The Face

Fourth revenge. This is probably the best of the Demon Princes books, as our hero chases his next opponent, Lens Larque, across space and to many planets, finally ending up on one that has a really interesting, if rather bloody local game that they play. Given there is a fifth book, Larque's chances obviously aren't too good.

"It is instructive to note that the author [of LENS LARQUE: THE FLAGELLATOR], Erasmus Heupter, dropped out of sight soon after publication of the article and was never seen again." - note added to a reprint of the piece, accompanied by a fervent disclaimer of responsibility for the accompanying silly-looking artist's impression of Lens Larque himself While two of the five DEMON PRINCES volumes are named for Kirth Gersen's targets at those phases of his lifelong quest for vengeance, the remaining three are named for great exploits or conceits (or both) of the larger-than-life crimelords therein. While each title is seen, in the end, to be apt, in some cases the full beauty of it won't be apparent until the end of the story. Readers unfamiliar with this series might expect all five episodes to follow a similar structure, as Gersen strips away his current target's protective veils of false identities and middlemen to bring about a confrontation. Not so; as noted in various (imaginary) learned tomes quoted throughout the series, the Demon Princes have few points in common, save that 1) each is a master criminal - brilliant, untouchable, and completely indifferent to human pain, and 2) they have a flair for schemes on a grand scale. Even on the matter of ego, Malagate - the only non-human among them - was arguably an exception. Lens Larque, on the other hand - Gersen's current quarry - stands out as exceptionally arrogant, even among this select group who divided the criminal activities of known space as predators might split a kill, ignoring lesser threats. The Demon Princes aren't an organization; they merely recognize one another as peers and stay out of each other's way. The Mount Pleasant raid, in which Gersen's home and family were destroyed, is the only recorded instance of a cooperative effort by the Demon Princes - and it was one too many, as Gersen's grandfather reacted by ruthlessly turning his only surviving relative into a weapon to strike even beyond the grave. Given the events of the preceding three books, it's even possible that none of Gersen's targets is aware of the fate of any other. The five books *could* be read in any order without giving away Gersen's solution of each core problem - identifying and isolating his target - but ideally the development of Gersen's arsenal of resources should be read in order. Through the events of THE KILLING MACHINE and THE PALACE OF LOVE, Gersen acquired tools to smooth his way: a fortune, and Jehan Addels, his canny (and nervous) man of business. (Ironically, through Addels, Gersen himself has acquired aliases and shell corporations to protect his identity even as his targets conceal theirs.) Addels acts as Gersen's unhappy ally, to the point of helping mastermind the legal strategems intended to smoke the whip-wielding Darsh out of concealment long enough for Gersen to trap him. As in Gersen's other adventures, his is not the only attempt at an epic achievement. Part of the charm of these

Vance returned to the Demon Prince series after a 12-year hiatus to write this novel and its sequel, 'The Book of Dreams.' These demonstrate the mature Vance. His world building skills are just as fine, but character development has come a great distance Kirth Gersen is not only a full three dimensional character, but he is fully in control of events now. An 'actor' rather than a 'reactor.' This carries over to the rest of the persona as well, except for the villain of the piece, Lens Larque, who must remain a menacing shadow to the very end.Larque is a Darsh from Dar Sai, a world that was only civilized because of the value of its raw materials. Its people are harsh, prone to games of whipping and violent 'diplomacy.' The sexes don't like each other and the mating customs are half hide-and-seek, and half mayhem. Gersen puts together a ship-napping in order to trick Larque into exposure, has the tables turned on him, and finally arrives on Dar Sai with a new respect for the fourth of the Demon Princes.Gersen's troubles don't end because he has got to the right planet. Next, he must find the right man. Soon you get the idea that the only cooperative people on Dar Sai were not born their. The Darsh have about the same social skills as miners during the gold rush. And about the same amount of rapacity as well. I should also mention that they have the worst food in known space. Winning only a pyrrhic victory on Dar Sai, Gersen heads for its sister planet Methlen, where the beautiful people live. Besides the inevitable conclusion, Gersen also learns the sorrows of love (again) and the joys of delivering a good comeuppance. There is a lot of subtle and ironic humor in the story, one of Vance's trademarks as a developed writer. As such, interest remains high right through the end as the last twists fall into place. While it was to be only a few more years before the final volume appears it was a very impatient time for the fans. You modern young whippersnappers should count yourselves lucky.