The Mask of Loki

I really didn't like this book the first time I read it-- I don't know why. I found it quite interesting this time around. At first I thought I had a handle on what Zelazny wrote and what Thomas wrote, but now I confess I haven't a clue who wrote what. I loved the alternation of Thomas Gurden's and Thomas Amnet's tales. I really loved the peek at the Templars, the Crusades, and the almost eerie parallels with current events. I always love how Zelazny plays with story format and chapters as he does here so well. This story features one of the greatest magical battles I have read. Thomas Amnet and Hasan as Sabah duke it out metaphysically. The book has good characterizations (especially on the Thomas Amnet side of the tale); crisp plotting and some really cool sci-fi window dressings. This book explores Zelazny's common themes of immortality, gods masquerading as men or vice versa, and personal transformation and evolution. My only fault with the book was the ending (which is usually my favorite part of a Zelazny book-- when I can't put it down much to the detriment of life and relationships and employment) I didn't "get" the ending. I don't fully understand what happened and why. The resolution with Loki and Thomas and Hasan was very unclear to me and I'd love to hear some interpretations of it. All in all, it was a very enjoyable read. Zelazny was far from running out of creative steam when he left us too early...

I realy enjoyed this book. It was a good way to spend a couple of afternoons. If you have read any of Zelazny's other books, you will probably like this one. Lots of action and engaging dialogue.

The book is about a french knight who is reborn over and over again and an arabian immortal sorcerer thet opposes him. Through out the centuries they fight until they confront each other for the last time in the 21 century.Being a Zelazny fan i was a bit let down at first read. But after a few more reads i became a little more simpathetic. The book is just not "pure" Zelazny , not wholly writen in the style i love so much , so i can understand those Zelazny fans thet gave the book low scores. But i think it's disapointment , and nothing is really wrong with the book. Fast paced , full of martial arts action , a bit of sorcery , all-in-all a likeble book.

I enjoyed this book. It mixed many historical era's and kept you reading at a steady pace. I thought it started out strong and had some interesting conflicts. I was a little let down at the end that seemed too easy to me. Overall I enjoyed it.

Even if this one was only begun by Zelazny and fleshed-out by Thomas. This is not just another Vast-Dark-Powers-meet-Unrelenting-Good-Powers saga, oh no! The premise is a fascinating one, one which I think I'd better keep to myself rather than spoil the flowering of the idea as you read the story. The frame leaps from century to century which can get fairly confusing at times, but it of course all makes sense in the end. I love the way Zelazny doesn't *quite* tell you everything you need (or rather, want) to know right off the bat, but lets you put it all together near the end. This one took me longer than most of his books to finish, but I thoroughly enjoyed it; Zelazny is like a dense baklava compared to most fantasy-writer's yellow cake.