KAMN Show #36: The Broken Lands
Welcome to Show #36!
Yes, it’s been a while. We’re still around, though!
Feature Discussion: Welcome newcomer ninja stunt double Jen Crawford. Jen is a big fan of 90s TV, so we’ll have to explore that in future KAMN episodes.
David, Brian and Jen chat about “The Broken Lands”, Book One of the “Empire of the East” trilogy by Fred Saberhagen, first published in 1968, and most recently printed in an omnibus collection of the entire trilogy by Tor in 2004. Book Two is “The Black Mountains” (1971) and Book Three is “Changeling Earth” (1973). “Changeling Earth” was later renamed “Ardneh’s World”, and a followup story, “Ardneh’s Sword” was published in 2006.
Fred Saberhagen passed away in June 2007.
Brief Story Description: In the distant future, society has crumbled. Dark forces now rule the land, keeping all humans under their oppressive thumbs.In the darkness of the shadows and whispered on the winds, there is talk of a rebellion. In the swamps, a small band has formed. Determined to regain their freedom, the rebellion, heavily outnumbered, plans to overthrow an army of thousands . . . with the help of one incredible weapon.
It is only a legend, a story left over from the Old World before magic and the wizards came to the land. A weapon of technology. It is the mystical Elephant, and whoever masters it holds the key to freedom, or defeat. One young man, determined to avenge the death of his family, sets out to join the rebellion and find Elephant. What he discovers will change everything.
It’s always about the elephant.
Listener Feedback: Give us some! You can leave comments here for the show, or at the Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas Forum. If you want to leave a voicemail comment on anything we’ve discussed, you can call us at 206-666-5266.
Books mentioned:
Promo: INFECTED by Scott Sigler
Link: Empire of the East (Saberhagen’s website)
Link: Wikipedia: Fred Saberhagen
I don’t want to be the guy who makes only negative posts here.
Thanks for the show.
Time has mellowed my memory of Empire of the East, but I remember enjoying the idea of Draffut – a dog uplifted far beyond humanity but still possessing the traits of a loyal dog. I also thought Orcus, a demon made of a frozen nuclear blast to be more or less unique in Fantasy. Pity there wasn’t time to focus on the later books more.
Welcome to Ninja-in-training Jen.
Thank God you’re back!
Yay! Welcome back guys. I’m sure the show will be fantastic.
Good to have you guys back!
Nice to hear a new ninja (or is she still a ninja toy?)… welcome to Jen! Keep the commentary coming.
Great to have you back!
Looking forward to many more enjoying episodes.
It’s damn good to know that the Ninja’s are alive & kicking.
While I miss Summer’s presence in this episode congratulations to David for his fair & balanced hosting & Jen for lending her particular mystic skills.
I’m not sure when I’ll be getting around to Saberhagen. Heck, I’m still working through the Larry Niven backlog that you folks started me on with Ringworld.
In the meantime I eagerly await your particular treatment of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”.