What do you think?
Rate this book
Central Control #2
Star Guard
Kana Karr was a young swordsman, a wielder of a medieval weapon in a super-scientific galaxy of limitless destruction. As an Earthman, he was nothing more than a hired mercenary sent to kill or be killed at the command of the oppressive Central Control. ~ ~ On a seemingly routine police action to the planet Fronn, Kana learned of a plot that threatened to overturn the balance of power held by the Galactic authority. The liberation of Earth might hinge on the outcome of the plot! ~ ~ Second Ace printing, D-527. cover art by EMSH.
247 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
About the author
Andre Norton
691 books1,317 followersAKA: Alice Mary Norton; Andre Alice Norton; Andrew North; Allen Weston.
Norton always had an affinity to the humanities. She started writing in her teens, inspired by a charismatic high school teacher. First contacts with the publishing world led her, as many other contemporary female writers targeting a male-dominated market, to choose a literary pseudonym. In 1934 she legally changed her name to Andre Alice. She also used the names Andrew North and Allen Weston as pseudonyms.
Norton published her first novel in 1934, and was the first woman to receive the Gandalf Grand Master Award from the World Science Fiction Society in 1977, and won the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) association in 1983.
Norton was twice nominated for the Hugo Award, in 1964 for the novel Witch World and in 1967 for the novelette "Wizard's World." She was nominated three times for the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement, winning the award in 1998. Norton won a number of other genre awards, and regularly had works appear in the Locus annual "best of year" polls.
On February 20, 2005, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, which had earlier honored her with its Grand Master Award in 1983, announced the creation of the Andre Norton Award, to be given each year for an outstanding work of fantasy or science fiction for the young adult literature market, beginning in 2006.
Often called the Grande Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy by biographers such as J. M. Cornwell and organizations such as Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Publishers Weekly, and Time, Andre Norton wrote novels for over 70 years. She had a profound influence on the entire genre, having over 300 published titles read by at least four generations of science fiction and fantasy readers and writers.
Notable authors who cite her influence include Greg Bear, Lois McMaster Bujold, C. J. Cherryh, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Tanya Huff, Mercedes Lackey, Charles de Lint, Joan D. Vinge, David Weber, K. D. Wentworth, and Catherine Asaro.
Norton always had an affinity to the humanities. She started writing in her teens, inspired by a charismatic high school teacher. First contacts with the publishing world led her, as many other contemporary female writers targeting a male-dominated market, to choose a literary pseudonym. In 1934 she legally changed her name to Andre Alice. She also used the names Andrew North and Allen Weston as pseudonyms.
Norton published her first novel in 1934, and was the first woman to receive the Gandalf Grand Master Award from the World Science Fiction Society in 1977, and won the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) association in 1983.
Norton was twice nominated for the Hugo Award, in 1964 for the novel Witch World and in 1967 for the novelette "Wizard's World." She was nominated three times for the World Fantasy Award for lifetime achievement, winning the award in 1998. Norton won a number of other genre awards, and regularly had works appear in the Locus annual "best of year" polls.
On February 20, 2005, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, which had earlier honored her with its Grand Master Award in 1983, announced the creation of the Andre Norton Award, to be given each year for an outstanding work of fantasy or science fiction for the young adult literature market, beginning in 2006.
Often called the Grande Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy by biographers such as J. M. Cornwell and organizations such as Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Publishers Weekly, and Time, Andre Norton wrote novels for over 70 years. She had a profound influence on the entire genre, having over 300 published titles read by at least four generations of science fiction and fantasy readers and writers.
Notable authors who cite her influence include Greg Bear, Lois McMaster Bujold, C. J. Cherryh, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Tanya Huff, Mercedes Lackey, Charles de Lint, Joan D. Vinge, David Weber, K. D. Wentworth, and Catherine Asaro.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 7, 2015
This was the 1st Andre Norton book I read way back in Jr. high. The story has always stuck with me and the reread is just as solid a story now. Very good and quick read but also just a dam good story as well. Norton is a great writer for someone new to SiFi or a younger reader to start out with. Recommended
Read
December 19, 2014The people of Earth ventured beyond their solar system and discovered a well-established galactic empire - that regarded them as over-aggressive barbarians, and consigned them to the role of mercenaries, too naturally pushing and violent to be trusted as full citizens. If someone from Earth wants to travel among the stars, they can only do so by enlisting as an Arch (sword-based combat) or a Mech (tech-based combat), to fight to settle the disputes of others.
After three hundred years of this, when Kana Karr (an Australian-Hawaiian-Malay young man) graduates as an Arch, it's about time something in this system gave.
First published in 1955, this story fully demonstrates Norton's belief that to be published in SF she could not write about women. There are no women in this story. Indeed, there is only a single mention of a photograph of an alien woman to demonstrate that non-male individuals exist at all anywhere.
And the system outlined above - how do women fall into this "too violent to leave Earth, must be a soldier to leave Earth" Catch 22? They don't. They're not mentioned at all, but presumably no Earth woman ever gets to leave Earth in the system set up. Back on the home planet, popping out soldiers.
Setting aside the non-existence of women, this is middle territory for Norton - engrossing for the "first assignment" and predicament portions, but the set-up is odd and contradictory.
After three hundred years of this, when Kana Karr (an Australian-Hawaiian-Malay young man) graduates as an Arch, it's about time something in this system gave.
First published in 1955, this story fully demonstrates Norton's belief that to be published in SF she could not write about women. There are no women in this story. Indeed, there is only a single mention of a photograph of an alien woman to demonstrate that non-male individuals exist at all anywhere.
And the system outlined above - how do women fall into this "too violent to leave Earth, must be a soldier to leave Earth" Catch 22? They don't. They're not mentioned at all, but presumably no Earth woman ever gets to leave Earth in the system set up. Back on the home planet, popping out soldiers.
Setting aside the non-existence of women, this is middle territory for Norton - engrossing for the "first assignment" and predicament portions, but the set-up is odd and contradictory.
December 12, 2020
At first as I read this early Andre Norton novel I was really excited. The world building was deep and complex and this was no novice military science fiction novel. How a Cleveland librarian could know so much about what being in the military is like so that she could accurately depict the lifestyle is beyond me, but I'll take it!
Unfortunately, the book's shortcomings become more and more apparent the further one gets. The human interactions started out great, but become secondary to the plot machinations, so much so that interpersonal rivalries, dislikes, and characteristics all get swept under a carpet and ignored after a while so that the plot can keep unfolding.
The other major problem with the book is that the plot tells of so many events it would need at least a thousand pages to do it justice, but Norton only gives it 240 until it simply abruptly ends. The events seem rather random. The decision making process for the actions the characters take is seldom adequately explained or even pondered by anyone.
All in all, after a promising start the book completely fails to adequately treat its premises. This book was the second one written in a duology, but the first in internal sequence. I have its sequel, written a few years earlier, on my shelf, and will read it soon. I hope it does justice to the rich world Norton has envisioned for this series.
Unfortunately, the book's shortcomings become more and more apparent the further one gets. The human interactions started out great, but become secondary to the plot machinations, so much so that interpersonal rivalries, dislikes, and characteristics all get swept under a carpet and ignored after a while so that the plot can keep unfolding.
The other major problem with the book is that the plot tells of so many events it would need at least a thousand pages to do it justice, but Norton only gives it 240 until it simply abruptly ends. The events seem rather random. The decision making process for the actions the characters take is seldom adequately explained or even pondered by anyone.
All in all, after a promising start the book completely fails to adequately treat its premises. This book was the second one written in a duology, but the first in internal sequence. I have its sequel, written a few years earlier, on my shelf, and will read it soon. I hope it does justice to the rich world Norton has envisioned for this series.
July 7, 2024
Labai mano stiliaus knyga. Mokslinė fantastika. Daug kosmoso, ateities, kovos, kelionių. Megavausi skaitydamas kiekvienu puslapiu ir dabar norisi dar.
February 18, 2018
Непогана динамічна космічна опера. Події відбуваються у майбутньому, в якому Земля підпорядковується вже як 300 років позаземній цивілізації. Земляни, в силу своїх амбіцій та характеру, стають найманцями і служать новим господарям. Однак не все так просто як здається. Виникають постання, а людських дух прагне свободи.
December 23, 2014
Andre Norton was one of my favorite authors when I was a pre-teen and teenager. The small sized Ace paperbacks were among my favorite things to read. This one is an oldie from 1955 in a 1961 paperback edition.
I was a little slow to warm to the story of a young recruit just out of training who is sent on his first military mission. Earthmen are mercenaries for the galaxy - not by choice really, but they have been forced into that role by "Central Control" once humans first went into interstellar space. The focal point of our story, young Kana Karr is a mixed race human whose identity bracelet marks him as Australian-Malay-Hawaiian, age eighteen. He's smart and observant and the team he is with makes some startling discoveries. This is clearly an adventure story aimed at younger boys, but it has a lot of intrigue in it which broadens the appeal. I don't think there is a single female character in the entire book despite this being written by a woman! That struck me as really strange. Norton does a really good job I think in describing the alien world the soldiers find themselves involved in. The cultural and political stuff wasn't exactly the clearest and the ending was abrupt and should have been handled better. There are one or two additional novels that follow from this story. I may read them.
Overall the story was interesting enough for me to read but I don't think if I had read this back when I was 13 or 14 or so I would have thought it one of Norton's better works. It does seem to have aged better than many other books I've read from the mid 50's. Still, I'm a little disappointed this wasn't better. 3 1/2 stars
I was a little slow to warm to the story of a young recruit just out of training who is sent on his first military mission. Earthmen are mercenaries for the galaxy - not by choice really, but they have been forced into that role by "Central Control" once humans first went into interstellar space. The focal point of our story, young Kana Karr is a mixed race human whose identity bracelet marks him as Australian-Malay-Hawaiian, age eighteen. He's smart and observant and the team he is with makes some startling discoveries. This is clearly an adventure story aimed at younger boys, but it has a lot of intrigue in it which broadens the appeal. I don't think there is a single female character in the entire book despite this being written by a woman! That struck me as really strange. Norton does a really good job I think in describing the alien world the soldiers find themselves involved in. The cultural and political stuff wasn't exactly the clearest and the ending was abrupt and should have been handled better. There are one or two additional novels that follow from this story. I may read them.
Overall the story was interesting enough for me to read but I don't think if I had read this back when I was 13 or 14 or so I would have thought it one of Norton's better works. It does seem to have aged better than many other books I've read from the mid 50's. Still, I'm a little disappointed this wasn't better. 3 1/2 stars
February 5, 2019
200917: continuing my reading of woman-authored pulp/golden age sff: i think this is the last andre norton i will read. plot is this time coherent but 'science' is mostly forgotten, this is adventure fiction with no big dumb object, no ideas- but with aliens, space travel, combat, dangerous alien planet. some mystery but mostly our hero as a greenhorn in this space legion. there is an interesting 'profile' of the author at the start in which she is favourably placed to be major sff author. seems a little out of history. she was prolific (52 books in 32 years) but not varied, not likely to reward close second reading... but who are these people who read a book more than once...?
March 26, 2011
This story is part of a free e-book from Baen. I haven't read a lot of SF since I was a teen but have been slowly getting back into the genre. Andre Norton is an author I remember enjoying growing up. I prefer stories where humans are not the rulers of the universe but go out to the stars and find themselves caught in forces larger than themselves. This story has action and politics along with a vivid imagining of an alien planet. Man is consigned to being a mercenary by the rulers of the universe because he has not overcome his aggressive urges but things are not as they seem. A fun read.
September 28, 2011
A great read as are so many of Andre Norton's juvenile novels. A nice character with a decent mystery set on an obscure colony planet that has implications for the place of Earth in the galactic scheme of things. A classic theme very well done! Tom.
January 25, 2013
A fine nostalgic journey back to the original hey-day of space opera.
March 7, 2015
1978 grade C
August 16, 2017
3.5 stars. Good enough that I will proceed with the rest of the series.
September 5, 2020
WIll review soon,,, however the book is actually boring..
July 15, 2021
3.5 Will review at Fantasy Literature.
July 16, 2011
7/7/11 I'm 50 pages from the end... this is some good, old pulp sci-fi by a master of the genre.
7/11/11 Meh, not too bad. It had its moments, but it left me wanting a sequel. The ending was especially frustrating in that a much larger story seemed to be opening up just as the remaining pages dwindled.
Unfortunately, I've already read the other book in the "Central Control" series -- published under two different titles: "The Last Planet" and "Star Rangers". The two books in the series share little beyond the general background universe. Last Planet/Star Rangers is a short book, so I could easily read it again, but I doubt it will lend any more enjoyment to its later counterpart.
Also, I learned that the basic story of Star Guard mirrors an account of Greek mercenaries in ancient Persia, so the historical parallels are especially interesting. In the end though, I feel like this book could have been expanded in so many different directions to make it a more complete work.
I might read the two books back-to-back someday, so it get's 4 stars. If you are not a fan of pulp science fiction, you should probably consider as 3 stars.
7/11/11 Meh, not too bad. It had its moments, but it left me wanting a sequel. The ending was especially frustrating in that a much larger story seemed to be opening up just as the remaining pages dwindled.
Unfortunately, I've already read the other book in the "Central Control" series -- published under two different titles: "The Last Planet" and "Star Rangers". The two books in the series share little beyond the general background universe. Last Planet/Star Rangers is a short book, so I could easily read it again, but I doubt it will lend any more enjoyment to its later counterpart.
Also, I learned that the basic story of Star Guard mirrors an account of Greek mercenaries in ancient Persia, so the historical parallels are especially interesting. In the end though, I feel like this book could have been expanded in so many different directions to make it a more complete work.
I might read the two books back-to-back someday, so it get's 4 stars. If you are not a fan of pulp science fiction, you should probably consider as 3 stars.
April 20, 2017
This is the prequel to THE LAST PLANET, cleverly setting up some of the issues and conflicts that come to a head in that novel. In many respects, this is a superior novel -- the universe and characters seem to flow much more naturally, and Norton does an admirable job of working in diverse characters and social commentary in a way that most of her contemporary sci-fi authors weren't really doing, at least in their juvenile (now we call it YA) novels.
Norton, as usual, excels in plotting -- her characters are constantly moving, discovering, and struggling through alien landscapes and political intrigue. Her books move quickly, and are entertaining in a sort of breathless action sense. But there are also things to think about in her books, such as the nature of humanity, society, and what it means to interact with other cultures.
Well worth a look -- this one stands out among Norton's books of the 1950's.
Norton, as usual, excels in plotting -- her characters are constantly moving, discovering, and struggling through alien landscapes and political intrigue. Her books move quickly, and are entertaining in a sort of breathless action sense. But there are also things to think about in her books, such as the nature of humanity, society, and what it means to interact with other cultures.
Well worth a look -- this one stands out among Norton's books of the 1950's.
September 28, 2023
Kanna Karr is of Malay and mixed refugee ancestry, Terra had a horrible nuclear war in the past that wiped out most of Europe and America. Progressive for the 50s, the lack of women characters makes it a bit dated.
Humanity has journeyed to the stars and for the last 300 years have been serving as mercenaries to the Central Control. The human race is considered to primitive for any other work. The so called advanced races are in for a surprise. A decent and quick read.
Other books with similar plots: Jannissaries and Ranks of Bronze.
Humanity has journeyed to the stars and for the last 300 years have been serving as mercenaries to the Central Control. The human race is considered to primitive for any other work. The so called advanced races are in for a surprise. A decent and quick read.
Other books with similar plots: Jannissaries and Ranks of Bronze.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2011
This is a really cool science fiction! In all the ones you usually read, humans are usually the heads ofthe government or something. Not here.
The Terrans, or men as they call themselves, have been discovered by the rest of the galactic empire.
The empire decides they are too violent to be citizens and gives them the role of being mercenaries for the rest of the galaxy. On worlds where advanced firearms and technology aren't allowed, the Archs fight with swords and rifles. On worlds where they are, the Mechs use devestating bioweapons and flamers to defeat their enemies.
But all that might soon change....
The Terrans, or men as they call themselves, have been discovered by the rest of the galactic empire.
The empire decides they are too violent to be citizens and gives them the role of being mercenaries for the rest of the galaxy. On worlds where advanced firearms and technology aren't allowed, the Archs fight with swords and rifles. On worlds where they are, the Mechs use devestating bioweapons and flamers to defeat their enemies.
But all that might soon change....
August 18, 2010
One of the very first Scifi stories I read that wasn't War of the Worlds, the other was also an Andre Norton book, Starman's Son. A pulp adventure and I mean that nicely, combining the divine combination of laser rifles and swords. Earth or Terra is not the leader of the empire in this tale but an oppressed nest for mercenaries to be hurled at farflung trouble spots ( it's in their DNA). But change is on the way and the young hero is going to be a part of it. An enjoyable story. But I have a nostalgic haze around this book. I first encountered it in the late Neolithic of junior high.
September 13, 2016
Interesting. I used to read a lot of Andre Norton, while I was in my twenties, and they were vintage even then. But I had never read this or Star Rangers, which must be among her earliest published works. So when I saw them for free for my Kindle, I snapped them up, in the omnibus volume Star Soldiers. Given their publication dates (1953 & 1955)--ie, several years before Sputnik--their naivete about what it takes to achieve lift-off (which she, naturally, terms blast-off) is understandable. Nevertheless, the story has a certain antiquated charm.
August 19, 2014
I am actually reading the Baen omnibus, Star Soldiers. Baen has now published almost 20 dual collections of Norton novels. Some related closely, some loosely, and many by theme alone. Still, it is a treat to have access to so much of this author's catalog. I hope it continues.
Norton was one of the most successful YA writers in SF, and many of her novels compare favorably with Heinlein from the same period.
While the military theme is important to this book, it is more an adventure and coming-of-age story. In particular, the ending is very typical of the genre in the 1950s.
Norton was one of the most successful YA writers in SF, and many of her novels compare favorably with Heinlein from the same period.
While the military theme is important to this book, it is more an adventure and coming-of-age story. In particular, the ending is very typical of the genre in the 1950s.
February 27, 2014
Old school pulp sci fi from the '50s. Not great, but not bad either. Average. Humans are relegated to mercenary status by the rest of the universe's occupants because of our penchant for violence. We find a large scale plot to upset the status quo on a small, minor league planet and we watch what happens over the course of the book. I'll not go into the plot because I don't think it's worth it, but it was a somewhat enjoyable read, so if you can get it used, go ahead and read it, cause it's probably worth it at that point.
April 6, 2016
Decent "space opera" retelling of/homage to Xenophon's Anabasis.
The original is better, but Star Guard is still worth reading - certainly it's more accessible (and G-rated) than its inspiration.
Currently listed on Goodreads as #2 in a series, but there's no need to read #1 (I didn't, and felt no loss from that... and now that I look into it Goodreads might be wrong - the description of the compilation volume "Star Soldiers" says "Star Guard" is #1 and "Last Planet" is #2. SOMETHING IS WRONG ON THE INTERNET!)
The original is better, but Star Guard is still worth reading - certainly it's more accessible (and G-rated) than its inspiration.
Currently listed on Goodreads as #2 in a series, but there's no need to read #1 (I didn't, and felt no loss from that... and now that I look into it Goodreads might be wrong - the description of the compilation volume "Star Soldiers" says "Star Guard" is #1 and "Last Planet" is #2. SOMETHING IS WRONG ON THE INTERNET!)
January 26, 2010
When I was in high school I worked at the local library stacking books and found this book in a discard pile to be thrown our. I bought it for a quarter from the library.
What a find.
Classic sf from Andre Norton about how earthlings are designated as mercenaries to fight on alien worlds as either swordsmen or mechanized warriors and what the earthlings will do about it.
What a find.
Classic sf from Andre Norton about how earthlings are designated as mercenaries to fight on alien worlds as either swordsmen or mechanized warriors and what the earthlings will do about it.
April 28, 2009
Great escapist fiction--quintessential soap opera. Second of the Central Command series (Star Rangers aka The Last Planet aka Star Soldiers being the first). If your children ever ask you, "How did science fiction capture the hearts and imaginations of a whole generation?" give them Andre Norton.
December 9, 2014
I am not a big fan of classic sci-fi. I find the themes are often passe and the technology can be either super strange or way out of date.
This book though, is an exception. I like the theme of humans as mercenaries for the universe and their struggle to change the status quo. The book is short and definitely suffers from a lack of character development but I liked the story and the writing.
This book though, is an exception. I like the theme of humans as mercenaries for the universe and their struggle to change the status quo. The book is short and definitely suffers from a lack of character development but I liked the story and the writing.
November 24, 2014
Not bad for old school SF. I generally like old school SF, having cut my teeth on Heinlein in my teens, but this was written before I was born.
The plot is pretty standard, but it moves along well and the writing is okay. If you like the SF of the 50s, then I can recommend it, and you can get it free on Amazon in a set called Star Soldiers.
The plot is pretty standard, but it moves along well and the writing is okay. If you like the SF of the 50s, then I can recommend it, and you can get it free on Amazon in a set called Star Soldiers.
May 6, 2013
Senai tokios nuobodžios knygos neskaičiau - vien aplinkos ir veikėjų aprašymai (jaučiamas 60 to dešimtečio Hipių kvapelis) bei nulis veiksmo.
Tose dalyse kur vyksta didžiausios veiksmo dalys jis net tiesiog vos ne iškirptas. Nieko gero.
Tose dalyse kur vyksta didžiausios veiksmo dalys jis net tiesiog vos ne iškirptas. Nieko gero.
May 31, 2014
While I almost always enjoy Andre Norton's books, this is not one of her best. It is a very good story, despite the somewhat confusing political situation on the planet. I felt that the end was somewhat rushed - it could have been pulled out and explained more.
December 28, 2007
read 08.07.85
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews