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Transformers Movie Tie-In Novels #3
Transformers Dark of the Moon
The official novel of the blockbuster film!
ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN . . .
All humankind was watching that day in 1969. And yet only a handful knew the real mission behind America’s triumph in the space to explore the alien ship that has crashed on the far side of the moon. Decades later, scientists are still struggling to understand the technology found on board—though with the treacherous Decepticons after it, a powerful force must be at stake. The only hope of averting a crisis is to reawaken Sentinel Prime, the long-lost leader of the Autobots—but who knows what else remains in the shadows, hidden from man and machine?
ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN . . .
All humankind was watching that day in 1969. And yet only a handful knew the real mission behind America’s triumph in the space to explore the alien ship that has crashed on the far side of the moon. Decades later, scientists are still struggling to understand the technology found on board—though with the treacherous Decepticons after it, a powerful force must be at stake. The only hope of averting a crisis is to reawaken Sentinel Prime, the long-lost leader of the Autobots—but who knows what else remains in the shadows, hidden from man and machine?
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
62 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,569 books1,365 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 3, 2015
I gave it 4 stars because, overall, the book was really good and as usual, I liked stuff in the book that weren't in the movie. BUT....because I am so wise when it comes to Transformers--there is NO WAY NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER NEVER EVER, IN THE WHOLE CYBERTRONIAN UNIVERSE WOULD Now, that wasn't in the movie because, like most movie novellazations, they are based off of the first script for the movie instead of the revised version. I...was so relieved how different the movie was when that I screamed at the big screen with joy. Because there's no way that would ever happen in the Transformers' universe.
August 7, 2013
Very Good. Much like the movie its beginning is supremely weak, but picks up half way. Interesting that instead of Alan Dean Foster who did the previous two novelization as well as two other tie-ins. But I applaud the move, Peter David adapts the story better than Foster. I really liked the premise of the whole movie involving the Apollo mission and liked how both movie and film had it as a celebration of the human race in the accomplishment. I didn't like that this movie was built around Sam being unsatisfied after what he did in the past Transformers films. Most likely created so as to have Shia LeBeouf find a satisfactory end to his three-picture deal. I have to admit that on screen Carly appears much better than how she is on paper. The actress certainly does a good job. I find it interesting that the book mentions Mikaela in only a few sentences. Making the rift between Michael Bay and Megan Fox that bad.
As for the book itself I like the depth of the characters improved with not just the humans but with the Autobots and Decepticons. The font in the book itself is stylized with parenthesis for the Decepticons and bold for the Autobots. You really felt more for Optimus reading his feelings over the betrayal he suffered. I also found it interesting that two reviled characters from the previous movie incurred really tragic death scenes. I really loved those two and felt for them when they died. But I'm sure plenty of cynical jerks would have enjoyed it. Little differences are spread out that make it different. For example when the five pillars are found they are actually put under a safeguard that would have destroyed them if any attempt to break in to the safe they were kept. Many things which I really enjoyed better than what was done in the film. Though at the very end scenes I preferred the movie. Still a very good book. B+.
As for the book itself I like the depth of the characters improved with not just the humans but with the Autobots and Decepticons. The font in the book itself is stylized with parenthesis for the Decepticons and bold for the Autobots. You really felt more for Optimus reading his feelings over the betrayal he suffered. I also found it interesting that two reviled characters from the previous movie incurred really tragic death scenes. I really loved those two and felt for them when they died. But I'm sure plenty of cynical jerks would have enjoyed it. Little differences are spread out that make it different. For example when the five pillars are found they are actually put under a safeguard that would have destroyed them if any attempt to break in to the safe they were kept. Many things which I really enjoyed better than what was done in the film. Though at the very end scenes I preferred the movie. Still a very good book. B+.
January 4, 2013
I actually read this book before I read the other ones. I had seen the movies and was skeptical that I was going to like it. However, it came into a store I was working at and was only $2 so I decided to pick it up. I was not disappointed. The author of this book is different from the previous two and it most certainly shows. His writing flows so much better and has a great mix of seriousness with just enough humor. This particular film was a bit more serious and Peter David wrote it beautifully. The introspection by both Optimus Prime and Sentinal Prime is appropriate and greatly done. Being able to look deepering into both their minds really made the story come to life even more, espcially with how at odds they were with one another and the part they played.
If you hated the movies and even the first two books do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It'll renew your faith in the franchise.
If you hated the movies and even the first two books do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It'll renew your faith in the franchise.
August 12, 2011
Thankfully this book was missing some of the poorer moments that the movie decided to subject its audience to, namely ill-timed Witwicky family moments. I liked this book well enough, I tend to enjoy novelizations as a general rule and this was no exception, but the last ten or fifteen minutes of the movie was squashed into one chapter at the end and that was a disappointment to me. It let the book down. I thought the switching perspectives and tenses to reflect how Transformers operate/think compared to humans was interesting and a nice touch. The author did a good job of capturing the different feels of the characters, to his credit, but it really is a shame about the rushed feeling of the ending of the book.
December 11, 2011
Transformers Dark of the Moon by Peter David is a book for adults and teens. This book talks about the autobots and their human alliance also known as NEST. Optimus is very upset that the humans didn't tell them about the Ark that crashed on the moon many years ago. It contains a very special thing known as a pillar and also contains the autobot who is the leader of the autobots and controls the pillar. Will the autobots get there in time and evade the decepticons?
I picked up this book because I liked the movie so I decided to read the book.
I finished this book because it was AWESOME.
I think I would recommend this to Rachel because even though she might not like fighting robots, this book is big and she likes big books.
I picked up this book because I liked the movie so I decided to read the book.
I finished this book because it was AWESOME.
I think I would recommend this to Rachel because even though she might not like fighting robots, this book is big and she likes big books.
July 20, 2011
I didn't want to put the book down. It read so easily the way it was written that I just wanted the action to keep going. To see how the next battle would play out. With enough jokes there to keep up a good wit, I really enjoyed the read. A great third chapter to the Transformers saga. With all the action, I can't wait to see it on the big screen.
June 4, 2011
Well, it's a movie book. And it's a franchise book. So my expectations going into it were rather low. The only reason I was reading this book was to preview it for my son. He wanted to read it. Unfortunately it is not appropriate for him. The robots and the story are right up his alley but the language and adult subject matter are too mature for him. My guess is that the book author felt that he could get away with more in the book than they will allow in the movie (in order to retain a PG-13 rating).
I won't give away any of the plot since the movie isn't even out yet! Might be interesting as a movie but it also might just be more of the same previous two Transformer movies.
I won't give away any of the plot since the movie isn't even out yet! Might be interesting as a movie but it also might just be more of the same previous two Transformer movies.
October 26, 2016
I decided to read this book because it was laying around my grandparents house and I was quite bored. So I read about a quarter of this book called Transformers dark of the moon. It's mainly about how they were first introduced into mankind. When they came humans were threatened by them. However the Transformers were threatened by the humans. This just shows how pathetic and childish humans can be.
October 2, 2011
Peter David once again works his novelizing magic as he turns one of the messiest scripts of the summer into a rich, rousing adventure filled with great twists and colorful characters. Makes me see the potential the finished film squandered.
January 25, 2023
If you liked the movie, you should probably read this novel. If you loathed the movie, you should definitely read this novel.
Many of us are familiar with the phrase "the book is always better than the movie" and while this, like any absolute, is not always true, I find that it usually is; but this example is just plain ridiculous.
I have been aware for some time that film novelizations, since the author usually works from an earlier version of the screenplay in order to make his release date coincide with that of the finished film, frequently preserve deleted or alternate scenes. In this case these alterations, whether the omissions of careless filmmakers or perhaps the additions of the author, Peter David, lead to a crisp, action packed and strangely believable sci-fi action thriller for young adults, or, in my case, a long dissatisfied Transformers fan.
Instead of the soulless hunks of meat and metal of the film, I find actual humans and sentient robots leaping to life on every page with emotions, motives and introspection that create investment. In place of meaningless mayhem and confusing close angles, clean and clear imagery makes every action scene memorable, all leading to a satisfying and, dare I say, meaningful conclusion which, sadly, was never filmed but lives in vivid excellence within these pages. Oh, and the crude humor of the film is, thankfully, cut to the bone and replaced with a sprinkle of clever banter that feels far more on brand for Transformers and results in a far more dramatic and frequently dark story.
In short, this is how transformers are supposed to be and perhaps, for the sake of objectivity, I should rate this as a four star, young adult novel. It's not like it can stand beside the best books I've read and maybe for a casual reader it would have little value; but that would betray how engaged I was with every word and every page. At the end of the day, this book triumphs where millions of dollars have failed.
Many of us are familiar with the phrase "the book is always better than the movie" and while this, like any absolute, is not always true, I find that it usually is; but this example is just plain ridiculous.
I have been aware for some time that film novelizations, since the author usually works from an earlier version of the screenplay in order to make his release date coincide with that of the finished film, frequently preserve deleted or alternate scenes. In this case these alterations, whether the omissions of careless filmmakers or perhaps the additions of the author, Peter David, lead to a crisp, action packed and strangely believable sci-fi action thriller for young adults, or, in my case, a long dissatisfied Transformers fan.
Instead of the soulless hunks of meat and metal of the film, I find actual humans and sentient robots leaping to life on every page with emotions, motives and introspection that create investment. In place of meaningless mayhem and confusing close angles, clean and clear imagery makes every action scene memorable, all leading to a satisfying and, dare I say, meaningful conclusion which, sadly, was never filmed but lives in vivid excellence within these pages. Oh, and the crude humor of the film is, thankfully, cut to the bone and replaced with a sprinkle of clever banter that feels far more on brand for Transformers and results in a far more dramatic and frequently dark story.
In short, this is how transformers are supposed to be and perhaps, for the sake of objectivity, I should rate this as a four star, young adult novel. It's not like it can stand beside the best books I've read and maybe for a casual reader it would have little value; but that would betray how engaged I was with every word and every page. At the end of the day, this book triumphs where millions of dollars have failed.
November 23, 2023
Winner of the 2011 Faust Award for media tie-in writers!
Man, good ol' P.A.D. knocks it out of the park yet again. I love the movie this is based on and David adds a few authorial flourishes that makes the novelization a really fun read. I mean, writing the movie novelization is objectively pretty trashy. But I love to hear that Peter David is getting paid. 5/5
P.S. Spoilers for a twelve-year-old movie but you can tell that this is adapted from an earlier version of the screenplay. Mudflap and Skids appear in the book . Even if they were racist caricatures in Revenge of the Fallen at least Mudflap gets to . AND instead of killing Megatron execution-style, Optimus and Megatron . It always felt really out of character (and mean-spirited) that in the movie OP kicks Megatron while he's down.
P.P.S. We can all agree that the movie is $^%&ing insane right? Like it goes
1. Transformers are responsible for the Moon landing and Chernobyl
2. Office romantic comedy
3. The Autobots rescue Bigger Optimus Prime from the Moon
4. Bigger Optimus Prime is actually Evil Optimus Prime
5. The Transformers blow up Chicago
P.P.P.S. Who up reading Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2023?
Man, good ol' P.A.D. knocks it out of the park yet again. I love the movie this is based on and David adds a few authorial flourishes that makes the novelization a really fun read. I mean, writing the movie novelization is objectively pretty trashy. But I love to hear that Peter David is getting paid. 5/5
P.S. Spoilers for a twelve-year-old movie but you can tell that this is adapted from an earlier version of the screenplay. Mudflap and Skids appear in the book . Even if they were racist caricatures in Revenge of the Fallen at least Mudflap gets to . AND instead of killing Megatron execution-style, Optimus and Megatron . It always felt really out of character (and mean-spirited) that in the movie OP kicks Megatron while he's down.
P.P.S. We can all agree that the movie is $^%&ing insane right? Like it goes
1. Transformers are responsible for the Moon landing and Chernobyl
2. Office romantic comedy
3. The Autobots rescue Bigger Optimus Prime from the Moon
4. Bigger Optimus Prime is actually Evil Optimus Prime
5. The Transformers blow up Chicago
P.P.P.S. Who up reading Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2023?
August 17, 2019
Much like the first movie adaptation, I'm the perfect audience for this tie-in and, yet, found it very disappointing. Admittedly, David does handle the story itself with more finesse than Foster. Splitting the story between Sam and Optimus was an interesting idea, and he captures Optimus' voice quite well.
However, so much of it is so very jarring. The big bold headings to differentiate location changes are offputting. Likewise, the meaning of rendering the perspective of various Transformers in bracketed italics eludes me utterly. Between that, and Optimus' perspective being rendered in bold italics, I feel like someone wasn't sure that readers would be able to follow the story otherwise.
It's somewhat interesting to see the differences between the film version and what must've been an earlier take on the screenplay. Peter David has done some wonderful adaptations, such as his work on Babylon 5, but this is not one of them.
However, so much of it is so very jarring. The big bold headings to differentiate location changes are offputting. Likewise, the meaning of rendering the perspective of various Transformers in bracketed italics eludes me utterly. Between that, and Optimus' perspective being rendered in bold italics, I feel like someone wasn't sure that readers would be able to follow the story otherwise.
It's somewhat interesting to see the differences between the film version and what must've been an earlier take on the screenplay. Peter David has done some wonderful adaptations, such as his work on Babylon 5, but this is not one of them.
January 31, 2025
wait how did this random book adaptation of a not-so-great movie give megatron the best ending ever. "i have spent far too long destroying, and it has brought me nothing. nothing. so i wish to try creating for a time and see if that brings me... something." "when i do return to cybertron and when i do make things right, i will send for you and yours. and we will join and be one race again. a race of peace. we will once again have a home." yeah i live in this universe now. jazz and ironhide and wheeljack and mirage are all alive and well, optimus retires to cybertron with his hubby, everyone lives happily ever after, and nothing bad happens, ever, never again. the end.
April 17, 2022
I am so glad Peter David stopped the books at this movie. I hated how things went down afterwards. At least here, we have hope that things will have a happier ending in the book series, especially since the ending for this book differs strongly from the movie.
November 20, 2022
WOW. Leagues better than the movie it adapts, with satisfying resolutions to character arcs, (let's be honest) borderline excessive level of pop culture references, and best of all, an Optimus Prime that doesn't commit war crimes! Plus a much more satisfying end to the Megatron/Optimus feud.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 16, 2022I have seen the film and it a good one
November 23, 2023
Not bad actually. I feel bad for Optimus Prime. Bumblebee as cool as ever. Carly is so much better then Mikaela!
March 1, 2024
Wow, I love the film, but had it been this? This would be an all time great film.
August 8, 2011
This book was good to read for me. I was hyped up about watching Dark of the Moon when it was comming out and to find the novel made satisfied my needs before watching it.
It's a good novelization for Sam's joureney. You get a little more in his head here with events after the events of the second film and to where he is now. I also liked how the scenes were described as they fit in with the action.
Due to this books nature as a film, it was fast paced and you were able to spread through it. I actually think the book was very good in comparison with the film.
It's a good novelization for Sam's joureney. You get a little more in his head here with events after the events of the second film and to where he is now. I also liked how the scenes were described as they fit in with the action.
Due to this books nature as a film, it was fast paced and you were able to spread through it. I actually think the book was very good in comparison with the film.
January 21, 2015
As a serious Transformers fan I did not find myself as satisfied with this book as I was with the other Transformers books I've read. Why? Because since this is from the movies era, cue the less robots more humans scene. One thing I did like however was parts of the story that were told in Optimus's point of view and the fact that he doesn't get an arm chopped off in the final battle. But I find that there was too much on Sam's point of view which is not what I was hoping for. I would give this book more stars if it focused a little more on the robots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2011
This book gives me hope for the upcoming movie. The story seems very crisp, and there were some points that really stunned me; one in particular made me sit up in my seat and take notice. In fact, I had to turn back and make sure I read what I thought I was reading.
In short, it was a great read, and I can't wait to see it all take place onscreen.
In short, it was a great read, and I can't wait to see it all take place onscreen.
June 22, 2015
I was impressed with the author! This book does follow the story line of the movie but I still enjoyed reading it. Dark of the Moon, is a dark plot and I am wondering now what happened between the end of this book till "Age of extinction".. The robot wars of Chicago? I think I want to watch the movie again :) Ps Sam needs to grow a pair...he gets so whiny!
June 13, 2011
I really hope that the movie lives up to this book because I think they got the story down packed in this book.
June 29, 2011
I thought the book was pretty good. I couldnt put it down towards the end. I cant wait to see the movie.
December 1, 2011
i think it was nice book and movie i tkink my best frend ben hougen
December 30, 2012
Passable more then movie.
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January 18, 2013So AMAZING!!!!!
October 12, 2013
662 - 2013
Dapat di Periplus Kelapa Gading just for 10k. Peter David makes this novel a better version than the movie.
Dapat di Periplus Kelapa Gading just for 10k. Peter David makes this novel a better version than the movie.
Read
September 13, 2013Really different from the movie but still good
January 5, 2014
Well written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews