Killbird

by Zach Hughes

Science Fiction

Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

171 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 3, 1980

About the author

Zach Hughes is a pseudonym of American writer Hugh Zachary.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zach Hughes cranked out several dozen novels in the 70s and 80s, ranging from romance, science fiction and horror (under different pen names). Killbird fits squarely within the science fiction realm, although it starts off reading more like fantasy. Our lead, Eban the Hunter, starts the novel just coming of age with his eyes on the daughter of the leader of his tribe. Unfortunately for Eban, several other suiters exist and Eban possesses hair on his head and face, e.g., he is 'cursed'. All the 'mountain folk' are completely bald, including the women! Nonetheless, Eban comes from a strong family and he himself is quite the hunter. The mountain tribes are rather primitive hunter-gatherers, who do move when the local game runs out and so forth. The rather spoiled daughter of the tribal leader just cannot make up her mind and has the 'boys' all go on a quest for a 'dragon'. it quickly becomes apparent that the dragons are something like tanks, who 'spit teeth' (e.g., bullets) and have lasers for 'eyes'. Other high-tech war stuff, like the Killbirds (anti-aircraft missiles like the one on the cover) also populate the novel

I will not go further on the plot besides to say Eban gets ostracized and makes a long journey, with many trials and tribulations along the way. Good pulp here, and the novel/novella reads quickly. Hughes must of had fun writing this and it was fun to read. 3 pulpy stars!!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! An exciting adventure for the brave Eban in a world full of dangers and opportunities. I loved the blend of myth and mystery in a harsh land where survival isn’t guaranteed. The setting is vividly imagined and full of ancient echoes that shape Eban’s journey.

[Steve Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

I have stared at the cover of this novel for years - only in larger form. Explanation time: the original Ken Kelly painting hangs in my living room. When I obtained the painting, I also for - lack of a better word - completeness picked up a copy of the novel.

But I had never read it before. To be honest, it didn't sound too appealing. I could not have been more wrong. This is a dynamite story and although it was pretty easy to foresee some variation of the ending, none of it was anticlimactic since everything was handled adroitly.

A hidden minor gem.

Original Painting:
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...

[Alan Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach Hughes is one of the pseudonyms of Hugh Zachary, who also writes America 2040 series of space opera as Evan Innes.

Killbird is an entertaining novel which, as another reviewer has said, is hard to review without giving too much away. The author's work seems to be of variable quality but generally pretty good, and this is one of his better novels.

[Christopher M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish that I could relate everything in this review that I loved about the story without spoiling it, but i can't. This was one of my favorite read-and-re-read-a-month-later titles in my youth, a fantasitc story of primitive men, dragons, and a history that is not quite what it appears to be.

[Devero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un buon romanzo. Per tutta la durata del libro mi chiedevo se questo mondo post olocausto potesse essere il nostro o meno, la scoperta finale è decisamente interessante.