Tarrano the Conqueror

Three worlds plunge into chaos as simultaneous assassinations spark an interplanetary war for the ultimate prize: eternal life.

The year is 2430. Jac Hallen, an ambitious news-gatherer, stands in the bustling mega-city of Greater New York when the President of the Anglo-Saxon Republic is murdered before his very eyes. Within the hour, the rulers of Earth, Venus, and Mars are also assassinated. A ruthless dictator from the icy wastelands of Venus—the cunning and charismatic Tarrano—has claimed credit. But Tarrano's true objective is not just military domination. He seeks a newly discovered scientific vibration created by the brilliant Dr. Brende, a medical secret capable of halting human aging indefinitely.

When Dr. Brende is murdered and his children, along with Jac, are taken captive, they are thrust into a deadly game of political intrigue, high-tech espionage, and perilous escapes. Held hostage in the heart of an alien immigrant colony, Jac and his friends must outwit a mastermind who intends to hold the entire solar system captive.

Why you will love this: Fans of vintage Science Fiction will be absolutely captivated by this grand, golden-age space opera. Packed with futuristic technology, terrifying political unrest, daring escapes, and pulse-pounding interplanetary action & adventure, it hits all the classic tropes of retro sci-fi. If you enjoy early tales of dystopia driven by visionary megalomaniacs and intricate world-building, this epic will keep you riveted from the first paralyzing ray-blast to the final showdown.

About the Author: Ray Cummings (1887-1957) was a pioneering master of pulp fiction who once worked as a personal assistant to Thomas Edison. Known for blending speculative science with breathless pacing, he remains a foundational figure in early 20th-century speculative literature.