Habu

by James B. Johnson

Reubin Flood, the most wanted man in the history of the Federation of Planets, is one of the few remaining survivors of "Olde Earthe," as it's now called. He's also the most dangerous human alive, when he finds himself cornered on an agricultural planet named Snister. Reubin has vowed to destroy the company world government, after his wife is murdered; but to do so, he has to find some way of controlling the alternate personality that lurks deep in his subconscious--Habu, a primeval berserker of inhuman proportions, whose only purpose is to kill, maim, and destroy. Every major law enforcement agency in the Galaxy has been hunting "Habu" for centuries, following the massacre of another world's entire population. As the forces gather against Reubin/Habu, each of his intertwined personalities must learn to live with the other if they're both going to survive. Another stunning SF adventure by a major science-fiction talent, now available for the first time in two decades.

Genres: Science Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

AKA J. B. Johnson. Middle name: Blair

Was nominated for best first novel - Locus Awards - 1982 - Likely for "Daystar and Shadow."

Reviews

[Robert D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Habu" is an incredible, action packed, thought provoking sci-fi novel, that touches on several important questions of modern life, as well as futurity, such as, what would happen if a persons life could be extended indefinetely? How would society prevent it's eventual stagnation and decay? The book presents a plausible, and frankly brilliant solution to this, and it makes up the backdrop to this story.

Habu is both touching, and packed with frantic, high octane action and combat. The main character is a wholly believable, tragic anti-hero, who seems more suited to exist in a film-noir style world, but is instead forced to find his way through the complex world of a new galactic civilization.

I recommend Habu to any Sci-Fi fan. This book is a classic.

[Ed Tinkertoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read about a third of this book and found it pretty uninteresting and so abandoned it

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Pretty good, Could have been a much better read if the writing was better.