Melome

Tubb's best known series is The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra). This is a far future epic science-fiction saga charting the adventures of traveler Earl Dumarest. A man who is trying to get back to his home planet, Earth. The problem is he is in a region of space so far distant that most people think the existence of the planet is a myth. Originally written in what Michael Moorcock has described as a “conscious and acknowledged imitation” of Leigh Brackett's Eric John Stark stories, the series subsequently developed a style of storytelling unique to Tubb.

Published over a span of more than 40 years, the Dumarest Saga comprised 33 novels. This is #28, and while some of the preceding books had started to get a repetitive and formulaic, he's back he's back on form. The story sees Dumarest infiltrate a circus, hoping to gain access to a girl whose song can unlock lost memories. Maybe one of these will reveal the location of Earth? This has a nice setting, and a great pace to it. Supporting characters are all fleshed out. And of course, the Cyclan are involved too. One of the better entries in the series.