by Matthew Wilson
The X-Files: Ground Zero, is book three in an X-Files expanded series. This novel was written by Kevin J. Anderson and published in June 1996.
SUMMARY
Similar, unusual deaths are popping up across the nation! When Mulder and Scully are put on the case, pieces to the mysterious puzzle begin to fall into place. The victims are all tied to a secret weapons defense program. A new type of nuclear weapon is being developed with materials from an unknown origin. Is possible that spirits from the past have come to put an end to the development of future weapons of mass destruction? Is the mysterious material reacting to human touch? Scully is determined to find the logical reason for the incineration of government officials. Mulder will follow the
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Finally, an X-Files book that’s enjoyable from the start, and all the way through. Kevin J Anderson’s writing style is smooth and easy to grasp the points being made. Unlike the previous X-Files novels, this one is easy to follow all the way through. I did not care for the writing style of the first two books, which had too many things going on, too many names, locations, and even foul language. Kevin J Anderson brings it back to the feel of the show.
The chemistry between the characters is great, it feels professional but also friendly. There’s also some real character development, diving into the past of Scully – Growing up a navy brat, going to college and dabbling in activist groups in an attempt to change the world. That was before she matured and decided to seek a career with the FBI. Unlike the first two books in the series with the lack of character depth, this simple addition really brings life to the character.
While the plot is interesting and keeps building all the way up to the climax of the book, the final event that happens comes off a little silly, but when we see how Mulder and Scully experienced the final event a differently as they deliver their detailed report for their superiors, the story feels grounded when we get to Scully’s perspective.
This was a fun book, the chemistry between the characters really drives this story along and the interesting plot kept me excited to see how the story would wrap up.
Do I recommend you read The X-Files: Ground Zero? Yes, out of the three I’ve read so far, this is the only one I’d say was worth the time.
RATING
I give this book, an A.
by Matthew Wilson
The X-Files: Whirlwind, is book two in the X-Files expanded material. Whirlwind was written by Charles Grant and published in April 1995.
SUMMARY
Out in the desert of New Mexico, bodies of cattle and humans have been found dead. Mystery surrounds these gruesome deaths as they appear unnatural. Mulder and Scully head out to a small town and Native-American reservation to investigate these strange mutilations.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Charles Grant did a fine job with detailing some aspects of the story. I feel that the descriptions in the quiet moments were far more detailed than the action that took place. I found some of the story a little difficult to grasp. There was a lot of jumping between characters, none of which were distinctive or memorable.
The plot of this X-Files book was also a tad boring. The climax of the story wasn’t exciting either. I have a hard time getting hyped up with any worry for our lead characters – Mulder and Scully. It’s obvious these two won’t be at risk of dying off in the books. If the author was able to get us attached to a new solid lead character that wasn’t one of the two FBI agents, and the threat of life or death was upon that character… it would most likely be far more entertaining.
Do I recommend you read The X-Files: Whirlwind? No. The book just didn’t satisfy.
RATING
I give this book a D.
by Matthew Wilson
Godzilla x Kong The New Empire, a novelization written by Greg Keyes. based on the screenplay by Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, and Jeremy Slater, the story by Terry Rossi, Adam Wingard, and Simon Barrett
SUMMARY
On the surface of the earth, Godzilla is on the move. The beast is building up his strength, concerning the organization of Monarch. Something in the world is about to change! The “World Ender” is being unleashed.
Kong, searching far and wide in the Hollow Earth for his kind (family) stumbles on something familiar, yet different. In doing so, a new enemy rises, putting the entire world in danger of being obliterated. Kong must depend on advanced technology and an ancient culture to rise against the coming evil.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This book was a fun read. I felt that the characters were written well. Just enough for me to care about the human element of a monster’s tale. Jia, the Iwi girl that has a special bond with Kong is an interesting character for sure. She’s been adopted by Ilene Andrews who tries to give Jia the best life she can. Jia attends school but just doesn’t fit in, but she senses “a disturbance” taking place in the world.
It’s mentioned that someone had gone into Hollow Earth to hunt titans in a giant mech suit, that’s a pretty cool idea. I also got a kick out of an X-Files mention when someone says “great Mulder & Skully!”
I think the hollow earth is one of the coolest concepts in a fantasy/sci-fi when it comes to the present age. It seems like a conspiracy theory that doesn’t seem too far fetched.
I wouldn’t doubt that the film would be cooler to absorb because of the awesome visuals, but the book was absolutely a solid read. I recommend picking up this novelization, read it before Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is available to purchase, see if you can spot some differences.
RATING
I will give this novelization, a B(plus).
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor was written by bestselling author, Matthew Stover. This tale takes place during the Rebellion era on the Expanded Universe novel timeline, four years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
Another crazy man steps up in an attempt to rule the galaxy! The New Republic faces off against a new enemy on the planet Mindor. The planet is violent, not only because of the war, but the planet – in the Taspan system, is breaking apart! The planet’s atmosphere is a mess of asteroids and meteor slinging all over the place.
Lord Shadowspawn, one name for the villain in this tale is obsessed with destruction and power. Luke Skywalker leads the charge to free hostages that were taken by Shadowspawns raiders. Many of which were either chosen to die, or join Shadowspawn. Much of the villains tactics are designed after popular holovids (what we would call movies).
Luke Skywalker faces one of his biggest challenges yet… guilt. His force ability reaches new heights, resulting to a situation that cannot be undone. The New Republic must act fast as they race against the clock, before the world of Mindor, is utterly destroyed.
Or… did any of the things in this story actually happen… or is this a story within a story about the legendary heroes of the New Republic… It’s hard to tell.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought, “this is gonna be a chore to get through.” That’s right, I judged a book by its cover without knowing a thing about it. Yet, I didn’t let the cover hold me back forever, (I let the paper do the talking).
This book starts off with a bang, it’s fast paced, explosive action, and gritty. My impression of the opening chapters, was that this story is the punk rock of Star Wars. It’s loaded with weirdness, some of it is interesting, while most of it… is not. A theme that runs throughout this book, is that nothing is as it seems.
The characters felt so different than what they should be. The dialogue is a mess, characters cut each other off so much in this book. mid sentence. Everyone is talking back to each other, there’s far too much sarcasm, and witty comebacks… it got annoying.
Stover does a fine job with descriptions… to a point, sometimes the details are so elaborate, it drags out and gets boring, even to the point of forgetting what’s happening in the moment.
I do like the way that Stover explained some of the traits of Vader and Palpatine. Palpatine had a lust for power in the force, he had a knowledge of its power, he was steeped in its lore; but still trying to have the force bend to his own will. Vader on the other hand, was a pawn, using the force in the most shallow ways, as a machine absorbs fuel to operate.
However, what drives me crazy, is when authors attempt to undermine the credibility or weight of characters or actions that have already been established, especially from the films. In this story, Stover attempts to make the villain of this story, far superior than Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. The villain is revealed to be the actual puppet master over the Empire. He was the mastermind behind Palpatine’s demise. I find this character development ridiculous.
Do I recommend that you read this tale? I have to say, no. I had a few interesting moments, but not worth the time.
RATING
I give Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, a D (0.5/5)
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: The Living Force, a novel written by bestselling author, John Jackson Miller. This story takes place before the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
SUMMARY
Jedi outposts are being shut down across the Republic, opening up many regions to a rise in criminal activity. With the urging of Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Council will make a trip off coruscant to celebrate a Jedi Outpost scheduled to close, this outpost is special to many on the council, many were present at its opening centuries before.
This celebration will also be interrupted with violence from a pirate group that Depa Billaba had recently infiltrated, the Riftwalkers. The head of the Riftwalkers, Zilastra, is bitter toward the Jedi and the Republic and will stop at nothing to burn them to the ground.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I said I wasn’t going to review another canon novel, but when I see something as interesting as this, written by an author that’s written pretty solid books in the Expanded Universe, I just had to give it a read.
John Jackson Miller did a fine job in the opening chapters, capturing the feel and flow of the prequel films. There was a sense of familiarity with the scenario taking place, and the characters read true to who they were in the prequel films; such as Qui-Gon’s confidence and Kenobi’s curiosity and dry humor.
It was neat having the full Jedi Council out of the Jedi Temple to be servants of the the people. However, when the action starts and lives of the people and Jedi are in danger, we know from the films that these council members are fine, so there wasn’t anything in this book that really felt like a real risk when it came to the characters. My favorite character in this story has to Qui-Gon Jinn and I wish we focused a lot more on him; he truly has a servant’s heart, wanting to help the innocent lives in the galaxy.
What stuck out to me, was how easy it was for the Empire to take control after the Republic had fallen. The citizens throughout the galaxy were pretty needy, unable to really take care of themselves, too dependent on the Republic and the Jedi. However, I think the Republic failed the people when it came to planetary security and preservation; crime is just way too rampant.
The message I feel this book is delivering, is that the people are suffering, not just in this fictional world, but the one we live in. Suffering with physical, financial, and identity issues. The Jedi, the Star Wars equivalent of spiritual leaders, have grown distant from their purpose as servants. Through Qui-Gon, a Jedi who seeks the will of the Living Force (the Star Wars version of the Holy Spirit) is the one who brings the Jedi back to their roots, waking them up from a sort of spiritual sleep.
To conclude, I honestly felt the story to be a little weak. I felt this one was pretty similar to a previous canon book I read, maybe a High Republic novel. While I think John Jackson Miller did well with the characters, bringing in good humor at times (especially with Ki Adi Mundi) and really pivoting from several different characters and their actions to others; The plot was a bit of a dull one. I did not hate this book, I don’t think it was bad, in fact this book delivers a better message than a lot that I have read in canon.
RATING
I give Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller, a B-plus.
