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Z Lensman by David A. Kyle
pub: Red Jacket Press. 256 page enlarged paperback. Price: $15.95 (US). ISBN: 0-9748895-7-1.

check out website: www.redjacketpress.com


The third and final part of David Kyle's continuing adventures of E.E. 'Doc' Smith's 'Lensmen' stories originally published in 1983 and been out of print since.

Although the focus of this particular story is supposedly the multi-dimensional second-stage lensman Nadreck of Palain VII, there is also much attention given to the career of Benson Cloudd. Then again, the same can also be said for other characters Kyle introduced in the other books and appearances from other characters that Smith created even if there is a tad too much congratulatory balls after winning significant victories.

Get ready to join in with the chorus to their marching song, 'Our Patrol'! The Galactic Patrol has problems from two fronts. The Eddorians are leading their battle-spaceships in a direct confrontation with the Patrol and the rising threat of intelligent machines are watching both sides, seemingly impartial but likely to throw in with whoever will give them the most freedom.

Decisive battles and exploration is required if the civilised worlds are to remain free. If you've kept up with the other two books reviewed last month then this is a fitting end to the trilogy. In many ways, it's been difficult to sum up the plot in exact detail because to do so would reveal the fate of many characters.

Unlike current day tie-ins, things change drastically and significantly to several of them and telling you what to whom gives away far too much of the plot. Whether you believe the 'Lensmen' books belong to an earlier age or not is immaterial. This is still good space opera and meeting up with old character friends again. I like the way Kyle brings in even the Vortex Blasters from Smith's final 'Lensmen' book in the form of Neal Cloud and illustrates their significance in the order of things in this reality.

Gosh! I'm getting real nostalgic here. If you enjoyed the original books, then I don't think you'll be that disappointed here. Keep your uniform pressed and your lens polished.

Clear ether.

GF Willmetts


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