I've been wanting to read some of the Humanx books for sometime, and my chance finally came when I found a few in a Lilliput Library. I have no idea what order I'm supposed to read these in, but I started with this one, because it seemed like the earliest chronologically.

We are introduced to Flinx through the eyes of his adoptive mother, who purchases him at a pseudo-slave auction on the planet of Moth. I immediately warmed to the setting - the unusual way this society handles "welfare" piqued my interest. The planet is interesting, it seems to have proper geology and culture and ecosystems. Although I have to wonder if the freaking enormous fish are realistic.

Flinx ends up pursuing his mother's kidnappers over a long distance, and I did find that his good luck leaned on my suspension of disbelief a little bit. Also, Lauren's decision to help Flinx instead of stay mad at him for all the trouble seems a bit inexplicable, unless Flinx's mysterious talents helped with it.

Definitely intrigued to read more and find out exactly how far Flinx's talents extend. Pip is cool, but concerns me a little because he is so overpowered, basically a slithering deus ex machina. And was his meeting with Flinx the completely random coincidence that it seems to be here? ( )

All of the novels in this extensive series within his Commonwealth universe are highly worthwhile. ( )

As the book that introduces the characters of Pip and Flinx together it is really the first book that should be read in this series. Like all the other books this is a good read that you will find hard to put down. ( )

Foster, Alan Dean. For Love of Mother—Not. 1983. Pip and Flinx No. 1 (Chronological). Gateway, 2013.
Alan Dean Foster is the defining example of a journeyman science fiction author. He writes in several subgenres and seems just as happy writing novelizations of Star Trek, Star Wars and Terminator movies as he is creating his own expansive far future worlds. The reading order for Foster’s novels can be problematic. For Love of Mother—Not (sometimes listed with the dash, sometimes not) is the 10th novel set in the Commonwealth universe, the 5th Pip and Flinx novel published, and the first in the Pip and Flinx chronology. It tells us of Flinx’s first encounter with his Alapisian miniature dragon, Pip, as well as his growing awareness of his own paranormal abilities. It also introduces us to the formidable woman who takes him in, his not-mother, known as Mother Mastiff. The series, which has always reminded me of an expanded version of Robert Heinlein’s Citizen of the Galaxy, is one of the most readable space adventures in the history of the genre. It is as good a place as any to dip your toes into Foster’s work. 4 stars. ( )

For a fluff book, this is one of my very favorites. ( )