The Revenge of the Rose

Moorcock's style matured over the many years between ELRIC OF MELNIBONE and THE REVENGE OF THE ROSE. His prose is much richer, if a little bit... flowery (pardon the pun). The pacing and action still move very quickly, but he takes a little extra time at appropriate points to world build (expand) and character develop. Elric isn't always front and center in this one. Instead there is a cast of entertaining sidekicks and nemeses that provide additional layers to the plot, as well as, some excellent dialog. Many of these are very strong female characters. It's still the same fantasy epic with our brooding anti-hero on a quest for damnation, but he and his multiverse have aged like a fine wine.