Rating: 
Summary: Space Opera Lite for Flinx and Pip fans [Mild Spoilers]
Review: I think the title of this book really should have been "Yet Another Flinx and Pip Novel." Serving mainly to reunite Flinx with some of his old friends and allies, introduce a few new (and somewhat implausible) enemies, and further propound on the "Great Evil That Threatens The Universe As We Know It," this novel feels annoyingly like filler intended to keep fans happy until Foster gets around to wrapping up the series.In Flinx's Folly, true to its name, a number of the titular hero's choices, from past stories and current, come back to haunt him. Fleeing both from a mysterious new group of fanatics devoted to the cleansing of the universe and from his own increasing mental turmoil, Flinx seeks out his former lover, Clarity Held, on the paradise planet of New Riviera. There he becomes the unwitting target of her would-be fiancee's jealous rage. The orphan prodigy who has outwitted interstellar crime lords, hostile aliens, and Commonwealth authorities is inexplicably defeated by a scheming corporate ladder-climber, and rescued by one of the least credible deus-ex-machinas in the entire series. The one and only thing that is actually resolved in this novel is Flinx's ultimate choice: whether or not to accept his role in confronting the aforementioned Great Evil. In the end though, his choice is rendered moot by an annoying plot twist that once again leaves him fleeing from enemies and friends alike. With all of my objections, however, this is still a Flinx and Pip novel, and as such is worth reading for devotees of the series simply so as not to have missed anything. I heartily wish that I'd waited for the paperback version to come out, however, as the hardcover price is too much to pay for filler. I await the release of Sliding Scales later this year with equal parts trepidation and anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Space Opera Lite for Flinx and Pip fans [Mild Spoilers]
Review: I think the title of this book really should have been "Yet Another Flinx and Pip Novel." Serving mainly to reunite Flinx with some of his old friends and allies, introduce a few new (and somewhat implausible) enemies, and further propound on the "Great Evil That Threatens The Universe As We Know It," this novel feels annoyingly like filler intended to keep fans happy until Foster gets around to wrapping up the series. In Flinx's Folly, true to its name, a number of the titular hero's choices, from past stories and current, come back to haunt him. Fleeing both from a mysterious new group of fanatics devoted to the cleansing of the universe and from his own increasing mental turmoil, Flinx seeks out his former lover, Clarity Held, on the paradise planet of New Riviera. There he becomes the unwitting target of her would-be fiancee's jealous rage. The orphan prodigy who has outwitted interstellar crime lords, hostile aliens, and Commonwealth authorities is inexplicably defeated by a scheming corporate ladder-climber, and rescued by one of the least credible deus-ex-machinas in the entire series. The one and only thing that is actually resolved in this novel is Flinx's ultimate choice: whether or not to accept his role in confronting the aforementioned Great Evil. In the end though, his choice is rendered moot by an annoying plot twist that once again leaves him fleeing from enemies and friends alike. With all of my objections, however, this is still a Flinx and Pip novel, and as such is worth reading for devotees of the series simply so as not to have missed anything. I heartily wish that I'd waited for the paperback version to come out, however, as the hardcover price is too much to pay for filler. I await the release of Sliding Scales later this year with equal parts trepidation and anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: This is out of nowhere
Review: Let me start off by saying that I like the Flinx books, but I wouldn't give the entire series higher than a 4. There's nothing really deep here, but they're a fun read. That said, this one is a fun read too, but the plot could really use some help. My problems with it include: 1: a group of fanatical assassins bent on destroying the universe. I have to say this seems pretty arbitary to me, since you'd think a group like that would have made an appearance before if they were going to be important. 2: He decides to look up Clarity Held, an old crush from Flinx in Flux. Granted, I haven't read that book yet, but it seems like Flinx has some other people who would be much more understanding and trustworthy than someone he only knew for a little while. What about Mother Mastiff, or Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex? This comes across as an awkward attempt to re-introduce a love interest. 3: Clarity's engaged to a nice-seeming fellow who suddenly goes on a jealous rampage, monopolizing the rest of the book. Um, Clarity seems like a sharp girl. You'd think she would have noticed a character flaw like homicidal jealousy before. 4: After everything Flinx has been through, the jealous madman finally gets the drop on him. Luckily however, old friends Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex happen to be in the neighborhood, and very randomly come to his rescue. 5: This one is a personal problem of mine. Tse-Mallory and Tru show up, rescue Flinx and Clarity, then promptly get shoved back offstage. Come on! I want to see more of these two! All this amounts to a plot created out of non-sequiturs and deus ex machina. On the bright side, the characters are as much fun as ever. And we get to see a bunch of folks who haven't been around in a while, along with a promise of seeing more of them soon. For myself, I was content to borrow this from my public library, but I'd say it was worth reading once.
Rating:
Summary: This is out of nowhere
Review: Let me start off by saying that I like the Flinx books, but I wouldn't give the entire series higher than a 4. There's nothing really deep here, but they're a fun read. That said, this one is a fun read too, but the plot could really use some help. My problems with it include: 1: a group of fanatical assassins bent on destroying the universe. I have to say this seems pretty arbitary to me, since you'd think a group like that would have made an appearance before if they were going to be important. 2: He decides to look up Clarity Held, an old crush from Flinx in Flux. Granted, I haven't read that book yet, but it seems like Flinx has some other people who would be much more understanding and trustworthy than someone he only knew for a little while. What about Mother Mastiff, or Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex? This comes across as an awkward attempt to re-introduce a love interest. 3: Clarity's engaged to a nice-seeming fellow who suddenly goes on a jealous rampage, monopolizing the rest of the book. Um, Clarity seems like a sharp girl. You'd think she would have noticed a character flaw like homicidal jealousy before. 4: After everything Flinx has been through, the jealous madman finally gets the drop on him. Luckily however, old friends Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex happen to be in the neighborhood, and very randomly come to his rescue. 5: This one is a personal problem of mine. Tse-Mallory and Tru show up, rescue Flinx and Clarity, then promptly get shoved back offstage. Come on! I want to see more of these two! All this amounts to a plot created out of non-sequiturs and deus ex machina. On the bright side, the characters are as much fun as ever. And we get to see a bunch of folks who haven't been around in a while, along with a promise of seeing more of them soon. For myself, I was content to borrow this from my public library, but I'd say it was worth reading once.
Rating:
Summary: Flinx is cool!
Review: Ok, I gave it only 3 stars! I wanted to give it more, after all this is a Flinx book. I do recommend it for all those who have been following the series for years, as have I. This book seems to give a hint at greater things to come, or that Alan is gitting tired. I hope the former is true, I for one am going to contenue to read whatever commonwelth book he produces. More...
1) Another group of fanatics want him dead!
2) He seeks out Clarity Held, after 6 years (good - remmeber longtunnel). 3) Truzenzuzex and Tse-Mallory show up seeking his help (good)!
4) They come to some conclusions that long time readers figured out a long time ago (ok).
5) We are left hangging, waiting and hopping that more will be reveiled in the future! P.S. on scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 7.
Rating: 
Summary: All Sizzle, No Steak
Review: Okay, I've been reading the stories of Flinx and Pip for years now and I'm a huge fan. I'll admit that Foster's habit of jumping around chronologically in the novels he releases gets a little old (i.e. not within each story, but you're never certain where each new novel will fall in Flinx's life). Even given that I've usually enjoyed each one as it was released. The relationship between Flinx and Pip is explored in each book, Flinx learns more about his past, his powers continue to develop and Flinx matures and learns. However, there's little of that in this novel. The only real development in this novel is that Flinx hooks up with Clarity again (and a few other characters, but I won't spoil that). His powers are no more understand at the end of this book. The evil that he senses in earlier stories is about the same in this book. The powers that are influencing his powers and headaches are only developed in the smallest way. Overall, I just found it kind of boring. Not much happens. Most of the story is driven by a jealous boyfriend and Flinx's headaches. I'm not saying skip this one. If you're a fan of Flinx and Pip, you'll definitely be getting it, but save yourself some money and wait for the paperback. If you're new to the series, do not start with this story, but read some of the earlier stories like "For Love of Mother Not"
Rating:
Summary: All Sizzle, No Steak
Review: Okay, I've been reading the stories of Flinx and Pip for years now and I'm a huge fan. I'll admit that Foster's habit of jumping around chronologically in the novels he releases gets a little old (i.e. not within each story, but you're never certain where each new novel will fall in Flinx's life). Even given that I've usually enjoyed each one as it was released. The relationship between Flinx and Pip is explored in each book, Flinx learns more about his past, his powers continue to develop and Flinx matures and learns. However, there's little of that in this novel. The only real development in this novel is that Flinx hooks up with Clarity again (and a few other characters, but I won't spoil that). His powers are no more understand at the end of this book. The evil that he senses in earlier stories is about the same in this book. The powers that are influencing his powers and headaches are only developed in the smallest way. Overall, I just found it kind of boring. Not much happens. Most of the story is driven by a jealous boyfriend and Flinx's headaches. I'm not saying skip this one. If you're a fan of Flinx and Pip, you'll definitely be getting it, but save yourself some money and wait for the paperback. If you're new to the series, do not start with this story, but read some of the earlier stories like "For Love of Mother Not"
Rating: 
Summary: space opera at its finest
Review: The outlawed Gengineer Melianare Society biomanipulated Flinx's neurological system giving him the ability to read minds and projects emotions. He is a very powerful empathic telepath who many races take a very deep interest in, which is why he travels under false credentials. The viru-ujurians, who are under indictment, gave Flinx a ship that is unlike any in the Commonwealth. They would like him to use it to keep him safe. He is a very lonely twenty-four year old man who is only emotionally bonded to Pip, an Alesphinian minidras snake who regards Flinx as his bondmate and protector. Needing someone to confide in about his dreams where he is the key to saving the universe from something that is coming in the distant future, he travels to the planet New Riviera. There he connects with his old girlfriend Trinity in the hopes she can help him figure out if his dreams are a premonition of things to come. While on the planet, he has to deal with Trinity's boyfriend who is trying to kill him. He also must contend with a group that knows what Flinx is dreaming about is true and want to eliminate him so the cosmos will be destroyed. With every Flinx and Pip adventure, readers come one step closer to learning how Flinx will grow into his mental powers. Many races and people believe he is the key to saving the universe from a threat that is not fully understood. The way they protect him from his myriad of enemies is quite interesting but not as fascinating as the blossoming romance of Flinx and Trinity who is bonded to Pip's offspring. FLINX'S FOLLY is space opera at its finest. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A Bit Too Haphazard
Review: This is the eighth in Alan Dean Foster's series about a boy and his flying mini-dragon. Of course, Flinx is no longer a boy, has some very strange mental powers, and has managed to attract the attention of a host of unsavory characters. Subject to burst of psychic energy, Flinx makes accidental contact with a being that has suddenly become interested in Commonwealth space. This life form is something of a cosmic vacuum cleaner. Where it passes, nothing is left. And Flinx's fleeting contact tells him that the creature is both vast and evil. And it has a special dislike for Flinx, who, somehow, holds the key to saving the universe. Still unsure about what to do, Flinx (Phillip Lynx) heads for the planet of New Riviera, a paradise planet where an old lover and friend, Clarity Held works as a bioengineer. At this point the plot starts moving by fits and starts, unable to make up its mind about whether it is a suspense/love story or suspense/alien menace story. What at first seems to be an interesting diversion gradually becomes the primary focus, despite having little to do directly with the initial developments of the book. This works against the book, which becomes a story stuck inside a story, both of which are primarily related by having occurred at the same time and place. The reader keeps waiting for the connections to become clearer, but all you get is a dues ex machina transition from one to the other. This is jarring, and, in my mind, badly weakens the story, which really lacks the compelling storytelling for which Alan Dean Foster is known. It is fairly clear that this is novel is intended as a bridge to develop both the impending doom plot as well as several interesting returns to Flinx's past. Eventually, we will solve the puzzle of who and what Flinx really is, but it won't happen in this volume. Instead, this is one of those books you have to read if you want to get to where the series is going. Hopefully, once things settle down, the future will bear more fruit. In the light of that, you may want to wait for the next volume to appear before committing to this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Bit Too Haphazard
Review: This is the eighth in Alan Dean Foster's series about a boy and his flying mini-dragon. Of course, Flinx is no longer a boy, has some very strange mental powers, and has managed to attract the attention of a host of unsavory characters. Subject to burst of psychic energy, Flinx makes accidental contact with a being that has suddenly become interested in Commonwealth space. This life form is something of a cosmic vacuum cleaner. Where it passes, nothing is left. And Flinx's fleeting contact tells him that the creature is both vast and evil. And it has a special dislike for Flinx, who, somehow, holds the key to saving the universe. Still unsure about what to do, Flinx (Phillip Lynx) heads for the planet of New Riviera, a paradise planet where an old lover and friend, Clarity Held works as a bioengineer. At this point the plot starts moving by fits and starts, unable to make up its mind about whether it is a suspense/love story or suspense/alien menace story. What at first seems to be an interesting diversion gradually becomes the primary focus, despite having little to do directly with the initial developments of the book. This works against the book, which becomes a story stuck inside a story, both of which are primarily related by having occurred at the same time and place. The reader keeps waiting for the connections to become clearer, but all you get is a dues ex machina transition from one to the other. This is jarring, and, in my mind, badly weakens the story, which really lacks the compelling storytelling for which Alan Dean Foster is known. It is fairly clear that this is novel is intended as a bridge to develop both the impending doom plot as well as several interesting returns to Flinx's past. Eventually, we will solve the puzzle of who and what Flinx really is, but it won't happen in this volume. Instead, this is one of those books you have to read if you want to get to where the series is going. Hopefully, once things settle down, the future will bear more fruit. In the light of that, you may want to wait for the next volume to appear before committing to this one.
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