Voodoo Planet by Andre Norton

Voodoo Planet, written by Andre Norton and published in 1959, is a science fiction novel that blends space exploration with elements of voodoo and magic. The story follows Dane Thorson, a crew member of the Solar Queen, and his captain, Jellico, as they visit the planet Khatka. Khatka is a jungle world settled by descendants of escaped prisoners from Earth who have developed their own unique society. The story is filled with adventures involving poachers, magical threats, and a quest to uncover the mystery of a deadly magic being used to eliminate key leaders on the planet.

Plot Summary

The Solar Queen had docked on the steamy, waterlogged planet of Xecho, its crew working tirelessly to prepare the ship for its next mail-run mission. Dane Thorson, acting as the cargo-master, was exhausted from the oppressive heat and the endless string of repairs. But when a tall, striking man arrived at the ship, introducing himself as Kort Asaki, Chief Ranger of the neighboring planet Khatka, it marked the beginning of an unexpected adventure.

Asaki extended an invitation to Captain Jellico and his crew to visit Khatka as personal guests. Khatka was famed across the galaxy for its wildlife preserves, where the galaxy’s elite hunted majestic beasts, but it was also known for something far more dangerous—magic. Asaki revealed that a strange force was plaguing his world. Key members of Khatka’s society were dying mysteriously, and Asaki suspected that this magic, rooted in ancient traditions, was at the heart of it. He hoped Jellico and his crew, particularly Medic Tau, who had studied magic across many worlds, could help unravel the mystery.

Intrigued, Jellico accepted the invitation. The crew—Jellico, Dane, and Tau—departed for Khatka in Asaki’s cruiser. The world they arrived in was vastly different from Xecho. Khatka was lush with thick jungles, towering mountains, and vast grasslands that seemed to hum with life. Yet, beneath its beauty lay danger. The Khatkans, descendants of escaped prisoners who had fled Earth during a war, had built their society on this perilous planet, and their way of life was now under threat.

Asaki explained that the deaths plaguing Khatka were attributed to “killing magic,” a form of sorcery wielded by Lumbrilo, the chief witch doctor of the planet. Lumbrilo’s magic was unlike anything the crew had encountered before, powerful enough to summon beasts that weren’t entirely real yet deadly in their attacks. Asaki believed Lumbrilo was targeting Khatka’s leadership to gain control over the planet’s society. He hoped Tau’s scientific approach to magic could uncover the truth behind these deaths.

The crew’s journey took them deep into Khatka’s wilderness. They traveled by flitter—a small, airborne vehicle—over mountains and jungles, on their way to Zoboru, a newly established wildlife preserve. But as they soared over a crater lake, their flitter malfunctioned, pulled down by an unseen force. The crash left them stranded, with the wrecked flitter incapable of flight. Cut off from communication, the crew had no choice but to follow Asaki on foot, hoping to find a way back to civilization.

Their trek through the jungle was fraught with danger. Poisonous insects, deadly beasts, and the ever-present threat of Khatka’s predators shadowed their steps. One night, as they rested in a cave, Dane encountered sand worms—tiny creatures that burrowed into his feet, leaving him in pain. Tau treated him, but their troubles were far from over.

As they traveled, the crew stumbled upon a gruesome discovery—an illegal poaching operation. A pit filled with the carcasses of exotic Khatkan animals, their tusks and hides stripped away, was evidence of a group of ruthless poachers who were decimating Khatka’s wildlife. The poachers had left behind death and destruction, their trail leading toward the treacherous Mygra swamp, a place few dared to venture.

Determined to stop the poachers and uncover their connection to Lumbrilo’s magic, Asaki led the crew deeper into the wilderness. The dangers multiplied as they moved closer to the swamp. Rock apes, semi-intelligent and vicious creatures, attacked them in a brutal confrontation. The crew fought for their lives, their advanced weapons barely enough to fend off the beasts. Despite the victory, they were left battered and bruised, their bodies covered in stings from the fire-wasps that had erupted from a disturbed nest during the battle.

The night after the battle, both Dane and Tau experienced nightmares—visions so vivid and terrifying that they left a lingering sense of dread. It was clear that something dark and powerful was at work, something tied to the very essence of Khatka’s ancient magic. Asaki revealed that Lumbrilo’s hold over the people of Khatka was growing. His magic, once limited to superstition, had become dangerously real, capable of summoning creatures from nightmares.

Desperate to confront Lumbrilo and stop the killings, the crew pressed on toward Mygra. There, the very air seemed thick with malevolence. It was as though the swamp itself had absorbed the power of Lumbrilo’s magic. They encountered creatures of pure nightmare—beasts that should not exist, born from the twisted fabric of Khatka’s magical reality.

In a final confrontation, Tau faced Lumbrilo’s magic head-on. Using his knowledge of otherworldly magic, Tau engaged in a mental and mystical battle with the witch doctor. Lumbrilo’s power was formidable, drawing on the fears and beliefs of the people of Khatka, but Tau had seen similar forces at work on other planets. He understood the mind’s susceptibility to suggestion and illusion. Slowly, he unraveled the web of magic that Lumbrilo had spun, exposing the truth behind the witch doctor’s power.

Lumbrilo’s magic, while strong, was rooted in fear and manipulation. With Tau’s intervention, Asaki and the crew were able to break the spell that had been cast over Khatka. Lumbrilo was defeated, his hold on the people shattered. But the battle had left its mark. The crew of the Solar Queen had survived, but they had glimpsed the true power of belief and the dangers of a world where magic and reality intertwined.

As they prepared to leave Khatka, Dane looked back at the planet, its jungles teeming with life, its people free from the shadow of Lumbrilo’s dark magic. The planet, for all its dangers, had a resilience that mirrored the crew’s own will to survive.

Main Characters

1. Dane Thorson – A young crew member of the Solar Queen who acts as the cargo-master. He is an eager and dedicated space trader, thrust into a dangerous adventure on Khatka. Dane is resourceful and brave, often taking on more than he expects, which drives much of the story’s action.

2. Captain Jellico – The captain of the Solar Queen, Jellico is a seasoned space trader with a strong sense of leadership. He is experienced, calm under pressure, and has built a solid rapport with his crew. Jellico’s connection with the Chief Ranger of Khatka brings the crew into the planet’s perilous mysteries.

3. Kort Asaki – The Chief Ranger of Khatka, a commanding figure who invites the crew of the Solar Queen to Khatka to help with a mysterious problem. Asaki is a powerful and proud leader, knowledgeable about Khatkan traditions, and deeply concerned about the threat of magic that seems to be killing off key members of his society.

4. Medic Tau – A medical officer aboard the Solar Queen with a deep interest in alien cultures and their magic. Tau’s curiosity and expertise in xenobiology play a critical role in uncovering the source of the dangers on Khatka, particularly when he explores the mystical aspects of the planet.

5. Lumbrilo – The witch doctor of Khatka, who practices a powerful form of magic and holds considerable sway over the local population. His position as a spiritual leader makes him a central figure in the battle between science and magic, as he and Asaki are at odds.

Theme

• Magic vs. Science – The central theme of the novel revolves around the tension between magic and science. The crew of the Solar Queen, particularly Tau, must confront Khatka’s powerful voodoo magic with their scientific understanding, leading to questions about the nature of reality and the limits of knowledge.

• Survival and Adaptation – The settlers of Khatka are descendants of prisoners who have had to survive and adapt in a hostile environment. This theme extends to the crew of the Solar Queen, who must navigate the planet’s challenges, both natural and supernatural, to survive.

• Colonialism and Heritage – Khatka’s settlers, originally from Africa, have built a unique culture influenced by their heritage and their isolation. The novel explores how cultural identity and traditions evolve over time, especially in the context of interplanetary colonization.

• The Power of Belief – The story underscores the influence of belief, particularly in how it shapes reality for the Khatkans. Lumbrilo’s magic relies heavily on the belief of his people, and even the off-worlders must grapple with the impact of these beliefs on their own actions.

Writing Style and Tone

Andre Norton’s writing in Voodoo Planet is characterized by its straightforward, adventure-driven style. Norton employs a brisk pace that keeps the reader engaged, with vivid descriptions of both the alien landscape of Khatka and the action sequences. Her style leans heavily on creating a sense of wonder and danger, particularly through the strange and magical elements of the planet. There is also an undercurrent of tension between the crew’s scientific outlook and the mystical forces at play.

Norton’s tone is atmospheric and mysterious, particularly when dealing with the magical elements on Khatka. She creates a palpable sense of suspense and unease, especially as the characters confront the unknown. At the same time, the dialogue between characters remains grounded and practical, reflecting their experience as spacefarers accustomed to danger. The contrast between the familiar camaraderie of the crew and the eerie, supernatural occurrences on Khatka highlights the novel’s themes of science versus magic.