Invasion from Space (Perry Rhodan #4)

Author: Walter Ernsting, Kurt Mahr
Publisher: Futura Publications Ltd, 1974
Condition: Softcover, yellowed pages, annotations on first page, interior clean
A selected review: ""Invasion from Space" continues the English translations of this fine German Space Opera - a saga that spans over 1800 stories and even more related books overseas.

In Part One, "Invasion from Space," Rhodan and his allies discover their first alien race - the Mind Snatchers. The Mind Snatchers are an insectoid race with the chilling power to switch minds with anyone else. Even some of Rhodan's men are affected by the Mind Snatchers. It's kinda fun to watch Perry and his Mutant Corps defeat the evil insects that would like nothing better than to have the entire universe to themselves.

In Part Two, "Base on Venus," Rhodan and his hand picked crew discover that the Arkonides left a large highly advanced base on the planet Venus. This version of Venus is closer to the Space Opera Venus of years past - filled with steaming jungles and terrible creatures. Rhodan and his Mutant Corps have to fight the base's defenses in order to take it over before it, too, can send a signal to it's alien masters. I loved the deja-vu that the jungles of Venus (which we all know scientifically cannot exist) created - it took me back to a time when man knew very little about Venus - or any of our other neighboring planets either.

This is one of the books that reminded me most of the older space operas like "Buck Rodgers" and "Flash Gordon". Huge planetary fortresses, human minds over seemingly vastly superior alien technology - and winning. I highly recommend this as a good book to decide if you want to try the rest."