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sersi's review
4.0
As with Tales from Year Zero, I don’t really think there’s any way for me to evaluate this entirely on its own. With the film so fresh in my mind (and having quickly been sucked into the fandom), my entire experience is very much shaded by things other than just the book. That said, this novelization was more than serviceable and while having seen the movie is definitely going to enhance the experience, I don’t think it’s entirely incapable of standing on it’s own.
The writing is pleasant, with Irvine doing a good job of reshaping the film’s narrative to better fit a book format. In particular, I admired his willingness to ditch extended descriptions of the fights in favor of either following characters not currently in Jaegers or simply picking up the story after the fight (usually with someone providing a brief recap of the final toll). Having seen the movie, the obvious draw (aside from wanting to relive the glory) was the potential for further expansion of the film’s universe. While not quite as backstory heavy as Tales from Year Zero, this novelization does offer some choice bits of information and does an excellent job of offering a greater look at the psychology of some of the film’s characters. The treatment of the aftermath of Yancy’s death was particularly affecting—I found myself blinking back tears and I almost never cry because of books or movies.
My one real qualm with this novelization is the ending. It differs from the movie in one major way (you can probably guess what) and is more than slightly jarring, especially as the relationship in question had felt even less sexualized than in the movie up until this point. However, knowing that this was the film’s original ending, I can kind of let it go, although, ngl, I’d kill for a revised edition that matches the film ending.
The writing is pleasant, with Irvine doing a good job of reshaping the film’s narrative to better fit a book format. In particular, I admired his willingness to ditch extended descriptions of the fights in favor of either following characters not currently in Jaegers or simply picking up the story after the fight (usually with someone providing a brief recap of the final toll). Having seen the movie, the obvious draw (aside from wanting to relive the glory) was the potential for further expansion of the film’s universe. While not quite as backstory heavy as Tales from Year Zero, this novelization does offer some choice bits of information and does an excellent job of offering a greater look at the psychology of some of the film’s characters. The treatment of the aftermath of Yancy’s death was particularly affecting—I found myself blinking back tears and I almost never cry because of books or movies.
My one real qualm with this novelization is the ending. It differs from the movie in one major way (you can probably guess what) and is more than slightly jarring, especially as the relationship in question had felt even less sexualized than in the movie up until this point. However, knowing that this was the film’s original ending, I can kind of let it go, although, ngl, I’d kill for a revised edition that matches the film ending.
amariebedd's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
biffhooper007's review
I wanted to like this book. I love Pacific Rim the movie. However, this novel feels like an affront to the movie. The characters feel like at best pale shadows of themselves (in the case of Mako) and at worst outright contradictions (in the case of Raleigh).
Another criticism is the forced romantic subplot between Mako and Raleigh. The film leaves it open to interpretation whether or not their relationship is romantic, but the book makes it very clear that Raleigh wants to bone Mako from the moment he meets her. It all comes across as very unnecessary and somewhat sleazy.
Another criticism is the forced romantic subplot between Mako and Raleigh. The film leaves it open to interpretation whether or not their relationship is romantic, but the book makes it very clear that Raleigh wants to bone Mako from the moment he meets her. It all comes across as very unnecessary and somewhat sleazy.
capitola's review
It's an okay book, but so far I didn't find anything in it that just sitting down and rewatching the movie wouldn't already give me.
ghostmoth's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mycologicaly's review
alex irvine really does misunderstand or misrepresent every character either MAJORLY (ex. hermann) or minorly (ex. raleigh) in a way that makes most of them kind of insufferable a lot of the time. he completely erases hermanns disability and misses literally everything about him. hes blatantly racist with his writing of mako like i cannot emphasize how bad it is. i did generally like that it went a little deeper in raleigh missing yancy, but other than that its not very good
humblej's review
3.0
I loved the movie and liked being able to get more info on the characters. It was a slow read sometimes, not staying with the action especially with the reports interrupting to the end. I don't think it needed as many of those. Not better than the movie in that case bit still good.
ohworm's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, and Violence
Minor: Cursing and Death of parent