The Beast Master

by

Paperback, 223 pages

English language

Published June 29, 1984 by Ballantine Books.

ISBN:
978-0-345-31376-8
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OCLC Number:
10658232

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4 stars (3 reviews)

Is a science fiction novel which tells the story of Hosteen Storm, a Navajo and former soldier who has empathic and telepathic connections with a group of genetically altered animals. The team emigrates from Earth to the distant planet Arzor where he is hired to herd livestock. Storm still harbors anger at his former enemies the Xik, and has sworn revenge on a man named Quade for his father's murder. According to Kirkus he finds "life and hope" instead.

7 editions

reviewed The Beast Master by Andre Norton (Hosteen Storm #1)

Review of 'The Beast Master' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This is one of those rare books that I enjoyed as a kid, and that still holds up today.

There are some anachronisms. Use of the term 'Amerindian.' Narrow rocket-ships with fins travel between the stars. Women are almost entirely absent from this 'adventure' story. Despite this, it's still a fun read that's an interesting western set in space.

I have seen this book criticized for furthering the 'noble savage' trope, and I think that's a fair critique from a modern perspective, but for its time I think it's admirable that the protagonist isn't of European descent.

avatar for willadams

rated it

5 stars
avatar for byayoi

rated it

3 stars

Subjects

  • Science fiction, American.
  • Life on other planets -- Fiction.
  • Space colonies -- Fiction.
  • Human-animal communication -- Fiction.