Warlord of Kor

"Warlord of Kor" by Terry Carr is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book centers around Lee Rynason, an Earthman working as part of a survey team on the alien planet of Hirlaj, where he interacts with the telepathic Hirlaji race. The storyline unfolds around their rich history, with pivotal insights shared by Horng, a Hirlaji, about their past and their god-like figure, Kor, raising questions about survival and the looming threat of other intelligent species. The opening of the novel introduces a tense examination of the Hirlaji civilization through Rynason's interactions with Horng, which reveal their long, dormant memories and a destructive legacy. As Rynason interviews Horng, he learns about a significant historical figure, Tebron, and his transformation of Hirlaj into a peaceful society after a violent past. The narrative hints at Kor being both a god and a machine, representing the knowledge sought by the Hirlaji. With rising concerns about the potential for imminent conflict spurred by the ambitious head of Rynason's team, Manning, the initial chapter sets up a stark juxtaposition between the tranquil Hirlaji culture and the disruptive intentions of the human settlers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Terry Gene Carr was an American science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor.