By Sonny Whitelaw and Elizabeth Christensen.
Summary: A series of gruesome murders on Earth leads back to the SGC, with ties to Pegasus. Weir and some team members are recalled to help Daniel Jackson and an FBI Profiler solve the mystery.
Review: I enjoyed this story.
This is a heavy crossover that leans more into SG1 than SGA and if you haven't watched a lot of SG1 (like me) parts won't be perfectly clear. Me, I'm easily pleased so I just accepted that things would make sense in the end, despite me not knowing all the SG1 backstory. And I basically read between the lines and figured most of it out.
Still, for me it always felt like an SG1 story that just happened to have most of the SGA characters in it, but that's probably due to 1) it happens largely on Earth, and 2) a lot of the "reasons why" everything happened were related to or were explained in SG1 episodes I didn't see.
Were the characters In Character? Yes. I thought so. They sounded like themselves to me.
Since finishing this book I read the Amazon reviews and was really surprised. I didn't think Rodney came off as a coward. He isn't my favorite character though, so sometimes I miss the nuances, but he wasn't so off that I even noticed it. Several people think Larance, the OC, is a Mary Sue. I didn't really think so, at least not as much as Keller was. The reasoning given for who was killed and "planted in position", etc., applied to Larance too, even if she didn't know it, and gave a reason in my mind for her to be in the story a lot. She was in it more than most of the SGA characters, other than John and Rodney--something that bothered me a little and I suspect bothers others too. That she was also the one who happened to clear John to go to Antarctica years ago was a little bit of a stretch to me, but not too bad.
And I saw references to John "Kirking" and flirting a lot in the book which just made me go, huh? To me, he was uncomfortable with all the women in the book except for Weir and Teyla. All of them. He acted like he wished they weren't there. That's how it read to me, though he did admit to sleeping with Chaya in this story.
The story was obviously heavily-researched and was well-written. I don't recall any typos or bad editing at all. There was a little, to me, gruesome Shep whump and I liked the way Teyla was used near the end. Some of the dialogue had me chuckling aloud--mostly Rodney's lines. I did like the new aliens and the new world the authors created.
For the most part it was really interesting. The only parts that dragged for me were some of the long explanations about mythology or genetics, but thankfully there wasn't a lot of it. Most was sprinkled throughout.
A good read? Yes. For me it was. I liked it, stayed up late a few nights, and am glad I read it. I tried to relax and just enjoy a new adventure with characters I like in it.
If you're looking for a mostly SGA or "Team" SGA story, this isn't it. If you aren't a fan of OC's or Daniel Jackson, then maybe you should skip this one.
_________________________________
So far I haven't read any SGA books I truly disliked enough to "toss out". The worst I can say about a few is the editing isn't always terrific and they have boring stretches. But then, the same can be said of a lot of non-tv tie-in novels too. To me, part of the reason some are a little dull is that the characters are the same at the end as they were when the story started, with only minor changes, so some exciting stuff has to be downplayed. That's basically the nature of tie-ins though and doesn't leave any room for major character growth like you'd find in other types of novels. It doesn't often bother me, though I'm hoping growth happens in the new, approved series that starts with Homecoming, the book I've chosen to read next.
I have to hurry though. In three days I start the 2011 SFR Reading Challenge and will have to set aside SGA until I can read my quota. I haven't signed up for a level yet but the 2010 challenge had a minimum of 25 books--a LOT for me to squeeze in particularly since this year I want to revise my novel. Also, I signed up for a writing workshop given by the charismatic and talented Margie Lawson. Her classes take so much work I may have to set aside Homecoming for a month too. LOL.
Happy Reading, everyone!
Anna
Showing posts with label SGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SGA. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
SGA: Mirror, Mirror
Stargate Atlantis: Mirror, Mirror is action-filled and full of twists.
Summary: The Team plus two are offered the chance of a lifetime--a device that can rewrite time and erase the Wraith from existance. Ikaros, the Ancient prodigy who created the device assures them it's foolproof. But he leaves out vital information and suddenly our Team is divided, spread out across infinite timelines in Atlantis and the clock is ticking to save the galaxy.
Review: I really liked it. The characters sound like themselves, even when they aren't totally themselves. There's whump, bits of humor, snark, lots of action, and some surprises. All of the Team members, Drs. Weir, and Zelenka get a lot of time, but most of the story does seem to focus on the Team members and Weir.
I read it more than once and really enjoyed it. I could see this as a movie.
Summary: The Team plus two are offered the chance of a lifetime--a device that can rewrite time and erase the Wraith from existance. Ikaros, the Ancient prodigy who created the device assures them it's foolproof. But he leaves out vital information and suddenly our Team is divided, spread out across infinite timelines in Atlantis and the clock is ticking to save the galaxy.
Review: I really liked it. The characters sound like themselves, even when they aren't totally themselves. There's whump, bits of humor, snark, lots of action, and some surprises. All of the Team members, Drs. Weir, and Zelenka get a lot of time, but most of the story does seem to focus on the Team members and Weir.
I read it more than once and really enjoyed it. I could see this as a movie.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Review: SGA: Angelus
This tie-in has gotten a lot of bad reviews, from what I understand. A lot. So of course I had to read it for myself.
**
Set in the Pegasus Galaxy during Sam Carter's new tenure, three weeks after Elizabeth was lost, it's the story of a long-lost Ancient who promises to build a weapon that can destory the Replicators. The meddling IOA forces Sam to allow Angelus, the Ancient, into Alantis so they can get their grubby mitts on the weapon. Things don't go as planned, of course, and all heck breaks loose.
**
I can see why many die-hard SGA-only fans don't like this book. It stars Sam Carter from SG1. She wasn't in SGA very long yet she is clearly the main character with all the SGA characters taking a backseat, except perhaps Rodney, who, for most of the book, didn't speak or act like the character in the show. He sort-of did, but then he was really off, as were most of the SGA characters. His relationship with Sam was not done like the show.
I could overlook it most of the time, but parts were really off--like having Keller quip, "Jesus!" when things suprised or bothered her. Or Rodney willingly sticking his hand into muck and bringing it to his face without much complaint while John whines, 'can we leave yet?' (please, please?) Or, having Ronon call Shep "John" instead of "Sheppard", and John calling him "Dex" instead of "Ronon". Teyla seemed the most like herself.
And then Angelus started out calling the humans "Tou'ri" (sp?) which I thought was Go'auld (sp?) and not Ancient and I thought only applied to specific groups of resistance fighters. I could be wrong but it was really weird to hear him say something I only associated with SG1.
I did like Zelenka's parts, despite him not sounding like himself. The part with he and Sam in the lab in the middle of the night was very creepy and probably my favorite part of the whole book. "What did you hear!" He nodded toward the monitor. "That." Been there. I know the sound they're describing. Very, very creepy!
Also, large chunks of the story star someone named Ellis who I presume was on SG1, a show I only watched part of, on the Apollo. While I can see the author having a legitimate reason to use these characters, it gave the whole novel more of the feel of an SG1 book and not an SGA book. Why didn't he just use Caldwell? Caldwell was on SGA a lot. I couldn't even picture Ellis.
Now, if I forget about all that above for a while and focus on the story itself. I can't believe I read this after dark. LOL. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares. It was a horror story pure and simple. Gross, scary, and then gory.
The writing itself was good. The imagery was strong. The villain was bad and the ultimate twists were pretty good. The editing wasn't the best but not the worst I've read.
All in all I think the people who will like this book the best are those who are fans of both SGA and SG1. I was surprised how much I did like it after all the bad things I've heard about it.
Still, it's not a keeper for me because ultimately the SGA was lacking and that's why I bought it in the first place. Too bad it has such a nice cover.
**
Set in the Pegasus Galaxy during Sam Carter's new tenure, three weeks after Elizabeth was lost, it's the story of a long-lost Ancient who promises to build a weapon that can destory the Replicators. The meddling IOA forces Sam to allow Angelus, the Ancient, into Alantis so they can get their grubby mitts on the weapon. Things don't go as planned, of course, and all heck breaks loose.
**
I can see why many die-hard SGA-only fans don't like this book. It stars Sam Carter from SG1. She wasn't in SGA very long yet she is clearly the main character with all the SGA characters taking a backseat, except perhaps Rodney, who, for most of the book, didn't speak or act like the character in the show. He sort-of did, but then he was really off, as were most of the SGA characters. His relationship with Sam was not done like the show.
I could overlook it most of the time, but parts were really off--like having Keller quip, "Jesus!" when things suprised or bothered her. Or Rodney willingly sticking his hand into muck and bringing it to his face without much complaint while John whines, 'can we leave yet?' (please, please?) Or, having Ronon call Shep "John" instead of "Sheppard", and John calling him "Dex" instead of "Ronon". Teyla seemed the most like herself.
And then Angelus started out calling the humans "Tou'ri" (sp?) which I thought was Go'auld (sp?) and not Ancient and I thought only applied to specific groups of resistance fighters. I could be wrong but it was really weird to hear him say something I only associated with SG1.
I did like Zelenka's parts, despite him not sounding like himself. The part with he and Sam in the lab in the middle of the night was very creepy and probably my favorite part of the whole book. "What did you hear!" He nodded toward the monitor. "That." Been there. I know the sound they're describing. Very, very creepy!
Also, large chunks of the story star someone named Ellis who I presume was on SG1, a show I only watched part of, on the Apollo. While I can see the author having a legitimate reason to use these characters, it gave the whole novel more of the feel of an SG1 book and not an SGA book. Why didn't he just use Caldwell? Caldwell was on SGA a lot. I couldn't even picture Ellis.
Now, if I forget about all that above for a while and focus on the story itself. I can't believe I read this after dark. LOL. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares. It was a horror story pure and simple. Gross, scary, and then gory.
The writing itself was good. The imagery was strong. The villain was bad and the ultimate twists were pretty good. The editing wasn't the best but not the worst I've read.
All in all I think the people who will like this book the best are those who are fans of both SGA and SG1. I was surprised how much I did like it after all the bad things I've heard about it.
Still, it's not a keeper for me because ultimately the SGA was lacking and that's why I bought it in the first place. Too bad it has such a nice cover.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Reviews: SGA: Death Game, I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916
Death Game
Summary: The Team goes to a new world, gets split up and beat up, and discovers that all isn't right in this isolated fuedal society when they get caught up in the Death Games.
Review:
Unlike most of the tie-in novels I've read from most of the shows I've followed, this one is a keeper for me. I really liked it. It made me cringe, laugh out loud, and feel for the characters. The characters were all true to canon to me.
It started right in the middle of the action and if you like Shep Whumping (getting bruised up) you'll probably like this one because he gets a concussion on page one and Teyla spends the whole book with a dislocated shoulder. Ouch!
Secondary characters get nice nods in the book, including: Cadman, Lorne, Zelenka and Carson. I thought they were all well-done. Most of the "issues" with tie-in novels stem from the feeling that the characters aren't true to the actors' portrayals or that the story deviates from established canon. In this story I personally couldn't point to anything that I could say didn't follow both or couldn't be justified to follow both.
I really liked Zelenka's stories. They brought his character a lot of depth and strength too. His interplay with Ronon was realistic to the show, for me, and often funny.
The bad? Some people may not like the backstory the author invented for Sheppard, though it does fit pretty well with his character and I liked most of it. Others have mentioned wondering why Carson would fly a Jumper instead of Lorne, but that didn't bother me. I chalk it up to Carson needing to practice sometime and since he was going on the mission anyway, Weir probably told him he had to do it. Just my thoughts though.
All in all I enjoyed this one so much more than the other SGA books I've read, admittedly I've only read three others. Something I intend to rectify after finishing Bark! I do own half a dozen or so of the SGA books and want to do a marathon. But I may only be able to do one or two more before January and another challenge.
>>>>>>>>>>>
I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916
Summary: In 1916 the first ever shark attacks on humans off the north-East Coast of America occurred. By some fluke of streams and bays, a shark or two also made their way inland and killed a couple of people. This book is the fictionalization of those true happenings. It's YA.
Review:
This is a very good book for a ten-year-old. Mine liked it enough to beg me to read it. I had no idea until I finished that it was based on a true story. The author did a great job making the situation and the characters come to life. I cared about the hero. It also has a bit of the lesson about not crying wolf in it.
Overall, it was good for the kids.
Currently reading:
Bark! by Darrel Bain and SGA: Angelus.
I decided to save the rest of my SFRs To Read until next year since Rae Lori is already setting up a 2011 SFR Reading Challenge. Go Rae!
If you want to see my To Read list or Have Read list look me up on Goodreads.com There're too many books to list here and I don't even have half of my boxed books listed.
Happy reading, everyone!
Summary: The Team goes to a new world, gets split up and beat up, and discovers that all isn't right in this isolated fuedal society when they get caught up in the Death Games.
Review:
Unlike most of the tie-in novels I've read from most of the shows I've followed, this one is a keeper for me. I really liked it. It made me cringe, laugh out loud, and feel for the characters. The characters were all true to canon to me.
It started right in the middle of the action and if you like Shep Whumping (getting bruised up) you'll probably like this one because he gets a concussion on page one and Teyla spends the whole book with a dislocated shoulder. Ouch!
Secondary characters get nice nods in the book, including: Cadman, Lorne, Zelenka and Carson. I thought they were all well-done. Most of the "issues" with tie-in novels stem from the feeling that the characters aren't true to the actors' portrayals or that the story deviates from established canon. In this story I personally couldn't point to anything that I could say didn't follow both or couldn't be justified to follow both.
I really liked Zelenka's stories. They brought his character a lot of depth and strength too. His interplay with Ronon was realistic to the show, for me, and often funny.
The bad? Some people may not like the backstory the author invented for Sheppard, though it does fit pretty well with his character and I liked most of it. Others have mentioned wondering why Carson would fly a Jumper instead of Lorne, but that didn't bother me. I chalk it up to Carson needing to practice sometime and since he was going on the mission anyway, Weir probably told him he had to do it. Just my thoughts though.
All in all I enjoyed this one so much more than the other SGA books I've read, admittedly I've only read three others. Something I intend to rectify after finishing Bark! I do own half a dozen or so of the SGA books and want to do a marathon. But I may only be able to do one or two more before January and another challenge.
>>>>>>>>>>>
I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916
Summary: In 1916 the first ever shark attacks on humans off the north-East Coast of America occurred. By some fluke of streams and bays, a shark or two also made their way inland and killed a couple of people. This book is the fictionalization of those true happenings. It's YA.
Review:
This is a very good book for a ten-year-old. Mine liked it enough to beg me to read it. I had no idea until I finished that it was based on a true story. The author did a great job making the situation and the characters come to life. I cared about the hero. It also has a bit of the lesson about not crying wolf in it.
Overall, it was good for the kids.
Currently reading:
Bark! by Darrel Bain and SGA: Angelus.
I decided to save the rest of my SFRs To Read until next year since Rae Lori is already setting up a 2011 SFR Reading Challenge. Go Rae!
If you want to see my To Read list or Have Read list look me up on Goodreads.com There're too many books to list here and I don't even have half of my boxed books listed.
Happy reading, everyone!
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