The Face

The Demon Princes Series, Book 4

By: Jack Vance

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Five intergalactic criminal masterminds raid the tranquil world of Mount Pleasant, leaving behind only ruin and slaughter—and the orphaned child Kirth Gersen, who comes to manhood swearing to take bloody revenge. Now Gersen roams the galaxy, bringing vengeance to the Demon Princes one by one, in Jack Vance's classic series of hardboiled space opera.

The fourth Demon Prince, Lens Larque, combines murderous criminality with a taste for horrific practical jokes. Escaping Gersen once, Larque flees to his home world of Dar Sai, known for its strange mating rituals and the violent winner-take-all game of hadaul. Gersen follows his quarry to the milder world of Methel, where Larque plans a revengeful prank on a wealthy man. Gersen has a more final vengeance in mind.

©1979, 2002 Jack Vance (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing and Skyboat Media

All that I'd hoped for.

My favorite author, his second best series of books (next to Cugel), narrated to perfection. I've reread this one uncounted times. Now I can listen that many again.

Great JackVance book.

Excellent performance of an excellent book. Jack Vance is an under-appreciated author yet had a huge effect on Sci Fi and fantasy.
Arimenta Station next please after the fifth Demon Prices.

Unexpected ending

I didn’t see it coming; I was prepared to be disappointed with this 4th entry in the Demon Princes series when Vance cleverly ties all of his loose ends up in the last few minutes of the work. In the end I was wholly satisfied and can’t wait to start the final book in the series.