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Mission Earth #9
Villainy Victorious
An invading army from the planet Voltar assaults the Earth and wages a war of domination, attempting to seize control of the planet
465 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
About the author
L. Ron Hubbard
2,038 books693 followersWith 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most enduring and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard. Then too, of course, there is all L. Ron Hubbard represents as the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology and thus the only major religion born in the 20th century.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 4, 2015
The Mission Earth series is a big, bloated, fun and funny dekalogy* of pulp and satire and non-stop action. It's not a serious work, nor was it intended to be; I believe Hubbard wrote it simply out of fondness for the field, the way it was when he was beginning his career. He surely didn't need the money. It lampoons everything from economics to law enforcement to crime to space opera to science and all stops in between. It's not a particularly well-written work of literature, but is engaging and interesting and, despite the length, fairly fast-paced throughout. It was de rigueur in the publications of the field when it first appeared to vilify it entirely, I suspect both because of who Hubbard was and the old-fashioned themes and tropes of the work... not to mention the ubiquitous advertising campaign that surrounded the publication with the ever-present asterisk definition that I just couldn't resist reproducing here. However, I decided to see what all the fuss had been about and gave it a shot, thought it was fun, and read the whole thing straight through one summer. It was fun; I liked it.
*A series of ten books.
*A series of ten books.
March 24, 2019
Wow! I read it 4 times now. Just amazing. It has everything. Aliens, the CIA, FBO, Rockefeller, the Illuminati, Mafia, Nazis, KGB, finances, the stock market, Wal street, PR, press, fake news, media, Homosexuality, sex, politics, intergalactic warfare -- earth in its fullest picture. YOU NAME IT. It is there!
The hero is awesome, and his girl is a bombshell (but you better do not mess with her).
It is all there - everything you would ever want from such an Epic! A 1.1 million words series -- 996 characters in 10 volumes! Wow! Fantastic! I lost a lot of sleep! It is that good!
The hero is awesome, and his girl is a bombshell (but you better do not mess with her).
It is all there - everything you would ever want from such an Epic! A 1.1 million words series -- 996 characters in 10 volumes! Wow! Fantastic! I lost a lot of sleep! It is that good!
October 26, 2026
This is book 9 (yes, NINE!) in Mission Earth series. It feels like this year, the whole year, is marked as The Year of Mission Earth for me, as I decided I should read the whole series. And here I am, so close to the end. Both year and the book series. Book nine, done! It still blows my mind how LRH managed to write so much and in so short time (i recently came across his handwritten note with dates and word count, turns out he wrote the whole series in super short time). And it still blows my mind how one person could write books that feel like print version of Simpsons, kind of hilarious on the surface, but then somehow strangely prophetic. Kind of not serious at all, but kind of very serious if you look beneath the surface level. This BOOK NINE is like all-flavor beans of sorts. It has EVERYTHING in it. So much happens.
It is as satirical as high-energy science fiction, as the previous eight book in the series, it is all about power, propaganda, and political manipulation. It’s perfect for fans of satirical science fiction who like exaggerated characters, absurd situations, and humor aimed at institutions or political behavior.
If you love reading absurd takes on propaganda and media influence (especially stories about how publicity, staged events, and selective information can shape what the public believes), this whole series is for you, and this one will be extra sweet. There are all the sprawling space-opera plots involving empires, military forces, political intrigue, and high-stakes conflicts across planets too. There are those larger-than-life schemers and villains. There is a wild mix of comedy and danger, along with some crude humor, and deliberately outrageous depictions of social and political life. There are big, theatrical stakes, dramatic twists and larger-than-life conflicts. It’s a blend of comedy and menace.
Who controls the story? How easily can public opinion be engineered? What happens when a publicity expert gains access to political power?
It is as satirical as high-energy science fiction, as the previous eight book in the series, it is all about power, propaganda, and political manipulation. It’s perfect for fans of satirical science fiction who like exaggerated characters, absurd situations, and humor aimed at institutions or political behavior.
If you love reading absurd takes on propaganda and media influence (especially stories about how publicity, staged events, and selective information can shape what the public believes), this whole series is for you, and this one will be extra sweet. There are all the sprawling space-opera plots involving empires, military forces, political intrigue, and high-stakes conflicts across planets too. There are those larger-than-life schemers and villains. There is a wild mix of comedy and danger, along with some crude humor, and deliberately outrageous depictions of social and political life. There are big, theatrical stakes, dramatic twists and larger-than-life conflicts. It’s a blend of comedy and menace.
Who controls the story? How easily can public opinion be engineered? What happens when a publicity expert gains access to political power?
July 10, 2026
Nine books. If someone had told me when I picked up the first Mission Earth book that I'd still be completely invested nearly ten volumes later, I probably wouldn't have believed them. Yet here I am, one book away from the grand finale, still amazed by the sheer imagination behind this extraordinary science fiction saga.
Reaching Villainy Victorious genuinely feels like crossing an important milestone. This volume makes it clear that the series has been building towards something spectacular all along.
This time, the chaos shifts to Voltar itself. The strange, unpredictable ideas that once turned Earth upside down are now unleashed upon the Voltarian Confederacy, creating absolute mayhem. Lombar Hisst pushes his ruthless plans for total control. Jettero Heller races back to confront his greatest challenge yet. With his sister's life hanging in the balance and enemies closing in from every direction. Alliances are tested, conspiracies grow even darker and the countdown to the final confrontation begins.
The book's fearless creativity is it's greatest strength. The amalgamation of space opera, political satire, outrageous humour and nonstop adventure is just mind-blowing. And I simply cannot talk about these books without mentioning their stunning cover art once again. Every volume looks like a classic science fiction collector's piece, and seeing the collection grow on my bookshelf has been almost as satisfying as reading it. The book is ambitious, thrilling, wonderfully unpredictable and impossible to put down.
With just one book remaining, I already know finishing Mission Earth is going to be bittersweet. Few series have kept me this consistently entertained across so many volumes while continuing to surprise me at every turn. And it makes me feel victorious, committing and successfully finishing up a huge science fiction series. Now all that's left is the finale... and I honestly can't wait to see how this unforgettable adventure comes to an end.
Reaching Villainy Victorious genuinely feels like crossing an important milestone. This volume makes it clear that the series has been building towards something spectacular all along.
This time, the chaos shifts to Voltar itself. The strange, unpredictable ideas that once turned Earth upside down are now unleashed upon the Voltarian Confederacy, creating absolute mayhem. Lombar Hisst pushes his ruthless plans for total control. Jettero Heller races back to confront his greatest challenge yet. With his sister's life hanging in the balance and enemies closing in from every direction. Alliances are tested, conspiracies grow even darker and the countdown to the final confrontation begins.
The book's fearless creativity is it's greatest strength. The amalgamation of space opera, political satire, outrageous humour and nonstop adventure is just mind-blowing. And I simply cannot talk about these books without mentioning their stunning cover art once again. Every volume looks like a classic science fiction collector's piece, and seeing the collection grow on my bookshelf has been almost as satisfying as reading it. The book is ambitious, thrilling, wonderfully unpredictable and impossible to put down.
With just one book remaining, I already know finishing Mission Earth is going to be bittersweet. Few series have kept me this consistently entertained across so many volumes while continuing to surprise me at every turn. And it makes me feel victorious, committing and successfully finishing up a huge science fiction series. Now all that's left is the finale... and I honestly can't wait to see how this unforgettable adventure comes to an end.
January 16, 2012
Remember when you were in high school and were assigned a thousand word essay, but you only would up with about 800 so you threw in a bunch of extra adjectives to pad it? Hubbard did that with this series, only he threw in a couple of extra volumes. You could have skipped this novel and not lost the train of the plot, such as it is.
March 29, 2012
Take all ten of these books and boil 'em down all night... no, leave it on the burner for a whole week. Reduce it too a thick dense sticky sauce. And still, this will have very little flavour.
There was the seed of a decent parody in there within the first two books then the joke was over. The joke became, "...let's make it ten books, just so we can call it a "dekalogy".
There was the seed of a decent parody in there within the first two books then the joke was over. The joke became, "...let's make it ten books, just so we can call it a "dekalogy".
July 7, 2008
AWEful
Read
January 28, 2009Mission Earth
February 11, 2009
It is just amazing to me how stupid the villians are in this storey. I really can't wait to be finished with this series.
December 27, 2014
This one was just as terrible as all the rest of these. Yuck. Only one more to go! I wonder if I get some kind of award for being dumb enough and bullheaded enough to read all 10 of these.
July 20, 2026
✨BOOK REVIEW - MISSION EARTH VOL.9 VILLAINY VICTORIOUS ✨
As the penultimate book in the series, Villainy Victorious raises the stakes and positions every major character for an explosive finale. Instead of just moving the story forward, this volume transforms the battlefield, turning Earth's worst habits into dangerous weapons that threaten the very foundations of Voltar. The result is a fast-paced mix of political intrigue, satire, suspense, and science fiction that keeps the tension high from start to finish.
✨
One of the novel's strongest features is its sharp social commentary. Hubbard showcases Earth's harmful institutions not as strengths but as risky exports that can destabilize a thriving civilization. Through Madison's character, he critiques sensationalist public relations and media manipulation, demonstrating how misinformation, manufactured outrage, and unethical influence can quickly corrupt society. The parallels feel strikingly relevant, making the satire one of the book's most memorable parts. Watching an advanced civilization gradually fall apart under these imported vices creates a fascinating contrast and reinforces the novel's central idea: corruption often spreads faster than virtue.
✨
In the midst of this growing darkness, Jettero Heller stands out as the story's symbol of hope. Forced to evade deadly enemies while hurrying back to Voltar, he bears not only the responsibility of saving his world but also the emotional weight of rescuing his sister, whose capture raises the personal stakes significantly. This blend of large-scale political conflict and personal sacrifice gives the novel emotional depth alongside its action.
✨
The pacing rarely slows, balancing exciting confrontations with strategic plotting and surprising twists. Every chapter builds anticipation for the final showdown, leaving readers with the undeniable feeling that the biggest battle is yet to come. *Villainy Victorious* is successful not only as an entertaining science fiction adventure but also as a thought-provoking satire about power, propaganda, and the destructive impact of unchecked ambition.
As the penultimate book in the series, Villainy Victorious raises the stakes and positions every major character for an explosive finale. Instead of just moving the story forward, this volume transforms the battlefield, turning Earth's worst habits into dangerous weapons that threaten the very foundations of Voltar. The result is a fast-paced mix of political intrigue, satire, suspense, and science fiction that keeps the tension high from start to finish.
✨
One of the novel's strongest features is its sharp social commentary. Hubbard showcases Earth's harmful institutions not as strengths but as risky exports that can destabilize a thriving civilization. Through Madison's character, he critiques sensationalist public relations and media manipulation, demonstrating how misinformation, manufactured outrage, and unethical influence can quickly corrupt society. The parallels feel strikingly relevant, making the satire one of the book's most memorable parts. Watching an advanced civilization gradually fall apart under these imported vices creates a fascinating contrast and reinforces the novel's central idea: corruption often spreads faster than virtue.
✨
In the midst of this growing darkness, Jettero Heller stands out as the story's symbol of hope. Forced to evade deadly enemies while hurrying back to Voltar, he bears not only the responsibility of saving his world but also the emotional weight of rescuing his sister, whose capture raises the personal stakes significantly. This blend of large-scale political conflict and personal sacrifice gives the novel emotional depth alongside its action.
✨
The pacing rarely slows, balancing exciting confrontations with strategic plotting and surprising twists. Every chapter builds anticipation for the final showdown, leaving readers with the undeniable feeling that the biggest battle is yet to come. *Villainy Victorious* is successful not only as an entertaining science fiction adventure but also as a thought-provoking satire about power, propaganda, and the destructive impact of unchecked ambition.
January 21, 2020
The book starts with the cliffhanger from the previous book. Heller, Izzy, and Twoey trapped in Delbert Rockecenter's web of dishonor. The resolution is surprising while still plausible.
If you thought Voltar was in trouble before, imagine J. Walter "Madman" Madison and Teenie Whopper running loose. They'll be lucky to salvage one of the 110 planets in the Confederacy with those two running amuck.
The biggest flaw in this book was everything associated with Teeny. It was ridiculous, implausible, and an insult to anyone's intelligence. If it weren't for Teeny, this book would be a 4-star, but there is so much content devoted to her, the entire book suffers as a result. It's so bad, it drops my rating down to 2 stars. My advice, if you're intent on reading this book, is to skip everything associated with Teeny Whopper.
In previous books, the Countess Krak morphed between dumb blonde to cunning ally, and vice versa. In this book, it's Jettero Heller's turn. Even though I don't much care for Hubbard's version of Superman, I found it disappointing at times. I had higher hopes after the last book, but I should have known better. Despite all the bad moments, there were a few good ones; it's the only reason I didn't rate this book at the bottom.
I don't know if the last book in the series, The Doomed Planet, can make this series worthwhile, but I'll read it and let you know.
If you thought Voltar was in trouble before, imagine J. Walter "Madman" Madison and Teenie Whopper running loose. They'll be lucky to salvage one of the 110 planets in the Confederacy with those two running amuck.
The biggest flaw in this book was everything associated with Teeny. It was ridiculous, implausible, and an insult to anyone's intelligence. If it weren't for Teeny, this book would be a 4-star, but there is so much content devoted to her, the entire book suffers as a result. It's so bad, it drops my rating down to 2 stars. My advice, if you're intent on reading this book, is to skip everything associated with Teeny Whopper.
In previous books, the Countess Krak morphed between dumb blonde to cunning ally, and vice versa. In this book, it's Jettero Heller's turn. Even though I don't much care for Hubbard's version of Superman, I found it disappointing at times. I had higher hopes after the last book, but I should have known better. Despite all the bad moments, there were a few good ones; it's the only reason I didn't rate this book at the bottom.
I don't know if the last book in the series, The Doomed Planet, can make this series worthwhile, but I'll read it and let you know.
September 28, 2026
At last, a book in this series I can say I thought was sub-par. Too much about Teenie. I just hate that character. I like Madison, but as a side character. I don't think he deserved to get moved to main-character status. The book suffers because a decent side character becomes the main, and a shitty side character takes up more space (Teenie - that one is just the most annoying character I've ever read in any book ever). Otherwise, it was okay. It serves the purpose of getting to the end of the big story, unlike a lot of the middle books - even though I liked those more. I want to hear about Gris, Heller, and Hisst, and their stories are just sprinkled in, with Hisst's arc taking up more story towards the end. Took me longer to read this one than the others because I just did not care about what was happening.
October 29, 2020
This is what I found fascinating in this volume: Hubbard drops two avatars of Earth's insanities on Voltar and let's them loose. We see how the introduction of a single unscrupulous PR (Madison) totally corrupts the media and causes massive social unrest. If the satire wasn't sufficiently on-point before, this volume lays out a textbook example of our media culture and how it has become of the mess that it is. Really, it should be required reading. Meanwhile Teenie is doing a pretty good job of introducing Voltar society to drugs and few other unsavory practices.
April 21, 2019
Hubbard is the worst at pacing. He tries to keep things rolling from surprise to surprise, but it’s just so plainly stretching out what he only had a single book of material for. It’s like a bad soap opera, and nowhere near as interesting. So glad to be almost done.
October 16, 2020
This is the penultimate book in the series. I have read this series twice, once on Kindle and once on paperback. It is so fun, so fast-paced, and written in a very digestible style, that you can blast through the roller-coaster ride and adventure. A perfect introduction to sci-fi.
July 28, 2026
Phenomenal!
I can't stop reading. There's so much suspense and you can see what really could happen to you if you are unprepared. This is not just fiction or fantasy. Its something every earth man should read and be aware of!
I can't stop reading. There's so much suspense and you can see what really could happen to you if you are unprepared. This is not just fiction or fantasy. Its something every earth man should read and be aware of!
March 16, 2021
Terrible and fun at the same time.
August 28, 2022
Series was fun to read. Nothing all that serious, but fun nonetheless.
November 21, 2022
Love this entire series! I'm on my third read!
August 14, 2023
Page turner
The book flew by, full of action, twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. I’m reading the next book right away.
The book flew by, full of action, twists and turns I wasn’t expecting. I’m reading the next book right away.
July 6, 2016
Our savior comes from Voltar
Split in ten volumes for editorial (and practical) reasons, the Mission Earth series can be seen as a continuous narrative whose chapters are identified by the different books. This “space operatish” saga (not a lot of space travels, but alien technological gizmos are everywhere!) will follow the comically clumsy actions of corrupted Voltarian agent Soltan Gris as he narrates his attempts to sabotage and destroy the brave Jettero Heller, another native from planet Voltar, bent on “cleaning” the polluted planet Earth to meet voltarian colonial standards. The extremely grotesque way used to paint earthlings' corruption and other... “faults”, however, becomes rapidly a double-edged weapon for reader’s appreciation and may cause some annoyance if the comments read are not thought coming from the corrupted alien venting in his journal, but from the author himself trying to slip his personal (Scientology's) propaganda into the narrative. The suggestion here is to forget the author and have a long light-hearted read, laughing at alien stupidity and their lack in understanding human complexity!
Split in ten volumes for editorial (and practical) reasons, the Mission Earth series can be seen as a continuous narrative whose chapters are identified by the different books. This “space operatish” saga (not a lot of space travels, but alien technological gizmos are everywhere!) will follow the comically clumsy actions of corrupted Voltarian agent Soltan Gris as he narrates his attempts to sabotage and destroy the brave Jettero Heller, another native from planet Voltar, bent on “cleaning” the polluted planet Earth to meet voltarian colonial standards. The extremely grotesque way used to paint earthlings' corruption and other... “faults”, however, becomes rapidly a double-edged weapon for reader’s appreciation and may cause some annoyance if the comments read are not thought coming from the corrupted alien venting in his journal, but from the author himself trying to slip his personal (Scientology's) propaganda into the narrative. The suggestion here is to forget the author and have a long light-hearted read, laughing at alien stupidity and their lack in understanding human complexity!
January 16, 2016
While not as totally horrible as the Battlefield Earth book these aren't that great. There are some good plots themes and a sorta pulpish feel to the characters, but overall it seems to fall short of what it could be. The story seems to ramble and could have been cut by 1/3 and still got the point across. The random sex and sadistic events just seem to be placed in there not for storyline but for shock value. Not recommended
December 30, 2015
I will continue to the end of the series but I'm beginning to wonder why, the cliche's are wearing very thin. Not sure there are many more stereotypes left to be called into the plot.
Still only one left to go.
Still only one left to go.
Read
February 14, 2008Great series very funny
July 19, 2009
Great Series of Science Fiction novels.
June 8, 2020
Ho letto tutti i dieci libri
Complessivamente una fantastica opera
Fa aprire gli occhi
Complessivamente una fantastica opera
Fa aprire gli occhi
August 17, 2017
Solid good fun. I am repulsed and thrilled by this series. One left to go!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews