| Value for Money | 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | 10/10 |
By Harriet Klausner on 13th Sep 2004
| Value for money | 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Overall value | 10/10 |
 Harriet Klausner's recommendation | |
Sliding Scales
Alan Dean Foster
Del Rey, Nov 2004, $24.95, 256 pp.
ISBN: 0345461568
Flinx is on emotional overload. He was forced to leave the love of his life on New Riveria to recover from serious injuries while being pursued by the Order of the Null (end of the world fanatics) and is wanted by the Commonwealth authorities. He also needs to find an invisible weapons platform made by an extinct race that could detect what is coming behind the Great Emptiness. His ship's A.I. has the solution to erase the stress from Flinx's life, something he has never tried before. He is going on vacation.
His A.I recommends he goes to the neutral planet Jast where no Commonwealth authorities exist and the sentient inhabitants the Vsses resemble hopping mushrooms, but there is a presence of the Aann Empire. This reptilian species is bringing the planet under their control. On the orb, an Aann guide accidentally knocks him down a canyon and leaves Flinx for dead. The Tier of Sjaiinn, a native artisan group held in contempt by the Empire, takes Flinx into their compound. Since he lost his memory they take care of him. Meanwhile, someone is attacking Aann installations with plans to remove the species from the planet and the guide returns to complete the killing of Flinx.
The adventures of Flinx and his mini-drag Pip are always fun to read as Flinx somehow attracts troubles like a magnet so that even an innocent vacation turns ugly and could harm friends. SLIDING SCALES is a superb outer space tale with species that seem genuine, especially as they relate to the planet and to Flinx. Alan Dean Foster has provided an exciting young adult tale that adults will enjoy too.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner's review has yet to be rated - Be the first!
Would you like to see a review that's not being listed?
