Cover of The Flame Breathers

The Flame Breathers

    Ray Cummings's The Flame Breathers is an adventure fiction and Victorian science fiction novel. Key subjects include human-alien encounters and mines and mineral resources.

    On Project Gutenberg it was downloaded 435 times in the last 30 days.

    It is in the public domain in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg.

    About The Flame Breathers

    "The Flame Breathers" by Ray Cummings is a science fiction novel written in the early 1940s. The book narrates the story of an expedition to a newly discovered planet, Vulcan, which is fraught with danger and mystery. It primarily explores themes of survival and human ingenuity when confronted with the unknown, as well as a glimpse into the exploration of extraterrestrial worlds. In the tale, Bob Grant, along with his crew members, Peter Torrence and young Jan Holden, undertake a perilous journey to explore Vulcan after previous expeditions had vanished without a trace. Their arrival reveals a harsh and metallic landscape, where they encounter not only bizarre environments but also hostile inhabitants, including savage humanoid creatures and mysterious fiery beings. As they unravel the fate of earlier explorers and face terrifying creatures, the dynamics of their relationships shift dramatically. Jan Holden heroically sacrifices himself to save his comrades, while tensions rise within the remaining crew. The story culminates in confrontations with both the natural and supernatural threats of Vulcan, leading to a thrilling struggle for survival and a return home.
    Summary from Project Gutenberg (automatically generated)

    Themes, setting & tropes

    Genres

    Subjects

    • Science fiction
    • Adventure stories
    • Human-alien encounters
    • Outer space, Exploration
    • Mines and mineral resources

    Quick answers

    Who wrote The Flame Breathers?

    The Flame Breathers was written by Ray Cummings.

    What genre is The Flame Breathers?

    It is usually shelved as Adventure, Victorian Science Fiction and Classic Fantasy.

    Is The Flame Breathers free to read?

    Yes. It is in the public domain in the United States and can be read free on Project Gutenberg in EPUB, Kindle and HTML formats.

    What books are similar to The Flame Breathers?

    Readers who like it often enjoy Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, A Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Time Machine.

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