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The Dragon Lensman by David A. Kyle
01/09/2004 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
pub: Red Jacket Press. 240 page enlarged paperback. Price: $15.95 (US). ISBN: 0-9748895-5-5. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.redjacketpress.com
Red Jacket Press
Back in 1980, David Kyle was authorised by the late E.E. 'Doc' Smith's estate to write some further adventures in the 'Lensmen' series, the 7 volume archetypal space-opera series. To this end, Kyle wrote 3 books, 'The Dragon Lensmen' being the first of these additional books. This is the first time it's been in print since its original release and to which I have to confess to buying a copy when it first came out. I missed out on the later two books but their time will come over the next month or so. If I'm not mistaken, this is probably the first time an author's work was continued by a different author under their own name and not under a dead author's by-line.
Considering the original books were written between 1934-1960 and this was nearly 20 years later is no mean achievement. Although SF is very much futuristic, it is a future based on the e disruption of existing continuity. With this one, we have as the book title describes, Worsel, a reptilian Velantian, who resembles a 30ft dragon but with several eyes on stalks and to which the Grey Lensman affectionately calls 'old snake'. Even more remarkable for 1980, we are following the adventures of an alien with token human involvement.
The Lensmen are part of the Galactic Patrol and wear an alien lens device that enhances any psychic abilities they have, allowing also for instance communication with anyone else wearing a lens. Owners were selected by the ancient race called Arisians in their war to prevent the evil Eddorians take over the universe. If you think this stirs memories of something happening in DC Comics' 'Green Lantern' series and 'Babylon 5' TV series, well, you can understand what original influence Doc Smith's books have had for generations. You might well want to check the original books out if you've never read them even if it's out of historical interest as they were also considered the real start of SF 'space opera'.
Worsel is brought in to discover why the machines in a museum are becoming active and finds them becoming sentient. Wrestling to get control of the museum asteroid back into organic hands, he finds an Eddorian plot unfolding that has to be curbed and proceeds to track its course as part of the fleet awaits his instructions as to what to do.
If you loved the original series, then you'll appreciate what Kyle has achieved here. The story is nicely paced without questioning where all this is leading. The sense of urgency propels you along without having to think too heavily. Then again, this reality possesses inertialess drives, so your pretty cool starship speeders can race across the galaxy at breakneck speeds. With your ray-gun and axe by your side, you can live through some remarkable adventures here. This book will appeal to those of you who love space-opera as much as those into SF for its historical interest.
GF Willmetts 
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