perelgut@utcsrgv.UUCP (Stephen Perelgut) (10/18/83)
I am presenting my reviews of Piers Anthony's latest three novels. If
anyone takes exception or wishes to agree or disagree or to discuss,
you can mail me (signature file follows) or you can continue things here.
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Bio of A Space Tyrant. Volume 1:Refugee
October,1983 Avon Books Paperback
This is the first book in a proposed 5 book series and it is a modern
space opera. Anyone who has read Tambu by Robert Asprin will have a
pretty good idea of what to expect from the series.
The basic outline is the story of the rise of The Tyrant of Jupiter.
This first book deals with his childhood, particularly his very early
teenage years. His birthname is Hope Hubris which is a pun and an
indication of what is to come. The story deals with Hope as he learns
that the universe is cruel and as he sees his early life and family
destroyed by uncaring forces.
The book is a fast read but very heavy and violent. It starts with an
attempted rape, continues with near murder, theft, murder, fraud, rape,
etc. Throughout you feel very bad for the character but I couldn't help
feeling detached from the degree of violence throughout.
One major caveat! Do not read the editorial preface. It constitutes a
very major spoiler which is surprising in a preface. Outside of that,
the book is a high class space opera with lots of action. But I didn't
feel it was worth much more than its paperback price.
In summary, I might re-read the book to refresh myself on some details
before reading later books in the series. I will probably buy the other
books in the series as they appear. But it will probably fade to the
back rows of my bookshelf fairly quickly.
Overall rating (1-10): 5
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Dragon on a Pedestal
October,1983 Del Rey Books Paperback
This is the seventh Xanth book and represents a return to the high
quality of the first couple of books. Anthony has stopped the habit
from the past two books where he would make it clear a pun was coming,
would then write the pun, then re-state it, and then explain it. All
without actually managing to be very punny.
Dragon is a story with plenty of subtle puns. It will be worthy of
many re-reads even if I don't bother with the past few from the
series. The basic story has Ivy, the daughter of King Dor and Queen
Irene getting lost in the Jungle south of the Gap. There she befriends
a recently rejuvenated Gap Dragon (who had just come from a run-in with
Fountain of Youth water) and they have lots of adventures. While this
is going on Irene is searching for Ivy, the Gorgon is searching for
her son, and .....
It would be easy to re-tell the entire story from memory. It is quite
a memorable book in that regard. I think Anthony is trying to address
his chauvinism by making this a basically female story. But he still
reduces the roles of the two sexes to cliches. I found them much less
offensive than usual, but I still recommend that anyone with a thin
skin be careful.
Overall rating (1-10): 7.5
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On a Pale Horse
October 1983 Del Rey Books Hardcover
This is the first book in a series entitled Incarnations Of Immortality.
My first review is go and buy it!! Even as a hardcover. I have just
finished the book and I am ready to re-read it already (but that has
to wait since I have promised to lend out the book. DAMN). I expect
hardcover will be essential since paperbacks will wear out too soon.
This is one book that will sit in the front row of my bookshelf for
easy access.
I am going to be very careful about possible spoilers here. The book
does not hinge on any special feature except possibly for the climax
but it will have a much more powerful affect if things appear in sequence.
The series is set in on an earth where Newton went on to formulate laws
of magic after his laws of science and mathematics. Magic coexists
with science and there has been no resolution about which is better. For
any artifact of science there is a corresponding magical one, and
vice versa.
One important aspect of this is that there really is a Heaven and a Hell,
complete with God and Satan. As well, there are five other Incarnations:
Death, Fate, Nature, War, and Time. This book is Death's story. The
current Death assumes his office when he kills the previous Death. I just
deleted a couple of more sentences of description since they would have
been minor spoilers. Sorry! One little tid-bit, there is a little
walkthrough of a Hell not unlike Dante's but it only sets a scenario.
There is an Author's Note afterward which explains a lot about Piers
Anthony, how he works, why he produces in spurts, and the background
of his recent works. I highly recommend this background for anyone who
is interested in how books are written, and why, and when.
I really want to say more about this one but I think I had better not.
How do people feel about spoiler reviews anyway?
Overall Rating (1-10): 9.75 (I am too ornery to give anything 10)
--
Stephen Perelgut Computer Systems Research Group University of Toronto
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