Book Review: The Revolt of the Star Men by Raymond Z. Gallun (1932)
Synopsis: From the moment Austin Shelby met Hekalu Selba, he disliked the Martian nobleman and suspected it wasn't just because of the affection his girlfriend, Jan, showed toward Shelba. Shelby's suspicions are confirmed when Selba attempts to obtain his formula for an atomic ray gun, going as far as to take Shelby and Jan prisoner. Shelby then learns Selba is working with a race of Star Men with plans to conquer the solar system.
Review: I picked up a copy of The Revolt of Star Men both because he was an author from my hometown of Beaver Dam, WI and because I needed a book to serve as a palate cleanser before reading another Agatha Raisin mystery. I finished the book tonight and will admit it exceeded my expectations.
I was a bit skeptical when I started reading the book, mostly because it is a story that was written nearly 100 years ago and long before human space travel was a thing. I figured, at minimum, the material would be severely dated to the point the story would cease to be believable. However, that proved not to be the case.
One thing I found I liked about this book was how the villain, Selba, always seemed to stay one step ahead of Shelby, even when it seemed like Shelby found a way to gain the upper hand. Selba's alliance with the Star Men added to this by giving him seemingly indestructible henchmen who served as his muscle.
Jan also proved to be an intriguing character because of her friendship with Selba. There were times when Shelby seemed justified when wondering if she was going to choose the Martian over him and the human race and I wondered if she would turn out to be a villain as well.
My only real complaint about the book is there were times when Shelby seemed superhuman himself, especially when he was bleeding from a gunshot wound but somehow still strong enough to drag multiple 150-pound pillars before finding a plane and flying away. Basically, he gets seriously hurt multiple times but seems just fine by the next chapter. I wasn't sure if that was intentional or if the author just forgot his protagonist was supposed to be injured.
I also would have liked for the book to spend more time on the Star Men and their backstory. There's a decent description of who they are and where they came from, but it still felt like the could use more depth and it wasn't as though this was a long book that couldn't have added another chapter.
Final Opinion: It's an entertaining story that has a solid antagonist and a near-impossible situation for the protagonist. I think it is worth taking the time to read if you get the opportunity.
My Grade: B+
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Here are some reviews of other books from the 1930s:
Book Review: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (1930)
Book Review: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1930)
Book Review: The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner (1933)
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