Sword and planet
Encyclopedia
Sword and Planet is a subgenre of science fantasy
that features rousing adventure stories set on other planets, and usually featuring Earthmen as protagonists. The name derives from the heroes of the genre engaging their adversaries in hand to hand combat primarily with simple melee weapons such as swords, even in a setting that often has advanced technology. Though there are works that herald the genre such as Percy Greg
's Across The Zodiac
(1880) and Edwin Lester Arnold's Lieutenant Gullivar Jones: His Vacation
(1905; published in the US in 1964 as "Gulliver of Mars"), the prototype for the genre is A Princess of Mars
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
originally serialized by All-Story in 1912 as "Under the Moons of Mars".
The genre predates the mainstream popularity of science fiction
proper, and does not feature any scientific rigor, being instead romantic tales of high adventure. For example little thought is given to explaining why the environment of the alien planet is compatible with life from Earth, just that it does in order to allow the hero to move about and interact with the natives. Native technology will often break the known laws of physics.
The genre tag Sword and Planet is constructed to mimic the terms Sword and sorcery
and Sword and Sandal
. The phrase appears to have first been coined in the 1960s by Donald A. Wollheim
, editor of Ace Books
, and later of DAW Books
at a time when the genre was undergoing a revival. Both Ace Books and DAW Books were instrumental in bringing much of the earlier pulp Sword and Planet stories back into print, as well as publishing a great deal of new, imitative work by a new generation of authors.
There is a fair amount of overlap between "Sword & Planet" and "planetary romance
" although some works are considered to belong to one and not the other. In general, Planetary Romance is considered to be more of a Space Opera
subgenre, influenced by the likes of A Princess of Mars
yet more modern and technologically savvy, while Sword & Planet more directly imitates the conventions established by Burroughs in the Mars series
. That is to say that the hero is alone as the only human being from Earth, swords are the weapon of choice, and while the alien planet has some advanced technology, it is used only in limited applications to advance the plot or increase the grandeur of the setting. In general the alien planet will seem to be more medieval and primitive than Earth. This leads to anachronistic situations such as flying ships held aloft by anti-gravity technology, while ground travel is done by riding domesticated native animals.
officer and soldier, has taken up prospecting in Arizona
after the war to regain his fortune. Under mysterious circumstances, he is transported to Mars
, called Barsoom
by its inhabitants. There he encounters savage and monstrous aliens, a beautiful princess, and a life of adventure and wonder. Burroughs followed up this first book with several more Barsoom stories, and another series that could be considered Sword & Planet, featuring as hero Carson Napier and his adventures on Venus. Burroughs' Pellucidar
series could arguably be considered sword-and-(inner) planet, as it follows most of the plot conventions described below.
A tough but chivalrous male protagonist, from Earth of a period not too distant from our own, finds himself transported to a distant world. The transportation may be via astral projection, teleportation, time travel, or any similar form of scientific magic, but should not imply that travel between worlds is either easy or common. The Earthman thus finds himself the sole representative of his own race on an alien planet. This planet is at a pre-modern, even barbaric stage of civilization, but may here and there have remarkable technologies that hint at a more advanced past. There is no obligation for the physical properties or biology of the alien planet to follow any scientific understanding of the potential conditions of habitable worlds; in general, the conditions will be earth-like, but with variations such as a different-colored sun or different numbers of moons. A lower gravity may be invoked to explain such things as large flying animals or people, or the superhuman strength of the hero, but will otherwise be ignored. (A Princess of Mars
, however, when it was first written did loosely follow the most optimistic theories about Mars - e.g., those of Percival Lowell
who imagined a dying, dried-up Mars watered by a network of artificial canals.)
Not long after discovering his predicament, the Earthman finds himself caught in a struggle between two or more factions, nations, or species. He sides, of course, with the nation with the prettiest woman, who will sometimes turn out to be a princess. Before he can set about seriously courting her, however, she is kidnapped by a fiendish villain or villains. The Earthman, taking up his sword (the local weapon of choice, which he has a talent with), sets out on a quest to recover the woman and wallop the kidnappers. On the way, he crosses wild and inhospitable terrain, confronts savage animals and monsters, discovers lost civilizations ruled by cruel tyrants or wicked priests, and will repeatedly engage in swashbuckling sword-fights, be imprisoned, daringly escape and rescue other prisoners, and kill any men or beasts who stand in his way. At the end of the story he will defeat the villain and free the captive princess, only to find another crisis emerging that will require all his wit and muscle, but will not be resolved until the next thrilling novel in the adventures of...!.
was the most significant. The second and larger group includes authors who began to write Burroughs pastiche
s from the mid 1960s to early 1970s. The genre is no longer used by most modern authors and seems to have come to a natural end; few works in this genre have been published since 1980, except for continuations of the drawn-out Dray Prescot
and Gor
sequences, and occasional parodies of earlier series.
The Barsoom Series (a.k.a. The John Carter of Mars Series)
The Venus Series (a.k.a. The Carson Napier of Venus Series)
Robert E. Howard
Gor
Callisto series
Green Star Series
Dray Prescot series
The following have only been published in German translation:
Eric John Stark
Balzan Of The Cat People
Science fantasy
Science fantasy is a mixed genre within speculative fiction drawing elements from both science fiction and fantasy. Although in some terms of its portrayal in recent media products it can be defined as instead of being a mixed genre of science fiction and fantasy it is instead a mixing of the...
that features rousing adventure stories set on other planets, and usually featuring Earthmen as protagonists. The name derives from the heroes of the genre engaging their adversaries in hand to hand combat primarily with simple melee weapons such as swords, even in a setting that often has advanced technology. Though there are works that herald the genre such as Percy Greg
Percy Greg
Percy Greg , son of William Rathbone Greg, was an English writer....
's Across The Zodiac
Across The Zodiac
Across the Zodiac: The Story of a Wrecked Record is a science fiction novel by Percy Greg, who has been credited as an originator of the Sword and planet sub-genre of science fiction.- Plot :...
(1880) and Edwin Lester Arnold's Lieutenant Gullivar Jones: His Vacation
Lieutenant Gullivar Jones: His Vacation
Lieutenant Gullivar Jones: His Vacation is a novel by Edwin Lester Arnold combining elements of both fantasy and science fiction, first published in 1905. The last of Arnold's novels, its lukewarm reception led him to stop writing fiction...
(1905; published in the US in 1964 as "Gulliver of Mars"), the prototype for the genre is A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars is a science fiction novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first of his Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his famous Tarzan series. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction...
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.-Biography:...
originally serialized by All-Story in 1912 as "Under the Moons of Mars".
The genre predates the mainstream popularity of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
proper, and does not feature any scientific rigor, being instead romantic tales of high adventure. For example little thought is given to explaining why the environment of the alien planet is compatible with life from Earth, just that it does in order to allow the hero to move about and interact with the natives. Native technology will often break the known laws of physics.
The genre tag Sword and Planet is constructed to mimic the terms Sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery
Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy and historical fantasy, generally characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent conflicts. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural...
and Sword and Sandal
Sword and sandal
The Peplum , also known as Sword-and-Sandal, is a genre of largely Italian-made Historical or Biblical Epics that dominated the Italian film industry from 1957 to 1965, eventually being replaced in 1965 by the "Spaghetti Western"...
. The phrase appears to have first been coined in the 1960s by Donald A. Wollheim
Donald A. Wollheim
Donald Allen Wollheim was an American science fiction ' editor, publisher, writer, and fan. As an author, he published under his own name as well as under pseudonyms, including David Grinnell....
, editor of Ace Books
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, and later of DAW Books
DAW Books
DAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
at a time when the genre was undergoing a revival. Both Ace Books and DAW Books were instrumental in bringing much of the earlier pulp Sword and Planet stories back into print, as well as publishing a great deal of new, imitative work by a new generation of authors.
There is a fair amount of overlap between "Sword & Planet" and "planetary romance
Planetary romance
Planetary romance is a type of science fiction or science fantasy story in which the bulk of the action consists of adventures on one or more exotic alien planets, characterized by distinctive physical and cultural backgrounds...
" although some works are considered to belong to one and not the other. In general, Planetary Romance is considered to be more of a Space Opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
subgenre, influenced by the likes of A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars is a science fiction novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first of his Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his famous Tarzan series. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction...
yet more modern and technologically savvy, while Sword & Planet more directly imitates the conventions established by Burroughs in the Mars series
Barsoom
Barsoom is a fictional representation of the planet Mars created by American pulp fiction author Edgar Rice Burroughs, who wrote close to 100 action adventure stories in various genres in the first half of the 20th century, and is now best known as the creator of the character Tarzan...
. That is to say that the hero is alone as the only human being from Earth, swords are the weapon of choice, and while the alien planet has some advanced technology, it is used only in limited applications to advance the plot or increase the grandeur of the setting. In general the alien planet will seem to be more medieval and primitive than Earth. This leads to anachronistic situations such as flying ships held aloft by anti-gravity technology, while ground travel is done by riding domesticated native animals.
Beginnings
In A Princess of Mars, John Carter, a ConfederateConfederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
officer and soldier, has taken up prospecting in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
after the war to regain his fortune. Under mysterious circumstances, he is transported to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, called Barsoom
Barsoom
Barsoom is a fictional representation of the planet Mars created by American pulp fiction author Edgar Rice Burroughs, who wrote close to 100 action adventure stories in various genres in the first half of the 20th century, and is now best known as the creator of the character Tarzan...
by its inhabitants. There he encounters savage and monstrous aliens, a beautiful princess, and a life of adventure and wonder. Burroughs followed up this first book with several more Barsoom stories, and another series that could be considered Sword & Planet, featuring as hero Carson Napier and his adventures on Venus. Burroughs' Pellucidar
Pellucidar
Pellucidar is a fictional Hollow Earth milieu invented by Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs for a series of action adventure stories. In a notable crossover event between Burroughs' series, there is a Tarzan story in which the Ape Man travels into Pellucidar.The stories initially involve the...
series could arguably be considered sword-and-(inner) planet, as it follows most of the plot conventions described below.
Form
Burroughs established a set of conventions that were followed fairly closely by most other entries in the Sword and Planet genre. The typical first book in a sword and planet series uses some or all of the following plot points:A tough but chivalrous male protagonist, from Earth of a period not too distant from our own, finds himself transported to a distant world. The transportation may be via astral projection, teleportation, time travel, or any similar form of scientific magic, but should not imply that travel between worlds is either easy or common. The Earthman thus finds himself the sole representative of his own race on an alien planet. This planet is at a pre-modern, even barbaric stage of civilization, but may here and there have remarkable technologies that hint at a more advanced past. There is no obligation for the physical properties or biology of the alien planet to follow any scientific understanding of the potential conditions of habitable worlds; in general, the conditions will be earth-like, but with variations such as a different-colored sun or different numbers of moons. A lower gravity may be invoked to explain such things as large flying animals or people, or the superhuman strength of the hero, but will otherwise be ignored. (A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars is a science fiction novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first of his Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his famous Tarzan series. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction...
, however, when it was first written did loosely follow the most optimistic theories about Mars - e.g., those of Percival Lowell
Percival Lowell
Percival Lawrence Lowell was a businessman, author, mathematician, and astronomer who fueled speculation that there were canals on Mars, founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and formed the beginning of the effort that led to the discovery of Pluto 14 years after his death...
who imagined a dying, dried-up Mars watered by a network of artificial canals.)
Not long after discovering his predicament, the Earthman finds himself caught in a struggle between two or more factions, nations, or species. He sides, of course, with the nation with the prettiest woman, who will sometimes turn out to be a princess. Before he can set about seriously courting her, however, she is kidnapped by a fiendish villain or villains. The Earthman, taking up his sword (the local weapon of choice, which he has a talent with), sets out on a quest to recover the woman and wallop the kidnappers. On the way, he crosses wild and inhospitable terrain, confronts savage animals and monsters, discovers lost civilizations ruled by cruel tyrants or wicked priests, and will repeatedly engage in swashbuckling sword-fights, be imprisoned, daringly escape and rescue other prisoners, and kill any men or beasts who stand in his way. At the end of the story he will defeat the villain and free the captive princess, only to find another crisis emerging that will require all his wit and muscle, but will not be resolved until the next thrilling novel in the adventures of...!.
Chronology
Stories in the Sword and Planet genre fall into two chronological classes. The first includes the stories of Burroughs himself and his early imitators, of whom Otis Adelbert KlineOtis Adelbert Kline
Otis Adelbert Kline born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was an adventure novelist and literary agent during the pulp era. Much of his work first appeared in the magazine Weird Tales. Kline was an amateur orientalist and a student of Arabic, like his friend and sometime collaborator, E...
was the most significant. The second and larger group includes authors who began to write Burroughs pastiche
Pastiche
A pastiche is a literary or other artistic genre or technique that is a "hodge-podge" or imitation. The word is also a linguistic term used to describe an early stage in the development of a pidgin language.-Hodge-podge:...
s from the mid 1960s to early 1970s. The genre is no longer used by most modern authors and seems to have come to a natural end; few works in this genre have been published since 1980, except for continuations of the drawn-out Dray Prescot
Dray Prescot series
The Dray Prescot series is a sequence of fifty-three science fiction novels and a number of associated short stories of the subgenre generally classified as sword and planet, written by Kenneth Bulmer under the pseudonym of Alan Burt Akers....
and Gor
Gor
Gor , the Counter-Earth, is the alternate-world setting for a series of 30 novels by John Norman that combine philosophy, erotica and science fiction...
sequences, and occasional parodies of earlier series.
List of works
What follows is an incomplete listing of some of the more important and more remembered representatives of the genre. Some of the dates are reprint dates, not date of original publication. The Barsoom Series (a.k.a. The John Carter of Mars Series)BarsoomBarsoom is a fictional representation of the planet Mars created by American pulp fiction author Edgar Rice Burroughs, who wrote close to 100 action adventure stories in various genres in the first half of the 20th century, and is now best known as the creator of the character Tarzan...
- A Princess of MarsA Princess of MarsA Princess of Mars is a science fiction novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first of his Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his famous Tarzan series. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction...
(serial 1912/novel 1917) - The Gods of MarsThe Gods of MarsThe Gods of Mars is a 1918 Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the second of his famous Barsoom series. It was first published in All-Story as a five-part serial in the issues for January-May 1913. It was later published as a complete novel by A. C...
(1913/1918) - The Warlord of MarsThe Warlord of MarsThe Warlord of Mars is a science fiction novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the third of his famous Barsoom series. Burroughs began writing it in June, 1913, going through five working titles; Yellow Men of Barsoom, The Fighting Prince of Mars, Across Savage Mars, The Prince of Helium, and The...
(1913-1914/1919) - Thuvia, Maid of MarsThuvia, Maid of MarsThuvia, Maid of Mars is a science fiction novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the fourth of the Barsoom series. The principal characters are the Son of John Carter of Mars, Carthoris, and Thuvia of Ptarth, each of whom appeared in the previous two novels....
(1916/1920) - The Chessmen of MarsThe Chessmen of MarsThe Chessmen of Mars is an Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the fifth of his famous Barsoom series. Burroughs began writing it in January, 1921, and the finished story was first published in Argosy All-Story Weekly as a six-part serial in the issues for February 18 and 25 and March 4,...
(1922/1922) - The Master Mind of MarsThe Master Mind of MarsThe Master Mind of Mars is an Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the sixth of his famous Barsoom series. It was first published in the magazine Amazing Stories Annual vol. 1, July 15, 1927. The first book edition was published by A. C...
(1927/1928) - A Fighting Man of MarsA Fighting Man of MarsA Fighting Man of Mars is an Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the seventh of his famous Barsoom series. Burroughs began writing it on February 28, 1929, and the finished story was first published in Blue Book Magazine as a six-part serial in the issues for April to September, 1930...
(1930/1931) - Swords of MarsSwords of MarsSwords of Mars is an science fiction novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the eighth of his Barsoom series. It was first published in the magazine Blue Book Magazine as a six-part serial in the issues for November, 1934-April, 1935. The first book edition was published by Edgar Rice...
(1934-1935/1936) - Synthetic Men of MarsSynthetic Men of MarsSynthetic Men of Mars is a science fiction novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the ninth of his Barsoom series. It was first published in the magazine Argosy Weekly in six parts in early 1939...
(1939/1940) - Llana of GatholLlana of GatholLlana of Gathol is an Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel, the tenth of his famous Barsoom series. It consists of four stories that were originally published in Amazing Stories in 1941 . The first collected edition of Llana of Gathol was published in 1948...
(1941/1948) - Skeleton Men of Jupiter (1943/1964) - published in John Carter of MarsJohn Carter of Mars (collection)John Carter of Mars is the eleventh and final book in the Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is not actually a novel but rather a collection of two John Carter of Mars stories....
(1964) together with the non-ERB juvenile John Carter and the Giant of Mars (1941).
The Venus Series (a.k.a. The Carson Napier of Venus Series)Venus seriesThe Venus Series by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a science fiction series consisting of four novels and one novelette. Most of the stories were first serialized in Argosy, an American pulp magazine. It is sometimes known as the Carson Napier of Venus Series, after their fictional main character, Carson...
- Pirates of VenusPirates of VenusPirates of Venus is the first book in the Venus series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the last major series in Burroughs's career . It was first serialized in six parts in Argosy in 1932 and published in book form two years later by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc...
(19341934 in literatureThe year 1934 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* The first Flash Gordon comic strip is published.*Boris Pasternak and Korney Chukovsky are among those present at the first Congress of the Soviet Union of Writers....
) - Lost on VenusLost on VenusLost On Venus is the second book in the Venus series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was first serialized in Argosy in 1933 and published in book form two years later.-Copyright:...
(19351935 in literatureThe year 1935 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* June 15 - W. H. Auden enters a marriage of convenience with Erika Mann.* July 30 - Allen Lane founds Penguin Books to publish the first mass market paperbacks in Britain....
) - Carson of VenusCarson of VenusCarson of Venus is the third book in the Venus series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Burroughs wrote the novel in July and August 1937. It was serialized in 1938 in six weekly installments from January 8 to February 12 in Argosy, the same publication where the previous two Venus novels appeared...
(19391939 in literatureThe year 1939 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*December 25 - A Christmas Carol is read before a radio audience for the first time....
) - Escape on VenusEscape on VenusEscape on Venus is the fourth book in the Venus series by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It consists of four interconnected stories published in Fantasic Adventures between 1941 and 1942: "Slaves of the Fishmen," "Goddess of Fire," "The Living Dead," and "War on Venus." A collected edition of these stories...
(19461946 in literatureThe year 1946 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*November 7 - Walker Percy marries Mary Bernice Townsend.*Launch in the United Kingdom of Penguin Classics under the editorship of E. V...
) - The Wizard of VenusThe Wizard of VenusThe Wizard of Venus is a novella by Edgar Rice Burroughs, as well as the title of a collection in which it was later published together with an unrelated story. "The Wizard of Venus" is the final story in Burroughs's Venus series . Written in 1941, the piece remained unpublished until 1964,...
(19701970 in literatureThe year 1970 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* Deliverance by American poet James Dickey published...
)
Venus series
- The Radio ManThe Radio ManThe Radio Man is a science fiction novel by author Ralph Milne Farley. It is the first book in Farley's Radio Man series. It was first published in book form in 1948 by Fantasy Publishing Company, Inc. in an edition of 1,000 copies...
(1924) aka An Earthman on Venus - The Radio Beasts (1925)
- The Radio Planet (1926)
- The Radio Man Returns (2005) includes The Radio Minds of Mars
Palos series
- Palos of the Dog Star PackPalos of the Dog Star PackPalos of the Dog Star Pack is a science fiction novel by John Ulrich Giesy. It was first published in book form in 1965 by Avalon Books. The novel was originally serialized in five parts in the magazine All-Story Weekly beginning in July, 1918....
(1918) - The Mouthpiece of ZituThe Mouthpiece of ZituThe Mouthpiece of Zitu is a science fiction novel by John Ulrich Giesy. It was first published in book form in 1965 by Avalon Books. The novel was originally serialized in five parts in the magazine All-Story Weekly beginning in August, 1919....
(1919) - Jason, Son of JasonJason, Son of JasonJason, Son of Jason is a science fiction novel by John Ulrich Giesy. It was first published in book form in 1966 by Avalon Books. The novel was originally serialized in five parts in the magazine Argosy All-Story beginning in April, 1921....
(1921)
Venus series
- Planet of Peril (1929)
- Prince of Peril (1930)
- The Port of PerilThe Port of PerilThe Port of Peril is a science fiction novel by Otis Adelbert Kline. It was first published in book form in 1949 by The Grandon Company in an edition of 3,000 copies...
(1932) aka Buccaneers of Venus
Stuart Merrick series
- Kaldar, World of Antares (1933)
- The Snake-men of Kaldar (1933)
- The Great Brain of Kaldar (1935)
Robert E. HowardRobert E. HowardRobert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
- AlmuricAlmuricAlmuric is a science fiction novel by Robert E. Howard. It was originally serialized in three parts in the magazine Weird Tales beginning in May 1939...
(1939/1964 - started c. 1936, allegedly completed posthumously by Otis Adelbert KlineOtis Adelbert KlineOtis Adelbert Kline born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was an adventure novelist and literary agent during the pulp era. Much of his work first appeared in the magazine Weird Tales. Kline was an amateur orientalist and a student of Arabic, like his friend and sometime collaborator, E...
)
Sojan the Swordsman series (juvenile short stories)
- Sojan the Swordsman (1957)
- Sojan, Swordsman of Zylor (1957)
- Sojan and the Sea of Demons (1957)
- Sojan and the Plain of Mystery (1958)
- Sojan and the Sons of the Snake-God (1958)
- Sojan and the Devil Hunters of Norj (1958)
- Klan the Spoiler (1958)
- Dek of Noothar (1957)
- Rens Karto of Bersnol (1958)
Kane of Old Mars series (writing as Edward Powys Bradbury)
- Warrior of Mars (1965) aka City of the Beast
- Blades of Mars (1965) aka Lord of the Spiders
- Barbarians of Mars (1965) aka Masters of the Pit
GorGorGor , the Counter-Earth, is the alternate-world setting for a series of 30 novels by John Norman that combine philosophy, erotica and science fiction...
series
- 1 Tarnsman of Gor (1966)
- 2 Outlaw of Gor (1967)
- 3 Priest-Kings of Gor (1968)
- 4 Nomads of Gor (1969)
- 5 Assassin of Gor (1970)
- 6 Raiders of Gor (1971)
- 7 Captive of Gor (1972)
- 8 Hunters of Gor (1974)
- 9 Marauders of Gor (1975)
- 10 Tribesmen of Gor (1976)
- 11 Slave Girl of Gor (1977)
- 12 Beasts of Gor (1978)
- 13 Explorers of Gor (1979)
- 14 Fighting Slave of Gor (1980)
- 15 Rogue of Gor (1981)
- 16 Guardsman of Gor (1981)
- 17 Savages of Gor (1982)
- 18 Blood Brothers of Gor (1982)
- 19 Kajira of Gor (1983)
- 20 Players of Gor (1984)
- 21 Mercenaries of Gor (1985)
- 22 Dancer of Gor (1985)
- 23 Renegades of Gor (1986)
- 24 Vagabonds of Gor (1987)
- 25 Magicians of Gor (1988)
- 26 Witness of Gor (2001)
- 27 Prize of Gor (2008)
- 28 Kur of Gor (2009)
- 29 Swordsmen of Gor (2010)
- 30 Mariners of Gor (2011) [to be published]
Callisto seriesCallisto seriesThe Callisto series is a sequence of eight science fiction novels by Lin Carter, of the sword and planet subgenre, first published by Dell Books from 1972-1978...
- Jandar of CallistoJandar of CallistoJandar of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the first in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in December 1972, and reprinted twice through September 1977. The first British edition was published by Orbit Books in 1974...
(1972) - Black Legion of CallistoBlack Legion of CallistoBlack Legion of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the second in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in December 1972, and reprinted twice through January 1974. The first British edition was published by Orbit Books in 1975...
(1972) - Sky Pirates of CallistoSky Pirates of CallistoSky Pirates of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the third in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in January 1973, and reprinted twice through April 1974. The first British edition was published by Orbit Books in 1975...
(1973) - Mad Empress of CallistoMad Empress of CallistoMad Empress of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the fourth in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in February 1975...
(1975) - Mind Wizards of CallistoMind Wizards of CallistoMind Wizards of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the fifth in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in March 1975...
(1975) - Lankar of CallistoLankar of CallistoLankar of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the sixth in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in June 1975...
(1975) - Ylana of CallistoYlana of CallistoYlana of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the seventh in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in October 1977...
(1977) - Renegade of CallistoRenegade of CallistoRenegade of Callisto is a science fiction novel written by Lin Carter, the eighth and last in his Callisto series. It was first published in paperback by Dell Books in August 1978, and reprinted once, in November of the same year. A tribute to Edgar Rice Burroughs's The Chessmen of Mars, the book...
(1978)
Green Star SeriesGreen Star SeriesThe Green Star Series is a set of five science fiction novels written by Lin Carter for DAW Books, published from 1972 to 1976. In this novel, the concept of soul-projection is central...
- Under the Green StarUnder the Green StarUnder the Green Star, published first by DAW Books in 1972, was the first of Lin Carter's Green Star Series of science-fiction/fantasy novels....
(1972) - When the Green Star CallsWhen the Green Star CallsWhen the Green Star Calls, published in 1973, is the second novel in Lin Carter's Green Star Series, starting after the first novel, Under the Green Star, finished.The unnamed narrator once again thrusts his soul towards the Green Star...
(1973) - By the Light of the Green StarBy the Light of the Green StarBy the Light of the Green Star, published in 1974, is the third novel of Lin Carter's Green Star Series. In this installment, other races of Green Star planet humans are introduced....
(1974) - As the Green Star RisesAs the Green Star RisesAs the Green Star Rises is the fourth, and penultimate, novel of Lin Carter's Green Star series, continuing from By the Light of the Green Star.-Plot summary:...
(1975) - In the Green Star's GlowIn the Green Star's GlowIn the Green Star's Glow is the final novel in Lin Carter's Green Star Series.- Plot summary :Janchan and Arjala are married in Komar, where they also honeymoon...
(1976)
Mysteries of Mars series
- The Man Who Loved Mars (1973)
- The Valley Where Time Stood Still (1974)
- The City Outside the World (1977)
- Down to a Sunless Sea (1984)
Dray Prescot seriesDray Prescot seriesThe Dray Prescot series is a sequence of fifty-three science fiction novels and a number of associated short stories of the subgenre generally classified as sword and planet, written by Kenneth Bulmer under the pseudonym of Alan Burt Akers....
- Transit to ScorpioTransit to ScorpioTransit to Scorpio is a science fiction novel written by Kenneth Bulmer under the pseudonym of Alan Burt Akers, volume 1 in his extensive Dray Prescot series of sword and planet novels, set on the fictional world of Kregen, a planet of the Antares star system in the constellation of Scorpio...
(1972) - The Suns of Scorpio (1973)
- Warrior of Scorpio (1973)
- Swordships of Scorpio (1973)
- Prince of Scorpio (1974)
- Manhounds of Antares (1974)
- Arena of Antares (1974)
- Fliers of Antares (1975)
- Bladesman of Antares (1975)
- Avenger of Antares (1975)
- Armada of Antares (1976)
- The Tides of Kregen (1976)
- Renegade of Kregen (1976)
- Krozair of Kregen (1977)
- Secret Scorpio (1977)
- Savage Scorpio (1978)
- Captive Scorpio (1978)
- Golden Scorpio (1978)
- A Life for Kregen (1979)
- A Sword for Kregen (1979)
- A Fortune for Kregen (1979)
- A Victory for Kregen (1980)
- Beasts of Antares (1980)
- Rebel of Antares (1980)
- Legions of Antares (1981)
- Allies of Antares (1981)
- Mazes of Scorpio (1982)
- Delia of Vallia (1982)
- Fires of Scorpio (1983)
- Talons of Scorpio (1983)
- Masks of Scorpio (1984)
- Seg the Bowman (1984)
- Werewolves of Kregen (1985)
- Witches of Kregen (1985)
- Storm Over Vallia (1985)
- Omens of Kregen (1985)
- Warlord of Antares (1988)
- Scorpio Reborn (Wiedergeborens Scorpio, 1991)
- Scorpio Assassin (Meuchelmörder von Scorpio, 1992)
- Scorpio Invasion (Invasion von Scorpio, 1992)
- Scorpio Ablaze (Scorpio in Flammen, 1992)
- Scorpio Drums (Die Trommeln von Scorpio, 1992)
- Scorpio Triumph (Der Triumpf von Scorpio, 1993)
- Intrigue of Antares (Die Intrige von Antares, 1993)
- Gangs of Antares (Die Banditen von Antares, 1994)
The following have only been published in German translation:
- Demons of Antares (Die Dämonen von Antares, 1994)
- Scourge of Antares (Die Geißel von Antares, 1994)
- Challenge of Antares (Die Fehde von Antares, 1995)
- Wrath of Antares (Der Zorn von Antares, 1996)
- Shadows over Kregen (Schatten über Kregen, 1996)
- Murder on Kregen (Mord auf Kregen, 1997)
- Turmoil on Kregen (Aufruhr auf Kregen, 1997)
- Betrayal on Kregen (Verrat auf Kregen, 1998)
Eric John StarkEric John StarkErik John Stark is a character created by science fiction author Leigh Brackett. Stark is the hero of a series of pulp adventures set in a time when the Solar System has been colonized...
series
- Eric John Stark: Outlaw of Mars (1982)
- The Secret of SinharatThe Secret of SinharatThe Secret of Sinharat is a science fiction novel by Leigh Brackett set on the planet Mars, whose protagonist is Eric John Stark.-Plot summary:...
(1964 - revision of Queen of the Martian Catacombs (1949)) - People of the TalismanPeople of the TalismanPeople of the Talisman is a science fiction novel by Leigh Brackett set on the planet Mars, whose protagonist is Eric John Stark.-Plot introduction:...
(1964 - revision of Black Amazon of Mars (1951))
- The Secret of Sinharat
- Enchantress of Venus (aka City of the Lost Ones) (1949)
- The Book of Skaith (1976)
- The Ginger Star (1974)
- The Hounds of Skaith (1974)
- The Reavers of Skaith (1976)
Other
- The Sword of Rhiannon
- Lorelei of the Red Mist (with Ray BradburyRay BradburyRay Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
) - Shadow over Mars
- Sea-Kings of Mars
Balzan Of The Cat PeopleBalzan Of The Cat PeopleBalzan Of The Cat People is a short lived series of three books by Gerard F. Conway ,writing as Wallace Moore. Published by the now defunct Pinnacle Books in 1975, and billed on the cover as "the Tarzan of outer space", these science fiction epics fit into the genre of Sword and Planet .#The...
series
- The Blood Stones (1975)
- The Caves of Madness (1975)
- The Lights of Zetar (1975)
Reglathium series
- Prisoner of Reglathium
- Conqueror of Reglathium
- Caves of Reglathium
- Dark Straits of Reglathium
- Slaves of Reglathium
Talera Series
- Swords of Talera (2007)
- Wings Over Talera (2007)
- Witch of Talera (2007)
Ilium/Olympos
- The Ilium/OlymposIlium/OlymposIlium/Olympos is a science fiction duology by Dan Simmons. These events are set in motion by beings who have taken on the roles of the Greek gods...
(2003/2005) cycle has elements of this genre through staging the Trojan warTrojan WarIn Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta. The war is among the most important events in Greek mythology and was narrated in many works of Greek literature, including the Iliad...
myth on a far-future terraformed planet MarsTerraforming of MarsThe terraforming of Mars is the hypothetical process by which the climate, surface, and known properties of Mars would be deliberately changed with the goal of making it habitable by humans and other terrestrial life, thus providing the possibility of safe and sustainable colonization of large...
.