Hunted - After Earth: Ghost Stories

After Earth

by Peter David

On a distant planet called Nova Prime, the United Ranger Corps defends the galaxy’s remaining humans from an alien race known as the Skrel and their genetically engineered predators, the Ursa. But one ordinary man may have just found the key to humanity’s last a secret weapon hidden deep within his own psyche. “Ghost Hunted” is the first of six eBook short stories that lead up to the events of After Earth, the epic science fiction adventure film directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Jaden Smith and Will Smith.
 
For all his charm, looks, and skills on the holographic battlefield, Daniel Silver has been drifting through life in Nova Prime City. After proposing to his girlfriend and getting rejected in the cruelest way possible, Daniel has no choice but to accept an altogether different kind of proposition. Sigmund Ryerson, an eccentric energy magnate, has asked him to lead a civilian expedition to take down an Ursa, the flesh-eating beast that Daniel has only ever faced in simulations. The excursion could get them all killed, if a patrolling Ranger doesn’t arrest them first. But when Daniel’s death wish nearly comes true, a twist of fate leads him to make a discovery that will change his life—and life on Nova Prime.

Genres: Science Fiction

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2012

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Fábio Fernandes · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is just a short story, and not very good at that. Peter David is very competent in his writing, but this is a prequel of sorts for the upcoming filme by M. Night Shyamalan with Will Smith and Jaden Smith. It's tiresome to read stories in space today where pretty much everyone is of Anglo-American extraction, and always trigger-happy at that.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn't too bad. It's about Daniel Silver, and he was a guide for a crazy old dude who wanted to hunt an Ursa down. The Ursa killed everyone but Daniel, because he was like a "ghost" to the creature, and it couldn't sense him because Daniel was able to control his fear. Anyway, it wasn't bad for a short story.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went to see After Earth and was suprised to see the story was by Will Smith. Anyway, this is the first of 6 short stories written in connection with the movie and at £0.84 ( that's €0.99 to the rest of us) on Amazon I thought why not.
It's good and I think I'll read the rest. I'd recommend them to anyone who enjoyed the movie as they seem like they'll fill in a lot of the back story.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt it could have been better. The story itself isn't bad, in fact, if done right, could be well done. However, I didn't feel the need to keep reading as much as I did for The Perfect Beast. I know it's not fair to compare the two since one's a novel and the other a short story, but a story needs to be grasping nonetheless. I couldn't feel that with Hunted.

[Charn Ispa · Rating 4 out of 5]

why didnt they make a movie based on this short novel?... with this character..