The Star Kings

Rating:
Summary: Quite a stunning read indeed (has become my Claytons book)
Review: 'Chronicles of the Star Kings' are not only the best space operas but also the best science fictions for me. I was ten years old when I met 'the Star Kings'. After finishing to read it, I felt strong empathy with John Gordon and was anxious to return to the world of the stars. A few years after, I encountered 'Return to the Stars'. Can you imagine my delight at that time? Twenty five years have past since then, but John Gordon is still alive in my mind. I am now eagar to read 'Stark and the Star Kings' written for 'the Last Dangerous Vison' which is not exhibited in public.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste you time on other things. Read this NOW!
Review: As others have mentioned, this is possibly the best science fiction book ever written.
I remember reading it first when I lived in Russia, it came in the back of a monthly magazine a chapter at a time and for the next year I was reduced to counting days until the next issue would show up.
After moving to States, the first thing i did was track down the book in some god-forsaken library in St. Louis. Since then I have read it many times. Actually, every time I just pick it up to leaf through it I end up dropping everythign else I am doing and re-reading it again.

Rating:
Summary: An oldie, but definitely a must-read
Review: I stumbled across The Star Kings shortly after I seriously got into SF, probably when I was about 12. This book blew my mind with its very colourful writing (love the characters' names) and the majestic sweep of the universe it presented. Sure the science is pretty badly dated, but if you can look past that, it's a rip-snorting tale as they say. This book still remains in my top 5, although I can't be sure that's not for sentimental reasons. I searched for about 5 years to find the sequel, Return to the Stars. For those who've read and loved this book, check out the campy movie Starcrash starring Marjoe Gortner next time it comes on late at night - the villian's name is Zarth Arn!

Rating:
Summary: An oldie, but definitely a must-read
Review: I stumbled across The Star Kings shortly after I seriously got into SF, probably when I was about 12. This book blew my mind with its very colourful writing (love the characters' names) and the majestic sweep of the universe it presented. Sure the science is pretty badly dated, but if you can look past that, it's a rip-snorting tale as they say. This book still remains in my top 5, although I can't be sure that's not for sentimental reasons. I searched for about 5 years to find the sequel, Return to the Stars. For those who've read and loved this book, check out the campy movie Starcrash starring Marjoe Gortner next time it comes on late at night - the villian's name is Zarth Arn!

Rating:
Summary: Different & Awesome!
Review: John Gordon and Jarth Arn were both looking for something that was beyond them, beyond the lives they led. For Jarth, it was a world in the past that he had never visited. For John, it was adventure and excitement beyond his dull existence. Jarth needed John to see the world he was looking for and John needed Jarth for the adventure he sought, though John didn't know it at the time. John and Jarth switch bodies and time periods to seek the unknown, but only for a short, limited time. However, as usual, things never go as planned.

Jarth Arn is the second son to one of the most powerful Star Kings. This is just the beginning, as John fights off the League of the Dark Worlds He is torn between the Jarth's love of a mistress named Murn and his love for Princess Lianna, the ruler of a Star-Kingdom. He has to prove his loyalty to his older brother after Jarth's father is assassinated and he is framed for the crime. Then he has to save the entire galaxy from the evil that tries to overtake good.

As I started THE STAR KINGS, I must say it was nothing I ever dreamed of, but boy, it was a great surprise indeed! Mr. Edmund must have had an imagination beyond anything to have dreamed up and written a tale such as this one. From one excitement to the next, I could not stop turning the pages. STAR KINGS is one of the best paranormals I've ever read.

Romance At Its Best ...

Rating:
Summary: Obsessed by it since 1958!
Review: Listen lads!
I am 50 years old now, and I read "Star Kings" in 1958... I felt devastated then!
I could never forget it in 44 years, and I just happened to learn that it was written by Ed Hamilton, right a few days ago!... (The Turkish language edition I had read did not mention the author's name, it was a cheap pulp edition of about 50 cents of the day and I got money from my late dad to buy it, oh dear...)
I know it almost by heart after all those years...
To all Hamilton fans and the people of every age who dreamed of being a John Gordon, hail!
Engin Ardic
Istanbul, Turkey

Rating:
Summary: The most fantastic space opera of all times
Review: Star Kings is the best book I have ever read. It mixes a great space opera and love story through a non-stop adventure over the galaxy. Star Wars is a pale copy of this book but those who liked Star Wars will surely adore Star Kings. Don't miss the sequel "return to stars" !

Rating:
Summary: Old School Space-Opera
Review: The Star Kings was writen during the golden age of science-fiction, that is, many many years ago. You have to keep this in mind to appreciate the book, otherwise some aspects will seem very cheesy.

The setting in this book (and its sequel), is today be considered a classical space-opera on par with what Star Wars: A New Hope was back in 1979. It is with all of this in mind that I read, and liked, Star Kings. Why? Because despite being very typical of the genre, the author managed to avoid all the clichés I'm weary of and yet his book has those I still appreciate.