Spacerogue

"Spacerogue" by Webber Martin is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The book follows Barr Herndon, a man seeking revenge against the tyrant Seigneur Krellig who destroyed his home and family. The story is set against a backdrop of interplanetary trade, slavery, and intrigue in a richly imagined universe. The narrative begins with Herndon's impulsive purchase of a proteus, a shape-shifting creature, at an auction, which he ultimately kills to spare it from a life of suffering. Driven by the desire for vengeance, he infiltrates the aristocracy of Borlaam, ultimately becoming entwined with the Lady Moaris, the wife of a powerful nobleman. As Herndon's plans unfold, he navigates a treacherous landscape of betrayal and power plays, leading to a climactic confrontation with his enemies during a royal court event. The novel artfully combines elements of adventure, moral complexity, and the exploration of loyalty, culminating in a dramatic and explosive conclusion that examines the cost of vengeance and the nature of freedom. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Silverberg is a prolific American science fiction author and editor. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Grand Master of SF since 2004.