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Starwolf #1-3
Starwolf
Product Details Paperback Ace (October 1, 1982) English
456 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
4 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Edmond Hamilton
1,037 books137 followersEdmond Moore Hamilton was a popular author of science fiction stories and novels throughout the mid-twentieth century. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania. Something of a child prodigy, he graduated high school and started college (Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania) at the age of 14--but washed out at 17. He was the Golden Age writer who worked on Batman, the Legion of Super-Heroes, and many sci-fi books.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 14, 2024
Starwolf collects three novels by Hamilton in an omnibus edition; apt as all three tales follow one another but comprise three different adventures. Our lead, Morgan Chane, was born on the planet Varna, home of the 'Starwolves', an infamous planet as the home of the starwolves, basically space pirates. Morgan's parents, however, were missionaries from planet Earth; his parents arrived on Varna to convert them (no avail), and ended up dying from the high gravity. Morgan basically became an adopted Varnan and raided with other starwolf clans.
Hamilton wrote in the heyday of the Golden Age of science fiction and it shows here, even as these three novels came toward the end of his career (1960s). These tales fit squarely within Golden Age space opera/adventure and hence do not expect much in the way of science. Humanity discovered the star drive and explored the galaxy, only to find many, many other planets with humans on them. Some other race seeded the galaxy with humanity, although the 50,000 years or so of evolution on each planet means humanity has diverged. The Varnans, super strong due to the high gravity on Varna, are also covered in golden fur for example. Due to their robust constitution, they can fly their ships faster than the rest of humanity, and maneuver with higher G, something they designed their infamous ships around.
The novel starts with Morgan, wounded, on a battered ship fleeing the starwolves. Morgan had a disagreement with a shipmate that ended in a shooting match and is basically running for his life. Lost in an interstellar dust cloud, he is finally picked up by a band of mercenaries from Earth. Earth it seems has become the home of various mercenary bands who do various tasks around the galaxy. The leader of the Mercs knows Morgan is a starwolf (even though he is 'pure' human), but keeps the secret. So, Morgan falls in with the Mercs and the adventures begin! The first job involves finding and destroying (hopefully) an unknown super weapon that one planet hopes to use on their rivals on another planet in the same system. The second involves adventures in the 'closed worlds', so called as they do not like visitors, and the final consists of the Mercs being hired to retrieve the famous 'singing suns'-- a fabulous artifact recently stolen from some planet.
All in all, Hamilton paces these well, but jeez do these stories feel dated. Lots of scheming and such in the various adventures and the adventures are pretty fun. I have never been a big fan of Hamilton, but these might be his best works. 3 singing stars!
Hamilton wrote in the heyday of the Golden Age of science fiction and it shows here, even as these three novels came toward the end of his career (1960s). These tales fit squarely within Golden Age space opera/adventure and hence do not expect much in the way of science. Humanity discovered the star drive and explored the galaxy, only to find many, many other planets with humans on them. Some other race seeded the galaxy with humanity, although the 50,000 years or so of evolution on each planet means humanity has diverged. The Varnans, super strong due to the high gravity on Varna, are also covered in golden fur for example. Due to their robust constitution, they can fly their ships faster than the rest of humanity, and maneuver with higher G, something they designed their infamous ships around.
The novel starts with Morgan, wounded, on a battered ship fleeing the starwolves. Morgan had a disagreement with a shipmate that ended in a shooting match and is basically running for his life. Lost in an interstellar dust cloud, he is finally picked up by a band of mercenaries from Earth. Earth it seems has become the home of various mercenary bands who do various tasks around the galaxy. The leader of the Mercs knows Morgan is a starwolf (even though he is 'pure' human), but keeps the secret. So, Morgan falls in with the Mercs and the adventures begin! The first job involves finding and destroying (hopefully) an unknown super weapon that one planet hopes to use on their rivals on another planet in the same system. The second involves adventures in the 'closed worlds', so called as they do not like visitors, and the final consists of the Mercs being hired to retrieve the famous 'singing suns'-- a fabulous artifact recently stolen from some planet.
All in all, Hamilton paces these well, but jeez do these stories feel dated. Lots of scheming and such in the various adventures and the adventures are pretty fun. I have never been a big fan of Hamilton, but these might be his best works. 3 singing stars!
October 22, 2010
Edmond Hamilton (1904-1977) was one of the true giants of golden age science fiction. He managed to create the space opera sub-genre and crank out a series of pulp novels under the Captain Future imprint. There are stories of him typing so fast the typewriter would move across his desk. Later he would marry fellow writer Leigh Brackett and they would collaborate on many other novels. However, as he was constantly writing, Hamilton was loathe to see his earlier works into print. Much of what he published in the 30's and 40's didn't see print again until after he died.
In the late 1960's, Hamilton wrote three novels as part of an sf series. Series novels were all the rage at the time and someone had decided an outer space theme might prove successful. Known as the Starwolf trilogy, they consist of three separate novels: The Weapon From Beyond, The Closed Worlds and World of the Starwolves. In 1982, Ace Science Fiction issued them as one paperback collection, Starwolf. I'm told the first novel was adapted for Japanese television in the late 1970's, but I haven't had a chance to see it.
The trilogy follows the adventures of Morgan Chane, fully human, but adopted by the Starwolves at an early age. In the far future, his missionary parents had traveled from Wales on Earth to Varna, the home planet of a race of humanoid interstellar raiders, known as the Starwolves. Chane's parent's had hoped to save the Starwolves from their savage ways, but the missionaries perished from the excessive gravity and climate of Varna. Chane was raised by the Starwolves, who resemble human tigers with their golden fur. Later, when he came of age, he went with them on raids all over the galactic rim in search of treasure and booty. All of it came to an end when he killed a Starwolf in self- defense while arguing over the spoils of a raid. With an entire extended clan of Starwolves after him, he was forced to flee in a damaged spaceship.
Chane survives long enough to join up with a band of human mercenaries from Earth. Earth, now an impoverished planet, does supply most of the paid guns in the galaxy in the form of soldiers-of-fortune. Chane decides to stay with the mercenary band which rescued him. However, none of the other mercs, save the band's commander, Dilullo, know that Chane is a former Starwolf. Since Starwolves are usually shot on sight, they decide to keep his origin a secret.
The first novel, The Weapon from Beyond, touches briefly on Chane's origins. Most of it involves the mercenary band he's joined and their mission. A planet with vast mineral wealth has hired the mercenaries to seek out and destroy a weapon of vast power which they believe possessed by a rival planetary system. The mercenaries do find the weapon, but it turns out to be a star ship left over by an ancient intergalactic race. Chane earns respect from his new brothers-in-arms as the Varnan gravity of his youth has conditioned him to be far more powerful than the average human.
The next novel, The Closed Worlds, has Chane and the mercenaries traveling to a planet in search of a missing scientist. The brother of a rich star freight owner has disappeared on the planet Arkuun while searching for traces of another ancient Interstellar civilization. Their mission is ultimately successful, but not before Chane has encountered the radiantly beautiful Arkuun woman Vreya.
The series concludes with World of the Starwolves, easily the best one of the series. In this novel, Chane is forced to return to the Starwolve home planet of Varna and deal with the blood feud which cast him out. Searching for a missing work of art known as "The Singing Suns", Chane has led the other mercenaries into a trap. Although Chane manages to escape, the only way to free the other mercs is by leading the Starwolves to the very treasure planet where the stolen Singing Suns are kept. As before, Chane escapes with his strength and guile.
The quality of the writing varies. Most of the time it is standard action-and- adventure, with little thought given to the science behind Chane's galactic civilization. But no one could write about "booming suns" better than Hamilton. Toward the conclusion of the second novel, Chane encounters a device capable of transferring consciousness to any point in space. Here, the book enters 2001: A Space Odyssey territory with the wonders of the universe a-glow.
It's a shame the series ended after three books. I would've like to have seen where Hamilton would've taken Morgan Chane.
In the late 1960's, Hamilton wrote three novels as part of an sf series. Series novels were all the rage at the time and someone had decided an outer space theme might prove successful. Known as the Starwolf trilogy, they consist of three separate novels: The Weapon From Beyond, The Closed Worlds and World of the Starwolves. In 1982, Ace Science Fiction issued them as one paperback collection, Starwolf. I'm told the first novel was adapted for Japanese television in the late 1970's, but I haven't had a chance to see it.
The trilogy follows the adventures of Morgan Chane, fully human, but adopted by the Starwolves at an early age. In the far future, his missionary parents had traveled from Wales on Earth to Varna, the home planet of a race of humanoid interstellar raiders, known as the Starwolves. Chane's parent's had hoped to save the Starwolves from their savage ways, but the missionaries perished from the excessive gravity and climate of Varna. Chane was raised by the Starwolves, who resemble human tigers with their golden fur. Later, when he came of age, he went with them on raids all over the galactic rim in search of treasure and booty. All of it came to an end when he killed a Starwolf in self- defense while arguing over the spoils of a raid. With an entire extended clan of Starwolves after him, he was forced to flee in a damaged spaceship.
Chane survives long enough to join up with a band of human mercenaries from Earth. Earth, now an impoverished planet, does supply most of the paid guns in the galaxy in the form of soldiers-of-fortune. Chane decides to stay with the mercenary band which rescued him. However, none of the other mercs, save the band's commander, Dilullo, know that Chane is a former Starwolf. Since Starwolves are usually shot on sight, they decide to keep his origin a secret.
The first novel, The Weapon from Beyond, touches briefly on Chane's origins. Most of it involves the mercenary band he's joined and their mission. A planet with vast mineral wealth has hired the mercenaries to seek out and destroy a weapon of vast power which they believe possessed by a rival planetary system. The mercenaries do find the weapon, but it turns out to be a star ship left over by an ancient intergalactic race. Chane earns respect from his new brothers-in-arms as the Varnan gravity of his youth has conditioned him to be far more powerful than the average human.
The next novel, The Closed Worlds, has Chane and the mercenaries traveling to a planet in search of a missing scientist. The brother of a rich star freight owner has disappeared on the planet Arkuun while searching for traces of another ancient Interstellar civilization. Their mission is ultimately successful, but not before Chane has encountered the radiantly beautiful Arkuun woman Vreya.
The series concludes with World of the Starwolves, easily the best one of the series. In this novel, Chane is forced to return to the Starwolve home planet of Varna and deal with the blood feud which cast him out. Searching for a missing work of art known as "The Singing Suns", Chane has led the other mercenaries into a trap. Although Chane manages to escape, the only way to free the other mercs is by leading the Starwolves to the very treasure planet where the stolen Singing Suns are kept. As before, Chane escapes with his strength and guile.
The quality of the writing varies. Most of the time it is standard action-and- adventure, with little thought given to the science behind Chane's galactic civilization. But no one could write about "booming suns" better than Hamilton. Toward the conclusion of the second novel, Chane encounters a device capable of transferring consciousness to any point in space. Here, the book enters 2001: A Space Odyssey territory with the wonders of the universe a-glow.
It's a shame the series ended after three books. I would've like to have seen where Hamilton would've taken Morgan Chane.
December 19, 2020
Omnibus of three short novels that do belong together.
First third something I would never have chosen, as being about a pirate. But the thing is, he's also an outcast... so now it's more like a Bildungsroman. Gracefully written, interesting. And sometimes funny. "The hell with clever plans. Do it the Starwolf way." But also, "He despised all this prying about inside himself, trying to sort out emotions he had never been forced to feel before. So the devil with it." (for now)
Second third is more straightforward adventure, as it explores one of the insufficiently explored themes of SF with a Sense of Wonder and a What If that I'm loving. These may be warrior types, but they're intelligent & complex.
Last third a perfect wrap-up. Their biggest adventure yet, in some ways... but also some extra-interesting observations of human nature.
I like the idea that Earth specializes in mercenaries. Because: "We were soaked in conquest right up to ears for a long, long time and that's why we don't have much use for it anymore."
If this weren't about pirate/ soldier types, I'd probably give it four stars. I will look for others by the author... I hope he got a chance to write to his strengths, not just to the market.
I had a bit of trouble with the female representation but it's pretty much easily overlookable; there are very few women, but at least they are individual people, not clichés. The underrepresentation of women is the only thing that feels dated, to me.
First third something I would never have chosen, as being about a pirate. But the thing is, he's also an outcast... so now it's more like a Bildungsroman. Gracefully written, interesting. And sometimes funny. "The hell with clever plans. Do it the Starwolf way." But also, "He despised all this prying about inside himself, trying to sort out emotions he had never been forced to feel before. So the devil with it." (for now)
Second third is more straightforward adventure, as it explores one of the insufficiently explored themes of SF with a Sense of Wonder and a What If that I'm loving. These may be warrior types, but they're intelligent & complex.
Last third a perfect wrap-up. Their biggest adventure yet, in some ways... but also some extra-interesting observations of human nature.
I like the idea that Earth specializes in mercenaries. Because: "We were soaked in conquest right up to ears for a long, long time and that's why we don't have much use for it anymore."
If this weren't about pirate/ soldier types, I'd probably give it four stars. I will look for others by the author... I hope he got a chance to write to his strengths, not just to the market.
I had a bit of trouble with the female representation but it's pretty much easily overlookable; there are very few women, but at least they are individual people, not clichés. The underrepresentation of women is the only thing that feels dated, to me.
August 10, 2014
Overall good stories. I liked the pace of the books and the ideas. The characters were well explained and I could empathize with the lead character. Good sci-fi, but you can tell it was written before the eighties.
March 4, 2022
I’m mostly familiar with Hamilton as a Silver Age Legion writer and so I could only picture Curt Swan drawings while reading. A delightful bit of pulp science fiction.
June 8, 2009
Although this isn't the best-written novel every, it is pretty good, considering it's time period, and very entertaining.
September 2, 2022
favourite book from the time when i was teen
John Wick in space :D
John Wick in space :D
October 1, 2008
Cette épaisse trilogie nous raconte les aventures d’un aventurier de l’espace, passant son temps à courir de planète en planète, luttant contre des monstres innomables, séduisant toutes les femmes de l’espace, mais surtout se battant contre tout un tas d’autres gaillards aussi méchants que lui. Heureusemenbt que je l’ai lu pendant les vacances ! Mon QI était en effet bien tombé, et j’ai pu le lire sans être immédiatement dégoûté par le style très factuel de l’auteur, par le côté sous-Conan dans l’espace, et par les scénarii d’une épaisseur de papier à cigarette de ces trois romans. Le moins qu’on puisse dire, c’est que ces aventures sont aisément transposables à l’écran, tant la trame est mince. En fait, je suis au final assez content de l’avoir lu, tant ce roman m’a permis de voir à quel point le genre littéraire SF a progressé depuis. Quel point commun peut-il donc y avoir entre cette chose et des romans comme Un feu sur l’abîme, Au tréfonds du ciel (tous deux de Vernor Vinge), Parade nuptiale (de Donald Kingsburry) ou même Rupture dans le réel d’Hamilton, mais pas Edmond, Peter).
November 5, 2019
Like Star Wars? Space adventures spanning countless galaxies. Like E.E. "Doc"Smith? Then this Starwolf is definitely for you. It consisted of three short novels about Morgan Chane, a human space pirate commonly known as "Starwolf." Not a bad brigand, and lucky to be alive after a shoot-out with his own Starwolf gang. Another human who rescued him, knew his identity, and could easily have him dead just by saying a word about him. That human had him on for some vague agenda of his own. The book is fast paced. And the aliens were truly aliens. Definitely recommended.
October 26, 2016
An easy Science Fiction read that doesn't try to insult my intellect by using big words. Seriously though, I was very glad I picked this used book up at LOGO Books and records in Santa Cruz. This book was a very fun read from start to stop, and I found it impossible to put down once I started. The science fiction isn't too hard, and story flows quite easily from page to page.
If you are looking for a fun, action-packed sci-fi story, give STARWOLF a shot.
If you are looking for a fun, action-packed sci-fi story, give STARWOLF a shot.
December 26, 2020
What a fun book! Of course it pure pulp science fiction, but it is very tightly plotted and just a great yarn!
October 19, 2013
Good sci-fi book. Will read it again!!!
December 6, 2024
From my blog.
This is Venture SF 5, 3 slim space adventure stories from the 1960s, published in an omnibus, around 450 pages in total.
This is quintessential 50s and 60s space opera. Space pirates, mercenaries, battles, thefts, revenge, death, winning against all odds, it's all here, told in a straightforward prose that would not win any literary awards but which suits the material. Of course, every character that has any agency is a male (no matter what the species) and despite the roistering pirates and mercenaries, the whole thing is rather chaste. This is after all a book from almost 60 years ago, and written by a man who was authoring space operas before World War II (though Hamilton had honed his style over the years and these do not read like they were written in the 30s).
Morgan Chane is an Earthman brought up on Varna, the planet of the starwolves, a people known as fearsome pirates, swooping down on planets and taking what the want in daring raids. He becomes a starwolf, but blood is thicker (etc) and when he kills another Varnan in self defence, they turn on him and he must flee. He falls in with a band of mercenaries (mercs), and adventures ensure.
Recommended if you like straightforward adventure tales.
The Venture edition uses the same same typesetting as the Ace does.
This is exactly the kind of book Venture SF set itself to publish. So far, we are 5 book in to the series (https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?10) and they're doing all right. One dud in 5 is not too bad.
This is Venture SF 5, 3 slim space adventure stories from the 1960s, published in an omnibus, around 450 pages in total.
This is quintessential 50s and 60s space opera. Space pirates, mercenaries, battles, thefts, revenge, death, winning against all odds, it's all here, told in a straightforward prose that would not win any literary awards but which suits the material. Of course, every character that has any agency is a male (no matter what the species) and despite the roistering pirates and mercenaries, the whole thing is rather chaste. This is after all a book from almost 60 years ago, and written by a man who was authoring space operas before World War II (though Hamilton had honed his style over the years and these do not read like they were written in the 30s).
Morgan Chane is an Earthman brought up on Varna, the planet of the starwolves, a people known as fearsome pirates, swooping down on planets and taking what the want in daring raids. He becomes a starwolf, but blood is thicker (etc) and when he kills another Varnan in self defence, they turn on him and he must flee. He falls in with a band of mercenaries (mercs), and adventures ensure.
Recommended if you like straightforward adventure tales.
The Venture edition uses the same same typesetting as the Ace does.
This is exactly the kind of book Venture SF set itself to publish. So far, we are 5 book in to the series (https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pubseries.cgi?10) and they're doing all right. One dud in 5 is not too bad.
April 27, 2025
Another rollicking, adventurous good time from the semi-pulp scifi era I hadn't previously read (or anything else by Hamilton for that matter). This omnibus was in the last of the books from my aunt, who loved this sort of thing.
It was a light, fast, fun action-y collection. Though nestled in there is some surprisingly astute self-reflection and great characterization, some nice thoughts on how you can't ever really 'go home again' for a whole host of reasons and causes.
Worth the read!
It was a light, fast, fun action-y collection. Though nestled in there is some surprisingly astute self-reflection and great characterization, some nice thoughts on how you can't ever really 'go home again' for a whole host of reasons and causes.
Worth the read!
June 13, 2023
Pretty enjoyable little trilogy. I like reading old classic sci-fi like this because it wasn't influenced by modern "pop culture". It's interesting to read how they author thought space travel would be. Morgan Chane is a memorable character, though I wish we got to see more of the Starwolf background.
Read
December 23, 2023Abbandonato alla fine del primo libro perché purtroppo i miei gusti di lettura stanno diventando più critici.
Purtroppo il protagonista è il classico Gary Stu: sa fare tutto lui, ce l'ha solo lui, è gnocco solo lui ecc...
Purtroppo il protagonista è il classico Gary Stu: sa fare tutto lui, ce l'ha solo lui, è gnocco solo lui ecc...
December 4, 2022
Good, old-fashioned, adventure SF. Dated, but still a good read.
Read
May 4, 2025I really enjoyed this read. It made me want to play No Man Sky sometimes during my read.
November 17, 2023
70s Sci-fi adventure at its finest-- high point is the adventure and exploration of "star men." Less commendable is all the star MEN. Good reminder of how far Science Fiction has come in representing voices of all different identities: a very welcome development that would have benefitted these three capers immeasurably. Still, this was a fun read!
January 6, 2014
I remember reading this a long time ago. I just now remembered. Looking up online, the cover of the book confirmed I did indeed read it. Just need to find a copy to reread.
Want to read
November 1, 2014I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12669106
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12669106
August 19, 2015
This is one of my favorites, I've reread it every several years since I was in high school.
August 28, 2015
An excellent space opera. Full of action and good characters. Read this one in the 80s and want to get an ebook of it so I can read it again.
May 6, 2020
If you love some space opera pulp this is the BEST. Its so bad its good.
May 28, 2012
Good old school Space opera
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews