Author: Poul Anderson
First Publication: 1967
Source: News stand
Publisher: Ace Books
Serial: Analog June & July 1966
Cover 1: Michael Whelan
Cover 2: Kelly Freas
Cover 3: Chesley Bonestell
Way back in the days I bought books off a spinner rack at a newsstand, one series of books seemed to jump off the racks at me. They were the reissues of Poul Anderson’s novels with new covers by Michael Whelan. Whelan has created many classic covers but one of my favorites was always his one for this cover. To this day I still can spend time staring at it.
A bonus, in addition to the cover, was the fiction of Poul Anderson. I had previously read one of his Dominic Flandry novels in the final issues of “Worlds of IF”. That was “A Knight of Ghosts and Shadows”. It led me to search out other books he wrote.
“World Without Stars” has many classic elements. Travel to an alien world, trying to establish trade relations, alien contact, and a traveler who is separated from the woman he loves. That relationship is what ties the book together.
At this short length, I would recommend reading this Anderson classic.
Author: Walter Ernsting (Clark Darlton)
First Publication: 1969
Source: Bookstore
Publisher: Ace Books
Series: Perry Rhodan (German) #4
In many ways this is a major story is a major piece of history in the Perry Rhodan universe. As the various countries try to blow up Perry’s ship with a nuclear bomb, other events are coming together to give Perry additional firepower.
Mutants have popped up all over the world. “Twilight of the Gods” shows the beginnings of Perry’s powerful group “The Mutant Corps”. The members introduced to us in this story include a telepath, a telekinetic, a teleporter and another teleporter who is able to teleport through time. I always grouped the time teleporter with Ferro Lad of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Both end up sacrificing their lives to save the universe…or do they? That is a mystery that is many stories away.
The other big event in this story is Perry and his right hand man Reggie get hypno trained the way the Arkonides do. I thought that Ernsting’s writing was not up to its usual standard but this is still worth reading as the series starts to gain steam.
Author: Andre Norton
First Publication: 1962
Source: Purchased at used book store
Publisher: Ace Books
Series: Council/Confederation #2
Other books in this series include:
#1-The Sioux Spaceman
#3-The X Factor
#4-Voorloper
Andre Norton was one of my gateways to science fiction. Many of her works were in our school library. They fit the model of what was known as juvenile science fiction at the time. The books I read of hers had fairly straightforward plots with a young protagonist who was put in exception situations. Although I never read this book in my youth, it fits the mold.
The viewpoint character is on an alien world with his uncle when one of the native races (the Crocs) decides to take charge. The aliens launch a vicious attack destroying many of the human bases. He rescues a few people, including two of the cat-like natives. They have to trek across hostile territory and make it to one of the larger human bases with the hope that rescue is available at the base. The writing is solid but the characterization falls short. I found the characters to be very much of the stock variety with little that brings them to life. Also, the motives of the Crocs are not well established.
If you are looking for a short, quick read of an old school adventure sort this book is a decent read. If you prefer more depth to your stories, I would look to other books of the time. Although it is a "lite" book, I will be reading the other books in the series.
