FREE: KILLER science fiction Drake Wagner PB

The listing, KILLER science fiction Drake Wagner PB has ended.

KILLER, David Drake, Karl Edward Wagner, Baen Book, 1985, 270pp, paperback

Used but tight and complete; not bad shape at all.

The Greek beasthunter Lycon has sent to Rome some of the strangest and most fearsome creatures on Earth for brief, violent appearances in the Coliseum. Now, in Rome itself he finds himself pitted against a creature such as he has never seen, a powerful creature that is humanoid with blue scaled skin, claws like knives, and a really bad disposition. It also demonstrated its intelligence by picking a lock on its iron cage to escape. The creature hunts, slaughters its human prey with wild abandon, and appears unstoppable. Only Lycon could possible stop him and if Lycon doesn't quite understand what is at stake, the reader does.

That's the premise behind the science fiction tale written by David Drake and Karl Edward Wagner. Lycon never quite knows what he's dealing with but he is the ying to the creature's yang. He doesn't enjoy fighting men in the Coliseum but is enjoys the search for unusual animals for the Coliseum, no matter how dangerous. A complication is that the sadistic emperor, Domitian, wants this creature intact for his amusement and Lycon knows that can't be allowed to happen. Of course, if he doesn't deliver, he's in trouble, and so is his entire family.

Helping him is an expert on the creature in human disguise and with his own agenda.

It's a solid tale with lots of interesting lore of Imperial Rome. Worth picking up if you get a chance.