The Black Diamonds

Rating:
Summary: Words from an old friend
Review: As one of the last people alive who knew Clark Ashton personally, it gives me great pleasure to see his juvenile work in print at last. That a boy of fourteen could write like this suggests that such a book might be a powerful teaching tool in
the public schools - Even at this early age, he was able to construct a coherent story which carries the reader necessarily to the conclusion. Also, the elevated and extraordinary vocabulary he manifested in his later works is evident here. The early glimmerings of his matchless capacity to create mood and environment is also present here. Thoroughly delightful, and should lead readers to explore his amazing later works and astonishing poetry.

Rating:
Summary: an exciting swashbuckler
Review: Considering that Smith was 14 when he wrote this, it is amazingly good. Although it doesn't have the atmosphere or otherworldly quality of his later work, it is full of vivid action and very well plotted. I found it hard to put down.