The Chicago Conversion

V #4

by George W. Proctor

In Chicago, the Visitors' grip on the Earth has been freed with the release of the Red Dust, the bacteria discovered in the digestive tract of Robin Maxwell's hybrid children, which killed the more reptilian twin. Cultured and dried, and dispersed via hot air balloons across the world by the resistance, it causes near-instant death to Visitors, but can also cause mutation, sterility and ultimately, death, to all Earth life in excessive amounts. Prior to this event, High Captain Gerald manages to finally storm the resistance, but with little success, as they were currently liberating the Chicago Art Museum, the Visitors' ground base. Seconds before the commander of the Chicago Mothership, Alicia, calls him back for withdrawal (after the Red Dust is deployed worldwide), he is able to distribute anti-toxin from the resistance base into his shock troopers. Though Alicia is frustrated at her subordinate, she gives him a chance to redeem himself, which Gerald jumps at, as unknowingly to Alicia, Gerald is a double agent. Her plan is to convert the resistance, and "unlock the key" to regaining Chicago.

Genres: Science Fiction, Media Tie In, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

184 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Often credited as Geo. W. Proctor
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...

Reviews

[Josh]

My year long re-read of the entire series of "V" books continues with this awesome novel that is appropriately celebrating its 40th anniversary this January. I didn't mean to read this book in January 2025 which is exactly forty years since it was first published and when I last read it last when I was 10 years 10 years old; it was just a happy accident. I really liked this fourth book in the series. While this is a re-read for me, I read it so long ago that I forgot everything, so this really felt like a first time read for me. It took me back to my childhood and reminded me why I loved this series of books back then as still do today.

George W. Proctor has written a fast paced story that moves at a great clip, isn't afraid to kill off characters both human and Visitor left and right including ones you like a great deal, and wraps up everything in such a way that you wish a sequel had followed just to see where the characters would go next. Well, those that survived until the final page that is. I also liked that this was set in Chicago rather than the usual locations of Los Angeles and New York which were heavily featured in the television miniseries and weekly series. It's always interesting to learn how other part of the United States fared under the Visitor invasion.

I have a feeling this will end up being one of my favorite in the series.

[Donna]

Sam Walker is first excited to hear about the Visitor toxin then dismayed that a group of troopers has been immunized.

2.5 stars - I'm still a huge fan of V but I may not read many more of these. I think these types of tie-ins, where none of the original characters appear, are super dependent on the author's ability to get you to buy in to someone new. I didn't want Sam to die but I wasn't on the edge of my seat, either.

[Álvar García]

En general mucho más duro que los libros anteriores, más como la serie. Varias vignettes de acción bastante entretenidas. Me flipó que en los episodios de la serie de TV semanal que emitieron justo después de la publicación de este libro se menciona la partida de varios protagonistas a Chicago, como si estuviera coordinado de alguna manera. The V Cinematic Universe.

[I B Broome]

Was a huge V fan when it originally aired in 1984. It is strange its key themes are the value of water, the danger of mass communication and following an insane leader have never been more apt. Okay not the greatest book in the world but earth versus the visitors, hell yes.

[Matt Dykes]

Not a great book. There are some interesting moments but for such a shorter length book there are some repetitive moments in it. Having said that it does take a few bold swings which I appreciated. I couldn’t decide between 2 or 3 stars as it kind of sits at 2.5 for me.

[Ron]

Simple plot but a true respect of the V lore. I enjoyed it well enough

[Kerry]

Another week of traveling, another round of V books. Pursuit of Diana follows on from the end of the second miniseries, but seems like a bridge between that and the series. Chicago Conversion and Florida Project take place with mostly new casts, but Florida Project is stronger because it uses guest stars from L.A. and doesn't have to spend time introducing them.

[Stasia Bruhn]

This had alot of repetition in it. Was still good though!!

[Troy Palmer]

A great quick read.