Book description
It is the far distant future. Humanity has spread across the galaxy,
systematically wiping out, imprisoning and enslaving every species,
hostile or not. Now the galaxy is ruled by the Eleven Families, each
supreme in its own, vast realm. But beneath the surface of one dead and
obscure planet lie the seeds of rebellion. For here, the survivors of
the ravaged alien races have taken refuge, to plot their revenge on
their barbaric conquerors - and the downfall of the human empire. One
man is chosen to be the instrument of their vengeance - but he doesn't
know it. His name Pawl Paxwax. He is second son of the Fifth Family, and
this is his story - a magnificent epic of far future intrigue, passion
and tragedy. Phillip Mann was born in 1942 and studied English and
Drama at Manchester University and later in California. He worked in the
New China News Agency in Beijing for two years but has lived in New
Zealand since 1969, working as a theatre critic, drama teacher and
university Reader in Drama. As well as writing novels, he has written a
number of plays and stories for Radio New Zealand.
