Alastor
Jack Vance
479 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 0312869525
ISBN13:
Language: English
Publish: 1025679600000
FantasyFictionNovelsScience FictionScience Fiction FantasySpace OperaSpeculative Fiction
Three young men in strange worlds face dangers, meet tempting girls, and may be saved by the incognito Connatic, ruler of Alastor trillions. Planets have totally different climates and cultures, but evil humans are always greedy.
Trullion: Home of ex-soldier Glinnes, whose brother has sold family island against their late father’s wishes. Glinnes plays hussade to raise ozols to buy Ambray back. Starmenter pirates attack their big game, and $30M ransom vanishes, sought by all, especially alluring murderous gypsy Duissane.
Marune: The home world of amnesiac Pardero. Really prince “Kraike” Efraim, the new heir almost loses his throne to his step-brother Destian. Step-mother Singhalissa plots with neighbor Rianlle. Fiancée Sthelany invites him to her room during the mirk long night of darkest emotions.
Wyst: Inspirational planet to artist Jantiff, with egalistic new friends Skorlet and Esteban. Every meal has only gruff baked brown loaf, deedle tart drink, and wobbly custard sweet to fill in the chinks. The Whispers, representatives, invite the Connatic for their planet anniversary celebration, but plotters conspire.