Matadora

Matador #2

by Steve Perry

On some worlds, the name of Khadaji is a prayer for resistance fighters...

Khadaji... master warrior, martyr, legend. The one-man resistance to the Confed on Greaves. Known as "The Man Who Never Missed," he only let himself be taken when he'd done what he'd set out to do. With his death, Khadaji became the inspiration and idol of students of martial arts everywhere.

Matador Villa... the training center for the best fighters in the galaxy, disciples of the great Khadaji. A rigorous program of political tactics and psychological warfare, physical discipline and martial force. A mysterious school on the planet Renault... its ultimate motives unknown.

Dirisha Zuri... a dangerous drifter, a dark-skinned beauty, Khadaji's colleague. A ronin, whose expertise in body control and knowledge of the fighting arts drew the attention of Matador Villa. The school wanted her talents... and the galaxy desperately needed her deadly skills.

Matadora
The legend of The Man Who Never Missed becomes the incredible mission of a single woman... The Matadora.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Martial Arts

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1986

About the author

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Steven Carl Perry has written over fifty novels and numerous short stories, which have appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Perry is perhaps best known for the Matador series. He has written books in the Star Wars, Alien and Conan universes. He was a collaborator on all of the Tom Clancy's Net Force series, seven of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. Two of his novelizations, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Men in Black have also been bestsellers. Other writing credits include articles, reviews, and essays, animated teleplays, and some unproduced movie scripts. One of his scripts for Batman: The Animated Series was an Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Writing.

Perry is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Animation Guild, and the Writers Guild of America, West

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 to 5.0 stars. This is the second book in the "Matadora" series after the excellent The Man Who Never Missed. Like the first book, this is a "quick read" that packs a ton of action, great characters and the beginnings of a "broader plot" that should make the next books in the series a must read. Highly Recommended!!

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read 2 of these now and I must say that the books are based on a good idea. They are well written and "mostly" draw me in. The problem here (that brings the rating down to 3) is pretty much the same one that I had with the first in the series The Man Who Never Missed). The novel starts out well, gives us a good protagonist and spins right into an action packed opening with some plot building. From there we move into an interesting plot device (he said being careful not to give an untagged spoiler)... BUT, almost halfway in or less we hit another, slow down. The author in the first book led us into the "how our hero became our hero" story line and then incorporated the "heart breaking romance" plot-line. For me this bogged the story down badly, but it was over relatively quickly...in that book. When I say it was over relatively quickly I mean in comparison to this book.

I will pause here to note that some of you may very well like the part of this book that I rate low much more than I. I'm not in general a fan of romance or love stories that overwhelm other parts of the story. The second "more than half" of this one is very much filled with this type of a story. To a certain extent the chapters tend to alternate for a while, one concerning the love story the next concentrating more on the "main" plot line...though later the two become very "intertwined" again.

So, I like the book, I like the plot and I bought three books at once so I intend to read the next one. The story of a resistance to the aging yet huge and powerful Galactic Confederation is a good one. The characters are good, everything is well done. I just don't care for the all encompassing romance angle. Maybe you will and you'll give it a higher rating...

I just wanted to note for those who care that this is not only a book with a long drawn out romance tale...it's sort of a double romance tale. The first is a kind of "unrequited love story". One party loves the other, but said other party has trouble with...love. Ahh, the pain, the suffering. She cares but she doesn't love, how sad, what pathos... Especially when you figure that she did fall in love with her client later.

I really don't like romance stories. If I did I'd read stories that present themselves as romance, not science fiction action. Oh well. Those of you who've read my other reviews know I'm not a big fan of romance. Some of you will like it better, enjoy.

So as I said 3 stars and overall a good novel. If you like science fiction, a little action, revolution stories....romance. Try it.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 Stars, another tight, well constructed story in the Matador series. This followup to The Man Who Never Missed reintroduces us to Dirisha, a female "bouncer" from the first book. Dirisha's rise from a dirt-poor planet off the beaten track to the top of the Matador ranks is told. She, like other "Matadors", becomes a bodyguard for key individuals in the anti-Confed ranks. Perry's book is just over 200 pages and he doesn't waste your time or words. This book, for its' time, was risque in science fiction ranks. Dirisha has a lot of sex, much of it of the same sex and then threesomes for some variety. It is pertinent to the storyline but Perry was clearly pushing boundaries then that are less provocative today. Dirisha...she tough!

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long before Buffy and Anita Blake, there existed Dirisha Zuri--one of the toughest martial arts fighters in the Confed. Unfortunately this book is out of print, but it's worth finding.

Dirisha was also one of the few black heroines in a sadly lily-white science-fiction/fantasy universe, which makes no sense if earth has colonized the stars. One would think people of color would be a part of that exploration, right? Being a young geek girl of color, it was a little tough to seldom see characters who didn't look like me featured in this genre. The only other author(s) I knew who often featured characters of color were Octavia Butler and Samuel Delany.

I actually picked up Matadora because of the cover (the character of Dirisha reminded me of Grace Jones) and fell in love with the action-packed world author Steve (I'm Not The Singer) Perry crafted. His fictional science-fiction worlds actually featured people of color in prominent roles and not as sidekicks.

Dirisha Zuri grew up on the streets of a backwater planet, but through sheer will and strength escaped to become a deadly "player" of the Musashi Flex--a combat game of skill where to lose often meant serious injury or death. After one fight too many, Dirisha begins to re-examine her life, and that's when a friend from her past offers her a better way to utilize her talents--as a Matador.

The Matadors are more than just elite bodyguards as she starts to discover once a student of their training school. They are catalysts for change, as they are set to guarding those opposing the authoritarian rule of the Galactic Confed, especially its de facto leader--the ruthless kingmaker, Marcus Jefferson Wall. The strength of Perry's writing lies in his characterizations--one doesn't have to read the entire Matador saga in order to get a sense of who the various players are--he fully fleshes them out. Pen, the leader of the Matadors who hides a rather interesting past; Geneva and Red, the father-daughter team whose skills with the nonlethal spetsdods impresses even Dirisha; Mayli Wu, the former prostitute turned lethal assassin who teaches the emotionally distant Dirisha that love is strength, not weakness; the gentle giant Saval Bork whose calm demeanor masks a nearly superhuman power.

Perry obviously knows his martial arts, and while some of the terms might be unfamilar to those who don't have that background, his knowledge doesn't get in the way of the plot. There are some adult themes/situations in Matadora, but the scenes are well-written and not gratuituous. It was actually refreshing to read about female characters who enjoyed being sexual without becoming objectified. BTW, Dirisha might be considered a bisexual character rather than lesbian (you'll have to read the book to find out what I mean).

My copy is dog-eared but well-loved. I hope someday the entire Matador saga will be re-released for a new generation of fans to enjoy.

[Wolfkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun pulpy sci-fi. I had as great a time reading it now as I did when I was in .. maybe middle school? I'm not even sure I'd recommend it for that age group but whatever. Now that I have access to them I can finally read the book that came before and the books that came after.

I like

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Matador series by Steve Perry. In this one, Dirisha Zuri, a one time associate of Emile Khadaji, a.k.a. the Man Who Never Missed, is a martial arts master searching for more in life. She finds a school training the best bodyguards in the galaxy. It is run by Pen, the long ago mentor of Emile Khadji. She soon finds that besides training in martial arts she will also study political tactics and psychological warfare. She will find that the school has a few political goals, mainly to continue Khadaji's plans to end the Confederation's tyrannical rule. This book is a great continuation of this series.

Note: There are several explicit sex scenes in this book.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of book is the training undertaken by Dirisha to become an elite bodyguard and martial artist on a distant planet. Second half is her first assignment - to protect the leader, Carlos, of a rebel alliance which seeks to overthrow the evil Confed organization. There is no action until the last 20 or so pages when an attempt is made to kill Carlos, and Dirisha kills the would-be assassins. There are couple of titillating sex scenes probably aimed at the target audience of this genre - teenage boys.

[Gina Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of the series, this one focuses of Dirisha, a former bouncer at Khadaji's bar on Greaves. After Khadaji was killed, Dirisha traveled around for a while trying to have a fulfilling life, which escaped her until she comes to Matador Villa. There she trains to become a matadora, or one who will protect the powerful who will take over when the Confed finally dies out.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this science fiction series. Sure, it's genre writing, but it's a fun ride. This series has a bit of a throwback feel, back to the days when SF novels didn't need to be epics. I like the characters, the premise, and the writing. Now, on to book 3.

[Hans van der Veeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second volume we get to know Dirisha. Her past, her present and future. The matador villa is one place I would love to be. The story is powerful and compelling and a step up to the next phase of the war against the confed.

[Ryan Dash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Not everything in the world was believable, but the main character was interesting and well-developed, and the action sequences were well written.

[Dantegideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this at all. Trying too hard to be mysterious, it was just annoying.

[Charmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoy the book amd authors ability to not draw storylines out!

[Think-On-It]

If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

All the best,

- TB

[Paps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful continuation of the series, I like how this one took more of an aspect of an futuristic Martial Artist travel, grown and acomlpishment, I am intrigued to know whats the mysteri between Khadji and Pen, how does 'The brothers of the Shroud' are involved in his plan.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐

Totalnie nie czułam tego, że książka została napisana w latach 80. Bawiłam się bardzo fajnie i chętnie poznałabym kontynuację. Początek trochę powolny, ale po połowie się rozkręca i robi się ciekawiej ze strony na stronę. Sądzę, że związki głównej bohaterki w latach premiery robiły większe WOW niż teraz.

Niby to 2 tom serii, ale spokojnie można zacząć od niego czytać.

[Joey Brockert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirisha is a fighter. She used to be a pleasure girl on a backwater type of planet, but she pushed the envelope and became someone special. She is so special that she does not lose the fights she has, some of them to the death. It is a sort of game that those involved play at to challenge themselves to be better.
She has won another fight and contemplates taking a vacation or sabbatical. An old employer suggested she should try stopping at a place he knew of, Simplex-by-the-Sea, and with nothing else pressing, she goes there. It turns out to be a training ground for bodyguards, Matadors, at a certain school outside of town. The training is intense and only for the best fighters. The result of the training are the best bodyguards in the galaxy. The headmaster is a mysterious fellow who can do what he expects of any of the students, but he also seems to be something of a rebel. This school is really a school for revolutionaries, though not of the expected sort. He also has some rather odd plans that seem to be truly psychic, but are more well thought out plans, like Hari Sheldon of the 'Foundation' series by Isaac Asimov.
The bodyguards are hired by various groups who are powerful and influential. The idea is that the government is tottering on the brink of collapse and these bodyguards can be a force for better government in the future, along with protecting the probable leaders of that government.

This book seems to be the middle of three books, related by Dirisha and her adventures.
On another note, the sexual mores of the characters is interesting. They seem to be able to feel comfortable being in love and sexual with who they are with, and not diminish their feelings for who they are not with. Part of that is the security they have of their own persons and the security of their relationships. I kind of figure it is like reading two (2) or three (3) books at the same time: you read one, put it down, pick another and read, put it down, go back to the first and it is as if you never stopped readding.

[Jean-Francois Boivin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like the first book in the series, The Man Who Never Missed, this one I couldn't put down. Well I had to at some point, but then i couldn't wait to get back to it! After Anton Khadaji, the legend, had been taken down by the Confederacy at the end of the first book, this sequel picks up three years later and stars a character who played a minor role before, Dirisha Zuri who was one of Khadaji's bouncers at his chem bar on Greaves. After tiring of hopping planets and looking for new oppotunities to learn new combat arts, she remembered a town Khadaji had mentioned, on Renault. There, she finds that Khadaji had set up a school to train matadors, specialized highly-trained bodyguards, the best of the best, who would only work for anti-Confed politicians and other high placed influencial figures. She also meets all of the other former employees from Khadaji's bar from the previous book.

The school is led by the mysterious, always shrouded Pen. There, Dirisha trains herself and others for almost six years, until the time comes to take on an off-world assignment. She would also find love with her new client, and his wife, and thwarts an assassination attempt on him. It all leads to a big revelation about Pen, and his ultimate goal for his matadors, and the time has come to use all their training and contacts and finally take on the Confederacy... in the next book.

I am very amazed at Perry's skills as a writer. He is able to keep the story concise but very detailed, covers a lot of character development, even if it is mostly for the main protagonist. Lots of action, love, sex, and just pure fun. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Robert Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive, damned impressive. The last chapter of this novel is shocking, not in it's revelations, in it's aspiration. The scope of the long game in "Matadora" is breathtaking, audacious, just too intriguing not to be in awe of it.

I'll admit, I was set to dole out three stars about three-quarters of the way through. Dirisha's tale of self redemption is adequate in and of itself. The narrative leads us to interesting enough scenarios but usually only has you riveted when involving a mixture of Pern, Dirisha, Bork and maybe Sleel. All else is window dressing. Mind, you don't get the feeling that the main characters are lacking dimension. They are vividly realistic, even in such a bizarre macrocosm as the Confederacy.

It's just not as action oriented as The Man Who Never Missed but it is just as good. Hell, once you finish it, you might think Matadora may be better.

This book is like an iceberg, that's the best way to describe it. You'll understand it even better once your done reading it.

[Bryan457 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emile Khadaji's hand picked recruits in his war to topple the confederacy are drawn to the Matador Villa, a school for elite bodyguards run by Pen, Emile's mentor. This story is told through the eyes of Dirisha Zuri, a martial artist and Musashi Flex player who was a bouncer at Emile's bar on Greave. Through some very politically astute choices of who they choose to protect the Matadors make the confederation powers on high angry enough to declare them outlaw.

I'm not sure whether to rate this an R or XXX; I don't remember how graphic the lesbian sex is, or how graphic the violence.

[annapi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Matador series tells the story of Dirisha Zuri, and continues the story begun in The Man Who Never Missed. After the fall of Emile Khadaji, Dirisha wanders the galaxy aimlessly for awhile before finding the Matador school, where she undergoes training to be an elite bodyguard.

I've re-read this classic over the years (it was published in 1986) and even today I still enjoy it. The world-building stands up to the test of time, and the "future" still seems plausible despite the major leaps in technology from the 80s. It's just a great read.

[Janet]

Sequel to "The Man Who Never Missed" and it is, if anything, even sillier. These books were published as testosterone-fueled entertainment in the 1980s, and deliver about what you'd expect. Both are full of Mary Janes, performing perfectly at everything they attempt. They mostly go in for the martial arts, but they manage politics, manipulation, making money, and computer hacking perfectly, too.

[Eric Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up just where the other lets you off. Had me completely hooked from start to finish. Loved the evolution of the characters who played minor minor roles in the previous books. Dirisha is sick. nuff said.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but not really a book - more like a chapter in a series. The book before this is The Man Who Never Missed. There's something like nine books total with more on the way, according to Wikipedia.

[Jim Heivilin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next Up

The story continues with another perspective. I read this several times over the years and can still reread it. If you enjoyed "The Man Who Never Missed" you're in for the long haul so you might as well go get the rest.

[Jason Abay-Abay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Matador series.

[Brian R. Mcdonald]

Go reference: p. 134.

[Michaelc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all of the Matador series and the character exploration of each book.

[David Janke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun sci-fi action. A quick read, it suffers a little from being the middle of a trilogy, so you get neither the cool origin story of the first book, nor any completion at the end.

[caracal-eyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have to say, I liked the first book, and its main character, a lot more. The plot/character/circumstances of this book seemed somewhat lacking here, at least in comparison.