Flinx's Folly (Pip and Flinx Novels)

Rating:
Summary: Dead average Pip and Flinx novel
Review: "Flinx's Folly" could have been much better. After all, Philip Lynx (aka Flinx) is an interesting character, smart, empathic, a mild telepath, and bonded to an Alaspinian mini-drag (a sort of snake with wings). And Flinx has had many other adventures, most of which have been entertaining, and some of which have been exhilirating.

However, most of the exhilirating adventures ("The Tar-Aiym Krang," "For Love of Mother-Not") are long behind Flinx, or, perhaps, have been put in stasis. For what we get in "Flinx's Folly" is warmed over romance coupled with a couple of the wildest deus ex machina plot twists that Alan Dean Foster has ever written.

Granted, in previous Flinx novels, Flinx often got out of trouble with what _looked_ like a deus ex machina, only to find out later that it was due to his own abilities, previous memories that had been walled off, or friends he didn't know he had (or that still lived). But in this book, Flinx gets out of trouble three times -- and all three are via deus ex machina of various types, and in only one case is the deus ex machina explained!

And although there are some humorous moments, and a bit of romance, it's not enough to leaven the mix in my opinion.

Which is why I'm giving "Flinx's Folly" 2 1/2 stars on the head. I think it's dead average; the writing is good, the pacing brisk, but really, there's nothing new here nor was there any reason to write this book except to further the series. Let's hope the next book will be the conclusion, so poor Flinx can finally find a nice woman to settle down with (whether it's Clarity Held or not) and get on with life.

Barb Caffrey

Rating:
Summary: Dead average Pip and Flinx novel
Review: "Flinx's Folly" could have been much better. After all, Philip Lynx (aka Flinx) is an interesting character, smart, empathic, a mild telepath, and bonded to an Alaspinian mini-drag (a sort of snake with wings). And Flinx has had many other adventures, most of which have been entertaining, and some of which have been exhilirating.

However, most of the exhilirating adventures ("The Tar-Aiym Krang," "For Love of Mother-Not") are long behind Flinx, or, perhaps, have been put in stasis. For what we get in "Flinx's Folly" is warmed over romance coupled with a couple of the wildest deus ex machina plot twists that Alan Dean Foster has ever written.

Granted, in previous Flinx novels, Flinx often got out of trouble with what _looked_ like a deus ex machina, only to find out later that it was due to his own abilities, previous memories that had been walled off, or friends he didn't know he had (or that still lived). But in this book, Flinx gets out of trouble three times -- and all three are via deus ex machina of various types, and in only one case is the deus ex machina explained!

And although there are some humorous moments, and a bit of romance, it's not enough to leaven the mix in my opinion.

Which is why I'm giving "Flinx's Folly" 2 1/2 stars on the head. I think it's dead average; the writing is good, the pacing brisk, but really, there's nothing new here nor was there any reason to write this book except to further the series. Let's hope the next book will be the conclusion, so poor Flinx can finally find a nice woman to settle down with (whether it's Clarity Held or not) and get on with life.

Barb Caffrey

Rating:
Summary: Alan is getting tired
Review: Alan's earlier works were impressive in there creativity and imagination. The beginning Flinx novels are some of the best science fiction written. However, these later novels feel tired and formulistic. Simple plot devices are used to move these stories forward.
Here are some things that I feel have been detracting from what could have been much better. In the beginning novels the author loved to weave a complex and suspenseful story together. Now it seems like authors love has shifted to nature, and only due to some publisher's insistence does he concede to concern himself with the development of the main characters. The science fiction has been reduced to simple references to enstien-bose condensates and other "scientific" sounding phrases- not very imaginative either.
My general feeling is that the author has long ago got tired of Flinx, and but for some contract he signed with his publishers does he force this story on. Why else would the imaginative stories be reduced to Flinx becoming the 5th element to ward off some vast evil that is approaching. That idea made for a mediocre movie, so why use it to propel a series of books.
If you are new to the series, read the authors earlier works. If you are the author, you should find a new agent that will allow you to put this series to an end, so as to end your torture. For the rest of us- I guess we can just skip reading and go directly to the crib notes- and watch the 5th Element again.

Rating:
Summary: More Trials and Tribulations
Review: Flinx's Folly is the eighth novel in the Flinx series, following Mid-Flinx. In the previous volume, Flinx was pursued by an obsessed young merchant who wanted Pip for his private zoo. Hiding out in the office of Father Bateleur of the United Church, Flinx described his recurring nightmare to the padre before sneaking out the back. When the trader pursued him into orbit, Flinx instructed Teacher to take a course through space-plus towards the nearest habitable world. After the ship exited space-plus, Flinx found that he has arrived at an interdicted planet, Midworld, that is covered in a deep layer of tropical plant life. He dropped to the surface in his shuttle and lived among the local humans, who had long ago become symbiotic to their Home tree.

While Flinx was learning about the world and its inhabitants, his enemies had discovered his location and have landed parties to catch him. The young trader trapped Pip in an acid-proof box and captured Flinx and his local human friends. Then the AAnn ambushed that party, but kept Flinx and his friends as prisoners. However, the native furcots rescued them and Flinx remained with the locals for some time.

In this novel, Flinx has left Midworld behind him, although he added a few of the plants to the vegetation on the Teacher. Lately he has been acting like a tourist on Golden IV, but he and the people around him suddenly fall unconscious and are all taken to a nearby hospital. No specific cause or damage is found in any of the tests, but doctors at the hospital note abnormalities in Flinx's brain physiology and functions and want to keep him there for some tests. Of course, Flinx appears to cooperate, but escapes from the hospital as soon as possible.

A team from the Order of Null notices Flinx among the victims and contacts the admitting physician for additional information. When they are satisfied that the doctor knows nothing, the man and woman leave. However, the man scratches the doctor on the arm and a deadly poison paralyzes the victim, leaving her unable to speak, and then kills her before the local security forces can arrive.

Later, the same team attacks Flinx while he is flying a repeller among the clouds. He tries to overwhelm the assailants with fears of death, but his projected emotions apparently have no impact on his attackers. When he projects fear of heights, however, they do react and break off the attack.

Flinx returns to his starship, but can't decide on a destination. He is reasonably sure that the unconsciousness episode was caused by emotional leakage from his nightmare, but this dream had never before occurred during broad daylight. He needs to talk to somebody, but can only think of one person who might listen, so he returns to New Riviera to find Clarity Held.

This story mostly concerns the increasing severe consequences of his nightmare, which is always virtually identical. It has been bothering him for years, but is becoming stronger, more vivid and much more immediate. Basically it concerns something evil in empty space far away, but coming closer, and now it is even accelerating its rate of closure.

While Flinx is sharing his concerns and fears with Clarity, he begins to have problems with Bill, Clarity's latest beau. Bill acts like a reasonable boyfriend, but it is all an act; he is really very possessive and jealous. Bill hires agents to dispose of Flinx one way or another.

This story adds some new players to the game, including an ancient machine and a sentient plant, as well as two old friends. And someone notifies the authorities that Flinx is wanted on felony charges by Earth itself. When Clarity is injured in a shoot-out, Flinx has to leave her with his friends and flee the planet. Then he discovers that the Order of Null, which intrudes on his life again and again, was founded as a result of his discussion with Father Bateleur on the nature of the evil thing in the void.

Highly recommended for Foster fans and for anyone who enjoys the adventures of an erratic, but increasingly powerful empath in a galaxy of enemies.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Rating:
Summary: Flinx meets, well, everyone, and becomes the Fifth Element
Review: I "panned" the previous Flinx book, _Reunion_, as being little more than a placeholder.

This one does a tad better, as it actually is something of a "reunion" with Flinx meeting up with several of the past favorite characters. Unfortunately, it's all pretty rushed.

And the story is being transformed to Flinx as an unwitting "Fifth Element" (ala Luc Besson), albeit without a Gary Oldham to play the central Zorg "bad guy." Well, actually, the "corporate VP" would have fit that fairly well, except that he's a too-easily vanquished monster that started the story masquerading as a thoughtful wannabe-fiance.

Did I mention that the story seems rushed?

I get the sense that Foster isn't really interested in Flinx anymore except as a salable franchise. There's a clear way to progress the story, because there's the "Fifth Element" thing; Flinx as the not-totally-understood weapon against the Ultimate Evil.

Unfortunately, the results aren't as engaging as the earlier books in the "Saga."

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: 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"