Rating: 
Summary: One of the best SciFi/Fantasy books available
Review: Empire of the East is one of my favorite all-time SciFi/Fanatsy books. I have read the book at least eight times since the early 1980's and to me it is a classic.If you want to read a superb and professional mixture of fantasy (as well written in my opinion as Tolkien's Trilogy) and SciFi (for which Saberhagen is equally well known) in a story line that is dynamite and will keep you up all night...then Empire of the East is for you. It has actually become a generational thing in our household now as several of my five kids have read it multiple times as well and are passing it on to their friends and ultimatley their own children.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best SciFi/Fantasy books available
Review: Empire of the East is one of my favorite all-time SciFi/Fanatsy books. I have read the book at least eight times since the early 1980's and to me it is a classic. If you want to read a superb and professional mixture of fantasy (as well written in my opinion as Tolkien's Trilogy) and SciFi (for which Saberhagen is equally well known) in a story line that is dynamite and will keep you up all night...then Empire of the East is for you. It has actually become a generational thing in our household now as several of my five kids have read it multiple times as well and are passing it on to their friends and ultimatley their own children.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy and high technology
Review: Fred Saberhagen is best known for his grim depiction of hard science fiction, in his Berserker series. So much so that sometimes you hear of the "Berserker hypothesis", as to why there might not be much sentient life out there. Yet, for decades, he has also written well received fantasy. This book is a recent reissue of what was originally several short stories seemlessly stitched into one organic narrative. A strange and original blend of fantasy with high technology. True, this is strictly a fantasy. But Saberhagen seemingly places it in the far future after a devastating nuclear war. We see a still functioning tank, nuclear powered, though not as capable as Keith Laumer's Bolos. Plus, throughout the text, there are continual references, and instances of surviving technology. These are sometimes invoked with deliberate hilarity. As when a magic spell sets fire to a villain's court. He then calmly uses a bright red fire extinguisher to snuff it out. The utter incongruity of this scene would make marvellous filming!
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS THE EMPIRE OF FANTASY STORIES!
Review: Fred Saberhagen's EMPIRE of the East is a truly fantasy favorite and classic in scope. I have read this novel at least 3 times over the past 20 years and it still holds it weight to this day. If you want awesome imagery, great characters, and lots of action and adventure - this one's for you!
This is one of those rare books that you read over and over, and it has inspired me in my own writing endeavors.
I only hope his newest stuff gets back to this style of greatness.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS THE EMPIRE OF FANTASY STORIES!
Review: Fred Saberhagen's EMPIRE of the East is a truly fantasy favorite and classic in scope. I have read this novel at least 3 times over the past 20 years and it still holds it weight to this day. If you want awesome imagery, great characters, and lots of action and adventure - this one's for you!
This is one of those rare books that you read over and over, and it has inspired me in my own writing endeavors.
I only hope his newest stuff gets back to this style of greatness.
Rating: 
Summary: Bewildered by the praise!
Review: I bought a used copy of this book and read it because a review by Roger Zelazny compared it to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and called it superior. I don't know what everyone is smoking who praises this book so lavishly, but send me some now!!! There are a number of interesting plot elements, characters, and settings which is why I allowed it two stars. The problem is that the disjointed storyline and plot threads that trickle off to nothing take away from what might have been a great story. By the time I had finished reading the book I was wondering if I had mistakenly purchased a first outline that was meant for a publisher to review. But, alas, the book is the final product. I am not a sci-fi or fantasy snob and read everything from Niven to Piper and Tolkien to Piers Anthony so I think that I have a wide range of reading experience to use in evaluating this book. I would not go so far as to recommend avoiding the book (reference the above mentioned good points) but would warn any potential reader that there is far better Saberhagen out there. It's not often that I feel negatively about a book that I've read but I just feel that the praise of this one led me to an unfulfilled sense of expectation which did not materialize once the story spun out. Good luck.
Rating:
Summary: Bewildered by the praise!
Review: I bought a used copy of this book and read it because a review by Roger Zelazny compared it to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and called it superior. I don't know what everyone is smoking who praises this book so lavishly, but send me some now!!! There are a number of interesting plot elements, characters, and settings which is why I allowed it two stars. The problem is that the disjointed storyline and plot threads that trickle off to nothing take away from what might have been a great story. By the time I had finished reading the book I was wondering if I had mistakenly purchased a first outline that was meant for a publisher to review. But, alas, the book is the final product. I am not a sci-fi or fantasy snob and read everything from Niven to Piper and Tolkien to Piers Anthony so I think that I have a wide range of reading experience to use in evaluating this book. I would not go so far as to recommend avoiding the book (reference the above mentioned good points) but would warn any potential reader that there is far better Saberhagen out there. It's not often that I feel negatively about a book that I've read but I just feel that the praise of this one led me to an unfulfilled sense of expectation which did not materialize once the story spun out. Good luck.
Rating:
Summary: I use this book as my reference point to judge all others.
Review: I read this book as a young teenager and ever since I have used it to judge the entertainment value of all other fantasy-fiction books. By itself it is better than the berserker series. The deep creativity and well thought-out plots make you not only want to suspend your disbelief, but throw it away all together.
Rating:
Summary: He never wrote this well again
Review: I read this book over 20 years ago and, along with most of Moorcock, is one of my few teenage fantasy faves to hold up to an adult rereading. The characters are three-dimensional and the plot progresses in a logical fashion. I later read the first three Swords Books and found them to be progressively unreadable. In contrast, Empire (to be reprinted in '03) tells a story that is honestly compelling rather than volume after volume of endlessly overwritten product for sale. How many trilogies/series can you say that about?
Rating:
Summary: A must read for a fantasy fan.
Review: In a word, this book is wonderful. Saberhagen transports the reader to a unique and amazing universe where incredible adventures are taking place. This book features a truly unique blend of science and wizardry which provide the backdrop to an epic struggle of good against evil. This book is so good, I'm sorry I've finnished reading it. If you like Saberhagen's "Swords" books, you will like this too.
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