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Perry Rhodan
Invasion from Space
Second Ace printing, 1972. Actually, technically, this book contains adventures ## 7 and 8: *Invasion From Space* and *Base On Venus*
- GenresScience FictionFiction
187 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 1961
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124 people want to read
About the author
Clark Darlton
948 books11 followersPen name of German science fiction author Walter Ernsting.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 1, 2018
A lone fisherman, Sammy Derring, is taken over by alien Mind Snatchers who mistake him for Samuel Daring the Secretary of Defense. The switch is discovered and Alan Mercant reports the incident to Khrest, who is training the new Mutant Corps.
Khrest notifies Perry. Rhodan is on Venus looking for a suitable base of operations on the cloud covered jungle world. Perry realizes the MS must have an Earth base and uses the mutants to hunt them down.
While the hunt starts, Perry addresses the world's leaders and convinces them of the need for a fleet of rockets to be used for Earth's defense. Li Tschai-tung, the Asian Federation's secret service agent with ties to Rhodan has been compromised by the Mind Snatchers and is tracked by Ernst Ellert and Tako Kakuta to A flight from Hong Kong to Nevada.
Rhodan pulls Ellert off of the trail so that Ellert can send his mind to the fuure to check on 6 year old Betty Toufry. Betty has powers of telepathy and telekinesis and is the daughter of an atomic scientist. The girl killed her father when she detected that he had been taken by the MS. In his interview with the future Toufry, Ellert is told that they are the precursors of a new development in human evolution. She also tells Ellert that his fate is closely linked with a far future galactic empire but refuses to give him details.
When the MS base is fond in Tibet, a trap is set by the mutants, but springing that trap apparently kills Ernst Ellert. It turns out that Ellert isn't dead but his consciousness is wandering through time and space. Perry builds an elaborate 'tomb' that will signal when Ellert returns to his earthly form.
The last of the Mind Snatchers are tracked down and destroyed making the world apparently safe from their invasion. Rhodan decides that he will use his Venus base to train the mutants and set up more defenses for earth. Meanwhile, Alan Mercant finds that the Western Bloc is secretly building another rocket to challenge Rhodan's power.
Khrest notifies Perry. Rhodan is on Venus looking for a suitable base of operations on the cloud covered jungle world. Perry realizes the MS must have an Earth base and uses the mutants to hunt them down.
While the hunt starts, Perry addresses the world's leaders and convinces them of the need for a fleet of rockets to be used for Earth's defense. Li Tschai-tung, the Asian Federation's secret service agent with ties to Rhodan has been compromised by the Mind Snatchers and is tracked by Ernst Ellert and Tako Kakuta to A flight from Hong Kong to Nevada.
Rhodan pulls Ellert off of the trail so that Ellert can send his mind to the fuure to check on 6 year old Betty Toufry. Betty has powers of telepathy and telekinesis and is the daughter of an atomic scientist. The girl killed her father when she detected that he had been taken by the MS. In his interview with the future Toufry, Ellert is told that they are the precursors of a new development in human evolution. She also tells Ellert that his fate is closely linked with a far future galactic empire but refuses to give him details.
When the MS base is fond in Tibet, a trap is set by the mutants, but springing that trap apparently kills Ernst Ellert. It turns out that Ellert isn't dead but his consciousness is wandering through time and space. Perry builds an elaborate 'tomb' that will signal when Ellert returns to his earthly form.
The last of the Mind Snatchers are tracked down and destroyed making the world apparently safe from their invasion. Rhodan decides that he will use his Venus base to train the mutants and set up more defenses for earth. Meanwhile, Alan Mercant finds that the Western Bloc is secretly building another rocket to challenge Rhodan's power.
August 6, 2022
The Mind Snatchers try to invade the Earth. But luckily they are not very clever. But the most original of the creations of the writing team, or probably of Clark Darlton, Ernst Ellert, has to sacrifice himself. For the time being. And a mausoleum is built for him.
6/10
Next we are suddenly on Venus, the jungle planet. Which is, as it turns out, an old Arkonide base. They tried to colonize Earth 10000 years ago, we learn. There is a nice chat between Rhodan and Thora, for a change. And, I was shocked to be told, that our hero smokes a cigarette. Written by Mahr.
5/10
6/10
Next we are suddenly on Venus, the jungle planet. Which is, as it turns out, an old Arkonide base. They tried to colonize Earth 10000 years ago, we learn. There is a nice chat between Rhodan and Thora, for a change. And, I was shocked to be told, that our hero smokes a cigarette. Written by Mahr.
5/10
April 5, 2020
I'm not sure if this one was better, or reading them not back to back is better, but I definitely enjoyed this one more than #3. Also, great cover!
'Invasion from Space' is the first story, and the Mind Snatchers (which were seemingly destroyed previously), are back. Luckily, they one of the people they snatched was the wrong person, so the Third Power figured it out and was able take action and defeat them, despite the Archonides telling them it was completely hopeless.
The 2nd part 'Base on Venus', finds Perry and his X-Men going to Venus to explore the possibility of establishing a 3rd Power base there.
There were definitely some fun things in these books, we get an explanation of what happened to Atlantis (which I was not expecting) and a fun Burroughs-ian Venus with intelligent seals and giant dinosaurs. I don't love the trend of re-use plots (They once again got to the Archon' s wrecked ship for salvage, even though they already did so, and again have to contend with Americans tried to get there first).
The main theme continues to be that the human race is simply so inherently awesome they can overcome aliens once they have the tech to do it, which is a nice uplifting message. Ellert's adventures in time were interesting... it's a LONG time for his story to get resolved (based on the fact that he has a story way down the road), but it should be fun when it does.
Still not much character development... Reg Bell has been established as impulsive, but that's about it. The mutants are still just names and power sets. The venus story would make a great comic... while I love the cover, I'm sad it's not Venus.
'Invasion from Space' is the first story, and the Mind Snatchers (which were seemingly destroyed previously), are back. Luckily, they one of the people they snatched was the wrong person, so the Third Power figured it out and was able take action and defeat them, despite the Archonides telling them it was completely hopeless.
The 2nd part 'Base on Venus', finds Perry and his X-Men going to Venus to explore the possibility of establishing a 3rd Power base there.
There were definitely some fun things in these books, we get an explanation of what happened to Atlantis (which I was not expecting) and a fun Burroughs-ian Venus with intelligent seals and giant dinosaurs. I don't love the trend of re-use plots (They once again got to the Archon' s wrecked ship for salvage, even though they already did so, and again have to contend with Americans tried to get there first).
The main theme continues to be that the human race is simply so inherently awesome they can overcome aliens once they have the tech to do it, which is a nice uplifting message. Ellert's adventures in time were interesting... it's a LONG time for his story to get resolved (based on the fact that he has a story way down the road), but it should be fun when it does.
Still not much character development... Reg Bell has been established as impulsive, but that's about it. The mutants are still just names and power sets. The venus story would make a great comic... while I love the cover, I'm sad it's not Venus.
February 23, 2018
alas, i think we are at the end of this experiment (at least for the time being ~ after reading 5 of these in a row i definitely need a break). this one practically killed me with the bumptious plotting, the silly mutants, some way over the top melodrama involving a character we barely know, and just...are we ever going to get off the moon and go anywhere interesting? the "M.S." are ridiculous, though for a brief moment i thought: at last! some weird insectoid aliens ~ something cool will happen.
no it doesn't. and the cardboard rationale for obliterating this species would be offensive if there was any chance of this series being taken even remotely seriously.
i feel like this wasn't what i bargained for. the endless negotiations over manufacturing and the absurd psychic powers and Rhodan's insufferable smugness are a poison cocktail of arrogance, boredom and stupidity. and we're definitely at that part of the series where the authors don't seem too concerned about continuity and are just making stuff up along the way.
maybe i'll revisit this series after i've had a chance to read some other stuff to clear my head.
no it doesn't. and the cardboard rationale for obliterating this species would be offensive if there was any chance of this series being taken even remotely seriously.
i feel like this wasn't what i bargained for. the endless negotiations over manufacturing and the absurd psychic powers and Rhodan's insufferable smugness are a poison cocktail of arrogance, boredom and stupidity. and we're definitely at that part of the series where the authors don't seem too concerned about continuity and are just making stuff up along the way.
maybe i'll revisit this series after i've had a chance to read some other stuff to clear my head.
January 29, 2024
Perry Rhodan is like comic book science fiction. Earth, of course are (to become) the masters of the universe. As well as super science, there are mutants (through nuclear bombs) and there are evil aliens, and some good aliens.
Two stories. First they must tackle the mind stealers who have numberous aagents on Earth, with vuew to destroying the planet when they have stolen its information, using controlled mental zombies. Rhodan searches for their base, to wipe them out..
Second. Rhodan decides to set up a base on Venus in case Earth is occupied or destroyed, because of the SOS signal sent out by the treacherous Thora. The planet is covered wih huge hideous monsters and they find the remains of an Arkonide ciilization from 10,000 years ago, the remainder from the destruction of their colony of Atlantis on Earth. But they get a mixed reception.
Two stories. First they must tackle the mind stealers who have numberous aagents on Earth, with vuew to destroying the planet when they have stolen its information, using controlled mental zombies. Rhodan searches for their base, to wipe them out..
Second. Rhodan decides to set up a base on Venus in case Earth is occupied or destroyed, because of the SOS signal sent out by the treacherous Thora. The planet is covered wih huge hideous monsters and they find the remains of an Arkonide ciilization from 10,000 years ago, the remainder from the destruction of their colony of Atlantis on Earth. But they get a mixed reception.
January 26, 2020
Finally a bit of action that isn't just the nation's of the world getting in the way of the new power, with some nice paranoia about mind control
June 18, 2023
The series is really getting into its cosmic imagination now. What began as terrestrial adventure with a visit or two to the moon is now opening up as a true galactic odyssey.
January 19, 2024
Another great chapter in this continuing saga. They even threw a plot twist or two in n the mix.
December 29, 2013
O que se ressalva desta aventura de Rhodan é o sublinhar do carácter autoritário da personagem. A sua sabedoria e capacidade de liderança estão acima de todos os interesses. A humanidade está a ser ameaçada por uma insidiosa espécie alienígena insectóide capaz de transporta a mente para humanos incautos e apenas a argúcia de Rhodan trava e derrota uma invasão que deixa os poderosos arcónicas aterrados. Argúcia e o seu exército de mutantes, humanos com poderes especiais conferidos pelas radiações resultantes de testes atómicos. No caminho ainda faz ultimatos às nações da Terra para se unirem na construção de uma frota estelar capaz de defender o planeta das ameaças do espaço e prepara-se para estabelecer uma base no planeta Vénus, retratado como um local de florestas tropicais selvagens (ao invés do inferno escaldante de atmosfera corrosiva que a ciência nos mostra). Ultimados que são prontamente obedecidos por uma comunidade global cativada pelo brilhantismo do líder.
Mutantes radioactivos são um dos elementos característicos da FC dos anos 50 e 60, aqui usados como um corpo militarizado de indivíduos capazes de ler mentes, teleportar-te ou manifestar poderes telequinéticos. São úteis para surpreender inimigos no campo de batalha. O que realmente perpassa deste episódio é o sublinhar do carácter de Rhodan como uma espécie de führer esclarecido, cuja sabedoria e coragem deixam todos cativos e fascinados. Os mais poderosos entre os terrestres não hesitam em agir de acordo com os seus ditames, justificando-se com um saber que Rhodan está correcto no que pensa. Os Arcónidas são cada vez mais retratados como uma civilização avançada mas decadente, à qual falta o lampejo de coragem e audácia que só Rhodan consegue trazer. Até a mais feroz arcónida, a bela e exótica Thora, uma espécie de Dejah Thoris ardente e muito senhora do seu nariz (mas mais... vestida do que a heroína de E.R. Burroughs) começa a render-se perante a superioridade de Perry Rhodan. Cada vez mais me pergunto se esta necessidade de afirmar um personagem como líder de sabedoria incontestada está a sublimar através da cultura popular algum elemento fundamental do carácter germânico.
Há um pormenor curioso neste livro que nos começa a revelar as aventuras estranhas que, penso, nos esperam ao longo da série. Um dos personagens tem como poder o projectar-se no futuro, embora perante as enormes probabilidades seja incapaz de o prever. Morre, mas o corpo parece ter ficado em animação suspensa enquanto a sua mente vagueia por universos paralelos e realidades oníricas naquilo que o autor refere como uma jornada de milénios de regresso ao seu corpo. Esta intrigou e despertou-me o interesse.
Mutantes radioactivos são um dos elementos característicos da FC dos anos 50 e 60, aqui usados como um corpo militarizado de indivíduos capazes de ler mentes, teleportar-te ou manifestar poderes telequinéticos. São úteis para surpreender inimigos no campo de batalha. O que realmente perpassa deste episódio é o sublinhar do carácter de Rhodan como uma espécie de führer esclarecido, cuja sabedoria e coragem deixam todos cativos e fascinados. Os mais poderosos entre os terrestres não hesitam em agir de acordo com os seus ditames, justificando-se com um saber que Rhodan está correcto no que pensa. Os Arcónidas são cada vez mais retratados como uma civilização avançada mas decadente, à qual falta o lampejo de coragem e audácia que só Rhodan consegue trazer. Até a mais feroz arcónida, a bela e exótica Thora, uma espécie de Dejah Thoris ardente e muito senhora do seu nariz (mas mais... vestida do que a heroína de E.R. Burroughs) começa a render-se perante a superioridade de Perry Rhodan. Cada vez mais me pergunto se esta necessidade de afirmar um personagem como líder de sabedoria incontestada está a sublimar através da cultura popular algum elemento fundamental do carácter germânico.
Há um pormenor curioso neste livro que nos começa a revelar as aventuras estranhas que, penso, nos esperam ao longo da série. Um dos personagens tem como poder o projectar-se no futuro, embora perante as enormes probabilidades seja incapaz de o prever. Morre, mas o corpo parece ter ficado em animação suspensa enquanto a sua mente vagueia por universos paralelos e realidades oníricas naquilo que o autor refere como uma jornada de milénios de regresso ao seu corpo. Esta intrigou e despertou-me o interesse.
September 15, 2015
The fourth book of the series comprising the seventh and eighth novels in the German series I believe. We have two major developments at this point. Firstly the war with the MS kicks into full gear. We learn a bit more about this race. As well Perry and his forces find some ways of combating this menace. In the second story the Third Power decides it needs a base on Venus and thus we have the first adventure on that planet. We do end up with a base there but not in the way Mr. Rhodan expected to. As well we learn a bit more about Arkonides. All in all a satisfactory addition to this series.
December 23, 2007
read 08.11.84
July 27, 2010
I liked the early ones in this series pretty well. Very inventive space opera. Lots of action.
March 9, 2016
Average SiFi Series. Recommended
October 12, 2016
good entry in the series.
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August 25, 20101ST BRITISH EDITION - A GERMAN SERIES.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews