Octagon

by Fred Saberhagen

Players scattered across the continent are engaged in a game. Each player has certain attributes, including skill, strength, courage, cunning, and daring. Each has his kingdom. Each can ally with or attack any of the others . . . But one player seems to have confused the reality of the game with the reality of the world: a player with the attributes of machinelike precision and mechanical ruthlessness. His name is Octagon, and he's out for blood. Even though he doesn't have any.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Fred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.

Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.

From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.

Reviews

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very outdated book about Star Web. A game that the players mail (old time snail-mail) in their moves and then they are fed into a computer to see what happens. The only thing is that in one of these games people are turning up dead. A player by the name of Octagon seems to be at the center of it all.

This is more of a who dunnit than a sci-fi novel. A bit long winded at times too. It does have it's good points too. I was looking for a bit more mayhem by Octagon. It's pretty sedate. The ending was a bit of a twist.

[Kaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the biggest shockers of the year. I’m pretty sure almost nobody has read this book based off of how little reviews it has but this is excellent. A fully formed and mostly correct look into the future of AI written in the 80s. Saberhagen nailed it from self driving cars to cooperative games to machines who could be controlled remotely. Not to mention, excellent characters, a fun and snappy plot, and real suspense and mystery. I had a blast with this and would recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was an excellent book which kept me interested throughout. My only complaint (and it’s kind of a big one) is that the ending feels rather condensed. For the rest of the book, Saberhagen spends time explaining and illustrating very well, so I was disappointed when I got to the end and it was maybe 30 pages of action followed by very little resolution.

[Bill Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a game called Starweb much like the one described in the book - but without the homicidal aspects. The story picks up on some of the concerns about the explosive development of computers around at the time. A bit dated, but a good read!

[Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one. Wasn't as sexist as the others and really suspenseful towards the end.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 3.5 star really. Starts slow, middle is better, everything ties together suddenly and the ending is abrupt.

[Foxtower · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the world of Octagon may be a bit dated for readers who never used a Radio Shack TRS-80 to check their calculus homework, Saberhagan has written not only a great story that compels the reader on, but also he has acurately predicted the future. The basic premise is an emerging artificial intelligence networking with the real world to win a game. Beware the computer who measures the real world by what real people do and finds murdering opponents is the only sure way to win the game!

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time but this was a cool story about a rogue AI. Not sure how well it has aged.

[Станислав Атанасов · Rating 3 out of 5]

Мнах ... можеше и повече. Като цяло няма да се превърне в една от любимите ми книги.