Fliers of Antares

Fliers of Antares is the eighth book in Kenneth Bulmer's expansive Dray Prescot science fiction series, published under the pen name Alan Burt Akers. Set on the planet Kregen in the Antares star system, this volume continues the Havilfar Cycle and follows protagonist Dray Prescot's adventures on the continent of Havilfar. The narrative centers on Prescot's separation from his companions after falling from a flying boat during a storm. His journey leads him to encounter the Lamnias, a semi-human species, before becoming entangled in a complex system of slavery controlled by the Katakis race. The story explores themes of survival, freedom, and the price of technological advancement through its portrayal of the Heavenly Mines and the raw materials required for flying boat technology.

Based on limited available reader reviews online, this entry in the Dray Prescot series follows a similar pattern to other books in the series. Readers who liked it noted: - Quick-paced aerial combat scenes - Continuation of established world-building - Development of previously introduced characters Common criticisms: - Formulaic plot that mirrors earlier books - Less character growth compared to earlier entries - Too much recapping of previous events Ratings: Goodreads: 3.72/5 (based on 36 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (based on 8 ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted "the flying sequences work but the rest feels like retreading old ground." An Amazon review stated "solid adventure but missing the freshness of the first few books." Reviews and ratings are limited for this specific title compared to other books in the series.

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🔸 Kenneth Bulmer wrote over 160 novels under various pen names, including Alan Burt Akers - the pseudonym he used for the Dray Prescot series. 🔸 The star Antares, where Kregen orbits, is one of the largest visible stars from Earth - if placed in our solar system, it would extend beyond Mars' orbit. 🔸 The Dray Prescot series spans 52 novels in total, making it one of the longest continuous science fantasy series by a single author. 🔸 The concept of flying boats in the series draws inspiration from both ancient mythology and the airship era of the early 20th century. 🔸 Like Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter series, the Dray Prescot books use the literary device of a manuscript supposedly written by the main character and "discovered" by the author.