Lensman from Rigel

Second Stage Lensman #2

by David A. Kyle, E.E. "Doc" Smith

Book Two of the "Second Stage Lensman" Trilogy, a series of authorised sequels to the original LENSMEN novels by E.E. "Doc" Smith. In his second novel building upon E.E. "Doc" Smith's original Lensmen series, David A. Kyle continues his explorations into the three non-human Second Stage Lensmen. Lensman from Rigel focuses on the enigmatic Tregonsee, the Rigellian head of S.I.S., the Galactic Patrol's Secret Intelligence Services, and one of the greatest strategists ever to wear a Lens of the Arisians. Following the events of The Dragon Lensman (the first book in the "Secong Stage Lensman" Trilogy), Tregonsee is made violently aware of a deadly new threat to the forces of Civilization when he is targeted for assassination by an unknown power capable of precisely controlling hyperspatial tubes - portals that fold the fabric of space-time itself to make possible instantaneous, untraceable transportation anywhere in the universe. This feat is beyond any technology known to Civilization, and at a stroke it renders nearly every existing security measure obsolete. Though he survives the attempt, Tregonsee acts quickly to spread news of his death to try and lure the conspirators into the open. But even before he can put his plan into action, five of Civilization's greatest scientists are kidnapped through the same hyperspatial tubes - only to be quickly returned, seemingly unharmed but with their brains obviously manipulated. The scientists' specialties? Hyperspace, vortices, and black holes. As more reports come in from Tregonsee's intelligence network, it soon becomes clear that the Galactic Patrol and all of Civilization is in even greater danger than it first appeared - now they face the possibility of black holes being sent down tubes as targeted weapons!

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

So here we have the second book in the Second Stage Lensman series by David Kyle a fully authorised and endorsed follow up series to the Classic EE Doc Smith series.

Now where do I start. First of all there is the fact you have a new author writing in the style of an old authors series who is to all intents and purposes trying to carry on the saga. Does it work - well for me its rather hit and miss. Yes it does have the space opera feel to it and yes the characters are all their and recognisable but it does not feel quite there. Maybe its the style or maybe its something else. There are flashes of the Doc Smith but you do realise quickly that its not him.

And this leads me on to the story itself - now with now spoilers I think I can say what I want, so here we go.

The story is the mid point in the trilogy (I do not know if Kyle intended more or just this one trilogy) but I felt that where was so much trying to be introduced, characters, concepts, technologies that this book really should have been split in to more. I am not sure if the action would have kept it going for more books but the ideas most certainly would.

As a result of these points the story at times seemed to jump around a lot, almost jarringly so at times. Do not get me wrong Kyle has not re-written or thrown away the ideas of the original series (thank goodness) he has just added to them but it does feel very haphazardly done I think as a result of the short book.

So what do I think, this was not as easy a read as the first book and I am still trying to see the links between the volumes however there is still a book to go and maybe all will be explained we shall see.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but while it has the exciting plot of one of the original series, it lacks the energy and excitement. It also depends a great deal on that most hideous of all plot devices: The previously unknown feature of some ubiquitous object. I really don't like it when something I know we'll all of a sudden takes it into it's head to go off on a heretofore unsuspected tangent.

As for Tregonsee, I felt like I was getting to know him all over again. He just doesn't seem like the same Rigellian I came to know in the original series.

It's not a bad book, but neither is it a good one.

[Timothy James · Rating 2 out of 5]

This, the second book in the "Second Stage Lensman" series, left much to be desired. The author tries to write in the style of the original Lensman books, but it doesn't come across very well. The story line jumps forward in a confused manner, introducing new ideas and characters from nowhere, and these characters are one dimensional. I will read the third book in the series just to know how it finishes, but I would not recommend to anyone starting the series. As a fan of the Lensman stories by EE Smith, acknowledging all of their faults, I find this a disappointing follow on.

[David Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed all three of David A. Kyle's Lensman novels the first time I read them, and I'm enjoying the re-reads. The idea of exploring the characters and cultures of the other three Second Stage Lensmen is a terrific concept. The exploration of ancillary notions foreign to the original material including sentient machines, cyborgs, and the supernatural, works surprisingly well.

I want to make clear that I recommend all three books: they are fun rides and satisfy the hunger for more Lensman stories. They do not quite slake the thirst and even though Children of the Lens concluded the arc, there is room for more stories set within the Second Stage Lensman period - and perhaps something could be done with other parts of the timeline.

There are however weakness in the series in general and in this middle novel in particular. Kyle's writing is paratactic, jumping abruptly among ideas and from close-focus to wide-angle, from first- and third-person omniscient instrospection to sudden action sequences. It feels trippy, unsteady; it reminds me of the breathless dream-like quality of van Vogt. There are plenty of exclamation marks and all-caps DECLARATIONS!! Perhaps Kyle was trying to recreate some of
the hyped-up pulp action of the original, but "Doc" achieved that with natural pacing.

Some near-spoilers follow.

Lensman from Rigel is the least successful of the three. The novel does not give us much insight into Rigellian culture or psychology. It introduces the triads, which are a pretty neat idea, and suggests that Rigellian sexuality is alterable at will, or at least can be chosen at certain points in the life-cycle, in encyclopaedia-article expository asides. While it brings the members of two triads on-stage, it does not treat them as characters or explore their feelings much. Rigellian mourning attire is described twice: it seems to me not to fit anything else in Rigellian aesthetics. Twice or thrice Kyle tells us - rather than showing us - that Rigellians are stolid and solid but that Tregonsee has picked up a very un-Rigellian human sense of humour.

So much for elaborating on the culture and personality of the titular hero. Half the story is spent on a complicated but uninteresting subterfuge of hiding then revealing that the opening assassination
attempt on Tregonsee has failed. That opening action sequence is the best sequence in the book.

Even Kyle's pet character, Lalla Kallatra, who was quite delightful in the first novel, hardly appears. Another new character, Benson Cloudd, gets the most extensive treatment, but he is not at all interesting.

The final set piece is a decent bit of space opera almost (but not quite) anti-climactic (though a tactic of four-dimensional geometry is delightfully surprising.)

The confrontation between the evil Kalonians and the utterly horrifying Onlonian monstrosity which initially controls them is a brilliant scene: in Doc Smith's original, the echelons of evil were
strictly graded; here, we see a higher echelon being broken by frustration and frenzied madness driven into negotiating with his underlings who seem in the process of surpassing their master. It is
disturbing and thrilling and darker than anything in Smith, while wholly in keeping with the fabric of the Lensman universe. And it is complete - there was no need for more, though I wish there were more writing at that high level. The Qu'orr are a fantastic idea and their history is at almost the same level. (They remind me of the Cotati of the Marvel Comics universe.) I wish more had been done with them.

I can't give as high a rating as I'd like to this middle effort, but I recommend it strongly in the context of the series.

[Kevin O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

.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 #2 in the trilogy, focuses on Tregonsee of Rigel, and continues the story arc from Volume #1, Dragon Lensman. 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.

[Marki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally finished this mashup. If what you like is to reminisce about what might have been, this book is for you. For science fiction fans in general, and Smith fans in particular, it's shy of the mark to be generous. As far as I can tell, Arisia does more to move the plot than Tregonsee. Both detract. Protagonist has so much belabouring it is clear we should identify with him, but, nope. Like almost all the plot devices used in this book, the exposition is flamboyant, ill-guided, and ultimately irrelevant. Read at your peril.

[Royden Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am glad that I finally sat down and read it, but the David Kyle books are definitely not in the same tier as the E.E. Doc Smith Lensman books. There were several points where I took breaks from reading for months and had to force myself to sit down and finish it.

[Su · Rating 2 out of 5]

Continuing and building upon the stories of E.E.Smith, this is a mixed bag. Although the details and story are fascinating, I can't help but feel it is a little forced and obviously imitative. I found expansion of Tregonsee's character a little unbelievable as his position of master spy wasn't really covered at all, nor was the unit he leads. I found that a bit hard to swallow, as it's a pretty serious deviation from the canon. Still, fun to read and Lensman series fans will enjoy.

[William Korn · Rating 2 out of 5]

See my review of The Dragon Lensman.

By the way, my specific objection to this book is its needless complexity. The protagonist is reputed to be the most philosophical and intelligent of all Lensmen, and is also the head of the Galactic Patrol's intelligence services. Kyle emphasizes that by showing how devious he is to, as it turns out, no real point.