Customer Reviews

The Star Kings

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This novel is perhaps the purest example of the Space Opera genre in existence. The story moves at a breakneck pace with a "Buck Rogers" feel to it that is hard to describe. The clash of great star empires with their super-weapons, space fleets and space heroes all resound throughout this glittery story.

This is an easy read for a "beer and chips" afternoon that lovers of space opera should not miss. Highly recommended.

Having wondered over many years where it is, I found it! This epitome of space opera was first enjoyed by me at age 12, just discovering science fiction. Again, I have literally devoured it at age 62!

I don't know much of Edmond Hamilton, but this jewel of a book has every element of space opera to it - thrilling plot, challenged and tempted hero, wide flung interstellar battles, star kingdom glories, incredible escapes, relentless dilemmas, and continuing romantic interest. Included in these huge starship battles, are dramatic depictions of events in the Canopus, Pleiades, dark nebulae, and Deneb, as you travel at 200 parsec/hr in the year 200,000. Eventually end up with a great romantic hope which any red-blooded man would droll over.

Yes, friends, for a mere $.90 (cost of a used paperback edition, of this original 1949 edition), you may return from World War II, as a heroic 30 ton bomber pilot, dulled into the routine of insurance work, and recapitulate your heroic victories, immersing yourself in this fantastic story and identity.

The Star Kings was writen during the golden age of science-fiction, that is, many many years ago. You have to keep this in mind to appreciate the book, otherwise some aspects will seem very cheesy.

The setting in this book (and its sequel), is today be considered a classical space-opera on par with what Star Wars: A New Hope was back in 1979. It is with all of this in mind that I read, and liked, Star Kings. Why? Because despite being very typical of the genre, the author managed to avoid all the clichés I'm weary of and yet his book has those I still appreciate.

A week ago I bought my Kindle 2. I immediately starting hearing a voice in my sleep! " Tom Reilly! This is Edmond Hamilton calling you & urging you to download my novel, THE STAR KINGS! ". I did so, today, and am already feeling the excitement I felt when I originally read the paperback, back in the 1950s. Terrific adventure novel!!