Legends from the End of Time is both the original name for a collection of three novellas centered at the End of Time as well as the 13th volume in the Eternal Champion omnibus edition collection. As described by another reviewer, it's part of Moorcock's "horrible reader obfuscation plot." I enjoy that characterization of the confusing way that various books and novellas have been titled, collected, renamed, rewritten and basically post-processed to the point that it's very difficult to know where to start with Moorcock's books or where to go next.

But, the above has very little to do with this book. As I previously mentioned, this is the original title for 3 of Moorcock's novellas set at the End of Time: Pale Roses, White Stars and Ancient Shadows.

Pale Roses is a story centered on Werther de Goethe in which Mistress Christia pretends to be a young girl who seduces Werther/allows Werther to seduce her. Werther then feels incredibly guilty, falls into the depths of despair, and kills himself. Only later does he find out it's actually Miss Christia who has created the scenario both to give Werther the pain and shame he craves, and to entertain the other denizens at the end of time. I give this particular story a 4 of 5.

White Stars is an odd little story about the Duke of Queens who runs into the self-styled Lord Shark - an oddity at the End of Time in that he shuns all contact with other people. The Duke of Queens meets him and ends up agreeing to a duel with Lord Shark, to the death with swords and no resurrection. Although neither truly wants to duel to the death, the Duke feel obliged to continue and Lord Shark feels his honor will be stained if he backs down. A fairly obvious quick-change allows both men to live and save face. 3 of 5.

Ancient Shadows introduces us to the vacuous Miss Mavis Ming. Although she's only a supporting actor in this story, Moorcock apparently thought enough of her to dedicate an entire book to her (A Messiah at the End of Time). Dafnish Armatruce and her son Snuffles arrive at the End of Time via their time machine. The Morphail Effect makes it impossible for them to leave. Dafnish is appalled by the wastefulness and plenty of the End of Time and finds only Lord Jagged to be of any redeeming value. Unfortunately, Jagged is off busily manipulating events at the End of Time and earlier, leaving Dafnish to be hounded by Miss Ming. Miss Ming fancies Dafnish and wants her for a lover. Dafnish is appalled and wants nothing to do with Miss Ming. Things take a turn for the worse when Miss Ming grows Snuffles into manhood and Snuffles decides that he doesn't want to be a child anymore. Dafnish attempts to return to her own time and dies in the attempt. Snuffles, being linked to Dafnish, also dies. 3 of 5 - mostly because Miss Ming is so horrible. ( )

bought it for the cover art artist: Robert Gould