OT: 4400: The Vesuvius Prophecy

[ronny]

Saw this in the bookstore when I went in today, had a flick through the first chapter and almost bought it - was sorely tempted. But, as I said earlier, I'm going to not buy the book - but I will buy the continuation novels - but this might go on my Xmas list.

Part of me is thinking "Dude, you're crazy, you're missing a good book". That's also the part of me that is ignoring the fact that I'm readying Voyager books that take place after the series but passing on those that are taking place during the series (String Theory for example).

 

[tenmei]

Ah, didn't say I wouldn't read it. After looking at it in the store, it's going on my WishList on Amazon for XMas. I've just got a budget whilst on vacation and I'm hoping I'll find GTS before I go home - if GTS hasn't turned up before I go, then I might be tempted to pick this or Infinitys Prism up at the airport.

 

[ronny]

If it weren't for the fact that the phrase is trade marked I'd give this book a big thumbs up. I really enjoyed it. Great story and throwing in lot of Seattle area locations and past events was pretty fun. I went there for work a few years ago and took one of the tours of Seattle's underground so those scenes were a blast from the past for me. I was there before the SF museum opened so I'll just have to go back. I'm really looking forward to the other books in the series.

 

[BrotherBenny]

Finished it yesterday and...whooey.

I have got to say that the A plot of Rainer blowing was actually handled really well (Dante's Peak anyone???) and I actually thought that the Nova Group subplot was pretty cool too.

"My homicidal super girlfriend" was neat, and I could almost envision Isabelle stalking Skysinger through the museum like Kes in "Fury" with stuff exploding all around, and her "terrible twos" - just loved it.

Looking forward to more.

 

[ronny]

Yeah, the Isabelle characterization was pretty cool. It really brought back to me what she was like on the show.

 

[JD]

This sounds pretty cool. I'm thinking I'll be picking it up whenever I get through all of the Trek, and non-Trek stuff I have on my reading list.

 

[ronny]

I took a pause in my ST reading to get to this. I'm ok with my decision.

 

[tenmei]

I've decided I may suggest to my mother that this would be a nice book for me to read on the plane.

 

[Mike_King]

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw a 4400 book on Amazon after the series was canceled so abruptly. Overall, a very nice book, and a quick read - it really made me miss the return of The 4400 to tv this summer.
Spoiler Space:














Even though bringing Alana to Mt. Ranier was easy to figure out why, I did enjoy reading the whole scene. The peril the characters was in really came out on the pages.
I was not as excited about the Shawn-Isabelle story line. There was nothing new there and I felt like I had been there, done that.
Overall, I really enjoy the book, and the tie-in to D.B. Cooper. I am looking forward to me The 440 novels, especially those set after the series end.
Thanks for the great read!

 

[BrotherBenny]

Yeah, the Alana thing was easy to see, but I kind of got a Mission Impossible vibe, with Maia picking the right people for the mission.

 

[Greg Cox]

I
Thanks for the great read!

You're welcome! I'm looking forward to writing the next one!

 

[Turtletrekker]

Greg, do you remember my sending you an e-mail some time back inquiring about your using the location of Puyallup, WA (my current home, and as you responded, the town of your birth) and other WA state locations in the first Eugenics Wars book and using the name Puyallup for a ship in Devil in the Sky?

I figure with you writing a book set in the Pac NW, the locations will read as being very authentic. My question is does it come more naturally to write about a locale that you are more familiar with, or do you tend to add more "local color" than the story needs? Also, is any of the action set in Puyallup?

 

[Greg Cox]

Greg, do you remember my sending you an e-mail some time back inquiring about your using the location of Puyallup, WA (my current home, and as you responded, the town of your birth) and other WA state locations in the first Eugenics Wars book and using the name Puyallup for a ship in Devil in the Sky?

I figure with you writing a book set in the Pac NW, the locations will read as being very authentic. My question is does it come more naturally to write about a locale that you are more familiar with, or do you tend to add more "local color" than the story needs? Also, is any of the action set in Puyallup?

A lot of the appeal of writing a 4400 book was that I actually got to write a book set in my old hometown--and, boy, did I milk the local color for all its worth! In general, though, I always try to capture of the feel of a place in my books, regardless of whether I've ever actually been there. Like Budapest in the UNDERWORLD books or India in the Khan books. You should see all the travel guides on my bookshelf!

And, yes, one of the characters in the 4400 book lives in Puyallup! (In my grand-parents' old house, to be exact.)

 

[Turtletrekker]

Cool!

 

[tenmei]

My copy turned up today eventually - it's thicker than I thought it was going to be when compared to the other tv tie ins that I've got.

 

[BrotherBenny]

It's a brilliant book, and I'm glad it's the first of definitely four, and hopefully more.

 

[Ktrek]

I got my copy today Greg and although not very far into it I think it is well written and a lot of fun! I'm sure I'll enjoy the whole thing and will look forward with great anticipation to your next 4400 offering!

Kevin