I think this is much better written !

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Summary: Pulp Adventure set in HPL's Dreamlands
Review: This novel is a series of action-oriented stories set in H.P. Lovecraft's Dreamlands (which themselves are largely inspired by the work of Dunsany).

The characters, adventures and pacing are very reminiscent of the sort of thing you'll find in Burroughs novels, Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser stories, or some of the less gloomy fantasy books by Moorcock. The protaganists are out of the "loveable rogue" mold, guys who are selfish and a bit shifty, but with good hearts, who wind up doing the right thing when their backs are to the wall.

Lovecraft's Dreamlands provide an interesting setting for all the action. HPL's own stories in the setting are usually more about exploration, with nary a fight scene to be found. However, the setting suits an action story well.

So, overall, it's entertaining in the same sort of fun mindless way that a Sinbad movie is. Fans of the kinds of fantasy stories I mentioned above will enjoy the novel, and may find the setting interesting enough to interest them in HPL's dreamlands stories. Or, if you're an open-minded Lovecraft fanatic, you'll be fascinated by the little extensions and additions to the original Lovecraft setting.

Yes, it's self-indulgent; yes, it's not terribly original; yes, it's somewhat shallow. But, if you're willing to accept all that, it's great fun.