Deathstalker

Deathstalker Series, Book 1

By: Simon R. Green

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 22 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Owen Deathstalker, last of the infamous warrior Clan, always considered himself more of a writer than a fighter, preferring his history books to making any actual history with a sword. But books won't protect him from Her Imperial Majesty Lionstone XIV, who just outlawed and condemned Owen to death, without any explanation, reason, or warning. No wonder she's called the Iron Bitch.

Now, on the run from Imperial starcruisers, shady mercenaries, and just about everyone else in the Empire, Owen's options are limited. Though the name Deathstalker still commands respect in certain quarters, out on the Rim, Owen is lucky he can cobble together a makeshift team of castoffs, including an ex-pirate, a cyborg, and a bounty hunter. But allies won't be enough to save him.

If he's to live, Owen can either run forever...or take down the corrupt Empire. To do that, he'll need the fabled Darkvoid Device - an artifact dating back to the first Deathstalker and perhaps the only weapon powerful enough to help this ragtag rebellion win. The time has come for Owen to finally embrace his Deathstalker heritage...and all the blood and death that go along with it.

©1995 Simon R. Green (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Green blends derring-do, space battles and wry banter aplenty to form an eminently satisfying space opera." ( Booklist)

So much fun!

This is not a work of high or sophisticated fiction, it's everything fun from flash Gordon to Star wars, mashed up in a madcap space opera adventure. Hold onto your boots and keep your disrupter charged, this is one entertaining story.

Evil Empire, Psychics, super soldiers and aliens

Would you listen to Deathstalker again? Why?

Yes, it possesses enough intrigue and action to make it worth listening to a second time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deathstalker?

When the main characters went through the madness maze and found a baby at the center.

Have you listened to any of Gildart Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to Gildart Jackson before, but he does a pretty good job of managing the different voices. The only con is that he doesn’t do female voices very well, but that is expected from most male voice actors.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Desperation and luck forge a new hero

Any additional comments?

The death stalker series is a unique series that pulls great ideas from other stories and mixes them together into a new and original science fiction adventure

Deathstalker, it's not just a name it's destiny.

If you are looking for a fast moving shoot em' up in space, full of blood guts and gore, this will certainly do the job. Lot's of characters with fun (or interesting) names that get killed off regularly. Not a book for listening to in the background while doing homework of some other activity needing lots concentration. For that it's too fast moving and complicated.

A meandering mess

This book coulda, shoulda, woulda, with a good editor. It's really just a vidoe game without a screen, running from one far fetched scenario to another, before you (or the characters) can catch your breath. Even the ending, which isn't the ending, which isn't the ending, doesn't know when it's time for a wrap! This is by far the worst book I've ever made it all the way through, & I'm not sure if I'm proud of that. If not for the narration it would have been a definite return. My only hope is that this is a first effort for the author as there were some components that had promise. Anyway, buyer beware!

Great Epic Fantasy/Sci-fi mix

This is not a dark and gritty fantasy. It’s more of a light and gritty fantasy, which If it’s done right, I find equally as enjoyable. This book has great story telling and a unique plot. After listening to hundreds of epic fantasy, it’s refreshing to be unable to predict scenarios and outcomes. Great listen

This is a wonderfully enjoyable book.

loved it. completely enjoyable and down right fun. the narrative is truly exceptional. a must have

Great book for Green fans and new listeners

The story is intricate and like Greens other series verbal vision. I was shocked to learn it was published in 1995. It could have been released today and been just as relevant.

I'll never understand the naysayers on this 1

IMHO I thought this book was really great ,and it's the same narrator (Gildart Jackson) of one of my favorite books series Alex verus by Benedict jacka. In all this book series is looking to be awesome.

So much promise

Struggled to finish. Love the start, but it fell apart for me in the end.

Exhilarating

If you are into Sci-fi this book is ingenius. With swashbuckling action, cliff hanging suspense, along with colorful characters, mixed with a great storyline and you are left with a winning recipe.

amazing

I have read so much of Simon's works and I've loved all of them. This was amazing I was so lost in this world and I couldn't get enough

Couldn't stop listening to this!

Loved this book. The story is compelling and thoughtfully written with great characters and storyline.

An old friend

Having read all these books more than a few years ago I was delighted to hear it again. It was well read with a similar atmosphere to what I envisioned from when I read them.

Fantastic classic space opera storytelling

Really good story in this series absolutely well worth getting in to.
Only point ….
U need to listen to these at 1.2x speed else it gets painfully torturous to mentally pay constant attention to the narration. Only after some time will u realise you are trying desperately to accelerate time with your mind. I guess it’s so they can say that the readings are 20% longer that they actually are which is not necessary at all. Bleeding brilliant as they are!! Thank you Author.

Pure nostalgia

I read this as a teenager and loved it. It was fun to read it as an adult, it’s a crazy, action packed space opera for which you have to leave your disbelief at the door and enjoy the ride.

Just... average

The characters, even the protagonist, seem to have one personality trait. Dialogue is not very natural sounding. Getting out of a tight spot usually happens by a character magically having some last ditch wonder to pull out of their hat. One of those titles where reading other reviews, I'm wondering if I listened to the same book.

Deathstalker

This book was excellent and has been the most detailed I’ve seen in a long time.I have seen/heard all the books and the timeline is really thought through and VERY VERY good

Awesome.

Gildart Jackson nails all the performances he does, did justice to a great book and so glad there's more to listen too.

Brilliant Stuff

I really enjoyed the narrator's voice. His voice fits perfectly with the style of the story, which I've enjoyed for years. Lovely stuff!

epic, epic,epic

the greatest saga of star wars proportions with awesome characters, intrigue, fight scenes, blood Gore and Villians. choose your side ...