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Second Stage Lensman #1
The Dragon Lensman
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178 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 3, 2017
This was a bit of a surprise - yes there seems to be a whole slew of sequels both authorised and not. And as for authorised there is a whole spectrum of "authorised" books out there too. IN this case friend and author David A Kyle was given permission to by the Smith estate to start this trilogy.
So yes we have an author who was not only friends with the late Doc Smith but also was familiar and a fan of his work. So like the introduction says the danger was this would be some pastiche which felt like it was a hack attempt at cloning the original.
Now at this point I will interject that the original was far from perfect- but written when was it was and with the whole genre really still trying to find its place out there I think it's place in the Science fiction halls of fame is warranted. Influential if flawed I guess.
So what about this book - well it feels like a lensman story and yes has the same characters and does feel like its part of the story - however its not quiet Smith which is a good thing you can see the subtle differences that David Kyle brings to the table and that is good.
However there is one issue here - now I know this is the first part of a trilogy so its nothing secret there. However rather than this being a standalone book or even the first part of the trilogy (which it is) it feels like they have taken a single book and cut it up (I assume in to 3 I have yet to read the other two) which means that there are all sorts of plot threads and concepts just ignored or left where they fell - now I assume they will be addressed in later books but still it fells like rather than reading a book I am reading the first 20 chapters of a bigger book.
So I guess that means I have even more reason to read the next instalments....
So yes we have an author who was not only friends with the late Doc Smith but also was familiar and a fan of his work. So like the introduction says the danger was this would be some pastiche which felt like it was a hack attempt at cloning the original.
Now at this point I will interject that the original was far from perfect- but written when was it was and with the whole genre really still trying to find its place out there I think it's place in the Science fiction halls of fame is warranted. Influential if flawed I guess.
So what about this book - well it feels like a lensman story and yes has the same characters and does feel like its part of the story - however its not quiet Smith which is a good thing you can see the subtle differences that David Kyle brings to the table and that is good.
However there is one issue here - now I know this is the first part of a trilogy so its nothing secret there. However rather than this being a standalone book or even the first part of the trilogy (which it is) it feels like they have taken a single book and cut it up (I assume in to 3 I have yet to read the other two) which means that there are all sorts of plot threads and concepts just ignored or left where they fell - now I assume they will be addressed in later books but still it fells like rather than reading a book I am reading the first 20 chapters of a bigger book.
So I guess that means I have even more reason to read the next instalments....
July 24, 2014
David Kyle, a friend of E.E. "Doc" Smith of Lensman fame, was given permission by Smith's estate to write three books that Smith wanted to write but never got around to writing -- each book featuring one of the non-human Second Stage Lensmen. Kyle stuck closely to the timeline, characters, and overall plot of the Lensman series, adding only a few new characters largely, it would seem, to interest younger readers. This review covers all three of the books (the other two being Lensman from Rigel and Z Lensman.
Kyle was, in my humble opinion, a better writer than "Doc" Smith was. He gets deeper into the story and the characters and less into the slam-bang action of the original. He also had the advantage of writing 40-50 years later than Smith did, which made the books more accessible to current readers both in "hard science" terms and in the breadth of permissible activities and emotions available to the heroes and the villains in the Lensman canon.
Of the three books, The Dragon Lensman ranks in the middle, with Lensman from Rigel being the weakest, and Z Lensman the strongest. They're all worth reading, but you can skip the second without losing the overall plot of the trilogy.
Kyle was, in my humble opinion, a better writer than "Doc" Smith was. He gets deeper into the story and the characters and less into the slam-bang action of the original. He also had the advantage of writing 40-50 years later than Smith did, which made the books more accessible to current readers both in "hard science" terms and in the breadth of permissible activities and emotions available to the heroes and the villains in the Lensman canon.
Of the three books, The Dragon Lensman ranks in the middle, with Lensman from Rigel being the weakest, and Z Lensman the strongest. They're all worth reading, but you can skip the second without losing the overall plot of the trilogy.
October 25, 2023
Originally published on my blog here in May 2001.
Many science fiction fans, myself included, have something of a soft spot for the novels of E.E. "Doc" Smith. This is despite their obvious failings, and is because they have a grandeur of vision and convey a sense that the writer is excited by his own story. Since Smith's death, there have been several attempts to continue some of his series. The best known of these is probably Stephen Goldin's Circus of the Galaxy series, which has the two advantages of being based on lesser known Smith and of being published under Smith's name.
Of all Smith's writing, the seven volume Lensmen series is easily the most famous, and it is inevitable really that the Smith estate should have sought to add to it. The Dragon Lensman is the first of three volumes described as a continuation, though in fact they fill in a gap in the original series. They also concentrate on lesser characters than Smith's hero Kinnison; these are the other three "Second Stage" lensmen, and in this case the reptilian Worsel of Velantia.
The plot of the novel, set between Second Stage Lensmen and Children of the Lens, is rather confusing. Basically, several crises occur simultaneously, which gives them the appearance of being connected. These include the development of intelligence by machines on the Planetoid of Knowledge, the galactic museum; the novel begins with an attack by them on Worsel (the motivation for the attack being the feeling that machines have been subjugated by biological entities). This coincides with a psychic attack on a nearby spaceship, in which a call for help from Worsel appears to be part of the attack so that it seems possible that he has become evil.
One of the successful aspects of Smith's writing was to balance cosmic ideas against a simple plot; the main Lensmen story is just a series of battles between good and evil, gradually increasing in scale. In this and in several other ways, Kyle shows himself not to be Smith, despite the endorsement from A.E. van Vogt that the writing says that Smith is back.
Many science fiction fans, myself included, have something of a soft spot for the novels of E.E. "Doc" Smith. This is despite their obvious failings, and is because they have a grandeur of vision and convey a sense that the writer is excited by his own story. Since Smith's death, there have been several attempts to continue some of his series. The best known of these is probably Stephen Goldin's Circus of the Galaxy series, which has the two advantages of being based on lesser known Smith and of being published under Smith's name.
Of all Smith's writing, the seven volume Lensmen series is easily the most famous, and it is inevitable really that the Smith estate should have sought to add to it. The Dragon Lensman is the first of three volumes described as a continuation, though in fact they fill in a gap in the original series. They also concentrate on lesser characters than Smith's hero Kinnison; these are the other three "Second Stage" lensmen, and in this case the reptilian Worsel of Velantia.
The plot of the novel, set between Second Stage Lensmen and Children of the Lens, is rather confusing. Basically, several crises occur simultaneously, which gives them the appearance of being connected. These include the development of intelligence by machines on the Planetoid of Knowledge, the galactic museum; the novel begins with an attack by them on Worsel (the motivation for the attack being the feeling that machines have been subjugated by biological entities). This coincides with a psychic attack on a nearby spaceship, in which a call for help from Worsel appears to be part of the attack so that it seems possible that he has become evil.
One of the successful aspects of Smith's writing was to balance cosmic ideas against a simple plot; the main Lensmen story is just a series of battles between good and evil, gradually increasing in scale. In this and in several other ways, Kyle shows himself not to be Smith, despite the endorsement from A.E. van Vogt that the writing says that Smith is back.
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 #1 in the trilogy, focuses on Worsel of Velantia, and begins the story arc that will carry through all three volumes. 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 #1 in the trilogy, focuses on Worsel of Velantia, and begins the story arc that will carry through all three volumes. 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.
June 7, 2015
As a fan of the Lensman series of E E "Doc" Smith I had mixed feelings about reading this book. Would this just be fan-fiction or a worthwhile extension of the Lensman stories?
The story is certainly imaginative, and depends on more than a passing familarity with Smith's stories. Many of his characters make an appearence and Galactic Patrol slang is frequently used.
Sadly though in attempting to match the style of Smith the writing seemed to me to be forced and lack authenticity. Also I think the main thrust of the story to be incompatible with important aspects of Smith's Lensman universe.
I will probably read the other two books in this series by David A Kyle, should I get the opportunity, if only to complete the series and make sure I haven"t missed anything, but I can't recomend this book to anyone apart from the most ardent and tolerant of Lensman fans.
The story is certainly imaginative, and depends on more than a passing familarity with Smith's stories. Many of his characters make an appearence and Galactic Patrol slang is frequently used.
Sadly though in attempting to match the style of Smith the writing seemed to me to be forced and lack authenticity. Also I think the main thrust of the story to be incompatible with important aspects of Smith's Lensman universe.
I will probably read the other two books in this series by David A Kyle, should I get the opportunity, if only to complete the series and make sure I haven"t missed anything, but I can't recomend this book to anyone apart from the most ardent and tolerant of Lensman fans.
June 7, 2020
It was kind of nice backstory about the dragon lensman. It started out with a similar pacing and interest, but about halfway through it started to lose steam for me. The plot felt forced and the flow unnatural. Not going to read the second in the series.
April 14, 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 premier suit donc les aventures de Worsel le vélantian, un genre de dragon télépathe et psychologue.
L'histoire commence par la rencontre de robots intelligents et conscients. Il y a aussi un ennemi retors qui a tous les pouvoirs d'un fulgur, et bien sûr, des batailles spatiales..
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 premier suit donc les aventures de Worsel le vélantian, un genre de dragon télépathe et psychologue.
L'histoire commence par la rencontre de robots intelligents et conscients. Il y a aussi un ennemi retors qui a tous les pouvoirs d'un fulgur, et bien sûr, des batailles spatiales..
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.
December 24, 2021
An interesting conundrum. I loved the Lensman series when I was a teenager; I still do. The writing style was over the top, to be sure, but that was the style when the books were written (especially given that the entire genre of Science Fiction was in its infancy and had barely even been named). The style here is much different - but that is explained (quite plausibly) by a change in "chroniclers" (from E. E. "Doc" Smith to David A. Kyle). It's a little difficult to make the change in my mind from "chronicler" to "story" and so I'm not sure how I feel about the book itself.
I did like it, and it is consistent with the original series (the cover are leaves something to be desired, but that's neither here nor there). It's worth the read, but try to focus on the story and not the style.
I did like it, and it is consistent with the original series (the cover are leaves something to be desired, but that's neither here nor there). It's worth the read, but try to focus on the story and not the style.
August 17, 2024
The original Lensman books were written in the 1930s, with a 1930s style. This was written in the 1990s, with a 1930s style. Even with comments in the foreword that there is a new chronicler, which would have allowed for a more 'modern' writing style rather than trying to replicate E. E. Smith.
Beyond that, there is far too much 'deus ex machina', even more than in the originals.
I'll not be reading the rest of this version of the Lensmen.
Beyond that, there is far too much 'deus ex machina', even more than in the originals.
I'll not be reading the rest of this version of the Lensmen.
July 7, 2025
Apparently the first in a trilogy that follows on from books by another author… none of which I’ve read. It was a passably okay book although the story seemed to me to revolve more around Kallastra than Worsel, but my main issue with it was the wall of text paragraphs. Could I understand it without all the previous lore? Sure. But the writing style makes me less than eager to look for more.
December 29, 2023
A legacy sequel to the once-popular-now-mostly-forgotten Lensman series. This one was a real struggle to read. The prose style was really archaic: more like something from the 30s or 40s than the 80s. As a result, it was difficult for me to get invested in the events.
September 18, 2019
A good extension to the original story
January 9, 2008
This exact book is not the one I have, but I have a copy of the paperback set from the first time I read them in the 1970's. I enjoy the Lensman Series because of the awesome scifi imagination from a writer from before the current computer era. He really had an imagination. We was really a male chauvinist in the pure sense, as most of the women in his books were beautiful but weak and dumb. It still was a very fun read.
June 3, 2020
This is worthy addition to the series, and although the writer is of course, not E.E.Smith, a valiant effort has been made to match the tone and scope of the Master. A rollicking read, Kyle has provided a worthy successor to the mantle of space opera.
September 4, 2012
I read this one a LONG time ago. The Lensman series is a classic which I periodically go back and reread. Love it!
December 15, 2014
1984 grade D+
dnf
June 22, 2018If you enjoy Smith's writing today, I'd recommend this as a continuation of the Lensman books.
Unfortunately, while I loved Smith's books when I was a kid, I tried to re-read them recently, and not so much. They're very much a product of their times, and Mr. Kyle has done a good job of recreating Smith's style.
But it's not a style I enjoy any more, so I need to move on.
(I'm not putting a rating, because it wouldn't be fair to Mr. Kyle to downgrade him for writing in a style I don't enjoy, when he's deliberately trying to capture another author's style.)
Unfortunately, while I loved Smith's books when I was a kid, I tried to re-read them recently, and not so much. They're very much a product of their times, and Mr. Kyle has done a good job of recreating Smith's style.
But it's not a style I enjoy any more, so I need to move on.
(I'm not putting a rating, because it wouldn't be fair to Mr. Kyle to downgrade him for writing in a style I don't enjoy, when he's deliberately trying to capture another author's style.)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews