The Iron Star is a science fiction novel by American writer John Taine (pseudonym of Eric Temple Bell).

Swain, a member of the expedition, becomes demented and attempts to exterminate a peculiar species of African ape.

One newspaper review of the original edition described The Iron Star as "a fantastic thriller along unusual lines, clever and well done, but with a repulsive theme.

"[1] Boucher and McComas faulted the novel as "poorly written," but characterized the central idea as "curious and effective.".

"[3] Everett F. Bleiler reported that "The idea is interesting, despite Taine's ignorance of zoology and his shocking racial intolerance," but that "the literary development is fumbling.