'For Love of Mother-Not' by Alan Dean Foster is a captivating science fiction novel that follows the adventures of Flinx, a streetwise teen in the city of Drallar on the planet Moth. The story revolves around Flinx's journey after the disappearance of his adopted mother, Mother Mastiff, which sets him off on an adventure with his pet mini dragon named Pip. The book is praised for its interesting plot, character development, and captivating writing style that seamlessly blends action, drama, and sci-fi elements. Readers are drawn into Flinx's world filled with dangerous beasties, clever villains, and strong female characters, setting the stage for a classic series to unfold.

The author, Alan Dean Foster, masterfully creates a complex psychosocial, political, and coming-of-age narrative that is enhanced by intense action scenes and a vocabulary that caters to the adult reader. The book introduces readers to Flinx and Pip's bond, setting the foundation for their future confrontations with great evil. Foster's elegant writing style and lovable characters make this prequel a must-read for fans of the genre, providing a compelling blend of adventure, drama, and personal development.

Characters:

The characters, particularly Flinx and Pip, are engaging, with well-developed personalities that enhance the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging but marred by typos and awkward phrasing, yet still accessible and enjoyable.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is centered around Flinx's quest involving alien worlds, character development, and themes of saving loved ones.

Setting:

The setting features a diverse and imaginative sci-fi universe populated by various alien beings.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow but picks up, providing an engaging flow throughout the story.

“Now there’s a scrawny, worthless-looking little runt,” Mother Mastiff thought. She cuddled the bag of woodcarvings a little closer to her waist, making certain it was protected from the rain by a fla...

Notes:

This is the first book in the Pip and Flinx series, which explores Flinx's background and his bond with Pip, a telepathic flying serpent.

Flinx is considered a 'special snowflake' or Mary Sue character, which resonates with readers in a light adventure setting.

The novel combines elements of alien worlds and quirky friends, all while Flinx embarks on a quest to save his adoptive mother and himself.

The author, Alan Dean Foster, started writing the Pip and Flinx series in the 1970s, predating similar themes in other authors' works.

There are no chapter demarcations in this book, which some readers found frustrating.

The story is noted for engaging character development alongside action and adventure.

Readers describe the book as a classic, recommend it to those looking for a fun and easy sci-fi read, and note that it sets up the series well for future installments.

Foster is praised for creating strong female characters and rich world-building full of diverse, dangerous creatures and clever antagonists.

The book was well-received by readers who appreciate the mix of coming-of-age themes, action, and humor in a science fiction setting.

From The Publisher:

From bestselling author Alan Dean Foster, an exciting early Pip and Flinx novel that shows the origins of a certain boy with special powers-and the mini-dragon that becomes his devoted sidekick. . . .

Flinx was just a freckle-faced, redheaded kid with green eyes and a strangely compelling stare when Mather Mastiff first saw him an the auctioneer's block. One hundred credits and he was hers.

For years the old woman was his only family. She loved him, fed him, taught him everything she knew-even let him keep the deadly flying dragon he called Pip. But when Mother Mastiff mysteriously disappears, Flinx tails her kidnappers on a dangerous journey. Across the forests and swamps of the winged world called Moth, their only weapons are Pip's venom . . . and Flinx's unusual talent.

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About the Author:

Alan Dean Foster has written in a variety of genres, including hard science fiction, fantasy, horror, detective, western, historical, and contemporary fiction. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Star Wars: The Approaching Storm and the popular Pip & Flinx novels, as…

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For Love of Mother-Not

Alan Dean Foster

Book 5 in the series:Pip & Flinx