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The Emancipator #1
The Pharaoh Contract
One man--the Lone Emancipator--is programmed to bring down the slave trade from within in the first novel in the classic science fiction trilogy.
Ruiz Aw is an Art League enforcer sent to investigate the disappearance of several slaves from the planet Pharaoh prior to their being "harvested". They are the property of the Art League and their property has been stolen. Ruiz is an ex-slave now working for the League, doing its corporate slave trading dirty work. Pharoah is a planet of slave herds, castes and imagination. It is a planet without hope or freedom. It is a planet of slave poachers. Ruiz must go undercover to find these poachers for the league but he has a conflicting responsibility: he is also the Lone Emancipator, a man with an oath to bring down the slave trade and destroy the League. He alone is the galaxy's last chance. However, if Ruiz is caught or his plan uncovered, the Gencha death net anchored deep within his brain is programmed to kill him!
Ruiz Aw is an Art League enforcer sent to investigate the disappearance of several slaves from the planet Pharaoh prior to their being "harvested". They are the property of the Art League and their property has been stolen. Ruiz is an ex-slave now working for the League, doing its corporate slave trading dirty work. Pharoah is a planet of slave herds, castes and imagination. It is a planet without hope or freedom. It is a planet of slave poachers. Ruiz must go undercover to find these poachers for the league but he has a conflicting responsibility: he is also the Lone Emancipator, a man with an oath to bring down the slave trade and destroy the League. He alone is the galaxy's last chance. However, if Ruiz is caught or his plan uncovered, the Gencha death net anchored deep within his brain is programmed to kill him!
- GenresScience FictionFiction
286 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1991
2 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 13, 2023
I can't believe I never heard of this series or this author before, but outside of short stories, this was his only novel; yes, this is a trilogy, but really, given the abrupt ending, it is simply a 'publisher's trilogy' where one story was divided into three books. Aldridge builds an amazingly complex world here very deftly in a way that reminds me of Jack Vance. In a far distant future, the 'Pangalac Worlds' number in the 1000s (at least) and are populated by an array of aliens and gene altered humanity. Slavery is just about universal and the main slavers go by the name 'the Art League'. The Art League has several 'client' worlds, largely human worlds kept in a rather primitive tech level where their 'human herd' is secretly culled for high worth slaves.
Our main protagonist, Ruiz Aw, is a human who works for the Art League. On one of their worlds, Pharaoh, some poachers have been taking and enslaving theatrical 'magic' groups and Ruiz has a contract to find the poachers. The Art League, however, is not very trusting, and installs a 'death net' in Ruiz's brain; this not only compels him to perform his mission, but if he is killed in doing so, it sends his recent memory back to the League. So, Ruiz must first 'datasoak' knowledge of Pharaoh and infiltrate the planet to find the poachers...
What makes this so good? I mentioned Vance already because Aldridge evokes worlds and cultures (human and alien) with very few wasted words, but still provides the reader with vivid imagery and sociology of them. And yes, this is a very nasty galaxy for sure. Life on Pharaoh is nasty, brutal and short, dominated by monarchs and a strict system of castes. Capital punishment has been turned into an art form performed in town squares to huge audiences. The Art League is only hinted at here, but I am sure will be further developed in later volumes. The neat thing about Ruiz is that while he contracts for slavers, he really had no choice but to join them after he helped lead an emancipator group on a planet and got caught. Obviously, he hates them and is dying to rock the boat, but that is what the 'death net' is for. I guess this would fall under 'sword and planet' adventure, even though there are no swords around. 4.5 stars, rounding down as this was just the start of the story and by no means a complete novel.
Our main protagonist, Ruiz Aw, is a human who works for the Art League. On one of their worlds, Pharaoh, some poachers have been taking and enslaving theatrical 'magic' groups and Ruiz has a contract to find the poachers. The Art League, however, is not very trusting, and installs a 'death net' in Ruiz's brain; this not only compels him to perform his mission, but if he is killed in doing so, it sends his recent memory back to the League. So, Ruiz must first 'datasoak' knowledge of Pharaoh and infiltrate the planet to find the poachers...
What makes this so good? I mentioned Vance already because Aldridge evokes worlds and cultures (human and alien) with very few wasted words, but still provides the reader with vivid imagery and sociology of them. And yes, this is a very nasty galaxy for sure. Life on Pharaoh is nasty, brutal and short, dominated by monarchs and a strict system of castes. Capital punishment has been turned into an art form performed in town squares to huge audiences. The Art League is only hinted at here, but I am sure will be further developed in later volumes. The neat thing about Ruiz is that while he contracts for slavers, he really had no choice but to join them after he helped lead an emancipator group on a planet and got caught. Obviously, he hates them and is dying to rock the boat, but that is what the 'death net' is for. I guess this would fall under 'sword and planet' adventure, even though there are no swords around. 4.5 stars, rounding down as this was just the start of the story and by no means a complete novel.
December 19, 2019
Ray Aldridge's undeservedly neglected sf novel is likely to appeal to fans of mid-period Jack Vance. The omnicompetent protagonist Ruiz Aw will remind the reader of Vance heroes Kirth Gersen and particularly Adam Reith. Few writers shine in comparison with Vance but Aldridge comes closer than most. Aldridge also brings Vance to mind with his crisp dialogue and detached narrative voice.
1950s pulp-style fiction is out of vogue these days, but when done as well as this, it packs a real punch. First- class entertainment.
1950s pulp-style fiction is out of vogue these days, but when done as well as this, it packs a real punch. First- class entertainment.
August 5, 2017
This is really a thousand-page(!) first novel. His book is *strange*, densely-imagined, full of cruelty and violence. It left me feeling soiled -- but, on the whole, satisfied. Emancipator is a masterpiece of sorts, and unjustly neglected. Time for a reread, I think.
Ray Aldridge, Emancipator trilogy, mmpbs, all OOP:
The Pharaoh Contract (1991)
The Emperor of Everything (1992)
The Orpheus Machine (1992)
Ray Aldridge, Emancipator trilogy, mmpbs, all OOP:
The Pharaoh Contract (1991)
The Emperor of Everything (1992)
The Orpheus Machine (1992)
September 14, 2007
First book of one of the alltime best scifi trilogies of all time! Awesome, fantastic (why oh why did it go out of print?!). Bloody and graphic, but as the assasin learns more about his mission and starts to care about others, he become less effective and able to protect them. Grim view of the future with lots of 'absolute power' via technology corrupting absolutely, but ultimately it's a story of individual redemption. READ THIS TRILOGY!
November 7, 2025
Ieškojau kokio lengo nuotykių fantastikos skaitinio ir prisiminiau kaidaise skaitytą ir patikusią Ray Aldridge triologiją. Atmintyje nuo praėjusio skaitymo prieš kokius 20 metų nelabai kas išliko - tik kelios detalės ir teigiamas įpūdis. Ir po 20-ties metų skaitosi vis dar gerai. Imu antrą dalį.
June 5, 2017
The Emancipator, book 1 of the Pharaoh Contract, is a Classic masterpiece Ray Aldridge, unmatched in creative originality and breadth of cultural richness, written by Ray Aldridge.
Like a lot of Vance books the atmospheric Emancipator series is part fantasy, part, SF, like Vance's Demon Princes series. Aldridge has created baroque landscapes with a universe populated by pre-industrial cultures side by side with advanced technologies such as personal rocketships, FTL drives and advanced communication.
These books describe, in beautiful detail, incredible worlds complete with complex cultures and myths. The protagonist, an enforcer named Ruiz Aw is sent to the planet Pharaoh, to look into the disappearance of entire performing troupes, prior to "harvesting" by the Art League, who consider the inhabitants of Pharaoh their valuable property.
Ruiz Aw is commissioned to find the poachers, but if he is caught, the Gencha death net anchored deep within his brain, is programmed to kill him.
Unlike too many authors who fail to understand the importance and power of choosing names to create and populate another world with it's own exotic, intriguing culture and feel, you will not find totally unpronounceable "pseudo alien names" for places, things, and people.
The names of places, characters and things, like those created by Vance are masterful: The Art League, Dilvermoon, the Sook Slave Pens, Bidderum, Halakum, Bhasmaret, Mocrassar (Moc) bondwarriors. Aldridge paints intricate visions of exotic places and customs that remind me also of parts of Vance's Planet of Adventure (Tschai, The Dirdir, The Pnume, etc.), Emphyrio, as well as parts of the Demon Princes.
Still, Aldridge, does not attempt to imitate the style, or language of Vance. The resemblance is purely on the basis of creativity, sensibility, imagination, and freshness of ideas & quality, as well as morality (contrast of good vs. undescribable evil). Just when you think, Aldridge cannot top this or that idea, he will further surprise and amaze you with even more twists and turns of plots, and ideas.
I have read and re-read this book and each reading brings fresh enjoyment and insight. Be sure to read Books 2 and 3 in the Emancipator series, which are now available in e-format (Kindle), which are even better.
Like a lot of Vance books the atmospheric Emancipator series is part fantasy, part, SF, like Vance's Demon Princes series. Aldridge has created baroque landscapes with a universe populated by pre-industrial cultures side by side with advanced technologies such as personal rocketships, FTL drives and advanced communication.
These books describe, in beautiful detail, incredible worlds complete with complex cultures and myths. The protagonist, an enforcer named Ruiz Aw is sent to the planet Pharaoh, to look into the disappearance of entire performing troupes, prior to "harvesting" by the Art League, who consider the inhabitants of Pharaoh their valuable property.
Ruiz Aw is commissioned to find the poachers, but if he is caught, the Gencha death net anchored deep within his brain, is programmed to kill him.
Unlike too many authors who fail to understand the importance and power of choosing names to create and populate another world with it's own exotic, intriguing culture and feel, you will not find totally unpronounceable "pseudo alien names" for places, things, and people.
The names of places, characters and things, like those created by Vance are masterful: The Art League, Dilvermoon, the Sook Slave Pens, Bidderum, Halakum, Bhasmaret, Mocrassar (Moc) bondwarriors. Aldridge paints intricate visions of exotic places and customs that remind me also of parts of Vance's Planet of Adventure (Tschai, The Dirdir, The Pnume, etc.), Emphyrio, as well as parts of the Demon Princes.
Still, Aldridge, does not attempt to imitate the style, or language of Vance. The resemblance is purely on the basis of creativity, sensibility, imagination, and freshness of ideas & quality, as well as morality (contrast of good vs. undescribable evil). Just when you think, Aldridge cannot top this or that idea, he will further surprise and amaze you with even more twists and turns of plots, and ideas.
I have read and re-read this book and each reading brings fresh enjoyment and insight. Be sure to read Books 2 and 3 in the Emancipator series, which are now available in e-format (Kindle), which are even better.
September 30, 2020
This is the first book in "The Emancipator" series by Ray Aldridge. I picked this book up in a used bookstore and to be honest I had never heard of this series or of Ray Aldridge. Much to my great pleasure, this book is a great read.
In this one, Ruiz Aw lives in a universe that thrives on slavery. Although he hates slavery he works for the Art League. The Art League is the most benevolent of the organizations that deal in slavery.
Unknown to his employers he also works behind the scenes to free as many slaves as possible. He is sent on a mission to the primitive planet of Pharaoh to stop renegade slavers from poaching slaves from the Art League. His mission becomes complicated when he is abducted as a slave by the renegade slavers along with a Princess with a death sentence on her head on Pharaoh. He soon finds himself attracted to her and now must protect her while finding a way to escape and complete his mission. This book is a great start to this series and I will definitely be reading more of these books by Ray Aldridge.
In this one, Ruiz Aw lives in a universe that thrives on slavery. Although he hates slavery he works for the Art League. The Art League is the most benevolent of the organizations that deal in slavery.
Unknown to his employers he also works behind the scenes to free as many slaves as possible. He is sent on a mission to the primitive planet of Pharaoh to stop renegade slavers from poaching slaves from the Art League. His mission becomes complicated when he is abducted as a slave by the renegade slavers along with a Princess with a death sentence on her head on Pharaoh. He soon finds himself attracted to her and now must protect her while finding a way to escape and complete his mission. This book is a great start to this series and I will definitely be reading more of these books by Ray Aldridge.
February 13, 2017
Pulp for the modern reader
I don't know if other readers would agree, but I was reminded of the Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, mostly because of the action and pacing, and there is a romance element involving a princess in peril. Of course there are differences; Burroughs could not have been as casual about sex, even though this book is rather restrained in that area.
The book ends abruptly without concluding the plot, but is entertaining enough to keep me interested in moving on to the next.
I don't know if other readers would agree, but I was reminded of the Mars books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, mostly because of the action and pacing, and there is a romance element involving a princess in peril. Of course there are differences; Burroughs could not have been as casual about sex, even though this book is rather restrained in that area.
The book ends abruptly without concluding the plot, but is entertaining enough to keep me interested in moving on to the next.
March 26, 2021
Truly, the Dilvermoon background is great... however, the novel form does not suit to Aldrige as well as the short story form... surprisingly... his hero protagonist is too able and effective to be a strong character... but the story is readable and paces well.
June 3, 2013
стоит прочитать, отличная книга
January 9, 2018
Ray Aldridge was ahead of his time in thinking through some of the greatest scientific achievements of our time. The worlds he built reminded me a bit of ShadowRun.
January 5, 2021
nah...
December 26, 2023
Dark. Disturbing. Ends on a cliffhanger.
December 15, 2013
Pretty decent classic sci-fi.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews