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Pip & Flinx #1
The Tar-Aiym Krang
Flinx, psychic ability enhanced by pet mini-dragon Pip, finds a map to an artifact, the Krang, left by the Tar Aiym alien race. Human Bran Tse-Mallory and insectoid manx Truzenzuzex also enlist rich Malaika, bodyguard Wolf, starship pilot Atha, and concubine Sissiph. But evil Rashalleila wants the weapon that has a mind of its own. Preview of Lost & Found.
251 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
149 people are currently reading
2634 people want to read
About the author
Alan Dean Foster
498 books2,032 followersBestselling science fiction writer Alan Dean Foster was born in New York City in 1946, but raised mainly in California. He received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA in 1968, and a M.F.A. in 1969. Foster lives in Arizona with his wife, but he enjoys traveling because it gives him opportunities to meet new people and explore new places and cultures. This interest is carried over to his writing, but with a twist: the new places encountered in his books are likely to be on another planet, and the people may belong to an alien race.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
Foster began his career as an author when a letter he sent to Arkham Collection was purchased by the editor and published in the magazine in 1968. His first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, introduced the Humanx Commonwealth, a galactic alliance between humans and an insectlike race called Thranx. Several other novels, including the Icerigger trilogy, are also set in the world of the Commonwealth. The Tar-Aiym Krang also marked the first appearance of Flinx, a young man with paranormal abilities, who reappears in other books, including Orphan Star, For Love of Mother-Not, and Flinx in Flux.
Foster has also written The Damned series and the Spellsinger series, which includes The Hour of the Gate, The Moment of the Magician, The Paths of the Perambulator, and Son of Spellsinger, among others. Other books include novelizations of science fiction movies and television shows such as Star Trek, The Black Hole, Starman, Star Wars, and the Alien movies. Splinter of the Mind's Eye, a bestselling novel based on the Star Wars movies, received the Galaxy Award in 1979. The book Cyber Way won the Southwest Book Award for Fiction in 1990. His novel Our Lady of the Machine won him the UPC Award (Spain) in 1993. He also won the Ignotus Award (Spain) in 1994 and the Stannik Award (Russia) in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
November 8, 2017
My second Pip and Flinx novel was the first written in the series but it takes place right after book five. Confusing? Not really. I'm just reading them chronologically, so Flinx is only 17 here and he sure knows how to get into trouble!
What's most fascinating is how polished and fascinating and fast this tale is compared to the other one I had just read. It's the entry novel into the universe and I can see immediately how Alan Dean Foster hoisted himself into the SF field with such gusto and why it was popular enough to support fifteen novels. I like this one better than book 5, easily.
In fact, as a straight adventure, it's speedy.
As a science fiction full of interesting worlds and even more interesting alien species, it rocks.
Is it a hardcore SF novel ranking up with the most ambitious and best of the genre? No. But as light fun with a kid with a mysteriously powerful and/or unknown level of empathic telepathy, flexible moral compass in some circumstances but not in the ways that are really important, or simply... fun with mini-dragons... it's a real delight and an easy read.
It helps when we get spaceships and space battles, intrigue, planetary mysteries and ancient dead civilizations, and baddies who you *know* are bad. (So you don't feel bad when they get ripped to shreds) :)
This is a pure adventure and it is what it is. Fun. Not deep, just well-crafted fun. It has aged very well and I don't see any issues for enjoying it in any foreseeable future. :)
I can see why the author was chosen to pick up most of the official novelizations for Star Wars. He has the sense of wonder down pat. :)
What's most fascinating is how polished and fascinating and fast this tale is compared to the other one I had just read. It's the entry novel into the universe and I can see immediately how Alan Dean Foster hoisted himself into the SF field with such gusto and why it was popular enough to support fifteen novels. I like this one better than book 5, easily.
In fact, as a straight adventure, it's speedy.
As a science fiction full of interesting worlds and even more interesting alien species, it rocks.
Is it a hardcore SF novel ranking up with the most ambitious and best of the genre? No. But as light fun with a kid with a mysteriously powerful and/or unknown level of empathic telepathy, flexible moral compass in some circumstances but not in the ways that are really important, or simply... fun with mini-dragons... it's a real delight and an easy read.
It helps when we get spaceships and space battles, intrigue, planetary mysteries and ancient dead civilizations, and baddies who you *know* are bad. (So you don't feel bad when they get ripped to shreds) :)
This is a pure adventure and it is what it is. Fun. Not deep, just well-crafted fun. It has aged very well and I don't see any issues for enjoying it in any foreseeable future. :)
I can see why the author was chosen to pick up most of the official novelizations for Star Wars. He has the sense of wonder down pat. :)
October 24, 2011
I can’t believe the rubbish job Del Rey (Ballantine) has done on the current reprints of the well beloved Pip & Flinx novels. Gone are the magnificent covers illustrated by the likes of Michael Whelan and Bob Eggleton. Replaced by blurry monochromatic photos of... what's this? A Justin Bieber clone in coveralls? And isn’t Flinx, like, 17 years old? This kid looks about 11. Also - where's Pip? Presumably they were unable to locate a flying snake for the studio sessions?
It's ATROCIOUS to say the least. Numerous generations of ADF-fans are weeping into their hands. What's more, on the very first page of The Tar-Aiym Krang there is a glaring typo. No Del Rey, no! Shame on you! What would Lester say?
Now. The book.
I appeal to all readers of speculative fiction not to judge this book by its cover. The Pip & Flinx novels used to be extremely popular back in the days and it's easy to see why. The Tar-Aiym Krang is very, very readable and conjures up fond memories of some of the early science fiction I'd read as a teenager, although this book is certainly not limited as far as target audience is concerned. In fact, some of the content is arguably not suitable for younger kids (there is some sex & nudity although it is pretty mild). It's a great adventure with grand imagery and every self respecting Space Opera lite fan should find something in here to enjoy. Long dead alien civilizations, majestic ruins on uncharted planets, the search for an important artifact with astonishing capabilities... what's not to like? It even has the sense of wonder sadly lacking in some of today's stuff. Flinx is easy to identify with and Pip is, well, Pip. As far as flying, venomous mini-drag(on) alien pets go, he’s pretty standard I suppose…
The novel is certainly not without its faults. I found the pacing a bit uneven, but not so bad as to really bother me. It’s unlikely that this novel will change the way you look at the world, but it will in all likelihood put a smile on your face.
A note on chronology. This is the first book in the series in order of publication. A prequel (For Love of Mother-Not) was published later on and many people have taken that to be the first book. Alan Dean Foster wrote The Tar-Aiym Krang first - therefore I shall take it to be book one in the series until he personally orders me to do otherwise. Thank you very much.
It's ATROCIOUS to say the least. Numerous generations of ADF-fans are weeping into their hands. What's more, on the very first page of The Tar-Aiym Krang there is a glaring typo. No Del Rey, no! Shame on you! What would Lester say?
Now. The book.
I appeal to all readers of speculative fiction not to judge this book by its cover. The Pip & Flinx novels used to be extremely popular back in the days and it's easy to see why. The Tar-Aiym Krang is very, very readable and conjures up fond memories of some of the early science fiction I'd read as a teenager, although this book is certainly not limited as far as target audience is concerned. In fact, some of the content is arguably not suitable for younger kids (there is some sex & nudity although it is pretty mild). It's a great adventure with grand imagery and every self respecting Space Opera lite fan should find something in here to enjoy. Long dead alien civilizations, majestic ruins on uncharted planets, the search for an important artifact with astonishing capabilities... what's not to like? It even has the sense of wonder sadly lacking in some of today's stuff. Flinx is easy to identify with and Pip is, well, Pip. As far as flying, venomous mini-drag(on) alien pets go, he’s pretty standard I suppose…
The novel is certainly not without its faults. I found the pacing a bit uneven, but not so bad as to really bother me. It’s unlikely that this novel will change the way you look at the world, but it will in all likelihood put a smile on your face.
A note on chronology. This is the first book in the series in order of publication. A prequel (For Love of Mother-Not) was published later on and many people have taken that to be the first book. Alan Dean Foster wrote The Tar-Aiym Krang first - therefore I shall take it to be book one in the series until he personally orders me to do otherwise. Thank you very much.
December 5, 2015
The Tar-Aiym Krang (there’s a bewildering title if ever there was one) suffers a little from not knowing what it wants to be. It’s essentially a work of speculative ideas, and the ideas are pretty good, but it is dressed in a cloak of space opera.
This was the first book in the series Foster wrote, although he has since gone back and written books in the series that take place prior to it. As I’m reading the series in order of events rather than publication order, the relative immaturity of writing style in this volume compared to the prequels is a little jarring, but it’s far from being a deal-breaker.
Nothing really gets resolved in this volume but it ends on a very deliberate ‘to be continued’ so, if you’re reading the entire series (like I am), that’s more tantalising than disappointing.
Despite its minor identity crisis and the fact that it’s not one of the strongest books in this series, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
This was the first book in the series Foster wrote, although he has since gone back and written books in the series that take place prior to it. As I’m reading the series in order of events rather than publication order, the relative immaturity of writing style in this volume compared to the prequels is a little jarring, but it’s far from being a deal-breaker.
Nothing really gets resolved in this volume but it ends on a very deliberate ‘to be continued’ so, if you’re reading the entire series (like I am), that’s more tantalising than disappointing.
Despite its minor identity crisis and the fact that it’s not one of the strongest books in this series, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
June 24, 2010
3.0 to 3.5 stars. First book in the Pip and Flinx series. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and the world-building was interesting.
July 6, 2021
This is chronologically the second novel in Foster's Pip & Flinx series, but was the first written. In fact, I believe it's the first novel that he wrote and lacks some of the polish and slick pacing that would be a hallmark of his later work, but it's a fast-paced and very fun book, full of enthusiasm, spirit, and verve. Flinx is in his mid-teens in this one, and we're introduced to him, his fabulous mini-drag Pip, the mysterious planet Moth, the ancient artifacts of the alien Tar-Aiym, and a full and rich set of interesting characters. Fans of Luke Skywalker need to get to know Flinx.
July 16, 2024
The beginning felt very similar to For Love of Mother-Not. For a while I thought I had mistakenly picked up that one. Which acts as a prequel and is the first Pip & Flinx book chronologically, but the fifth one written.
It is easy to read, although I confess to some skimming of various info dumps. They did not sit very well within the pretty light story. Some good ideas, but nothing was really fleshed out satisfyingly.
Same goes for the characters. They are all distinct voices, but they are also caricatures and clichés of the roles they play. Women are generally scantily dressed and sex-objects. Unless they are old and/or ugly. The only female character, the pilot, doesn’t pilot much and mostly concerns herself with her jealousy. Oh, and she cooks on occasion... *rolls eyes*. I kept picturing early Bond girls in Technicolor.
Technology is vague. Bran and Tzu’s exploration of the artifact for example was so vague that I found it highly irrelevant, when it should have been a central part of the plot.
This is not hard SF, take it as a light read for the beach. The story can be seen as introduction into the rest of Foster‘s world, I guess. I would have liked more detail on the Aann and the Thranx.
The most interesting part for me was the flashback to Bran and Tzu‘s past as pilots. I think this is where I will redirect my re-read of Alan Dean Foster next—the Humanx Commonwealth and how Thranx and humans first meet in Nor Crystal Tears.
+*+*+*+
This is a re-read. However, I read this about 30 years ago and do not recall anything. I skipped some of them back then, so who knows...
Reading order for Alan Dean Foster is here or here: https://www.goodreads.com/series/5181...
+*+*+*+
I am trying to find a specific Foster novel I read about 30 years ago. I can‘t remember if it was set in the Humanx Commonwealth or if it was something else. It might not have been Foster at all. There were humans and another race, which looked kinda elvish and could not deal with bright light and was in charge. The humans did not like them, because they were insufferably arrogant and looked down at humans. The story starts planetside and moves onto a starship and into space and a battle of sorts. Our MC transformed himself into an alien somehow, so he can pretend to be one of the other race and join one of their ship crews to find out something vital... His love interest, a human female, does not recognize him after his transformation and despises him because of his race, but eventually comes to love him despite of it. Ring any bells?
It is easy to read, although I confess to some skimming of various info dumps. They did not sit very well within the pretty light story. Some good ideas, but nothing was really fleshed out satisfyingly.
Same goes for the characters. They are all distinct voices, but they are also caricatures and clichés of the roles they play. Women are generally scantily dressed and sex-objects. Unless they are old and/or ugly. The only female character, the pilot, doesn’t pilot much and mostly concerns herself with her jealousy. Oh, and she cooks on occasion... *rolls eyes*. I kept picturing early Bond girls in Technicolor.
Technology is vague. Bran and Tzu’s exploration of the artifact for example was so vague that I found it highly irrelevant, when it should have been a central part of the plot.
This is not hard SF, take it as a light read for the beach. The story can be seen as introduction into the rest of Foster‘s world, I guess. I would have liked more detail on the Aann and the Thranx.
The most interesting part for me was the flashback to Bran and Tzu‘s past as pilots. I think this is where I will redirect my re-read of Alan Dean Foster next—the Humanx Commonwealth and how Thranx and humans first meet in Nor Crystal Tears.
+*+*+*+
This is a re-read. However, I read this about 30 years ago and do not recall anything. I skipped some of them back then, so who knows...
Reading order for Alan Dean Foster is here or here: https://www.goodreads.com/series/5181...
+*+*+*+
I am trying to find a specific Foster novel I read about 30 years ago. I can‘t remember if it was set in the Humanx Commonwealth or if it was something else. It might not have been Foster at all. There were humans and another race, which looked kinda elvish and could not deal with bright light and was in charge. The humans did not like them, because they were insufferably arrogant and looked down at humans. The story starts planetside and moves onto a starship and into space and a battle of sorts. Our MC transformed himself into an alien somehow, so he can pretend to be one of the other race and join one of their ship crews to find out something vital... His love interest, a human female, does not recognize him after his transformation and despises him because of his race, but eventually comes to love him despite of it. Ring any bells?
March 1, 2016
Nebloga, bet niekuo neišskirtinė knyga. Pilna klišių ir stereotipų, standartinių sci-fi temų ir sampratų. Tiesą sakant, perskaičiau knygą vakar, o šiandien jau ne taip ir lengva prisimint kokius nors išskirtinius momentus iš jos - viskas kažkur matyta, girdėta, skaityta. Jei reikėtų panaudoti vieną vienintelį žodį apibūdinti šitą knygą, tas žodis būtų generic. Paviršutiniškam pasiskaitymui tinka, bet nieko fresh joje nerasite.
July 3, 2009
Fast-paced, full of fun and adventure, the Pip&Flinx novels by AD Foster are perhaps the best of a fine collection of works. Foster is imminently readable, though not deep and soul-satisfying like Le Guin's Dispossessed or Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land. Still, if I need a quick, light, thoroughly enjoyable read, Foster will be among my first choices. This is Science Fiction and for those of you smug idiots who think SF is not worth reading, Foster's contribution to the field gives such position the lie. And P&F are nothing but fun and entertainment. Indeed his Humanx Commonwealth novels are all worth reading, but as I said at the beginning, his P&F novels are the best of a good salad.
August 12, 2024
I had enjoyed a prequel to this book written eleven years later. I recall trying this first book (1972) of the series without success. Now I know why.
The universe described is fun, with bits of fascinating tech ideas.
However, like much early SF, it is horribly sexist. The only real female characters are the captain of a ship, portrayed only as a lovesick, jealous idiot and a sex lynx (literally). Neither take part in the action or plot.
It is also overly descriptive, and the characters are pretty flat.
That said, I'll give the other one a shot because I'd like to see if there was any reason for me to have liked what I read way back in high school. Lots less to chose from then, though!!
The universe described is fun, with bits of fascinating tech ideas.
However, like much early SF, it is horribly sexist. The only real female characters are the captain of a ship, portrayed only as a lovesick, jealous idiot and a sex lynx (literally). Neither take part in the action or plot.
It is also overly descriptive, and the characters are pretty flat.
That said, I'll give the other one a shot because I'd like to see if there was any reason for me to have liked what I read way back in high school. Lots less to chose from then, though!!
September 4, 2025
This was Foster's first novel, set against the ongoing backdrop of the Humanx Commonwealth, a cultural alliance between humans and the insectoid Thranx. It also introduces Philip Linx, a.k.a. Flinx, a teen-aged orphan possessed of limited psychic ability, and his venomous flying reptile companion Pip. In this story, Flinx is hired as a guide to find a patron for a space expedition to find an ancient alien artifact, and ends up taking the trip as well.
Reading ADF always makes me feel young again. I read him quite a bit as a teenager and on into my twenties, before moving on to other things. In recent years I've been delving into his work again, and even though the books are new to me, they make me nostalgic and take me back to a simpler time. There's nothing inherently wrong with dense, complex science fiction with a large cast of characters and myriad subplots, but it doesn't all have to be like that, and reading a straightforward adventure of 250 pages feels like a breath of fresh air at times. An enjoyable light space adventure suitable for most ages. This was my first Flinx & Pip novel (not including Bloodhype, in which Flinx makes but a cameo appearance) and I look forward to reading more.
Reading ADF always makes me feel young again. I read him quite a bit as a teenager and on into my twenties, before moving on to other things. In recent years I've been delving into his work again, and even though the books are new to me, they make me nostalgic and take me back to a simpler time. There's nothing inherently wrong with dense, complex science fiction with a large cast of characters and myriad subplots, but it doesn't all have to be like that, and reading a straightforward adventure of 250 pages feels like a breath of fresh air at times. An enjoyable light space adventure suitable for most ages. This was my first Flinx & Pip novel (not including Bloodhype, in which Flinx makes but a cameo appearance) and I look forward to reading more.
April 24, 2016
Ein erstaunlich schlechter Roman von Alan Dean Foster. Die Sprache ist holprig, die Charaktere sind eindimensional, werden nicht eingeführt und entwickeln sich über den gesamten Roman auch nicht weiter. Die Erzählweise ist inkonsistent, holprig und irritierend für den Leser. Die weitestgehend nicht-existente Handlung ließe sich problemlos auf 2 Seiten zusammenfassen.
Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass das Buch nicht gut gealtert ist. Bei der Beschreibung der Technik schmunzelt man heute, wenn Papierstreifen aus Computern kommen. Das ist vollkommen in Ordnung und nicht zu beanstanden. Die Rollenbilder hingegen, die Foster zeichnet, sind so überkommen, dass es den eh schon knappen Lesegenuss fast komplett ruiniert.
So sind Kriegshelden natürlich Helden im ganz positiven Sinne und nicht zu hinterfragen. Diese "Helden", die auch noch als philosophisch und naturwissenschaftlich gebildet beschrieben werden, tragen exakt nichts zur Problemlösung bei. Als Leser darf man sich dennoch seitenweise durch deren Kriegserinnerungen quälen, die simpel strukturiert und vorhersehbar sind.
Frauen hingegen sind entweder Lustobjekt oder fallen bei Problemen prompt in Ohnmacht. Dass eine der drei weiblichen Personen im Roman als Pilotin beschrieben wird, ist insofern bemerkenswert, da während der gesamten Handlung immer ein Mann am Steuer des Schiffs sitzt. Die sogenannte Pilotin hat in der Handlung nur die Aufgabe, ihren Chef anzuhimmeln und sich mit dessen Geliebter zu streiten.
Ich habe "Das Tar-Aiym Krang" nur zu Ende gelesen, um eine Basis für die Folgebänder der Homanx-Trilogie zu haben. Der einzige Zweck dieses ansonsten nicht lesenswerten Buchs von Alan Dean Foster ist es, die Hauptfiguren Flinx und Pip vorzustellen. Und auch das schafft der Roman nur mit Müh' und Not. Auf jeden Fall ohne Lesevergnügen. Finger weg!
Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass das Buch nicht gut gealtert ist. Bei der Beschreibung der Technik schmunzelt man heute, wenn Papierstreifen aus Computern kommen. Das ist vollkommen in Ordnung und nicht zu beanstanden. Die Rollenbilder hingegen, die Foster zeichnet, sind so überkommen, dass es den eh schon knappen Lesegenuss fast komplett ruiniert.
So sind Kriegshelden natürlich Helden im ganz positiven Sinne und nicht zu hinterfragen. Diese "Helden", die auch noch als philosophisch und naturwissenschaftlich gebildet beschrieben werden, tragen exakt nichts zur Problemlösung bei. Als Leser darf man sich dennoch seitenweise durch deren Kriegserinnerungen quälen, die simpel strukturiert und vorhersehbar sind.
Frauen hingegen sind entweder Lustobjekt oder fallen bei Problemen prompt in Ohnmacht. Dass eine der drei weiblichen Personen im Roman als Pilotin beschrieben wird, ist insofern bemerkenswert, da während der gesamten Handlung immer ein Mann am Steuer des Schiffs sitzt. Die sogenannte Pilotin hat in der Handlung nur die Aufgabe, ihren Chef anzuhimmeln und sich mit dessen Geliebter zu streiten.
Ich habe "Das Tar-Aiym Krang" nur zu Ende gelesen, um eine Basis für die Folgebänder der Homanx-Trilogie zu haben. Der einzige Zweck dieses ansonsten nicht lesenswerten Buchs von Alan Dean Foster ist es, die Hauptfiguren Flinx und Pip vorzustellen. Und auch das schafft der Roman nur mit Müh' und Not. Auf jeden Fall ohne Lesevergnügen. Finger weg!
February 17, 2008
The second book by Alan Dean Foster I ever read. The first was Nor Crystal Tears. After reading that book, I decided to read his other Humanx Commonwealth books in the order in which he wrote them. Tar-Aiym was Foster's breakout novel. He wrote it in the early '70's. It was also his first Flinx & Pip novel, and the first one that I read. I really enjoyed this book. He introduces us to Flinx & Pip, a teenge human boy and his pet flying snake, with which he shares a telepathic bond. Very good book, again I really enjoyed Foster's writing style. He keeps you interested and in suspense.
July 20, 2024
The tar-aiym krang
This was a fun one! Alan dean foster doesn’t get enough credit for his original work. His humanx universe is very expansive and imaginative. He’s got a real knack for aliens and alien environments.
This one in particular would be perfect for a younger reader, just getting into science fiction. It’s got a teenage boy with psychic powers and a flying mini-dragon sidekick. There’s some great world building, fun adventure and it’s well paced.
This kid “flinx” goes on an expedition to find an ancient alien artifact with some colourful characters, hijinx ensue. It’s not perfect by any means but it’s a fun, short book that makes me want to read more of Foster’s stuff.
December 31, 2014
Flinx isn't sure what to make of the strangers he meets one day while performing on a street corner, but he doesn't expect the map he recovers to be of much use, until a chance meeting with other new arrivals shows him what the map is for. Then he's off with a small group hunting the legendary Krang, an artifact by the extinct Tar-Aiym. No one is really sure what it is, or what it does, but one thing is crystal clear: they're not the only ones looking.
I had to look at the original publication dates for this novel to make any sense. For Love of Mother-Not is indeed the first chronological book about Flinx, when he's sixteen. However, The Tar-Aiym Krang was published eleven years earlier, and looks to be one of the first books Alan Dean Foster wrote. It shows. A number of minor plot details are inconsistent between the two books, although The Tar-Aiym Krang does explain one rather puzzling decision of Flinx at the end of the previous book: why, after so much trouble with people after his Talent, does he decide to lead the public life of a street entertainer, making his Talent one of his primary tricks? The answer is simply, because that's where he started at the beginning of The Tar-Aiym Krang. The slang is different, the character of Flinx is different, the relationship between Pip and Flinx is less developed---everything favors For Love of Mother-Not at the expense of The Tar-Aiym Krang.
The plot here doesn't hang together very well either. The book starts with a massive amount of information about the world, its geology, ecology, sociology, and other high points that feel more like reading a textbook, and such information dumps continue throughout the story. Character flashbacks are randomly placed and poorly set up, point of view shifts feel like being jerked around, and the characters themselves are fairly flat.
I have the 1979 edition. Unless this novel was heavily edited on its re-release, it's not something I would point anyone towards. The good news is that For Love of Mother-Not shows Foster did improve substantially between the writing of this book and that one, so I have enough faith in the series to continue. One final thing worth mentioning is that although For Love of Mother-Not can be read as a Young Adult or adult novel (and from the new covers, it looks to me like the series is being marketed for YA instead of adults now), The Tar-Aiym Krang definitely feels more like an adult novel. There are no graphic scenes, but it does contain a lot of innuendo and some nudity. For people interested in the series, the only thing worth noting about this book is that Flinx's Talent (which isn't even called that here) gets a bit of an upgrade by the end, with the implication that it's now less random and more under his direct control. I rate this book Not Recommended.
I had to look at the original publication dates for this novel to make any sense. For Love of Mother-Not is indeed the first chronological book about Flinx, when he's sixteen. However, The Tar-Aiym Krang was published eleven years earlier, and looks to be one of the first books Alan Dean Foster wrote. It shows. A number of minor plot details are inconsistent between the two books, although The Tar-Aiym Krang does explain one rather puzzling decision of Flinx at the end of the previous book: why, after so much trouble with people after his Talent, does he decide to lead the public life of a street entertainer, making his Talent one of his primary tricks? The answer is simply, because that's where he started at the beginning of The Tar-Aiym Krang. The slang is different, the character of Flinx is different, the relationship between Pip and Flinx is less developed---everything favors For Love of Mother-Not at the expense of The Tar-Aiym Krang.
The plot here doesn't hang together very well either. The book starts with a massive amount of information about the world, its geology, ecology, sociology, and other high points that feel more like reading a textbook, and such information dumps continue throughout the story. Character flashbacks are randomly placed and poorly set up, point of view shifts feel like being jerked around, and the characters themselves are fairly flat.
I have the 1979 edition. Unless this novel was heavily edited on its re-release, it's not something I would point anyone towards. The good news is that For Love of Mother-Not shows Foster did improve substantially between the writing of this book and that one, so I have enough faith in the series to continue. One final thing worth mentioning is that although For Love of Mother-Not can be read as a Young Adult or adult novel (and from the new covers, it looks to me like the series is being marketed for YA instead of adults now), The Tar-Aiym Krang definitely feels more like an adult novel. There are no graphic scenes, but it does contain a lot of innuendo and some nudity. For people interested in the series, the only thing worth noting about this book is that Flinx's Talent (which isn't even called that here) gets a bit of an upgrade by the end, with the implication that it's now less random and more under his direct control. I rate this book Not Recommended.
August 3, 2013
Orphan Flinx 16, his erratic psychic ability augmented by shoulder-riding mini-dragon Pip, finds a map leading to a planet with the Krang, an artifact from extinct vicious warring aliens, the Tar-Aiym. Human Bran Tse-Mallory and insectoid thranx Truzenzuzex, who fought the AAnn together, also enlist Malaika and his very fast armed spaceship for the expedition. Mal lost his leg by choking a carnivorous ice-monster and brings crew of pretty personal pilot Atha, jealous of concubine Sissiph, and bodyguard Wolf, tortured by AAnn. Unfortunately, surgically-beautified aging Rashaleilla Nuaman, competing with her power-hungry young niece Teleen, sends equally evil Able Nikosos to take the remote planet.
Back stories build intriguing characters (thankfully some names - Bran and Tru - can be abbreviated), who wake dormant Krang by donning a head cap in turn. Not much really happens.
Back stories build intriguing characters (thankfully some names - Bran and Tru - can be abbreviated), who wake dormant Krang by donning a head cap in turn. Not much really happens.
May 7, 2013
I read this book, and a good number of other Humanx Commonwealth books in my youth. I bought the novels, the GURPS books, the works. After a long dry period of reading only occasionally, I've dived back into the love of books. In addition to seeking out new realms to explore, I decided upon encountering Foster's books in a wonderful old bookstore that I would love to revisit old favorites.
True to Alan Dean Foster's form, The Tar-Aiym Krang is a smooth, uncomplicated romp. Young Flinx is a charming scamp, sort of like an interstellar Tom Sawyer with psionic powers and a lethal pet. All the other characters are painted in broad strokes, as befits an energetic story of this type. The action is awesome and the science, though a little dated at spots, only adds to the story.
The one problem this book has is that being Foster's first book in the Commonwealth, he has a lot to explain, and Bran Tse-Mallory is there to do that. It kind of felt like one of those thirties sci-fi books where they would cut from the action to explain the exposition: "As you know, Truzenzuzex...", but in the end I do have to admit that he had painted a vivid picture of Foster's vision of the future. This problem doesn't crop up so much in his other books.
True to Alan Dean Foster's form, The Tar-Aiym Krang is a smooth, uncomplicated romp. Young Flinx is a charming scamp, sort of like an interstellar Tom Sawyer with psionic powers and a lethal pet. All the other characters are painted in broad strokes, as befits an energetic story of this type. The action is awesome and the science, though a little dated at spots, only adds to the story.
The one problem this book has is that being Foster's first book in the Commonwealth, he has a lot to explain, and Bran Tse-Mallory is there to do that. It kind of felt like one of those thirties sci-fi books where they would cut from the action to explain the exposition: "As you know, Truzenzuzex...", but in the end I do have to admit that he had painted a vivid picture of Foster's vision of the future. This problem doesn't crop up so much in his other books.
April 1, 2015
Book 2 of the Flinx series. Flinx is now a young adult and an accomplished thief as well as an entertainer. He keeps his thieving in bounds so as not to attract undo attention to himself and only when his needs can't be supplied by the income from his mind-reading act. He no longer lives with his adopted mother, but stays close (in fact his "stage" is next to her stall).
A series of incidents brings him into contact with one of the major traders on Moth and he's included in an adventure that takes him off planet for the first time.
The book lives up to its predecessor (For Love of Mother-Not) and is extremely entertaining and easy to read. I can heartily recommend it to science fiction - adventure lovers.
A series of incidents brings him into contact with one of the major traders on Moth and he's included in an adventure that takes him off planet for the first time.
The book lives up to its predecessor (For Love of Mother-Not) and is extremely entertaining and easy to read. I can heartily recommend it to science fiction - adventure lovers.
April 19, 2008
When under stress, read. When under extreme stress, read all your old favorites. I just reread the entire Pip and Flinx series. I don't know why I like these books so well. I think it had something to do with a totally gifted person who has had a hard life and is clueless. ( wish fulfillment? Not that I am totally gifted, had a hard life or am clueless. But to fix the world's ills with a thought. hmmmmm) Like some of the Dorsai books without the blood and guts. Pip and his flying dragon Flinx take on the world and mangage to win even if no one knows that they did it. (personal note- I wish this thing had spell check!)
June 29, 2020
Reminded of this ADF classic by Neal Asher's reread report: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
He liked it, and so did I. I should look at my bookshelves & see which ADFs I own.
He liked it, and so did I. I should look at my bookshelves & see which ADFs I own.
February 6, 2019
A little dated...but a good little story...
February 23, 2020
Ho ritrovato una copia di questo secondo episodio della saga fantascientifica di Flinx e Pip e mi sono deciso di leggerla, in occasione della pubblicazione su Urania dell'ultimo testo di questa ottima saga. Che dire ? Bellissimo: una lettura agilissima, a tratti forse poco sofisticata, ma con un sense of wonder superlativo e degli alieni che nulla hanno ad invidiare alle creazioni del grande Jack Vance. La seconda storia della coppia Flinx and Pip è una di quelle letture che avvicinano i neofiti alla SF avventurosa e che ti fanno gradire ogni pagina di cui sono composte. Imperdibile.
June 2, 2019
Maybe 2.5 stars. Nice idea for a main character in Flinx, and this book also boasts an Ancient Lost Race, a Powerful Unknown Artifact, and a Treasure Map. Pity the writing is so bad.
I know it was published in 1972, and it was Foster's first book to see print, but the loooonnng info dumps, the painfully cheesy dialogue, and the stupidly useless female characters make this really kind of a shame. I doubt it would even get published as is today. Skip it.
I know it was published in 1972, and it was Foster's first book to see print, but the loooonnng info dumps, the painfully cheesy dialogue, and the stupidly useless female characters make this really kind of a shame. I doubt it would even get published as is today. Skip it.
December 3, 2018
A fun romp with lovable characters. Teenage Flinx and his pet minidragon Pip set out with rich merchant Malaika, scientists Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex, pilots etc. to find a huge artifact (the Krang) left by a vanished super race. Flinx is much changed by the experience and at the end is not sure where he will go next and what he will do. On to the next in the series!
August 24, 2024
Det här var en riktigt härlig scifi/ äventyrs bok som var kort och lättläst. Om man är sugen på att läsa enkel scifi rekommenderas denna starkt.
Den har i princip allt vad man kan önska av en science fiction bok, okända planeter, olika varelser/ raser, häftiga tekniker, rymdskepp etc.
Den har i princip allt vad man kan önska av en science fiction bok, okända planeter, olika varelser/ raser, häftiga tekniker, rymdskepp etc.
December 16, 2016
This book is a lot of fun. It pales compared to some of Foster’s other novels I’ve read (my goal in life is to read all of his novels), but probably because this is one of his first? And it was written in the 70s, before science fiction got a little more nuanced. It reminds me more of Jo Clayton (for example) than some of Foster’s later novels, like To the Vanishing Point.
I found the pacing a little off and it would have been nice for there to be some more character development/backstory. Flinx was a great character, don’t get me wrong; his special ability causes him some issues, he’s a teenager that is a little smarter than most that age (haha) and he’s endearing because he’s a good kid. And I love Pip. The other characters though, were flat. Mallory and Truzenzuzex were a bit more fleshed out (their backstory was arguably the best part of the novel), but not enough. Malaika was weird to me – I wasn’t entirely sure whether he was a shady guy or a good guy. His way of speaking was fun though. Wolf was useless – why he was even in the story was beyond me. And then we get to Atha and Sissiphix. Does this novel past the Bechtel test? Not really. I mean, I’m not going to rip it apart or anything, because a) there was a strong female villain and b) the time period, but I found the whole Atha/Sissiphix conflict to be out of place. If the characters were more developed, maybe it would have been interesting, but I didn’t really get the point of the rivalry – it didn’t add anything to the story. Maybe it was supposed to be funny? I found it annoying. Personally, it would have been cool if Sissiphix were not even in the story (other than at the start maybe?) and there was a tension between Atha and Malaika on the trip itself, but whatever. Minor detail.
Despite these issues with the depth of the novel there were some really cool stuff.
Spoiler alert!!
- The Aann. I’ve only read Nor Crystal Tears of the Humanx chronology, so I had an initial idea about the Aann. What this novel did with them was fabulous. I pictured them as these kind of brutal, orc-like bruisers, but I completely forgot (somehow) that they had developed space technology, so they couldn’t be that stupid. I thought the part with the Aann Baron, his message, and his attitude towards chasing the ship was awesome. "And get me a drink!"
- The Krang’s “inner thoughts” were really well done. If felt like a machine and I thought that whole part was really interesting. It made for a good climax that didn’t end in a crazy battle like I was expecting.
- The ending – The “main” villain, Rasha, doesn’t just show up at the end and Malaika didn’t try some over-the-top do-or-die plan to escape from Nikosos. It was a realistic, which made it interesting to me.
- The Krang wasn’t some stupid-ass doomsday device that goes haywire or taken control of by a maniac and the galaxy is going to explode, etc etc. Oh wait, this isn’t every single action movie the last five years. My apologies.
- Like I said before, the backstory of Mallory and Tru – that was awesome.
I found the pacing a little off and it would have been nice for there to be some more character development/backstory. Flinx was a great character, don’t get me wrong; his special ability causes him some issues, he’s a teenager that is a little smarter than most that age (haha) and he’s endearing because he’s a good kid. And I love Pip. The other characters though, were flat. Mallory and Truzenzuzex were a bit more fleshed out (their backstory was arguably the best part of the novel), but not enough. Malaika was weird to me – I wasn’t entirely sure whether he was a shady guy or a good guy. His way of speaking was fun though. Wolf was useless – why he was even in the story was beyond me. And then we get to Atha and Sissiphix. Does this novel past the Bechtel test? Not really. I mean, I’m not going to rip it apart or anything, because a) there was a strong female villain and b) the time period, but I found the whole Atha/Sissiphix conflict to be out of place. If the characters were more developed, maybe it would have been interesting, but I didn’t really get the point of the rivalry – it didn’t add anything to the story. Maybe it was supposed to be funny? I found it annoying. Personally, it would have been cool if Sissiphix were not even in the story (other than at the start maybe?) and there was a tension between Atha and Malaika on the trip itself, but whatever. Minor detail.
Despite these issues with the depth of the novel there were some really cool stuff.
Spoiler alert!!
- The Aann. I’ve only read Nor Crystal Tears of the Humanx chronology, so I had an initial idea about the Aann. What this novel did with them was fabulous. I pictured them as these kind of brutal, orc-like bruisers, but I completely forgot (somehow) that they had developed space technology, so they couldn’t be that stupid. I thought the part with the Aann Baron, his message, and his attitude towards chasing the ship was awesome. "And get me a drink!"
- The Krang’s “inner thoughts” were really well done. If felt like a machine and I thought that whole part was really interesting. It made for a good climax that didn’t end in a crazy battle like I was expecting.
- The ending – The “main” villain, Rasha, doesn’t just show up at the end and Malaika didn’t try some over-the-top do-or-die plan to escape from Nikosos. It was a realistic, which made it interesting to me.
- The Krang wasn’t some stupid-ass doomsday device that goes haywire or taken control of by a maniac and the galaxy is going to explode, etc etc. Oh wait, this isn’t every single action movie the last five years. My apologies.
- Like I said before, the backstory of Mallory and Tru – that was awesome.
January 10, 2022
The first time I read this I was a scrawny kid of maybe 10 or 11. I remember stumbling across a beat-up copy at a library book sale, half the cover missing, and shoving it into the bag on a whim. It was $5 for a bag of books at the annual book sale, after all. The best time to take a risk on a new-to-me author.
I drowned in the book. It was one of the best things I'd read up to that point in my life, but the book eventually finished falling apart and was lost to the mists of memory. Besides, I wasn't having much luck finding the majority of the series at the library.
Fast forward a few years, and it popped into my brain again, but I couldn't remember much beyond my love for it. Certainly not the title. Eventually I located the series, and discovered to my delight there were more. It was just as good in the rereads, and I started reading everything I could find by Alan Dean Foster, discovering "A Splinter of the Mind's Eye" and "Nor Crystal Tears" as new favorites as well. Most of all, I was amazed by Foster's boundless imagination when it came to creating plausible, entirely foreign worlds and experiences that were still somehow relatable.
But it wasn't just the worlds. Pip is and has always been my favorite character in the Pip & Flinx series, but I grew up with Flinx. I love the wonder and respect Flinx views difference with, and the quiet strength he displays in the face of pain. But I also love his flaws: his moments of overwhelm, anxiety, or disconnect, his feeling of separation he fights to bridge, the occasional flashes of anger. And his creativity! He is so thoughtful and creative in his approaches to life and problems.
Years passed, and I found the series again and again. The Tar Aiym Krang presents a different Flinx in some ways from the other books, as it was the first book written in the series, and it's been a delight to trace the changes and the changes in writing about him across the series. I've read it in paper, in multiple copies. I've read it on kindle. I've even, most recently, listened to the audiobook. But this was the novel that sparked so much in my life and my reading. I hope it sparks the same in yours.
I drowned in the book. It was one of the best things I'd read up to that point in my life, but the book eventually finished falling apart and was lost to the mists of memory. Besides, I wasn't having much luck finding the majority of the series at the library.
Fast forward a few years, and it popped into my brain again, but I couldn't remember much beyond my love for it. Certainly not the title. Eventually I located the series, and discovered to my delight there were more. It was just as good in the rereads, and I started reading everything I could find by Alan Dean Foster, discovering "A Splinter of the Mind's Eye" and "Nor Crystal Tears" as new favorites as well. Most of all, I was amazed by Foster's boundless imagination when it came to creating plausible, entirely foreign worlds and experiences that were still somehow relatable.
But it wasn't just the worlds. Pip is and has always been my favorite character in the Pip & Flinx series, but I grew up with Flinx. I love the wonder and respect Flinx views difference with, and the quiet strength he displays in the face of pain. But I also love his flaws: his moments of overwhelm, anxiety, or disconnect, his feeling of separation he fights to bridge, the occasional flashes of anger. And his creativity! He is so thoughtful and creative in his approaches to life and problems.
Years passed, and I found the series again and again. The Tar Aiym Krang presents a different Flinx in some ways from the other books, as it was the first book written in the series, and it's been a delight to trace the changes and the changes in writing about him across the series. I've read it in paper, in multiple copies. I've read it on kindle. I've even, most recently, listened to the audiobook. But this was the novel that sparked so much in my life and my reading. I hope it sparks the same in yours.
March 9, 2015
The Tar-Aiym Krang is a good example of 1970's science fiction. If one is reading it for depth or subtlety, one will be disappointed. The characters are very simple and the plot is extremely straightforward and linear. Yet these characteristics are not flaws anymore than brevity is a flaw in a haiku. They're just part of the form. The tale is a fantastical one, with new worlds, new philosophies, and new technologies painted in with broad colorful strokes and then elaborated in great detail more or less at random.
For example: a great deal of detail is given over to an explanation of the Human-Thranx commonwealth. This polity is of great importance to the author, and to some of his other stories, but plays almost no role in the story at hand. It almost as if the author has left notes for a later book in the manuscript.
Likewise, the reader is presented with a complex but ultimately inarticulate description of a faster than light travel system. Again this explanation plays little part in the story, but it could be reasonably assumed by the author and his publisher that readers of science fiction in that day and age of its publication would be fascinated and intrigued by the idea. In internet comments sections had existed at the time, no doubt they would have been filled with arguments about whether-or-not this sort of thing is possible.
What the story does offer is a far flung science-fiction adventure story and a relief from the modern style of futurism with all its dystopian tendencies.
For example: a great deal of detail is given over to an explanation of the Human-Thranx commonwealth. This polity is of great importance to the author, and to some of his other stories, but plays almost no role in the story at hand. It almost as if the author has left notes for a later book in the manuscript.
Likewise, the reader is presented with a complex but ultimately inarticulate description of a faster than light travel system. Again this explanation plays little part in the story, but it could be reasonably assumed by the author and his publisher that readers of science fiction in that day and age of its publication would be fascinated and intrigued by the idea. In internet comments sections had existed at the time, no doubt they would have been filled with arguments about whether-or-not this sort of thing is possible.
What the story does offer is a far flung science-fiction adventure story and a relief from the modern style of futurism with all its dystopian tendencies.
August 31, 2015
Flinx and Pip are becoming one of my favorite duos in science fiction, I enjoy their adventures quite a bit. I like that fact that the Pip and Flinx novels are not extremely long as well, most that I have read are about 300-400 pages or less, which is good because I have a lot of books to read. ^-^
That being said, I do wish The Tar-Aiym Krang was actually longer. The build up to the actual discovery of the Krang was quite long, and time spent after the discovery of the Krang was not long enough. I love the fact that Bran Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex made their introductory appearance in this novel (I have not read the Flinx of the Commonwealth series in order ><), as aside from Flinx they are my favorite characters. This book spends a good amount of time on them and their backstory, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book.
I feel as though Flinx really didn't develop much in this installment, so I'm glad there were other books written about him. Another character I would have liked to have known more about is Wolf. In the other books I have read, I have not ran into him again. I haven't read them all though as of yet, so here's hoping.
I would recommend The Tar-Aiym Krang to my friends and others, though I would suggest reading the Flinx of the Commonwealth series in the order they are meant for. It can get confusing on the timeline of certain events if you do not. But I will tell you to go out there and read them if you are a fan of science fiction.
That being said, I do wish The Tar-Aiym Krang was actually longer. The build up to the actual discovery of the Krang was quite long, and time spent after the discovery of the Krang was not long enough. I love the fact that Bran Tse-Mallory and Truzenzuzex made their introductory appearance in this novel (I have not read the Flinx of the Commonwealth series in order ><), as aside from Flinx they are my favorite characters. This book spends a good amount of time on them and their backstory, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book.
I feel as though Flinx really didn't develop much in this installment, so I'm glad there were other books written about him. Another character I would have liked to have known more about is Wolf. In the other books I have read, I have not ran into him again. I haven't read them all though as of yet, so here's hoping.
I would recommend The Tar-Aiym Krang to my friends and others, though I would suggest reading the Flinx of the Commonwealth series in the order they are meant for. It can get confusing on the timeline of certain events if you do not. But I will tell you to go out there and read them if you are a fan of science fiction.
October 2, 2014
This was one of the first science fiction novels I read, many years ago while a schoolboy, one of the books that got me into the genre, and I'm rereading it after many years. Would it stand the test of time?
I'm happy to report that it has. It's very much a light SF novel, an adventure yarn with SF trimmings. So much so that I wouldn't be surprised if Foster were to reveal he'd deliberately reworked Treasure Island.
I've noticed things my adolescent self never did, though. Malaika's use if Kiswahili is nice, though it's a very antiquated form of the language. For '72, though, it was a stunning effort to include it, and I wonder how Foster learnt as much as he did. A tourist phrase book? An old copy of the 1930s Kamusi dictionary? I was impressed.
Female characters get short shrift. None are developed as well as the male secondary characters; in fact they're little more than window dressing. The catfights between Malaika's concubine and his pilot are condescending. Touch too much of adolescent fantasy perhaps.
But it remains a craftsman-like novel - and I mean that as praise. I respect craftspeople greatly. Not as well developed as his later work, but all the pieces fit together nicely.
I'm looking forward to rereading more of the Humanx novels, and the Flinx series in particular.
I'm happy to report that it has. It's very much a light SF novel, an adventure yarn with SF trimmings. So much so that I wouldn't be surprised if Foster were to reveal he'd deliberately reworked Treasure Island.
I've noticed things my adolescent self never did, though. Malaika's use if Kiswahili is nice, though it's a very antiquated form of the language. For '72, though, it was a stunning effort to include it, and I wonder how Foster learnt as much as he did. A tourist phrase book? An old copy of the 1930s Kamusi dictionary? I was impressed.
Female characters get short shrift. None are developed as well as the male secondary characters; in fact they're little more than window dressing. The catfights between Malaika's concubine and his pilot are condescending. Touch too much of adolescent fantasy perhaps.
But it remains a craftsman-like novel - and I mean that as praise. I respect craftspeople greatly. Not as well developed as his later work, but all the pieces fit together nicely.
I'm looking forward to rereading more of the Humanx novels, and the Flinx series in particular.
March 14, 2010
My first readings of Alan Dean Foster were the books Alien and Star Wars: Splinter of the Mind's Eye and the Star Trek Log series. I did not enjoy any of these books very much but thought I would give Mr. Foster a try with his own material. Eh-
This book is an origin story. It is fairly uninteresting and appears to leave out information which is important to certain subplots. Maybe that is just he audio file that I was listening to because it also repeated one chapter twice in the file. I did not feel that this book did what it had the potential to do with its characters. I may read another Pip and Flinx. They seem interesting, but Foster didn't give them anything interesting to do. Also, if Flinx is the main character and Flinx is the companion/sidekick/pet/familiar, why dies Pip get top billing. The only reason I can come up with is that it sounds better in that order.
***Spoiler***
It ends with a deus ex machina ending, but the odd thing is not the deus ex machina, but the set up for the use of it which seems contrived.
This book is an origin story. It is fairly uninteresting and appears to leave out information which is important to certain subplots. Maybe that is just he audio file that I was listening to because it also repeated one chapter twice in the file. I did not feel that this book did what it had the potential to do with its characters. I may read another Pip and Flinx. They seem interesting, but Foster didn't give them anything interesting to do. Also, if Flinx is the main character and Flinx is the companion/sidekick/pet/familiar, why dies Pip get top billing. The only reason I can come up with is that it sounds better in that order.
***Spoiler***
It ends with a deus ex machina ending, but the odd thing is not the deus ex machina, but the set up for the use of it which seems contrived.
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