Flinx Transcendent (Adventures of Pip & Flinx)

I'm a big fan of Alan Dean Foster and have read/own everything he's written.... I was a bit disappointed at his previous book in this series, however, he came through with this one. Every couple of years I have re-read this series and enjoyed it greatly. I am glad that we finally have the "rest of the story". Thank you to Mr. Foster for his wonderful way of presenting stories for us SciFi fans to experience.

A great finish to the series. If you have enjoyed the adventures of Pip & Flinx, you will want to add this book to your collection.

I'll admit to a slight bias toward Alan Dean Foster's work, as the first book I ever purchased with my own money was "Midworld," back when I was in the fourth grade in the late '70s. The scope of Foster's imagination, and the level of detail he brought to his imaginary worlds, floored me, and compelled me to seek out the rest of his work. Flash forward 30 years, and I'm still a big fan of ADF, particularly of his Commonwealth-related novels. And the continuing adventures of Flinx and Pip are my favorite subgroup of those novels, with Foster's ever-expanding imagination continuing to enthrall me literally decades after I first discovered him. So it was with a combination of excitment and sadness that I began "Flinx Transcendent" - excitment because it seemed that at last, the long-standing mysteries surrounding the Tar Aiym Krang, the Great Evil descending upon the Commonwealth, and the other clues ADF has laid out over the years would be answered, and sadness because a long-running series I've loved would soon end. By the book's conclusion I was leaning far more towards the "excitement" side, as I feel Foster wrapped up all the loose ends he's scattered through past books, from "Cacahlot" and "Midworld" on up through his most recent novels, in a most satisfactory way. Some may worry that these resolutions felt a bit strealmined, but they seemed completely organic to me, and brought Flinx's saga to a rousing close. The final line made me smile. I'm still hoping for more novels set in the Commonwealth, but if this is the end of that particular aspect of Foster's writing career, then he's definitely going out on a high note.

I started reading about Flinx in 6th grade, 1983 I just happened to pick it up the first day it came in at the library at Humboldt Jr High and from there, I became a fast fan of Science Fiction. The last few books of the series seemed to be fillers then this comes out. It brings the entire universe back together, loose ends are tied off and the great mysteries of the Commenwealth that are mentioned in other books are put to rest. Good job Alan, I've been around for the long haul and I'm happy to have such a great ending to this road. Now it's time to get my son hooked on the series, thanks!

Flinx still recovers from the demoralizing events that have shaken his soul (see QUOFUM). Filled with self loathing and galaxy wide doubts he can do the mission he must do, Flinx with his loyal sidekick Pip prepares for the eventuality of the final showdown against the Great Evil. Adding to his growing uncertainty is the reality he is the only individual who can stop the Great Evil if he can avoid the Order of the Null assassins who need him eliminated to achieve their mission. With his confidence at an all time low and shrinking and on his way to the final confrontation, Flinx, with Pip accompanying him, stops off to negotiate a truce between the human Commonwealth and the AAnn; and. He also reunites with his beloved Clarity Held and his teachers Truzenzuzex and Tse-Mallory in hope that they give him inspiration, hope and a renewed fighting spirit even as he expects to go it alone in the last battle. Long time fans of the saga will relish the finish besides the obvious strong tale, the return of key players in Flinx's escapades seems appropriate for the end game. The story line starts a bit slow as the strange bedfellows need introduction, but once the plot accelerates, FLINX TRANSCENDENT never slows down until the final spin. With a nod to the homage my enemy's enemy is my friend, Alan Dean Foster provides a triumphant climax to a wonderful series as Flinx learns the same lesson constantly of be careful who has your back (besides Pip). Harriet Klausner