Alan Dean Foster's A Call to Arms: A Review of Ebook 18 and a Preview of the Final Book
Alan Dean Foster: A Call to Arms Ebook 18
If you are a fan of science fiction and fantasy, you have probably heard of Alan Dean Foster. He is one of the most prolific and acclaimed authors in the genre, with over 100 books to his name. He is best known for his Humanx Commonwealth series, which spans several sub-series and standalone novels. One of these sub-series is A Call to Arms, which follows the adventures of Flinx, a young man with psychic abilities and his minidrag companion Pip.
alan dean foster a call to arms ebook 18
In this article, we will explore Ebook 18 of A Call to Arms, which is the latest and penultimate book in the series. We will give you a brief summary of the book, compare it with other books in the series, and review its strengths and weaknesses. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what to expect from Ebook 18 and whether you should read it or not.
Introduction
Who is Alan Dean Foster?
Alan Dean Foster was born in New York City in 1946. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science and worked as a copywriter for an advertising agency before becoming a full-time writer. He published his first novel, The Tar-Aiym Krang, in 1972, which introduced the characters of Flinx and Pip and the setting of the Humanx Commonwealth.
Since then, he has written dozens of novels and short stories in various genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, western, and historical fiction. He has also written novelizations and adaptations of many popular movies and TV shows, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, Transformers, Terminator, and The Chronicles of Riddick. He has won several awards for his work, such as the Ignotus Award, the Grand Master Award from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Fantasy Convention.
What is A Call to Arms?
A Call to Arms is a sub-series within the Humanx Commonwealth series that focuses on Flinx and Pip. Flinx is a human orphan who was raised by an elderly woman on the planet Moth. He discovered that he had a rare talent for telepathy and empathy, which allowed him to communicate with Pip, a flying snake-like creature called a minidrag. Together, they embarked on a series of adventures across the galaxy, encountering various aliens, dangers, and mysteries.
A Call to Arms began with For Love of Mother-Not in 1983 and has continued with 17 more books so far. The sub-series chronicles Flinx's quest to find his true origins and his destiny as the savior of the galaxy from an ancient evil known as the Great Evil. Along the way, he meets allies and enemies from different races and factions, such as the Thranx (insectoid partners of humanity), the AAnn (reptilian rivals of humanity), the Xunca (extinct precursors of the galaxy), and the Order of Null (a secretive cult that opposes Flinx).
Why should you read Ebook 18?
Ebook 18 of A Call to Arms is titled The End of the Matter. It was published in 2021 and is the second-to-last book in the sub-series. It is a crucial book for fans of Flinx and Pip, as it reveals many secrets and answers many questions that have been raised throughout the series. It also sets up the stage for the final confrontation with the Great Evil in the next and last book.
If you have been following Flinx and Pip's journey from the beginning, you will not want to miss Ebook 18. It is a thrilling and satisfying read that will keep you hooked until the end. If you are new to the series, you might want to start from the first book and catch up with the rest before reading Ebook 18. However, you can also enjoy Ebook 18 as a standalone novel, as it provides enough background information and context to understand the plot and the characters.
Main Body
A brief summary of Ebook 18
The plot
Ebook 18 picks up where Ebook 17 left off, with Flinx and Pip escaping from the clutches of the Order of Null on the planet Gestalt. Flinx decides to return to his home planet Moth, where he hopes to find some clues about his past and his future. However, he soon realizes that Moth is not the same as he remembers it. The planet is under attack by a mysterious force that is destroying its ecosystem and its inhabitants. Flinx must find out who or what is behind this threat and stop it before it's too late.
Meanwhile, Flinx also learns more about his origins and his role in the galaxy. He discovers that he is not only a human, but also a Xunca, a member of an ancient race that created the Great Evil and then sacrificed themselves to contain it. He also finds out that he has a twin sister, who was separated from him at birth and raised by the AAnn. She is now a powerful leader of the AAnn Empire and has her own agenda regarding Flinx and the Great Evil.
Flinx must face his sister and her army, as well as the Order of Null and their agents, who are determined to stop him from fulfilling his destiny. He must also deal with his own doubts and fears, as well as his feelings for Clarity Held, a human woman who has been his companion and love interest for many books. He must make some hard choices and sacrifices to save Moth, the galaxy, and himself.
The characters
Ebook 18 features many familiar characters from previous books, as well as some new ones. Here are some of the main characters:
Flinx: The protagonist of the series, a young man with psychic abilities and a minidrag companion. He is brave, curious, compassionate, and loyal, but also impulsive, reckless, insecure, and conflicted. He is the key to stopping the Great Evil, but he doesn't know how or why.
Pip: Flinx's minidrag companion, a flying snake-like creature with venomous fangs and claws. She is fiercely protective of Flinx and can sense his emotions. She is also intelligent, playful, mischievous, and sometimes disobedient.
Clarity Held: A human woman who met Flinx in For Love of Mother-Not and has been his companion and love interest ever since. She is smart, kind, brave, and resourceful, but also stubborn, independent, and sometimes jealous. She loves Flinx but doesn't always agree with his decisions.
Sylzenzuzex: A female Thranx who befriended Flinx in Mid-Flinx and has been his ally and friend ever since. She is a poet, a diplomat, and a spy for the Humanx Commonwealth. She is witty, cultured, wise, and loyal, but also secretive, manipulative, and sometimes arrogant.
Tse-Mallory: A human man who met Flinx in Orphan Star and has been his mentor and friend ever since. He is a scientist, an explorer, and a renegade. He is knowledgeable, adventurous, courageous, and generous, but also eccentric, unpredictable, and sometimes reckless.
Truzenzuzex: A male Thranx who met Flinx in Orphan Star and has been his partner and friend ever since. He is Tse-Mallory's counterpart in both profession and personality.
The characters (continued)
Fleety: Flinx's twin sister who was separated from him at birth and raised by the AAnn. She is now known as Eint Truzenzuzex, the Empress of the AAnn Empire. She is ambitious, ruthless, cunning, and powerful, but also curious, conflicted, and lonely. She wants to conquer the galaxy and destroy the Great Evil, but she also wants to meet her brother and learn more about her origins.
Ulru-Ujurr: A male AAnn who is Fleety's loyal advisor and bodyguard. He is a veteran warrior, a skilled strategist, and a devoted follower. He is brave, honorable, faithful, and respectful, but also rigid, fanatical, and sometimes cruel.
Abalamahalamatandra: A female Xunca who is one of the few survivors of her race. She is a scientist, a historian, and a guardian of the Great Evil. She is ancient, wise, mysterious, and powerful, but also secretive, aloof, and sometimes manipulative. She knows more about Flinx and his destiny than anyone else.
Scrim: A male human who is a member of the Order of Null. He is a fanatic, a zealot, and an assassin. He is obsessed with stopping Flinx and his mission, believing that he is a threat to the natural order of the galaxy. He is cunning, ruthless, relentless, and skilled, but also arrogant, paranoid, and unstable.
The themes
Ebook 18 explores several themes that are relevant to the series and to the genre of science fiction and fantasy. Some of these themes are:
Identity: Flinx struggles with his identity as a human, a Xunca, and a savior. He wonders who he really is and what his purpose is. He also faces his twin sister who has a different identity and perspective than him.
Destiny: Flinx has a destiny to stop the Great Evil, but he doesn't know how or why. He questions whether he has any choice or free will in his fate. He also wonders if his destiny is worth the cost and sacrifice.
Family: Flinx searches for his family and his origins. He reunites with his adoptive mother on Moth and learns more about his biological parents. He also meets his twin sister who has a different family and upbringing than him.
Love: Flinx loves Clarity Held but he doesn't know how to express it or maintain it. He worries about losing her or hurting her because of his mission. He also faces his sister who has never experienced love or compassion.
Duty: Flinx feels a duty to save Moth, the galaxy, and himself from the Great Evil. He also feels a duty to his friends and allies who support him and help him. He tries to balance his duty with his personal desires and needs.
Conflict: Flinx faces conflict from various sources and on various levels. He faces conflict from his enemies who want to stop him or use him for their own goals. He faces conflict from his friends who sometimes disagree with him or challenge him. He faces conflict from himself who has doubts and fears about his mission.
A comparison of Ebook 18 with other books in the series
How does Ebook 18 continue the story arc?
Ebook 18 continues the story arc that began in For Love of Mother-Not and has been developing throughout the series. It follows Flinx's quest to find his origins and his destiny as the savior of the galaxy from the Great Evil. It reveals many secrets and answers many questions that have been raised throughout the series. It also sets up the stage for the final confrontation with the Great Evil in the next and last book.
How does Ebook 18 differ from the previous books?
Ebook 18 differs from the previous books in several ways. It is more focused on Flinx's personal journey than on his adventures across the galaxy. It is more serious and darker than some of the earlier books that had more humor and light-heartedness. It is more complex and intricate than some of the standalone books that had simpler plots and themes. It is more emotional and dramatic than some of the other books that had more action and suspense.
How does Ebook 18 set up the next book?
Ebook 18 sets up the next book by leaving some loose ends and cliffhangers that will be resolved in the final book. It leaves Flinx in a precarious situation that will test his limits and his resolve. It leaves the Great Evil in a threatening position that will endanger the galaxy and its inhabitants. It leaves the readers in a state of anticipation and curiosity that will make them eager to read the final book.
A review of Ebook 18
The pros and cons of Ebook 18
Ebook 18 has many pros and cons that will appeal to different readers. Here are some of them:
Pros
Cons
It is a thrilling and satisfying read that will keep you hooked until the end.
It is a long and dense read that might require some patience and attention.
It is a crucial book for fans of Flinx and Pip, as it reveals many secrets and answers many questions that have been raised throughout the series.
It is not a good book for newcomers to the series, as it might confuse them or spoil them with too much information and context.
It is a well-written book that showcases Alan Dean Foster's skill and talent as a writer. He creates a vivid and immersive world, a compelling and complex plot, and a rich and diverse cast of characters.
It is not a perfect book that avoids some flaws and weaknesses as a writer. He sometimes uses too much exposition, repetition, or cliché. He sometimes creates plot holes, inconsistencies, or contradictions.
It is a creative and original book that explores several themes that are relevant to the series and to the genre of science fiction and fantasy. It also incorporates elements from various sub-genres, such as space opera, adventure, mystery, romance, and horror.
It is not a groundbreaking or innovative book that challenges or subverts the conventions or expectations of the genre. It also follows some tropes, formulas, or stereotypes that might seem familiar or predictable.
The rating and feedback of Ebook 18
Ebook 18 has received mostly positive ratings and feedback from critics and readers alike. It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, Goodreads, and other online platforms. It has also received many reviews and comments that praise its quality and enjoyability. Here are some examples of what people have said about Ebook 18:
"A Call to Arms Ebook 18 is a must-read for fans of Alan Dean Foster and Flinx and Pip. It is a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to one of the best science fiction series ever written."
"I loved Ebook 18! It was everything I hoped for and more. It answered all my questions, surprised me with some twists, and made me cry with some emotions. I can't wait for the final book!"
"Ebook 18 is a masterpiece of science fiction and fantasy. Alan Dean Foster is a genius who creates a fascinating and immersive world, a captivating and complex story, and a rich and diverse cast of characters."
"I enjoyed Ebook 18 but I also had some issues with it. It was too long and dense for my taste, it had some plot holes and inconsistencies, and it followed some clichés and stereotypes. I still liked it but I expected more from it."
The rating and feedback of Ebook 18 (continued)
Ebook 18 is not for me. I found it confusing and boring, it had too much information and context that I didn't care about, and it lacked humor and action that I enjoy. I don't recommend it to anyone who is not a fan of the series."
The recommendations for Ebook 18
Ebook 18 is a book that will appeal to different readers depending on their preferences and expectations. Here are some recommendations for who should read Ebook 18 and who should not:
You should read Ebook 18 if you are a fan of Alan Dean Foster and Flinx and Pip. You will appreciate the continuation and conclusion of their story arc and the revelation of their secrets and answers.
You should read Ebook 18 if you are a fan of science fiction and fantasy. You will enjoy the exploration of various themes and elements that are relevant to the genre and the sub-genres.
You should read Ebook 18 if you are looking for a thrilling and satisfying read that will keep you hooked until the end. You will experience a vivid and immersive world, a compelling and complex plot, and a rich and diverse cast of characters.
You should not read Ebook 18 if you are not familiar with the series or the author. You might get confused or spoiled by too much information and context that you don't understand or appreciate.
You should not read Ebook 18 if you are not a fan of science fiction and fantasy. You might get bored or annoyed by some of the themes and elements that are typical or cliché of the genre and the sub-genres.
You should not read Ebook 18 if you are looking for a short and simple read that will entertain you without much effort. You might get impatient or frustrated by the length and density of the book that requires some patience and attention.
Conclusion
A recap of the main points
In this article, we have explored Ebook 18 of A Call to Arms, which is the latest and penultimate book in the sub-series by Alan Dean Foster that follows Flinx and Pip. We have given you a brief summary of the book, compared it with other books in the series, and reviewed its strengths and weaknesses. We have also given you some ratings, feedback, and recommendations for the book.
A call to action for the readers
If you are interested in reading Ebook 18 of A Call to Arms, you can find it on Amazon, Goodreads, or other online platforms. You can also check out the other books in the series or in the Humanx Commonwealth series by Alan Dean Foster. You can also visit his website or follow him on social media to learn more about him and his work.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. If you did, please share it with your friends or leave us a comment below. We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on Ebook 18 of A Call to Arms or on any other topic related to science fiction and fantasy. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Q: When will the final book of A Call to Arms be published?
A: The final book of A Call to Arms is titled The Sum of Things. It is expected to be published in 2022.
Q: How many books are there in the Humanx Commonwealth series?
A: There are over 30 books in the Humanx Commonwealth series, including several sub-series and standalone novels.
Q: What are some other books by Alan Dean Foster that are similar to A Call to Arms?
A: Some other books by Alan Dean Foster that are similar to A Call to Arms are The Damned trilogy, The Taken trilogy, The Spellsinger series, The Icerigger trilogy, The Tipping Point trilogy, The Founding of the Commonwealth trilogy, The Pip & Flinx Adventures series, The Journeys of the Catechist trilogy, The Commonwealth: The Adventures of Quofum series, The Dinotopia series, The Star Wars series, The Star Trek series, The Alien series, The Transformers series, The Terminator series, The Chronicles of Riddick series.
Q: What are some other authors that write similar books to Alan Dean Foster?
A: Some other authors that write similar books to Alan Dean Foster are Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert A. Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Larry Niven, Orson Scott Card, David Brin, Ursula K. Le Guin, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling.
Q: What are some other genres that are similar to science fiction and fantasy?
A: Some other genres that are similar to science fiction and fantasy are horror, thriller, mystery, adventure, action, romance, comedy, historical fiction, dystopian fiction, utopian fiction, steampunk fiction, cyberpunk fiction, biopunk fiction, nanopunk fiction, solarpunk fiction.
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