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Matador #10
Churl: The Final Matador Novel
This is the final novel in The Matador series, a space opera that begins two decades after the Revolution that toppled the galactic Confederation.
It has been twenty years since the Matadors helped create the violent revolution that toppled the repressive Confederation. Expert martial artists and masters of a non-lethal back of the hand weapon, the spetsdod, the Matadors are the best bodyguards in the galaxy. Now, though times are more peaceful, an unexpected attack brings the families together again to face a final challenge. An enemy out of the past wants to see the Matadors and their children dead, and it will take all their skills and cunning to survive.
It has been twenty years since the Matadors helped create the violent revolution that toppled the repressive Confederation. Expert martial artists and masters of a non-lethal back of the hand weapon, the spetsdod, the Matadors are the best bodyguards in the galaxy. Now, though times are more peaceful, an unexpected attack brings the families together again to face a final challenge. An enemy out of the past wants to see the Matadors and their children dead, and it will take all their skills and cunning to survive.
- GenresScience Fiction
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2023
40 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Steve Perry
309 books362 followersLibrarians 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 28, 2025
Look, it is not a good book at all, but I can't find it in my heart to rip Steve Perry. I would have DNFed this book if it wasn't part of the Matador series. I credit Steve Perry's Alien: Earth Hive as the first "adult" book I read as a teenager that kickstarted me into reading as a hobby. Later on, I discovered the Matador series and never looked back. The Man who Never Missed remains one of my top 3 books. Not because it is high art, but because it's a concise sci-fi story with a great lead character. Steve Perry crafted an interesting universe that you wanted to live in.
I know Steve Perry is getting on in age and that his wife has passed on. If he ever reads this, I hope he knows how much joy he brought me, my brother, my friends as we read his books and talked about them.
Thank you, Steve Perry
I know Steve Perry is getting on in age and that his wife has passed on. If he ever reads this, I hope he knows how much joy he brought me, my brother, my friends as we read his books and talked about them.
Thank you, Steve Perry
February 7, 2023
a long awaited conclusion arrives
At one point I had tracked down every book in the Matador series, and along the way developed athirst for Steve Perry’s unique take on future language combined with combat. The Man Who Never Missed was - in my mind - a triumph, as were the volumes that followed it.
Alas, along with retirement and the time to travel came the shedding of belongings and collections so as to fit in a 37 foot RV, and all those books went back into the maelstrom of used books. And I thought that fine and fitting. Imagine my surprise to find said author on Zuckerberg’s, and my surprise to have a friend request accepted!
It was there I found that Churl was arriving, and I began to consider hunting down the old books. Having read it, I’m glad I had read the series but not necessarily committed to refilling my library. As the final Matador novel, Perry has evoked the other books and made for a rich read. On the other hand, I’m not sure how anyone who doesn’t have that background would deal with this one. Then again, I’m not sure he cares or that it matters.
I loved it. The mix of martial arts, dry humor, deep relationships and the closure that it brings made this a must if you’ve read any of his numerous other books, and a very strong recommendation if you want an in to a vibrant (and violent) future universe.
At one point I had tracked down every book in the Matador series, and along the way developed athirst for Steve Perry’s unique take on future language combined with combat. The Man Who Never Missed was - in my mind - a triumph, as were the volumes that followed it.
Alas, along with retirement and the time to travel came the shedding of belongings and collections so as to fit in a 37 foot RV, and all those books went back into the maelstrom of used books. And I thought that fine and fitting. Imagine my surprise to find said author on Zuckerberg’s, and my surprise to have a friend request accepted!
It was there I found that Churl was arriving, and I began to consider hunting down the old books. Having read it, I’m glad I had read the series but not necessarily committed to refilling my library. As the final Matador novel, Perry has evoked the other books and made for a rich read. On the other hand, I’m not sure how anyone who doesn’t have that background would deal with this one. Then again, I’m not sure he cares or that it matters.
I loved it. The mix of martial arts, dry humor, deep relationships and the closure that it brings made this a must if you’ve read any of his numerous other books, and a very strong recommendation if you want an in to a vibrant (and violent) future universe.
February 6, 2023
Thank You, Steve
I'm a huge fan of the Matador saga and every time a new book came out, it was a moment of joy. I never felt that the saga needed another book, so when I saw "the final..." I immediately went to Amazon and said, "Shut up and take my money!"
For fans of Steve, this does not disappoint. We meet someone who is more Sleel than Sleel. We meet the kids. Everyone makes a cameo. Worth every penny.
I'm a huge fan of the Matador saga and every time a new book came out, it was a moment of joy. I never felt that the saga needed another book, so when I saw "the final..." I immediately went to Amazon and said, "Shut up and take my money!"
For fans of Steve, this does not disappoint. We meet someone who is more Sleel than Sleel. We meet the kids. Everyone makes a cameo. Worth every penny.
February 17, 2023
A fine capstone to an exciting series
I started reading Matador novels in 1986, and couldn’t get enough of them. As the author says in the afterward, there’s a lot of fan service here, and after all these years it was like a warm blanket. Is it amazing literature? No. Are there typos, missing words, and strange punctuation that could have been fixed? Sure. None of it matters for those of us who have waited in this universe for the long-promised last bit from that one. It was worth the wait. And now I want to go back and read them all again.
I started reading Matador novels in 1986, and couldn’t get enough of them. As the author says in the afterward, there’s a lot of fan service here, and after all these years it was like a warm blanket. Is it amazing literature? No. Are there typos, missing words, and strange punctuation that could have been fixed? Sure. None of it matters for those of us who have waited in this universe for the long-promised last bit from that one. It was worth the wait. And now I want to go back and read them all again.
January 30, 2023
Oh, how I've missed the Matadors and the Siblings! Although I would happily read another couple (or dozen) books in this series, M. Perry explains why this is the last of the series in his Afterword. Perry gives us bits and pieces of back story for various beloved characters throughout the main story and for those of us who've read the series, it is very welcome. While not quite as fleshed out as some other books in the series, it is so welcome that I give it five stars. Thank you Steve!!
September 23, 2025
The End of the Tale
Loved the story, it's a fitting end to The Matador's Adventure. I have to admit Amazons unnecessary warning it may contain typos made me go back and forth on the purchase. That warning was untrue. Like any story there are a few, and only a few.
This is one my top three of the Matador novels. I feel grateful to Steve Perry for telling these stories. Thanks Steve.
Loved the story, it's a fitting end to The Matador's Adventure. I have to admit Amazons unnecessary warning it may contain typos made me go back and forth on the purchase. That warning was untrue. Like any story there are a few, and only a few.
This is one my top three of the Matador novels. I feel grateful to Steve Perry for telling these stories. Thanks Steve.
April 11, 2023
a fitting finale for the series
Amazing. I first found this in high school. Here we are decades later. The instant I saw the title I purchased it and it was like being home. I have a couple of quibbles, a couple typos, a couple WTFs. But wow, he still has it and it was fantastic and I’m sad that it’s over. But what a finale.
Amazing. I first found this in high school. Here we are decades later. The instant I saw the title I purchased it and it was like being home. I have a couple of quibbles, a couple typos, a couple WTFs. But wow, he still has it and it was fantastic and I’m sad that it’s over. But what a finale.
June 25, 2023
a series out of time
I have read this series many times, and have thought how I was sad that it did not continue and just found this one, it does not close the series, but shows that the story does not end when the words do. That there are always someone that will step up and defend the weak. Thank you Mr Perry for taking the time to show us these people.
I have read this series many times, and have thought how I was sad that it did not continue and just found this one, it does not close the series, but shows that the story does not end when the words do. That there are always someone that will step up and defend the weak. Thank you Mr Perry for taking the time to show us these people.
July 23, 2024
A long time coming
Wow, it's a fitting ending. Will miss the characters, I felt like one of the family. Over the years, I have read just about everything Steve Perry has written. If you have not read any of his books, please get started. You will enjoy them
Wow, it's a fitting ending. Will miss the characters, I felt like one of the family. Over the years, I have read just about everything Steve Perry has written. If you have not read any of his books, please get started. You will enjoy them
February 2, 2025
Matadors One Last Time
Hope not. Parents and their progeny. More please. Fun, funny, nostalgic, so well written, couldn’t put it down. Read at snail’s pace towards the end trying to stretch out the story. It does end. Dammit.
Hope not. Parents and their progeny. More please. Fun, funny, nostalgic, so well written, couldn’t put it down. Read at snail’s pace towards the end trying to stretch out the story. It does end. Dammit.
December 14, 2025
prayin for the weekend ofer herre. workin sweatin bleedin cryin heavin rockin out like theres no more monday ever again. im gonna change my fate and ride off into the sunsett, brother. done like The Matador.
June 18, 2023
The capstone to one of the greatest series in the history of science fiction.
August 27, 2023
Had to Read It
Final book of the Matador series. Had to read it. Just wish there were more! The Man Who Never Missed is an all time classic.
Final book of the Matador series. Had to read it. Just wish there were more! The Man Who Never Missed is an all time classic.
September 3, 2024
If you read the rest it is worth it
Nice little story set in Matador Universe. A Cozy Matador story a nice thank you for us fans from Mr. Perry
Nice little story set in Matador Universe. A Cozy Matador story a nice thank you for us fans from Mr. Perry
June 22, 2023
It's been a few years since I cracked open a Matador book. I re-read them on about a five-year cycle, savoring them like a delicacy I don't want to be over again too quickly. The news that there was a new (final?!) Matador novel had me wondering if it could possibly live up to what had come before.
It absolutely does, and then some. This book is a *profane expletive deleted* delight. I can't stop grinning while I read it, and several times I've laughed out loud. I am just as happy to be reading about these characters again as they clearly are to be shaking off the dust and getting some action again. Tying up loose ends, introducing new characters, running us through all the emotional and action paces I've come to expect over the course of the series.
Amazing. If you've never read any of the Matador books, take my advice and start at the beginning. You'll thank me when you get to Churl. It could stand alone just fine as a funny action-oriented speculative fiction novel, but it's so much sweeter with the perspective of the whole saga.
It absolutely does, and then some. This book is a *profane expletive deleted* delight. I can't stop grinning while I read it, and several times I've laughed out loud. I am just as happy to be reading about these characters again as they clearly are to be shaking off the dust and getting some action again. Tying up loose ends, introducing new characters, running us through all the emotional and action paces I've come to expect over the course of the series.
Amazing. If you've never read any of the Matador books, take my advice and start at the beginning. You'll thank me when you get to Churl. It could stand alone just fine as a funny action-oriented speculative fiction novel, but it's so much sweeter with the perspective of the whole saga.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews