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Mission Earth #7
Път към възмездието
УБИЙСТВЕНА САТИРА, ПЪЛНА С ИНТРИГИ, ПРЕДАТЕЛСТВА И СМЪРТ
„Път към възмездието“ продължава по следите на злонамерения извънземен Солтан Грис, който неспирно се стреми да ликвидира офицера от Имперския флот Джетеро Хелър, натоварен с мисия да спаси Земята от самоунищожение. След жалкия си провал да възпре усилията на Хелър, Грис бяга с яхта през Средиземно море, за да организира отново силите си. Но с внезапната поява на борда на невръстна нимфоманка и налудничав гений във връзките с обществеността, пътуването бързо се превръща в кошмар, породил у Грис една-единствена мания — да убие Хелър, да убие любимата му и всяко друго човешко същество на Земята. Има и нещо по страшно — на Земята действат няколко подривни организации, които с радост се заемат да помогнат…
Тази майсторски написана сатира ще ви държи на ръба на стола… докато Земята бавно се върти към неизбежната си участ.
Седми том от най-голямата научнофантастична декалогия, писана някога!
„Път към възмездието“ продължава по следите на злонамерения извънземен Солтан Грис, който неспирно се стреми да ликвидира офицера от Имперския флот Джетеро Хелър, натоварен с мисия да спаси Земята от самоунищожение. След жалкия си провал да възпре усилията на Хелър, Грис бяга с яхта през Средиземно море, за да организира отново силите си. Но с внезапната поява на борда на невръстна нимфоманка и налудничав гений във връзките с обществеността, пътуването бързо се превръща в кошмар, породил у Грис една-единствена мания — да убие Хелър, да убие любимата му и всяко друго човешко същество на Земята. Има и нещо по страшно — на Земята действат няколко подривни организации, които с радост се заемат да помогнат…
Тази майсторски написана сатира ще ви държи на ръба на стола… докато Земята бавно се върти към неизбежната си участ.
Седми том от най-голямата научнофантастична декалогия, писана някога!
468 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
28 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
L. Ron Hubbard
2,013 books659 followersL. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 10, 2020
If you're still reading this, you must be on a quest (as I am). I'm going to finish this series if it kills me. As much as it pains me to say so, Book 6 is required reading if you're going to read Book 7. This book is actually between "it was okay" and "liked it," so I'll be generous and give it a 3-star rating.
Sometimes I wonder if I would've had the same reaction to this series if I had read it 35 years ago. Society was much different then and I suppose I was too. There's a lot of homophobia and bad racial stereotypes in the series, and in this series, it appears pedophilia is okay. Even looking past all that, there are many plot holes in the story (too many to mention).
I'll be honest, I skipped the Voltarian Censor's Disclaimer, Voltarian Translator's Preface, and Soltan Gris' prison confession (first section of Part 52). I already know all that stuff and it's getting stale. I should have skipped Parts 56 to 58, chap 4. These just discuss Soltan Gris at sea with the 15 year old Teeny Whopper. She gets him high every night and he doesn't remember a thing. Also, a black-jowled man seems to show up at nearly every port. At the end of each chapter, is a mention of approaching doom that never solidifies in the next chapter.
In Part 58 Chap 5, we learn the motivations of the black-jowled man and understand the approaching doom Gris felt (over and over again). Soon after, we either hear the truth or another lie from Teenie Whopper that explains her exploits during their "cruise." If she's telling the truth (which would be a first), then I feel bad for her. But after the pathological lying she's committed, she deserves what she gets (as long as it's bad).
If you read the synopsis, you saw that Countess Krak becomes the victim of a spectacular kidnapping and Jettero Heller, convinced the Countess is dead, becomes overcome by grief. Well, that's a bit misleading; for that is the end of the book. The biggest problem I have at the very end of the book is that we're supposed to believe Heller and Krak are dead. We know this is not true because we read they escaped way back in Book 1.
Despite its many flaws, this book is not as bad as the last 3-4 books.
Sometimes I wonder if I would've had the same reaction to this series if I had read it 35 years ago. Society was much different then and I suppose I was too. There's a lot of homophobia and bad racial stereotypes in the series, and in this series, it appears pedophilia is okay. Even looking past all that, there are many plot holes in the story (too many to mention).
I'll be honest, I skipped the Voltarian Censor's Disclaimer, Voltarian Translator's Preface, and Soltan Gris' prison confession (first section of Part 52). I already know all that stuff and it's getting stale. I should have skipped Parts 56 to 58, chap 4. These just discuss Soltan Gris at sea with the 15 year old Teeny Whopper. She gets him high every night and he doesn't remember a thing. Also, a black-jowled man seems to show up at nearly every port. At the end of each chapter, is a mention of approaching doom that never solidifies in the next chapter.
In Part 58 Chap 5, we learn the motivations of the black-jowled man and understand the approaching doom Gris felt (over and over again). Soon after, we either hear the truth or another lie from Teenie Whopper that explains her exploits during their "cruise." If she's telling the truth (which would be a first), then I feel bad for her. But after the pathological lying she's committed, she deserves what she gets (as long as it's bad).
If you read the synopsis, you saw that Countess Krak becomes the victim of a spectacular kidnapping and Jettero Heller, convinced the Countess is dead, becomes overcome by grief. Well, that's a bit misleading; for that is the end of the book. The biggest problem I have at the very end of the book is that we're supposed to believe Heller and Krak are dead. We know this is not true because we read they escaped way back in Book 1.
Despite its many flaws, this book is not as bad as the last 3-4 books.
April 7, 2009
There is so much that bothers me about this series, but I just want to see how it ends.
October 16, 2020
This seventh volume in the Mission Earth series keeps up the high-speed and shenanigans of the Voltarians and humans tied up in this diabolical adventure. At this point in the story a very real view – albeit satirical – of the media/press and the damage caused by it through false reporting, lies and propaganda is weaved into the story, reflecting quite realistically what is happening currently.
Our heroes and anti-heroes continue in their battle and conflicts and the story continues to be told through the eyes of the perverse and quite frankly hilariously criminal Soltan Gris, Voltarian CIA agent (Coordinated Information Apparatus).
Our heroes and anti-heroes continue in their battle and conflicts and the story continues to be told through the eyes of the perverse and quite frankly hilariously criminal Soltan Gris, Voltarian CIA agent (Coordinated Information Apparatus).
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!
November 12, 2020
Interesting to see how, although we already have some insane characters like Soltan Gris (since volume 1) and Madison (he comes later, but he is pretty nuts as well), we now have Teenie, and didn't expect, so far, to have such a teenager in a series in the 80s. An Earthling with a pony tail and all. Gris, Madison and Teenie, a trio of full blown insanity, but each in his / her own kind.
Fortunately, Heller, Krak and many of their friends are refreshing!
Fortunately, Heller, Krak and many of their friends are refreshing!
October 29, 2020
With Countess Krak kidnapped, Jet believing she is dead and Soltan Gris falling under the clever, insidious influence (and drugs) of Teenie Whopper both the plot to save Earth and the plot to control Earth and its narcotics fall into chaos. Not much gets resolved but the story is rocketing toward the 3rd act and laughter ensues. :-)
April 18, 2019
I’m not going to bother writing a review. Just look at the one for book six. It’s no different. This series could have been one book instead of ten.
August 28, 2022
Series was fun to read. Nothing all that serious, but fun nonetheless.
April 6, 2023
:/ Time for another break … I’ll finish the series one of these decades.
July 10, 2015
Another pointless book in the dekalology
2 April 2012
Well, here we are at book seven of this rather dull, drawn out, and painful science-fiction series. Sometimes I wonder if I could even call it science-fiction because I really did not enjoy it. Okay, one does not define science-fiction by whether the reader enjoys it or not, instead it should be whether it can be considered good science-fiction or bad science-fiction, and this definitely falls into the medium of bad science-fiction.
The frustrating thing about these books is not only did I read them quite a while ago, but there are ten of them (and I read eight) and by this time I really cannot remember what exactly was going on. I do know that the marketing guru had somehow managed to get off of Earth and into the Voltar Confederacy where he began to work his wicked schemes. Fortunately I don't have to go back to these books to see how they end, and in a way I don't actually see them on the shelves anymore.
It was back in the very late 80s that I read these books, and pretty much every bookshop had the entire dekalology on the shelves. I sometimes wonder if anybody actually bought and read them. I borrowed them, but returned them to the library before I had finished the entire set. I think it was because we had decided to move to Sydney and I did not want to lug these books with me. Still, I can't remember back in those days whether I was reading extensively or not. I know I had a whole pile of books in a box that were marked as too read, however when I went to Sydney, my friends concluded that I was never going to return so they decided to loot my possessions. Fortunately I had hidden many of my more prized possessions elsewhere.
These were my more wilder days, and when I was living with a rather wild hearted person it generally meant that I did not get huge amounts of time to read. He was always wanting to go out and have fun, and when we weren't out, we were hanging around the flat talking and doing nothing in particular. I really should have gone off with my other friend, but we were all young and adventurous, much like many others my age. The only catch was that I got caught. Sometimes it is rather trite when one of my peers says 'I know what it was to live a wild life' and I generally look at them, raise an eyebrow, and say 'the only difference is that you didn't get caught'. In a way getting caught was both a good and a bad thing. As a bad thing it meant that it has stuck with me for the rest of my life, however it also forced me to reevaluate my life and to move in a more honest and law abiding direction.
Personally I should have done a lot more to get a job back then, but I can be a very easily discouraged person, and too many nos ended up with me giving up. However one should always look at why people are sending you their nos, and see if there is a way to alter your position so that you get less nos. Sometimes one simply needs to be persistent, other times one needs to be less discriminating. If you only apply for jobs that you have no way of getting, then you are simply not going to get a job. However it can be a very tough marketplace, and the competition can be fierce, so you also have to do something to stand out from the crowd. In many cases though, it comes down to three things: your application, your interview, and your references.
However, I think I will leave it at that. I have wondered a bit too far, but it will be interesting to see what I will write about when I get to book eight. Okay I've been saying all along that I only read seven, but I could have actually read eight. One thing I do know is that I definitely did not read books nine or ten.
2 April 2012
Well, here we are at book seven of this rather dull, drawn out, and painful science-fiction series. Sometimes I wonder if I could even call it science-fiction because I really did not enjoy it. Okay, one does not define science-fiction by whether the reader enjoys it or not, instead it should be whether it can be considered good science-fiction or bad science-fiction, and this definitely falls into the medium of bad science-fiction.
The frustrating thing about these books is not only did I read them quite a while ago, but there are ten of them (and I read eight) and by this time I really cannot remember what exactly was going on. I do know that the marketing guru had somehow managed to get off of Earth and into the Voltar Confederacy where he began to work his wicked schemes. Fortunately I don't have to go back to these books to see how they end, and in a way I don't actually see them on the shelves anymore.
It was back in the very late 80s that I read these books, and pretty much every bookshop had the entire dekalology on the shelves. I sometimes wonder if anybody actually bought and read them. I borrowed them, but returned them to the library before I had finished the entire set. I think it was because we had decided to move to Sydney and I did not want to lug these books with me. Still, I can't remember back in those days whether I was reading extensively or not. I know I had a whole pile of books in a box that were marked as too read, however when I went to Sydney, my friends concluded that I was never going to return so they decided to loot my possessions. Fortunately I had hidden many of my more prized possessions elsewhere.
These were my more wilder days, and when I was living with a rather wild hearted person it generally meant that I did not get huge amounts of time to read. He was always wanting to go out and have fun, and when we weren't out, we were hanging around the flat talking and doing nothing in particular. I really should have gone off with my other friend, but we were all young and adventurous, much like many others my age. The only catch was that I got caught. Sometimes it is rather trite when one of my peers says 'I know what it was to live a wild life' and I generally look at them, raise an eyebrow, and say 'the only difference is that you didn't get caught'. In a way getting caught was both a good and a bad thing. As a bad thing it meant that it has stuck with me for the rest of my life, however it also forced me to reevaluate my life and to move in a more honest and law abiding direction.
Personally I should have done a lot more to get a job back then, but I can be a very easily discouraged person, and too many nos ended up with me giving up. However one should always look at why people are sending you their nos, and see if there is a way to alter your position so that you get less nos. Sometimes one simply needs to be persistent, other times one needs to be less discriminating. If you only apply for jobs that you have no way of getting, then you are simply not going to get a job. However it can be a very tough marketplace, and the competition can be fierce, so you also have to do something to stand out from the crowd. In many cases though, it comes down to three things: your application, your interview, and your references.
However, I think I will leave it at that. I have wondered a bit too far, but it will be interesting to see what I will write about when I get to book eight. Okay I've been saying all along that I only read seven, but I could have actually read eight. One thing I do know is that I definitely did not read books nine or ten.
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.
October 17, 2020
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!
December 3, 2015
I read this series several years ago with a friend. It was a daunting task at 10 books but we were determined. It's not the usual sort of series I read but I had heard a lot about it and had some highschool friends who loved it.
It's tough to review just one book in the series because the full story is told in all 10 books. You have to read all 10 to find out what happens.
Certainly some of the books were better than others, more exciting and adventurous, but its rare that a 10 book series doesn't have some boringness at some point in all those thousands of pages!
I liked the story and I liked how the books put in perspective some of the craziness you find on Planet Earth with the CIA, drugs, the media, etc.
Overall, I found it a fun romp through our planet from the eyes of an outsider....Mr. Jettero Heller. I think it's a great read!
It's tough to review just one book in the series because the full story is told in all 10 books. You have to read all 10 to find out what happens.
Certainly some of the books were better than others, more exciting and adventurous, but its rare that a 10 book series doesn't have some boringness at some point in all those thousands of pages!
I liked the story and I liked how the books put in perspective some of the craziness you find on Planet Earth with the CIA, drugs, the media, etc.
Overall, I found it a fun romp through our planet from the eyes of an outsider....Mr. Jettero Heller. I think it's a great read!
February 10, 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
February 21, 2015
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 could 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 could call it a "dekalogy".
May 5, 2014
Still a fun read
I have been working on this series since christmas of this year and although at times I have had to take a break and read something else (which is the best way I find to read a long series such as this) but all that said I still find the plot interesting and the characters relatable good series great satire I can't wait to see how it all tires together
I have been working on this series since christmas of this year and although at times I have had to take a break and read something else (which is the best way I find to read a long series such as this) but all that said I still find the plot interesting and the characters relatable good series great satire I can't wait to see how it all tires together
July 7, 2008
Awful...only read cause I had read the previous 6....
January 17, 2016
Mission Earth
July 19, 2009
Great Series of Science Fiction novels.
December 27, 2014
The best thing about this book is that the narrator-character is removed and we get a new one. A marginally better one. These books are really terrible.
December 21, 2014
Good and bad. Can't put it down. =/ Keep pile.
Read
February 14, 2008Great series very funny
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews