SOJALS rating:

Mediocre (2/5)

I first read this in 1970 and most recently on the 8th June 2012

Man's technological civilization has long collapsed. Magic has somehow arisen to replace it. An Evil empire from the East has conquered the continent and the people live in fearful misery. The satrap Ekuman, the malevolent mighty master of magic rules the Western seaboard. His senior wizards enforce his power in the magical realm and his army in the physical. Ekuman has only a single fear. It is of the secret and lost thing that is known as the Elephant. It is known to be of great power but no one knows who or what it is nor where it can be found. Ekuman seeks to find and destroy it, whatever and wherever it may be.

A few brave freedom fighters band together to take on Ekuman. Our young hero, Rolf, is soon accepted into this brave band of fellows containing the likes of Mewick, the accomplished fighter, and Loford, wizard of surpassing power.

Swords, sorcery and old science in a classic adventure in the far, far future. I really enjoyed this slim novel and remember rushing out to get the second and third books of the trilogy just as soon as they were published. I've always been a sucker for some plain old science standing tall and proud in the chaos of magical worlds.