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Second Stage Lensman #3
Z-Lensman
Book Three of the Second Stage
Lensman Trilogy, a series of authorised sequels to the original LENSMEN novels by E.E. Doc Smith.
With Z-Lensman, the final novel in his post-E.E. Smith Lensmen trilogy, David A. Kyle turns his attention to the strangest of the three non-human Second Stage Lensmen: Nadreck the Palainian, whose Z-type species exists in a multidimensional state beyond the familiar three dimensions experienced by most of the galaxy s life forms. The constant shifting of their bodies through unfamiliar dimensions together with the
frightfully cold and poisonous atmosphere they breathe and their implacable emotional detachment make the Palainians one of the more unsettling races known to Civilization. But, as events will soon demonstrate, they are also one of its most valuable assets.
In the process of training a new class of Z-type Lensmen cadets from the Palainian Z-Academy, Nadreck makes the unintentionally fateful decision to bring a religious leader from a Boskonian Spawn-influenced planet to be studied on Tellus before continuing on to Palain VII. On Tellus, Nadreck and the newly-promoted Galactic Patrol lieutenant Benson Cloudd become aware of a strange new problem affecting Civilized space. Machines throughout a wide swathe of the galaxy have begun to malfunction, and communicators, spaceships and computers are becoming increasingly unreliable. But in the process of searching for the source of this mechanical mayhem, Nadreck discovers something even more disturbing: remnants of
the Eddorian Conspiracy are planning a new invasion, and their forces are gathering on multiple planes of existence!
Faced with mysteries and threats on multiple fronts, Nadreck, Cloudd and the android-bodied Lensman Lalla Kallatra must work together while at the same time scattering themselves across
the stars, each in pursuit of their own piece of the puzzle. As the final confrontation approaches, all of the power wielded by Civilization and all of the combined resourcefulness of its members, from Galactic Coordinator Kimball Kinnison personally leading the Patrol s Grand Fleet against an unprecedented
weapon to the shade of Deuce O Six defending the borders of the spirit world must be brought to bear. But will it be enough? And will the threat that is closest to home be recognized in time?
All this and much more is revealed in Z-Lensman, the mesmerizing conclusion to Kyle s galaxies-spanning Second Stage Lensman Trilogy!
Lensman Trilogy, a series of authorised sequels to the original LENSMEN novels by E.E. Doc Smith.
With Z-Lensman, the final novel in his post-E.E. Smith Lensmen trilogy, David A. Kyle turns his attention to the strangest of the three non-human Second Stage Lensmen: Nadreck the Palainian, whose Z-type species exists in a multidimensional state beyond the familiar three dimensions experienced by most of the galaxy s life forms. The constant shifting of their bodies through unfamiliar dimensions together with the
frightfully cold and poisonous atmosphere they breathe and their implacable emotional detachment make the Palainians one of the more unsettling races known to Civilization. But, as events will soon demonstrate, they are also one of its most valuable assets.
In the process of training a new class of Z-type Lensmen cadets from the Palainian Z-Academy, Nadreck makes the unintentionally fateful decision to bring a religious leader from a Boskonian Spawn-influenced planet to be studied on Tellus before continuing on to Palain VII. On Tellus, Nadreck and the newly-promoted Galactic Patrol lieutenant Benson Cloudd become aware of a strange new problem affecting Civilized space. Machines throughout a wide swathe of the galaxy have begun to malfunction, and communicators, spaceships and computers are becoming increasingly unreliable. But in the process of searching for the source of this mechanical mayhem, Nadreck discovers something even more disturbing: remnants of
the Eddorian Conspiracy are planning a new invasion, and their forces are gathering on multiple planes of existence!
Faced with mysteries and threats on multiple fronts, Nadreck, Cloudd and the android-bodied Lensman Lalla Kallatra must work together while at the same time scattering themselves across
the stars, each in pursuit of their own piece of the puzzle. As the final confrontation approaches, all of the power wielded by Civilization and all of the combined resourcefulness of its members, from Galactic Coordinator Kimball Kinnison personally leading the Patrol s Grand Fleet against an unprecedented
weapon to the shade of Deuce O Six defending the borders of the spirit world must be brought to bear. But will it be enough? And will the threat that is closest to home be recognized in time?
All this and much more is revealed in Z-Lensman, the mesmerizing conclusion to Kyle s galaxies-spanning Second Stage Lensman Trilogy!
236 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 23, 2018
Okay this one I will admit I really struggled with. Now to set the scene I will admit that I have read just about all of the classic Doc Smith back catalogue and yes that includes the Lensman series (including the Children of the Vortex which some argue is not really part of the true series).
So when I found out that an authorised sequel had been published I was thrilled and intrigued after all its not something that is shouted about. However it seems that David Kyle is a talented writer and was a self confessed fan of the Doc Smiths work.
So off I went and hunted down the trilogy. Now the first two books in the series certainly captured the feel and grandeur of the originals - after all Doc Smith is often referred to as the father of Space Opera (although I know that is contested). But this book just did not catch me like the others.
Maybe it was the introduction of new ideas (as well as new villains) that felt like every other options had been exhausted and this was all that was left. Also The fact that the characters (and yes you had a few cameos too) just did not feel right - maybe it was the way they were treated as supporting characters even though in the previous books they were the main focus.
Or maybe there were a few scenes where the focus shifted so suddenly and jarringly that I had to go back and re-read what was going on to see what I had missed.
All in all this just did not feel right for me and certainly did not feel like a Lensman book even though so many aspects were perfectly toned and the style was spot on.
I guess its down to person choice but for me I struggled with this book which I wonder was partly the reason why there were no others published. So yes this book was a bit of disappointment to me - however if nothing else it reminded me of how much fun I had reading the original series.
So when I found out that an authorised sequel had been published I was thrilled and intrigued after all its not something that is shouted about. However it seems that David Kyle is a talented writer and was a self confessed fan of the Doc Smiths work.
So off I went and hunted down the trilogy. Now the first two books in the series certainly captured the feel and grandeur of the originals - after all Doc Smith is often referred to as the father of Space Opera (although I know that is contested). But this book just did not catch me like the others.
Maybe it was the introduction of new ideas (as well as new villains) that felt like every other options had been exhausted and this was all that was left. Also The fact that the characters (and yes you had a few cameos too) just did not feel right - maybe it was the way they were treated as supporting characters even though in the previous books they were the main focus.
Or maybe there were a few scenes where the focus shifted so suddenly and jarringly that I had to go back and re-read what was going on to see what I had missed.
All in all this just did not feel right for me and certainly did not feel like a Lensman book even though so many aspects were perfectly toned and the style was spot on.
I guess its down to person choice but for me I struggled with this book which I wonder was partly the reason why there were no others published. So yes this book was a bit of disappointment to me - however if nothing else it reminded me of how much fun I had reading the original series.
June 3, 2020
imho, the best of the Second Stage novels, this is closest in tone, pace and grandeur to E.E.Smith's work. I've always been fascinated by the Palanians and the Z-classification entities, and particularly by the mysterious Nadreck, who has done so much but about which so little has been revealed. This novel really gives him/it their just regard in this respect.
I found the whole robot involvement and Deus O'Six/Eichwoor a little hard to accept, but hey, it's space opera. There are far more outré concepts in the genre, even in this series than that.
Highly recommended for fans of space opera, and of course mandatory reading for E.E.Smith fans.
I found the whole robot involvement and Deus O'Six/Eichwoor a little hard to accept, but hey, it's space opera. There are far more outré concepts in the genre, even in this series than that.
Highly recommended for fans of space opera, and of course mandatory reading for E.E.Smith fans.
February 23, 2017
The first two of the series weren't great, and by this book the author had run out of steam. Even if you have read the first two I wouldn't bother with this one.
November 28, 2023
I enjoyed all three of David A. Kyle's Lensman novels the first time I read them, and I'm enjoying the re-reads. Z-Lensman carries the series to a satisfying conclusion.
The exploration of Palainian culture and physiology is well-done, the latter especially. The physical and biological nature of Palanians and other "frigid, poison-breathing types" is made much clearer than in the original Lensman series (and is done so in Kyle's usual descriptive asides; here tell rather than show is effective.) Nadreck doesn't quite come off as an individual, though. We rarely encounter Palanians other than Nadreck in the original series - I only remember the one Virgil Samms meets on Pluto. In Z-Lensman a minor character, a normal Palanian naval crewman, given a casual un-grammatical speech style, suddenly makes us realize there is an entire planet of non-Lensman, non-extraordinary operatives, living out normal mundane lives. Makes me want to know more.
Consider the nature of telephathic communication. Do Palanians phonate? They have lungs. They breathe gasses. They are said to speak in the narratives, but is that literal? In Z-Lensman, Cloud says he never learned to speak Palanian. Again, is that literal, or does it mean he never learned to interpret Palanian thought projections? Does Nadreck telepath in English (or Spaceal or whatever is the common Patrol language)?
We know Rigellians do not phonate, neither do they hear. Did they ever, or were they telephathic from the beginnings of sentience? (Are sub-sentient Rigellian animals telepathic?) If Rigellians have always been telephathic, did they develop mental speech? Do they communicate in "words", whatever that might mean? I've assumed Smithian telepathy involves at least in part the stimulation of speech centres (he describes characters hearing voices in their heads.) If the Rigellians had speech, perhaps they use their speech centres for telepathy. If they never had speech, how do they exchange meaning? How do species who never had speech communicate telepathically, amongst themselves, and with species who do use "mental speech"?
Palanian ethics are also explored, in the usual brief Kyle manner, and particularly in a coda, but not unsatisfyingly. There is a very interesting and sympathetic treatment of religion and how it could fit into the Smith universe (Smith never dealt directly with religion.)
Benson Cloud appears again, and is much more interesting and sympathetic than he was in the previous book. There is a good exploration of the "burden of the Lens" through his feelings. The connection with Neal Cloud the Vortex Blaster is finally made use of, albeit too briefly, but also in service to the theme of the various sorts of extra-ordinariness.
The thematic fibers of the two previous novels are spun together into very satisfying thread and woven into a very satisfying tale.
The exploration of Palainian culture and physiology is well-done, the latter especially. The physical and biological nature of Palanians and other "frigid, poison-breathing types" is made much clearer than in the original Lensman series (and is done so in Kyle's usual descriptive asides; here tell rather than show is effective.) Nadreck doesn't quite come off as an individual, though. We rarely encounter Palanians other than Nadreck in the original series - I only remember the one Virgil Samms meets on Pluto. In Z-Lensman a minor character, a normal Palanian naval crewman, given a casual un-grammatical speech style, suddenly makes us realize there is an entire planet of non-Lensman, non-extraordinary operatives, living out normal mundane lives. Makes me want to know more.
Consider the nature of telephathic communication. Do Palanians phonate? They have lungs. They breathe gasses. They are said to speak in the narratives, but is that literal? In Z-Lensman, Cloud says he never learned to speak Palanian. Again, is that literal, or does it mean he never learned to interpret Palanian thought projections? Does Nadreck telepath in English (or Spaceal or whatever is the common Patrol language)?
We know Rigellians do not phonate, neither do they hear. Did they ever, or were they telephathic from the beginnings of sentience? (Are sub-sentient Rigellian animals telepathic?) If Rigellians have always been telephathic, did they develop mental speech? Do they communicate in "words", whatever that might mean? I've assumed Smithian telepathy involves at least in part the stimulation of speech centres (he describes characters hearing voices in their heads.) If the Rigellians had speech, perhaps they use their speech centres for telepathy. If they never had speech, how do they exchange meaning? How do species who never had speech communicate telepathically, amongst themselves, and with species who do use "mental speech"?
Palanian ethics are also explored, in the usual brief Kyle manner, and particularly in a coda, but not unsatisfyingly. There is a very interesting and sympathetic treatment of religion and how it could fit into the Smith universe (Smith never dealt directly with religion.)
Benson Cloud appears again, and is much more interesting and sympathetic than he was in the previous book. There is a good exploration of the "burden of the Lens" through his feelings. The connection with Neal Cloud the Vortex Blaster is finally made use of, albeit too briefly, but also in service to the theme of the various sorts of extra-ordinariness.
The thematic fibers of the two previous novels are spun together into very satisfying thread and woven into a very satisfying tale.
May 1, 2020
Contexte : Suite au succès de la série des Fulgurs d'E. E. "Doc" Smith, une des premières et meilleures séries de space opera, David A. Kyle, un ami de Smith, lui a proposé d'écrire des romans basés sur la série. Dans la série, seuls quatre Fulgurs ont atteint le deuxième niveau; le premier étant Kimball Kinnison, le héros de la série. Kyle a donc proposé d'écrire trois romans centrés chacun sur un des trois autres Fulgurs de second niveau.
Le troisième suit donc les aventures de Nadreck de Palain, une créature protéiforme avec une extension dans la quatrième dimension, une adaptation à une planète, extrêmement éloignée de son étoile, donc très, très froide et sans lumière.
La patrouille galactique pensait être tranquille après leur formidable victoire sur les forces de Boskone dans la deuxième galaxie. Mais, on s'aperçoit que les robots et l'équipement électronique se mettent à avoir des anomalies, les fulgurs subissent des attaques psychiques et des indices semblent indiquer une prochaines attaque des forces de Boskone, mais on n'en sait pas plus.
Nadreck, avec des cadets d'espèces qui lui sont similaires, ainsi qu'avec l'aide des autres fulgurs de second niveau, va enquêter et essayer de protéger les forces de la civilisation.
Du space opera divertissant, mais sans le talent d'E. E. Smith.
En plus, l'inconvénient de ces romans, c'est qu'ils sont écrits, en prenant comme prérequis que les lecteurs connaissent la série des Fulgurs.
J'ai aimé, mais il y avait aussi une bonne part de nostalgie pour la série. J'en suis conscient et je l'assume.
Le troisième suit donc les aventures de Nadreck de Palain, une créature protéiforme avec une extension dans la quatrième dimension, une adaptation à une planète, extrêmement éloignée de son étoile, donc très, très froide et sans lumière.
La patrouille galactique pensait être tranquille après leur formidable victoire sur les forces de Boskone dans la deuxième galaxie. Mais, on s'aperçoit que les robots et l'équipement électronique se mettent à avoir des anomalies, les fulgurs subissent des attaques psychiques et des indices semblent indiquer une prochaines attaque des forces de Boskone, mais on n'en sait pas plus.
Nadreck, avec des cadets d'espèces qui lui sont similaires, ainsi qu'avec l'aide des autres fulgurs de second niveau, va enquêter et essayer de protéger les forces de la civilisation.
Du space opera divertissant, mais sans le talent d'E. E. Smith.
En plus, l'inconvénient de ces romans, c'est qu'ils sont écrits, en prenant comme prérequis que les lecteurs connaissent la série des Fulgurs.
J'ai aimé, mais il y avait aussi une bonne part de nostalgie pour la série. J'en suis conscient et je l'assume.
August 20, 2019
E.E. "Doc" Smith was most famous for his series of books about the Lensmen, who were selected by the Arisians to battle against the forces of Eddore. This series is often regarded as the height of Golden Age Space Opera. The core of the series was a story of a breeding program to produce an advanced group of beings who could do what the Arisians themselves could not do, and kill the Eddorians. The breeding program was established on four planets and four different races, but the main focus was of course on the human race and their Lensmen. The Penultimate human specimen, Kimball Kinnison, did something hitherto unknown and go back to Arisia for additional training and become a Second Stage Lensman. But this also happened for the 3 other races, and they also produced Second Stage Lensmen.
David Kyle was given the opportunity to write a trilogy where each book focused on one of those three other champions. This one, Book #3 in the trilogy, focuses on Nadreck of Palain, and concludes the story arc developed over all three books. If you are a fan of the original Lensman series this is worth picking up, but as a stand-alone it would lose much of its appeal, in my view.
David Kyle was given the opportunity to write a trilogy where each book focused on one of those three other champions. This one, Book #3 in the trilogy, focuses on Nadreck of Palain, and concludes the story arc developed over all three books. If you are a fan of the original Lensman series this is worth picking up, but as a stand-alone it would lose much of its appeal, in my view.
March 18, 2023
I agree with the words of Gharlane of Eddore, that this book was better than the earlier Kyle books. As I mentioned with 'Rigel', I am glad that I sat down to read them, but they are not in the same league as the E.E. 'Doc' Smith Lensman series. While I will continue to re-read the Lensman every few years, it will probably be some time before I read these again.
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February 25, 2024Glad to have finally finished Kyle's triaphony.
Sad but not surprised it is the worselest.
When you need ghosts, robots, and telepathic insects to tell a story you should instead have a quick nap. As I will now.
Sad but not surprised it is the worselest.
When you need ghosts, robots, and telepathic insects to tell a story you should instead have a quick nap. As I will now.
April 12, 2010
It's been ages since I read the earlier books (and the original Lensmen series, for that matter), so aside from a general understanding, this was read as a stand alone novel. Honestly, it doesn't quite work in that regard: the story builds on and then resolves the loose ends of the previous books, and stars the entire cast of characters. As a result, it feels like the book never develops a personality of its own.
This is extremely unfortunate because I've been looking for and forward to it; its title alone suggests that it would be about the most interesting of the Second Stage Lensman, the cryptic, cunning, cowardly, and utterly alien Nadreck of Palain VII.
It means that while Nadreck is prominently featured, it really doesn't feel like the book is about him. While I could see a situation where Nadreck is some kind of puppeteer behind the scenes, manipulating things (as suggested by his personality), this doesn't happen. You don't see the elaborate planner or the resilient pursuer.
Part of this is the hodgepodge of plot that slams two independent threats against Civilization, and the other is the purely reactionary role that the entire Galactic Patrol is wedged into. There is a lot of logistics, a lot of speculation, a lot of talking. Not nearly enough action.
There are a few clever moments to be found: the notion that Palain VII is a dying, ruined world; the shuddersome suggestion of mysterious, menacing Things lurking in the forbidden Andromeda galaxy, which someday the Galactic Patrol would be allowed to explore and deal with.
This is extremely unfortunate because I've been looking for and forward to it; its title alone suggests that it would be about the most interesting of the Second Stage Lensman, the cryptic, cunning, cowardly, and utterly alien Nadreck of Palain VII.
It means that while Nadreck is prominently featured, it really doesn't feel like the book is about him. While I could see a situation where Nadreck is some kind of puppeteer behind the scenes, manipulating things (as suggested by his personality), this doesn't happen. You don't see the elaborate planner or the resilient pursuer.
Part of this is the hodgepodge of plot that slams two independent threats against Civilization, and the other is the purely reactionary role that the entire Galactic Patrol is wedged into. There is a lot of logistics, a lot of speculation, a lot of talking. Not nearly enough action.
There are a few clever moments to be found: the notion that Palain VII is a dying, ruined world; the shuddersome suggestion of mysterious, menacing Things lurking in the forbidden Andromeda galaxy, which someday the Galactic Patrol would be allowed to explore and deal with.
November 4, 2023
Originally published on my blog here in June 2001.
The culmination of Kyle's trilogy continuing E.E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series concentrates on the second stage lensman Nadreck, from the Pluto-like planet Palain VII. (He is a Z-lensman because in a classification scheme for sentient beings in which humans are A, his species is of type Z, very alien indeed.) He is instrumental in seeing off several threats to civilization, including rebellious machines and psychic forces.
As with his earlier attempts at the continuation, Kyle is unable to make Z-Lensman match up to the original series. Nadreck is not sufficiently strange (this accusation could be levelled at the original novels, but it is not as severe a problem when he is not the central character), and his human helpers are interchangeable. Introducing the idea of survival after death doesn't work very well, especially as it forms an unnecessary addition to an already complicated plot. The writing is disjointed and leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of the sense of wonder and enthusiasm which is such an important part of Smith's own writing. Only worthwhile if, like me, you are something of a collector.
The culmination of Kyle's trilogy continuing E.E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series concentrates on the second stage lensman Nadreck, from the Pluto-like planet Palain VII. (He is a Z-lensman because in a classification scheme for sentient beings in which humans are A, his species is of type Z, very alien indeed.) He is instrumental in seeing off several threats to civilization, including rebellious machines and psychic forces.
As with his earlier attempts at the continuation, Kyle is unable to make Z-Lensman match up to the original series. Nadreck is not sufficiently strange (this accusation could be levelled at the original novels, but it is not as severe a problem when he is not the central character), and his human helpers are interchangeable. Introducing the idea of survival after death doesn't work very well, especially as it forms an unnecessary addition to an already complicated plot. The writing is disjointed and leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of the sense of wonder and enthusiasm which is such an important part of Smith's own writing. Only worthwhile if, like me, you are something of a collector.
July 24, 2014
See my review of The Dragon Lensman.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews