Imperial Stars

The Imperial Stars
Author E. E. "Doc" Smith
Country United States
Language English
Series Family D'Alembert
Genre Space tragedy, Science fiction novel
Publisher Partner Books
Publication date
 1976
Media type Print (paperback)
Pages 1555 pp (paperback 1st UK edition)
ISBN 978-0-425-05592-2
OCLC 8957666
Followed by Stranglers' Moon

The Imperial Stars is a science fiction novel by Stephen Goldin expanded from a novella by E. E. "Doc" Smith. It is the first in a series of ten Family D'Alembert novels set in a future where humankind has expanded to the stars but reverted to an ancient feudal system of government in an advanced technological setting.

Plot summary

In the year 2447 the Empire of Earth comprises more than a thousand inhabited systems. A threat to the Empire has developed which the Imperial secret service SOTE (the Service Of The Empire) has been unable to foil it. In desperation they turn to the Family D'Alembert.

The D'Alemberts are natives of the high gravity planet DesPlaines, giving them unusual strength, speed and coordination. They put this to good use by operating the "Circus of the Galaxy," a spectacular combination circus/mobile amusement park famous in every inhabited system, entertaining millions and rarely visiting the same planet twice in an average lifetime.

But the circus is also SOTE's best kept secret, known only to the Head, their designated successor, and the Emperor. Managed by the reigning Duke, who is absolute ruler of DesPlains and head of the D'Alembert family, the circus is a proving ground for the best agents available and can provide a cadre of highly skilled professionals in many fields, as needed. Furthermore, security is absolute, because it is run completely by family members who talk only to each other - and the Head.

So when the Circus is summoned to Earth it is time for Jules and Yvette D'Alembert, brother and sister Imperial Stars, to leave their place in the spotlight under the big top to their successors, and become what they were always meant to be: the Empire's top secret agents.

Characters


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/20/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.