Prince of Scorpio - Dray Prescot book 5 - Alan Burt Akers (Kenneth Bulmer 1921-2005) - cover artist Jack Gaughan
DAW paperback - copyright 1974 -1st printing - DAW collectors No 97
Prince of Scorpio - book 5 of the Delian Cycle - Alan Bert Akers (Kenneth Bulmer 1921-2005) - [SF novel - 0635 - 09-08-2015]
”Swordships of Scorpio", published in 1975, is book 5 in the science-fiction series titled "Saga of Dray Prescott". There are a total of 52 books* chronicling the science fictional adventures of Drey Prescott on the planet - Kregan all were published during the period 1972-97.
The entire series is presented as a memoir by Dray Prescot recalled his exploits on Kregan. Many times in the text he will make expressions such as, "yes readers of these tales my memory of this incident is as vivid as if it happened yesterday".
THE DELIAN CYCLE:
These novels are sub-grouped into cycles - essentially a series within the series - the first five books in the series make up the "The Delian Cycle". The books were initially published in the 70's as individual paperbacks and have more recently been published in a one-book collection and as an e-book. Some readers who wish to own a first publication edition may be daunted by the difficulty of acquiring these aging paperback but I can assure you they are available and at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Book 5, and the entire Delian Cycle concerns Drey Prescott's journey to unite and wed Delia princess of the island empire Vallia. Drey encounters many obstacles (an understatement) such as other suitors for the princess's hand and the indignation of the Emperor her father, which precipitate multiple swashbuckling adventures. Author Bulmer is a skillful writer and peppers this book with many imaginative and next to impossible near death situations that Drey Prescot must extract himself or face extinctions. After the third or was it the forth extraction from seemingly overwhelming danger I decided not to take these books too seriously but just admire the author's audacity concocting such purple pulp adventures.
This title "Prince of Scorpio" is the conclusion of the 5 book Delian Cycle. It is unnecessary to read any of the pervious 4 books since the author informs us of the basic plot goals and includes background information of the main characters motivations and history in book 5. Having said that this reader's pleasure has always been in the journey not precisely the final destination. The author has created a rich and complex imaginary world and interested readers can immerses themselves for a few hours in these adventures.
DREY PRESCOT:
Dray Precott, is an English sailor from the 18th century who finds himself instantaneously transported 600 light-years to the earth-like planet Kregan circulating the star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. He has no firm idea why he was brought but intuitively discerned that superior beings, who initially refuse to reveal themselves, intend that he fulfill an undeclared purpose or purposes. Prescott eventually learns that there are two conflicting factions that wish to manulipate him.
The motivations for the presence of Dray Prescot on the planet Kregan and his several returns to and from Earth is one of the unanswered and persistent themes of these stories. The author describes two opposing entities that attempt to influence Dray's energetic involvement in political and military quarrels. One faction is referred to as the Star Lords, represented by a hawk and the other the Savanti from the city Aphrasoe who are symbolized by a dove. Prescot does not waste much mental energy mulling over his situation since he always finds himself in the thick of strife and must focus on saving his life. Naturally he is infuriated at being manipulated like a pawn in someone else's game but when you ship is sinking you can only concentrate on survival. Another entity in these stories is the image of a scorpion. This representation has appeared in a few stories and when it does it doesn't bode well for Prescot. The author must be commended for keeping the stories interesting and revealing just enough plot secrets to keep readers looking for the next book in the series.
These "Dray Prescot" stories are certainly not literature in the mode of a Dickens or Tolstoy. They are fantasy adventures akin to Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars or Robert Howard's Conan stories or even John Jakes Brak the Barbarian tales. As the story cycle progresses Bulmer infused his main character Dray Prescot with an admirable moral compass - he abhors slavery, maintains his chastity in an amoral society, goes out of his way to protects widows and children and exhibits a remarkable loyalty to his warrior companions. Ultimately though these are just lightweight adventure stories and can be enjoyed for exactly what they are.
One feature worth mentioning is that each one of these DAW paperbacks include several full-page illustrations keyed to the text. As an admirer of fantasy/science fiction artwork I greatly enjoyed these drawings by noteworthy artist such as Tim Kirk and Jack Gaughan. I am not sure but I suspect the e-books do not include these illustrations.
*Books 38-52 are available as e-books - never having been published as a stand-alone book in the United States.
Prince of Scorpio - Dray Prescot book 5 - Alan Burt Akers (Kenneth Bulmer 1921-2005) - cover artist Jack Gaughan
DAW paperback - copyright 1974 -1st printing - DAW collectors No 97
Prince of Scorpio - book 5 of the Delian Cycle - Alan Bert Akers (Kenneth Bulmer 1921-2005) - [SF novel - 0635 - 09-08-2015]
”Swordships of Scorpio", published in 1975, is book 5 in the science-fiction series titled "Saga of Dray Prescott". There are a total of 52 books* chronicling the science fictional adventures of Drey Prescott on the planet - Kregan all were published during the period 1972-97.
The entire series is presented as a memoir by Dray Prescot recalled his exploits on Kregan. Many times in the text he will make expressions such as, "yes readers of these tales my memory of this incident is as vivid as if it happened yesterday".
THE DELIAN CYCLE:
These novels are sub-grouped into cycles - essentially a series within the series - the first five books in the series make up the "The Delian Cycle". The books were initially published in the 70's as individual paperbacks and have more recently been published in a one-book collection and as an e-book. Some readers who wish to own a first publication edition may be daunted by the difficulty of acquiring these aging paperback but I can assure you they are available and at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Book 5, and the entire Delian Cycle concerns Drey Prescott's journey to unite and wed Delia princess of the island empire Vallia. Drey encounters many obstacles (an understatement) such as other suitors for the princess's hand and the indignation of the Emperor her father, which precipitate multiple swashbuckling adventures. Author Bulmer is a skillful writer and peppers this book with many imaginative and next to impossible near death situations that Drey Prescot must extract himself or face extinctions. After the third or was it the forth extraction from seemingly overwhelming danger I decided not to take these books too seriously but just admire the author's audacity concocting such purple pulp adventures.
This title "Prince of Scorpio" is the conclusion of the 5 book Delian Cycle. It is unnecessary to read any of the pervious 4 books since the author informs us of the basic plot goals and includes background information of the main characters motivations and history in book 5. Having said that this reader's pleasure has always been in the journey not precisely the final destination. The author has created a rich and complex imaginary world and interested readers can immerses themselves for a few hours in these adventures.
DREY PRESCOT:
Dray Precott, is an English sailor from the 18th century who finds himself instantaneously transported 600 light-years to the earth-like planet Kregan circulating the star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. He has no firm idea why he was brought but intuitively discerned that superior beings, who initially refuse to reveal themselves, intend that he fulfill an undeclared purpose or purposes. Prescott eventually learns that there are two conflicting factions that wish to manulipate him.
The motivations for the presence of Dray Prescot on the planet Kregan and his several returns to and from Earth is one of the unanswered and persistent themes of these stories. The author describes two opposing entities that attempt to influence Dray's energetic involvement in political and military quarrels. One faction is referred to as the Star Lords, represented by a hawk and the other the Savanti from the city Aphrasoe who are symbolized by a dove. Prescot does not waste much mental energy mulling over his situation since he always finds himself in the thick of strife and must focus on saving his life. Naturally he is infuriated at being manipulated like a pawn in someone else's game but when you ship is sinking you can only concentrate on survival. Another entity in these stories is the image of a scorpion. This representation has appeared in a few stories and when it does it doesn't bode well for Prescot. The author must be commended for keeping the stories interesting and revealing just enough plot secrets to keep readers looking for the next book in the series.
These "Dray Prescot" stories are certainly not literature in the mode of a Dickens or Tolstoy. They are fantasy adventures akin to Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars or Robert Howard's Conan stories or even John Jakes Brak the Barbarian tales. As the story cycle progresses Bulmer infused his main character Dray Prescot with an admirable moral compass - he abhors slavery, maintains his chastity in an amoral society, goes out of his way to protects widows and children and exhibits a remarkable loyalty to his warrior companions. Ultimately though these are just lightweight adventure stories and can be enjoyed for exactly what they are.
One feature worth mentioning is that each one of these DAW paperbacks include several full-page illustrations keyed to the text. As an admirer of fantasy/science fiction artwork I greatly enjoyed these drawings by noteworthy artist such as Tim Kirk and Jack Gaughan. I am not sure but I suspect the e-books do not include these illustrations.
*Books 38-52 are available as e-books - never having been published as a stand-alone book in the United States.