Tag: Douglas Hill

Melleron’s Magic

Melleron’s Magic

ill. Steve Hutton (Oxford University Press, 2000)

Book cover: “Melleron’s Magic” by Douglas Hill; ill. Steve Hutton (Oxford University Press, 2000)

While Melleron’s monster friends are quite memorable, Melleron himself has precious little personality or agency. The fantasy setting lacks depth and development. The villainous magician and his hench-monsters evince evil without motivation. A lacklustre offering from a writer capable of much more.

Penelope’s Pendant

Penelope’s Pendant

by Douglas Hill; ill. Annabel Spenceley (Macmillan, 1990)

Book cover: Penelope's Pendant by Douglas Hill

A tale of malfunctioning magic and unexpected consequences, given real narrative impetus by the escalating threat of violence. Hill comes obliquely at the underlying moral (consider possible outcomes) while doling out some much-needed, cathartic comeuppance to Penelope’s tormentors. A short, exciting read.

Planet of the Warlord

Planet of the Warlord

by Douglas Hill (Victor Gollancz, 1981)

Hill_Planet of the Warlord

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.

 

 

Day of the Starwind

Day of the Starwind

by Douglas Hill (Victor Gollancz, 1980)

Hill_Day of the Starwind

Book three of the Last Legionary quartet sees Keill Randor edge closer to the shadowy Warlord who masterminded his planet’s destruction. Hill has a knack for upping the stakes, pitting his protagonist against ever more serious threats. Clear, fast-moving middle-grade action SF.

 

 

Demon Stalkers: Prey

Demon Stalkers: Prey

by Douglas Hill (MacMillan, 2008)

Hill_Prey

A fast-moving mix of supernatural horror and YA adventure. Hill includes some dark real-world elements—homelessness, abandonment, torture, sadism—but does so for purposes of realism, not shock value. His protagonist is not without flaws, yet maintains a sense of morality throughout.

 

 

Deathwing Over Veynaa

Deathwing Over Veynaa

by Douglas Hill (Victor Gollancz, 1980)

Hill_Deathwing Over Veynaa

Middle-grade science fiction. Book two of Hill’s Last Legionary quartet/quintet succeeds admirably as both a standalone novel and a progression of the series. Hill’s characterisation may be unambiguous but he knows how to keep a story moving. An exciting single-sitting action adventure.

 

 

Exiles of ColSec

Exiles of ColSec

by Douglas Hill (Victor Gollancz, 1984)

Hill_Exiles Colsec

At bit clumsy at the outset and rushed in its conclusion, but otherwise an exciting piece of middle-grade SF. Hill moves from a plausible near-future dystopia into a story of castaway survival on a new planet. Distinctive characters, decent representation, accomplished world-building.

 

 

Young Legionary

Young Legionary

by Douglas Hill (Victor Gollancz, 1982)

Hill_Young Legionary

Serving as a prequel to Hill’s Last Legionary quartet, this fix-up novel follows a young Keill Randor (aged 12, 14, 16 & 18) through four challenges on his way to becoming a Legionary of Moros. Easy SF action escapism for middle-grade readers.