Customer Reviews

Under a calculating star

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I own thousands of books now but this one was my first purchase. I recently revisited the book and was surprised to find a story that had survived the years quite well. As in much of 70s science fiction, this work focuses on social issues under a veneer of space opera.

The protagonist is a member of a subjugated race that bears patiently the burdens of prejudice and intolerance. Fortunately he finds an enlightened soul who looks past common prejudice and gives our hero the chance to break free. Predictably we learn that this oppressed race has an intellect to match their brute strength. Unfortunately the author forgets to pay as much attention to the plot as to the message.

Despite the overt and preachy tone of the story the science fiction is actually pretty good. Nothing that is going to challenge the likes of Dune--but enough to warrant seeking out others of Mr. Morressy's works.

`Under A Calculating Star' was first published in 1975; this Popular Library paperback was issued in 1978.

Kian Jorry is an interstellar man of fortune, hustler, and schemer. He assembles a multi-racial crew in an attempt to breach the fabled Citadel on the now-uninhabited plant of Boroq-Thaddoi. While it is rumored to contain a vast treasure, the Citadel is well-guarded, and would-be looters from throughout the galaxy have met their doom in trying to access its interior. Joining Jorry on his quest is Axxal, a member of a slow-moving, slow-thinking race of aliens called the Quespodons.

The first third of 'Under' is an engaging adventure tale as Jorry and his team endure all sorts of perils in their efforts to journey overland to the Citadel and make their way inside. Unfortunately, after page 70 the action shifts away to a different locale, the plot centers on dealings with a blustering despot, as well as one character's inner journey to self-awareness and racial pride. The narrative loses momentum, always a fatal flaw in a space opera, and while things start to move again in the book's last 15 pages it is too little, too late.

As an example of mid-70s sci-fi adventure, 'Under' is a mediocre novel and demonstrates that at that period of time the genre was in need of revival, something 'Star Wars' was able to amply provide.