The Man-Kzin Wars II

If you like Sci-Fi and you like Space, then You've GOT to read Larry Niven's Man Kzin books. He's gotten together with scientists and over 20 writers and created a so-fi world unlike any that's ever been created. His sci-fi world will continue perpetuating itself long after he's gone because many young writers have bought into his sci-fi version of space as well as MANY older well established ones.

In the second installment of the Man-Kzin Wars, one of the most interesting Kzinti characters is introduced: Chuut Riit. I love it when they get into the personalities of these aliens, cause it's just plain absurd, and you want to read more. Like, at one point, you're introduced, albeit briefly to a Kzinti computer nerd. A KZINTI computer nerd!!! This is just cool. I'm sorry, but in dealing with Man-Kzin Wars books it all comes down to that. Can't say more than that. Cool.

'Briar Patch' is a sequel to 'Cathouse' from the previous book. Lockleal goes to the Earth compound next door to the Kzin Compound on the planet, Zoo and releases a group of Neanderthal humans from stasis. He lives among them, studies them and comes up with amazing and heretofore unknown insights about Neanderthals that although the story is fictional, seem true. The story provides fascinating theories about Neanderthals and their relationship to the Cro-Magnons...

This was a good followup to this series, an enjoyable afternoon which each of the novellas. Some of the storylines do continue through multiple books, making it worthwhile to read them all in order. We get a bit more fleshing out of Known Space and the kzin in general, and although different authors contribute, the whole thing is generally cohesive. Nothing in here will be a permanent classic (like Ringworld), but they aren't supposed to be. Other sci-fi writers are just taking a light foray into Niven's universe. Bring the series to the beach.