Star Hunter by Andre Norton

A science fiction novella depicting a thrilling cat-and-mouse game which plays out between a credulous young man and an interstellar safari leader, as the two take up an unanticipated adventure on the mysterious planet Jumala. Norton combines mind control, cunning schemes, interstellar travel, and alien intelligence in an action-packed adventure. The story unfolds with the introduction of Ras Hume, a pilot and Out-Hunter, who with the help of a criminal mastermind from the planet Nahuatl plans a conspiracy to secure a fortune by manipulating its supposed beneficiary. The scheme is conceived after Ras Hume’s previous visit to the remote planet known as Jumala where he discovers the remains of a craft belonging to a wealthy family, of which only a single boy is believed to have survived the crash. His plan involves casting a pawn to take up the identity of Rynch Brodie, and then have a group of hunters find him on Jumala and declare him as a legitimate heir to a wealthy estate. In order to carry out such a demanding feat, Hume recruits Vye Lansor, a young man who meets all criteria as a suitable candidate to take the place of the marooned boy. Moreover, Lansor, who has been down on his luck from early on in life and currently working as a janitor in the utmost sordid conditions, sees Hume as a savior when asked to join him on his next interstellar safari. Unfortunately, Hume has other plans for the young man playing patsy, whom he accordingly intends to have brainwashed and imprinted with the memories of the wealthy heir in order to carry out his scheme. Subsequently, Lansor is conditioned and whisked to the jungle scenery of Jumala, but the brainwashing procedure has been poorly done, as it allows the man to experience flashes of his true self which leaves him in a confused state of identity. However, things go awry as the parties involved must face unforeseen obstacles and dangers, as Jumala proves to be home to many secrets. Delivered in a gripping and fast-moving plot, Star Hunter presents a swashbuckling venture on an interplanetary scale. Norton offers evocative descriptions and imagery which only reinforce the author’s vast creativity and imagination. Nevertheless, it also presents a colorful depiction of space travel and extraterrestrial forces guaranteed to captivate readers with its unique plot and twists.