Bloodhype

Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the hype.
Review: As a big fan of Flinx, especially his earnestness, I looked forwarded to following his growth in Foster's second Flinx book. Sadly, Flinx is less than a minor character in this very confused tale. Bloodhype is (oddly enough) actually a story about an alien intelligence so powerful it devours all life on planets it attacks and is a threat to the entire galaxy. Mixed in the story is also some unsavory drug dealers who deal in Bloodhype, a kinda futuristic crack that gets you addicted after one dose and you will die without another. Still, the last 80 pages or so made it actually worth finishing and possibly made the whole book worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the hype.
Review: As a big fan of Flinx, especially his earnestness, I looked forwarded to following his growth in Foster's second Flinx book. Sadly, Flinx is less than a minor character in this very confused tale. Bloodhype is (oddly enough) actually a story about an alien intelligence so powerful it devours all life on planets it attacks and is a threat to the entire galaxy. Mixed in the story is also some unsavory drug dealers who deal in Bloodhype, a kinda futuristic crack that gets you addicted after one dose and you will die without another. Still, the last 80 pages or so made it actually worth finishing and possibly made the whole book worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: This is the worst book in the series and just doesn't fit in
Review: I really liked the Flinx of the Commonwealth series but this book really disapointed me. This book is poorly written and doesn't seem to fit into the rest of the series. Flinx isn't even the main character and barely exists. When Flinx does appear in the story he doesn't act very much like Flinx anyway. This book however does include one of the main recurring themes of the Filnx of the Commonwealth series: long lost alien races leaving significant legacys. This book starts out with these two Church agents trying to find a killer narcotic called bloodhype. By the end of the story a big, mean, lifeform called the Vom escapes from this planet and Flinx and this revived Tar'Aiym wage a psionic battle with it. If it were completely about the Tar'Aiym Flinx and the Vom this book would be pretty cool. Unfortuneately most of the books actually about trying to hunt down the bloodhype. THe bloodhype only effects the psionic war in about one paragraph. The Only thing made me keep reading is the fact that it was part of the Flinx of the Commonwealth series. Spare yourself the time and don't read this book unless you REALLY want to read the entire series. Read the rest of the series it's really good. Besides nothing in this book is so much as mentioned in the following books.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting & Engaging - Great book.
Review: This book is an interesting tie-in book to the Flinx series. It is enjoyable to see Flinx largely from outside his POV for almost the entire time he appears in this novel (the latter half). I found it to be a nice contrast to the 'hardcore Flinx' novels. The main characters are both deadly serious and lightheartedly silly. A strange combo that works well and provides a constant stream of banter between the main characters.

In response to some of the other reviews below...

While Flinx's adventures in this story seem to be forgotten in the next book (the timeline at the end of 'Flinx in Flux' places the Vom/Guardian event _AFTER_ the 'FiF' events), I have hope that there is a reason for this that will be revealed later in the series. I say this because in each novel, Flinx is forced to grow and to develop his mysterious Talent in some way. As this happens more pieces are put into place regarding his destiny and the sheaf of other ongoing plotlines that Foster weaves in.

What both frustrates me (mildly) and yet draws me to the next book, is the fact that each time he aquires some new aspect of his Talent, he seems to forget he can do that particuar thing in subsequent novels. (i.e. the offensive capability he uses at the end of Flinx in Flux is never even mentioned in "Mid-Flinx," even when he is in deadly danger and would most certainly have at least considered using it.) The pattern is set in the (timeline-wise) first novel "For Love of Mother Not" when Flix experiences a haeadache and amnesia after he mysteriously resuces himself from the middle of a firefight... destroying a building in the process.

Either Foster is a schitzo or there is a deliberate pattern to this. I trust it is a pattern.. and that there is a reason for it... one that will be revealed and make sense. If that is so, I feel confident that the Vom, the Guardian, & Flinx's participation in the battle from this novel will fit into that pattern. I point to the final communication between Flinx and the Guardian for an enticing possibility.

I just hope Foster does not string this out too long. Too much frustration and I'll quit being interested in buying. Like I did with X-Files after a few years.

But for now I am content to read and enjoy the unfolding story of Flinx.

Dear Mr. Foster, WE NEED MORE FLINX! NOW! heheh

Rating:
Summary: Great because it's different.
Review: This book is different from the rest of the Flinx series, but still great. Flinx is not the major character, which is one of the neat things about it. There are other commonwealth books that never mention Flinx yet hint at his fate (e.g. the Howling Stones), and this book is a strange crossover between those other commonwealth books and hardcore Flinx books. The book is an easy and fast read, yet features the Vom, simply one of the neatest entities in the sci fi world.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read, a fine piece of work by one of my favorites
Review: This is a truly well done novel. No, Flinx is not the only character in this book, but he is the main character. In response to a previous review, I think he is totally in character. I read this novel when it was brand new (I think I was twelve at the time) and saw the series evolve. This is truly an entertaining read, I've read it many, many times. I cannot but say that you will not be disappointed with this book, unlees you happen to be that "Reader from California". (See lame review below) :) Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read, a fine piece of work by one of my favorites
Review: This is a truly well done novel. No, Flinx is not the only character in this book, but he is the main character. In response to a previous review, I think he is totally in character. I read this novel when it was brand new (I think I was twelve at the time) and saw the series evolve. This is truly an entertaining read, I've read it many, many times. I cannot but say that you will not be disappointed with this book, unlees you happen to be that "Reader from California". (See lame review below) :) Enjoy!