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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Wow. I didn't think I'd enjoy this book more than Firestorm, but I did. What an incredible book. The writing was so beautiful and vivid, and the character development! My heart can't take it! I was so happy to learn more about Blue Eyes and Cornelia, and I absolutely fell in love with Ray. Keyes writes with such care and reverence for this world and its inhabitants - it's lovely to read about a world you care about so much knowing the person on the other side of the novel cares just as much as you do. Once again, didn't care much for the human plot lines, but they were fewer and I felt were much more important and impactful than in Firestorm, so I didn't mind it much. I did quibble with the lack of italics for the signed dialogue, but no other complaints besides that. I hope Keyes continues to write prequels/in between books for this franchise - they are truly wondrous.
Maybe not as good as the first prequel novel (Firestorm), but still great.
Decent followup to Dawn, introducing characters for War.
This novel picks up immediately after the last movie (Rise). The Apes find themselves in San Francisco and are worried about attacks from other humans that were contacted previously. They hunker down at key points, including the Bay Bridge and wait for the humans to arrive. Sure enough, a large ship comes into the Bay and conflict starts.
In this novel, we meeting the Human Commander, McCollugh, and his team. Among his team is his son and several other key members who we get to know a bit. The Commander is focused on eliminating the threat of these 'talking apes' understanding that there is a pivot in history that must be stopped.
Caesar knows that he is about to be in a vice, so he sends the females and children of the tribe back to the woods and then sends his son, Blue Eyes and Rocket to the south in order to find a possible new location for everyone.
Caesar's plans are disrupted from within, however and he finds himself on the defensive for most of the novel. He continually brings new challenges to his human foes, however and the novel sets several story lines in motion that are played out in the movie War for the Planet of the Apes.
In all, I really enjoyed the novel as it provides insights into characters and ideas that the movies don't have time to address. Specifically we get to know Blue Eyes, Rocket and Caesar's wife along with answering the question 'Why are there Apes on both sides of the conflict as it is portrayed on the Movie posters.'
In this novel, we meeting the Human Commander, McCollugh, and his team. Among his team is his son and several other key members who we get to know a bit. The Commander is focused on eliminating the threat of these 'talking apes' understanding that there is a pivot in history that must be stopped.
Caesar knows that he is about to be in a vice, so he sends the females and children of the tribe back to the woods and then sends his son, Blue Eyes and Rocket to the south in order to find a possible new location for everyone.
Caesar's plans are disrupted from within, however and he finds himself on the defensive for most of the novel. He continually brings new challenges to his human foes, however and the novel sets several story lines in motion that are played out in the movie War for the Planet of the Apes.
In all, I really enjoyed the novel as it provides insights into characters and ideas that the movies don't have time to address. Specifically we get to know Blue Eyes, Rocket and Caesar's wife along with answering the question 'Why are there Apes on both sides of the conflict as it is portrayed on the Movie posters.'
There's a major off-screen status quo shift in the Planet of the Apes film series between the end of Dawn (2014) and the start of War (2017), and although this tie-in novel is intended to bridge that gap, it never quite justifies itself as essential. Largely this is a problem of focus; author Greg Keyes is juggling eleven different viewpoint characters, which is probably a few too many for a 300-page paperback like this. As a result readers see some effective moving of plot pieces, but we don't really get a sense of any cohesive character arcs. (And no particularly noteworthy revelations either, despite the title.) It's a fine story, but not especially memorable.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes
I started watching the new Planet of the Apes trilogy and read this before watching the final instalment. From now on I will highly recommend that to anyone who will listen.
This novel did a great job of connecting the two films and helped flesh out characters. Also, this book helps to set up the environment that we will encounter in the new film. I am ready to see it now! I need to pick up Firestorm as well. I am only just hearing of it!
Much like the other bridge novel 'Firestorm', this book offers new insight and perspective on both sides of the conflict and acts as an entertaining fresher in prep for this summer's big blockbuster.
While I wouldn't call this high literature, it's no mindless action romp either. It focuses more heavily in ethics and philosophy than Firestorm did, but does it subtly enough that it doesn't feel preachy or detract from the drama.
Andy Serkis said it well when he said that the Apes act as a powerful mirror to reflect the human condition, which I believe contributed to Dawn being such an unexpected success.
This novel certainly explores that idea in some detail. As, in this novel, some apes and humans come in contact, away from the city's raging battleground, their preconceived notions are forced to change as the world reveals itself to be more than just black and white. Amazing what a little communication can do.
As times harrowing and sometimes comical, some passages give a bit to chew on, philosophically. It earns a strong 4stars for being both entertaining and thoughtful. It also adds a splash of colour to a world bent on spiraling into a gray, dreary mist of death and destruction.
While I wouldn't call this high literature, it's no mindless action romp either. It focuses more heavily in ethics and philosophy than Firestorm did, but does it subtly enough that it doesn't feel preachy or detract from the drama.
Andy Serkis said it well when he said that the Apes act as a powerful mirror to reflect the human condition, which I believe contributed to Dawn being such an unexpected success.
This novel certainly explores that idea in some detail. As, in this novel, some apes and humans come in contact, away from the city's raging battleground, their preconceived notions are forced to change as the world reveals itself to be more than just black and white. Amazing what a little communication can do.
As times harrowing and sometimes comical, some passages give a bit to chew on, philosophically. It earns a strong 4stars for being both entertaining and thoughtful. It also adds a splash of colour to a world bent on spiraling into a gray, dreary mist of death and destruction.