The Radiant Warrior (Adventures of Conrad Stargard) [Unbound]

Product Details

• Unbound
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345914414
• ISBN-13: 978-0345914415
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,692,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent 5 Book Series, August 15, 2000

By 

silliman89 "silliman89" (Burke, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Radiant Warrior (Adventures of Conrad Stargard, Bk 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the best time travel series in a realistic timeline ever written. Before these books, L. Sprague De Camp had held that title for decades with his "Lest Darkness Fall", but it was too short. Mark Twain may be the most famous with his "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", but that is more light hearted than serious, and disappointing at the end. The Conrad series delivers on all the promise, and even after 5 books, it still leaves you wanting more. (There is a sixth book now, but Conrad is a minor character, and I've reviewed it separately.)

I say realistic timeline, because Conrad isn't really from our timeline. I was a little suspicious right from the start, but it wasn't until Conrad reminisced about the Mongols invading France that I thought "Hey, wait a minute". It turns out that it didn't happen to us (even without Conrad). But the historians I read agree that it would have, except the great Khan died and the Mongols had a war of succession which they never recovered from. This is often used as an example of the actions of one person changing history. I never even heard the story, until Conrad got me to look it up. Go figure.

This is an action story, with fighting and sex, where Conrad overcomes insurmountable obstacles, and usually has a good time along the way. The author doesn't just ignore the time travel though. He writes a science fiction sub-plot about that too. In fact, the author is obviously an engineer, not just because it takes an engineer for Conrad to build the things he does, but also from the way the books were planned out and crafted. Obviously the author planned the Mongol invasion and built the series around it, but he also foreshadows romantic sub-plots 3 books in advance.

I love these books, and share other reviewers disbelief that they haven't been reprinted since 1993. If you've already read them, and love them too, you might want to try "The Misplaced Legion (Videssos Cycle, Book 1)" by Harry Turtledove, about elements of one of Caesar's legions travelling into Rome's future of the Byzantine Empire. Only it's not the real Byzantine Empire, it's a parallel universe where magic works. Aside from that, it's Byzantium during the 1100's written by a Byzantine historian. And of course you'll want to read the "Island in the Sea of Time" series by S. M. Stirling, about modern day Nantucket going back in time to the Trojan War. These works are different, but also 5 stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, October 11, 2004

By 

apoem "apoem" (Bosque Farms, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Radiant Warrior (Adventures of Conrad Stargard, Bk 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a female reader and do not agree with the other review about these books.

In general, I do not enjoy science fiction or fantasy. So when I was desperate for a read a few years ago, I borrowed these from a friend. What a great surprise. I have since collected the series for myself. Wonderful Stories.

This is a five book series that is unfortunately out of print. If you can get your hands on one or all of these books, do so.
although the books can potentially stand alone, it is much better to read them in order. They are a quick interesting read.

Conrad is modern day man in Poland on a hiking trip when he happens to get transported back in time. He is able to invent things and bring some of his modern day experience into the past. It is a fascinating read. The author does not get caught up in the philosophy of time travel but instead has fun with the idea.

In this book Conrad begins with, once again, dealing with his nemesis and then begins developing a new army. Excellent reading.

Well worth the money.
Enjoy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, loved it, went and bought the sequal, October 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Radiant Warrior (Adventures of Conrad Stargard, Bk 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

made me think, taught me about midevil poland, and moderen day science, and all around enjoyable read