By MarkG on Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 06:08 am:

My five favourites are almost all among the first books I read. It's so difficult to name just five, but the ones I've listed are the ones that I remember most fondly. 1. Hour of the Gate -The book that started it all off for me. A friend lent it to me WAY back in High School saying it was really good.(I thought it sounded stupid from his description but trusted his assurances) Started looking for more ADF books at the High School Library after reading it. 2. Mission to Moulokin -My second ADF book and yet another series read out of order, but read this so many times before I finally found a copy of Icerigger years later. 3. The End of the Matter -Can't remember where I got this one but I loved the story so much. 4. Voyage to the City of the Dead. -Found this when I was hunting through bookstores for more spellsinger novels after getting tired of reading Mission To Moulokin again and again. Liked it so much I found more bookstores and my collection was started. 5. A Call to Arms -Great story. (and finally get start a series from the start)

By adf on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 12:04 pm:

Conan; If I had a nickel for every request to continue this series...I'd have a buncha nickels. Probably not. I sometimes like ending a series with closure, but also a hint of ambiguity. THE DAMNED is one such series. It lets the reader, mentally, write their own sequels.

By Conan on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 06:50 pm:

True, but although I really liked this series (they got me started on your stories) I was a little disappointed with the ending. I wanted to see what would have happened with Humanity in that particular series. Oh well...

By blaze588 on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 11:03 am:

In no order: Dirge Mid-Flinx Mid World The End of the Matter Splinter of the Mind's Eye

By Ged Byrne on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 03:33 pm:

Moment of the Magician Into the Out Of The I Inside The Love of Mother Not Icerigger

By pat on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 07:08 pm:

only five?gonna cheat a little...(no 0rder),slipt,jed the dead,vanishing point,all commonwealth stories,cat-a-lyst.as an aside to adf if you read this, i see that clive cussler has given a review on the cover of primal shadows,.what do you think of his work if you have had a chance to read any?

By Silas Marrs on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 10:07 pm:

Journey of the Catchiest: Possibly the best book I’ve ever read, and coming from me that’s a lot. The I inside Sentenced to Prism The man who used the universe Orphan Star

By rojo117 on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 08:10 pm:

Tar ayrm krang Glory Lane Phylogenesis Dirge Orphan Star no particular order but phylogenesis is probably near the top for me...This is an unfair evaluation though because I see alot of people ranking Lifeform and Voyage to the city of the Dead highly and though I own them I'm still in the middle of Triumph of Souls and won't get to them for another couple of days. But I'd also like to add the catechist books on there.

By rojo117 on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 08:17 pm:

oh! i definately forgot to put howling stones on my list

By Dr. Avery on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 06:37 am:

1. Into the Out Of: If only for the usage of the word yclept. 2. Codgerspace: The book that demonstrates why self toasting sandwiches (no matter how tasty) must never be made. 3. A Call to Arms: It is always nice to see humanity whipping on the aliens from time to time. seems like it is the standard that aliens must be both hostile, and virtual invincible in comparison to humans. Always good to see the trend bucked. 4 With friends like these... : Lots of good stories. This is the book I use to get people hooked on ADF. 5 ...Who needs enemies? : see #4 Honorable mention: Nor Crystal Tears - possibly the best book ever written. Doesn't go on the top 5 for much the same reason they don't let juiced up professional football teams play against high school teams - This book is in a different league. Spellsinger series - My first ADF book. As a full time unemployed musician / composer, this series holds special signifigance for me.

By EBLoh on Sunday, February 15, 2004 - 12:42 am:

1. Nor Crystal Tears Ryozenzuzex is my favourite Thranx. An outcast and a visionary. If I had half his courage... 2. Phylogenesis Shows that something good can come from the not so good. Desvendapur can hardly be called a well-intentioned fellow, but he was the catalyst needed at just the right time. 3. Diuturnity's Dawn Skettle and Beskodnebwyl's act of terrorism is thwarted. Pilwondepat's act of terrorism isn't. This aids the birth of the Humanx Commonwealth which is a good thing. Life and politics are full of ironies. 4. Tar-Aiym-Krang The book that introduced me to Flinx, Pip, and the Humanx Commonwealth. Will always be close to my heart. 5. Mid-Flinx This was just a great Flinx adventure. Read it without the benefit of having read Midworld (impossible to find in Oz) and was amazed at the detail with regards to the wildlife. ADF's jungle-treking obviously has its literary benefits.

By Kuza on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 02:25 am:

1. Love of mother not 2. IceRigger 3. Maori 4. Glory Lane 5. Qouzl no specific order. how the hell did i end up here?!?!

By A on Sunday, March 14, 2004 - 12:37 am:

(in no particular order!) Midworld mid-flinx (the story about the bonzai racers but I forget the name sorry adf) Tar-aiym Kang Ice Rigger But I think it totally unfair to make a five story limit... I like all the sotries and books so it was hard and prolly not even correct (my list that is.)

By Kame_Sennin on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 11:28 pm:

:D I've only currently read 8 of his novels so I'll list the 3 that I like most. Midworld - What can I say about Midworld other than "WOW". This ones by far my favorite, thus far anyways. It reminded my alot of Frank Herberts "The Green Brain". While both have different plots the main idea of the importance of nature (general idea) is strong in both. The Tar-Aiym Krang - The stroy itself wasn't much at all. But it did act as a nice intro to Flinx and Pip.... it was an even nicer introduction to the Commonwealth universe. The flashbacks to the Pitar war was amazing. Icerigger - A damned good adventure. Sure there are a few plots that are left unresolved... but I haven't read the next two stories in the series.

By gmknobl on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:19 pm:

One of my favorites is from "With Friends Like These..." I don't recall the name but it had trees that sang in it. It formed very vivid mental picture in me that I've always wanted to use in role playing. And of course For Love of Mother Not It seems to me character beginnings are always more compelling to read and right but darned if I can ever come up with satisfying endings. That's a real art.

By rastroman on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 09:06 pm:

I've read a lot more Commonwealth stuff than non, so I'll go with 4 commonwealth and one non Midworld is one of my two or three favorite sci-fi books ever. I have no idea why it didn't win a Hugo . . . The Howling Stones is perhaps the second-greatest story of the Commonwealth. The Xuncan "railway" is simply mindblowing, and Pulickel's voyages are mind-expanding: you've *never* read anything like it. ADF's most vivid relationship is that of Bran Tse Mallory and Truzenzuzex, most likely, but it is perhaps in Cachalot that, in addition to the beautiful waterworld, we get his most effectively realized romantic/sexual relationship The Tar Aiym Krang is an outstanding introduction to the Commonwealth: its sense of wonder comes as much from what is shown and revealed as from what is not, with the promise of more to come. The Man Who Used the Universe. Wheels within wheels. . .it's been a long time since I've read it, but I do remember the amazement I had in my head while reading it.

By Kuza on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 01:51 am:

my five favorite books by adf... can... not... name... only... five... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error...error...error...error... error...error...error... system reboot...

By Trendane on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 11:39 am:

Only five? That seems to be a recurring question in this thread. And understandably so. As such, I will also cheat a bit and list two books as one: Season of the Spellsong / Spellsinger Scherzo ( Yes, I know that's a double cheat. ) Slipt ( There aren't words to describe howl much I loved this book. Well....there are, but I don't have enough time at the moment to write a novella about it. ) Glory Lane ( Hoooooooly Cow!! ) Shadowkeep ( Sranul is sooooo cute!! I'll be asking you about him in January. ) And for number 5.....I'll leave that one a mystery.

By jeff the sith on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 03:20 pm:

Off topic, but Splinter of the Mind's Eye is by far the best STAR WARS book ever written. Everyone else tries to take the characters in other directions from the movies instead of going with what made them great. Would've made a great sequel film (definitely better than JEDI). If you loved this one, try L. Neil Smith's LANDO CALRISSIAN books.

By SchmerzKels on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 07:14 am:

1.Flinx (alle) 2.Bannsänger (alle) 3.Eissegler (alle) 4.el Magico 5.auch keine Tränen aus Kristall

By FLINXERONE on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 09:31 pm:

1. TAR AIYM KRANG 2. FOR LOVE OF MOTHER-NOT 3. THE END OF THE MATTER 4. BLOODHYPE 5. THE MAN WHO USED THE UNIVERSE

By BrenBart on Tuesday, July 05, 2005 - 10:54 am:

Sorry, can't narrow it to five individual works... 1: Cyber Way - I loved the world created in this novel. I know several non SF people who also liked this story very much. IMHO this would make a seriously cool movie or SciFi channel series. 2: Midworld - Don't know why I like it so well exactly but I've read it five or six times. 3: The Commonwealth series - Best aliens ever. I particularly like the culturally symbiotic relationship with the Thranx and how we brought humor into their lives. 4: The spellsinger series - Just fun stuff. 5: Sentenced to Prism Honorable mention... I'm fond of The Metrognome because it's one of a very few SF/fantasy stories that my wife has enjoyed. A bit of razzing... I am a huge fan of ADF's works but even the best have their lesser works. ADF and fans, please take the following remarks in the light teasing tone that they are intended. So... The Dig. What was up with that??? My first clue that it might not be the best ADF book ever written was when I picked up the hardcover version at a dollar store. Upon finishing it my first thought was "Well, I guess I know how to play the video game now." My second thought was "Hmm... Why did ADF write that? Wanted to buy a new car? Contractual obligation? Needed to cover a medical bill? A bet?" Somehow I just have the feeling that it wasn't an attempt for a pulitzer. ADF - Honestly, no disrespect intended. (Not much anyway!) The book just seems out of character with your other works and I like to tease people. Plus, I genuinly am curious as to how you decide which projects you will work on.

By McClance on Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 11:48 pm:

Heh, heh... I've only read 5. So far... 1: Nor Crystal Tears 2: Phylogenesis 3: Dirge 4: Diuturnity's Dawn 5: Midworld

By Undeniablu on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 10:45 am:

I'm surprised to not see Quozl on anyone's list. I recommend it to anyone that will listen. It is in my top five along with the following: Glory Lane - I read this one 3 times in one week the first time I picked it up. The Man Who Used the World - Well imagined and it kept me guessing up until the very end. A Call to Arms - A great trilogy, but the first book was by far my favorite. I laughed out loud a number of times. Icerigger - Of all the ADF books I have read, I imagined this one as one of the most exciting ones to see adapted to the silver screen. Thank You ADF. You are one of my most favorite authors.

By Peter on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:25 pm:

only 5 lets see if only the Library In Fairbanks Alaska were as full as that of Barrow I would have more to list but I have read these. Mid-World Diurnities Dawn A Call To Arms The Man Who used The Universe Nor Crystal Tears

By Minion on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 05:19 am:

Top Five Books 1) The I Inside. Why ADF is not sueing the makers of the Matrix I do not know (Trinity's jump in the opening sequence against Eric Abbot's escape from the Harlem Towers, Kong Fu throws a person into the ceiling/wall and being embedded in them, a battle against the computer, super strength/speed and that is just off the top of my head). A great story, a lovely twist and some nice splashes of humour. 2) Alien. Scared the **** out of me and actually gave me nightmares. I had not seen the film at the time and the monster was far more terrifying for not being described. Brett's death was much more intense and the creatures abilities are highlighted far more than in the film. 3) The Man Who Used the Universe. Love the story, love the characters a highly moral man whose morals do not necessarly match the rest of the universe and a lovely twist in the tail. 4) The Hour of the Gate. I have trouble picking one of the Spellsinger series but this one is my favourite. The confrontation with the mother of nightmares, the battle of the Gate, the plated folk both as they are perceived and as they are and the characterisation is great. 5) Orphan Star. Again any of the Commonwealth Series could have been picked but this one is probably my favourite (just) as I like the idea that the Commonwealth is like most governments in protecting it's own interests and that the United Church is also the same. It is also nice as it sets Flinx on the rest of his quest after his confrontation with the Kang, in the first book, this is the story of how he gets the tools to perform it while expanding his character and showing how his own quest is different to what the universe has in store for him.

By Ian Mc on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 01:59 pm:

1} icerigger 2) A call to arms 3) sentenced to prism 4) Bloodhype 5) Hour of the gate

By strider1974 on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 01:59 am:

Mid-Flinx A Call to Arms Spellsinger Nor Crystal Tears The I-Inside Icerigger I know that's six but I couldn't pick one to remove from the list.

By mepheta on Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 03:54 pm:

Sentenced to Prism Cachalot Kingdoms of Light The Entire Catechist Trilogy Catalyst

By Wanderer on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - 04:12 am:

MY PERSONAL TOP FIVE: The Howling Stones The Hand Of Dinotopia Maori The Mocking Program Mad Amos

By Sean Dustman on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 06:12 pm:

For the Love of Mother Not (First SciFi book I ever read when I was at Humboldt Jr High) The I Inside (I kept picturing Arnold acting in this, in some other reality, this was a blockbuster movie) The End of the Matter (Brought a lot of Flinx's life together and would hold it's own against any SciFi out there) Cyber Way (I had to keep coming back for a re-read, this novel kept growing on me) Slipt (all of my family loved this book, smooth writing, also deserves to make it to other medias) I missed Comic Con this year to the needs of the government, maybe next year. Hope Prescott is keeping you well, just bought some land out in Paulden to move to when I get out of this boat club (Navy)

By Julia on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 01:25 pm:

Midworld Nor Crystal Tears End of the Matter Orphan Star Into the Out Of

By Dave on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 10:13 pm:

Flinx in Flux: Great story, Flinx coming of age resonated with me. For Mother Not: Showed Flinx's perseverance and humanity. The End of the Matter: Great science fiction, and interesting characters like Skua September. Tar Aiym Krang: I enjoyed the intellectual discussions of Tru and Bran. Midworld: Exotic locale, interesting perspective on intelligence.

By Marty on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 12:26 pm:

Reading these lists my top 5 keep changing, really impossible to pick just 5 but here goes: Sentenced to Prism Quozl The Howling Stones The Icerigger Trilogy Founding of the Commonwealth Trilogy Nor Crystal Tears Dinotopia Lost Yup, impossible to list only 5, and the order keeps changing. Hard to pick a favorite Spellsinger or Flinx book, I get them all mixed together in my head. Star Trek Logs were my first ADF books back in the 70's, so those get special mention.

By FLlNX@AOL.COM on Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 04:04 pm:

Where do all the old posts go when they die? I'm sure I've done this before. . .ah well, deja vue or not, here goes (again). . . 1/ The man who used the universe. Such a brilliant storyline, still re-read it at least once a year. 2/ Dirge. If something looks too good to be true. . . . shoot it with an unstoppable missile. 3/ Icerigger. my first ADF book and the introduction to Skua September. . .Still waiting for the book on the Analava system wars. 4/ Qouzl. I love those furry little critters but I'm not sure I'd want to sleep with one, no matter how impolite it would be to decline. 5/ Midworld. Because it took me over 20 years to find a copy, and I was really, really, trying. It also took over 20 years to find a copy of Luana but that enters the top 112 list at position 111, just ahead of "The dig". Special mentions to Life form and sentenced to prism. Great, but they don't make the cut for the top 5. Well that takes care of the single fave books but that takes no notice of the series volumes which rate a different list, as someone said earlier they are in a different league and it's unfair to make the comparison, I'll take a good series over a brilliant stand-alone any day of the week. 1/ Flinx & Pip series. Everyones heroes. 2/ Spellsinger. Outstanding fantasy. 3/ A call to arms. We really could be the scum of the universe, I'm sure intelligent life has looked at earth and run away screaming "You DO NOT want to go near that bunch of warmongering psychos". 4/ All the other commonwealth novels. Fantastic as stand-alones and even better as the basis/groundwork for the Flinx & Pip series. 5/ All the novelisations. They all turned out better than the films they were based on.

By jamromhem on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 02:46 pm:

I went out today and picked up a large number of ADF's books from used book stores in the area (9 books) Including the Mid-Flinx in hardback for $7. That was the best find for the day. Also since I was about a day away from ordering it online from some random part of the country. I have to say the flinx set is my favorite, though I still have yet to read them all.