Tarrano the Conqueror: An Epic Science Fiction Space Opera of Interplanetary War, Assassins, and One Dictator's Mad Quest to Conquer Earth, Venus, and Mars.

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.