Dark Crusade Paperback – April 1, 1991

Dark Crusade is a HUGE improvement over Wagner's other Kane novel (and the sequel to this book), Darkness Weaves (I haven't read the much-maligned Bloodstone, the only other Kane novel). In my Amazon review of the Darkness Weaves paperback, I complained that while Kane was only cool until he opened his mouth due to lame, anachronistic dialogue, in this novel Wagner makes no such mistake. However, the author still falls into the same trap of being unable to make Kane interesting or even likable until 2/3 of the way through! Until then, Kane never says anything remarkable at all, nor do we get much insight into his motivations or past. Instead, as in Darkness Weaves, we get a small number of minor characters and antagonists that, while doomed, are far more interesting and likeable than Kane ever could be. Kane is no Elric, Conan or Fafhrd. I can only hope that Kane's short stories (collected in The Midnight Sun hardcover) paint him out to be a much more interesting, in-depth character than these novels (it's next on my list).Don't get me wrong, Dark Crusade is still a highly enjoyable read, with vivid battle scenes and nasty surprises, but it could have been so much better if Wagner had only bothered to endear us to Kane early on, instead of waiting until the last minute. By the time we get to the end, we really do feel for Kane as he walks up the stairs of the cursed Tower of Yslsl to an uncertain fate. However, an extra "throwaway" chapter (originally published as a separate story) has been included in the Baen reprint: "In The Lair Of Yslsl," which, while clearing up Kane's fate, is poorly written in comparison and strains credulity. Yslsl was much better left as an indescribable, unknown horror lurking at the edges of the story. My advice is skip "In The Lair Of Yslsl" and let the novel end where it should have, leaving the reader wanting more, not less.If you're considering buying the expensive and out-of-print hardcover, Gods In Darkness, which collects the three Kane novels, my recommendation is don't waste your money. Buy Dark Crusade and (maybe) Darkness Weaves separately as paperbacks. You'll save money and these novels have been way overhyped...I agree that the fantasy genre needs more books about villains and anti-heros as the main character, but Karl Edward Wagner's Kane novels don't quite do it for me (although Dark Crusade comes very, very close, and I do recommend it). If you want to read a flawless, gritty fantasy novel by Wagner, try The Road of Kings. That's easily the finest Conan pastiche ever written and puts even the best of the Kane novels to shame.

This is a very 70's male fantasy work of fiction, meaning the men are macho, the women all desire the hero, and he is an "anti hero". he has little or no respect for anyone but himself and a few others and is not afraid to show contempt - but then after all, Kane is a bad ass sorcerer/priest/warrior/been-there-done-that kind of a guy. Notwithstanding the use of common vernacular (swear words) Wagner uses believable conversation between the characters to move the plot along, creates a world with a modicum of description, and allows your brain to fill in the rest. It's violent, asocial at times. Take it within its context, it is a rousing read. Wagner's the John Milius of fantasy writers!

Kane is one of the classic characters of Sword and Sorcery, written by a master of mood and description. Kane revolted against a mad god and killed his brother, and was cursed with both immortality and the eyes of Kane, the gaze of a killer. He has lived century after century engaged in the chaos that keeps life interesting. In Dark Crusade, a bandit chieftain is possessed by an elder God, and starts a crusade across the continent. His army is massive, but not very skilled, and Kane is recruited to build a cavalry arm to help him conquer the kingdoms of the grassland. Kane has other plans, and seeks overlordship of the continent himself. But unknown to him the prophet also has other plans, to gather enough followers to bring the God himself into the world.

The Kane series has been a favorite of mine since the early 80's. Great read and well worth the time

Kane the immortal adventurer deals with problems ranging from palace intrigue to the incursions of forgotten gods. Massive battles, plots, betrayals, and magic make this book a treat for fans of the genre.

Although BLOODSTONE is my favorite of KEW's Kane novels, DARK CRUSADE is probably the bloodiest and most carnage-filled. Massive battles, the slaughter of countless combatants on both sides, and through it all run threads of dark sorcery, long-forgotten demon gods, and Kane kicking butt and taking names, as always. The three major Kane novels (the two above plus DARKNESS WEAVES) are some of my favorite Sword & Sorcery stories, and while it's bee some time since I'd read them, I enjoyed this book just as much this time around as I had in previous readings.

Great story easy to follow action I believe this is the best of Karl Edward Wagner!! I have enjoyed his work for years!

The world building. The way the history plays out. Kane revisits his past. Old memories come back to haunt him.

VESY GOOD

delivered quickly, exactly what i wanted