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Taflak Lysandra
In the dangerous bio-mass of the planet Majesty, Lysandra and her father, a coyote scientist, uncover the plans of an ancient, hidden civilization and the Hooded Seven's plot to attack the human Confederation that Lysandra and her father command
- GenresScience Fiction
230 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1988
26 people want to read
About the author
L. Neil Smith
39 books69 followersL. Neil Smith was a Libertarian science fiction author and gun rights activist.Smith was born in Denver, Colorado.
Smith began publishing science fiction with “Grimm’s Law” for Stellar 5 (1980). He wrote 31 books, including 29 novels, and a number of essays and short stories. In 2016, Smith received the Special Prometheus Award for Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to libertarian science fiction.
He was editor of LEVER ACTION BBS [now defunct], founder and International Coordinator of the Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus, Secretary and Legislative Director of the Weld County Fish & Wildlife Association and an NRA Life Member.
Smith passed away on August 27, 2021 in Fort Collins, Colorado at age 75 after a lengthy battle with heart and kidney disease. Smith is survived by daughter Rylla Smith and wife Cathy Smith.
Smith began publishing science fiction with “Grimm’s Law” for Stellar 5 (1980). He wrote 31 books, including 29 novels, and a number of essays and short stories. In 2016, Smith received the Special Prometheus Award for Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to libertarian science fiction.
He was editor of LEVER ACTION BBS [now defunct], founder and International Coordinator of the Libertarian Second Amendment Caucus, Secretary and Legislative Director of the Weld County Fish & Wildlife Association and an NRA Life Member.
Smith passed away on August 27, 2021 in Fort Collins, Colorado at age 75 after a lengthy battle with heart and kidney disease. Smith is survived by daughter Rylla Smith and wife Cathy Smith.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2011
Decent bit of space opera, in which a teenage girl, her adopted father, a lady soldier and a yeti explore a planet so covered in plant life that no one is entirely sure if there is a planet under all those leaves.
Likable and interesting main characters and a very cool world.
The crew's adventures have the feel of the kind of stuff you'd find in an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, while having the same kind of political system/message that you'd find in a Heinlein novel.
So, you have a decent sci-fi romp which is occasionally interupted by a speech full of psuedo-libertarian BS.
Apparently, this is part of a series, but wasn't a problem for me, as I was halfway through the book before I realized it.
It does become obvious at the ending, but otherwise a nice bit of fluffy sci-fi adventure.
Likable and interesting main characters and a very cool world.
The crew's adventures have the feel of the kind of stuff you'd find in an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, while having the same kind of political system/message that you'd find in a Heinlein novel.
So, you have a decent sci-fi romp which is occasionally interupted by a speech full of psuedo-libertarian BS.
Apparently, this is part of a series, but wasn't a problem for me, as I was halfway through the book before I realized it.
It does become obvious at the ending, but otherwise a nice bit of fluffy sci-fi adventure.
June 30, 2023
Author L. Neil Smith slightly branched out in this entry to his alternative universe series -- and added another fascinating episode.
His premise, that there are limitless variations in alternative universes, offers hope to us dreamers of a world where human rights and individual liberty reign.
We dream such dreams, despite the "news" reports showing that even the very concept of human rights and individual liberty takes a beating daily. HOURLY!
Such enemies of liberty as Joe Biden and Donald Trump are so much a part of daily life, such enemies as Congress, state legislatures, city councils, county supervisors, hold such sway, dominate our lives, that it seems only in fiction do we see any consideration given to human rights and individual liberty.
So it is with gratitude we grab hold of books and essays by L. Neil Smith. We latch onto the opportunity to read his alternative universes -- but we need also to recognize his great ability in how he says what he says.
L. Neil sometimes, because his own knowledge was so great, mentions aspects of popular culture that stick-in-the-muds like me might miss. Never mind. Every one of his books has been such a treat that, if some allusions elude my grasp, heck, that's just another reason to re-read any particular book. Another good reason.
L. Neil is gone from this particular universe, but, fortunately, his books -- and his essays -- remain with us, giving us hope and entertainment and encouragement.
His premise, that there are limitless variations in alternative universes, offers hope to us dreamers of a world where human rights and individual liberty reign.
We dream such dreams, despite the "news" reports showing that even the very concept of human rights and individual liberty takes a beating daily. HOURLY!
Such enemies of liberty as Joe Biden and Donald Trump are so much a part of daily life, such enemies as Congress, state legislatures, city councils, county supervisors, hold such sway, dominate our lives, that it seems only in fiction do we see any consideration given to human rights and individual liberty.
So it is with gratitude we grab hold of books and essays by L. Neil Smith. We latch onto the opportunity to read his alternative universes -- but we need also to recognize his great ability in how he says what he says.
L. Neil sometimes, because his own knowledge was so great, mentions aspects of popular culture that stick-in-the-muds like me might miss. Never mind. Every one of his books has been such a treat that, if some allusions elude my grasp, heck, that's just another reason to re-read any particular book. Another good reason.
L. Neil is gone from this particular universe, but, fortunately, his books -- and his essays -- remain with us, giving us hope and entertainment and encouragement.
April 2, 2025
Another pretty good story with likeable characters.
May 8, 2015
1989 grade C-
series book A7
series book B2
series book A7
series book B2
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews