Masters of Everon [Hardcover]

Gordon R. Dickson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1979

Jef Robini is sent to the planet Everon find out why all efforts to create a stable colony on the planet have failed and discovers the cat-like maolots, mysterious inhabitants of Everon. Reprint.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 213 pages
• Publisher: N. Y.: Nelson Doubleday, 1979 (1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1299436870
• ISBN-13: 978-1299436879
• ASIN: B00005WE4L
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,661,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars raised with an animal from Everon, January 25, 2010

By 

David Brockert "constant reader" (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Masters of Everon (Mass Market Paperback)

Jef has been raised with an animal from Everon, a planet that has been newly settled. The animal has not grown as they are known to on their home world, so he is taking it home see if it grows or what, on his native world. It is a scarey beast as far as most folks from the world are concerned, but with Jef, it is docile and obiedant. When he gets to the planet he starts off with the authorities wanting to quarantee or kill it. He is assisted by some fellow he met on the ride out, so at least he and his pet get to stay together.
Jef gets into trouble, gets to know the people and societies of the planet. There is some psychic connection between Jef and his pet that grows stronger as his pet grows as well. In the end the connection has grown so strong, Jef is able to see from the eyes of others not his pet.
The delimna that it turns out Jef is to solve was presented by the animals of the planet and is a trial, of sorts, of the human race.

5.0 out of 5 stars Science Fiction novel by Gordon Dickson...recommended, March 14, 2010

By 

Paul Brooks (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

I found Master of Everon (1979) by Gordon R. Dickson to be an exceptionally interesting novel. The author has taken a standard science-fiction plot theme - colonist from Earth settle on a alien planet and "terraform" it's ecology to be habitable - and pumps enough life and interesting ideas and plot twist to keep you up at night turning pages. I should not be surprised because Dickson is a master writer in the SF field.

The plot outline is as follows: Humanity from earth is migrating to habitable planets. Prior to allowing colonist to homestead the Ecology Corps evaluates the planet for dangerous flora and fauna and them decided which earth based plants and animals can be introduced without destroying the local ecology.

Jef Robini travels to the planet Everon with a native animal, a malot, he has raised from a pup. His brother Wil - an Ecology Corps employee, gave the malot -described as a large tiger-like beast - to Jef 8 years ago. Jef is a trained anthropologist and is studying the effects of introducing the malot to its native habitat. Jef is also looking for answers to his brother's death - he suspects foul play.

The plot is reasonably interesting but the charm of this book is the author's ability to convince the reader that we are on an alien planet and that nothing can be taken for granted and mysteries abound- even with the most commonplace things. For example Jef runs out of rations he carried from Earth and is offered a meal of bacon, eggs, toast and coffee from a group of settlers. He notices every eye is upon him as he takes the first bite. The food looks fine but it was raised on Everon - grown in its soil, warmed by its sun. Jef remarks that yes it's good but different - the most common has been transformed its strange, different.

Gordon R. Dickson (1923-2001) was one of the most prolific science fiction authors of the 20th century. During his lifetime his contemporaries generally overshadowed him. Now several years after his passing you cannot find any of his titles in brick and mortar bookstores or for that matter in your local library. If you are interested in well-crafted stories with a seasoning of thoughtful science fiction ideas and concepts I recommend you search out titles by Mr. Dickson.

5.0 out of 5 stars raised with an animal from Everonc, January 25, 2010

By 

David Brockert "constant reader" (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Jef has been raised with an animal from Everon, a planet that has been newly settled. The animal has not grown as they are known to on their home world, so he is taking it home see if it grows or what, on his native world. It is a scarey beast as far as most folks from the world are concerned, but with Jef, it is docile and obiedant. When he gets to the planet he starts off with the authorities wanting to quarantee or kill it. He is assisted by some fellow he met on the ride out, so at least he and his pet get to stay together.
Jef gets into trouble, gets to know the people and societies of the planet. There is some psychic connection between Jef and his pet that grows stronger as his pet grows as well. In the end the connection has grown so strong, Jef is able to see from the eyes of others not his pet.
The delimna that it turns out Jef is to solve was presented by the animals of the planet and is a trial, of sorts, of the human race.