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Hunters Out of Space
An interesting old school science fiction tale. A page turner for the avid science fiction reader.
From the
Suddenly I became aware of a flickering light above me. I looked up. I had thought that the lights were winking, but they were not. The room was lit by a reading lamp, and the ceiling was so shadowy that at first I could see nothing at all. Then I saw the light—or the ghost of a light—gleaming faintly upon—or through—the ceiling. It was the faintest yellow, neither a bull’s eye nor a splotch. Instead, it seemed to be a tiny whirlpool of movement—the faintest nebula in miniature with spirals of light swiftly circling a central core. For a second I thought I could see through the roof, and the stars swarmed before me. It was as though I was at the vortex of a high whirlwind of dancing, shining specks of light. Then that sensation was gone, and there were two faint coiling spirals of yellow light upon the ceiling.
The lights began to whisper.
From the
Suddenly I became aware of a flickering light above me. I looked up. I had thought that the lights were winking, but they were not. The room was lit by a reading lamp, and the ceiling was so shadowy that at first I could see nothing at all. Then I saw the light—or the ghost of a light—gleaming faintly upon—or through—the ceiling. It was the faintest yellow, neither a bull’s eye nor a splotch. Instead, it seemed to be a tiny whirlpool of movement—the faintest nebula in miniature with spirals of light swiftly circling a central core. For a second I thought I could see through the roof, and the stars swarmed before me. It was as though I was at the vortex of a high whirlwind of dancing, shining specks of light. Then that sensation was gone, and there were two faint coiling spirals of yellow light upon the ceiling.
The lights began to whisper.
- GenresScience Fiction
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1960
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 12, 2026
An early (1960) space adventure of the "sword and space” sub-genre by Joseph E. Killeam, ‘Hunters Out of Space' is the sequel to an earlier space opera entitled ‘The Little Men.’ It helps to have read the latter first, as ‘Hunters Out of Space' is a follow-on story, and not a standalone.
It has its usual quota of gabbled sci-fi jargon, a mix of races mostly Viking, dwarfs, giants and slaves and a villain whose aim is not simply to hold absolute power on earth, but who intends to become master of all space, all the planets and the entire universe (or universes).
Entertaining, up to a point, but all those stars and suns and wars with axes and lasers - well.
It has its usual quota of gabbled sci-fi jargon, a mix of races mostly Viking, dwarfs, giants and slaves and a villain whose aim is not simply to hold absolute power on earth, but who intends to become master of all space, all the planets and the entire universe (or universes).
Entertaining, up to a point, but all those stars and suns and wars with axes and lasers - well.
Currently Reading
March 28, 2022A funny old sci-fi story from the golden age of sci-fi. Apparently, this is a sequel to "The Little Men" by Kelleam, but for some reason, I found this title available in audiobook format, but not its predecessor. In any case, it should be relatively interesting for those who enjoy the quirks of "vintage" sci-fi.
March 19, 2010
Jack Odin returns to the underground world of Opal only to find it in ruins. The nefarious Grim Hagen has turned traitor, laid waste to the kingdom, kidnapped the princess Dejah Thoris Maya -- and fled in his spaceship. With the help of the faithful dwarf Gunnar, Odin obtains his own ship and pursues Hagen across the galaxy.
The first thing you have to know about The Hunters out of Space is, it makes absolutely no sense. Maybe if I'd read the previous Jack Odin story that'd be different, but I doubt it. I mean, people living in a Hollow Earth building a space ship? It's like Kelleam set out to write a pastiche of Edgar Rice Burroughs then switched to Doc Smith halfway thorugh. And what's with everyone having names straight out of the Volsungasaga/Nibelungenleid (Gunnar, Hagen, Neeblings, etc.)? It's like a really bad episode of Lost in Space, but less coherent.
The first thing you have to know about The Hunters out of Space is, it makes absolutely no sense. Maybe if I'd read the previous Jack Odin story that'd be different, but I doubt it. I mean, people living in a Hollow Earth building a space ship? It's like Kelleam set out to write a pastiche of Edgar Rice Burroughs then switched to Doc Smith halfway thorugh. And what's with everyone having names straight out of the Volsungasaga/Nibelungenleid (Gunnar, Hagen, Neeblings, etc.)? It's like a really bad episode of Lost in Space, but less coherent.
Did Not Finish
May 24, 2009An awkward reading that read very much like a sequel to something and seemed to assume you knew that something.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews