Spectrum of a Forgotten Sun: The Dumarest Saga Book 15

240704 Spectrum of a Forgotten Sun (Dumarest 15) by E.C. Tubb

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We are fifteen volumes into the Dumarest saga, and there are two things that you must keep in mind. First, Earl Dumarest wants to find his forgotten, mythical home planet of Earth. Second, he wants to stay away from the clutches of the galaxy spanning scientific-religious cult of the Cyclan.

This “pull/push” framing was a staple of television during the 1960s. Think of television series like The Fugitive, The Immortal, and The Invaders. The hero wanted to find something, which kept him moving around, and he needed to escape someone, which provided tension.

Tubb wrote the Dumarest saga during the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. So, he was undoubtedly swamped with that story-telling technique. In addition, his stories reek of film noir. Earl Dumarest is Phillip Marlow among the stars. He realizes that life is brutal, everyone lies, there is no morality, no one can be trusted, but he has an unfailing moral code where he will kill only the right person and only for the right reason, and he will be loyal to good people while recognizing the frauds.

Dumarest #15 finds Earl Dumarest on the losing end of a mercenary war. Faced with slavery or signing up for a long enlistment with the winners, Earl is rescued by the femme fatale, Dephine, who needs his help to steal a shipment from a warehouse. The pair find themselves riding High on a spaceship, which is afflicted by a plague. Earl is saved again by Dephine, who is naturally immune to the plague and concocts a serum. To pay the debt, Earl is then persuaded to take Dephine back to her home planet, Emijar.

Emijar is a typical society in Dumarest's universe. It is ruled by a decaying aristocracy of families. This aristocracy places a high value on personal honor, dueling, and earning manhood by hunting the dangerous Olcept. Dumarest has to fight for Dephine's honor. He also helps a crippled heir attain manhood. Most importantly, he gets another clue to locating the fabled Earth.

Does he stay with Dephine?

Do the Cyclan make an appearance on Emijar?

Does Dephine fulfill her role as femme fatale?

There are another twenty-two volumes left in the saga. You will have to read them to get your answer.