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Sam McCade #3
Alien Bounty
When the Vial of Tears, a sacred artifact that has divine powers, is stolen by the space pirates, bounty hunter Sam McCade is happy to perform the task of retrieving the treasure because he can exact personal revenge at the same time. Reissue.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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128 people want to read
About the author
William C. Dietz
124 books453 followersNew York Times bestselling author William C. Dietz has published more than fifty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Washington, and has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, and television news writer, director and producer. Before becoming a full-time writer Dietz was director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company. He and his wife live near Gig Harbor, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 3, 2019
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 stars
McCade is tasked with preventing a war and saving millions of lives
July 3, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Language: English
ASIN: B00J48FGG2
I find it interesting that right after rereading SHOGUN by James Clavel in which an English navigator is immersed in Japanese culture and society circa 1600, I, by chance, chose to read book 3 in William Dietz' 4 volume Sam McCade.series. In this one McCade is immersed in the alien Il Ronnian culture in order to prepare to retrieve a religious artifact stolen from the Il Ronn by human pirates. If McCade fails it means war. A war for which the human empire is poorly prepared. No matter which side wins, war would mean mass destruction and millions of deaths on both sides.
The Il Ronn aliens, who appear in more than one Willism Dietz book, look very much like the traditional human idea of the appearance of Satan. And they like it hot. in Dietz' world, this leads to at least two interesting thoughts by academics (and anyone else who can think.): When humans met the Il Ronn, humans were conditioned by thousands of years and multiple generations to view them as evil on appearance alone, so peace never had a chance and should be tried. The other thought is that the human reaction to the Il Ronn stems from ancient contacts with the Il Ronn which were so horrible that their very physical appearance became inexorably linked with evil...which they are, so war is inevitable.
Generally speaking, William Dietz books range from good to excellent with an occasional stinker in the mix. ALIEN BOUNTY is one of Dietz' better ones and my favorite in the Sam McCade series.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 stars
McCade is tasked with preventing a war and saving millions of lives
July 3, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Language: English
ASIN: B00J48FGG2
I find it interesting that right after rereading SHOGUN by James Clavel in which an English navigator is immersed in Japanese culture and society circa 1600, I, by chance, chose to read book 3 in William Dietz' 4 volume Sam McCade.series. In this one McCade is immersed in the alien Il Ronnian culture in order to prepare to retrieve a religious artifact stolen from the Il Ronn by human pirates. If McCade fails it means war. A war for which the human empire is poorly prepared. No matter which side wins, war would mean mass destruction and millions of deaths on both sides.
The Il Ronn aliens, who appear in more than one Willism Dietz book, look very much like the traditional human idea of the appearance of Satan. And they like it hot. in Dietz' world, this leads to at least two interesting thoughts by academics (and anyone else who can think.): When humans met the Il Ronn, humans were conditioned by thousands of years and multiple generations to view them as evil on appearance alone, so peace never had a chance and should be tried. The other thought is that the human reaction to the Il Ronn stems from ancient contacts with the Il Ronn which were so horrible that their very physical appearance became inexorably linked with evil...which they are, so war is inevitable.
Generally speaking, William Dietz books range from good to excellent with an occasional stinker in the mix. ALIEN BOUNTY is one of Dietz' better ones and my favorite in the Sam McCade series.
March 17, 2020
Still loving the simplistic style and storyline.
November 13, 2025
Alien Bounty has some great moments. Sadly, those moments don't save this novel from a slightly better than mediocre quality. The pacing is quite uneven.
However, some of the xenoculture and xenobiology the author creates is top-knotch. A group of aliens who look like the mythical images of the devil (like Hellboy). I especially like the idea that they use their tails (complete with triangle tips) to communicate emotion, offer obscene gestures, etc.
Still the pacing is herky-jerky, like a racecar driver shifting up and down gears for no particular reason. The final battle is over far too soon and the conclusion just left me flat.
Probably won't look for any more of this series, but at least I finished this one.
However, some of the xenoculture and xenobiology the author creates is top-knotch. A group of aliens who look like the mythical images of the devil (like Hellboy). I especially like the idea that they use their tails (complete with triangle tips) to communicate emotion, offer obscene gestures, etc.
Still the pacing is herky-jerky, like a racecar driver shifting up and down gears for no particular reason. The final battle is over far too soon and the conclusion just left me flat.
Probably won't look for any more of this series, but at least I finished this one.
June 24, 2018
Quick and fun read. Bounty hunter McCade links up with the aliens to recover a religious relic. Mayhem ensues.
March 22, 2009
The bounty series as a whole is fantastic, bit Alien Bounty in piticulare is the best in the series. it takes a hated enemy and brings them to the light. It takes a loves ally and brings them to the dark. It brings a charished truth and bringed it to falsehood.
Please read the bounty series if only to understand this book
Please read the bounty series if only to understand this book
July 17, 2014
I would have preferred a 3.5, the plot is getting a little repetitive, character depth a little lacklustre, and story line a bit thin.
I do dislike the 'special' alien that is clearly just put in there to prevent having to work out more of the way those adversary's of mankind think and operate.
I do dislike the 'special' alien that is clearly just put in there to prevent having to work out more of the way those adversary's of mankind think and operate.
August 20, 2013
Fun, well written light read
June 6, 2011
This series is a blast to read - they aren't plausible but are very fast.
September 18, 2014
Very good Military Sci-Fi. The Sam McCade books can be read as stand-alone novels, but it is better if you read them all and in order.
September 29, 2014
a fast paced, action packed, entertaining, easy read ! nothing too complex or deep but an enjoyable diversion !
December 11, 2014
A good tale well written
This well-written tale is full of twists and turns. A good read. It shows the plus side of working together despite differences.
This well-written tale is full of twists and turns. A good read. It shows the plus side of working together despite differences.
April 21, 2019
This series is a blast to read - they aren't plausible but are very fast.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews