Statesman

This review is for whole series -- engrossing characters and unfortunately probable world building. Absolutely the plot and the protagonist sucks you right in and goes nonstop through all 6 books.

I am a fan of Piers Anthony; but, reader beware -- this ain't no Xanth. Much more intense situations. "Caligula of the stars" on one of the excerpts is a very apt description for some disturbing portions in series; definitely for adults with actions and memories graphic/explicit as to sex, violence, rape and even child molesting.

The final chapter of the life of the Space Tyrant, Hope Hubris. After he's deposed as the tyrant of Jupiter, Hope is recruited to lead humanity's effort of colonization of the galaxy. But this a monumental undertaking, requiring the contribution and cooperation of all members of the solar system. And each entity has to be properly convinced. What could be finer than having the tyrant spread hope and goodwill among the various planets of the solar system?

Whereas book 3 had Piers' silliness show up with references to Florida and the US and book 4 was very overtly sexual, book 5 dipped into both of those vices, though not as severely as the previous volumes did. Not leave his inside jokes, behind, though, Piers did show us Hope's show more brilliance in unmistakeable fashion - although this brilliance is also apparent in many of Piers' other books - like the devious plots of the devil foiled by the various aspects of Immortality - or the plots of the various Wizards in the Blue Adept series. I enjoy it when creativity is used to get out of a tough spot, but things get wrapped up too nicely for my liking in Piers books.

The mystery of Hopie's parentage is finally revealed - and it was certainly nothing like he had suggested - but there was enough hints about it that it came as no real shock. The oddest thing for me was the complete lack of QYV in this book - it's only ever mentioned once - as the destination for Hope's manuscripts. And, in this volume, Piers actually did acknowledge his silliness with the naming of characters as he introduced Hope's last woman of consequence - Fortuna Foundling.

So overall - the series was an interesting diversion. I certainly didn't invest a whole lot of time in reading it - the books were small and light. There was enough sci-fi mumbo jumbo to keep things almost plausible - but the sex was a little too central for my taste and the neat bows that the various plot lines create at the end just weren't realistic enough for me. show less

This fifth installment of the Bio of a Space Tyrant series sadly does not live up to the quality of its predecessors. Where earlier editions were highly engaging, drawing the reader in to care about the world Anthony has created, Statesman finds both our Tyrant and the reader disengaged from that world to such an extent that interest is difficult to maintain. While I would still recommend reading Statesman to those who wish to finish the series, I would do so with a caution: Don't expect too much.

Obviously, when the solar system was colonized the people of Israel settled on the moons of Mars, because the Arabs took Mars and the Israelites like living next to them so much. And equally obviously, our hero Hope Hubris makes short work of the conflict that has apparently endured for seven centuries without either side blowing the other up.

I can't even say that the series jumped the shark here because that happened in volume 3 already.

#454 in our old book database. Not rated.

BIO OF A SPACE TYRANT