Sentry of the Sky

by Evelyn E. Smith

There had to be a way for Sub-Archivist Clarey to get up in the world—but this way was right out of the tri-di dramas. Interstellar intrigue t its finest! Evelyn E. Smith is best known as the author of the Miss Melville mysteries. From 1952 to 1969 she wrote dozens of science fiction and fantasy short stories that appeared in magazines such as The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Galaxy, Super Science Fiction, and Fantastic Universe. Her stories were witty, well written, often humorous, and always unforgettable.

Genres: Science Fiction

77 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1961

About the author

Evelyn E. Smith was an American author of Science Fiction. During the 1950s, her works appeared regularly in magazines such as Galaxy and Fantastic Universe. In the 1980s, she wrote a number of novels featuring the character Miss Melville, a middle-aged assassin.

She also wrote as Delphine C. Lyons and Christopher Grimm.

Reviews

[Mark Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

"put on some weight, go to a good tailor and dye your hair". Boy have I heard that before.... And this is what Clarey gets told by the first woman he seems to have ever spoken to... He has no social life, no family, no friends..... SOUNds FamiLiar.......

But things are looking better, he had been offered a new job.. great right? .... Well NO, not great right. This job is on another planet and will require him to live among the aliens as one of them for TEN years and find out all he can about their culture... A bit like that blue guy from Avatar...

This sort of reminds me of A princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, but rest assured this guy ain't no John Carter.... but I likes that..... He just an average guy in a strange place trying to fit in..... Again, sOunds FamiliaR....

[Jacqueline Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting novel that centers on the misfit. I found it to be a bit predictable and the main character a touch flat. However, it was a novel layered with interesting intellectual themes. It explores the nature of being human, vanity, the nature of power and asks questions about what different races owe to each other. The end of the novel felt rushed and glossed over, a little convenient, tidy bow.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting story about a spy sent to an alien planet to study the people there. He becomes a musician, which he never could on earth due to the strange class system that exists on earth. Unfortunately he is run off the planet, losing his wife. That sad ending was not overcome by his success as a musician.

[Tony Calder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting novella from Evelyn Smith, exploring the theme of being an outsider. While it seemed to be quite predictable for much of the story, the author was indulging in some misdirection, and I didn't see the ultimate resolution coming.

[Dayo Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story, upset that it wasn't longer.

[Audiobook Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttbjt...