Starwolf

Another rollicking, adventurous good time from the semi-pulp scifi era I hadn't previously read (or anything else by Hamilton for that matter). This omnibus was in the last of the books from my aunt, who loved this sort of thing.
It was a light, fast, fun action-y collection. Though nestled in there is some surprisingly astute self-reflection and great characterization, some nice thoughts on how you can't ever really 'go home again' for a whole host of reasons and causes.
Worth the read!

Omnibus of three short novels that do belong together.

First third something I would never have chosen, as being about a pirate. But the thing is, he's also an outcast... so now it's more like a Bildungsroman. Gracefully written, interesting. And sometimes funny. "The hell with clever plans. Do it the Starwolf way." But also, "He despised all this prying about inside himself, trying to sort out emotions he had never been forced to feel before. So the devil with it." (for now)

Second third is more straightforward adventure, as it explores one of the insufficiently explored themes of SF with a Sense of Wonder and a What If that I'm loving. These may be warrior types, but they're intelligent & complex.

Last third a perfect wrap-up. Their show more biggest adventure yet, in some ways... but also some extra-interesting observations of human nature.

I like the idea that Earth specializes in mercenaries. Because: "We were soaked in conquest right up to ears for a long, long time and that's why we don't have much use for it anymore."

If this weren't about pirate/ soldier types, I'd probably give it four stars. I will look for others by the author... I hope he got a chance to write to his strengths, not just to the market.

I had a bit of trouble with the female representation but it's pretty much easily overlookable; there are very few women, but at least they are individual people, not clichés. The underrepresentation of women is the only thing that feels dated, to me. show less

Excellent of its kind, especially the first and third parts (it was originally a trilogy).Straightforward action space adventure,, vividly described. About a Earth boy (son of unsuccessful Welsh missionaries) orphaned on Varna, a heavy planet whose humanoid natives use their heavy-gtravity-developed muscles to become superb space pirates --the hero (Morgan Chane) grows up as one of them but is kicked out after killing another pirate in a fight over loot. He is picked up by an Eaerthling Merc unit and joins their adventures. In the first one, the Mercs are hired by one of two p,anets competing for a vast alien vessel presumed to contain potential as a weapon in the war between the planets --however, the aliens themselves impressively show more intervene. They are peaceful but by no means helpless. The second part --less satisfying --involves discovering the far-faring--a device that permits peoples' minmds to travel to the stars, but which becomes addictive. The third part involves Chane returning to Varns to recruit the Varnans to attack a raxce of sadistic collectors who have stolen a treasure in jewels. The social/political structure of Varna is well worked out. show less

Les loups des étoiles "Starwolf" en vo est un recueil de 3 récits courts qui se suivent et mettent en scène le personnage de Morgan Chane, un loup des étoiles atypique. C'est un terrien qui est né et a été élevé parmi les habitants de Varna, un monde à forte gravité peuplé par les pires pirates de l'espace.
Il en a retiré une force et une agilité inhumaine, tout comme un manque total de scrupules. Chassé de sa planète, il rejoint une équipe de mercenaires terriens avec qui il va vivre 3 missions périlleuses.
Edmond Hamilton est considéré comme un des pères du space opera et cela se sent dans ses textes. C'est très classique, voire un peu suranné. Les extra terrestres sont tous humanoïdes et une part importante est show more donnée aux vaisseaux et à la beauté de l'espace.

Je voulais lire un space opera classique, c'en est un. Si vous cherchez de l'originalité, passez votre chemin, mais si vous avez envie de lire 3 récits de space op bien écrits, ce livre est un bon choix. show less