The novel “The Palace of Love” by Jack Vance was published for the first time between October 1966 and February 1967, serialized in the magazine “Galaxy” and as a book in 1967. It’s the third book in the Demon Princes series and follows “The Killing Machine“.
Kirth Gersen discovers that poison maker Kakarsis Asm is about to be executed for selling poisons to Viole Falushe without following his guild’s rules. He manages to obtain information that gives him a lead connected to the slave trade. Alusz Iphigenia can’t understand why Kirth continues his crusade, and their relationship ends.
Following the lead, Kirth Gersen uncovers new information about Viole Falushe and his obsession with a woman named Jheral Tinzy. His enemy was born on Earth, and he travels to the planet to meet the poet Navarth, Falushe’s mentor. The poet was entrusted with a girl who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jheral Tinzy.
“The Palace of Love” continues Kirth Gersen’s crusade to avenge the murder of his family by five powerful interstellar crime bosses known as the Demon Princes. He seeks them out one by one, but this is difficult because they use false identities to conduct their criminal operations without exposing themselves.
Like the other Demon Princes, Viole Falushe is a master at concealing his identity. He has changed his appearance to the point that even Navarth, who knew him well, is no longer able to recognize him. Once again, Kirth Gersen must resort to subterfuge to unmask him and have the chance to kill him. It might seem like a repetitive plot considering this is the third novel in the series, but Jack Vance always manages to create memorable settings and characters that make the plot engaging.
Kirth Gersen’s search gradually reveals disturbing aspects of Viole Falushe’s personality, who today would be described as an incel. It’s hardly surprising that one of the Demon Princes possesses certain pathological psychological traits, but in this case, they’re central to some of his activities. The investigation ultimately focuses heavily on this criminal’s personal history and its ramifications. This happens precisely because of the importance of this aspect of his personality, which is also used to try to identify him.
The psychological aspect continues to be developed with Kirth Gersen as well. It’s not the first time he’s questioned what he considers an obsession, but in this case, the issue is highlighted following an argument with Alusz Iphigenia, the woman he saved and who wants to have a normal relationship with him. She sees that Kirth is only thinking about what he sees as a crusade against the Demon Princes and can’t understand him, resulting in the two of them splitting.
The story features more over-the-top characters than others because Navarth is a poet, but his bizarre behavior goes far beyond what one might expect from an artist. For example, Kirth Gersen is, to say the least, perplexed by Navarth’s behavior toward the girl entrusted to him.
Like Kirth Gersen’s previous adventures, “The Palace of Love” has its own ending but continues what was written from the beginning as a series that has become a classic of adventurous science fiction. The Demon Princes series has become one of Jack Vance’s best-known works, and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates this author and this type of science fiction. It’s available on Amazon USA, UK, and Canada.
