Bloodsport

I love Burkett's writing...and I love his characters, especially his hero, and his subtle humor. I also love the worlds he has created, the creatures, and the other characters. Bravo, Burkett

Kieth Ramsey is a journalist. He was once a great writer and a great hunter. He perceives himself as a failure marking time until death takes him. Through a wild set of unlikely circumstances he decides to hunt the Pondoro Wolverine on an obscure planet in the back of beyond. Pondoro has nothing to offer in the way of minerals or other business opportunities, so the locals have started a hunting industry. The Pondoro Wolverine is at the top of the food chain. It hunts the hunter in ways that change the people that come for the hunt do not understand. The coward finds courage. The brave man begins to doubt his worth.Kieth Ramsey is accompanied by Ball, a spherical cyborg that revels in reviling people. Ball is not what he appears. Ramsey is not what he appears. The Pondoro Wolverines are not what they seem. This is a Hemmingway hunt story combined with a mystery and a spy story. It has two climaxes instead of one. The end of the book resolves almost nothing. You will NEVER guess what is going to happen next.The only flaw in the book is that the world of Pondoro is not painted in well. The people are put in pretty well, but the context is not put in real well.

Writers often speak of "finding their voice." William R. Burkett, Jr., seems to have no problem with this. He writes in many voices, all of them believable and authentic. Whether coming from inside the mind of eerily intelligent alien beasts, speaking in the first person as somewhat jaded yet still romantic adventurer/journalist Keith Ramsey, or, best of all, emanating from Ball, THE most memorable robotic character to be penned in many years, Burkett's "voice" rings true and compelling. The story of BLOODSPORT is one timely for the late 20th century, as we contemplate exactly how intelligent animals might be (American Sign Language tutored gorillas are reality; can conversing with dolphins be far behind?). In light of newly discovered areas and levels of intelligence among other species, we are left to wrestle with the issue of what should be our new relationship with these species. The alien beings in BLOODSPORT tempt us to label them "beasts" while making as shrink ever more from such labels. Further timeliness lies in BLOODSPORT's use of robotics and cyberspace. The questions of what is "real" and what is "human" underscore this fast-paced story of a hunter who seeks what he thinks will be his ultimate prey. Suprise after plot twist after unexpected development move the story along, while well-defined characters (earthlings, aliens, and robots alike) and vivid descriptions of a time and place far from here should hold any reader's attention. A plot element it would be unfair to divulge leads us to hope a sequel is planned.

Burkett gave us a glimpse of his ability to create alien cultures in "Sleeping Planet" published 30 years ago. Now, with "Bloodsport", he has laid the foundation for a new race of beings that hopefully will capitivate us for many more books. His ability to get into the head of the alien and know his fears, his desires, and his "human-ness" make his books compelling testimonials to the nature of our own being. That ability merged with great action writing make "Bloodsport" a best buy.

If some of you are wondering whether to pick pick this book. Do It! Not your ordinary science fiction. Great characterization, good plot, nice use of technology and excellent writing make this a memorable read. The human characters are interesting but the the stars of the show are the aliens and the intelligent machines. I'm looking forward to the next book by this author.