Status
Available
Call number
Publication
New York : Avon, 1983.
Description
CALIGULA OF THE STARS Though he was later accused of every crime and sexual perversion in the galaxy, Hope Hubris began as an innocent. Because he defended his older sister against the violent lusts of a wealthy scion, Hope and his peasant family were forced to flee Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter. Pursued by the bloodthirsty scions across the airless desert, they barely escaped with their lives. The illegal space bubble was overcrowded with refugees, all hoping to reach Jupiter for asylum. But the space travelers had not reckoned on the terrible threat of high space - the pirates, barbaric men who rape, rob, and murder, with no thought but to satisfy their bestial appetites. It will take all Hope's ingenuity to survive, but the atrocities he witnesses will never die. There is only one way he can be rid of them... Revenge.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Karlstar
I really disliked this series, though this one might be the best. This is done in the style of Battlefield Earth, with big conflicts and grim outlooks. The title character really is a tyrant to be, not a tyrant yet, but you can see he's heading in that direction, and it only gets worse. Just not
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worth the time. Show Less
LibraryThing member scvlad
I read it, and the next book or two, as a teenager. I never finished the series. I grew up, I think. 'Nough said.
LibraryThing member helver
This is the beginning of the five part story of Hope Hubris, the eventual space tyrant. We start by meeting Hope and his two sisters, Faith and Spirit. A fight with a member of the ruling class gets them into trouble and they have to leave their home on Jupiter's moon Callisto - destined for the
I've never been overly fond of sexual violence or violence against children or against helpless non-combatants - but this book is chock full of it. The initial scene is about rape and it goes downhill from there. Because we know that Hope becomes a space tyrant, we can only assume that his ability to overcome the violence perpetrated against those he knows and loves is the crucible that hardens him into the man that can rule as he apparently will sometime in the future. But as these initial shocks keep coming and coming, it's almost Murphy personified. Every double cross that could happen, does. Every possible failure comes to pass. There is no good fortune and there is no victory, however small that does not come with an extraordinarily high cost.
I'll keep reading, because I'm OCD that way. But I'm seriously hoping that things will tone down somewhat...
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hope embodied by the planet Jupiter. Of course, it doesn't end up happening that way and Hope spends this first book struggling to survive against a solar system apparently dead set on killing him and everyone he cares about. Because there are four more books, we can rest assured that Hope does survive the journey. But that's about all we can be sure about.I've never been overly fond of sexual violence or violence against children or against helpless non-combatants - but this book is chock full of it. The initial scene is about rape and it goes downhill from there. Because we know that Hope becomes a space tyrant, we can only assume that his ability to overcome the violence perpetrated against those he knows and loves is the crucible that hardens him into the man that can rule as he apparently will sometime in the future. But as these initial shocks keep coming and coming, it's almost Murphy personified. Every double cross that could happen, does. Every possible failure comes to pass. There is no good fortune and there is no victory, however small that does not come with an extraordinarily high cost.
I'll keep reading, because I'm OCD that way. But I'm seriously hoping that things will tone down somewhat...
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LibraryThing member TadAD
Couldn't even get halfway through it.
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Anthony's _Bio of a Space Tyrant_ reads like some kind of bawdy Heinlein. A sci-fi rags to riches (and then the ultimate rise to power) that's fun, but just a bit heterosexist too.
LibraryThing member Spurts
This review is for whole series -- engrossing characters and unfortunately probable world building. Absolutely the plot and the protagonist sucks you right in and goes nonstop through all 6 books.
I am a fan of Piers Anthony; but, reader beware -- this ain't no Xanth. Much more intense situations.
I am a fan of Piers Anthony; but, reader beware -- this ain't no Xanth. Much more intense situations.
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"Caligula of the stars" on one of the excerpts is a very apt description for some disturbing portions in series; definitely for adults with actions and memories graphic/explicit as to sex, violence, rape and even child molesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member brakketh
The slow degradation and creation of a tyrant (Piers Anthony seems almost obsessed with sexual violence in this book), hasn't aged well in my opinion.
LibraryThing member colinkh
It wasn't as good as I had been led to believe, but it didn't suck. I will read the next book in the series just to see if it lives up to its potential.
Subjects
Awards
Prometheus Award (Nominee — 1986)
Language
Original publication date
1983-10
Physical description
342 p.; 18 inches
ISBN
0380841940 / 9780380841943