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Rating: 
Summary: Another glimpse to a uniqe universe.
Review: Again and again , Alfred Elton Van-Vogt shows the rest of the world the richness of his imagination.This time we enter an empire of humans at war with the Rull race- insects with the ability to control the light pattern of their exso-skeleton , thus they are able to create the illusion of any apearence- even human. To say the truth , like one of the previous reviewers , I also have the feeling that the whole story is just a part of a much bigger one. It's just that Van Vogt does'nt let you know and understand all that you want to. And that creates this feeling of something missing. The book as a whole is a great adventure , with a great backround story , and the end is remarkeble , a truely Van Vogtian ending. It's a book I recommend to pre-campbellian readers.
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Summary: A sweet candy to golden-era sci-fi lovers
Review: Earth is at war with a hive-mind, chameleon skinned, human-sized race of insects, the Rull. That's pretty much it as far as the story is concerned... but on a space opera/adventure point of view, there's just a little bit of everything for everyone. Space faring, giant six-legged telepathic blue crocodiles (the Ezwals) that may hold the key to victory, amazonia-like planets expeditions, and the ever-present threat of the invisible enemy, the Rull... This was my first sci-fi read over 15 years ago, and the wonder of it still lingers around from time to time. That's the main reason for those 4 stars up there. I guess many people wouldn't be so generous with it, though. Don't expect a masterpiece, but be ready for something like a cross between Doc Savage and Forbidden Planet (I know, *EEEW* what a terrible mix, but that's the most accurate I can think of) Sometimes it even feels like reading E. R. Burrough's Tarzan: you get a course on how to get rid of a giant vampire-like creature that has trapped you inside a cave. (I won't spoil this one, but now I think I'd survive such an encounter - sci-fi pulp can be very educating) The opening set of chapters summarizes it all: a rescue anti-grav platform is slowly going down towards the deadly surface of a swamp planet. The hero is strapped to the underside of it. An Ezwal that has been captured and taken off his homeworld sits on top of it. The Ezwal, who caused the ship they both were in to explode, promises his human hunter that he'll become the prey once the platform touches down. And anyway the predators down there will take care of him when night falls... Now THAT is adventure !!! Overall a very enjoyable summer read. Go for it.
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Summary: Golden Age SF like it should be today
Review: I first read this about 30-odd years ago, and have re-read it many times. My original copy has been lost in the mists of time, but my son (now 24) had read snatches of it and insists I buy a new copy. My only regret about the story is that it seems like it's the middle bit of a much bigger tale. If only somebody with van vogt's imagination and story-telling skills could pick it up.
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Summary: Nice old-fashioned scifi
Review: I have a ancient, eternally dusty edition of this book, and even if it's really, as I said, old-fashioned, it's a nice way to have a good time. And it has at least one really interesting creature, the ezwal.
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Summary: Space opera, with an expected "twist" ending
Review: I read this book, or parts of it over 30 (!) years ago when I wanted blasters and spaceships and lots of BEMs. It is one of the items in my 'keeper' library. The Rull enemy has a fantasy element (shapechanger) that will appeal, and a cold-blooded ability to eradicate the humans it opposes. Read it as an adventure yarn, and not as a comment on civilization.
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Summary: my favourite
Review: My favourite van vogt book. This is the book which got me hooked on to sci-fi. Exciting and gripping till the end.
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