This is one of De Camp's comic space operas set in a universe in which the earth and human-colonized space are dominated by a Brazilian culture which in some ways parodies 19th century British imperialism. It is more or less well-intentioned, but spends a lot of time trying to prevent (in its view) dangerously sophisticated Terran technology from slipping out into the "less advanced" cultures, in this case the Krishnans who are greenskinned with feathery antennae and human enough to have sex with humans but not reproduce, Many of the Krishnans are clever enough to steal Terran "secrets." In this book this issue is more on the sidelines, as it involves a Terran archaeologist who wants to investigate the Tower of Zanid, an ancient monument surrounded by legends on the level of those about the Great Puramid. He is assigned a dubious Terran "gone native" adventurer named Anthony Fallon, who won and lost a kingdom on Krishna before, to act as his guide --Fallon is not enthusiastic, as the Tower is guarded by a reputedly dangerous cult, but 3 other Earth scientists have vanished there, and the Terran Consultate pushes Fallon into going along to learn their fate. ( )

A very short novel, typical of a sort of sci-fi/fantasy blend from the 60's. There are some technology clunkers - no mention of computers at all, and apparently tourists still use film cameras. The writing isn't bad, and unlike most novels of today, this isn't epic or unnecessarily long, and the ending is actually surprising. Its worth reading, but Poul Anderson's has similiar novels that are better. ( )