The Warlord of the Air by Michael Moorcock (Book Review)

Fans were originally introduced to the futuristic, science fiction world of A Nomad of the Time Streams back in 1971 when author Michal Moorcock released the first book of the trilogy entitled The Warlord of the Air. The book was followed up with the releases of The Land Leviathan in 1974 and The Steel Tsar in 1981. Moorcock's series follows the adventures of British Army Captain Oswald Bastable during the early 1900s, as he is constantly transported to alternate dimensions and various time periods. The novels cover important topics such as war, racism, politics and more all while simultaneously dealing with supernatural and steampunk inspired themes. Despite being originally published over 40 years ago, the classic titles hold up well against time, and publisher Titan Books will be re-releasing the series beginning with The Warlord of the Air in January 2013.

While we had not originally heard of the series before receiving the news that Titan Books would soon be releasing the titles once again, it was quickly apparent that The Warlord of the Air was a title before its time. The series features many alternate realities that are not completely unlike our own. The countries that control most of the world may be different, but there are still people suffering under the tyrannical rule of those that would oppress the weak to live their own comfortable lives of luxury, and Bastable will do his best to save the people before returning to his own time. The tales are told by the in-story character, Michael Moorcock, as the author's fictional grandfather in the book who talks with and shares the experiences of the now seemingly crazy and opium addicted former soldier, Oswald Bastable. The highly interesting narrative can be appreciated by all readers, especially fans of the science fiction genre and strange tales of time travel and alternate realities.

In the first book of A Nomad of the Time Streams trilogy, Bastable is sent on an important mission to take down a high priority target in his own world. After completing the mission and finding himself lost in a mysterious cave near a supernatural temple in India, he is transported to an alternate dimension set in the year 1973. The world seems pleasant enough on the surface, but it turns out to be too good to be true. Bastable will soon question the choices he has made and choose between doing what is easy and what is right by fighting to free the oppressed anarchists of this world and fighting against the powerful countries that control the world. The book is a great introduction to the rest of the series, and the ending will have you counting down the days until you can get your hands on the second book in the series, The Land Leviathan.

A Nomad of the Time Streams trilogy is one that all science fiction fans should read, if they haven't already. The Michael Moorcock series is one of the best available in the genre and features the renowned author at his best. The first book in the series features a great storyline that touches on many important topics in our own world, and it sees the cameos by many famous celebrities and historical figures including Winston Churchill and Mick Jagger. Readers will enjoy the dramatic storyline that feels as though it comes to an end too quickly at only a little over 200 pages in length. Still, The Warlord of the Air is a high quality work that has been offering thrills for fans for over 40 years, and come January 15, 2013, a whole new set of fans can live this timeless tale for the first time.

The Warlord of the Air is now available for preorder from Titan Books for the MSRP of $9.95 and is scheduled to release on January 15, 2013. For more information on The Warlord of the Air, check out the official Titan Books website.

Score: 7 out of 10