ASSAULT ON THE GODS

by Stephen Goldin

Ardeva Korrell, captain of a small interstellar trading ship, has fought prejudice, both because she's a woman and because she's an Eoan, a native of a world with an unpopular religion. Now she's fighting the god-like rulers of a backward planet to save not only her crew, but the entire native population as well. Their mission is to storm the gates of Heaven itself.

Genres: Science Fiction

181 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Born in Philadelphia in 1947, Stephen Goldin has lived in California since 1960. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy from UCLA and worked as a civilian space scientist for the U.S. Navy for a few years after leaving college, but has made his living as a writer/editor most of his life.

His first wife was fellow author Kathleen Sky, with whom he co-wrote the first edition of the highly acclaimed nonfiction book The Business of Being a Writer . His current wife is fellow author Mary Mason. So far they have co-authored two books in the Rehumanization of Jade Darcy series.

He served the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America as editor of the SFWA Bulletin and as the organization’s Western Regional Director.

He has lived with cats all his adult life. Artistically, he enjoys Broadway musicals and surrealist art. Philosophically, he is an atheist.

Learn more about him at his Web site. . Many of his books can be bought through his online bookstore, Parsina Press.

Reviews

[Mike Vasich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really deserves to be better known. It is thoughtful science fiction with an intelligent and interesting female lead character. A smart and thought provoking read that flows along like a pulp sci fi story (meant in a positive sense).

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this is one of Goldin's finest novels. It's an action-packed space opera adventure, with complex and interesting characters, that incorporates some intelligent thought and commentary about sexism, racism, and religious prejudice... and in less than 200 pages. Dev Korrell and her crew on the Foxfire are right at home with Mal Reynolds and Han Solo. Doubleday published this one in hardback in 1977, but for some reason a U.S. paperback (with a pretty cool Don Maitz cover) didn't appear until four years later. It's an overlooked gem.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really great book that combined sci-fi with an element of thinking about our own personal beliefs. Being that it is a shorter book, every page is action packed. Towards the end there, I was on the edge of my seat (wondering if I was going to see an Animal Farm style exchange of power).

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done pulp story, and surprisingly woke for 1977 (laudatory). Themes of sexism, racism/speciesism and religious fundamentalism are core to the story, with a strong woman lead, and some cool action pieces. This book feels like an atheist/antitheist action novel, and definitely fun to read. I wish it got more attention!

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third act lets it down a little but overall an interesting tale!!

[Zoe R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible, kept me on the edge of my seat til the very end.

[notellingyou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely boring and uneventful. Could have been compressed into a book half this length.