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Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana as the Blade of Tyshalle, Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, simply the best there is at what he does.
At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions. Yet he is shackled by a rigid caste society, bound to ignore the grim fact that he kills men on a far-off world for the entertainment of his own planet--and bound to keep his rage in check.
But now Michaelson has crossed the line. His estranged wife, Pallas Rill, has mysteriously disappeared in the slums of Ankhana. To save her, he must confront the greatest challenge of his life: a lethal game of cat and mouse with the most treacherous rulers of two worlds . . .
At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions. Yet he is shackled by a rigid caste society, bound to ignore the grim fact that he kills men on a far-off world for the entertainment of his own planet--and bound to keep his rage in check.
But now Michaelson has crossed the line. His estranged wife, Pallas Rill, has mysteriously disappeared in the slums of Ankhana. To save her, he must confront the greatest challenge of his life: a lethal game of cat and mouse with the most treacherous rulers of two worlds . . .
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WITH MY HAND on the doorjamb, some buried-alive instinct thumps within my chest: this is going to hurt. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
WITH MY HAND on the doorjamb, some buried-alive instinct thumps within my chest: this is going to hurt. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Matthew Woodring Stover may just be the most underrated contemporary Scifi/Fantasy author.
Although he's best known for his work in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (`Traitor' and `Shatterpoint' becoming highly touted amongst fans) his true mastery is revealed in both this novel and its sequel, `Blade of Tyshalle'. This novel is tightly plotted and possesses virtually nothing superfluous to the total design -- Stover's style is heavily evocative and often features short and compact sentences to maximise drama at key scenes. What really elevates this novel to the same level as authors such as George R.R. Martin, however, is the characterisation. Known for his intently psychological penetration, Stover creates one of the most magnetic anti-heroes (if such a label can even be used here) of contemporary fiction in that of Caine. There is no clearly established good or evil -- there are no grumpy but gold-hearted dwarves, elegant and refined elves, or incredibly powerful dark lords plotting to destroy-life-as-we-know-it. There are simply characters and their motivations, as it should be -- the reader isn't dictated or preached to, merely -shown-.
Most, however, may feel turned off at the highly (and I really do stress the word `highly') graphic violence and action sequences that play throughout the entire journey of the protagonist. If you're not too squeamish, the scenes resonate with a surprising level of verisimilitude -- the author is a devout martial artist, and understands the nature of combat to a level highly uncommon to the majority of authors in the field. Fight scenes are short, bone-shatteringly vicious and utterly believable. The shocking detail isn't simply gratuitous, however -- it is a key part of reinforcing the reflection on violence as a concept that is at the heart of the novel.
Highly recommended to all but the squeamish, who may want to pass. For the rest of you -- treat yourselves, let it sink in for a while, and then move on to `Blade of Tyshalle' before joining the rest of us in a wait for `Caine Black Knife'.
Although he's best known for his work in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (`Traitor' and `Shatterpoint' becoming highly touted amongst fans) his true mastery is revealed in both this novel and its sequel, `Blade of Tyshalle'. This novel is tightly plotted and possesses virtually nothing superfluous to the total design -- Stover's style is heavily evocative and often features short and compact sentences to maximise drama at key scenes. What really elevates this novel to the same level as authors such as George R.R. Martin, however, is the characterisation. Known for his intently psychological penetration, Stover creates one of the most magnetic anti-heroes (if such a label can even be used here) of contemporary fiction in that of Caine. There is no clearly established good or evil -- there are no grumpy but gold-hearted dwarves, elegant and refined elves, or incredibly powerful dark lords plotting to destroy-life-as-we-know-it. There are simply characters and their motivations, as it should be -- the reader isn't dictated or preached to, merely -shown-.
Most, however, may feel turned off at the highly (and I really do stress the word `highly') graphic violence and action sequences that play throughout the entire journey of the protagonist. If you're not too squeamish, the scenes resonate with a surprising level of verisimilitude -- the author is a devout martial artist, and understands the nature of combat to a level highly uncommon to the majority of authors in the field. Fight scenes are short, bone-shatteringly vicious and utterly believable. The shocking detail isn't simply gratuitous, however -- it is a key part of reinforcing the reflection on violence as a concept that is at the heart of the novel.
Highly recommended to all but the squeamish, who may want to pass. For the rest of you -- treat yourselves, let it sink in for a while, and then move on to `Blade of Tyshalle' before joining the rest of us in a wait for `Caine Black Knife'.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Normally I'm not a big one for SF or fantasy. I was pleasently surprised when I got "Heroes Die" on a whim and as it turns out I loved it. I'm not sure I agree entirely with Stover's rather dismal view on our society's future, but it's possible. The characters of the story were very well written and surprisingly versitial. One of the aspects of the book I liked the most was the fact that people (both heros and villians) didn't do things just because they were good, evil etc. They had motives for their actions and weren't just radomly good or evil as the plot needed them to be. The settings and plot twists (there were many of those) were believable and entertaining. In my humble oppinion, this book was an all around good read. Can't wait for the sequal! Hint, hint, publishers.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I've been reading Sci Fi and Fantasy for twenty years and it takes a lot to impress me but Stover blew me away...If you want edge of your seat action/suspense/adventure set in two great backdrops/worlds this is your book. The characters really hold your interest (always a problem for me) and the action/fighting sequences will satisfy even the most blood-thirsty fan...Bravo Mr. Stover, can't wait for the sequel!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Never judge a book by its cover...
I have to agree with some other reviewers of this book, never judge a book by its cover. The cover artwork is catastrophic, and must have had a detrimental effect on sales. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ousel37
Outstanding!
This book was in and out of my wishlist a number of times purely because of the really naff cover which reminds me of the SF books from the 70's! Read more
Published 22 months ago by StevieP
Wow! Raw, intelligent, creative, and mysterious.
This was an excellent combination of science fiction and fantasy, with plenty of mystery that climaxes at the very end. Read more
Published on 10 May 1999
An Excellent Cross between High Fantasy and Science Fiction
This is my first "adventure" into the type of fictional world that Matthew Woodring Stover creates in HEROES DIE, but his work in IRON DAWN and JERICHO MOON made me... Read more
Published on 9 Mar 1999
I wish there was more!!!!!!
I am just getting into the reading fantasy books, and what a great way to start. I couldn't get enough of this book. The characters were totally believable. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 1999
Outstanding literary adventure
I picked up this book after reading Stover's previous book Jericho Moon, and I have to say this one is even better. More action, more romance, more ideas. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 1999
LIKE ITS HERO, THIS BOOK KICKS BUTT!
The fighting in this book is awesome! Unlike most fantasy/SF writers, this guy sounds like he's actually kicked a little butt in his time. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 1999
Excellent Novel
This is the first novel I read by Mr. Stover, and I would have to say it was a great read. The title of the novel was the first thing that attracted it to me. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 1999
new premise for fantasy theme
The premise of a more advanced technilogical society that is able to transport a person/persons into a less advanced society and then being able to experience his adventures... Read more
Published on 9 Nov 1998
Heroes Die is HOT!
There aren't many books in the fantasy/SF genre that have gripped me like this one.
An original blend of straight SF and other-world swords and sorcery, Heroes Die is a fast,... Read more
Published on 17 Aug 1998
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