Stellar Ranger

Stellar Ranger #1

by Steve Perry

A solitary ranger riding the galactic frontier, Cinch Carston fears no man - because no man is his equal. But one of the galaxy's richest and most brilliant lunatics has designs on the universe - and has created something terrible to make his dastardly dreams a reality.

It's high noon on a backrocket desert planet called Roget - and the Stellar Ranger is finally about to meet his match. Only this time, it's not human.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Steven Carl Perry has written over fifty novels and numerous short stories, which have appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Perry is perhaps best known for the Matador series. He has written books in the Star Wars, Alien and Conan universes. He was a collaborator on all of the Tom Clancy's Net Force series, seven of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. Two of his novelizations, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Men in Black have also been bestsellers. Other writing credits include articles, reviews, and essays, animated teleplays, and some unproduced movie scripts. One of his scripts for Batman: The Animated Series was an Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Writing.

Perry is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Animation Guild, and the Writers Guild of America, West

Reviews

[William Bentrim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stellar Ranger by Steve Perry

Note, this is not Stellar Ranger Lone Star by the same author.
Steve Perry defies tradition by setting up a plot that depicts a future lawman in a western mode. Oddly enough it works.

Cinch Carston is a lawman of the old school who sees himself as an arbitrator of justice not just a peace maker. One of the more appealing aspects of Perry’s characters is a lack of ambivalence. Good is good and bad is bad. This is an older book that may realize a resurrection with Harrison Ford’s Cowboys and Aliens movie debuting this summer.

This is not a taxing read but it is entertaining.

I recommend it.

[Scott Holstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cinch Carston is a Stellar Ranger, a sort of galactic policeman, who is called in to a planet to investigate an uprising against the government. Actually, there are a couple of insurrections and the planet's governor is intent upon putting them down. Turns out, as we find out early on, he's a bad guy and the insurrections are led by "good" people who are defending ape-like natives to the world as the governor tries to wipe them out. He's intent upon selling mining rights to the bulk of his planet for billions and leaving the world as a very rich man. And he's willing to stop at nothing. After Cinch meets with him -- and leaves with a bad feeling -- he ends up on the other side and fights with those opposing the governor. A lot happens this book; it's very fast paced. It's also an easy, fast read. I read it in a day. Of course there's Perry's gratuitous sex scenes, but there aren't as many as there usually are in his books. Interestingly, it seemed like Perry is trying to authenticate his status as a military (sci fi) expert, as he goes into great detail on the weapons. It felt a little overdone. I found the ending satisfying and I enjoyed the book a lot. My only complaint is it's never made clear why the governor called in the ranger. I mean, he could have wiped everyone out and sold the rights without anyone ever knowing. Why would he call in a ranger to investigate? What exactly is he supposed to investigate? That seems like a really big weakness to the book and lowers it from a five star to a four star book, in my opinion. Many people describe this as a sci fi western, and I guess it can be viewed that way. Whatever the case, it comes recommended.

[Retroredux · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion this is definitely a "guy" science fiction book. It was enjoyable enough, but the story and writing style are definitely geared towards male readers. It's a Science Fiction western adventure. At a little over 200 pages, it is a fairly frivolous and fun way to whittle away a few hours.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little futuristic western. It follows the normal lawman rides into town to solve a crime trope that is so well used by westerns. The future element makes it fun to read.

[B.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent blend of science fiction, crime noir, and western. I loved it!

[Bryan457 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perry brings the concept of the wild west lone wolf lawman to the desolate and backwater planets consisting of the frontier in space.

It was kind of boring. I have not been inspired to pick up the other Stellar Ranger and read it.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Western in space!

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stellar ranger on an out of the way planet finds himself trying to single handedly stop a drug smuggling ring. While the concept is interesting the story peters out at about the halfway point.

[Thomas Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new release from Event Horizon EBooks, an e-book reprint of the original 1994 Ace printed edition. Note that the rating is posted by the publisher.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science Fiction

[Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Wild West in outer space. Really an acceptable western about a ranger on an other planet.