The Sword of Morning Star (1968) by Richard Meade (Ben Haas)

When I learned that Ben Haas, creator of two of my favorite action-oriented western series of all time, Sundance and Fargo, had written a 2-book sword and sorcery series under the name of Richard Meade, it became something of a holy grail quest for me. I was successful in tracking down the first book in what is called the Grey Lands saga, The Sword of Morning Star. 

Haas places his tale in a far future version of Europe that has been reshaped by the “Worldfire,” a cataclysmic event that is most likely referencing nuclear war (it is never fully explained). Mankind has degenerated into feudalism, complete with kings, horseback-mounted soldiers, and wolf-people—yes, mutant half wolf/half people beings who ride horses and fight with swords and claws. Most of the action takes place in what would be Germany and the names of characters and places reflect this. 

Our protagonist is Helmut, the 12-year old bastard son of the King of Boorn. Much political intrigue results in Helmut being abandoned and his right hand cut off to ensure he never wields a sword against Albrecht, the Duke of Boorn and manipulator of the former King’s rightful heir. Raised in the wilds by a powerful wizard named Sandivar, Helmut is fashioned into an instrument of destruction and a mace ball, or Morning Star, is grafted onto the stump of his right arm (we see that in the awesome cover art by Jeff Jones). 

There are many great concepts floating through this book, even if most of them are not fully fleshed out; perhaps the second book accomplishes this. One of those concepts is the idea of multiple planes of reality that move at different speeds, including one of constant warfare where heroes of legend fight— Beowulf, Siegfried, Arthur, and Charlemagne are all name-checked. It is here that 12-year old Helmut is transported halfway through the book into a dimension where each minute represents a year in our present time. This conveniently allows for our boy to emerge as a strapping young man for the violent confrontation in the finale against Albrecht, who has usurped rule over the empire and reigns with his army of wolf-people. 

Ben Haas knew how to write, especially action, and this book is no different. The prose itself is fine by any measure. That said, The Son of Morning Star feels disjointed, overly plotted, and Haas repeatedly seems to realize he has created discrepancies in the rules of his world-building that need to be clumsily addressed and glossed over. 

I didn't simply want to like this book; I wanted to LOVE it. Thus, my disappointment was all the greater. Only recommended to Ben Haas completists.

Review by Steve Carroll