Customer Reviews

Galactic Bounty

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read this book thirteen years ago when it was originally published as "War World" and while I was still in grade school. I read it from cover to cover in one day (even using a flashlight hidden under a pillow to continue after bedtime). There has been no single author that has captured my imagination and paralyzed me with excitement as William C. Dietz. I highly recommend any of his novels, but this one holds a very dear place in my heart. I am so thankful to Ace Books for republishing this book and supporting such a magnificently gifted writer.

The McCade series of 1. "Galactic Bounty" (earlier published as "War world"), 2. "Imperial bounty", 3. Alien bounty", and 4. "McCade's bounty"; presents a completely new kind of science fiction character in Sam McCade. McCade is the bounty hunter within the terran empire that finds himself in the center of intergalactic politics and conflicts where his past military career in the terran fleet catches up with him. Hard-boiled and impossible to corrupt; McCade is facing adventures, together with his two odd friends Rico and Phil, that could be described as a unique mix of a wild west novel set in a military science fiction world with a flavor of Jack Vance and Robert Henlein. You will not be disappointed. Try also his other novels in the "legion" series.

I have scoured many bookshelves and read much pulp, But I found a true treasure with this little gem. Dietz has created a larger than life life story that reads exceptionally well. It is very apparent that Dietz values the reader, and doesn't subject them to bunk. Pure Joy.

I gave this book four stars rather than five only because I usually prefer hard science fiction (i.e., where the science is real, and space ships don't go zipping back and forth as if they're fighter jets in an atmosphere), but this book sounded interesting when I read its description and I really enjoyed it. Some of the characters could be a little more developed, but I'll assume they grow in the books that follow in the series. Also, it's hard to ignore the "Star Wars" feeling the novel has, with its Galactic Empire and Emperor, its large cast of alien creatures, space pirates and battles with lasers (though lasers can't be seen unless there's an atmosphere).

Still, despite the B-movie conventions, it was an entertaining read. The plotting was excellent, and there were interesting and creative aliens (like the Treel) and interesting and creative humans (like Phil, the man-bear). I especially liked the little surprise at the end.

Mr. Dietz is a good writer -- lean, effective prose with snappy dialogue -- and he knows how to keep you reading: a cliff-hanger at the end of every chapter. Sometimes, though, I felt like I was watching a scifi movie rather than reading a book...the characters, again, were a little too one dimensional and in some cases cliched. Still, that's a minor complaint compared to the overall enjoyment I got out of the novel. I look forward to the next McCade novel (Imperial Bounty).

Absolutely fast paced fun. I might read it again. The action sequences are well drawn and easy to visualize. I might criticize Dietz's plot line getting just a tad thin and unbelieveable toward the end, but because the pace of the book is so fast, most readers won't mind. And seriously, this does have some cool plot twists. If anyone is looking for more complicated or serious plot twists, a SciFi action thriller of two hundred pages probably isn't the place for that.
But, if you were looking for a fast paced thriller, this is the book.

I read this book when it was War World, and completely and utterly enjoyed it. Although, I've read well over 200 sci-fi books, Galactic Bounty (War World) has become and will remain one of my favorites. I highly recommend this book as well as the series. Long live McCade!

Sam is on Earth for a short time, expecting to receive a well earned Bounty. Except the laws have changed and his payment now depends upon his completing a new assignment, for the Imperial Navy. A Navy Captain has disappeared and, unfortunately, after looking over his old records three conclusions have come to the surface. Somehow the Captain has discovered a new, and presumed deadly, weapon from an ancient 'artifact planet'. The second conclusion is that he's gone mad and plans to give the weapon to the Il Ronn. The last piece of irony, the Mad Captain is the same one that had Sam busted out of the Imperial Navy for disobedience of a direct order. Now Sam has been 'ordered' to catch him, or Kill him...