Cowboys & Aliens
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Candace G. (Ogre) reviewed on + 1568 more book reviews
I'd seen the movie promos for COWBOYS & ALIENS, and thought, "Meh... another INDEPENDENCE DAY, just set a little earlier in time..." So I didn't bother to buy a ticket.
But then a friend gave me the book. I don't know how closely Joan D. Vinge stayed or strayed from the original movie screenplay, but the book is excellent.
Vinge doles out the facts fairly, but there are more twists and turns than a pretzel--than three pretzels!
The desert town of Absolution is all but abandoned now that the gold has run out, and nobody is doing better than barely eking out a meager livelihood except the single rancher who owns the whole place.
Then SOMETHING 'exploded' a herd of cattle... or did it? The only witness is a ne'er-do-well cowhand who admittedly was drunk at the time...
The tall, dark stranger, the selfish and arrogant cattle-baron with the spoiled and pampered (drunken) son, the Good-old-boy Sheriff, the not-so-jolly bartender...they all play their parts.
I think perhaps I'll go see the movie after all.
From back cover: 1875, New Mexico Territory--- A stranger with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don't welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde. It's a town that lives in fear.
But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known.
Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he's been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella, he pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents--townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors--all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival.
But then a friend gave me the book. I don't know how closely Joan D. Vinge stayed or strayed from the original movie screenplay, but the book is excellent.
Vinge doles out the facts fairly, but there are more twists and turns than a pretzel--than three pretzels!
The desert town of Absolution is all but abandoned now that the gold has run out, and nobody is doing better than barely eking out a meager livelihood except the single rancher who owns the whole place.
Then SOMETHING 'exploded' a herd of cattle... or did it? The only witness is a ne'er-do-well cowhand who admittedly was drunk at the time...
The tall, dark stranger, the selfish and arrogant cattle-baron with the spoiled and pampered (drunken) son, the Good-old-boy Sheriff, the not-so-jolly bartender...they all play their parts.
I think perhaps I'll go see the movie after all.
From back cover: 1875, New Mexico Territory--- A stranger with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don't welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde. It's a town that lives in fear.
But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known.
Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he's been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella, he pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents--townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors--all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
