Planet of the Warlord

Last Legionary #4

by Douglas Arthur Hill

As the last legionary of the destroyed planet Moros, Keill Randor and his alien helpmate, Glyr, place themselves in mortal danger when they confront the evil intelligence responsible for the destruction.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Space Opera, Juvenile

128 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Douglas 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.

Reviews

[Dirk Grobbelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Last Legionary quartet is a bit of a pleasant surprise. The story thus far has been rather standard science fiction adventure fare. Admittedly, the fun factor has been pretty high too, with fairly uncomplicated plots and high octane action sequences. While Planet of the Warlord continues in much the same vein, it also offers a few unexpected, but welcome shocks and twists. It stirs the teacup, so to speak. To be fair, it still isn’t exactly complex, but it does tweak reader expectations to some extent, especially concerning the very nature of Keill Randor’s long hinted at nemesis. It is an atmospheric novel, and at times quite creepy. There’s even a bit of philosophical musing. For probably the first time, there is real suspense, and real apprehension. There are still enough fisticuffs to keep everybody happy, especially the arena sequence early in the novel and the explosion of violence that marks the story’s climax, but there’s more to this book than the rest of the series.

I also particularly enjoyed the role Glr played this time round, which was more prominent and important, underlining the nature of her (symbiotic) relationship with Keill. It is perhaps fitting that it is the last in what is actually ‘n very enjoyable little quartet. Some of the same weaknesses of the earlier novels are present here, such as the comic book villains and ‘boss fight’ dynamics, but it actually adds a quaint charm to what is already an entertaining read. Although it was written with a younger audience in mind, there is a lot to be relished here, especially if you like your sci-fi with a bit of a Star-Wars-y vibe and served with a gratifying portion of cheese.

Unfortunately these books are out of print and there doesn’t seem to be reprint editions planned for the foreseeable future. I obtained the omnibus edition used from Abebooks (The Last Legionary Quartet). Recommended.

[DiscoSpacePanther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very satisfying conclusion to the Last Legionary saga - especially considering I've been waiting more than 30 years to find out how it ended.

I would thoroughly recommend this series to young SF fans.

I might have to check out the prequel!

[Neil Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm not crazy! there was a book i read when i was ten about the last warrior of his planet on a quest for revenge accompanied by a telepathic alien bat. Thank god!!!

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rousing conclusion to the Last Legionary quartet. Having re-established Keill Randor’s preternatural combat abilities, Hill plunges his protagonist into genuine defeat and despair, thence to rise again (aided by his alien friend Glr) and face one last set of impossible odds.

[Alexander Draganov · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK finale to the series. The nature of the Warlord was pretty chilling, especially for a YA book and the action was fast and furious. Unfortunately, it has become to cheesy as Keill was a one-man army, while in the first two books he was simply a skilled and deadly warrior. That's why I rate the book with three stars.

[Gav451 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the other books in the series this is a short affair written for younger readers i think. I was glad to read the end of the tale again and the author did bring it to a satisfying conclusion.

Given I read the first book in this series when I was 7 I was glad to read the last one, one last time before they leave my shelves. Nostalgia is all well and good but I'm now at an age where I know I don't have time to read everything I want so unless its a comfort read I'm going through them and then moving the books on.

The main character is fine but a long way fro nuanced. The fact he is a good fighter is enough in this book. The 'baddies' are proper evil so we are clear where our sympathies should lie at all times.

The book does move very quickly. The plot is taut and moves at all times. The writing is solid in that it does the job it has to and it is a very quick read. A couple of hours and you will have it done.

I liked the way the book finished where it began. I liked this series and enjoyed the read. That is enough.

[G.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite authors and one of my Top 10 Book Series!

[Tom Coates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining Teen/Young Adult fiction from another time. A little bit weirdly homoerotic in places.