The Demon Princes: Volume 1
Kirth Gersen carries in his pocket a slip of paper with a list of five names written upon it. These are the names of the five Demon Princes who led the historic Mount Pleasant Massacre, which destroyed not only Kirth's family but his entire world as well. He roams the universe, searching the endless galaxies of space, hunting down the Demon Princes and exacting his revenge. First he must find Attel Malagate, a Star King whose only desire is power – no matter the cost. Next in line is Kokor Hekkus, the Killing Machine, an outlaw on every planet of the universe – all of them terrified to capture him. Viole Falushe is the third of the Demon Princes on Kirth's list, as elusive, cunning, and vicious as the first two – a monster hidden away in his so-called Palace of Love. One by one, they will be found, and the death of Kirth's parents avenged.
”Vance's descriptive eye is sharp, and his ear for the language is close to infallible.” – New York Newsday
”(Vance has) a velvety elegance that rivals John Gielgud reciting poetry... One of the treasures of science fiction.” – Washington Post Book World
Jack Vance
John Holbrook "Jack" Vance (1916–2013) was an American mystery, fantasy and science fiction writer. Though most of his work has been published as by Jack Vance, he also wrote 11 mystery novels using his full name John Holbrook Vance, three under the pseudonym Ellery Queen, and once each using the pseudonyms Alan Wade, Peter Held, John van See, and Jay Kavanse.
Vance won the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 1984 and he was a Guest of Honor at the 1992 World Science Fiction Convention in Orlando, Florida. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America made him its 14th Grand Master in 1997 and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted him in 2001, its sixth class of two deceased and two living writers.
Demon Princes
Five novels by Jack Vance which chronicle the adventures of Kirth Gersen in attempting to avenge the deaths of his parents at the hands of five planet-slaying crime lords, the justly-named 'Demon Princes'.
Demon Princes consists of five primary books, and includes three additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Gaean Reach