Scan barcode
beeboisourgod's review against another edition
3.0
When you don't have any expectations for a book, it's easy to not be let down. So this was an okay read, decently written, but certainly nothing special.
Basically, it's one of those things I only picked up because I felt bad for loitering around/browsing the used book and video store for like an hour without buying anything so... yeah.
The story takes place sometime after The Cancer Arc-which I admittedly haven't watched yet-and revolves around a destroyed research facility where the scientists there were working on a cure, albeit a highly risky, unstable... and possibly dangerous and infectious one. There's a cover up, a strange "disease," missing people, a dog (who gets put through a Hell of a lot, that poor thing), etc. With all the hallmarks of your regular monster of the week case, except extended to full novel length, it's pretty standard X-Files stuff: a little weird, a little gross, a lot paranoid. Overall, it was alright, definitely better and more coherent/cohesive than some episodes of the actual show, and definitely better than some other books based off TV shows that I've read *glares at those awful Buffy novels*, but that's honestly not a hard feat to accomplish.
So, *shrugs,* interesting concept, if not exactly memorable within a week or so. I was pretty detached from the whole thing myself and mostly finished it just to catch up on my reading challenge, but it's not bad. I could say the same or even a whole lot worse about parts of the actual show, so I give this book credit where credit is due.
Basically, it's one of those things I only picked up because I felt bad for loitering around/browsing the used book and video store for like an hour without buying anything so... yeah.
The story takes place sometime after The Cancer Arc-which I admittedly haven't watched yet-and revolves around a destroyed research facility where the scientists there were working on a cure, albeit a highly risky, unstable... and possibly dangerous and infectious one. There's a cover up, a strange "disease," missing people, a dog (who gets put through a Hell of a lot, that poor thing), etc. With all the hallmarks of your regular monster of the week case, except extended to full novel length, it's pretty standard X-Files stuff: a little weird, a little gross, a lot paranoid. Overall, it was alright, definitely better and more coherent/cohesive than some episodes of the actual show, and definitely better than some other books based off TV shows that I've read *glares at those awful Buffy novels*, but that's honestly not a hard feat to accomplish.
So, *shrugs,* interesting concept, if not exactly memorable within a week or so. I was pretty detached from the whole thing myself and mostly finished it just to catch up on my reading challenge, but it's not bad. I could say the same or even a whole lot worse about parts of the actual show, so I give this book credit where credit is due.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
3.0
You know this is a X-Files story because it has The X-Files on the front cover to remind you it is.
The story itself was interesting enough with some thought-provoking aspects of medical research ethics and the conspiracy to control public access to medical breakthroughs. The level of threat from the 'monster' was pretty high with a nicely disturbing fate for his victims. The scene with the vet was a particular highlight.
Of the books, I would say this one is probably the least "X-Filesy" in that the great mystery is definitively explained and doesn't fall under either the paranormal or supernatural headings. It's definitely along the lines of one of the "Monster-Of-The-Week" episodes in that there's very little to do with the franchise outside of this story. If you were to change out Mulder and Scully with two other characters and the FBI for some other investigative organisation or group, the story would be exactly the same, or might even have benefitted from not having the story-telling restrictions of tying it into a franchise.
The story itself was interesting enough with some thought-provoking aspects of medical research ethics and the conspiracy to control public access to medical breakthroughs. The level of threat from the 'monster' was pretty high with a nicely disturbing fate for his victims. The scene with the vet was a particular highlight.
Of the books, I would say this one is probably the least "X-Filesy" in that the great mystery is definitively explained and doesn't fall under either the paranormal or supernatural headings. It's definitely along the lines of one of the "Monster-Of-The-Week" episodes in that there's very little to do with the franchise outside of this story. If you were to change out Mulder and Scully with two other characters and the FBI for some other investigative organisation or group, the story would be exactly the same, or might even have benefitted from not having the story-telling restrictions of tying it into a franchise.
jmeyers888's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the story, but wow, does it repeat and repeat and REPEAT! Literally this book could have been half the length. It was like the writer forgot he already explained everything 15 times before. It became very annoying, and the more times it reported the more the stars kept going down.
goldiefan's review against another edition
2.0
A very generic book really; only the X-Files in name but not a half bad plot
kristicuse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tolkiensacademia's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pnknrrd85's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty standard X-File. Moody, atmospheric, a little creepy. Kvin Anderson captured the show pretty well. I first read this in 1998. It was fun to revisit it.
aceofknaves88's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent X-Files story. Perhaps a whisker too long (like five to ten pages) but other than that a good read with close to nothing I would call extraneous.