Jack Vance is such an anomoly. He's a strange amalgum of Van Vogt-ish over the top science fantasy (almost Edgar Rice Burroughs at points, even!) and Philip K. Dick-y ultra-modernism. But, in saying all that, I also have to say that there is simply no one like Jack Vance. Seemingly out of control half the time, every once in a while the focus shifts and you feel like the man has a massive master plan.
This second book of The Demon Princes series is where I learned to trust Vance completely. Giant mechanical centipedes that shoot fire out of their eyes? Sure. Kidnapping middle-agencies and the secret of money? I'm in. Lost planets and replacement glands? You got it.
This book is riveting, silly and smart. What more do you want?