What do you think?
Rate this book
Last Legionary #1
Galactic Warlord
The Legionaries of Moros have been annihilated by an evil force known as the Deathwing. The only survivor was Keill Randor, a young but highly skilled warrior, who embarks on a quest to find the unknown being who leads the Deathwing. This is the first book in the "Last Legionary" series.
127 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1979
11 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Arthur Hill
81 books33 followersDouglas Arthur Hill (6 April 1935 – 21 June 2007) was a Canadian science fiction author, editor and reviewer. He was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the son of a railroad engineer, and was raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. An avid science fiction reader from an early age, he studied English at the University of Saskatchewan (where he earned an Honours B.A. in 1957) and at the University of Toronto. He married fellow writer and U. of S. alumna Gail Robinson in 1958; they moved to Britain in 1959, where he worked as a freelance writer and editor for Aldus Books. In 1967–1968 he served as Assistant Editor of the controversial New Worlds science fiction magazine under Michael Moorcock.
A lifetime leftist, he served from 1971 to 1984 as the Literary Editor of the socialist weekly Tribune (a position once held by George Orwell), where he regularly reviewed science fiction despite the continued refusal of the literary world to take it seriously. Before starting to write fiction in 1978, he wrote many books on history, science and folklore. Using the pseudonym Martin Hillman, he also worked as an editor of several anthologies, among them Window on the Future (1966), The Shape of Sex to Come (1978), Out of Time (1984), and Hidden Turnings (1988). He is probably best known for The Last Legionary quartet of novels, supposedly produced as the result of a challenge by a publisher to Hill's complaints about the lack of good science fiction for younger readers.
Hill and his wife had one child, a son. They were divorced in 1978. He lived in Wood Green, London, and died in London after being struck by a bus at a zebra crossing. His death occurred one day after he completed his last trilogy, Demon Stalkers.
A lifetime leftist, he served from 1971 to 1984 as the Literary Editor of the socialist weekly Tribune (a position once held by George Orwell), where he regularly reviewed science fiction despite the continued refusal of the literary world to take it seriously. Before starting to write fiction in 1978, he wrote many books on history, science and folklore. Using the pseudonym Martin Hillman, he also worked as an editor of several anthologies, among them Window on the Future (1966), The Shape of Sex to Come (1978), Out of Time (1984), and Hidden Turnings (1988). He is probably best known for The Last Legionary quartet of novels, supposedly produced as the result of a challenge by a publisher to Hill's complaints about the lack of good science fiction for younger readers.
Hill and his wife had one child, a son. They were divorced in 1978. He lived in Wood Green, London, and died in London after being struck by a bus at a zebra crossing. His death occurred one day after he completed his last trilogy, Demon Stalkers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 19, 2015
I came across a book titled Dag van die Sterrewind which I recalled from my childhood days. What I didn't know way back then is that it is just a translated version of Day of the Starwind and that it is, in fact, book three in a series of four. I'm not sure why the other three instalments weren't translated into Afrikaans. Seems kind of silly.
[Edit: after advertising my ignorance so freely I should just set the record straight. The other books were, in fact, translated as well.]
Anyway, since I had good memories of the book I decided to go back on my tracks and start with book one (Galactic Warlord), albeit almost a quarter of a century down the line. Now, these books were obviously written for a reasonably young audience, nevertheless I can't remember when last I had so much unadulterated fun reading anything (I subtracted one star because the characterisation was somewhat lacking, which isn't too much of a surprise considering the target audience). I HIGHLY recommend this to all you adult readers out there who have forgotten why you started reading science fiction in the first place. This will take your memory places...
It's really great and it reads extremely fast. Cracking Space Opera / SF adventure reminiscent of the best of the golden age. Unfortunately, it is also out of print and extremely difficult to get hold of. You're going to have to trawl the second hand book stores. There's also an omnibus edition that collects the whole series: The Last Legionary Quartet: "Galactic Warlord", "Deathwing Over Veynaa", "Day of the Starwind", "Planet of the Warlord".
[Edit: after advertising my ignorance so freely I should just set the record straight. The other books were, in fact, translated as well.]
Anyway, since I had good memories of the book I decided to go back on my tracks and start with book one (Galactic Warlord), albeit almost a quarter of a century down the line. Now, these books were obviously written for a reasonably young audience, nevertheless I can't remember when last I had so much unadulterated fun reading anything (I subtracted one star because the characterisation was somewhat lacking, which isn't too much of a surprise considering the target audience). I HIGHLY recommend this to all you adult readers out there who have forgotten why you started reading science fiction in the first place. This will take your memory places...
It's really great and it reads extremely fast. Cracking Space Opera / SF adventure reminiscent of the best of the golden age. Unfortunately, it is also out of print and extremely difficult to get hold of. You're going to have to trawl the second hand book stores. There's also an omnibus edition that collects the whole series: The Last Legionary Quartet: "Galactic Warlord", "Deathwing Over Veynaa", "Day of the Starwind", "Planet of the Warlord".
July 23, 2013
This book changed me.
I still remember the librarian stamping the card when i checked this book out of my grade school library. I was in 5th grade at the time with the attention span of a gnat, I mean Choose your own adventure books were a challenge for me to finish. We had library day once a week, as a class we all trooped to the library for a short presentation of any new books by the librarian and time to find books to check out and read. Honestly i'd have rather been out at on the playground, but on this day just weeks before school was out i slid this book off the shelf to read the dust jacket. I had to checkout at least one book that usually sat at the bottom of my cubby for the week might as well be this one was likely my thought. Now, it only took minutes to grab that book i had at least 20 minutes left before heading back to the classroom, i went right for the reading fort playhouse thing and unknowingly truly opened a book for the first time. I read this book not once but twice that week, the next week we had to return our books, I couldn't check out more because of summer but there were more! The librarian told me to go get a library card from the public library, ya ya not for the first time but this time i did. I read all 4 of this series that were out that summer and many more. Since I read every douglas hill book released over the years even when i was getting into high school and had to check the kids section for new ones at the public library... hell, writing this has made me want to go find these books and read them again.
I still remember the librarian stamping the card when i checked this book out of my grade school library. I was in 5th grade at the time with the attention span of a gnat, I mean Choose your own adventure books were a challenge for me to finish. We had library day once a week, as a class we all trooped to the library for a short presentation of any new books by the librarian and time to find books to check out and read. Honestly i'd have rather been out at on the playground, but on this day just weeks before school was out i slid this book off the shelf to read the dust jacket. I had to checkout at least one book that usually sat at the bottom of my cubby for the week might as well be this one was likely my thought. Now, it only took minutes to grab that book i had at least 20 minutes left before heading back to the classroom, i went right for the reading fort playhouse thing and unknowingly truly opened a book for the first time. I read this book not once but twice that week, the next week we had to return our books, I couldn't check out more because of summer but there were more! The librarian told me to go get a library card from the public library, ya ya not for the first time but this time i did. I read all 4 of this series that were out that summer and many more. Since I read every douglas hill book released over the years even when i was getting into high school and had to check the kids section for new ones at the public library... hell, writing this has made me want to go find these books and read them again.
May 26, 2021
DNF. Lame YA retread of golden-age SF. Inexplicable good reviews here. I don't think I would have liked this as a kid, either. Avoid, avoid.
May 8, 2020
It is sometimes dangerous to go back to something that you had enjoyed as a child: the unexpected mystique that intrigued you or the particular first taste of a narrative flavour that you have since enjoyed later in many different dishes might be rendered everyday by age and experience.
Thankfully, I can report that Douglas Hill's YA writing is as much fun now as it was back in the '80s when I read Day of the Starwind, the 3rd book in the Last Legionary quartet, from the school library. I had always wanted to go back and read the first two books in the series, but they weren't in stock at the library, and I didn't ever see them on bookshop shelves, so that I never got the chance to read them at the age-appropriate time. When I saw them later, I was an older teen and had moved on to longer and more complex fare.
Still, I enjoy a good space opera, and Galactic Warlord, the first of the Last Legionary novels, is unpretentiously just that.
Having just finished The Space Pirates by Gordon Eklund masquerading as E. E. "Doc" Smith, the difference is like night and day. Despite being published the same year (1979), Galactic Warlord is orders of magnitude superior to The Space Pirates. Where the Eklund book expressly treats women as bland nothings, Hill introduces a communal martial culture that favours neither men nor women, and has a female warrior play a pivotal, self-sacrificial and honourable role in saving the life of one of her comrades - the titular Last Legionary. It feels like a small thing, but the writing of the two books come from different ages.
On its own, this novelette (at barely 120 pages it is a very quick read! It starts off at a good pace, and has a great action packed climax. Nevertheless, it knows when to spend its time in a more reflective mode, so that the action sequences come with more power than if the narrative had just been relentless BIFF! POW! KERBLAM!
This book feels like a really good set up for the sequels, and I am looking forward to checking out Deathwing Over Veynaa next. I have a feeling that these four kids books together will make a pretty solid 450 page YA SF novel.
4 stars, and a fantastic palate cleanser for me after the previous book I'd read!
Thankfully, I can report that Douglas Hill's YA writing is as much fun now as it was back in the '80s when I read Day of the Starwind, the 3rd book in the Last Legionary quartet, from the school library. I had always wanted to go back and read the first two books in the series, but they weren't in stock at the library, and I didn't ever see them on bookshop shelves, so that I never got the chance to read them at the age-appropriate time. When I saw them later, I was an older teen and had moved on to longer and more complex fare.
Still, I enjoy a good space opera, and Galactic Warlord, the first of the Last Legionary novels, is unpretentiously just that.
Having just finished The Space Pirates by Gordon Eklund masquerading as E. E. "Doc" Smith, the difference is like night and day. Despite being published the same year (1979), Galactic Warlord is orders of magnitude superior to The Space Pirates. Where the Eklund book expressly treats women as bland nothings, Hill introduces a communal martial culture that favours neither men nor women, and has a female warrior play a pivotal, self-sacrificial and honourable role in saving the life of one of her comrades - the titular Last Legionary. It feels like a small thing, but the writing of the two books come from different ages.
On its own, this novelette (at barely 120 pages it is a very quick read! It starts off at a good pace, and has a great action packed climax. Nevertheless, it knows when to spend its time in a more reflective mode, so that the action sequences come with more power than if the narrative had just been relentless BIFF! POW! KERBLAM!
This book feels like a really good set up for the sequels, and I am looking forward to checking out Deathwing Over Veynaa next. I have a feeling that these four kids books together will make a pretty solid 450 page YA SF novel.
4 stars, and a fantastic palate cleanser for me after the previous book I'd read!
February 21, 2012
A thrilling beginning to a YA scifi series. It has everything a scifi fan needs - cool main character, member of an elite warrior group, big scale planetary action and an extremely evil villains. Although short, this book is told in the grand tradition of STAR WARS and I really can't wait for the sequels.
August 6, 2014
This was the first book I was ever allowed to buy. Its not long or complex but I am re-reading it for old times sake.
06/8/14
As an 8 year old this book was a revelation. I am re-reading the series because they are quick little books and just to mark the fact it has now been over 35 years since I read them for the first time. As a child we were not rich and my Mum and Dad giving me the right to buy my first book was a MASSIVE thing for me. I was so pleased and after reading it the famous Five could never meet up to the expectations this raised again. Here was the purest and most amazing adventure and it felt like it was all mine.
The book actually stands up even now. There is no frippery or purple prose, the story begins, it rocks along then it stops at a satisfying point. It is a small book and rather than trying to put too much in the author has kept the plot succinct and focused so I never felt like there was a lot missing.
Yes its only a couple hour read but it is a fun 2 hour read now. The 4 stars are not just a nod to my childhood but to the fact the book may be brief and not overly complex but it is not some twee childrens book either and it has some proper darkness and decent action.
Its still a fun read. Re-reading did not diminish the memory.
06/8/14
As an 8 year old this book was a revelation. I am re-reading the series because they are quick little books and just to mark the fact it has now been over 35 years since I read them for the first time. As a child we were not rich and my Mum and Dad giving me the right to buy my first book was a MASSIVE thing for me. I was so pleased and after reading it the famous Five could never meet up to the expectations this raised again. Here was the purest and most amazing adventure and it felt like it was all mine.
The book actually stands up even now. There is no frippery or purple prose, the story begins, it rocks along then it stops at a satisfying point. It is a small book and rather than trying to put too much in the author has kept the plot succinct and focused so I never felt like there was a lot missing.
Yes its only a couple hour read but it is a fun 2 hour read now. The 4 stars are not just a nod to my childhood but to the fact the book may be brief and not overly complex but it is not some twee childrens book either and it has some proper darkness and decent action.
Its still a fun read. Re-reading did not diminish the memory.
April 19, 2021
He stands alone, his planet, Moros, destroyed by unknown forces. His one vow – to wreak a terrible vengeance on the sinister enemy. But Keill Randor, the Last Legionary, cannot conceive the evil force he will unleash in his crusade against the Warlord, the master of destruction, and his murderous army, the Deathwing.
I read this a long time ago (I had the 1979 edition, bought from the Bookworm Club at school) and loved it. I lost that copy somehow and picked up another in 1996, while in Ireland for a friend’s wedding. Although I kept meaning to re-read it, I never quite did but now I have - 42 years on from the first time - and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it’s clearly setting up for future editions but the story is great, the writing is tight and well paced and the descriptions are perfectly pitched. Quickly caught up in the story (with the added benefit that I’d forgotten a lot of it), it was a terrific read that doesn’t shy away from the violence (there’s a couple of gruesome bits in it). A very welcome re-read, I’ll try not to hold on for 40 years before the next one. Very highly recommended.
I read this a long time ago (I had the 1979 edition, bought from the Bookworm Club at school) and loved it. I lost that copy somehow and picked up another in 1996, while in Ireland for a friend’s wedding. Although I kept meaning to re-read it, I never quite did but now I have - 42 years on from the first time - and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it’s clearly setting up for future editions but the story is great, the writing is tight and well paced and the descriptions are perfectly pitched. Quickly caught up in the story (with the added benefit that I’d forgotten a lot of it), it was a terrific read that doesn’t shy away from the violence (there’s a couple of gruesome bits in it). A very welcome re-read, I’ll try not to hold on for 40 years before the next one. Very highly recommended.
November 7, 2016
42 WORD REVIEW:
As an introduction to Hill’s ‘Last Legionary’ series (or to MG/YA SF in general) Galactic Warlord is hard to fault: the main character is austere but morally unambiguous and easy to cheer for; the threat is serious and the story clearly told.
As an introduction to Hill’s ‘Last Legionary’ series (or to MG/YA SF in general) Galactic Warlord is hard to fault: the main character is austere but morally unambiguous and easy to cheer for; the threat is serious and the story clearly told.
September 9, 2017
Leído en español, publicado como "El señor de la guerra galáctica" por Altea.
El protagonista de la novela, el legionario Keill Randor del planeta Moros, es una especie de James Bond, pero más centrado en las artes marciales y el entrenamiento espartano. La trama no deja de ser un encadenamiento de aventuras del tipo infiltración/lucha/huida, al más puro estilo de las partidas de rol básicas. Es similar a las obras publicadas antiguamente como novelas de a duro. Sin embargo también es algo más: los personajes poseen su encanto, la ideología del planeta Moros no es la típica de un sistema militar (aunque Keill Randor es inconsistente a la hora de seguirla, uno de los fallos de la novela), los combates cuerpo a cuerpo están narrados con detalle y de manera realista, y la historia no termina tras las escasas 180 páginas, sino que continúa en otros 4 libros (3 de ellos publicados en español, el último una precuela), lo que sin duda va a permitir un mayor desarrollo de la épica. No me extraña que aquellos que la leyeron siendo niños se emocionaran tanto con esta novela.
El protagonista de la novela, el legionario Keill Randor del planeta Moros, es una especie de James Bond, pero más centrado en las artes marciales y el entrenamiento espartano. La trama no deja de ser un encadenamiento de aventuras del tipo infiltración/lucha/huida, al más puro estilo de las partidas de rol básicas. Es similar a las obras publicadas antiguamente como novelas de a duro. Sin embargo también es algo más: los personajes poseen su encanto, la ideología del planeta Moros no es la típica de un sistema militar (aunque Keill Randor es inconsistente a la hora de seguirla, uno de los fallos de la novela), los combates cuerpo a cuerpo están narrados con detalle y de manera realista, y la historia no termina tras las escasas 180 páginas, sino que continúa en otros 4 libros (3 de ellos publicados en español, el último una precuela), lo que sin duda va a permitir un mayor desarrollo de la épica. No me extraña que aquellos que la leyeron siendo niños se emocionaran tanto con esta novela.
September 10, 2019
I have always remembered this series with the upmost fondness.
This book came along when I was in the eighth grade, at time when I wasn’t into reading. For that I am grateful. It’s easy writing style and clear descriptions sucked me right in, and I devoured the entire series in just over a week.
The worlds are imaginative, the action thick and fast and the hero is both likeable and a bad ass. Douglas Arthur Hill has a gift for making fun, approachable fiction and is one of the reasons I got into writing for myself. Highly recommended for those fans of light sci-fi, action, and martial arts.
A fun read.
This book came along when I was in the eighth grade, at time when I wasn’t into reading. For that I am grateful. It’s easy writing style and clear descriptions sucked me right in, and I devoured the entire series in just over a week.
The worlds are imaginative, the action thick and fast and the hero is both likeable and a bad ass. Douglas Arthur Hill has a gift for making fun, approachable fiction and is one of the reasons I got into writing for myself. Highly recommended for those fans of light sci-fi, action, and martial arts.
A fun read.
October 28, 2020
A tale of revenge. The main character is believable - he's good at what he does but it's not a stretch to accept it. Moreover, he's skeptical. He doesn't buy in immediately to what other characters tell him, which earns him credit by the reader.
The villain is cunning and strong. The final fight is a good sequence. In one scene, both the hero and the villain accomplish their goals, although the hero has an ace up his sleeve that helps him prevail in the end.
It's got enough action to keep it moving, and the intrigue is enough to pull you in deeper. I'm curious to see how the series progresses.
The villain is cunning and strong. The final fight is a good sequence. In one scene, both the hero and the villain accomplish their goals, although the hero has an ace up his sleeve that helps him prevail in the end.
It's got enough action to keep it moving, and the intrigue is enough to pull you in deeper. I'm curious to see how the series progresses.
December 7, 2024
Still enjoyable
I read this a lot as a boy and twice as an adult. It's good, but I think it would be better if the story was a bit longer.
A lone warrior sets out to avenge the death of his planet. Classic SciFi adventure with good action sequences.
I read this a lot as a boy and twice as an adult. It's good, but I think it would be better if the story was a bit longer.
A lone warrior sets out to avenge the death of his planet. Classic SciFi adventure with good action sequences.
May 24, 2018
Loved these books as a child, read them again as an adult and enjoyed them. My 11-year old just devoured them too!
December 5, 2021
Very nostalgic about this book. Read it when I was in middle school and loved the action. One man in a fight against all odds! In space!
December 14, 2022
Straightforward but page-turning stuff; just as I remembered from my youth, fortunately.
February 21, 2021
It's a quick and fun read, it is predictable and has some drawn out moments , however, enjoyable!
January 8, 2026
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
3.75*
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
3.75*
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
January 12, 2012
Keill Randor: Hardest Bastard in Science Fiction. I read the Last Legionary books literally to bits as a kid (I threw up on my first copy of Deathwing over Veynaa in the car, I was totally carsick and I should have looked out the window or something but I couldn't stop reading. Good times.) The series is pure pulp executed perfectly, full of kick-ass fight scenes and spaceship battles and man, I want to go read them all again right now.
May 18, 2015
I loved this book when I was a child. Now all I can remember is that the main character is a tween-aged badass, last of a famed training technique that churned out the greatest warriors the universe had ever known. The Legionnaires are betrayed and the main character alone can avenge them, I think?
September 5, 2011
I picked this up from the Bookworm club at school and really enjoyed it, though it took me several years to discover it was part of a series. At the time, I was a massive fan of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica and The Black Hole and this slotted in perfectly.
A great read, good fun.
A great read, good fun.
August 17, 2007
Really loved this series when young, don't know if I dare re-read.
July 9, 2010
Bought a whole pile of douglas hill books, which I remember enjoying as a young person. This is the first in a series.
August 27, 2010
Great book, read as a child, intergalactic space drama!
October 4, 2011
Keil Randor, the last legionary
January 17, 2012
I read this over and over again as a child. Was one of my favorite books. If I could find a copy of this I would read it now. Was a lot of fun.
June 23, 2014
One of my all time favorite authors and one of my Top 10 Book Series!
February 21, 2015
Thank goodness for journals. I apparently read this book when I was 13. I really enjoyed it then but 30 years later I can't remember the story. :)
June 15, 2019
Read this book as a kid and really enjoyed it. But our local library never had the other books in the series. Getting to finish them now and still just as good.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews