Stargate Atlantis novel/book review: Casualties of War

[wraithfodder]

 

Well, every free chance I got, I read the book, so, I’m done! I’m doing a review, with very few spoilers (some scenes mentioned, but no, I’m not tattling on who dies or gets shot, etc.)

 

 

With the threat of the Asurans hovering over Atlantis like the sword of Damocles, and casualties mounting among the crew, the promise of devising a weapon from new Ancient technology is simply too good to pass up, only this time it’s John Sheppard who pushes for its discovery, with disastrous personal consequences….

One of the things I truly enjoyed about this novel is that we get tiny but valuable insights into the team via small, nearly inconsequential things mentioned in passing. For example, the mail call, never seen on the series itself, plays a key part in revealing Sheppard’s escalating problems with the stress of command (or rather, people constantly dying because of his decisions). An unexpected letter arrives that just might be the final nail in the coffin.

 

The major plot revolves around the team visiting P7L-418, the site of a massive battle between the Ancients and the Wraith. The planet is surrounded by the centuries-old remains of both Ancient and Wraith ships alike, while on the surface, the team searches through old ruins for Ancient technology that might help them fight the Asurans (aka the human form replicators). Instead, they encounter a native civilization who possess the ore Aradite, which could just be the weapon the Lanteans are seeking.

 

The problem is that the locals, the Falnori and the Nistra, are busy feuding over raids each accuse the other of perpetrating. Elizabeth Weir arrives to negotiate, but disaster strikes, pushing the opposing parties towards war and exacting an excruciating cost from Sheppard’s team.

 

To say more would to spoil the plot, but needless to say the author’s got the Sheppard-McKay snark down pat, and while the show often downplays Weir, Teyla and Ronon, in this tale they get more than ample ‘airtime’ and things to do (and even think!). Major Lorne, Lt. Cadman and Dr. Zelenka are on hand as well, and what is enjoyable is seeing everybody’s point of view on Sheppard as he struggles through the unfolding disasters he believes are all his fault. We get references to episodes, although it becomes apparent partway through that the author wrote this before season 3 aired, as one comment by Sheppard was answered in “McKay & Mrs. Miller,” but authors of paperbacks are never privy to unaired episodes, so it’s an okay teensy flub.

 

I found the novel to be a very good read (which is why I read it last night till I fell asleep – very long day – then more before I went to work, then at lunch, then when I got home as I just had to see how it ended).

 

That’s it! (And oh, big thanks to my friend Martha for getting me a copy at the convention this past weekend – that’s how I got an early copy.)

 

This book is due out in September 2007 – sorry, don’t know the exact date.

 

The author’s homepage is at: http://www.elizabethchristensen.com/index.html

 

You can purchase it direct from http://www.stargatenovels.com/bookshop.php or any online book dealer such as Amazon, Borders, etc. Cost is $7.95 U.S. plus postage, etc.

 

If you’re dying to know any particular details, you can email me at wraithfodder at gmail.com

NOTE: The Comments below may contain some spoiler discussion on the novel, so tread carefully!
 

 

Comments

[kodiak-bear.livejournal.com]

Is it worth the time, do you think? I liked Reliquary and Halycon, but found The Chosen to be a muddled mess quite a bit, though I did think they really nailed Rodney and Sheppard in it. I liked the second novel by them (drawing a blank on the name) more than the first, but found McKay a little OOC in that one. So far the books seem a bit hit and miss for me and I didn't care all that much for Entanglement. It was okay, it was just a bit boring. This one I've heard is mostly just angst and I'm not really big on that kind of thing. It'd have to be done really well.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's angst, but there's action too. There are one or two of the books that I went, eh, they're okay, but... and can't remember the names. I must admit I'm addicted to the really good fanfic which usually surpasses all the novels because the novels have these constraints (can't do this, can't do that). I did enjoy this book though.

[kodiak-bear.livejournal.com]

Well that's good. I already know I'll buy every Atlantis book just because it's Atlantis...but, was there any Shep whump? I've heard there's not, just angst. *sniffs* But there really wasn't in Halcyon, yet, I did like the world building in that book and the action was nice.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

There's one bit of Shep whump, but... it's small. I mean, not incapacitating (darn).

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

The pairing is Elizabeth Christensen along with Sonny Whitelaw...they're up again to write the next book 'Blood Ties'.

[xfkirsten.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks for the early review! :D I'm definitely excited to pick this one up - any time Weir gets real attention makes me happy! :D

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if Weir had gotten this attention in the show, who knows?

[parisindy.livejournal.com]

gads dying to read it!

[iamrighthere.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like angst appreciators will really love this book. It interests me how complicated the plots of the tie-in novels seem, when fanfic rolls out such fun stuff, usually without a lot of political backstory.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Nothing beats fanfic for angst and whump but it is nice to the paperbacks. Although I shoudl go back and really make notes on which ones I liked and didn't. Some were 'meh' while some were quite good.

[iamrighthere.livejournal.com]

I'd like to read those notes. As others have mentioned, the books are of varying quality. Still, each one has its appeal to a certain portion of the fic-reading fandom. They don't get a whole lot of critique online, so, by all means, add yours!

[pink-tigger.livejournal.com]

Aaahh, I shouldn't have read this! Now the waiting will be even worse... You are so lucky to get an early copy...

Btw. hope you don't mind me friending you ^^.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Nope, friending is okay. :) Ooh, nice Rodney icon.

[winter-elf.livejournal.com]

Jealous, jealous, jealous of your early copy!!!!!! I looked, it's not on the stargatenovels site yet to order :( ARGH! I'm looking forward to it. I've got every single book, some I like more than others, but I want them to keep doing them.. so

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

I know. I think I should lock it up. People really want it! I'm just glad my friend made the extra effort to get me a copy :)

[valanunthe.livejournal.com]

gee I wish I could get the book, though I'm a writer myself (fanfic writer and Proud Teyla Whumper) I'm unsure if I should send in my Signature Story Ascension (formerly titled oh Sh!te!)... but then again I'm unsure if I should print it and send it in.

what do you think I should do? it is on fanfiction.net under the title The Ascension Trilogy part 1 Ascension.

I really want to read that copy though.... I THINK I know who gets shot, but I'm not sure