The story was a good one. It didn't hold me as quite a lot of her works have, but it is entertaining and fun to read and if you are a fan of her works, as I am, you will enjoy this one as well.

I must say that I absolutely loved this book. I found Faree's "growth" and learning experiences to be quite enthralling. I was particularly impressed with his reaction to the wing scraps.... Quite intriguing. The character interaction was well written. The imagery was very convincing. I felt as if I were in another world while reading this book.

This book is not in any way original, or very thought provoking for that manner. But this is bulk sci-fi at its best. It takes a story that has been written at least a dozen times, and remakes it in a way that is very readable and entertaining. The main characters are from a tribe of superwarriors who have to fight much stronger and better equipt enemies. While this is a plot that has been made several times, and by better authors, this books works like most saturday action movies that Hollywood creates. It's not that thought provoking and you know what is going to happen but it is still good entertainment for a rainy day.

Andre Norton as long been one of my favorite authors and one can but hope that there will be more of these books coming.

Brothers and Sisters of Shadow unite to fight evil and greed in the complex instellar reaches.

This was the very first science fiction book I read in my life, at age 10 or 11 or so. I still have it and pull it out every few years to get some easy to read classic sci fi, and a feeling of nostalgia. Nice simple, straightforward story.

Terrans of the future may only leave planet as mercenaries for contract on other planets. Archs primitive weapons or Mechs modern weapons Swordsman third class Kana finds himself on a planet on such a mission with the Arch Legion only to find themselves fighting against a rebel legion of Mechs where the fate of the whole human race hanging on the outcome. classic Norton

Star Guard is the second novel in the Central Control series, but the first in internal chronology. When Terrans learned to travel the space lanes, Central Control assigned them to a special role that suited their aggressive temperament and also provided a safety valve for all other belligerents among the great confederacy. The Terrans became the mercenaries of the Galaxy. Arch Hordes served on the relatively primitive worlds and Mech Legions served on the relatively advanced worlds. However, even the Mechs weapons were less advanced than those available to the Galactic Patrol. Three hundred years passed before any challenge arose to this system.

In this novel, Kana Karr, newly graduated Arch Swordsman Third Class, comes to Prime to receive his first assignment. Waiting in the hiring hall, he hears rumors of lost legions and refused assignments. Then, a senior Combatant, accompanied by a Galactic Agent, announces that the troubles on Nevers have been fully investigated, with the assistance of Central Control, and certified that the defeat there was due to local problems and that the rumors concerning this episode are not to be repeated by any of the Corps. Naturally, this stirs up even more rumors.

Shortly thereafter, Karr is offered a position with Yorke's Horde and accepts the assignment. He is told to report to Dock Five at seventeen hours, so he goes to the transients' mess to eat. While there, he hears still more rumors. Then he goes to an information booth to learn the languages of Fronn, the planet where he is to serve, as well as any other facts available. When he returns the record-pak, he notices that a Mech scoops it up before the return belt can load it back into the machine.

On the journey to Fronn, he bunks with Trig Hansu, a very experienced Swordtan. In fact, all the men headed to Yorke's Horde, except himself, are very experienced and, when they reach Secundus, he only finds two other S-Threes in the Horde. Although most of the man seem to be amiable, the other S-Threes warn him to avoid Zapan Bogate. However, when they reach Fronn, Bogate and one of his buddies, Sim, decides to crowd Karr a little. When Karr chops a clutching hand, Sim slaps him in formal challenge. Karr, however, has the choice of weapons and chooses bat sticks. Although Sim proves to be an expert swordsman, he is confused by the relative lightness of the stick. Furthermore, he uses it as a rapier, but Karr waits until he can draw it across Sim's forearm, so that the pain forces Sim to drop the stick, thereby conceding the duel. Of course, Sim is furious, but the other veterans rather respect Karr for using his knowledge of the planet in this manner.

After a week of intensive drill to shake out any lingering effects of the space travel, they move out with their employer. As Karr is marching on point, they overtake a caravan of Venturi and he notices that one of the figures walks differently. His team reports his suspicions and keeps the caravan under observation until a troop of Llor cavalry flushes the suspicious wayfarer from the caravan, straight toward them. The troopers lasso the fugitive, but he sits up and fires a flamer at them. Immediately, the Combatants fire at the shooter. The robed figure proves to be a Llor, who had no business possessing a flamer, which are reserved for the Patrol. After seven Fronn days, they meet the forces of the enemy and are called to parlay, but the enemy ambush their employer and capture his men. When the Combatants talk to the enemy leader, they are told that the Terran way does not apply to Fronn.

Now that their employer is dead, they head to an auxiliary starport in the hills to get off world. The port is Venturi, but these natives soon leave to go back to their islands, leaving the building to the Terrans. They are forced indoors by a cariolis storm, but find an unusual sight after the storm: a wrecked crawler with a Vegan onboard and boxes of flamers as cargo. Then they find a downed Patrol ship in a rocky valley with bodies in Patrol uniforms laid out as for inspection.

This novel is an early Norton SF work. It has some of the signature images, including the Zacathans who crop up everywhere in the authors SF. However, in many ways it more resembles The Stars Are Ours, with Central Control as the repressive force. Nevertheless, it ends on a note of hope.

Recommended for Norton fans and anyone who enjoys alien planets and peoples as well as competent young people coping with disaster.

I am a professional woman and much too cool to carry a book with this cover in my briefcase. However, I was interested in the further adventures of the Solar Queen so found myself carrying it with me everywhere - cover be danged.

Better than Redline the Stars, the alien habitat is well conceived, truly different, and yet a place I would love to visit. The aliens themselves are 3-dimensional. That is not to say they could not have been more complex, but I never got the feeling we were simply on another Earth.

The story was also more complex, unfolding over the course of several weeks. This allows time for the development of a few more of the many crewmembers and the a better sense of what it means to be a free trader.

I liked this book. Another fun read but not too challenging. What I did not like were the inconsistencies from the previous book to this one. What happened to their wealth? The promise of their cargo? Their good reputation? That was not credibly explained. And the romance...such potential that was wrapped up in a few pages at the end like an afterthought. Better to tease it into the next book.

Since very childhood I enjoyed Andre Norton's books. Her have always been my favourites. Now I've read her lalest 2 novels - written together with other authors. And was disappointed when I saw that there has appeared a woman in the list of characters. There were no female characters in the previous novels of the Solar Queen series, and that was the reason it was so popular. She was really ahead of her time shaking the stereotype of these female cuties in every sf novel. A. Norton should have kept to this line when writing her new novels. Thanks God there are no bed scenes in them! And thanks God again that this god-knows-what Rael marries yhe old captain at last, and not one of the young characters.

I was surprised to have enjoyed this book so much, even though it was a science fiction with a cheesy cover. Sherwood Smith is great, he needs to send his material to publishers right NOW!

This book was wonderful. It took me about 3 or 4 months to find a paperback though. I had already read Elvenblood and was hooked. Somewhere along the line after I found it, I heard talk of a third book in the series.. Is this true? If you know, E-mail me at Lizard174@aol.com.. Back on the subject, I loved this book, and all Ms. Norton's books that I own. She and Mercedes Lackey are two of the most talented writers whose work I have read over and over again.

Usually serial books do not interest me; I feel like the second and thereafter books are exactly like the first. However, this did not happen when I read the Elvenbane and Elvenblood. The two were wonderful, and I would recommend them to all that I know

Elvenbane was the first book i read by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey. My mother has collected Andre Norton books for years and one day I decided to read Elvenbane. It was during the summer and Elvenbane is the very first book that has had me striving for more. Each time I had to put the book down i would rush through everything else just so I could get back to the book. When the book ended I wanted more and was very glad ^_^ to find out that there was a second book ElvenBlood and I got started on it right away. Now im waiting for the third book to come out. When I was told there was a third book I jumped out demanding to know when! "Elvenborn" I don't think i can wait until April. There is even a book after Elvenborn. Elvenbred. The Characters and events made me laugh, become frustrated, and made every other emotion come through. Just what a good piece of literature is supposed to do and show how great the authors are. So I strongly recommend this book to those wondering if they should read it.

I grew up reading Andre Norton. And the adventures of the Solar Queen were always a favorite. Once again the intrepid crew must overcome the obstacles in their pursuit of profitable trade, from pirates and aliens to a strange telepathic link developing between the main characters. Olds fans will enjoy it -- still some of the best young adult sf. This is not "great" sf, but it is a fine rainy afternoon read, and what more can anyone want.

This is a sequel to the novel, "Derelict for Trade." It makes substantial references back to the previous book, and the reader should probably read the books in the order they were written. The story is interesting as the crews of the North Star and Solar Queen attempt to exploit the mineral resources on the planet Hesprid IV. It turns out not to be a milk run as they encounter wretched weather, unexpected XTs, stranded miners, and pirates. The question is whether they can come out of the venture with a profit. The story is well developed and generally well written. The authors have an annoying habit of sometimes switching back and forth between using characters' first names and using their last names - potentially confusing if a reader has not developed a rapport with the characters.

Yes, another Solar Queen adventure. Again Andre Norton has surpassed the average writer's abilities to write a great book. Sherwood Smith was the reason why I bought this book, he needs to get more books out in print, NOW!

I picked up this book at a resellers shop with no cover on it or any idea what it was about.(It is hardback,not stolen).Norton is great and she doesn't let you down here.Smooth writing and great characters who you feel you know by the end of the book.My only complaint is that the book is fairly short and therefore not a terribly engrossing novel.Try it,you might be surprised as pleasantly as I was.

This is a fun book. One in a series that you just know she had fun writing! If you haven't read any of this series, this is an excellent place to start. I read my copy often.

This book is the second in the mini-saga of Andre Norton's Witch World, called The Turning. It is interesting and enjoyable, with the usual evil dangers and magic. The second story in the book would be hard to really understand, though, without reading the first book before it, Storms of Victory. Fantasy readers and non-fantasy readers will enjoy.

These stories are well rounded and interesting. They bring new ideas and flavor to the Witch World saga. Each book set here, whether by Ms. Norton personally, or a collaboration with another, "fleshes out" the place and the times. They don't have to appeal to everyone. That is one of the refreshing strongpoints to the series. She is not afraid to see new ideas or changes to the world she has created here. Just one more reason she is who she is.

Andre Norton seems to be turning an old leaf with this one, I get the feeling that it could have been a far more substantial novel than it was, if it had been say a trilogy, with a more involved plot and sub-plots, it could have been Very good. As it is however most of the characters never have the time to start to be people; they're brought in for a scene, and then they vanish into the woodwork again in the rush to get the main plot finished as rapidly as possible. It's a distinct contrast to some of her (Andre Norton's) older books in which minor parts seem to drag on indefinitely. I suspect that this may be the result of an author trying to find a happy middle ground, but she seems to have written this one like a middle-of-the-line folk song, when she should be producing a symphony. If she keeps at it long enough to refine her skill, and makes enough money to be able to ignore her publishers demands for volume and deadlines, she could easily come to rival Eddings in his prime.

English is not my native language, and the first chapters were very hard for me to get through as I found I didn't understand many of the words. But as I advanced through the book reading became easier and I found myself emerged in the story. Truth is, I couldn't stop reading until I finished it :)
Reading this book really was worth my time and improved my reading skills :) I would recommend reading this book in English because translations usually bite.

This regency/alternate earth collaboration by Norton and Edghill, which looks to be the first of a series, is a winner! Is it perfect? No. The last half of the book is a bit rushed and the use of magic is uneven. Even so, I believed in the characters; their dilemmas are real and not easily resolved. The dialogue is appropriate to the setting and I loved Sarah taking over the rifle and shooting down the French troops, to the amazement of her so-reluctant husband - right before they fly away in a hot-air balloon! This is a merry-go-round of a book with pretensions to be a carousel.

Playing in an alternate earth is always fun: lots of name dropping occurs as real historical figures turn up in new walks of life. Beau Brummell finally finds his proper niche as a valet, while John Adams still loves his wife! This book deserves a sequel - there's lots of room for more intrigue, romance and magic in this world - or in an alternate Carolinian earth! I'm looking forward to our English Prince meeting his Danish bride; Wessex and Sarah consummating their marriage (I don't believe they got that far at the end of this book) and Wessex getting over the "honor" and spying question...Let's enjoy all the benefits of a Regency/Scarlett Pimpernel romance and alternate history scifi whirlygig next time.

The regency romance is in a state of decline except for some huge talents who are managing to breathe new life into it. This literary form was begun by Jane Austen with "Pride & Prejudice." Carla Kelly is one of the huge talents making this genre worth pursing and the second can be found on the sci-fi-fantasy book aisle with authors Andre Norton (a woman) and Rosemary Edghill. Edghill was formerly known as a romance writer whereas Norton has always been in sci-fi-fantasy. This duo creates an alternate regency world that is absolutely fascinating. In this world, there is never a Revolutionary War, the Indians are not abused in America, slavery is abolished because of England's opposition to it and England remains in power and control. This all came about because the English throne never passes to the German line but remains with the Stuarts in this alternate regency world. This world also allows sorcerers and magicians and makes that a big part of accepted life. Two love stories are played out against this new world. One is between colonial Sarah with the English Duke of Wessex and the other is between Louis, the lost King of France (dauphin) and Mariel. Some readers felt that "Leopard in Exile," the sequel to this book, was not as good. I think the story only got better as we moved into the second book. If you need rejuvenation in the wide world of the regency romance, you will find it here.

And now, as the Monty Python intro says, for something completely different.

I have just finished 'The Shadow of Albion' by Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill (TOR) and I am absolutely enchanted. I hope there is going to be a sequel. It's an alternative world fantasy set in a world where the Stuarts retained the throne of England, there was no American Revolt and where there are still vestiges of the Arts Magickal. The year is 1805 and Bonaparte threatens to engulf the world. England stands against him.

The young Lady Sarah Roxbury is dying due to her own folly and with a important task unfinished. She summons from our mundane world her double, Sarah Cunningham, to take her place and finish what needs to be done, including marriage to the Duke of Wessex, a secret agent in the service of the Stuart throne.

The authors obviously had a lovely time with this book. Beau Brummell in this world is a valet to the young, impetuous Prince James Stuart, heir to the throne of England. There's a nod to "The Scarlet Pimpernel" in the pseudonym of Citizen Orczy used by the Duke in one of his trips across France-- "The Scarlet Pimpernel" was written by Baroness Orczy, and one of the members of a dinner party given by Madame de Stael in the prison town of Verdun is 'a Belgian Devine named Poirot'. Let us know forget another dinner guest, Sir John Adams from the northern colonies of America who misses his wife Abby very much!

Add the missing Dauphin, the wonderfully villainous Marquis de Sade, a missing Danish Princess, a dungeon and loads of hair raising escapes.

No sex, but some strong emotion. Unfortunately it's not in paperback yet but if you like alternative world fantasy with a nice ironic touch I cannot recommend this book too highly