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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Terror Comes, February 1, 2003
This review is from: Deathstalker Legacy (Hardcover)
Deathstalker Legacy is either the sixth novel in the Deathstalker series or the first in a successor series. Two hundred years ago, Owen Deathstalker and his friends defeated the forces of the Old Empire and saved humanity -- and aliens -- from the Dark Void. Now Owen is a legend, lost beyond the rim of the galaxy and some of his friends are also heroes or heroines out of mythology. For this is the Golden Age and as such, the people want myths, not the shabby truth. In this novel, the Old King is retiring and his son will be the New King. Douglas doesn't want to be the King, but he sees it as his duty. A Queen has been selected for him, Jasmine Flowers, the darling of the opera set and his old buddy, Lewis Deathstalker, will be his Champion. Parliament feels certain that they can work with the New King, although the New King is less certain about that. It is a time of renewal ... and revolution. For the mythology is following apart. Certain that he would be the new Champion, Finn Durandal feels bitter and angry when Lewis is named instead. Finn decides to forgo his role as the leading Paragon in the King's Justice and become a traitor, bringing down the Empire. He has plenty of help, first from a con artist named Brett Random and then from the Wild Rose of the Arenas, Rose Constantine, an undefeated gladiator. Then Finn brings in the Neuman of the Pure Humanity League and also helps Angelo Bellini create a new Church Militant. The Shadow Court and the Hellfire Club are also watching the action with interest. And the Terror comes to the galaxy. This novel is very much a satire on modern society, where image is everything and even the highest level of peacekeepers, the Paragons, give autographs and maintain web sites for their fans. The King is just a figurehead with little power and Members of Parliament divide the riches of the Empire among themselves. Arenas stage daily duels to the death and other deadly sports, but hardly anyone is killed beyond regeneration. This is the Golden Age ... according to the media. This novel sets up the background for the sequels that will surely follow. Thus, it is not very much fun until the last chapter or so, when Lewis stops being such a nice guy. The story also provides a love interest; in fact, too much love interest: Douglas loves Jasmine and Jasmine love Lewis and Lewis loves Jasmine. Just to complicate the triangle further, Douglas and Lewis love and respect each other better that brothers. For British readers, this book will surely provide a few laughs from parochial puns; I got the one about Emma Steel, but I only suspect others. There are also moments of action that recall the Avengers, but with blood and guts. This novel has touches of Star Wars, particularly Episode 2, in the description of Logres at night from a gravity sled and the Esper city of New Hope hanging in the air. There is also the element of forbidden love, which echoes Lancelot and Guinevere, and the general feeling of decadence. Recommended for Deathstalker fans and anyone who enjoyed Green's other action and intrigue stories.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Camelot Crumbling...., May 12, 2004
I recently completed this book and have to say that it was very interesting. It takes the story of the Deathstalker Clan two hundred years into the future, and a Golden Age. The Golden Age is how it starts and I seriously doubt that any reader of Simon R. Green would expect it to remain such. That is good because it does not. At its core, Deathstalker Legacy is an intricate retailing of Arthurian legends, with a few twists. There is Douglas Campbell, the new King, his queen-to-be Jessamine Flowers and his best friend Lewis Deathstalker. From there you may surmise the unfolding events. There are a number of other elements involved in this tapestry; friendship, honor, morality, politics, and revenge. Mr. Green admirably weaves these elements together to form a story so compelling that I found it difficult to put down. The characters begin to develop as they meet adversity, and all characters develop. There are surprising twists and a considerable amount of backstabbing. Things are not always as they seem, and sometimes, even the reader is caused to reconsider to a different point of view. Behind all of this is the dark humor, sarcasm, and wit one would expect from Simon Green. I would recommend this work to almost anyone. It is not so much Sci-Fi as Science Fiction. It seems to be an excellent space opera, which is unusual to run across in todays libraries. One other thing. There is no requirement to have read the original Deathstalker series (Deathstalker, Deathstalker Rebellion, Deathstalker War, Deathstalker Honor, and Deathstalker Destiny). However, it may cause you to want to read them. You will, though, want to read them before you continue with Deathstalker Return.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deathstalker luck, all good!, February 18, 2003
This review is from: Deathstalker Legacy (Hardcover)
The last few Deathstalkers were kind of like that extra slice of pie on thanksgiving. You want it, but you know you're going to regret it later. I liked the last few Deathstalker books but by the end, whew - I was glad it was over. There's only so much double cross and surprises and actions scenes even a space opera can stand. So I approached this with some caution but guess what?! This book is great. It picks up approx 200 years later than the last books and we're dealing with some of the same people and groups. Good times are about to give way to bad times and of course we have a new Deathstalker heir on our hands. Events are similiar, but slightly changed so thats good. The first 2/3 of the book is background info for I guess the next 6-7 books but then books kicks off with fantastic action and a finish that left me begging for the next book! This is a great book to read while listen to, say, the Flash Gordon - Queen soundtrack or something real space opera like. Simon, whatever your secret is that lets you switch between fantasy and sci fi so well, keep it up!
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