The Dark Planet

by J. Hunter Holly, Jeff Jones (Illustrator)

Macfadden paperback edition (undated, though 1971) of this 1962 novel, first published in hardcover by Avalon. The Cobellans had conquered Earth, by killing almost everyone! The few survivors, weaponless, grief-stricken, and disorganized, were no match for the invaders. A few straggling bands of guerilla fighters were allowed to survive only because the aliens wanted them to, for propaganda purposes. In the midst of this desolation, one man saw a way out. It would take murder, treachery, and betrayal, in addition to the greatest bluff in history. For the Human race, the outcome would be freedom - or total, final death.

Genres: Science Fiction

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Joan Carol Holly was a science fiction author who wrote under the pseudonym J. Hunter Holly in the late 1950s until the mid-1970s. Joan Holly also contributed stories for Roger Elwood's series of books and sci-fi magazines, under both her real name(Joan C. Holly) and her pseudonym (Joan Hunter Holly).

Joan died of lung cancer in 1982.

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 11 years old and I just loved, loved, loved it.

I decided I will not talk about the plot at all because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who will subsequently read it.

Although this book is aimed at the junior high reading level I think any adult who likes science fiction would like it.

I think the plot of this book is exceptional and very unique and I don't care what anyone thinks, I think it is one of the best science fiction novels I have ever read in my life.

[Suzi Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was a teenager - I must have read it 5 - 10 times. I just finished reading it again and still love it. No, it's not the best Sci-Fi book ever written, but I still get pulled into the story just the same as I always did. It's only 144 pages long, so it's a quick read.

[Tish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this in Hay on Wye for no other reason than I wanted to buy a book I had never heard of from a book town.

I took one look at it and it screamed the kind of book that would have a cult following, reading.. Probably doesn't 😂.

It was alright, nothing that riveting, was just okay, I don't feel like I read anthing of real excitement. It's actually more a book of politics and in a way, a game of poker, than it is a space book.

I actually really disliked the lack of female characters from a female author, there were like 2 token characters, it would never pass the Bechdel test.

[Cheryl]

Disappointing. I liked her novella in Futurelove: A Science Fiction Triad but this didn't seem to be written by the same author or even same gender. I struggled to read almost half, but got bored of the political intrigue sort of stuff, and the lack of female representation, the lack of actual characters tbh, so then read the last chapter, and could tell I hadn't missed anything.

August 2021

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

1981 Grade B+
2011 grade B+