Search - Refugee (Bio of a Space Tyrant, Vol 1)

Great Series. Completely different from any of Piers Anthony's other series that I have read. Very hard edged. More Sci-Fi than fantasy. I would recommend all 5 books in the series.

The first of in a series of five - wonderful 80s sci-fi by the Piers Anthony.

Caligula of the Stars. Thought he was later accused of every crime and perversion in the galaxy, Hope Hubris began as an innocent. Because he defended his older sister against the violent lusts of a wealthy scion, Hope and his peasant family were forced to flee Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter. Pursued by bloodthirsty scions across the airless desert, they barely escaped with their lives. The illegal space bubble was overcrowded with refugees all hoping to reach Jupiter for asylum. But the space travelers had not reckoned on the terrible threat of high space -- the pirates, barbaric men who rape, rob, and murder, with no thought but to satisfy their bestial appetites.