The Prism / Crown of Infinity

by Emil Petaja, John M. Faucette

This is a two book volume of science fiction written by John Faucette and Emil Petaja and published as an Ace Double. Faucette's Crown of Infinity details a galactic conflict between the human Star Kings and a Master race from another galaxy bent on destroying all other life forms. Petaja's The Prism tells the story of a dystopic society in which the highest "gold" caste has developed a "livideo" system through which they can experience vicariously the lives of genetically engineered humans bred to exist in fantastic environments for the viewing pleasure of the upper-caste citizens.

Genres: Science Fiction

256 pages, paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Emil Petaja (1915 - 2000) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer whose career spanned seven decades. He was the author of 13 published novels, nearly 150 short stories, numerous poems, and a handful of books and articles on various subjects. Though he wrote science fiction, fantasy, horror, detective fiction, and poetry, Petaja considered his work part of an older tradition of "weird fiction." Petaja was also a small press publisher. In 1995, he was named the first ever Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction Writers of America.

Of Finnish descent, Petaja's best known works are comprised of a series of science fiction novels based on the Kalevala, the Finnish verse epic. Petaja's series brought him readers from around the world,[1] while his mythological approach to science fiction was discussed in scholarly publications.[2]

In a statement published in Contemporary Authors (Gale Research, 1984), Petaja commented, "My writing endeavors have mainly been to entertain, except for the factual material concerning Hannes Bok and fantasy art in general, which serves to indicate my enthusiasm for these subjects. My novels about the Finnish legendary epic Kalevala: The Land of Heroes spring from a lifelong interest in this fine poetic work. I own six translations of the Kalevala, as well as the work in the original. Both of my parents were Finnish."[3]

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7⭐

My rating is for Crown of infinity and is based largely on nostalgia and the impression it left on my teenaged self. It was a millennia spanning saga of humanity's eventual triumph over the ancient, genocidal race (the Masters) that destroyed Earth and scattered the survivors throughout the stars. A Star Trek episode writ large; I know it will appear dated and corny now, but I just don't care. I would re-read it in a heartbeat if I could find a copy at less than usurious prices.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked The Prism very much, but I haven't really been able to get into the Crown of Infinity. Each chapter is a different era with different characters fighting the same battles in different star systems. The Prism, however, was a fantastic read. The main character is a young woman in the Gold caste who joins a rogue group that is determined to overthrow the prism that controls the cast system by setting free the warriors from one of the fantasy kingdoms of the livideo system and enlisting their help.