sdlotu
1/6/2023
Star Hunter
A decent wheels-within-wheels story about a plot to decieve through impersonation which goes wildly wrong when the planet itself gets involved. An alternate title might have been: Things Are Not as They Seem.
There are some nearly supernatural powers in this story which seem out of place or perhaps poorly thought out, but in the end the story and its unravelling are more compelling than these little issues.
Not one of Norton's best, but a decent story in the end.
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Voodoo Planet
A short work by Norton discussing the nature of belief and its ability to both empower and weaken the believer.
Norton uses the images and stereotypes of Afro-Hatiian Voudoun to drive the story, which pits an evil native spiritual leader against one of the series intrepid heroes in a battle to secure the future of a planet settled by African diaspora generations ago.
As usualy, the action is well paced and the environment keenly described, making for a story that one can enjoy even though it is weakened by the misunderstandings of Voudoun typical of mid-century American writers.
Not the best by Norton, but a worthy read for fans.