Book Description
This practical guide to deliverance from demons discusses seven commonly asked questions (including Do Christians ever need deliverance?) and how to receive and minister deliverance.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent!!.......2007-09-29
I have read numerous Derek Prince books and this one I highly recommend.
He gives real life examples of dealing with demonic forces and a step-by-step process on how to combat these forces. This is a must have in your book collection.
I will buy more books by Derek Prince.......2007-09-24
Derek Prince is so scholarly that you know if he said it then you can believe it won't be due to sensationalism or over-zealousness. Well written with scripture references throughout which is extremely important.
Both Good information, and bad information.......2007-07-30
This book has both good information and bad information in it. I love the fact that he catagorizes the way in which demons work in an individuals life, and he does a nice job of explaining the various methods that demons use to gain access in an individuals life. However, I disagree that every bad behavior that a person has is some how devil-spirit (demon) influenced. Some bad behavior is just that, "Bad Behavior." Another huge issue I have with this book is concerning Water Baptism. Mr. Prince states, "Baptism in water is not an option-some ecclesiastical ceremony that follows salvation. On the contrary, it is an outward act of obedience expressing the inward work of faith in our hearts, and thus making salvation complete." Mr. Prince further states, "But we are separated from the world by passing through the water of baptism. It is the act of being baptized that cuts us off from the kingdom of satan. His demons have no right to follow us through the water." What? What about what Jesus said in Acts 1:5 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." What about Romans 10:9-10? Mr. Prince doesn't come right out and say it, but he implies that salvation is tied to water baptism. This I totally disagree with. There are many christians that are pro baptism that use Acts 10:47 as the reason water baptism is still needed today. But remember what Peter stated in Acts 11:16 when commenting on this same issue (when Cornelius and his house were saved), Peter said the following, Acts 11:16 "Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said,'John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.'"
Don't get me wrong, I don't care if anyone gets water baptized. My point is that Mr. Prince uses it as a scare tactic. He implies that if you don't get baptized in water the devil has all the access he wants to your life. This promotes fear (remember there is no fear in love 1 John 4:18). The strong points of this book are very strong. I like the aspects of the book that deal directly with demons and their devices. This book is good for that (one of the best I've seen). However, I would NOT SUGGEST THIS BOOK FOR NEW CHRISTIANS. There are a lot of things in here that will do nothing but promote fear in your life if your not strong in your faith, and that will distract you from God if you are not well established in your word of God. However, I would recommend this book to those who are already well established in Gods word. There is a great depth of knowledge concerning demons and their devices that you can learn from. Just make sure you cut between truth and error very carefully.
They Shall Expel Demons: What You Need to Know about Demons - Your Invisible Enemies.......2007-07-28
Excellent Biblical teaching regarding an area of ministry engaged in by Jesus Christ on a continual basis, but now, often ignored by current preachers and teachers. A why and how book without all the hype and nonsense.
People Get Ready.......2006-04-23
This is an awesome book. I don't agree that he applies everything to demons. He is very clear that we need to ask for discernment as to the cause of the person's affliction, whether it is spiritual or not. We are entering a time of warfare, and we had better get ready to fight the enemy. Demons most certainly exist, and they would love to make us believe that we are subject to their oppression with no way out. Read this and see the power that is there for each who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the authority that has been given to us. This book also made me take a hard look at myself, and I have to say the Holy Spirit has done some amazing things in me since reading it. If you are open to the renewing of your mind, than this is a really great start.
Book Description
Emma Holly loves to take a walk on the wild side, and here she ventures into a sensuous and dangerous world where a human courtesan becomes the flesh and blood property of a demon prince. Soulmates, lovers-and victims of an unnatural desire that could drive them both insane.
Customer Reviews:
Erotic masterpiece.......2007-10-08
This story is definitely taking a spin on the 'geisha' style of life. Emma Holly quickly involves you in the storyline and people, and the sex scenes were unexpectedly blunt, but I was not repulsed about it. I can't wait for the next story which is hinted at the end of this story.
If this does not get your pulse going, I don't know what would.
Hot ice.......2007-09-30
I love happy endings, e.g. the ending of the psychotic pig Jehol. I even like endings where just when everything seems hopeless, a troop of cavalry come thundering over the hill. So I enjoyed this book.
The science fiction genitals seemed a bit silly to me but otherwise, the lovemaking was hot.
Return to the Demon World.......2007-07-04
Emma Holly has once again given us a sensual, romantic adventure. This one takes place in the Demon World and it is wonderful.
Xishi is an orphan living in the palace of the Midarri prince, her mother was a maid and committed suicide. she is the close friend of the Prince Corum, he is a child and like her he finds comfort in their friendship. When his mother finds out they are closer than she likes she sends Xishi to an orphanage.
Corum is the heir to the Midarri, he also has a problem controlling his emotions. In his world emotions are never to be shown and all of his kind claim not to have any. But somehow Corum is abit different from his peers. Losing Xishi is very traumatic for the child he is. But finally he finds his way and earns the title of Prince of Ice.
Several yrs later when Xishi is 17 she is contracted to the Purple Crane House, a house that trains and sells pillow friends to the aristocracy. After three yrs she is sold, because she has become friends with a Prince held captive in the house.
Corum is the buyer, his family, worried about his sexuality have decided that maybe he needs help to find his sexual preferences and then to find a mate among the royalty. Corum purchases Xishi and unknown to both there is a mystery about her and some one is determined that she suffer and die.
The story is interesting, the intense and graphic love scenes are done in a romantic way and this world looks at sexuality in a different way due to the facts of their physical make-up. I loved the book and hope for a sequel.
Wonderful story-telling, sexy and erotic, but there are some very disturbing scenes.......2007-06-25
This is a wonderful/exciting read. The only reason I did not give it five (5) stars was because of the rape scene of Prince Pahndir by that disgusting Pig Jehol. And, my only other objection is Ms. Hollys putting tooooo much anal fixation stimulation into her male characters. Otherwise, I absolutely love it. Corum, only 20, was sexy, self-possessed, strong and successul. Xishi, only 20, was sweet, kind, strong and daring. Her grandma was a B on steroids. The pace is fast, and the bad guy is really a cruel, evil Bad Guy. He deserved everything he got, and more.
Hot and well-written.......2007-05-05
This is my second Emma Holly book--the first was Demon's Daughter, which I admit did not favorably impress me. I was a bit reluctant to read this one but got sucked in by the back cover copy, and now I am SO glad I gave Holly a second chance!
What I particularly enjoyed about Prince of Ice was that the world and culture made so much sense to me as I read. In Demon's Daughter, I kept getting lost between the human class structure vs. the demon caste system vs. the technology vs. the alternate history of Victorian Earth vs... you get the idea. It was a lot of world-building, and while clearly well thought-out by the author, I was somewhat overwhelmed and lost through the book.
In Prince of Ice, however, the world is perfectly accessible and made sense to me at once. The exiled royals attempting to regain their rightful place, the difference between the lower classes and royals--both physical and in caste--Holly drew me in seamlessly and it all made sense. While this is not the first of her Demon books, I truly don't think you need to have read any of the previous ones to fully enjoy this one.
And the sensual scenes are hot hot hot! Far more so than in DD, in my opinion. I'm going to have to look for more Demon books from Holly after reading this one, because I'm wondering if I just started in the wrong place with Demon's Daughter. Prince of Ice is absolutely wonderful.
Amazon.com
Jack Vance excels at writing a series of shorter works that together comprise a grand, interstellar adventure. Such is the The Demon Princes, a series of five tales that chronicle Kirth Gersen's quest for vengeance against the five demon princes. The princes led the Mount Pleasant Massacre, a raid that destroyed Gersen's family and his world. But now Kirth is on their trail, and no matter how many galaxies there are to search, he will find them one by one and exact his revenge. This first volume collects three of the five Demon Prince stories, while the second volume will carry the remaining two.
Book Description
Kirth Gersen carries in his pocket a slip of paper with a list of five names written on it. Theses are the names of the five Demon Princes who led the historic Mount Pleasant Massacre, which destroyed not only Kirth's family but his entrire world as well. He roams the universe, searching the endless galaxies of space, hunting down the Demon Princes and exacting his revenge. Three princes will fall before Kirth's work is done, and two more await their doom....
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
The Demon Princes series is a very serious revenge story, or series
even. Think Red Sonja, or The Executioner, or The Punisher. Each of
these is basically novella length.
A boy's family gets killed by some very, very bad men. His
grandfather trains him to be a killer to gain revenge. His grandfather
dies, off he goes to kill some people that aren't that easy to kill.
Classic Vance.......2007-06-19
Classic Vance which is to say excellent.
I am over the age of 13.(but just barely)
Demon Princes by Jack Vance.......2006-11-05
Vance is my favorite fantasy author. The Demon Princes is a fine example of Vance's story telling ability, in the vein of classics such as The Faceless Man. Extraordinary imagination, fabulous imagery, and a smooth style are the standard Vance trademarks.
Classic Vance.......2006-02-06
Star King is the first and, I think, best of the Demon Princes novels. In essence they are well told detective stories with Keith Gersen seeking to find and eliminate those responsible for the slave raid on his village, with he and his grandfather among a handfull of survivors. What sets Vance's stories apart are the backgrounds. He paints the exotic flora, fauna, societies, planets and places so vividly that you could believe he actually spent a night at the inn on Smade's planet and is writing from first hand experience.
Another thing I like about Vance's writing is that he never talks down to the reader as Arthur Clark sometimes does. Space boats are powered by the Jarnell Intersplit, period! He assumes the reader is smart enough to understand that it operates on physics beyond the normal three dimensions plus time. No need to quote quantum theory so we appreciate how smart he is.
Some people find his stories hard to read. I believe this comes in large part from the unusual names he gives to people, places and things. Keith Gersen is the most normal name in the book. You'll find characters named Sivij Suthiro, Pallis Atwrode, Hildemar Dasce and the like, never a Joe Smith. Persevere and the names add to the exotic flavor of his books.
He does have some rather sub-par books in print but Star King/Demon Princes series are some of his best and at his best he is one of the most outstanding Sci-Fi writers to come along.
I am a monomaniac.......2005-09-11
'The Demon Princes' was once published as five separate books, but in 1997 was reissued into only two volumes, the first volume covering the first three princes and the second volume covering the forth and fifth.
Kirth Gerson is just a boy when his village and planet are ransacked in a joint venture by the five most evil, most powerful criminals ever. They called themselves The Demon Princes. Kirth survives, along with his grandfather, who then raises the boy to become the ultimate revenge maker on the ruthless princes. After the death of his grandfather, Kirth finishes his training and is ready to take on the first of the five demon princes.
The Star King, first of the five books, (or long chapters, if you will) is the story of Kirth's hunt for Malagate The Woe. In a neutral, off-world tavern called Smade's, Gersen meets Lugo Teehalt, who tells him a fantastical story about a beautiful planet he has discovered. Gersen learns that Attel Malagate is after Teehalt's monitor in order to find this world, so Gersen uses the monitor's filament as bait to lure Malagate out. Shaking off assassins and bargaining with influential Institutes, Gersen brings about his encounter with Malagate, culminating on Teehalt's fantastical world.
The second part, The Killing Machine, is about Gersen's hunt for Kokor Hekkus, better known as The Killing Machine. From filthy out-worlds to the renowned institution called Interchange, Gerson is off on another chase. Located far out on a desert planet, Interchange exists for the expedient and safe exchange of kidnaps, acting as liaison for hostage and monetary demands. Freeing two innocent children and a contractor for Hekkus, Gersen finds more than he was looking for when he himself is kidnapped and held for ransom at Interchange. Guessing at a connection between Hekkus and a beautiful woman held for a phenomenal amount of money, Gersen finds himself on the mystical planet of Tamber and smack in the middle of a confrontation with The Killing Machine.
In the third part, Gerson takes on demon prince Viole Falushe at Falushe's Palace Of Love. Getting to the Palace isn't easy. Gersen begins with a visit to the planet Sarkovy, a dismal place famous for its many poisons. Then he flies to earth, to take up with a crotchety old poet named Navarth and his young daughter Zan-Zu. When Navarth discovers that Gersen intends to exact revenge on Viole Falushe, the man who ruined Navarth's young lover, the old poet joins the assassin on a trip to Falushe's Palace Of Love, where Gersen must first identify Falushe before he can eliminate him.
While all three tales contain a bit of mystery over who the real identity of the villain is, the majority of their intrigue and charm come from Vance's imaginative worlds; worlds complete with custom, foods, dress, environment, law (or lack of), flora and fauna, even planetary statistics. There are twenty-six planets in the 'Concourse' around the sun Rigel, and many more in the 'Beyond'. Vance creates a galaxy of rich and interesting places, peoples, and things.
Truly a delight for the SciFi fan, with enough adventure for some tight situations and narrow escapes, plus a bit of detective intrigue (though our 'detective' is an assassin), 'The Demon Princes' is a science fiction romp that should satisfy most palates. Don't forget to pick up volume two at the same time, or you will be left adrift between Gersen's meticulous pursuit of the five men who destroyed his world long ago. Enjoy!
Book Description
Jack Vance is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and versatile authors of science fiction today. The winner of a Hugo, a Nebula, and a World Fantasy Award, Vance lays claim to a career that spans more than five decades of critical acclaim and devoted readership. Tor Books has recognized his widespread audience and for years has brought classic Jack Vance novels back into print--most recently The Demon Princes, Volume One, and omnibus containing the first three books of Vance's beloved Demon Princes series. Tor now presents The Demon Princes, Volume Two, and omnibus containing the series' final two novels, The Face and The Book of Dreams.Kirth Gersen carries in his pocket a slip of paper with a list of five names written upon it--the names of five Demon Princes. The Demon Princes are a race of beings who disguise themselves as humans and delight in power and destruction. however, to Kirth they are merely murderers who killed his family and destroyed his home planet--and who deserves to die for those misdeeds. Three have already fallen in Kirth's hands, but there are two more names on his list, two more Princes who will live only long enough to regret their evil ways.Lens Larque was just as unique as the other Demon Princes--uniquely appalling. He was personally ugly, startling vicious, and arrogant above all others. Larque's own mission was a villainy of the highest order, and his personal obsession with success kept him hidden well from attackers--almost well enough. Howard Alan Treesong poisoned his friends, tortured his colleagues, and wrote his own horrific holy book, The Book of Dreams. But, clever as he may be, a galaxy-wide guessing game will be his undoing--and Kirth Gersen's sworn vengeance will be complete.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Kirth Gersen has disposed of three of the five master criminals (or
corporate executives, if you like) that were involved in a massacre
that killed his family, among others. With three down, there are two to
go, one being very tricky, and the other schizoid and very strange.
There are girls to shag and competing killers to deal with on the way.
Clever and Satirical Escapist Adventure.......2006-08-14
I originally read the first three novels in this series in paperback, many years ago. The last two novels really make it all come together nicely.
Following the personal vendettas of Kirth Gerson against his "master criminal" (often space-age, corporate 'captains of industry' of a sort) foes is a highly-amusing, highly satisfying read. This series is almost as good as Vance's Planet of Adventure, and the cynical, lyrical Vance style is wholly in place.
HIGHLY recommended.
Vance the master.......2006-02-13
For a Science Fiction writer, Vance uses damned little science in his novels. What he does use is language; so beautifully that he has created Vance addicts all over the world.
The Demon Princes novels are a rich mine of his wonderful prose and mordant humor. If you have not read Vance, they are a good place to start.
Space Fantasy.......2006-01-20
Vance's work has never been about 'Science' fiction. The science part has been used to set the scene, rather than serve as a gizmo-ridden concept that you might find used in films.
In this book, probably my favourite from the Demon Princes sequence, the hero, grim, humourless and unbeatable - stalks Lens Larque; a beefy, ugly man with short temper and vengeful aspirations - check the ending:p
What I love about this work is the sweeping vista created, cultures created with a paragraph, yet ones that are so rich that they live and breathe like any other place.
Add to this richness stark, yet purposeful characters with srongly driven goals and objectives.
Awesome
Fourth and Fifth Books of the Demon Princes Series.......2005-10-15
"The Face", the first book in this volume, is probably the best of the five Demon Princes novels. The reasons are manifest. Villainous Lens Larque provides some of the best challenges and intimidation for our hero, Kirth Gersen. There's the usual helping of exquisite writing and fine descriptions; the menu items during Gersen's restraunt visits are particularly noteworthy. Most importantly, "The Face" is the most morally challenging novel in the series. It presents, to some extent, the best argument for Gersen abandoning his single-minded hunt for revenge in his abortive attempts at romance with two characters. Lastly, "The Face" has a killer ending, laugh-out-loud serious if there ever was such a thing.
Another notable element is the planet Dar Sai and its inhabitants, the Darsh. Dar Sai is odd even by Vance standards. Giant umbrellas of water protect folks from searing daytime heat, the women grow mustaches, food is prized for its repulsiveness and gender wars are taken to a whole new level. Vance scores particular points by showing us the spoiled tourists who visit solely to mock the backwards Darsh. An just dessert is served for them at the end, of course.
The last novel in the series, "The Book of Dreams", is competent but less biting than "The Face". The new villain, Howard Alan Treesong, is less impressively hateable than Lens Larque or Viole Falshune from "The Palace of Love". "The Book of Dreams" contains vignettes set on numerous planets, none of them particuarly brilliant. The best parts of this novel are the introductory segments to each chapter. Short paragraphs cover a wide range of ground, from the hilarious philosophical basis of the Institute to the stunning character introductions for Treesong's various Paladins.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting concepts, but the plot got bogged down.......2004-07-05
The ideas for this series were interesting, but this book failed to live up to my expectations and was NOT as good as Beyond Ragnarok. The plot was too detailed and spent way to much time with the psycho leader of the Dark Elves who is boring to read about and doesn't do much to advance the story. And I felt that the whole Light Elf/Dark Elf thing could have been done better. There really doesn't seem to be much difference between them.
In this book the character of Kevral takes a turn for the worse. Her inability to choose between Tae and Ra-khir becomes downright annoying, as does their continuing devotion for her. Also, I don't think it's actually possible for a woman to give birth to twins with two different fathers, especially if she had sex with them five days apart. And even if it is possible, adding it to the plot was just tacky.
Really the only interesting thing in this book was Colbey Calistinsson, a former human, now the Keeper of the Balance, and the conflict between Law and Chaos that forced him to champion Chaos and become the Golden Prince of Demons. The rest of the novel was worth about half a star.
Bottome Line: This book is an okay read, but don't spend your money on it.
One of the best books I've found !!!.......2004-06-13
This is one of the most invigorating and interesting books in my personal collection, I would recommend this to anyone with an flare for adventure and action. The story line is smooth and well laid out one of the best I've seen in a long time. I would gladly buy it again and again, reading it for ever ^_^ It will and always remain my favourite series.
Barely Worth It.......2002-09-19
Though well written and descriptive, I was forced to drop this book in disgust due to poorly chosen choices for character development. Events near the end left me with a feeling of disappointment in the author's decisions of where to take the book. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who can really connect with the people and happenings in a book, because this one will make you sick. Not even worth the money, or the time.
This is a Excellent Book!.......2000-01-04
I Read this book and loved it just as I did the first one. The plot Is right on the mark with Norse Mythology and the plot Keeps you hooked onto the searies. The Characters are intresting and, just as all of Reicherts Books, the story in whole is excellent. I would only Suggest This book To someone who read and liked The first one and of corse, understood it. this book is worth buying ten times over! :)
Worth the read but not the buy.......1999-07-07
It'll be cool if you find it in a library, but definitely don't waste your money on it! This is a warning - trust me! I have it - and a bunch of regrets!
As with the first book, the cast is motivated and believable, and also like Book One, the plot is slow and tedious and very SUCKY the longer it goes on. The thing shouldn't take, like, five hundred pages! Please, Mickey, kill it off in *Children of Wrath*!
A couple of bright things to note, though: excellent details on swordplay and an interesting concept of Law and Chaos.
Product Description
This 2005 SFBC Edition contains all 5 of the stories previously printed in Vols 1 & 2 : 'The Star King' , 'The Killing Machine' , 'The Palace of Love' , 'The Face ' , 'The Book of Dreams'
Customer Reviews:
Superb Anthology.......2005-10-24
THE DEMON PRINCES is an anthology of five related science fiction novels written by the Grandmaster Jack Vance between the years 1964 and 1981, set about 1500 years in the future. The hero of the stories, Kirth Gersen, is a kind of "James Bond/Sherlock Holmes in Space"; who, as a young boy finds himself and his grandfather witnesses and sole survivors of a town massacre perpetrated by five "Demon Princes". Kirth's grandfather grooms him to seek revenge, and enrolls him in an elite Intergalactic Police Training Academy, where Kirth excels, and sets out to "The Beyond" to locate and extract revenge against the Demon Princes.
As is always the case with Jack Vance books, be sure to keep a dictionary handy and prepare to improve your vocabulary. I find myself looking up a new word on average of once every 4 or 5 pages... and I rarely have to look up a new word when reading books produced by most modern-day authors.
Following are brief reviews of each of the 5 stories contained in THE DEMON PRINCES:
THE STAR KING **** (1964, 170 pages) - A nicely interwoven tale of mystery, intrigue, action, courtship, and alien worlds. "They just don't write `em like this any more".
THE KILLING MACHINE **** (1964, 165 pages) - Somewhat similar to THE STAR KING in that Kirth ends up having a hard time telling what the "bad guy" Kokor Hekkus really looks like. The alien world that Kirth traces Hekkus to is something out of the Middle Ages, with castles, princes and princesses, but also includes huge dreadful centipede-like man-killing beasts. Kirth manages to come into quite a bit of money by the end of this story.
THE PALACE OF LOVE **** (1967, 185 pages) - After the princess from THE KILLING MACHINE ends up taking a walk because she can't live with Kirth Gersen's single-mindedness, Kirth tracks the oddball Demon Prince Viole Falushe to his secret "Palace of Love". Interesting subplot regarding the plight of typical slaves on the lawless planets "beyond".
THE FACE ***** (1979, 222 pages) - Fantastic story, it is my pleasure to say that this is one of the best stories I've ever read. It has it all; action, mystery, romance, believable situations, innovative alien worlds and cultures - all leading up to a superb ending. This particular story is so good that it single-handedly brings the entire anthology (which is otherwise made up mostly of 4-star offerings) up to a 5-star rating.
THE BOOK OF DREAMS ***** (1981, 222 pages) - Another top-notch story, which starts out with Kirth Gerson using a ruse somewhat similar to that described in A. Conan Doyle's THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE, in order to attract the interest of the last remaining Demon Prince, H.A. Treesong... he then chases him from one bizzare future human culture world to another - including one funny/wild scene where he buys his way into a high school reunion garden party band as a beginner flute player, to get a chance to kill Treesong.
I only have two negative comments regarding this anthology; 1) About every 100 pages or so, and especially in the first three stories, there would be missing or transformed letters, or even missing words... and at times you will find yourself playing "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" trying to piece a sentence back together, 2) In the first three stories, Kirth's character, while entirely believable and not unlikeable, is a bit wooden and most of the time is fairly unexciting around the women (this is explained away by the fact that he is "a man on a mission", and has to keep his life focused on tracking down the evil-doers). By the fourth story, Kirth's character evolves into a much more exciting, inventive, personable, and introspective person, who is much more at ease with the ladies.
Book Description
An Adventure for Character Levels 12-13
Remember the good old days, when adventures were underground, NPCs were there to be killed, and the finale of every dungeon was the dragon on the 20th level? Those days are back. Dungeon Crawl Classics don't waste your time with long-winded speeches, weird campaign settings, or NPCs who aren't meant to be killed. Each adventure is 100% good, solid dungeon crawl, with the monsters you know, the traps you fear, and the secret doors you know are there somewhere.
An apocalyptic cult of demon worshipers has been kidnapping farmers from the local hamlets and offering them up as sacrifices to their blasphemous idols. The heroes are called in for what appears to be a simple mission: hunt down the demon worshipers, beard them in their lair, and demolish their dark abbey, down to the last stone. But this cult is under the direct control of a demon prince with much larger ambitions. The heroes' exploration of the dark abbey soon leads them into a portal to another plane, where they discover the demon prince's hellish scheme -- and learn they have only hours to save their world from being destroyed! Can they defeat the demon prince in his own evil citadel?
This world-neutral, stand-alone adventure is completely new, not a reprint. It uses the 3.5 edition of the d20 rules set, and is fully compatible with the world's most popular role playing game.
Average customer rating:
- Tied for First Place
- The last of the Demon Princes: Howard Alan Treesong
- "The affair is over. I am done."
- Excellent!
- The Last Demon Prince
|
The Book of Dreams (The Demon Princes, Book 5)
Jack Vance
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Vance, Jack | ( V ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0879979437 |
Customer Reviews:
Tied for First Place.......2003-09-30
THE BOOK OF DREAMS culminates Kirth Gersen's epic quest for revenge against the syndicate of slavers that destroyed his home town and killed his parents. This fascinating story, full of otherworldly imagery and brimming with suspense, relates how Gersen runs the single remaining Demon Prince (Howard Alan Treesong) to ground, and how the latter meets with a surprising end. A book well worth the read and any number of subsequent re-reads. THE BOOK OF DREAMS, last in a series of five, in my estimation ties the preceding book, THE FACE, for first place.
The last of the Demon Princes: Howard Alan Treesong.......2003-05-16
"Treesong's obsession with mystery extended far. No photographs, representations, or likenesses were known to exist, on or off the public record. His origins were unknown; his private life was as secret as the far end of the universe; he regularly disappeared from public notice for years on end."
- herein
Gersen saved the most difficult target for last: Treesong, the self-styled Lord of the Overmen - an affectation born of his view of criminals as superior predators, taking what they wish from the rest of humanity, illustrated long ago by the Mount Pleasant raid that destroyed Kirth Gersen's childhood home, killing or enslaving most of the population, leaving Gersen's grandfather with a hunger for revenge so great that he and Kirth together shaped Kirth for his lifelong quest to hunt down and kill the five great crimelords behind the raid.
Considering Vance as a mystery writer, each of the Demon Princes provides a different illustration of a theme common to several Golden Age mystery writers: that of overwhelming vanity as a driving force in crime. (See Sayers' WHOSE BODY?, most of Josephine Tey's novels, and Agatha Christie, of course.) The twist is that in the human-settled universe of THE DEMON PRINCES, there *is* no real inter-world law to appeal to. Gersen himself is a force outside law, who can be as terrifying as his quarry. Unusually for Gersen, for once he becomes involved with others whose reasons for seeking vengeance are on a par with his own (in one instance even *more* fanatical), although they lacked the resources to hunt Treesong down.
This story opens with a quote from the real BOOK OF DREAMS: a rather florid fantasy (isn't it?) of seven paladins, each with distinct characteristics, all but one with a distinct color - the sort of thing an adolescent might write. As we learn later on, that's no accident; the Book was written by the young Treesong, and serves as a handle to his character - it's no fantasy to him. He is, in fact, a multiple personality, but integrated to the point that without THE BOOK OF DREAMS - or more time to study him in person than anyone normally gets - one might never realize it. A book with only one copy, lost in Treesong's youth, worth almost any price - if one were to learn that it even existed.
While with those who have gone before, Vance tended to draw out one or two spectacular ongoing projects for each Demon Prince, we're given a more elaborate treatment of Treesong, with various anecdotes of his past turning up as well as the schemes of the present. In learning from one of his old Interworld Police Coordinating Company (IPCC) contacts just why they have so little material on the notorious Treesong, Gersen receives illumination on Treesong's character: Howard very nearly got control of the IPCC itself a few years back, enough to arrange for legitimate-sounding orders about destroying certain data on the grounds of inaccuracy. "Treesong is a sly devil. I'd still like to carve up his liver."
Chance deals Gersen a break, after many fruitless hours hunting through the records of COSMOPOLIS magazine: a photograph of a banquet sent in by a branch office, with the cryptic annotation, "H.A. Treesong is here." Digging into its provenance, Gersen is convinced of its authenticity, not least because the woman who sold it disappeared under suspicious circumstances. In a beautiful maneuver, Gersen arranges a Cosmopolis contest to name the 10 people in the photograph. At worst, he should learn enough names to get a lead; at best (and a near-certainty, if the image is any good at all) Treesong himself will take an interest, and given his penchant for privacy, he'll come close enough to give Gersen an opportunity to kill him.
The photograph itself is a clue to another of Treesong's grand schemes: it records a banquet attended by the highest-ranking members of the Institute, which itself takes a rather grandiose view of its importance in human affairs (something introduced in earlier volumes and reinforced here). The photograph leads to the first of Treesong's onstage appearances, only 3 of which involve face-to-face encounters with Gersen. Gersen's only human, after all; the greatest weapon in his arsenal is that he never gives up, not that he never suffers setbacks. (We've seen this before, particularly in THE FACE, where Gersen suffered multiple defeats at the hands of different people in the course of the story.)
Like Falushe, Treesong takes revenge for slights dating back to his school days; unlike THE PALACE OF LOVE, we see Treesong's revenge in action rather than exposition, as he attends a reunion of those who know only that he left his homeworld in disgrace, and not what he became. For the last reply to the great Cosmopolis contest - other than Treesong's own - is from Treesong's estranged father, so that just as happened with Falushe, Lens Larque, and Kokor Hekkus, the slender thread connecting Treesong's separate lives comes into Gersen's hands - utterly necessary, because otherwise a first attempt at smoking Treesong out would be the last, in pursuing a man with his peculiar talents.
The focus of THE BOOK OF DREAMS - both this book and that in the story - is on the character of Treesong: any who seek him must study him as a person, given his thoroughness about eliminating any evidence that might endanger him. The viewpoint, as always, is 3rd person following Gersen, who ironically must adopt some of the tactics of his quarry so that hunter doesn't turn hunted.
"The affair is over. I am done.".......2003-02-15
In 1981, two years after the publication of 'The Face,' Jack Vance finally completed the Demon Prince series with 'The Book of Dreams,' the story of Kirth Gersen's confrontation with Howard Alan Treesong, the last of the criminals responsible for the rape and destruction of his home world. Once again, Gersen roams the Gaian Reach looking for clues to the identity of the most mysterious of men, dragging us along helter-skelter as an intricate trap is built and sprung.
In these last two books in the series Vance makes Gersen a much more ingenious and proactive individual, whereas in the earlier books the protagonist depends more on serendipity and occasional dumb luck. Thus, in 'The Book of Dreams,' Gersen takes the thin clue of a photograph of ten diners, and builds it into an intergalactic contest to expose the identity of Treesong. In the process, he exposes the Demon Prince's plans to rule the universe, meets the beautiful Alice Wroke, and discovers that taxidermy is a weapon. All of this is much to the reader's delight.
It is sad to have this series come to a final end. Gersen's entire life has been working to the bring about the end of five poisonous men. Now, Alice Wroke in hand, the adventurer must satart a new life. Will he succeed? Is there ever peace at the end of this kind of mission? Vance gives us not a hint. Men of this heroic mold populate much of Vance's science fiction. In the end each takes his secrets with him to wherever characters go when novels end.
Vance never loses an opportunity to make gentle, but sardonic fun of the strange cultures that make up the civilization he has created. A world of 1,562 different sects, the rapacity of landing field owners, another world full of conservationists as nobility. These are the things that make the author's stories far more than simple narratives, for it is the little glimpses of the quirks of human behavior that makes these stories as alive and brilliant as they are. Colored and illuminated by a stream of quotes from galactic gazetteers and the pronouncements of the pompous Unspiek, Baron Bodissey. Of course, his creations are mirrors of his times, but it is surprising how timely Vance's wit remains years later.
Excellent!.......2002-07-20
"Many fine things your father had planned for you: learning and useful work; a life of satisfaction and peace. All this is gone now, do you understand? But the learning you shall have - the use of your hands and mind. And useful work: the elimination of evil men. What work is more useful than this? Finally, I cannot give you peace, but I promise you ample satisfaction, for I shall teach you to crave the blood of these men more than the flesh of a woman."
These are the words uttered by Kirth Gersen's (sometimes called Keith Gersen) grandfather after a raid on their homeworld by 5 super-criminals (known as the 5 Demon Princes) leaves everyone but these two either dead or enslaved. True to his word, the old man forges his grandson into an unstoppable instrument of vengeance. In fact, Gersen often seems more a force a nature than a human being, more machine than man in his single-minded quest for revenge. His fighting prowess and physical abilities are without peer; likewise, his mind is sharp and focused.
I actually like some of the other books in this series better, but I found the villian in this one to be the most complex and intriguing; this particular villian has schemes within schemes and plots to take over the Gaean Reach (the area of space inhabited by man) in such a sublime and surprising manner that you won't believe it.
As with the others before him, this Demon Prince hides his true identity and Gersen must ferret him out. After his epic swindling of Interchange to the tune of 10 billion SVU, Gersen has ample financial resources, but must invariably use his hands and mind to track down the elusive demon prince known as Alan Howard Treesong.
Once again, Vance's unstoppable hero Gersen takes us on an adventure that is part sci-fi, part mystery, part thriller and all fun. This book marks the end of the series. The only part I found vaguely unsatisying is that there was not a strong enough indication of Gersen would do after his long quest for vengeance was over. The character is so memorable that it is hard to imagine that he is not the central figure in at least a dozen books/stories, like Tarzan or Sherlock Holmes. That's the worst part of this series: that we are not likely to see Kirth Gersen again after it's all over.
The Last Demon Prince.......2001-07-11
Howard Alan Treesong gave a banquet to ten friends. All died in agony, save himself. Howard Alan Treesong went to his old school reunion to teach his former classmates the meaning of horror. Howard Alan Treesong was the most elusive of the five Demon Princes upon whom Kirth Gersen had sworn vengenance. A galaxy-wide guessing game proved his undoing. Howard Alan Treesong wrote his own book and called it "The Book of Dreams."
Customer Reviews:
Hal Foster At His Very Best.......2007-08-31
The Prince Valiant stories are set at the beginning of the Dark Ages. Rome has just fallen and the Barbarians are overrunning the civilized remnants of the Roman Empire. In this volume, Prince Valiant and his family are travelling. The story starts in Baghdad, moves to Syria and then to the Aegean islands. Prince Valiant and family then move on to Rome and end up in the Pyraneese Mountains. Hal Foster's vision of a declining Western Civilization is very compelling. This volume shows Hal Foster at the top of his game. Great illustrations and an interesting story line. Highly recommended.
Books:
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
- Tooth and Claw (Death Dealer)
- True to the Game: A Teri Woods Fable
- Turkey--Bright Sun, Strong Tea: On the Road with a Travel Writer
- Valley of Silence (The Circle Trilogy, Book 3)
- Waking Up: Climbing Through the Darkness
- Walking from East to West: God in the Shadows
- Way of the Turtle: The Secret Methods that Turned Ordinary People into Legendary Traders
- We All Fall Down: Goldratt's Theory of Constraints for Healthcare Systems
Books Index
Books Home
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- Deng Xiao Ping: Portrait of a Great Military Leader
Blessing or Curse,: You Can Choose
Rules of Engagement: Preparing for Your Role in the Spiritual Battle
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Discerning of Spirits
Demons and Deliverance: In The Ministry Of Jesus (Spiritual Warfare Series)
