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Rage: A Novel
An action-packed adventure based on the award-winning videogame from id Software, the creators of DOOM® and QUAKE®, Rage follows one man’s fight to save the future of humanity in a ravaged, post-apocalyptic world.
The asteroid Apophis has annihilated Earth, and only a small percentage of humanity’s best and brightest have been saved. Buried deep below the ground in life-sustaining Arks, these chosen few are tasked with one vital mission—to restore civilization to a devastated planet hundreds of years after the impact.
When Lieutenant Nick Raine emerges from his Ark, he finds a future indistinguishable from nightmare. Humankind has not been entirely destroyed on the surface world, and a primitive new society has emerged in which life is nasty, brutish, and short. Mutants and bandits prey upon the weak, and a mysterious military group known as the Authority preys upon everyone. Worst of all, a would-be tyrant seeks to impose his will upon the shattered planet. Armed with nothing more than his combat training and survival instincts, Raine must rise to meet the challenges of the wasteland.
The asteroid Apophis has annihilated Earth, and only a small percentage of humanity’s best and brightest have been saved. Buried deep below the ground in life-sustaining Arks, these chosen few are tasked with one vital mission—to restore civilization to a devastated planet hundreds of years after the impact.
When Lieutenant Nick Raine emerges from his Ark, he finds a future indistinguishable from nightmare. Humankind has not been entirely destroyed on the surface world, and a primitive new society has emerged in which life is nasty, brutish, and short. Mutants and bandits prey upon the weak, and a mysterious military group known as the Authority preys upon everyone. Worst of all, a would-be tyrant seeks to impose his will upon the shattered planet. Armed with nothing more than his combat training and survival instincts, Raine must rise to meet the challenges of the wasteland.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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324 people want to read
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March 6, 2015
A few things before I go on to review this.
When I first got this, I was under the impression it was a graphic novel, and not a retelling of the actually story line presented in the game. When I found this out, it kind of put me off for a while (I have finally managed to find the comic version and have ordered that one).
When I finally got curious enough to read the book, my thoughts extended to the fact that the game is an open world, first person shooter with the usual silent lead character. The game being all of that, I was curious as to how the book would handle that, and what type of character the lead was actually meant to be.
One more thing (I say in the voice of Uncle from Jackie Chan Adventures), as I was about to review, I went and checked the other reviews. Doing this, I found out that this book came out about a year before the game. Which makes so much sense!
One more thing!...naw just screwing with you, onto the review!
The book is not bad, by any means. It is written well enough that you can get halfway through the book in less than a day, if you are committed to it. I obviously wasn't, mostly because the draw of the story isn't that strong. Presented in game medium, it's interesting, it's mysterious and new.
In the book, it's tedious, the one big mystery is given away in the prologue, and it's a rehash of every other dystopian nightmare.
The characters cardboard cutouts of the usual, don't give a damn, tough sons of bitches, in a world where to survive you got to make deals. There's a whole rescue, and be rescued in turn, scene that establishes this, and it feels forced mostly in the way that they didn't know how to get the lead out of the predicament they put him in.
You have the tough as nails, can survive it all main character, the brothers where one is good the other's a dick, a girl who too is tough as nails, a loony mad scientist, and a bad guy who doesn't get enough screen time. Except in the beginning, which pretty much ruins the entire thing.
The plot is lazy, something that you could get past in the game because it's a fun open world game with a bunch of things to distract you from it. In the book, there isn't anything. No subplots. just one big, go to this, go to that, point a to point b to point...etc.
The prologue is possibly the worst way to introduce things, it's slow and boring, and tries to info dump everything with crap that still doesn't explain everything (what the hell affected the asteroid to do all that?! who cares so long as it hits earth).
The one thing the game did right story wise, was not giving away the whole thing (probably to lead up to the sequel which still isn't here yet! Give me my damn sequel ID!) that the prologue does. It would have made an interesting mystery for the lead to think of while dealing with this world that isn't necessarily suppose to be that way.
And yet despite all the bad story telling (and with so many different things happening in the book that the game overlooks, probably written more along the lines of the rough draft they had), it isn't a badly written book. It's quick, action paced (once you get past the prologue), and knows how to keep the story going. It's hard to place how or why, but in a way I enjoyed it. and the ending here is a lot ALOT ALOT better than the one the game sold us! (I swear ID if I do not get that sequel to make up for that crap ending, there will be riots!).
so if you're a fan of the game, sure read it. or want a glimpse of whether or not to buy the game, read it too. because they manage to get a competent writer to make something readable out of the very two dimensional character and plot they were given.
When I first got this, I was under the impression it was a graphic novel, and not a retelling of the actually story line presented in the game. When I found this out, it kind of put me off for a while (I have finally managed to find the comic version and have ordered that one).
When I finally got curious enough to read the book, my thoughts extended to the fact that the game is an open world, first person shooter with the usual silent lead character. The game being all of that, I was curious as to how the book would handle that, and what type of character the lead was actually meant to be.
One more thing (I say in the voice of Uncle from Jackie Chan Adventures), as I was about to review, I went and checked the other reviews. Doing this, I found out that this book came out about a year before the game. Which makes so much sense!
One more thing!...naw just screwing with you, onto the review!
The book is not bad, by any means. It is written well enough that you can get halfway through the book in less than a day, if you are committed to it. I obviously wasn't, mostly because the draw of the story isn't that strong. Presented in game medium, it's interesting, it's mysterious and new.
In the book, it's tedious, the one big mystery is given away in the prologue, and it's a rehash of every other dystopian nightmare.
The characters cardboard cutouts of the usual, don't give a damn, tough sons of bitches, in a world where to survive you got to make deals. There's a whole rescue, and be rescued in turn, scene that establishes this, and it feels forced mostly in the way that they didn't know how to get the lead out of the predicament they put him in.
You have the tough as nails, can survive it all main character, the brothers where one is good the other's a dick, a girl who too is tough as nails, a loony mad scientist, and a bad guy who doesn't get enough screen time. Except in the beginning, which pretty much ruins the entire thing.
The plot is lazy, something that you could get past in the game because it's a fun open world game with a bunch of things to distract you from it. In the book, there isn't anything. No subplots. just one big, go to this, go to that, point a to point b to point...etc.
The prologue is possibly the worst way to introduce things, it's slow and boring, and tries to info dump everything with crap that still doesn't explain everything (what the hell affected the asteroid to do all that?! who cares so long as it hits earth).
The one thing the game did right story wise, was not giving away the whole thing (probably to lead up to the sequel which still isn't here yet! Give me my damn sequel ID!) that the prologue does. It would have made an interesting mystery for the lead to think of while dealing with this world that isn't necessarily suppose to be that way.
And yet despite all the bad story telling (and with so many different things happening in the book that the game overlooks, probably written more along the lines of the rough draft they had), it isn't a badly written book. It's quick, action paced (once you get past the prologue), and knows how to keep the story going. It's hard to place how or why, but in a way I enjoyed it. and the ending here is a lot ALOT ALOT better than the one the game sold us! (I swear ID if I do not get that sequel to make up for that crap ending, there will be riots!).
so if you're a fan of the game, sure read it. or want a glimpse of whether or not to buy the game, read it too. because they manage to get a competent writer to make something readable out of the very two dimensional character and plot they were given.
July 17, 2017
I played the video game Rage some time ago and I absolutely loved it.
There was a spelling error every so often. Inconsistencies also, at one point, Raine said he had three grenades left and after only throwing one, he had one left. When he picks up his rifle, his pistol and his shotgun, it says he grabbed his "rifles". Simple things like these can really break the immersion into the world.
But aside from those things I truly loved the book. Characters like Dan and Halek Hagar were both expanded upon and you got to know them better, some characters and factions were more friendly and some were less friendly, mostly less friendly. But that's what made it awesome.
Raine is an Ark survivor, one of those chosen to help lead the future into a better direction than the past after a meteorite ruined the world we know and love. These ark survivors have information, skills and technology that the world wants and the easiest way to get it is by converting them, killing them, or selling them out to those who could.
The world is full of bandits that capture, kill, rape and steal from anyone not in their clan. Mutants are also a problem and they'll kill and eat you, you also better hope it's in that order.
Some nice people and even more bad people end up dying either by Raine's hands, for Raine or at least because of Raine. The world after Apophis is a scary one, a crazy one, not one that someone from the past would enter willingly. And Raine, not knowing what the world would be like, left the doomed world he knew to enter one he didn't.
In this new world, those that survive are the ones who make deals, who may have to compromise on the occasion. People don't do things for strangers out of the kindness of their hearts and even worse, if there's a better deal after helping them, they'll sell them out just to be even better off. It's a "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" world where you still have to make sure a knife isn't slammed into your spine mid-scratch.
The characters might be a little bland in this world, but in a place like that, you aren't going to be sharing any deep dark secrets or heartfelt feelings. You keep it to yourself, you stay strong, you stay tough or you die trying. If you let fear control you then you're easily controlled and if you let sadness cripple you then you are no good to the other survivors. To be hard and cold is to survive.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. Many of the differences between the game and the book made it more enjoyable because I'm a sucker for brutal stories. Because of the quality of the plot but also because of the mistakes, Matthew Costello gets 4 of five stars on his book. Not bad, not bad at all.
There was a spelling error every so often. Inconsistencies also, at one point, Raine said he had three grenades left and after only throwing one, he had one left. When he picks up his rifle, his pistol and his shotgun, it says he grabbed his "rifles". Simple things like these can really break the immersion into the world.
But aside from those things I truly loved the book. Characters like Dan and Halek Hagar were both expanded upon and you got to know them better, some characters and factions were more friendly and some were less friendly, mostly less friendly. But that's what made it awesome.
Raine is an Ark survivor, one of those chosen to help lead the future into a better direction than the past after a meteorite ruined the world we know and love. These ark survivors have information, skills and technology that the world wants and the easiest way to get it is by converting them, killing them, or selling them out to those who could.
The world is full of bandits that capture, kill, rape and steal from anyone not in their clan. Mutants are also a problem and they'll kill and eat you, you also better hope it's in that order.
Some nice people and even more bad people end up dying either by Raine's hands, for Raine or at least because of Raine. The world after Apophis is a scary one, a crazy one, not one that someone from the past would enter willingly. And Raine, not knowing what the world would be like, left the doomed world he knew to enter one he didn't.
In this new world, those that survive are the ones who make deals, who may have to compromise on the occasion. People don't do things for strangers out of the kindness of their hearts and even worse, if there's a better deal after helping them, they'll sell them out just to be even better off. It's a "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" world where you still have to make sure a knife isn't slammed into your spine mid-scratch.
The characters might be a little bland in this world, but in a place like that, you aren't going to be sharing any deep dark secrets or heartfelt feelings. You keep it to yourself, you stay strong, you stay tough or you die trying. If you let fear control you then you're easily controlled and if you let sadness cripple you then you are no good to the other survivors. To be hard and cold is to survive.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. Many of the differences between the game and the book made it more enjoyable because I'm a sucker for brutal stories. Because of the quality of the plot but also because of the mistakes, Matthew Costello gets 4 of five stars on his book. Not bad, not bad at all.
September 16, 2011
I won a copy on Goodreads first reads.
The basic concept of this book is that an asteroid is going to strike the earth and probably wipe out civilization.To try and save at least some of humanity, governments around the world build arks to hold a few people in cryogenic sleep with supplies to start over.The arks are designed to reemerge at different times to maximize their chances for survival.Naturally things go wrong.
I have learned when giving a review, you should always start with some good points before you look at those areas that could have been better.The basic concept is good.The cover art is not bad.I only found 2 typos in the book.Finally the chapyers are short with plenty of breaks so you always have a good place to stop when you get tired of reading.
Like most books based on games, Rage suffers from a lot of problems.There is usually very thin background stories to video games.Unfortunately this carried over to the novel.There are a lot of questions/problems that just do not get addressed.Most of the plot reads like a collection of cliches from sci-fi books and movies.The big draw to the game is action.In the novel, the action is tepid at best.One big suspense killer is that with only one main character, you can guess he will make it through no matter the odds.The characters are flat and it is almost impossible to become connected to them.
Some of the big questions that I had included why did the asteroid behave so strangely? Why were there so few people on each ark? What were the ark survivors supposed to eat while they waited for the seeds that they were given grew into food? If there was so much devastation that the world is turned into a giant desert, and most animals were killed off, how is life even possible? what did happen to all the water? It wasn't boiled off into the atmosphere because they talk about how much brighter the sun is.(We will ignore why the sun is changed by the earth being hit.)How did so many car parts,buildings,guns and people survive when whole contintents were destroyed? This type of questions don't matter when playing a game, but in a novel that is supposed to take you deeper into that world they do.
The best way I can describe reading this book is to compare it to eating plain broth.You will survive eating it but there is nothing that stands out about it.If you have nothing else to do and feel you must read it,go ahead.But I would also suggest just play the game.There are plenty of books in a similar vein that are better.Two such novels that are done much better are Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny and wanted by Jason Halstead.Or you could watch the Mad Max movies again.
The basic concept of this book is that an asteroid is going to strike the earth and probably wipe out civilization.To try and save at least some of humanity, governments around the world build arks to hold a few people in cryogenic sleep with supplies to start over.The arks are designed to reemerge at different times to maximize their chances for survival.Naturally things go wrong.
I have learned when giving a review, you should always start with some good points before you look at those areas that could have been better.The basic concept is good.The cover art is not bad.I only found 2 typos in the book.Finally the chapyers are short with plenty of breaks so you always have a good place to stop when you get tired of reading.
Like most books based on games, Rage suffers from a lot of problems.There is usually very thin background stories to video games.Unfortunately this carried over to the novel.There are a lot of questions/problems that just do not get addressed.Most of the plot reads like a collection of cliches from sci-fi books and movies.The big draw to the game is action.In the novel, the action is tepid at best.One big suspense killer is that with only one main character, you can guess he will make it through no matter the odds.The characters are flat and it is almost impossible to become connected to them.
Some of the big questions that I had included why did the asteroid behave so strangely? Why were there so few people on each ark? What were the ark survivors supposed to eat while they waited for the seeds that they were given grew into food? If there was so much devastation that the world is turned into a giant desert, and most animals were killed off, how is life even possible? what did happen to all the water? It wasn't boiled off into the atmosphere because they talk about how much brighter the sun is.(We will ignore why the sun is changed by the earth being hit.)How did so many car parts,buildings,guns and people survive when whole contintents were destroyed? This type of questions don't matter when playing a game, but in a novel that is supposed to take you deeper into that world they do.
The best way I can describe reading this book is to compare it to eating plain broth.You will survive eating it but there is nothing that stands out about it.If you have nothing else to do and feel you must read it,go ahead.But I would also suggest just play the game.There are plenty of books in a similar vein that are better.Two such novels that are done much better are Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny and wanted by Jason Halstead.Or you could watch the Mad Max movies again.
April 22, 2012
Rage, a novel based on the successful video game by the same name from id Software, unfortunately fails to deliver what the game itself so masterfully has. The book claims to be based on the game, but it should be noted that it is loosely based.
The main character, Raine, is a man selected for a state of cryogenic suspension, to be re-awakened 100 years in the future to help ressurect mankind after it has been wiped out by the asteroid Apophis. Unfortunately, the world he rises to is nothing like what mankind had hoped for. A man with his own personal agenda has arisen earlier than everyone else and created a government known as the Authority, hell-bent on world domination.
The premise is good, the video game great, but the novel fails to bring that world to life. There is no depth to any of the characters, and while one might expect that from a video game, a novel should flesh out these characters. It does not. The action sequences were poorly described and there was a distinct lack of tension throughout the story.
The writer has missed a good opportunity to write what could have been one of the best post-apocalyptic stories of last year. For example, one of the most adrenalin-pumping sequences in the video game is a trek through the Dead City, while being hunted by mutants: the normal kind, slime ones, and monstrous ones. Rage, the novel, visits the Dead City for just one chapter. One chapter! And our "hero", Raine, has absolutely no problems completing this mission.
The book's ending is no better; it fails to provide a final confrontation with the big bad boss man, whose evil nature is only breifly touched upon. Really, in this book, there is no one to route for, and no one to hate.
If you're looking for an all-action exciting ride, then go out and buy the game -- the book, unfortunately, doesn't do it justice.
The main character, Raine, is a man selected for a state of cryogenic suspension, to be re-awakened 100 years in the future to help ressurect mankind after it has been wiped out by the asteroid Apophis. Unfortunately, the world he rises to is nothing like what mankind had hoped for. A man with his own personal agenda has arisen earlier than everyone else and created a government known as the Authority, hell-bent on world domination.
The premise is good, the video game great, but the novel fails to bring that world to life. There is no depth to any of the characters, and while one might expect that from a video game, a novel should flesh out these characters. It does not. The action sequences were poorly described and there was a distinct lack of tension throughout the story.
The writer has missed a good opportunity to write what could have been one of the best post-apocalyptic stories of last year. For example, one of the most adrenalin-pumping sequences in the video game is a trek through the Dead City, while being hunted by mutants: the normal kind, slime ones, and monstrous ones. Rage, the novel, visits the Dead City for just one chapter. One chapter! And our "hero", Raine, has absolutely no problems completing this mission.
The book's ending is no better; it fails to provide a final confrontation with the big bad boss man, whose evil nature is only breifly touched upon. Really, in this book, there is no one to route for, and no one to hate.
If you're looking for an all-action exciting ride, then go out and buy the game -- the book, unfortunately, doesn't do it justice.
November 20, 2021
Firstly I loved the video game. I rarely get into games these days but this one held my attention right through. Secondly, I chose the book at the library when I was living in England. I had intended for it to accompany my travels in Germany. Unfortunately I left the damned thing on the train from Manchester to London. To be honest I am cheating here because I only read about half the book before losing it. Since I have decided to override the OCD barrier that has prevented me from shelving the book for three goddamned years, I will at least give it the benefit of the doubt and give it three stars instead of two. It was pretty lame and shallow from what I read of it, but I'm sure it would have been entertaining if nothing else.
October 31, 2020
played the video game Rage some time ago and I absolutely loved it.
There was a spelling error every so often. Inconsistencies also, at one point, Raine said he had three grenades left and after only throwing one, he had one left. When he picks up his rifle, his pistol and his shotgun, it says he grabbed his "rifles". Simple things like these can really break the immersion into the world.
But aside from those things I truly loved this tie-in book based off Bethesda’s Rage franchise. Characters like Dan and Halek Hagar were both expanded upon and you got to know them better, some characters and factions were more friendly and some were less friendly, mostly less friendly. But that's what made it awesome.
Raine is an Ark survivor, one of those chosen to help lead the future into a better direction than the past after a meteorite ruined the world we know and love. These ark survivors have information, skills and technology that the world wants and the easiest way to get it is by converting them, killing them, or selling them out to those who could.
The world is full of bandits that capture, kill, rape and steal from anyone not in their clan. Mutants are also a problem and they'll kill and eat you, you also better hope it's in that order.
Some nice people and even more bad people end up dying either by Raine's hands, for Raine or at least because of Raine. The world after Apophis is a scary one, a crazy one, not one that someone from the past would enter willingly. And Raine, not knowing what the world would be like, left the doomed world he knew to enter one he didn't.
In this new world, those that survive are the ones who make deals, who may have to compromise on the occasion. People don't do things for strangers out of the kindness of their hearts and even worse, if there's a better deal after helping them, they'll sell them out just to be even better off. It's a "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" world where you still have to make sure a knife isn't slammed into your spine mid-scratch.
The characters might be a little bland in this world, but in a place like that, you aren't going to be sharing any deep dark secrets or heartfelt feelings. You keep it to yourself, you stay strong, you stay tough or you die trying. If you let fear control you then you're easily controlled and if you let sadness cripple you then you are no good to the other survivors. To be hard and cold is to survive.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. Many of the differences between the game and the book made it more enjoyable because I'm a sucker for brutal Post Apocalyptic stories. Because of the quality of the plot but also because of the mistakes, Matthew Costello gets 4 of five stars on his book. Not bad, not bad at all.
Thank you for your review.
There was a spelling error every so often. Inconsistencies also, at one point, Raine said he had three grenades left and after only throwing one, he had one left. When he picks up his rifle, his pistol and his shotgun, it says he grabbed his "rifles". Simple things like these can really break the immersion into the world.
But aside from those things I truly loved this tie-in book based off Bethesda’s Rage franchise. Characters like Dan and Halek Hagar were both expanded upon and you got to know them better, some characters and factions were more friendly and some were less friendly, mostly less friendly. But that's what made it awesome.
Raine is an Ark survivor, one of those chosen to help lead the future into a better direction than the past after a meteorite ruined the world we know and love. These ark survivors have information, skills and technology that the world wants and the easiest way to get it is by converting them, killing them, or selling them out to those who could.
The world is full of bandits that capture, kill, rape and steal from anyone not in their clan. Mutants are also a problem and they'll kill and eat you, you also better hope it's in that order.
Some nice people and even more bad people end up dying either by Raine's hands, for Raine or at least because of Raine. The world after Apophis is a scary one, a crazy one, not one that someone from the past would enter willingly. And Raine, not knowing what the world would be like, left the doomed world he knew to enter one he didn't.
In this new world, those that survive are the ones who make deals, who may have to compromise on the occasion. People don't do things for strangers out of the kindness of their hearts and even worse, if there's a better deal after helping them, they'll sell them out just to be even better off. It's a "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" world where you still have to make sure a knife isn't slammed into your spine mid-scratch.
The characters might be a little bland in this world, but in a place like that, you aren't going to be sharing any deep dark secrets or heartfelt feelings. You keep it to yourself, you stay strong, you stay tough or you die trying. If you let fear control you then you're easily controlled and if you let sadness cripple you then you are no good to the other survivors. To be hard and cold is to survive.
In the end, I enjoyed the story. Many of the differences between the game and the book made it more enjoyable because I'm a sucker for brutal Post Apocalyptic stories. Because of the quality of the plot but also because of the mistakes, Matthew Costello gets 4 of five stars on his book. Not bad, not bad at all.
Thank you for your review.
February 26, 2025
One hundred years after an asteroid impacts Earth, a buried “Ark” survivor emerges into the wasteland.
I was hoping for something cheesy and fun with this, maybe some giant mutant ants or something. I got a story that took itself quite seriously despite its ridiculous premise. Our hero careens from one dangerous task to the next, but there’s no sense of urgency or real fear from the reader that he’s ever in danger. There’s rumblings about how there was something strange in the make-up of the asteroid, but that never goes anywhere. The bad guys are not vanquished. None of the issues affecting the survivors are resolved. Perhaps they thought this would be a smash hit and planned on a sequel, but I can’t imagine too many people clamoring for more of this.
I was hoping for something cheesy and fun with this, maybe some giant mutant ants or something. I got a story that took itself quite seriously despite its ridiculous premise. Our hero careens from one dangerous task to the next, but there’s no sense of urgency or real fear from the reader that he’s ever in danger. There’s rumblings about how there was something strange in the make-up of the asteroid, but that never goes anywhere. The bad guys are not vanquished. None of the issues affecting the survivors are resolved. Perhaps they thought this would be a smash hit and planned on a sequel, but I can’t imagine too many people clamoring for more of this.
April 22, 2022
Inconsistencies aside, it was a good read -I'd categorise this book as junk food...
July 2, 2022
A very good read, wish there was a part 2
August 8, 2024
wasn’t sure quite how well a game would translate to a book but I was pleasantly surprised
February 17, 2014
I'll start by writing that I consider myself a HUGE fan of the game, having put nearly 150 hours into it. I had never read a novel based on a computer game before so I decided to give RAGE a chance since the video game left me with such positive feelings.
Unfortunately, the book was nowhere near as entertaining as its digital counterpart. It seemed to me that it was written in a way which would appeal to 12-year olds, which is weird considering that the game is R rated. The protagonist was as unconvincing as a book character can be. He is portrayed as a seasoned war veteran who went through a lot, but at the same time he sports an incredibly high dose of arrogance for a person with such experience. His occasional one-liners could have easily been skipped as they do not add any humoristic value, but only convince the reader that the protagonist is poorly constructed. I also disliked the usage of pathos, which followed typical cliches associated with such situations.
On the plus side, the descriptions of landscape were really good and helped in building the atmosphere. The author provided a little in-depth information concerning the setting, such as the initial chapters, which give us more insight into how the Ark Project was started and why the protagonist was chosen for it.
I read information about the author and he has earned certain merits with his previous works. I can only assume that the book's construction was dictated either by the game's marketing department or by a deadline (the novel was released before the game, presumably to promote it). It's a pity that good descriptions of the setting were completely nullified by poor character construction (I mentioned the protagonist, but it holds true for others as well). I think the book would have been a lot better if it didn't try to go through the events of the game. A story from a different point of view, or concerning another part of the wasteland may have enriched the world of the game - what I expected would be the main objective of the work - without spoiling what was good in the digital version.
I would like to conclude with this simple piece of advice for future endeavours concerning video game adaptations: if the game is R rated, make the novel for adults as well. However, not in the terms of violence and usage of swear words, but in the plot.
Unfortunately, the book was nowhere near as entertaining as its digital counterpart. It seemed to me that it was written in a way which would appeal to 12-year olds, which is weird considering that the game is R rated. The protagonist was as unconvincing as a book character can be. He is portrayed as a seasoned war veteran who went through a lot, but at the same time he sports an incredibly high dose of arrogance for a person with such experience. His occasional one-liners could have easily been skipped as they do not add any humoristic value, but only convince the reader that the protagonist is poorly constructed. I also disliked the usage of pathos, which followed typical cliches associated with such situations.
On the plus side, the descriptions of landscape were really good and helped in building the atmosphere. The author provided a little in-depth information concerning the setting, such as the initial chapters, which give us more insight into how the Ark Project was started and why the protagonist was chosen for it.
I read information about the author and he has earned certain merits with his previous works. I can only assume that the book's construction was dictated either by the game's marketing department or by a deadline (the novel was released before the game, presumably to promote it). It's a pity that good descriptions of the setting were completely nullified by poor character construction (I mentioned the protagonist, but it holds true for others as well). I think the book would have been a lot better if it didn't try to go through the events of the game. A story from a different point of view, or concerning another part of the wasteland may have enriched the world of the game - what I expected would be the main objective of the work - without spoiling what was good in the digital version.
I would like to conclude with this simple piece of advice for future endeavours concerning video game adaptations: if the game is R rated, make the novel for adults as well. However, not in the terms of violence and usage of swear words, but in the plot.
September 26, 2011
Some concepts work better as games than as novels, and parts of this story fall into that category. There are simply too many McGuffins in the book, some of which simply don't pay off by the end. Some will be addressed in sequels, I'm sure, but it may or may not be worth the wait. It is easy to see how these might fit into the worldbuilding for the game, but they weaken the narrative of this novel.
Most difficult of all, the author tried to cram in a back story for the start of the devastation, and that part simply didn't work. The post-apocalyptic world itself is fairly standard, and for fans of the style, it works pretty well. Unfortunately, the back story isn't nearly as convincing, involving the 21st-century development of MANY advanced technologies, ranging from miraculous nano-machines, cryogenic preservation, nuclear-powered drill machines and a host of other things, all in secret but somehow shared by governments worldwide. Oh, yes, and the ability to hush up every amateur astronomer in the world, when an object that would be the focus of almost every telescope in the world suddenly changes course...
The actual post-apocalypse story is told much better, and involves mutants, evil dictators, survival situations, running battles with cars and a host of other things that any Mad Max fan would enjoy.
The craftsmanship of the post-collapse story earned this book its third star, but it was a near thing.
The book did manage to do one intended thing, which is to intrigue me about the game.
Most difficult of all, the author tried to cram in a back story for the start of the devastation, and that part simply didn't work. The post-apocalyptic world itself is fairly standard, and for fans of the style, it works pretty well. Unfortunately, the back story isn't nearly as convincing, involving the 21st-century development of MANY advanced technologies, ranging from miraculous nano-machines, cryogenic preservation, nuclear-powered drill machines and a host of other things, all in secret but somehow shared by governments worldwide. Oh, yes, and the ability to hush up every amateur astronomer in the world, when an object that would be the focus of almost every telescope in the world suddenly changes course...
The actual post-apocalypse story is told much better, and involves mutants, evil dictators, survival situations, running battles with cars and a host of other things that any Mad Max fan would enjoy.
The craftsmanship of the post-collapse story earned this book its third star, but it was a near thing.
The book did manage to do one intended thing, which is to intrigue me about the game.
November 4, 2011
I received this book from first reads. I think I would actually give it a 3.5 rating. This book was full of action and I could picture myself playing the game as I read it. It actually made me want to get the game, but I think I will wait for a used copy. The plot was pretty intresting but character development was lacking. I think it would have been better if the author had lengthened it with a little more detail. I kept expecting the main character, Raine, to demand more information from all the characters he came across expecting him to do dangerous things. I think in real life any normal person would want to know what the hell was going on before agreeing to any mission. The book pretty much went from one action to another and was very fast paced. Everything I read I enjoyed, but I think that without more from the characters you might as well left it as just a game.
November 20, 2011
It was okay is about as high as I can rate it. An intersting read would also be a fair assessment. While I am not a video game player, the book story line and pacing was very much like a video game moving deliberately from scene to scene in seeking a solution. The story has some intersting concepts (asteroids, sleep hibernation, etc)but as other reviewers have noted (some rather pointedly), that there are a lot of unresolved issues of the setting, etc. I can live with some unexplained situations (it is after all a science fiction book). Rage was just okay to me because the characters were thin, the lead didn't have a bunch of character to me and the story just didn't really go anywhere. I guess it will all play out in book two - or three or four or who knows how many more?
September 18, 2011
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and was excited to have the chance to take a look at it. I haven't played the game this novel was based on, or actually seen anything about it, so I came into my reading a bit in the dark. With that being said, I really enjoyed it. The author, Matthew Costello, did a great job with setting up the world and the characters. My one complaint is that I wish it was just a bit longer - that might not really be a complaint tho and might just be the sign of how much I was drawn in by the story.
Fun stuff for fans of post-apocalyptic sci-fi or games like the Fallout series.
Fun stuff for fans of post-apocalyptic sci-fi or games like the Fallout series.
December 7, 2011
Thanks Goodreads for the free copy of this book. I wasn't really sure what to expect with a book that was written about video game. I used to eat them up when I was a kid, but I'm no longer a child, so I was a little skeptical.
The book was ok. I had to force myself to get through it. It felt very familiar, almost like I'd read it before. The author's writing style took some getting used to, and, frankly, I never got used to it. It just wasn't my type of read. Still, i'd tell prospective readers to decide for themselves if they like it or not.
The book was ok. I had to force myself to get through it. It felt very familiar, almost like I'd read it before. The author's writing style took some getting used to, and, frankly, I never got used to it. It just wasn't my type of read. Still, i'd tell prospective readers to decide for themselves if they like it or not.
October 3, 2011
This book was good, as in it kept me reading. The action was continuous and I enjoyed the post/apocalytic world revealed with in it, however I also found it disappointing. I'm not certain if it was meant to be a prequel or a novelization of the game but it definately left an unsatisfied pit in the stomach. I'm thinking it will be more enjoyable as a game than a book, eventually I'll get around to playing it.
October 9, 2011
An entertaining, although mildly disappointing book. The only real problem I had with it, is that it simply tells a modified version of the plot of the game. It does give a bit of back story, but that's really it. The main difference is that in the game you play a silent protagonist, and in the book he's an actual character. So well it was a fun read in and of itself, it doesn't add to the game at all.
November 15, 2015
RAGE was a good video game; not among my favourites, but some parts of it were really cool (for instance exploring the destroyed metropolis). This is a novel loosely based on the game's plot, though it is mostly centered on the Authority's hunt for Ark survivors, and many things from the game are left out or over-simplified. The writing is good, there is a lot of intense action, and the ending is satisfying.
July 9, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was full action, story and great characters. The ending was exciting and I had the feeling that the way it ended without giving it away felt like it could be continued in another book. I also like how it incorporated bits of the game, the author did a great job of fleshing it out some more.
October 2, 2011
I won this book from the first reads giveaways. Thanks.
I finished reading it - it was a fast read for me. It kept me interested throughout, but I had a lot of questions as to 'why that would even happen?', it did not make complete sense to me.
I finished reading it - it was a fast read for me. It kept me interested throughout, but I had a lot of questions as to 'why that would even happen?', it did not make complete sense to me.
October 4, 2011
It was an ok book to read. I think the world building could have used some more work and the character development as well. From other reviews it looks like this book is based on a game and I think as a book it could have been better.
December 22, 2012
Very much enjoyed this written adaption of the game. Although it differed slightly in a few ways storyline wise from what was in the game, I have to say I enjoyed the novel a lot more than I enjoyed the game.
September 19, 2012
I read this prior to playing the video game, and it turns out that I actually enjoyed the book more. The story is quite engaging, with a few twists to keep you guessing. It does nothing remarkable, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
November 19, 2011
I really enjoyed playing these games and it was fun reading a book based upon them. Interesting and well written.
Want to read
September 8, 2011I just won this book free as a goodreads giveaway! I am waiting to read it. Thanks.
October 10, 2011
I don't think I've ever read a video game novelization before. It's odd, because so many scenes clearly mapped to a kind of gameplay I can visualize.
The book lacked a good final boss, though.
The book lacked a good final boss, though.
November 13, 2011
Enjoyable action packed PA book based on the videogame.... Taken with a pinch of salt. Reminds me of that 80's movie " Spacehunter- Adventures in the forbidden Zone"
July 12, 2013
Very exciting book.
May 23, 2017
This was really, really disappointing. The concept of the overarching story was quite good, but I couldn't help but feel as though I was reading a formulaic action novel. The main character was very predictable and one-dimensional. The supporting characters were so simple that they may as well have been unaltered stereotypes. This story had quite a bit of potential as a science fiction novel, but was reduced to a sub-par action novella due to a lack of character development, a long with many other deficiencies.
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