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Deathstalker #4
Deathstalker Honor
Owen Deathstalker became a hero after the great rebellion against the tyranny of Lionstone XIV, and now political factions are quarreling over who will replace the deposed Empress. But Humanity faces an even greater threat: an encroaching invasion fleet of alien origin...
526 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 18, 1998
49 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,207 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 31, 2018
The Deathstalker series is si-fi in the Star Wars mould. It has evil Empires, AI, Cyborgs, and even a bit of magic! It also has a fairly large POV cast which helps give the world a bit of depth.
This 4th Deathstalker book picks up after the events of the original trilogy. Lionstone might have been defeated but that does not mean life for Owen and the other rebel leaders has gotten any easier. The various factions within the rebellion are all fighting over policy and the nobility who escaped Empress's fall are plotting to gain their own power back. As if that was not enough humanity also faces threats from the AI's of Shub, the Hadenman, and Aliens from the Darkvoid!
Owen and Hazel got tasked with dealing with the Hadenman while Jack and Ruby got tasked with dealing with the AI's. Both had decent story arcs and all four got to show off their Maze powers again. The only issue I had was that Owen and Hazel's final mission was a bit dull and that ended this whole book on a low.
The main secondary characters in this one were Julian Sky, Finlay Campbell, Robert Campbell, and Toby and Evangeline Shrek. All had fairly interesting stories set in the cut throat world of Golgatha, the Empire's capital. Captain Silence and his daughter also featured in their own intriguing story arcs. Valentine and Daniel Wolf also appeared and had good story arcs. Surprisingly Daniel's was one of the best bits of the whole book!
All in all I felt like this was a decent read. It was fun to see what the characters from the original trilogy were getting up to in the aftermath of their great rebellion. Life never got any easier for them! The only issue was a slight lull in the story in the final 20% but the twist at the end in that story arc at least promises better for the 5th instalment. The rest of the story was as engaging as the stuff in the original trilogy.
Rating: 3.5 stars. I was heading for 4 stars until Owen and Hazel's trip to the leper planet slowed things down a bit.
Audio Note: Graphic Audio did a great job with the audio for this whole series!
This 4th Deathstalker book picks up after the events of the original trilogy. Lionstone might have been defeated but that does not mean life for Owen and the other rebel leaders has gotten any easier. The various factions within the rebellion are all fighting over policy and the nobility who escaped Empress's fall are plotting to gain their own power back. As if that was not enough humanity also faces threats from the AI's of Shub, the Hadenman, and Aliens from the Darkvoid!
Owen and Hazel got tasked with dealing with the Hadenman while Jack and Ruby got tasked with dealing with the AI's. Both had decent story arcs and all four got to show off their Maze powers again. The only issue I had was that Owen and Hazel's final mission was a bit dull and that ended this whole book on a low.
The main secondary characters in this one were Julian Sky, Finlay Campbell, Robert Campbell, and Toby and Evangeline Shrek. All had fairly interesting stories set in the cut throat world of Golgatha, the Empire's capital. Captain Silence and his daughter also featured in their own intriguing story arcs. Valentine and Daniel Wolf also appeared and had good story arcs. Surprisingly Daniel's was one of the best bits of the whole book!
All in all I felt like this was a decent read. It was fun to see what the characters from the original trilogy were getting up to in the aftermath of their great rebellion. Life never got any easier for them! The only issue was a slight lull in the story in the final 20% but the twist at the end in that story arc at least promises better for the 5th instalment. The rest of the story was as engaging as the stuff in the original trilogy.
Rating: 3.5 stars. I was heading for 4 stars until Owen and Hazel's trip to the leper planet slowed things down a bit.
Audio Note: Graphic Audio did a great job with the audio for this whole series!
January 3, 2021
Notes:
- A transitional piece to show what happened after the war. Insight into politics, personal vendettas, and setup for the final conflict.
- Graphic Audio: The adaptation made the story dialogue heavy in a way that doesn't show you the story as much as it gives you short summaries. The active sequences were done well. Great voice acting & sound production.
One more book to go! The next one should be a wild ride.
- A transitional piece to show what happened after the war. Insight into politics, personal vendettas, and setup for the final conflict.
- Graphic Audio: The adaptation made the story dialogue heavy in a way that doesn't show you the story as much as it gives you short summaries. The active sequences were done well. Great voice acting & sound production.
One more book to go! The next one should be a wild ride.
January 26, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
You really need to read the Deathstalker series in order or you would be pretty much lost. Even reading in order, there are scenes which are completely disjointed from the scene before and after. There will be a few chapters say, about Owen and Hazel, and their adventure. Next the story will jump into a few chapters about Jack and Ruby and their latest task. After that, we will be back on Golgatha with Finlay Campbell and Evie Shreck and Julian Skye for a few chapters. So each group of chapters will just drop into a scene and if you don't know what was going on in the previous book, Deathstalker War, then you have no hope of following the story, particularly with the large number of locations, characters, and even species.
While Deathstalker Honor is a very long book, it did cover some important ground about how the empire is recovering after the war. Unfortunately, the war has left much damage. The greedy still want to be in charge and both fight and manipulate to grab power. These short-sighted folks are basically criminals. But there are other groups trying to take over while the empire is distracted and recovering, the aliens, the Ghost Warriors from Shub and the Hayden men.
Our heroes, Owen and Hazel, Jack and Ruby, and Finlay, are sent like troubleshooters to areas where problems occur. There are also those who don't appreciate their power and would just as soon get rid of them (again stupid and short-sighted) . Even with all the fighting and death, they find honor and purpose.
Narration:
Gildart Jackson does an amazing job with his performance of all these characters' voices. I recognize them all easily now. The story is well told, with great timing for the humor. I also appreciate being able to listen at 1.5x because of the length.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/user-149056452...
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
You really need to read the Deathstalker series in order or you would be pretty much lost. Even reading in order, there are scenes which are completely disjointed from the scene before and after. There will be a few chapters say, about Owen and Hazel, and their adventure. Next the story will jump into a few chapters about Jack and Ruby and their latest task. After that, we will be back on Golgatha with Finlay Campbell and Evie Shreck and Julian Skye for a few chapters. So each group of chapters will just drop into a scene and if you don't know what was going on in the previous book, Deathstalker War, then you have no hope of following the story, particularly with the large number of locations, characters, and even species.
While Deathstalker Honor is a very long book, it did cover some important ground about how the empire is recovering after the war. Unfortunately, the war has left much damage. The greedy still want to be in charge and both fight and manipulate to grab power. These short-sighted folks are basically criminals. But there are other groups trying to take over while the empire is distracted and recovering, the aliens, the Ghost Warriors from Shub and the Hayden men.
Our heroes, Owen and Hazel, Jack and Ruby, and Finlay, are sent like troubleshooters to areas where problems occur. There are also those who don't appreciate their power and would just as soon get rid of them (again stupid and short-sighted) . Even with all the fighting and death, they find honor and purpose.
Narration:
Gildart Jackson does an amazing job with his performance of all these characters' voices. I recognize them all easily now. The story is well told, with great timing for the humor. I also appreciate being able to listen at 1.5x because of the length.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/user-149056452...
December 17, 2021
The first three novels in the Deathstalker series focused on Owen Deathstalker, his allies, and the effort to overthrow the Empire and its leader, Lionstone. That can be read as a stand-alone trilogy. But this fourth novel makes it clear that just because a major goal has been achieved, doesn’t mean there is no story left to tell.
Indeed, the results of the third book, Deathstalker War, leave the known universe in chaos. A power vacuum is yet to be filled and there are plenty of candidates vying for the job. Owen Deathstalker, being a reluctant hero in the first place, is not among them. Factions from the rebellion are now fighting over what their future might look like, discussing policy, tactics and most importantly, how to get their power back. This novel narrates a series of adventures by members of the Great Rebellion, including Owen and his kick-ass gal-pal Hazel. Other major characters with well-scripted adventures include Julian Sky, Finlay Campbell, Robert Campbell, Valentine and Daniel Wolf and Toby and Evangeline Shrek.
I enjoyed this novel, and not just for the awesome over-the-top super-power style battles. We also get a good look at several factions, now threats, that were hitherto only vaguely outlined. The AI’s of the Shub, the cyborg Hadenman society, and the still obtuse aliens from the Darkvoid all play major roles in this novel. Simon Green brings his usual flair for the dramatic/comedic mix here again, making for a nice sci-fi adventure page-turner.
There is a huge cliffhanger ending on this one, but it serves well to set-up the final book of the Owen Deathstalker set. That should be a dandy.
Indeed, the results of the third book, Deathstalker War, leave the known universe in chaos. A power vacuum is yet to be filled and there are plenty of candidates vying for the job. Owen Deathstalker, being a reluctant hero in the first place, is not among them. Factions from the rebellion are now fighting over what their future might look like, discussing policy, tactics and most importantly, how to get their power back. This novel narrates a series of adventures by members of the Great Rebellion, including Owen and his kick-ass gal-pal Hazel. Other major characters with well-scripted adventures include Julian Sky, Finlay Campbell, Robert Campbell, Valentine and Daniel Wolf and Toby and Evangeline Shrek.
I enjoyed this novel, and not just for the awesome over-the-top super-power style battles. We also get a good look at several factions, now threats, that were hitherto only vaguely outlined. The AI’s of the Shub, the cyborg Hadenman society, and the still obtuse aliens from the Darkvoid all play major roles in this novel. Simon Green brings his usual flair for the dramatic/comedic mix here again, making for a nice sci-fi adventure page-turner.
There is a huge cliffhanger ending on this one, but it serves well to set-up the final book of the Owen Deathstalker set. That should be a dandy.
August 22, 2018
Wow. Well. I'm so stunned and amazed that I'm going to skip over outlining the usual, slightly annoying but generally inconsequential faults of Simon R. Green's Deathstalker Saga and get straight to the point.
This book, in all honesty, reminded me why I cannot put the series down. Perhaps because it is one of the two that I have never read, and I have probably over-read the first three, but this book was both an amazement and a refreshment to me.
If you believed that Green would have nothing to write about now that the Great Rebellion was over (sorry about the spoiler, but if you didn't already know that, you really should go back and read the first three books before even looking at this review), you were so wrong. From the ashes of the Empire, a new democracy is struggling to emerge. But Humanity is weak, and all too many people, factions and alien races are happy to take advantage of that. There is no other way to describe it other than complete bloody chaos. And, of course, Jack Random, Ruby Journey, Owen Deathstalker and Hazel D'Ark have to step in and save the day one more time. (Well, actually, a lot more than once, but anyway...)
Perhaps the best thing about this book is that, in helping the reader to get a sense of the almost complete disorder and panic that the Empire is plunged into, Deathstalker Honor moves away from some of the predictability of the earlier books. Halfway through I found myself thinking "Well, at least Green is finding new ways for the hero's and heroine's to solve their problems." Then I stopped myself short, and realized that wasn't it at all. They still all use their Marvellous Maze powers to save the day, but the difference is that, instead of these powers coming easily to them like gifts, the characters now genuinely have to work hard and endure pain and sacrifice to find those powers within themselves - they have to suffer to gain the tools they need to fight for what they believe in. Aside from the Maze survivors, there are, of course, surprises concerning the ordinary characters in the book, things that even I never expected to happen.
Now, to one of the few ordinary characters that I feel obliged to address - Valentine Wolfe. I think many readers will agree with me when I say that mostly, so far, any despicable action that he has undertaken has been far outweighed by his temperament and amusement value. Do not misunderstand me - This changes now. Valentine has, without a doubt, moved from the mentally unstable and slightly sadistic man that he was to a man that is dangerously insane, sick almost beyond imagination, psychotic, immoral, and wrong to all extents of the word. I will not reveal to you what deeds he has undertaken to ensure complete hatred of his person by all readers concerned (amusement value remains, but it is a shadow of what it was) - suffice it to say that within about fifty pages I was horrified to no ends with what Valentine has become.
I just have a few aside comments to deal with "the bad guys" of Deathstalker Honor before I move onto "the good guys". Firstly, I have complete satisfaction with the violent ends of many characters - no, I'm not going to tell you which, only that they deserved it. Secondly, we finally see Shub in this book, and it is as scary as hell. And thirdly, I just have to say that Gregor Shreck is a slimy disgusting git, and BB Chojiro is a sick bitch, and I hate her guts. Moving on.
Right, onto the good guys. It is almost endlessly amusing at the start of Deathstalker Honor to watch those people who went through the Maze struggle with their new-found fame and popularity - many laughs in that regard. However, the overwhelming feeling concerning the "good guys" by the end of this book is feeling very sorry for most of them. Ruby Journey doesn't quite know what to make of retirement, can't decide whether she loves it or hates it. Jack Random is running himself ragged trying to be political, but his "deal" with the Families is being abused, and I think that deep down he understands that he can't be happy without fighting the bad parts of any System. Hazel D'Ark... is confused and violent, as usual. Owen Deathstalker suffers as he always has - carrying burdens because there is no-one else to carry them. Robert Campbell has given up his prized Captaincy in the Fleet to lead his despised and ruined Family, and he is definitely a harder young man than he was. Finlay Campbell is still mad, as usual, but still brings more to the story - for example, his terribly sad attempt to be re-united with his children. Evangeline Shreck, too, suffers as she has always, but finally brings herself to do something about it. And that brings me to Julian Skye. I can't bring myself to say anything about him that isn't a spoiler, so don't look if you haven't read the book.
All there is left to say about the book is that it is an amazing ride, with stunning (and usually vile) new planets, and many discoveries to be made.
This book, in all honesty, reminded me why I cannot put the series down. Perhaps because it is one of the two that I have never read, and I have probably over-read the first three, but this book was both an amazement and a refreshment to me.
If you believed that Green would have nothing to write about now that the Great Rebellion was over (sorry about the spoiler, but if you didn't already know that, you really should go back and read the first three books before even looking at this review), you were so wrong. From the ashes of the Empire, a new democracy is struggling to emerge. But Humanity is weak, and all too many people, factions and alien races are happy to take advantage of that. There is no other way to describe it other than complete bloody chaos. And, of course, Jack Random, Ruby Journey, Owen Deathstalker and Hazel D'Ark have to step in and save the day one more time. (Well, actually, a lot more than once, but anyway...)
Perhaps the best thing about this book is that, in helping the reader to get a sense of the almost complete disorder and panic that the Empire is plunged into, Deathstalker Honor moves away from some of the predictability of the earlier books. Halfway through I found myself thinking "Well, at least Green is finding new ways for the hero's and heroine's to solve their problems." Then I stopped myself short, and realized that wasn't it at all. They still all use their Marvellous Maze powers to save the day, but the difference is that, instead of these powers coming easily to them like gifts, the characters now genuinely have to work hard and endure pain and sacrifice to find those powers within themselves - they have to suffer to gain the tools they need to fight for what they believe in. Aside from the Maze survivors, there are, of course, surprises concerning the ordinary characters in the book, things that even I never expected to happen.
Now, to one of the few ordinary characters that I feel obliged to address - Valentine Wolfe. I think many readers will agree with me when I say that mostly, so far, any despicable action that he has undertaken has been far outweighed by his temperament and amusement value. Do not misunderstand me - This changes now. Valentine has, without a doubt, moved from the mentally unstable and slightly sadistic man that he was to a man that is dangerously insane, sick almost beyond imagination, psychotic, immoral, and wrong to all extents of the word. I will not reveal to you what deeds he has undertaken to ensure complete hatred of his person by all readers concerned (amusement value remains, but it is a shadow of what it was) - suffice it to say that within about fifty pages I was horrified to no ends with what Valentine has become.
I just have a few aside comments to deal with "the bad guys" of Deathstalker Honor before I move onto "the good guys". Firstly, I have complete satisfaction with the violent ends of many characters - no, I'm not going to tell you which, only that they deserved it. Secondly, we finally see Shub in this book, and it is as scary as hell. And thirdly, I just have to say that Gregor Shreck is a slimy disgusting git, and BB Chojiro is a sick bitch, and I hate her guts. Moving on.
Right, onto the good guys. It is almost endlessly amusing at the start of Deathstalker Honor to watch those people who went through the Maze struggle with their new-found fame and popularity - many laughs in that regard. However, the overwhelming feeling concerning the "good guys" by the end of this book is feeling very sorry for most of them. Ruby Journey doesn't quite know what to make of retirement, can't decide whether she loves it or hates it. Jack Random is running himself ragged trying to be political, but his "deal" with the Families is being abused, and I think that deep down he understands that he can't be happy without fighting the bad parts of any System. Hazel D'Ark... is confused and violent, as usual. Owen Deathstalker suffers as he always has - carrying burdens because there is no-one else to carry them. Robert Campbell has given up his prized Captaincy in the Fleet to lead his despised and ruined Family, and he is definitely a harder young man than he was. Finlay Campbell is still mad, as usual, but still brings more to the story - for example, his terribly sad attempt to be re-united with his children. Evangeline Shreck, too, suffers as she has always, but finally brings herself to do something about it. And that brings me to Julian Skye. I can't bring myself to say anything about him that isn't a spoiler, so don't look if you haven't read the book.
All there is left to say about the book is that it is an amazing ride, with stunning (and usually vile) new planets, and many discoveries to be made.
January 11, 2020
Good, but not great.
Really, this book should have been divided up into multiple books; each one focusing on one of the invading forces, instead of having it all happen in one book.
Aside from that, Green lived up to his usual writing. The characters are still as sarcastic as ever. The powers & weapons are over the top in ways that are always amusing.
I loved that he tied one of the planets here to one of the Nightside books.
This book only left me with one question.
How the hell did leprosy make a come back?!?
Really, this book should have been divided up into multiple books; each one focusing on one of the invading forces, instead of having it all happen in one book.
Aside from that, Green lived up to his usual writing. The characters are still as sarcastic as ever. The powers & weapons are over the top in ways that are always amusing.
I loved that he tied one of the planets here to one of the Nightside books.
This book only left me with one question.
How the hell did leprosy make a come back?!?
July 15, 2025
My least favorite of the series so far. I hope the next one is better than this one.
May 24, 2019
Almost through the main 5 books of the series. This book was actually more interesting than the previous three. Since the war is over, the characters have more to think about and have options on where to go with their lives. The author continues to "borrow" plot devices from other series. In this one, we have (spoiler) a planet-wide intelligence. Frank Herbert used this idea in his Jesus Incident books with the Avata (floating bags of gas and the intelligent kelp as a planet-wide intelligence). Asimov also uses this idea with the Gaia planet.(spoiler)
Things I liked about this book:
1) Evangeline goes full Sarah Connor badass! Oh YEAH!!
2) Toby and Flynn...still going strong and even better than ever. Although Toby creeping out over his half-sister/cousin is very creepy.
3) Getting Moon back (kind of). I liked that character and his redemption is quite satisfying.
4) Getting to meet Shub for the first time.
5) Hazel's new alternate versions that hang out for awhile!!
6) New bad guys
7) Gregor Shrek's fate
8) Robert Campbell, Constance Wolfe, and Adrienne Campbell (all refreshing characters)
Things I didn't like about this book:
1) Yet again the story hinges on our characters being faced with overwhelmingly unsurmountable odds and finding within themselves a new power that somehow saves the day yet again. I'm tired of each book just being about these new powers. Honestly, if they have these amazing powers, instead of tons of people dying in each fight, why not just have the superheroes stand up and use their powers at the beginning. All the death and suffering is totally overkill when the superheroes can just save the day from the start.
2) Hazel and Owen just need to get together already. I'm guessing this happens in the 5th book, but oh man, its been a long time coming and its really being drawn out.
3) If Shub is so amazing, then their tech should really be more advanced than it seems it is. If they can control/inhabit multiple dimensions, you'd think they would've figured out nanotech much earlier. Also, on that topic, why would Shub care about this little part of the universe. If humans are such a nuisance, just move on and find a new part of the universe to hang out in. At least the Hadenmen have a clear purpose, they want to convert all the humans to their form of existence (Borg anybody?).
4) More endless exposition. The whole scene with Shub and Daniel is overly drawn out and unnecessary. It was basically a way of explaining to the users the EVIL PLAN of the ENEMIES OF HUMANITY. Dun Dun Dun.
5) The political ranting on how even democracies are corrupt. So the Empire was bad, and now the attempts at democracy are bad too. So what does the author think is a better solution? A dictatorship of the superheroes over the Empire? How is that better. They aren't really human anymore, and why is their morality any better than anyone else's.
(spoiler) 6) An entire planet just for Lepers? A space-faring, faster than light society is faced with leprosy and doesn't know what it is or how to battle it? We know what it is (Hansen's disease) and how to battle it today with certain drugs. Why would an Empire that can create all these medical monsters (Worm Boy, etc), AI, and the like not figure out how to deal with a simple disease? This was just a plot device to make the battle on that planet more heart-wrenching.(spoiler)
7) Continued use of overly disgusting ideas to just creep the reader out. In this one its Valentine and the utterly disgusting and appalling things he's up to. Also the extent of Gregor Shrek's madness. (spoiler) So Simon R Green must be a fan of Futurama huh? He really likes the severed heads talking to each other in a jar.(spoiler) Really? This isn't necessary. We've had enough already. I guess the author really is writing for a certain audience, and that audience must like this type of stuff.
Things I liked about this book:
1) Evangeline goes full Sarah Connor badass! Oh YEAH!!
2) Toby and Flynn...still going strong and even better than ever. Although Toby creeping out over his half-sister/cousin is very creepy.
3) Getting Moon back (kind of). I liked that character and his redemption is quite satisfying.
4) Getting to meet Shub for the first time.
5) Hazel's new alternate versions that hang out for awhile!!
6) New bad guys
7) Gregor Shrek's fate
8) Robert Campbell, Constance Wolfe, and Adrienne Campbell (all refreshing characters)
Things I didn't like about this book:
1) Yet again the story hinges on our characters being faced with overwhelmingly unsurmountable odds and finding within themselves a new power that somehow saves the day yet again. I'm tired of each book just being about these new powers. Honestly, if they have these amazing powers, instead of tons of people dying in each fight, why not just have the superheroes stand up and use their powers at the beginning. All the death and suffering is totally overkill when the superheroes can just save the day from the start.
2) Hazel and Owen just need to get together already. I'm guessing this happens in the 5th book, but oh man, its been a long time coming and its really being drawn out.
3) If Shub is so amazing, then their tech should really be more advanced than it seems it is. If they can control/inhabit multiple dimensions, you'd think they would've figured out nanotech much earlier. Also, on that topic, why would Shub care about this little part of the universe. If humans are such a nuisance, just move on and find a new part of the universe to hang out in. At least the Hadenmen have a clear purpose, they want to convert all the humans to their form of existence (Borg anybody?).
4) More endless exposition. The whole scene with Shub and Daniel is overly drawn out and unnecessary. It was basically a way of explaining to the users the EVIL PLAN of the ENEMIES OF HUMANITY. Dun Dun Dun.
5) The political ranting on how even democracies are corrupt. So the Empire was bad, and now the attempts at democracy are bad too. So what does the author think is a better solution? A dictatorship of the superheroes over the Empire? How is that better. They aren't really human anymore, and why is their morality any better than anyone else's.
(spoiler) 6) An entire planet just for Lepers? A space-faring, faster than light society is faced with leprosy and doesn't know what it is or how to battle it? We know what it is (Hansen's disease) and how to battle it today with certain drugs. Why would an Empire that can create all these medical monsters (Worm Boy, etc), AI, and the like not figure out how to deal with a simple disease? This was just a plot device to make the battle on that planet more heart-wrenching.(spoiler)
7) Continued use of overly disgusting ideas to just creep the reader out. In this one its Valentine and the utterly disgusting and appalling things he's up to. Also the extent of Gregor Shrek's madness. (spoiler) So Simon R Green must be a fan of Futurama huh? He really likes the severed heads talking to each other in a jar.(spoiler) Really? This isn't necessary. We've had enough already. I guess the author really is writing for a certain audience, and that audience must like this type of stuff.
October 27, 2017
Continuing the Deathstalker story
Arguably, more of the same style: the further adventures of Owen and the Maze People. If you’re a fan, it is more good stuff. If you’re not, I’m surprised if you’re still reading the series!
I read these while on long plane trips and they help kill the hours. It isn’t high literature, it’s good fun.
Arguably, more of the same style: the further adventures of Owen and the Maze People. If you’re a fan, it is more good stuff. If you’re not, I’m surprised if you’re still reading the series!
I read these while on long plane trips and they help kill the hours. It isn’t high literature, it’s good fun.
March 23, 2023
Thinking back to 1994 when this series started, almost 30 years ago, I can remember the excitement
at starting a new grand adventure, a Space Opera.
Epic in scope. Boundless in imagination. This series is everything you want in Epic Sci-Fi.
A wicked villain ; a reluctant hero ; freaky aliens.
Just plain damn fun.
Green was one of my favourite authors for a long time after this.
at starting a new grand adventure, a Space Opera.
Epic in scope. Boundless in imagination. This series is everything you want in Epic Sci-Fi.
A wicked villain ; a reluctant hero ; freaky aliens.
Just plain damn fun.
Green was one of my favourite authors for a long time after this.
May 18, 2017
A low point for the series. Retains all of the themes and feel but lacks punch. Book 5 picks up immediately afterwards- maybe they should have been combined or something. Climax felt weak and insignificant compared to other events.
November 16, 2022
The plot didn't seem to progress a whole lot in this one. Still a lot of fun, though the maze people always finding a way against impossible odds schtick starts to wear a little thin. Overall still a decent book, but not the best the series has to offer.
December 31, 2024
Great book and a fantastic series! This is one of the few series that stands tall even with so many characters. You come to know them all intimately and root for them in equal measure. I look forward to diving back in to book 5 in January 2025.
Read
October 23, 2025Owen Deathstalker became a hero after the great rebellion against the tyranny of Lionstone XIV, and now political factions are quarreling over who will replace the deposed Empress. But Humanity faces an even greater threat?an encroaching invasion fleet of alien origin?
April 12, 2018
Another enjoyable installment in the series-- looking forward the rest! 3.5 stars.
April 10, 2019
A great series just keeps going with no lags.
February 20, 2020
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
Read
November 25, 2020Really good book
June 30, 2021
Its deathstalker, after all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2021
Excellent from GraphicAudio
November 28, 2024
I'm on the last in the series 😭 Must read 📚
August 20, 2025
what a cliff hanger.
March 17, 2024
-Más de transición que los otros libros de la serie.-
Género. Ciencia ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro Las garras de Shub (publicación original: Deathstalker Honour, 1998), Owen Deathstalker y sus compañeros han conseguido derrocar a la emperatriz Lionstone XIV, pero las diferentes facciones entre los rebeldes tienen ideas dispares sobre qué régimen debe sustituir al imperio, cómo llevarlo a cabo y bajo la dirección de quién, mientras un Parlamento trata de mantener las cosas en funcionamiento y la vieja nobleza tiene sus propios deseos. Séptimo libro de la serie Deathstalker (en español, claro, porque en el original es la primera parte del cuarto libro de la saga).
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. En el libro Las garras de Shub (publicación original: Deathstalker Honour, 1998), Owen Deathstalker y sus compañeros han conseguido derrocar a la emperatriz Lionstone XIV, pero las diferentes facciones entre los rebeldes tienen ideas dispares sobre qué régimen debe sustituir al imperio, cómo llevarlo a cabo y bajo la dirección de quién, mientras un Parlamento trata de mantener las cosas en funcionamiento y la vieja nobleza tiene sus propios deseos. Séptimo libro de la serie Deathstalker (en español, claro, porque en el original es la primera parte del cuarto libro de la saga).
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
July 26, 2016
*Did Not Finish*
#4 Owen Deathstalker Sci Fi series
Having read books 1, 2 & 3 (each 500+ pages) and enjoying each of them very much, I did quit reading at page 176.
Simon R. Green is a favorite author. His Nightside UF series is AWESOME (approx. 200 pages) as is his Ghost series. His characters are unique -- that's the understatement of the year! His plots are fast-moving, exciting, unpredictable and rip roaring fun.
I'm not a sci fi fan, but wanted to read more of his books. After 1,500 pages (500 x 3 books), with this book I've just had my fill of sci fi. This is my reading taste, not due to the author's writing.
#4 Owen Deathstalker Sci Fi series
Having read books 1, 2 & 3 (each 500+ pages) and enjoying each of them very much, I did quit reading at page 176.
Simon R. Green is a favorite author. His Nightside UF series is AWESOME (approx. 200 pages) as is his Ghost series. His characters are unique -- that's the understatement of the year! His plots are fast-moving, exciting, unpredictable and rip roaring fun.
I'm not a sci fi fan, but wanted to read more of his books. After 1,500 pages (500 x 3 books), with this book I've just had my fill of sci fi. This is my reading taste, not due to the author's writing.
October 3, 2013
well well a return to form! after the previous book which was a bit of a let down this a return to form with more battles then you can shake a stick at! my only criticism is on over use of maze powers to win in the end, however if you have read this far in the series its likely that you are not bothered by this, so i would recommend this book too you!!
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November 17, 2009
Back to the old Deathstalker feel! I could barely put this one down, unlike the previous (Deathstalker War) which was a quite a slog. Lots of violence and some intrigue and more jumping between quite a few ass-kicking characters.
August 3, 2011
This is one of the best Science Fiction series' ever written. It goes beyond laser and spaceships and questions things like honor, morality, right and wrong, love, and how long you can serve evil masters in good conscience. A must read for every sci-fi fan.
May 12, 2013
Geez this took forever to get through. Between the slow beginning and the sheer length of the book, that's why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. The ending was quite good and there were some memorable parts, but because of the slow parts, I had to knock off a star.
July 1, 2013
Actually, I do remember reading this far in the series. Except it was all such similar drivel they kind of all blend together. I want my teenage years back. I'd probably read Philip K Dick if I had it all to do over again.
grazed
January 14, 2009I appear to have hit my limit of long, long, long Simon Green space operas, at least for the moment!
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