V: The Second Generation by Kenneth Johnson
|
List Price: Our Price: $0.93 You Save: $16.02 (95%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of V: The Second Generation
Book Review: Great Fun..But Not Spectacular
Summary: 4 Stars
***Spoiler Warning***
I was very excited to finally get to read this book. While I liked V: The Final Battle, I felt that V: The Series was a poor substitute at best. The series quickly became nothing more than `What are the Visitors going to put in their mouths this week?' A problem that started with V: The Final Battle. I didn't take me long to get really bored with V: The Series. 90% of the things that made V: The Original Mini Series so great were missing from the rest of the installments. Mainly believable plot and characters. And I won't even get into the whole Star Child thing.
So, Kenneth Johnson threw everything out and went back to his original story and picked it up 20 years later. Thus was the major problem that I had with this book. While I was and am very glad Mr. Johnson was able to complete his story in his own fashion, I felt that most of the really great V stories must have happened between V: The Original Mini Series and V: The Second Generation. I would have much rather have had Mr. Johnson pick up the story maybe 5 years after the mini series and then write a third installment bringing the story to it's conclusion. The way the story stands now, there is still room to do this, but it would be kind of awkward since we now know the final outcome.
Several folks have stated that they felt like they were reading an incomplete screenplay instead of a novel. I never go that feeling. I felt that the story flowed logically from point A to point B rather nicely. While it did take me about 50 or so pages before I really got into the story. I, like everyone else, was anxious to get reacquainted with all of the characters from the mini series right away. However, I do have to give Mr. Johnson credit for creating a new cast of characters that I found to be just as interesting as the first group. A few of the new characters could use a bit more fleshing out, but that's just a minor problem. The way Kenneth Johnson introduces us to his new cast of characters and then shows us how they all become interconnected is one of the strong points of the story. It was the same magic touch he used in the original mini series.
As for the fates of certain characters from the mini series that are not mentioned (Robin Maxwell for example), is a bit of a let down. However, since the novel for the original mini series is going to be re-released this fall with a new ending, I get the impression that once that book is out we will know all that we need to know about everyone. All of the certain little nagging questions like, `Why is the flagship now in San Francisco instead of Los Angeles?' will be answered in the new ending.
The only other major issue that I have with this book is the end. Kenneth Johnson doesn't give us the `everything wrapped up in a pretty bow' ending. Instead, there are several things that are left open. I found this to be a bit of a let down. While I don't always like `everything wrapped up in a pretty bow', there are certain things in this ending that I found annoying. Characters that I felt should have been either killed or captured just sort of faded away. I don't know if this is on purpose so that Kenneth Johnson can write another installment (I highly doubt it) or just a way to make the fans upset. Don't get me wrong. The ending is satisfying to a degree, but if this is the final chapter, the real `end' then I feel that it should have ended. There shouldn't be any lingering questions after the final page. At least not any major ones. The whole question of the new alien's loyalties and whether or not they are on our side is left open. This is a major cop out in my opinion. This should have been resolved. Leaving this open is just poor writing. This might not be so bad if there hadn't been so many other things just left open. Again, I can only guess that maybe Johnson is planning another novel in the series. It's really the only explanation for the mediocre ending that we are given.
All in all I'm very glad that the story has been brought to a conclusion. Albeit a weak one, but a conclusion. I'm curious about the new ending to the original mini series and I will be getting that book when it comes out. I had a great time reading this novel and it was really fun to be back in the V universe. I didn't have any problems forgetting everything that happened in V: The Final Battle and V: The Series while reading this new novel like others seemed to have had. In fact, I was rather relieved to forget certain aspects of both The Final Battle and The Series. For anyone who is a fan of V: The Original Mini Series, this is a must read. Everything that you loved about V is back.
Book Review: Good but not great; but at least it's written by Kenneth Johnson
Summary: 4 Stars
The "V" saga is a classic example of how a great idea is all too often ruined by inept execs. Kenneth Johnson's original miniseries was a terrific production, blending an exciting sci-fi premise with believable, fleshed-out characters and prescient social commentary. Unfortunately, due to network politics, Johnson was not involved in either the follow-up miniseries "V: The Final Battle" or the weekly "V" series it spawned, and it showed. "The Final Battle" was a diluted, inferior sequel that jettisoned characterization and commentary in favor of action and silly sci-fi gimmicks; while the weekly series was simply terrible. Now, 25 years later, Johnson has presented his own vision, in novel form, of how the story should have continued with "V: The Second Generation".
I was delighted when I heard that Johnson was finally working on a proper sequel to his miniseries, which I consider to be a modern science fiction classic. Despite the quarter-century that has elapsed since the miniseries and the publication of the novel, the seamless transition illustrates how timeless the central themes of "V" really are. The novel itself is a bit of a disappointment (in my humble opinion), but still stands head and shoulders above "The Final Battle" and especially the weekly series. Johnson has held on to the core premise of his original story while infusing it with modern-day themes, such as the dangers of sacrificing liberty in the name of security. The problem is that Johnson doesn't seem to be as good of a novelist as he is a screenwriter, and those who felt the original "V" was as subtle as a jackhammer will find even more to dislike here. Too much emphasis is placed on reminding the reader that the story is an allegory to Nazi Germany; perhaps Johnson was afraid that today's readers aren't as familiar with that bleak chapter in history as they were in 1983.
Purportedly, the novel grew out of Johnson's treatment for a new miniseries he was pitching to networks a few years ago - unfortunately he is not involved with the new "V" weekly series apart from receiving a "Created by" credit overall as well as a co-writing credit on the pilot episode. That's too bad, because the novel introduces some memorable characters who I would have liked to seen develop should a Johnson-led weekly series have been launched, such as the half-Visitor, half-human children resulting from interspecies relations. Unlike the idiotic "Star Child" premise in "The Final Battle", which led us to believe such a being would somehow have magical powers, the "half-breed" children in the novel are physically grotesque, with features both human and reptilian; but emotionally are just like the rest of us.
On a personal note, I was hoping to see more of the memorable characters from the original miniseries, or at least more explanation of what happened to them. That said, it's hard to fault the author for leaving some of these details out; he was already trying to juggle a large cast of characters made up of old ones and new ones, and there's only so much room. And I'm still not sure how I feel about Johnson including a second alien race who come to Earth to help the Resistance battle the Visitors. IIRC, Johnson said that the reference to the Visitors' enemies in the original miniseries was meant as a red herring; seeing them here occasionally threatens to push the story over the line into outlandishness. Coming from Johnson himself, though, I found it a little easier to swallow.
In conclusion, "V: The Second Generation" is good but not great. While I enjoyed reading it, it never pulled me in like I hoped it would. Nonetheless, I would recommend it to anyone who liked either the '80s series or the new series. Like so many other pop culture franchises, such as "The Terminator" or George Romero's "Living Dead" series, "V" is at its best when the original visionary is telling the story.
Book Review: Really Really Good, but not perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a big fan of V. Have been since the beginning. I watched all incarnations, and I thought they got progressively worse the less Kenneth Johnson was involved. Of course as a kid, with not so distinguishing tastes, I didn't know the difference and loved every cheesy moment of V:The Final Battle, and V: The Series, but as I got older and re-watched these on the DVDs I own, I could see why Kenny would want to write his own post-original-mini-series future for V.
First off V:The final Battle was 90% great and 10% the wrong tone, and cheese factor. My guess is that they were living off of Kenny's fumes since he was involved initially with the script writing and story. I, like many here, loved the character of Ham Tyler, and would like to have seen him have a part in this story, but I can see why Kenny would have left out anything from the versions he was not involved with.
I wrote Mr. Johnson and asked why he left out Elias and Robin Maxwell, and he said he had to make some painful cuts to tell the story he wanted to tell. It's his creation, and while many of us feel a fondness for and an almost ownership over it, it's his story to tell. I would have loved a page or two telling what happened to them, but the omission of their fates did not ruin this book for me. My guess is that (with Robin) he had an awful lot of stuff to reverse that happened in the V: Post Kenny world, so he decided to just leave her out so as to not confuse readers. She was an enormous part of the V:TFB plot, and to a lesser degree she was important to the series (at least initially).
I love KJ's ability to tell a story. I agree with some of the other comments that it did not read like a novel, but the level of respect I have for Kenneth, and his masterful abilities on the small screen made up for the fact that it was written a bit more like a script than a novel would be.
I felt like he recaptured much the excitement and suspense that was present in V:TOS, and it was a joy to see some of our favorite characters live to fight another day. At the same time the pacing was a bit off. Sometimes it moved too slow for my liking, and other times it felt like it was happening all too fast. I believe these issues would be solved if/when the movie becomes a tele-film.
Overall I'd give this book an 8.5 out of 10. It is definitely worth reading if you are a V fan, even though there are some things you'll miss from the original. If you can't deal with the story not continuing from the moment where Kyle Bates stowed away in the leader's shuttle craft, this book is not for you. I personally don't have a problem with ignoring everything pase V:TOS, and wish Kenny had been involved with every other V project, which would have likely given the whole saga a longer life.
Book Review: fine entry
Summary: 4 Stars
They came to us as saviors, humanoid beings of such intelligence that their technology is given away freely and our water which is so polluted is taken up to their ships to be cleansed. They assured us that they only arrested people who didn't want to change the status quo. They land nd it is found out, underneath their human faces are the skin of lizards, a carnivorous, aggressive race intent on conquering most of earth's population., Since the purge of 1998, the remaining humans believe that they are benevolent.
Twenty years later, the visitors are in total control of the planet and the Commandant Diana is still second to the Leader in power. A new second generation rebel force has been formed with cells all over the planet. They need to win back earth but the humans for the most part don't know there is a problem. This time, humanity has an ally; the Zedtis arrive, three of them with an invasion force waiting for the word to come in full force. They fought the Visitors and won but their insect evolved humanoid race believes they are using earth's water to power their armies and are going to use earth's people to fight using a weapon he Visitors developed to neutralize the Zeltis. However humans were burned once by aliens pretending to be friends now the rebels have to know for certain if liberation and freedom from the threat of The Visitors is all the Zedtis really want.
Reading this book is like coming home to anyone who has seen the original television series V. The characters stay true to form with Diana as the evil villainess who has the means and the power to back up her leadership. The various members of the resistance individually are shown to be heroes. The only quibble one might have is the new alien allies insert themselves into the resistance too easily.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: To V or not to V......
Summary: 4 Stars
Okay, so its not what most of us would expect. It ignores everything from V- The Final Battle and beyond (with exception of a description of one of the original Resistance members retirement). Some reviewers have criticized this fact not realizing that, or perhaps ignoring the fact that , Kenneth C. Johnson, the one who created the mini-series seems to have not had as much control in the subsequent mini-series and the series that followed. Instead, he went back to his original premise and gave as an alternate version of what may have happened or how he wanted it to. It was an interesting and suspenseful enough that I couldn't put it down, even though some parts were a bit predicatable. The only flaw I think was that there was too many sacrificial deaths of key people and there could have been more detail describing the events between 1983 and 20 years later. The book is set 20 years later so we have to assume that it is 2003 not 2008. It's worth a look. It's also better than over half of the V books that came out in the late 80's after the series was canceled. The continuity is far superior than any of those books.
More Customer Reviews:
1 2
1 2