STARGATE ATLANTIS: Exogenesis [Kindle Edition]

I loved the book! I have read the first story from these two authors and I have found it a bit violent, but this new book is perfect! The exogenesis concept is somehow complex, but at some point, you wonder what is based on actual science, and what is imagination.

It's fantastic to see how the authors have dug into Rodney's mind. This story arc was my favourite part of the book. The authors made us realise why Rodney is, well... Rodney. It's also great to see how they portrayed Zelenka and Beckett, along with the more common members of the team.

Once I started to read, I could barely put the book down, I always wanted to read "one more chaper"... I strongly recommend this story!

These writers have gone from strength to strength in their novels, and this is definitely five stars on all levels: plot, characterization and as a superby written Stargate novel highlighting morally difficult choices.

The plot is well paced and while taking unexpected twists, unfolds in a coherent manner that doesn't have you going back several chapters to try and keep track of what's happened. This despite the fact that events are taking place in several places simultaneously. Importantly, I feel, there was no falling back on convenient pieces of technology to save the day, rather, it required co-operation, ingenuity and insight. There's certainly nothing predictable about the outcome other than the ethically difficult choices that lend a gritty realism to the situation. While very much set in the Atlantis universe, this is a Stargate story at its best.

As a long time fan of the series, the only criticism I have had with Atlantis spin-off is the somewhat skimpy character development in the first seasons. In Exogenesis, I am particularly pleased that Teyla is not portrayed as the token beautiful alien, but a complex and vital character in a situation that highlights her abilities as a leader of her people and her down to earth, practical spirituality. The book has some of the most insightful dialogue for Teyla I have read or heard.

The interaction between Beckett and Radek Zelenka, their observations of McKay as a scientist and their reactions to his supposed demise (I don't consider that a spoiler as the story is set in Season 2 and we know he appears in Season 3) give us an excellent point of view that provides an added dimension. The book also portrays the emotional fall-out that real people in real life situations experience when deeply traumatized. In reality, people don't just bounce back happily for the next episode, and are entitled to feel despair, and as a reader, I want to see this insight and not have it hidden away and pretend our heros would never feel this way. This is particularly true of McKay, who the series has shown us is unable to rid himself of his arrogance. For a few pages in this novel we see that arrogance stripped away and the man beneath, without ever losing sight of McKay himself.

Weir's difficult choices as a leader, and the sort of insights that embody great leadership are also portrayed with flare. Although I did not agree with it, I very much like her reluctant siding with Caldwell, and Ronon's staunch loyalty to both Sheppard and the team as a whole.

Overall, an excellent and gripping page-turner that's bound to stand up there along with `classic' episodes.

Wow, what a great book. I mean it. Exactly what I missed in the latest two tie-ins (#10 and #11) - there was team adventure and friendship, not just nonsensical action and things going boom. I loved that not just the team - John, Rodney, Ronon and Teyla - had something to do, but also Elizabeth, Zelenka, Lorne, Carson, Caldwell and Halling. Saving Atlantis was a real team effort. I admit that the solution had a bit of a "deus ex machina" feel to it, but they did mostly use techniques applied in various SG-1 and SGA episodes and that was pretty neat. I would love to read more books written by these two authors! I enjoy their portrayal of our favorite heroes.