Refugee

Rating:
Summary: great biographical science fiction [no spoilers]
Review: I've been recently reading novels from my past, especially those I recall enjoying. I felt like revisiting this series, seeing if I remember correctly.

Back cover of book:

Caligula of the Stars

Though he was later accused of every crime and sexual perversion in the galaxy, Hope Hubris began as an innocent. Because he defended his older sister against the violent lusts of a wealthy scion, Hope and his peasant family were forced to flee Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter. Pursued by bloodthirsty scions across the airless desert, they barely escaped with their lives. The illegal space bubble was overcrowded with refugees, all hoping to reach Jupiter for asylum.

But the space travelers had not reckoned on the terrible threat of high space - the pirates, barbaric men who rape, rob, and murder, with no thought but to satisfy their bestial appetites. It will take all Hope's ingenuity to survive, but the atrocities he witnesses will never die. There is only one way he can be rid of them...

Revenge!

End back cover of book.

The writing is a reflective biography of 15-year-old Hope Hubris to what he has witnessed during his refugee journey to Jupiter. Some scenes are brutal and troubling and won't be suitable for all readers. The horrible crimes committed against Hope and his family becomes somewhat repetitive which I'm not fond of, hence a 4 star rating.

The early experiences with good and evil people at this age will define his character to become tyrant. I found it engaging on the levels of family, community, and personal determination despite the disturbing imagery. "Refugee (Bio of a Space Tyrant: Volume 1)" is still an enjoyment after all these years.

Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: great biographical science fiction [no spoilers]
Review: I've been recently reading novels from my past, especially those I recall enjoying. I felt like revisiting this series, seeing if I remember correctly.

Back cover of book:

Caligula of the Stars

Though he was later accused of every crime and sexual perversion in the galaxy, Hope Hubris began as an innocent. Because he defended his older sister against the violent lusts of a wealthy scion, Hope and his peasant family were forced to flee Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter. Pursued by bloodthirsty scions across the airless desert, they barely escaped with their lives. The illegal space bubble was overcrowded with refugees, all hoping to reach Jupiter for asylum.

But the space travelers had not reckoned on the terrible threat of high space - the pirates, barbaric men who rape, rob, and murder, with no thought but to satisfy their bestial appetites. It will take all Hope's ingenuity to survive, but the atrocities he witnesses will never die. There is only one way he can be rid of them...

Revenge!

End back cover of book.

The writing is a reflective biography of 15-year-old Hope Hubris to what he has witnessed during his refugee journey to Jupiter. Some scenes are brutal and troubling and won't be suitable for all readers. The horrible crimes committed against Hope and his family becomes somewhat repetitive which I'm not fond of, hence a 4 star rating.

The early experiences with good and evil people at this age will define his character to become tyrant. I found it engaging on the levels of family, community, and personal determination despite the disturbing imagery. Refugee (Bio of a Space Tyrant: Volume 1) is still an enjoyment after all these years.

Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: A shocker
Review: This book was just given to me, I never really gave it much thought to read it. I love Fantasy and not as much the Science Fiction genre. But the beginning story of the little boy named Hope and his family is quite a surprise. When a book can actually make me want to turn the page, but then not want to. The story is so gripping and tragic. I really enjoyed the book. I cant wait to get my hands on the rest.

Rating:
Summary: I read the entire series twice!
Review: This is a biography of Hope Hubris, a refugee who later on became the tyrant of Jupiter. His family was utterly destroyed by the filthy rich as well as space pirates. I read the entire series twice. I like all the characters there especially Spirit and Helse.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Sci Fi Series ever
Review: Why Piers Anthony is primarily considered a fantasy author, I'll never know. I think that at least half of his greatest work is Sci-Fi, and this book is the beginning of one of his best series. Bio of a Space Tyrant (beginning with Refugee) is a great look at the rise of one person in a sea of chaos to the pinnacle of leadership.

In this book we learn of the main character's race for survival as he flees his home planet in a simple space pod along with 100 or so other refugees. This book is not for the prude -it deals with violent encounters and the need and drive for survival in the worst of human conditions.

I could not put this book down, and think the rest of the series lives up to its promise.

While obviously a lot of events in the book mirror some of the events and historical cold-war issues of our time, I found that a lot of the commentary was refreshing and thoughtful, and it reminded me of Robert E. Heinlein, who often proposed "harsh" solutions to mankind's problems -solutions that very well may have worked had we the will to implement them.

I found it to be a fantastic book, and when I got to the end I was truly surprised at the depth of what I had read. I had NOT expected the book to progress as it had.

Though out of print in the mass market paperback edition, I would say it would ABSOLUTELY be worth purchasing the trade paperback versions or purchasing the older ones used. A small price to pay for a series that may open up your mind to different ways at looking at the world, and to understanding in a fresh way the human machinations within.

If you liked this sci-fi excursion with Piers Anthony, I'd also recommend his 5 volume "Cluster" Series which is also amazing sci-fi (and even more imaginative), as well as his "Omnivore / Orn / Ox" series, and finally, and most especially, his Split Infinity series (which may be my favorite -but is only half sci-fi; the other half being pure fantasy). Really imaginative and compelling Science Fiction here.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Sci Fi Series ever
Review: Why Piers Anthony is primarily considered a fantasy author, I'll never know. I think that at least half of his greatest work is Sci-Fi, and this book is the beginning of one of his best series. Bio of a Space Tyrant (beginning with Refugee) is a great look at the rise of one person in a sea of chaos to the pinnacle of leadership.

In this book we learn of the main character's race for survival as he flees his home planet in a simple space pod along with 100 or so other refugees. This book is not for the prude -it deals with violent encounters and the need and drive for survival in the worst of human conditions.

I could not put this book down, and think the rest of the series lives up to its promise.

While obviously a lot of events in the book mirror some of the events and historical cold-war issues of our time, I found that a lot of the commentary was refreshing and thoughtful, and it reminded me of Robert E. Heinlein, who often proposed "harsh" solutions to mankind's problems -solutions that very well may have worked had we the will to implement them.

I found it to be a fantastic book, and when I got to the end I was truly surprised at the depth of what I had read. I had NOT expected the book to progress as it had.

Though out of print in the mass market paperback edition, I would say it would ABSOLUTELY be worth purchasing the trade paperback versions or purchasing the older ones used. A small price to pay for a series that may open up your mind to different ways at looking at the world, and to understanding in a fresh way the human machinations within.

If you liked this sci-fi excursion with Piers Anthony, I'd also recommend his 5 volume "Cluster" Series which is also amazing sci-fi (and even more imaginative), as well as his "Omnivore / Orn / Ox" series, and finally, and most especially, his Split Infinity series (which may be my favorite -but is only half sci-fi; the other half being pure fantasy). Really imaginative and compelling Science Fiction here.