Deathworld

Description

Deathworld is a trilogy featuring the same protagonist and his adventures on three different planets, a series of books ranked by many among the true classics of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

The protagonist in all three books is Jason dinAlt, a man who possesss extraordinary psychic powers that he uses to avail himself to unfair advantage as a professional gambler. In the first novel published in 1960, Jason is challenged by Kerk Pyrhhus, the ambassador of planet Pyrhhus to gamble at a government-owned casino to multiply an already substantial sum of money. Of course, he wins the game and later on he joins the ambassador to his planet, even though he is warned by everyone to stay away from the place also known as Deathworld.

In the second story, written in 1964 and initially entitled The Ethical Engineer, Jason is kidnapped and taken to a planet still in bronze age, having to fight for his life not only against locals, but also against another man who is after Jason for his past crimes. In the third story published in 1968, Jason leads an army from the first planet to colonize a third one, populated by warriors, ready to start a fight any time, just like Jason’s people.

The Deathworld stories are full of heroic deeds, quick action and they are not short of romantic elements either. Populated by deadly predators, incredibly powerful weapons and warriors who know exactly how to use them in environments that are not simply hostile, but downright deadly, Harrison’s trilogy makes an excellent read.

The author is not only a master of storytelling, but also a master of wit and humor – readers will find themselves laughing out loud, while also sitting at the edge of their chairs to find out about the next adventure of Jason and his team.
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