The Universe Against Her

Telzey and Trigger #1

by James H. Schmitz

Telzey Amberdon, at age 15, had enormously developed psionic powers. She could read, as well as change, human minds! In part I, she enjoys an extraordinary telepathic rapport with a feline non-human.

Then her dreams become nightmares dominated by a weird "psionic traffic cop," and she realizes that further exercise of her powers could lead to trouble. Somehow, the interstellar government had found out about her, and had planted that "cop" in her mind to destroy her.
Expansion of 2 previously published stories - "Novice" (1962) and "Undercurrents" (1964).

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Young Adult, Collections, Science Fiction Fantasy

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

James Henry Schmitz (October 15, 1911–April 18, 1981) was an American writer born in Hamburg, Germany of American parents. Aside from two years at business school in Chicago, Schmitz lived in Germany until 1938, leaving before World War II broke out in Europe in 1939. During World War II, Schmitz served as an aerial photographer in the Pacific for the United States Army Air Corps. After the war, he and his brother-in-law ran a business which manufactured trailers until they broke up the business in 1949.

Schmitz is best known as a writer of space opera, and for strong female characters (including Telzey Amberdon and Trigger Argee) that didn't fit into the damsel in distress stereotype typical of science fiction during the time he was writing. His first published story was Greenface, published in August 1943 in Unknown. Most of his works are part of the "Hub" series, though his best known novel is the non-Hub The Witches of Karres, concerning juvenile "witches" with genuine psi-powers and their escape from slavery. Karres was nominated for a Hugo Award.

In recent years, his novels and short stories have been republished by Baen Books (which bought the rights to his estate for $6500), edited (sometimes heavily edited) and with notes by Eric Flint. Baen have also published new works based in the Karres universe.

Schmitz died of congestive lung failure in 1981 after a five week stay in the hospital in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife, Betty Mae Chapman Schmitz.

Reviews

[C.A. Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telzey Amberdon is one of the favourite characters of my teen years and every now and then I drag out my dog eared and dusty copy of this novel to reread. I love that Jame H Schmitz wrote solid female protagonists. The technology is a little dated but was certainly, in keeping with great science fiction, a terrific look into the future. Hand held communication devices - who would ever have believed that back in 1964. This is still a good read and I would recommend it to younger readers without hesitation.

[Ira (SF Words of Wonder) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my full, spoiler light, video review HERE.
Go into this one for the fun adventure with a strong female character with super psionic powers and you will have fun. Don’t over think it like I did because Telzey occasionally does some unethical things with her powers. This is actually 2 stories, I really liked the first one, but I was really losing interest in the second one.

[Nelio Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is a merging of short stories that originally appeared in Analog Magazine, and it does show. Regardless, the effortless prose and engaging stories make this book a pleasure to read, almost, as it has been described elsewhere, a psychic Nancy Drew in Space! I will certainly be reading the remaining adventures of Telzey Amberdon. As a side note, it is rather creepy how she is willing to manipulate peoples feelings and memories despite her own reservations. Interesting how easily a hero can justify following the morally ambiguous route...

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one I'm actually rounding up for my rating because I think for a '60s sci-fi it's pretty good.
A fun fluffy read of psychic powers and pyschic cats. I was slightly disappointed not to have more telepathic cats actually. I would happily have read a whole novel about them.
"The Universe Against Her" is a rather grandoise title for the more low-key adventures Telzey encounters.
Telepathic powers do lead to dodgy morality. Telzey happily alters the minds of others without their consent, though she does hesitate when it comes to a friend of hers. (Like Anne McCaffrey's telepaths where nepotism and eugenics are totally ok if you're doing it to further psychic powers.)
I gather it was first published as two separate stories which explains the disjointed nature. I'd like to read further adventures of Telzey.
It's quite similar to David Weber's A Beautiful Friendship which features a headstrong teenager and telepathic treecats.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in the series starring Telzey, a genius teen who discovers she has psi powers. I agree with other reviewers that I would have preferred more stories featuring the crest cats and Telzey seems to be too perfect. Other than the first story, she doesn't exhibit much emotion. And, sorry to say, there is never any romance with her. She remains aloof, though she does have some friends. Nevertheless, I have read this book a few times and will be rereading the other books in the series.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telzey Amberdon is a psi - she discovers this on vacation at age 15, when her best friend, a Baluit crested cat, is threatened with death. Back in college, her skills are jolted into further growth when her sweet-natured roommate is targeted by a vendetta. Telzey is clever, likeable, and determined. Young people will especially like this, but adults looking for charming science fiction with a backbone will also enjoy it.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow the adventures of Telzey Amberdon as she tries to save her pet (no one is really sure what Tick-Tock is), becomes embroiled in an attempted murder, faces off against her parents, and aunt. All in the life of a genius level, fifteen-year-old college student who has just discovered her psi powers.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depending on where you look up this series this is the first or at least one of the first books in it, namely the Federation of the Hub. I quite enjoyed it, it is fast-paced and has a lovely pulp vibe without descending into pulp sensibilities.

I actually read the book as an ebook but Goodreads doesn't have an ebook edition listed.

[Markos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good light read. Quite dated in terms of modern sci-fi, especially ideas like 'the world only had a dozen computers'. But there were lots of other good sci-fi concepts that show the future looking nature of the writer (+1). Interestingly a strong female character, which is unusual of that time.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telzey Amberdon has more psi gifts than anyone before her. But can she survive the plots against her?

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. What is a 16-year-old genius to do when she suddenly develops psi powers?

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This should have been a fun read, another of Schmitz's stories about teenage girls with psychic powers, as per The Witches of Karres. Unfortunately, there's a lot of telling/info dumping and the Telzey character is what I would classify as a Mary Sue, from classic Trek fanfic days, that is, a female character who is perfect and whom everyone loves. The only difference is that the book lacks the romantic element - but basically the character is so perfect - genius, good looking, develops increasingly fantastic telepathic and other psionic powers - that there's no real drama. The only interesting thing was her relationship with the large intelligent cat of the first story, and how she has to save him, but he is subsequently dropped.

[Mely]

2016 reread.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. YA Friendly. Found this book through hunting down Tim White covers of which I picked up the Lion Game. Realising it was part of series I tracked down this, the first book at a used book store where the proprietors were big fans of the Hub works and had an in store cat called Telzy at one stage.
Resourceful and plucky teen, sure to out smart and out think her antagonists.

[Brunvatne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telzey Amberdon is among my all time favorite female protagonists. She is a sensible and grounded young girl who finds herself involved in one intriguing plot after another. It is always a pleasure to glimpse the world (James H Schmitz' fantasy Hub world that is)from her logical perspective.

[bluetyson]

The Universe Against Her by James H. Schmitz (1964)

[Lynn]

baen ebook

[Lynn Calvin]

baen ebook

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA friendly.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as part of the omnibus special edition collections by Baen: Telzey Amberdon

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done, bridging ably the divide between adult and juvenile. One can almost suspend disbelief of the unlikely maturity of the protagonist.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

"The first novel of Telzey Amberdon, a beautiful young genius-telepath whose only problem is THE UNIVERSE AGAINST HER."

This book is both the best and worst book I've ever read.

[SciFiOne]

series book T1

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling storyline

[Kees Witteman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of Telzey Amberdon