Looking For a Good Book

David Starr, Space Ranger is the first of Isaac Asimov’s Lucky Starr books, originally written for younger readers. David Starr is a young member of the Council of Science, an organization that essentially combines science, government, and law enforcement. When people on Earth begin dying from poisoned food imported from Mars, Starr is sent undercover to investigate what is happening and who might be behind it. Once on Mars, he meets John “Bigman” Jones, a small but very energetic Martian who becomes his friend and companion.

I first read this book when I was a young teenager, and I remember enjoying it then. I’m not sure I was aware that it was written by Asimov at the time as it was first published under the name Paul French. Coming back and reading the book again now, I wasn’t sure whether the story would hold up or whether I would simply be remembering how much I enjoyed it at the time. Fortunately, I enjoyed it again.

This is definitely an old-fashioned science fiction adventure. The story is straightforward, the hero is exceptionally capable, and there is plenty of danger, mystery, and adventure. David Starr is not a complicated character, but that really isn’t the point. He is the sort of hero a young reader can easily imagine being: smart, brave, resourceful, and always ready for the next adventure. “Bigman” is probably the more entertaining character, and their friendship adds some humor to the story.

Of course, some of the science and ideas about Mars are dated. Asimov wrote this in the early 1950s, long before we had detailed information from spacecraft exploring Mars. An introduction in this edition acknowledges these shortcomings. Knowing what we know today makes some of the descriptions amusing, but I don’t think it takes away from the enjoyment of the story.

What I particularly enjoyed about rereading this is that it reminded me why books like this appealed to me when I was young. It is uncomplicated science fiction that is meant to entertain, and it does that very well. There is a mystery to solve, a strange world to explore, a dangerous situation, and a hero who seems to be just a little bit better than everyone else.

This probably won’t be the book I would recommend to someone looking for modern, sophisticated science fiction, but if you enjoy classic space adventure—or if you read the Lucky Starr books when you were young—I think it is worth revisiting. It was fun when I was a teenager, and surprisingly, it was still fun all these years later.

Looking for a good book? David Starr, Space Ranger by Isaac Asimov, writing as Paul French, is a classic YA, sci-fi adventure that is well-worth (re)reading. I look forward to more of the Lucky Starr books being re-released.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

4.0 stars

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David Starr, Space Ranger

author: Isaac Asimov

series: Lucky Starr #1

publisher:  Blackstone Publishing, Inc.

ISBN: 9798228585904 

hardcover, 208 pages