I've read short stories and other series by Green, and just now decided to visit his 1990s Deathstalker series. I probably skipped it thinking it was a swords and sorcery epic (which it partially is) and I had more space operas to read (which it also partially is.) Sci-fi generally hold up for decades, so it was no problem.
The titular Deathstalker is Owen Deathstaker, decedent of the original warrior legend who prefers to live a quiet, luxurious life and study history. The empress Lionstone, who rules with an iron fist and sociopath tendencies, suddenly declares him outlaw and he spend the book on the run thanks to the help of petty criminal Hazel D'Ark and others he meets on the criminal Mistworld. Simultaneously, at the heart of the Empire several major families are embroiled in political intrigues, corporate skirmishes and personal feuds. As a proper space opera there are a lot of characters, a lot of drama and big universe to understand. The book itself was clearly just the first part of a much longer story.
I quite enjoyed it. The subject was very different from Green's Nightside and Ishmael Jones books, but the dark humor was there and I think that's what I like best about Green's writing.
by Simon R. Green
4 stars
I've read short stories and other series by Green, and just now decided to visit his 1990s Deathstalker series. I probably skipped it thinking it was a swords and sorcery epic (which it partially is) and I had more space operas to read (which it also partially is.) Sci-fi generally hold up for decades, so it was no problem.
The titular Deathstalker is Owen Deathstaker, decedent of the original warrior legend who prefers to live a quiet, luxurious life and study history. The empress Lionstone, who rules with an iron fist and sociopath tendencies, suddenly declares him outlaw and he spend the book on the run thanks to the help of petty criminal Hazel D'Ark and others he meets on the criminal Mistworld.
Simultaneously, at the heart of the Empire several major families are embroiled in political intrigues, corporate skirmishes and personal feuds. As a proper space opera there are a lot of characters, a lot of drama and big universe to understand. The book itself was clearly just the first part of a much longer story.
I quite enjoyed it. The subject was very different from Green's Nightside and Ishmael Jones books, but the dark humor was there and I think that's what I like best about Green's writing.