The 4400 - in book form

[margaine]

I'm wondering if anyone here who is a fan of the tv series The 4400 has tried out the novels associated with it? Two of them follow the end of the 4th season, and the other two take place during seasons 2 and 3 (I think). I am really curious about the books, especially the ones set after the end of the tv show. I just finished watching the show, and I really enjoyed it. And I am simply not ready to give up on the story yet - I need to know more!

So I'm thinking of reading them:
Welcome to Promise City, by Greg Cox (having seen the last episode of Season 4, this book title has even more significance than it did before I'd seen the last episode)
and
Promises Broken, by David Mack (this title sounds so cheesy, though . . .)

The books are nowhere to be found in my library system. So I might have to actually buy the first one. If anyone else has read or looked into these books, I'd love to know!

[margaine]

I see that Jez did read the first book, Welcome to Promise City (http://www.literaturejunction.com/showthread.php?15774-What-Jez-Read-2009) . . . Jez? ;) :p

[Jez]

I have read it, and I reviewed it. Not sure if I ever posted the review here though (just updated my 2009 book list to include the review now). This is what I wrote about it when I read it:


I knew the show had been canceled prematurely before I watched all four seasons on DVD but, being the glutton for punishment I am, I went ahead and watched them anyway. How bad could the lack of ending be? I thought. I never anticipated how great the show would be and how hooked I would become. I rarely read tv/movie novelizations, but after the last episode I frantically searched Amazon for any available book that might give me some closure.

*If you haven't finished watching the series, then don't read any further*



Lucky for me I found Welcome to Promise City and quickly ordered a copy. This book picks up directly after the last episode where Collier's P-Positives were controlling Seattle after the promicin outbreak left thousands dead and NTAC scrambling. Everything that happens in the book follows perfectly with the TV show: the characters think, talk, and behave as they did on the show and, thankfully, the author completely avoided adding any tweaks to their personalities, as so often happens in books like this. Not only are the characters consistent, but the plot follows perfectly in line with what would have likely happened in the show had it continued.

All of the core characters (including the Marked) appear in the book and play significant roles in advancing the plot. The only reason I gave the book four stars instead of five is because, given we only have two books to wrap up the entire series, not enough happened in this book. A lot did happen, but with only one more book to go, there will either be a rush of action, or too many unanswered questions in the final book.

I haven't read the last book, but I do want to. Luckily my library system did have Welcome..., but they don't have Promises Broken yet (hopefully "yet"). I've been on the fence about spending the money on the last book. If it were the same author as Welcome... then I'd probably just cave and spend the $8, but given that it's a different author, I'm not so sure. Though I just read the reviews on Amazon and they are favorable....hm, maybe next time I place an Amazon order I'll throw that one in...

I haven't read the other books that take place during the show.

[Phantom Paragrapher]

Thats Kewl , be interesting to read as we own all 4 Seasons of 4400 on DVD. My dad was a big fan :)

[margaine]

Thanks for posting your review Jez. When I did a search of this forum, I only got your listing in your book blog, so I'm pretty sure you haven't already posted it on here. Your review sounds very favorable - because that is exactly what I want - more show! I think _object wants to read it too (or he wants me to read it and for me to tell him everything that happens in it ;)). When I saw you hadn't yet read the second one, I was afraid that maybe the first wasn't so good. I can't believe that the books aren't even discounted on Amazon or anything . . . I guess they weren't very widely released, or something (they also are in no Borders stores from here to L.A.)

[Jez]

(or he wants me to read it and for me to tell him everything that happens in it ;) )

Yeah, that's what Evan did. :p

It definitely helped fill the void the show left. If the second book is as good (which reviews seem to indicate), then it sounds like the two books nicely tie up the show. I should actually read it sooner than later if I don't want to have to rewatch and reread it all again because I've forgotten everything! I wish the books were discounted. I think it's eligible for the buy 3 get 4th free deal on Amazon, if you have an order you need anyway. That's what I'll probably do next time I place an order there.

[margaine]

We ordered the books through _object's school's interlibrary loan system. I'm not sure if it will work, because the books were showing up in random public libraries in different parts of the US (usually the ill books come from university libraries), but they seem to be connected to the system . . . I guess we will see.

[Jez]

Hope you get them! Review when you're done? :)

[margaine]

Hope you get them! Review when you're done? :)

Sure. If the Interlibrary loan does work, it will probably still be a while until I get them.

[margaine]

Here's my review that I posted in our book reviews thread about Welcome to Promise City: http://www.literaturejunction.com/showthread.php?2438-Book-Reviews&p=179143#post179143

[Rachel]

I enjoyed your review and your concerns and likes were very, if I may, descriptive. I had the feeling I was looking through your lenses. Thank you,.

[margaine]

I'm glad you liked the review Rachel. I finished the other book in the series, The 4400: Promises Broken, by David Mack, but I don't really have the energy to write a full review. There was a lot exciting action, but as Jez seems to indicate in her review, there is so much that is happening that it reads like the experience of watching an action film. A lot of movement, explosions, etc, but not a lot of real stuff going on with the characters. I mean, there are some very important things that happen to the characters, and significant things that they do, but the characters seem just like bodies, their main point is to carry out the action. The tv show/book series does come to a pretty final conclusion here though. I was pretty surprised that the denouement went through every single character, seemingly. So it does feel satisfying in that way.

I don't think it was written quite as carefully as the other one in terms of meshing with the tv series, but in general there are no major differences from the series.