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190th out of 932 books
—
884 voters
The Man Who Never Missed (Matador #1)
by
Steve Perry
Once a ruthless soldier, Emile Khadaji has disappeared from the Confederation-with a secret plan to destroy it all in the name of freedom.
Paperback, 195 pages
Published
August 15th 1986
by Ace
(first published 1985)
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This novel came very close to not getting the forth star. It's a good idea and has "some" good action. Unfortunately it bogs down badly for about a third of the book. I'd say it comes in on the "lower edge" of the four star rating (again we can't give 3.5 so I have to compromise. Just life.)
I put this on my Science Fiction shelf, yet I know some will probably take certain umbrage at that. Maybe I should establish a "pulp science fiction" shelf???? Oh well, it's popular science fiction for you wh...more
I put this on my Science Fiction shelf, yet I know some will probably take certain umbrage at that. Maybe I should establish a "pulp science fiction" shelf???? Oh well, it's popular science fiction for you wh...more
The Man Who Never Missed
is a 4 Star bowl of hot, buttered popcorn at the Saturday afternoon matinee. Just perfect. This Scifi adventure, written in the mid-80’s, still holds up well. It is a cross between Kung Fu the TV show and the Sten novels. In this case, “Kwai Chang Caine” is now Emile Khadaji, a soldier who deserts in the middle of a bloody massacre. Khadaji is on a mission to fight the Confed(eration) and show people they can take on the ruling elites. The Confed is not so much evil as...more
is a 4 Star bowl of hot, buttered popcorn at the Saturday afternoon matinee. Just perfect. This Scifi adventure, written in the mid-80’s, still holds up well. It is a cross between Kung Fu the TV show and the Sten novels. In this case, “Kwai Chang Caine” is now Emile Khadaji, a soldier who deserts in the middle of a bloody massacre. Khadaji is on a mission to fight the Confed(eration) and show people they can take on the ruling elites. The Confed is not so much evil as...more
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you can read more reviews at my blog, the armchair librarian.
oh, the eighties. you were so unbelievably trashy with your over-the-top action films featuring walking sausage casings in futuristic armor delivering snappy one liners like, "i'll be back."
the man who never missed is testament to all those countless lost he-men who disappeared along with those hideous cabbage patch kids dolls and bebe's kidsnes games. tsk, tsk. but people actually like this book! i don't understand. i found it boring...more
oh, the eighties. you were so unbelievably trashy with your over-the-top action films featuring walking sausage casings in futuristic armor delivering snappy one liners like, "i'll be back."
the man who never missed is testament to all those countless lost he-men who disappeared along with those hideous cabbage patch kids dolls and bebe's kidsnes games. tsk, tsk. but people actually like this book! i don't understand. i found it boring...more
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A bit unorthodox in it's writing. Steve Perry weaves a very straightforward sequence of events, into a highly entertaining, non-linear tale of one man's rebellion.
What can I say? Rarely have I been so impressed with sci-fi author's world building. It lacks the band of most sci-fi, infodumps. New terminology is handled very matter-of-factually. It's refreshing. This isn't a kid's book, that should be very evident by the very, very descriptive brief intercourse sequence.
Khadaji is a committed warr...more
What can I say? Rarely have I been so impressed with sci-fi author's world building. It lacks the band of most sci-fi, infodumps. New terminology is handled very matter-of-factually. It's refreshing. This isn't a kid's book, that should be very evident by the very, very descriptive brief intercourse sequence.
Khadaji is a committed warr...more
The Matador Series is one of my favorite sci-fi series. Very action oriented, but also with very good character development and a well thought out plot.
The concept of "one man can make a difference" and "when you know who you are, you know what to do" really struck a chord with me when I read this series in college.
Good series.
The concept of "one man can make a difference" and "when you know who you are, you know what to do" really struck a chord with me when I read this series in college.
Good series.
2 likes · like · see review
This is one of my favourite series of books. It’s very much a space soap opera, and it’s really quite different from what I would typically enjoy, but I first found this book in a supermarket for not much many many years ago, and across the course of those years I managed to track down the remaining books in the series.
The first book is my favourite book in the series, there is just something engaging and cool about Emile and his vision for a new Galaxy. I like the way SP unfolds the story and...more
The first book is my favourite book in the series, there is just something engaging and cool about Emile and his vision for a new Galaxy. I like the way SP unfolds the story and...more
This book may be the first "Matador" novel in published order, but it is not the first book of the series in chronological order. That honor belongs to "The 97th Step".
I read "The 97th Step" approximately 10 years ago. The fact that it took me 10 years to get around to the sequel ("The Man Who Never Missed") should speak volumes.
I wanted to like both of these books. The title of "The Man Who Never Missed" seems to offer a promise of lots of action. Titles such as this draw action junkies (such a...more
I read "The 97th Step" approximately 10 years ago. The fact that it took me 10 years to get around to the sequel ("The Man Who Never Missed") should speak volumes.
I wanted to like both of these books. The title of "The Man Who Never Missed" seems to offer a promise of lots of action. Titles such as this draw action junkies (such a...more
I was recommended this book by an older friend. It was one of the more casual and entertaining reads that I have had the pleasure of being introduced to.
The narrative quickly gets to the punch of one man versus an entire way of life. This is a rebellion novel writ as clearly as one can. Do I remember what he fights for? No. Something counter to the establishment. I remember the punchline that sums up the narrative, one that you can see coming from the title but I will not spoil it. The writing...more
The narrative quickly gets to the punch of one man versus an entire way of life. This is a rebellion novel writ as clearly as one can. Do I remember what he fights for? No. Something counter to the establishment. I remember the punchline that sums up the narrative, one that you can see coming from the title but I will not spoil it. The writing...more
Jul 10, 2011
Ron
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
any aficionado of classic SF
Recommended to Ron by:
Jon Moss
Shelves:
science-fiction
An easy four stars. Good, solid science fiction. Perry weaves an exciting, plausible tale. As usual he explains the advent of faster-than-light travel with a wave of his hand, but exknowledges the mystery of it.
For a book published 25 years ago, The Man Who Never Missed holds up well on how-could-the-author-miss-that? Perry anticipates continued acceleration of computer minaturization (Moore's "Law")and how it might be used by a revolutionary, but not so much how it might be used against him. He...more
For a book published 25 years ago, The Man Who Never Missed holds up well on how-could-the-author-miss-that? Perry anticipates continued acceleration of computer minaturization (Moore's "Law")and how it might be used by a revolutionary, but not so much how it might be used against him. He...more
Can't even begin to tell you how good and important this series of books were for me. All I can say is READ THIS SERIES!
The Man Who Never Missed by Steve Perry
This is book one of the Matador Trilogy and I would suggest you get all three before you start reading it. You will not be happy waiting to get the next book in the series. This series depicts how the strength of an idea or a legend can bring an empire to it’s knees.
Emile Khadaji is the man who never missed. Guerilla warfare is not one by open battle but by destroying the will of the enemy. The Confed military found fighting a rebellion on the planet Greav...more
This is book one of the Matador Trilogy and I would suggest you get all three before you start reading it. You will not be happy waiting to get the next book in the series. This series depicts how the strength of an idea or a legend can bring an empire to it’s knees.
Emile Khadaji is the man who never missed. Guerilla warfare is not one by open battle but by destroying the will of the enemy. The Confed military found fighting a rebellion on the planet Greav...more
Feeble story of a rebel utterly devoid of suspense or dramatic tension. 1½ star review. My full-length review of this title is here.
Please note that my site SFReviews.net, in operation since July 2001, is where I post my SFF reviews, and I only use Goodreads to help direct interested fellow readers who are more likely to spend time here than following the site itself. Thank you. (If I review a non-SFF title, I will do so here.)
Please note that my site SFReviews.net, in operation since July 2001, is where I post my SFF reviews, and I only use Goodreads to help direct interested fellow readers who are more likely to spend time here than following the site itself. Thank you. (If I review a non-SFF title, I will do so here.)
I love this book; it is one of my all time favorites. I have read it numerous times.
Emile was a soldier for the confederacy until he realized that this massive intergalactic governmental system was brutal and corrupt to the core. But what can one man do against such a massive system? He starts a movement on the planet Greaves to fight for freedom and inspire revolution in the rest of the galaxy.
Btw, this ends in such a way that you will want to have the other 2 of the series on hand when you fin...more
Emile was a soldier for the confederacy until he realized that this massive intergalactic governmental system was brutal and corrupt to the core. But what can one man do against such a massive system? He starts a movement on the planet Greaves to fight for freedom and inspire revolution in the rest of the galaxy.
Btw, this ends in such a way that you will want to have the other 2 of the series on hand when you fin...more
This is one of those books that has stuck in my head ever since I first read it over a decade ago, to the point where I always looked for the rest of the series (and have finally finished collecting it). Okay, the writing isn't the best in the 'verse, and sometimes things felt a bit dry - but watching the construction of a myth unfold is still amazing.
And besides, Sleel is always amusing.
And besides, Sleel is always amusing.
I am rather underwhelmed by this book. It had such enthusiastic reviews everywhere I thought it would be a much stronger story. Maybe I am missing something. The first third of the book is engaging and really sets up the bulk of the plot. The rest of the book is the backstory. I personally found the last two thirds a bit rambling and dull. Plus since we already knew a lot of what was going to happen it was rather less engaging and somewhat repetitive in places. It just lacked something.
I've never been passionate about Sci-fi action packed novels but the matador series just blows my mind. I've only read this one and The 97th Step so far and they are both captivating. What can I say, great character development, action sequences, good plot, sprinkles of philosophy and wisdom.. everything to make a great read.
There is soo much I could say about this book, however I will pare it down. Steve Perry is one of my favorite sci-fi authors (next to Asimov, Heinlein, and Cole and Bunch) due to his pacing, descriptive action scenes and use of Zen Buddhism ideas in his novels. The Man Who Never Missed is the first of (in my opinion) his best series, 'The Matador Trilogy'. It is the story of a man who sees that his life path is wrong, and sets off to find his true calling (which is to bring down a corrupt govern...more
A science fiction book about a single guy trying to bring about a revolution against a ‘Galactic Confederation’. I’d never heard of it before, which is kind of odd, but it’s actually pretty good. I picked up the sequel recently and will start on it soon.
As I was getting to the end of this book I was hoping or thinking there was going to be a suprise ending...but there wasn't. Book was ok, but kind boring I thought. The genetically modified sexual beings were cool though!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A soldier in the future has a powerful spiritual vision in the midst of battle and goes on to study martial arts (and bartending) in a quest to change the universe. I adore this book and the rest of the Matador series.
I love books like this! One man taking on insurmountable odds for the good of others. OK, I'm a closet revolutionary, and that's probably why the Matador series (the early ones) are some of my favorites.
If I had read this when I was 15 it would have become “mymostfavoritebookeverofalltime!” Those adolescent sensibilities are still strongly rooted in my psyche and because of them I did enjoy this story of a kung-fu, gun-fu, badass businessman who makes all the money and I will definitely acquire the next two sequels. My only issue is the main character’s reason for revolution. Because it was weakly defined over only one instance with very little context I did not palpably hate the empire and des...more
I quite liked the entire Matadora series. Lucid writing, snappy plot, and engaging characters. Reminds me of the 'Stainless Steel Rat' series.
Loved this book... it was what got me started reading sci-fi. I pretty much compare everything to the Matador series.
I read book 1 of the series when I was very young. Back then I really enjoyed it, unfortunately they did not translate any more to Hungarian. Now I'm re-reading Book 1 and then I'll start with the others. Let's see how I'm going to like them now.
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Well, I still enjoyed it. This enjoyment was partly nostalgic in nature, but still. Would I have read it now for the first time I'm not sure I would want to read on, but many years ago I already decided that I want to read the whole series and that's wh...more
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Well, I still enjoyed it. This enjoyment was partly nostalgic in nature, but still. Would I have read it now for the first time I'm not sure I would want to read on, but many years ago I already decided that I want to read the whole series and that's wh...more
My favorite book of the Matador series. Great fun, but with something a bit deeper to chew on as well.
Great book, great start to an excellent series.
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Do yourself a favor and read this book!
Even with the typos, I loved it.
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