After Earth: A Perfect Beast

After Earth

by Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Peter David

The official prequel novel of the epic film After Earth, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Jaden Smith and Will Smith. After their exodus from Earth, the last humans settled a remote planet, Nova Prime. When an alien force known as the Skrel descended from the skies, the United Ranger Corps, an elite defense unit, valiantly resisted. Centuries passed without an attack, and many colonists believed that, with other security measures in place, the resources devoted to maintaining their military strength would be better spent elsewhere. Little did they know that trouble was coming to Nova Prime-and it had a taste for blood. The latest in a long line of decorated warriors, Conner Raige is one of the Rangers' most promising young cadets, although his brash confidence and tendency to act on instinct have earned him as many skeptics as admirers. Conner's ancestors were on the front lines of humanity's victory against the Skrel. But when a deadly ground war breaks out, Conner's up against an entirely different beast, because, this time, the Skrel have brought a secret weapon: ferocious killing machines designed to eliminate humanity from Nova Prime . . . and the universe. BONUS: Includes the first three novellas of Ghost Stories, the thrilling eBook original prequel series!
Contents:
After Earth: A Perfect Beast [After Earth] / novel by Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Peter David
Hunted [After Earth: Ghost Stories] (2012) / short story by Peter David
Peace [After Earth: Ghost Stories] (2013) / novella by Robert Greenberger
Birthright [After Earth: Ghost Stories] (2013) / short story by Peter David

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Genres: Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

465 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Michael Jan Friedman is an author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction, half of which are in the Star Trek universe. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. Friedman has also written for network and cable television and radio, and scripted nearly 200 comic books, including his original DC superhero series, the Darkstars.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, just wasn't holding my interest. The writing was pretty dull, you could tell what was going to happen next, and lots of 'tell', not much 'show'.
Since I haven't seen the movie, that seems like a good indicator to drop it, and move on to something better. Passed the 100 page mark, put on my 'abandoned' shelf.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

In one word: functional. It's a functional book, the story flows and the characters are OK. It's a bit lazy and dumb and there's nothing innovative about it. It's quite predictable, yet some deaths can be surprising, which is cool, but the storyline itself is written exactly by the book and it's very obvious. That being said, I guess it's still an enjoyable, fast-paced and easy book, and there's nothing inherently wrong about that.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel has kept me on edge almost 100% of the time. A mix of science-fiction and action, After Earth - A Perfect Beast, covers themes and perspectives of courage, motivation, respect, and, of course, love; not just love of a significant other, but love of family, and of friends. Although some parts appeared predictable, reading through it was quite an adventure. The novel tackled the lives of different characters, each one proving him or herself as protagonist or antagonist, yet still reaching their full potential to conquer the situation, taking matters into their own hands, and making them significant in their own ways. This is shown majorly through Trey Vander Meer, and, needless to say, the main character: Conner Raige. Although, the two had opposing characteristics, Trey Vander Meer being a coward for hiding from the Ursa, and Conner being courageous for facing the Ursa, both of them were of great help with dealing with the Ursa attack. If it hadn't been for Vander Meer, the citizens of Nova Prime, as well as the farmers, wouldn't have helped in attacking the Ursa, proving that the alien's skin can easily be penetrated by sharp tools, thus helping the Rangers in discovering new ways to enhance their weapons. However, this came at a cost, the person wielding the weapon had to come close enough to the creature to stab it, and still maneuver quickly as to not get slashed by it's talons or teeth. At the same time, Conner has lived up to the Raige name by taking charge as the Prime Commander, and proving once again that the Rangers always have purpose on Nova Prime. These characters helped me understand the message they stood for, anyone can win.
I fell in love with so many characters, and was devastated to reach a point when they were mercilessly and brutally killed. At points, I was left in tears and enraged with the outcome, but was relieved to see how the situation was countered and how the tables were turned, in the name of those lost. Conner especially had revenge for the loved ones he lost, making him the perfect example of courage and perseverance. Despite all odds against him, he managed to conquer the situation and take charge, living up to the Raige name, and making his people proud.
This novel certainly was worth the while, and is definitely one of the best I've read this year. It's not like any other novel I've read, and will definitely stand out from here on out. I recommend this book to anyone interested in action/adventure science-fiction. However, that comes with a price, of course, and that is to be prepared to feel a wide range of emotions while reading. You will be angry, you will be happy, you will cry, and you most certainly will love.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect this book to grab my attention , but it did that and more. I really liked it!
This book follows a human colony on an 'earth like' planet and another alien culture who look upon their tenacity as an invasion of their holy world.
One is struggling to survive and one is actively working on ways to eliminate the humans.
We learn to love our characters, we follow their triumphs and
their fights, watch them fall in love....
Theirs is a fight for survival and they give it their all...
Read it! You will be surprised!

[Benz Latthanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

เป็นนิยายที่ซื้อมาแล้วเสียดายเงินสุดๆเลย
พาร์ทแอคชั่นมันงั้นๆมาก แต่ขอชมที่บิวต์ว่าไอ้สัตว์ในเรื่องได้น่ากลัวดี และคนเขียนมีไอเดียดีนะ แต่เหมือนใช้ไม่ค่อยเป็นเลย แบบนิยายหนาสามร้อยกว่าหน้ารู้สึกว่ามันไม่ค่อยมีแก่นสารอะไรเลย หรือว่าเราห่างหายจากนิยายแนวนี้มานาน พอไปอ่านและไม่สนุก
การเล่าเรื่องแบบหลายๆตัวละครเนี่ย ถ้าเรื่องไหนทำถึงนี่คือมันจะโคตรพีค แต่เรื่องนี้ไม่ใช่ครับ ถ้าทำมาแบบเล่าตัวละครเดียวน่าจะสนุกขึ้นเยอะ อันนี้เวิ่นเว้อยังไงไม่รู้
สิ่งเดียวที่ดีของนิยายเล่มนี้คือเทคโนโลยีล้ำๆ กับการบิวต์ความน่ากลัวของสัตว์ในเรื่อง มีแค่นี้ละ

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

haven'tseen the movie yet and I am not hearing good things about it but I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit. or I should say I enjoyed most of it. the main novella was pretty darn good. the additional short stories were only so so. this was nice to get background on the creatures and characters in this universe. I particularly liked that the characters in the movie are only distantly related and never show up in this book. that should help with continuity errors.

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this story. It seemed a little bit rushed, and then half the main characters get killed off. I would maybe rate it 3.5 really. I will continue to read the mini series of it, and see how that pans out. My edition came with 3 of the mini novellas that were made for e readers.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been better, easy to figure out plot, slow at times.

[Natt Cham · Rating 3 out of 5]

สนุกกว่าที่คิด แม้เรื่องจะไม่มีอะไรใหม ่แต่ก็เขียนได้ดี อ่านได้ไม่ติดขัด

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't that bad but it wasn't anything amazing. But I would have preferred to see this as the movie, not the actual movie Will and Jaden Smith did.

[Cláudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://umabibliotecaemconstrucao.blog...

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Pre Movie. I like this series

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I love Will Smith, I liked this book a whole lot more than the movie. And it's a prequel.