Skip to main content

Story with mythical Beast being a... tank



I am trying to find a book, that was part of the series - I've only read the first volume and never had a chance to find the rest.



  • Action takes place probably in the future, in Europe but technology is medieval again and there is some basic magic

  • Main character accidentally finds the legendary Beast, which is in fact a still operational tank (although without any ammo)

  • Current ruler is a typical Evil Overlord - there is a small scale rebellion that (so far unsuccessfully) tries to overthrow him, they rally behind the main character and the Beast

  • I remember a village that had two magic stones: one allowed you to open any door, second was used to summon lightning.


I've read it probably in the early 90s.



Answer



I believe you're thinking of the Empire of the East series by Fred Saberhagen. Specifically the first book, The Broken Lands.



The series is set in a future version of Earth. Years ago, mankind stopped a nuclear war by deploying devices which changed the laws of nature. The change had the side effect of introducing magic and magical creatures to the world. Aside from the magic, society regressed to a medieval society.


The protagonist of The Broken Lands is a young man who finds what he thinks is an Elephant--actually a nuclear-powered tank--parked in a cave. He manages to get it running and uses it to join the battle against the bad guys.


Google books has a page for the collected edition of the series. Parts of the book are available to be viewed. You can search on "Elephant" to see some passages involving the tank.


Saberhagen's Book of Swords series is set thousands of years later in the same universe as Empire of the East. If you enjoy one series, you should take a look at the other.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more