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Star Quest / Doom of the Green Planet
Star Quest:
"In a universe that had been ravaged by a thousand years of interplanetary warfare between the star-shattering Romaghins and the equally voracious Setessins, there seemed now but one thing that might bring the destruction to an end. That would be the right catalyst in the hands of the right people. The right catalyst could well be the individualist rebel, Tohm... he who had once been a simple peasant and who had been forcibly changed into a fearfully armored instrument of mechanical warfare—the man-tank Jumbo Ten. But the right people? Could they possibly be the hated driftwood of biological warfare—those monsters of a cosmic no-man's land—the Muties?"
Doom of the Green Planet:
"Save a life and it is your responsibility. Save a world and it is yours to protect forever. Such was the geasa of Diarmid Patrick O'Dowd, ex-starman. He had himself called down destruction on the Green Planet by destroying its creator and undermining its guiding Song. Now he must shield it from the aspirations of the next star-wanderer to set down on its lush fairy-tale landscape. For without its special "god" it would mean the end of that wonder world of swordsmen and sorcerers... and Diarmid himself had now to play that omnipotent role - even though he was but a marooned pilot and his opponent was the massed power of an organized stellar federation."
"In a universe that had been ravaged by a thousand years of interplanetary warfare between the star-shattering Romaghins and the equally voracious Setessins, there seemed now but one thing that might bring the destruction to an end. That would be the right catalyst in the hands of the right people. The right catalyst could well be the individualist rebel, Tohm... he who had once been a simple peasant and who had been forcibly changed into a fearfully armored instrument of mechanical warfare—the man-tank Jumbo Ten. But the right people? Could they possibly be the hated driftwood of biological warfare—those monsters of a cosmic no-man's land—the Muties?"
Doom of the Green Planet:
"Save a life and it is your responsibility. Save a world and it is yours to protect forever. Such was the geasa of Diarmid Patrick O'Dowd, ex-starman. He had himself called down destruction on the Green Planet by destroying its creator and undermining its guiding Song. Now he must shield it from the aspirations of the next star-wanderer to set down on its lush fairy-tale landscape. For without its special "god" it would mean the end of that wonder world of swordsmen and sorcerers... and Diarmid himself had now to play that omnipotent role - even though he was but a marooned pilot and his opponent was the massed power of an organized stellar federation."
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
About the author
Dean Koontz
904 books40.9k followersAcknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.
Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 8, 2020
In 2020 I will work toward reading and reviewing all of Dean Koontz’s books, in chronological order—yes, even the old and out of print ones, starting with 1968’s Star Quest. Koontz has disowned his early titles, often saying he was a fan of sci-fi as a young man but couldn’t write it properly.
I’m not a sci-fi reader, at all. I don’t know what constitutes “good” or “bad” or “believable” sci-fi; the few times I delve into the genre I want only to be entertained. Star Quest sort of did that.
It was interesting reading this so soon after Innocence, because Koontz’s writing style has certainly changed over the years—of course it has! Star Quest features none of Koontz’s awkward humor, or wacky spirituality, or purple prose. It’s pretty lean and humorless, but that also means there wasn’t much for me to latch on to and I sometimes became bored. I guess I’m used to a little weirdness and cheese when reading this guy. His quirks are charming, in their way.
Was Koontz a good sci-fi writer? I dunno; maybe I’ll be able to determine that as I read more of his early titles. This is a rather unremarkable, but capable, work by a very young writer: one without any major missteps but also without personality.
I’m not a sci-fi reader, at all. I don’t know what constitutes “good” or “bad” or “believable” sci-fi; the few times I delve into the genre I want only to be entertained. Star Quest sort of did that.
It was interesting reading this so soon after Innocence, because Koontz’s writing style has certainly changed over the years—of course it has! Star Quest features none of Koontz’s awkward humor, or wacky spirituality, or purple prose. It’s pretty lean and humorless, but that also means there wasn’t much for me to latch on to and I sometimes became bored. I guess I’m used to a little weirdness and cheese when reading this guy. His quirks are charming, in their way.
Was Koontz a good sci-fi writer? I dunno; maybe I’ll be able to determine that as I read more of his early titles. This is a rather unremarkable, but capable, work by a very young writer: one without any major missteps but also without personality.
July 14, 2022
This is one of the Ace Double books, most of which featured novels from two different authors bound back-to-back and in opposite orientation to each other, each with its' own cover. Emil Petaja's Doom of the Green Planet is a sequel to his Lord of the Green Planet and is a fairly standard far-future space-opera adventure heavily influenced by Celtic/Irish mythology. (He had more success with novels based on Finnish mythology in other novels.) Star Quest was Koontz's very first novel; he was twenty-three years old in 1968 when it appeared. The teaser page reads: "In a universe that had been ravaged by a thousand years of interplanetary warfare between the star-shattering Romaghins and the equally voracious Setessins, there seemed now but one thing that might bring the destruction to an end. That would be the right catalyst in the hands of the right people. The right catalyst could well be the individualist rebel, Tohm... he who had once been a simple peasant and who had been forcibly changed into a fearfully armored instrument of mechanical warfare—the man-tank Jumbo Ten. But the right people? Could they possibly be the hated driftwood of biological warfare—those monsters of a cosmic no-man's land—the Muties?" It has a nifty cover painted by Gray Morrow, with a Flash Gordon look-alike standing in a futuristic city and a giant tank in the background with those problematic Muties. It's a pretty good example of the sf adventure genre of the time; not award-winning stuff, but perhaps just a notch better than average. The cover says: "They drove a salient into another universe," but I have no idea what that means. Koontz has famously refused to have most of his early books reprinted, which seems to me to be a shame. Even then, he was a skillful and clever writer with good story-telling ability, which, of course, led to his subsequent success.
March 30, 2022
Very conventional "Ace Double" action scifi published in 1968. Not of the more innovative "new wave" style that was popular during that time, but a competently written yarn. I found this Koontz debut to be a great start to a long career. I actually would have liked it if he developed further with this true form of scfi. from what I have read of his later work, I found that I enjoyed that bent rather than the King-like supernatural material; but that's just my own opinion.
February 17, 2026
Being somewhat of a completist, I went to lot of trouble to get this book some years ago. because Koontz is a favorite of mine. I finally just read it.
Don't. It reads like a bad 1930's-40's SF--there's a type of SF I am thinking of, but I cannot think of the name right now. It follows a young man, shanghaied into a war, as he escapes and searches for his love. With mixed results. Lots of descriptions and some interesting people along the way, but I skipped many paragraphs, not a good sign.
Koontz has been one of my favorite writers over the years, but that's the point. Over the years. This appears to be the first novel he ever published, in 1968.
Also, it costs $90 for a used copy of the Ace Double on Amazon. Not worth it, for sure.
Don't. It reads like a bad 1930's-40's SF--there's a type of SF I am thinking of, but I cannot think of the name right now. It follows a young man, shanghaied into a war, as he escapes and searches for his love. With mixed results. Lots of descriptions and some interesting people along the way, but I skipped many paragraphs, not a good sign.
Koontz has been one of my favorite writers over the years, but that's the point. Over the years. This appears to be the first novel he ever published, in 1968.
Also, it costs $90 for a used copy of the Ace Double on Amazon. Not worth it, for sure.
November 24, 2020
ocr:
There's a lot of misspellings and missing punctuation marks especially full stops--there are, possibly, missing words or even chunks of words (I might be missing out on the story because of this)--but here's a few notable ones:
p30: "I'll tell ye what I'll do, Tohm, my lx)y," he said, throwing a fatherly arm about Tohm's shoulder.
p37: It began asking him again, and it proved a £0od beacon to home on.
p71: "I'll try, Corgi," he said, shaking the preferred hands and tentacles.
p82: There was a sudden , then no noise at all.
85: "Haiti-There was a louder pounding of feet behind them.
semantics:
p87: He ran first, Babe between, Mayna bringing up the end.
Not a good debut, but not too bad either. I heard Dean disowned this among others. A good chance that this has become a cult classic already.
Note that Dean's tendency to write about food is already evident here.
There's a lot of misspellings and missing punctuation marks especially full stops--there are, possibly, missing words or even chunks of words (I might be missing out on the story because of this)--but here's a few notable ones:
p30: "I'll tell ye what I'll do, Tohm, my lx)y," he said, throwing a fatherly arm about Tohm's shoulder.
p37: It began asking him again, and it proved a £0od beacon to home on.
p71: "I'll try, Corgi," he said, shaking the preferred hands and tentacles.
p82: There was a sudden , then no noise at all.
85: "Haiti-There was a louder pounding of feet behind them.
semantics:
p87: He ran first, Babe between, Mayna bringing up the end.
Not a good debut, but not too bad either. I heard Dean disowned this among others. A good chance that this has become a cult classic already.
Note that Dean's tendency to write about food is already evident here.
September 26, 2016
The first novel by Dean Koontz is widely different from the novels that first drew me to him as an author. Dean is best known for suspense thrillers often with a twist sometimes the paranormal (for examples Phantoms) sometime futuristic science (Watchers, Night Chills). Star Quest is however a Sci-Fi adventure story, which centres on two struggles for freedom. The first concerns Thom who inadvertently discovers that he is not simple a robotic war machine (a Jumbo) but was once a living person who was captured, and had his brain implanted into the Jumbo. We follow him on his journey through self-awareness and his initial struggles as he strives to be a person again.
On this journey he meets a group mutant freedom fighters. The mutants created as the result of nuclear exchanges between two warring factions in their seemingly never ending war. The mutants are distrusted and hated and even hunted for sport. Thom joins a group as they struggle for their freedom.
This is an easy to read shortish novel that keeps moving along at a goodly pace. As a first novel it is a good read.
On this journey he meets a group mutant freedom fighters. The mutants created as the result of nuclear exchanges between two warring factions in their seemingly never ending war. The mutants are distrusted and hated and even hunted for sport. Thom joins a group as they struggle for their freedom.
This is an easy to read shortish novel that keeps moving along at a goodly pace. As a first novel it is a good read.
January 7, 2018
My goal is to eventually read every Dean Koontz book. I figured I'd start 2018 with his first, which is quite different from what he's known for.
I didn't dislike the book, I just thought it was okay for a science fiction book. The dialogue was stilted and many of the characters were cliche and one-dimensional.
Written by a twenty-something heavily into the sci fi books of the day and trying to find his place in publishing. On that level it is commendable.
I didn't dislike the book, I just thought it was okay for a science fiction book. The dialogue was stilted and many of the characters were cliche and one-dimensional.
Written by a twenty-something heavily into the sci fi books of the day and trying to find his place in publishing. On that level it is commendable.
January 10, 2020
This is a two story book. You read one then flip to read the other. Both are 127 pages and take about 2 hrs or less to read.
Star Quest by Dean Koontz
Space & time travel, alternate universes, mutants, bodiless brains - everything a young boy likes. This obviously wasn't my thing. But it wasn't a horrible book if it is what you like.
Tohm awakes to find his body gone and replaced by a machine. He produces a new body for himself and goes in search of his love, Tarnilee. He finds adventure and love, just not where or how he imagined.
Doom of the Green Planet by Emil Petaja
The only reason I read this is because it came with the Koontz book. I never heard of Emil Petaja before.
Another book for young boys, but it was interesting and held my attention. Characters are well written and somewhat likable. Plot is simple.
Shalda was my main problem. She was a smart girl and trained fighter. Yet when she meets a stranger from the sky, it takes no prodding or time for her to tell everything there is about her planet, the people, and the situation there.
Star Quest by Dean Koontz
Space & time travel, alternate universes, mutants, bodiless brains - everything a young boy likes. This obviously wasn't my thing. But it wasn't a horrible book if it is what you like.
Tohm awakes to find his body gone and replaced by a machine. He produces a new body for himself and goes in search of his love, Tarnilee. He finds adventure and love, just not where or how he imagined.
Doom of the Green Planet by Emil Petaja
The only reason I read this is because it came with the Koontz book. I never heard of Emil Petaja before.
Another book for young boys, but it was interesting and held my attention. Characters are well written and somewhat likable. Plot is simple.
Shalda was my main problem. She was a smart girl and trained fighter. Yet when she meets a stranger from the sky, it takes no prodding or time for her to tell everything there is about her planet, the people, and the situation there.
July 30, 2016
Godibile opera prima di un giovanissimo Dean Koontz. Un po' Xmen, un po' Star Wars, un po' Marion Zimmer nella sua Darkover...
Leggermente ingenuo in alcune parti, con descrizioni palesemente frutto di una mente ancora giovane e in parte ancora disillusa, ma comunque una lettura piacevole e scorrevole. Ovviamente sconsigliato a chi non ama la fantascienza con mondi paralleli, robot e mutanti.
Leggermente ingenuo in alcune parti, con descrizioni palesemente frutto di una mente ancora giovane e in parte ancora disillusa, ma comunque una lettura piacevole e scorrevole. Ovviamente sconsigliato a chi non ama la fantascienza con mondi paralleli, robot e mutanti.
July 30, 2016
A fun short read of Koontz's first book. Enjoyable.
August 27, 2017
I found a copy of it in Half Priced Books, had to buy it as I am a Dean Koontz fan. It's his first published book, but it is more of a novella. It is Sci-fi and came out in 1968 in a pulp fiction book. It is a happy-go-lucky good guy, typical arrogant bad guys. There is nothing special about the story or anything that makes it stand out from other sic-fi of that time. It was a fast read, okay story, and not something that Koontz should be proud of. It was his start and nothing more. Word is that he bought the rights back so the story wouldn't get re-released. Smart move on his part.
The other story in the book was Doom of the Green Planet by Emil Pataja. Here is the note I made back when I finished the story: this book/novella was obviously meant to be longer, but it was obviously edited down to fit the double novel in one book concept. It was heavy reading, and it took 30 pages before it got interesting. Still, while well written, the story just didn't make it past okay.
The other story in the book was Doom of the Green Planet by Emil Pataja. Here is the note I made back when I finished the story: this book/novella was obviously meant to be longer, but it was obviously edited down to fit the double novel in one book concept. It was heavy reading, and it took 30 pages before it got interesting. Still, while well written, the story just didn't make it past okay.
March 17, 2021
Tohm and his fiance were separated when they were kidnapped by the Romaghin. The Romaghin used his brain to pilot a war machine. Tohm fought and overrode his programing to escape so that he could be reunited with his beloved. He begins a quest through an unknown universe meeting new and unusual individuals in order to find his love and stop an 800-year-old war. I liked what this story tried to do, I just did not like the execution much.
October 10, 2017
Look, compared to his later works, this is definitely not his strongest. But based on the era in which it was written and the fact I was not bored throughout the book, I liked it. It was a fun little ride. I am glad I read the first one. Now, I just have to wait a little over a month and read his next one. I'm cool with that.
April 26, 2022
Ideas were pretty interesting, but the execution was not quite on point. The romance felt rushed and unbelievable. Also, I was left unsatisfied with the ending and I am in a endless search to find out if it truly ends that way. Wtf was that ending all about?
November 16, 2025
1. Haven't read yet
2. A great sequel to Lord of the Green Planet. A new starman descends into Eu-Tara, but this one is all schemes and greed. Diarmad's rule is challenged from many sides; will the starman be the worst of them?
2. A great sequel to Lord of the Green Planet. A new starman descends into Eu-Tara, but this one is all schemes and greed. Diarmad's rule is challenged from many sides; will the starman be the worst of them?
November 8, 2019
The first book by Dean Koontz. An enjoyable read.
February 4, 2022
A cruel world where muties are called freaks, Thom a man coming to this mess and lost her girl friend. Now his mission to find her woman, but things got different.
Debut novel of Dean R koontz
Debut novel of Dean R koontz
February 2, 2023
Unexpectedly sci-fi for Dean Koontz first novel; it was a little all over the place, but once I got into it it was enjoyable. Interesting to see his writing style on a non-thriller type of book!
Read
February 28, 2025His first novel
March 28, 2025
Koontz scores a 5, Petaja a 3.
Overall fun stories, wish Koontz had done more with this world he had! Green Planet on the other hand....Petaja was trying too much every few pages.
Overall fun stories, wish Koontz had done more with this world he had! Green Planet on the other hand....Petaja was trying too much every few pages.
January 9, 2022
Star Quest by Dean Koontz is his first published novel, released in 1968. It is a science fiction story set in a universe ravaged by a thousand years of interplanetary warfare between the Romaghins and the Setessins.
The novel follows Tohm, a former peasant who has been forcibly transformed into a powerful war machine known as "Jumbo Ten." As the conflict between the Romaghins and Setessins reaches its peak, Tohm becomes the key to ending the destruction. However, the fate of the universe may rest in the hands of the Muties, a group of beings cast aside by biological warfare.
Themes explored
War and its consequences: The novel explores the devastating effects of prolonged interplanetary conflict.
Identity and transformation: Tohm’s journey from a simple peasant to a mechanized warrior raises questions about personal control and forced evolution.
Outcasts and redemption: The Muties, initially seen as monsters, may hold the key to peace, challenging perceptions of worth and power.
Koontz’s early writing in "Star Quest" is more straightforward compared to his later works, but it still shows his ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters. His descriptions are atmospheric, and he blends action with philosophical undertones. While the novel is not as polished as his later bestsellers, it provides insight into his developing storytelling techniques
The novel follows Tohm, a former peasant who has been forcibly transformed into a powerful war machine known as "Jumbo Ten." As the conflict between the Romaghins and Setessins reaches its peak, Tohm becomes the key to ending the destruction. However, the fate of the universe may rest in the hands of the Muties, a group of beings cast aside by biological warfare.
Themes explored
War and its consequences: The novel explores the devastating effects of prolonged interplanetary conflict.
Identity and transformation: Tohm’s journey from a simple peasant to a mechanized warrior raises questions about personal control and forced evolution.
Outcasts and redemption: The Muties, initially seen as monsters, may hold the key to peace, challenging perceptions of worth and power.
Koontz’s early writing in "Star Quest" is more straightforward compared to his later works, but it still shows his ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters. His descriptions are atmospheric, and he blends action with philosophical undertones. While the novel is not as polished as his later bestsellers, it provides insight into his developing storytelling techniques
November 14, 2011
These books are “old school”. Both from 1968. And short (around 25,000 words each). Back then, that was a 1/2 a book. Today, around 1/4th. My reviews take all this into account.
Star Quest: A most unusual story, even by today’s standards. Koontz does a great job of developing and handling this tale of mutants, bad guys, and a human brain-driven flying battle tank.
Of course, there’s a girl, a most unusual one and the interaction between her and the main character isn’t all that different from other well-crafted relationship stories. But after that, nothing is normal and all is entertaining.
Doom of the Green Planet: This is at least the 2nd book in Pataja’s Green Planet series, but the only one I’ve read.
The main character is already established into this primitive society, with plenty of problems, without the arrival of another “starman” who has few scruples and the aid of powerful modern technology.
From there, the story takes off with a mix of old enemies, allies, and trouble in a rather complex mix that keeps the reader engaged and wondering what will happen next. I enjoyed the story and will probably read it again in a few years.
Star Quest: A most unusual story, even by today’s standards. Koontz does a great job of developing and handling this tale of mutants, bad guys, and a human brain-driven flying battle tank.
Of course, there’s a girl, a most unusual one and the interaction between her and the main character isn’t all that different from other well-crafted relationship stories. But after that, nothing is normal and all is entertaining.
Doom of the Green Planet: This is at least the 2nd book in Pataja’s Green Planet series, but the only one I’ve read.
The main character is already established into this primitive society, with plenty of problems, without the arrival of another “starman” who has few scruples and the aid of powerful modern technology.
From there, the story takes off with a mix of old enemies, allies, and trouble in a rather complex mix that keeps the reader engaged and wondering what will happen next. I enjoyed the story and will probably read it again in a few years.
July 26, 2014
As a Dean Koontz fan (of his modern suspense novels), I thought for sure I would like his older works as well. This was the first one that I went back to read, and I'm not impressed at all. I am not sure if I'll be reading any non-suspense books by him from now on. Perhaps it's just his older stuff that's lost on me, though.
The book was a sci-fi action and adventure story. It told the tale of a guy who 'wakes up' to find himself as just the brain of a war machine/robot. He then takes up a quest to find the love of his life from before he was kidnapped and converted to this war-brain.
The idea of the story held promise, but I found the writing to be disorienting and un-magical. It just didn't lure me in at all. I stuck with the story until the end, but by that time, my brain had almost completely tuned out the story itself.
The book was a sci-fi action and adventure story. It told the tale of a guy who 'wakes up' to find himself as just the brain of a war machine/robot. He then takes up a quest to find the love of his life from before he was kidnapped and converted to this war-brain.
The idea of the story held promise, but I found the writing to be disorienting and un-magical. It just didn't lure me in at all. I stuck with the story until the end, but by that time, my brain had almost completely tuned out the story itself.
January 23, 2014
I'm not a big sci-fi fan but this is listed as the first book dean koontz had published. Not sure if that's accurate or not, but I wanted to read his early stuff.
Anyway, in this book the characters are well developed and the situation actually makes sense (even to a non-sci-fi person). It's actually a believable story.
This was not a particularly long book so getting the plot in place and the flow set up should have been a challenge. However, it didn't seem disjointed at all and the plot line was exactly right.
Yeah for this science fiction title.
Anyway, in this book the characters are well developed and the situation actually makes sense (even to a non-sci-fi person). It's actually a believable story.
This was not a particularly long book so getting the plot in place and the flow set up should have been a challenge. However, it didn't seem disjointed at all and the plot line was exactly right.
Yeah for this science fiction title.
February 7, 2013
STAR QUEST is an enjoyable debut. It deals with a character named Tohm,
who lives in a futuristic universe where two races are at war with one
another. The plot of this novel is quite complicated, and is brimming
with interesting concepts. Readers accustomed to Koontz's suspense work
will be surprised to see how much imagination and creativity he
displays in this story. STAR QUEST isn't a great novel, but it's a fun
read with a lot of ideas, action, and romance.
who lives in a futuristic universe where two races are at war with one
another. The plot of this novel is quite complicated, and is brimming
with interesting concepts. Readers accustomed to Koontz's suspense work
will be surprised to see how much imagination and creativity he
displays in this story. STAR QUEST isn't a great novel, but it's a fun
read with a lot of ideas, action, and romance.
April 20, 2014
This was an interesting book, dealing with war, abduction of a slave class, and technology. I found some ideas intriguing, such as having the capacity to grow a body to be used for espionage if the robot ship attached to the slaves brain is damaged. Otherwise, it was a mix of science fiction and the classic fantasy "quest."
November 12, 2016
Short, easy and interesting. I really enjoyed this little book, even though the ending left me going, "awww but there's more!". I can see why readers of Koontz's contemporary works of suspense aren't thrilled with it. But, if you are a more open-minded reader who enjoys a variety of genres, then you will enjoy this book.
June 28, 2014
For having been his first book, it was a good read (haha I made a funny). I am sure my first book or short story would be far less entertaining. There were a few disconnected points for me, and it wrapped way too quickly, as it seems a lot of modern books seem to do.
October 11, 2008
I believe this is Dean Koontz's first book he ever wrote. This is the kinda writing I like to see outta Koontz. Puts the perfect image in your head and really diversifies the story. Great read
June 15, 2011
Idea interessante e originale. Molto ben scritto. Forse un paio di passi sanno di "deus ex machina", ma si può sorvolare. Considerando anche che è stato scritto negli anni 60 merita pieni voti.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews