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The X-Files #4
Ruins
Based on the Emmy-award winning tv series, special agents Mulder and Skully investigate ancient Mayan ruins for paranormal phenomena.Meet Mulder and Scully, the agency maverick and the female agent assigned to keep him in line. Their job is to investigate the eerie unsolved mysteries the bureau wants handled quietly but quickly, before the public finds out what’s really out there . . . and panics—the cases filed under “X”.In the most ambitious and exciting X-Files adventure to date, Mulder and Scully fly to the Yucatan jungle to investigate a missing team of archaeologists. Their exploration leads to a strange electronic signal coming from beneath ancient ruins—a signal aimed upward, at the stars. . . .
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1995
96 people are currently reading
1436 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,042 books3,127 followersYes, I have a lot of books, and if this is your first visit to my amazon author page, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are new to my work, let me recommend a few titles as good places to start. I love my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, humorous horror/mysteries, which begin with DEATH WARMED OVER. My steampunk fantasy adventures, CLOCKWORK ANGELS and CLOCKWORK LIVES, written with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush, are two of my very favorite novels ever. And my magnum opus, the science fiction epic The Saga of Seven Suns, begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. After you've tried those, I hope you'll check out some of my other series.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
September 27, 2008
There are those who dismiss franchise fiction (things like Star Wars books, Star Trek books, etc) as mere fanservice.
Well, let me tell you something. I'm a fan, and goddamnit, sometimes I need to be serviced. And the only person who knows how to do that right is another fan.
I was intrigued by Ruins, but still a bit skeptical on the face of it. I mean, here was X-files franchise fiction, written by someone whose reputation stemmed from writing Star Wars books. (I've never read a Star Wars book, because, deep down, I'm a little bit of a snob about my sci-fi.) But I went for it, because it came with a good recommendation. And I wasn't disappointed. Kevin Anderson manages to stay true to what made the X-files so much fun while letting his own style show through. He knows what the fans want to see, and he gives you that. From the first scene of the book where the archaeologist Cassandra Rubicon is searching the temple of Xitaclan, and Anderson describes her using her flashlight, I can picture it in my mind, the lone beam of light reaching out into the darkness, leaving the protagonist in silhouette, just the way it's supposed to. Ruins feels like an X-files episode in just the way it should.
And yet, if anything, Ruins is more ambitious than a typical X-files episode. By throwing Mulder and Scully into the Yucatan jungle in the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, he gives our heroes an enormous playground for them to work their magic in. You can tell that Anderson loves the X-files; Mulder and Scully's chemistry feels right. They're excellent foils for each other here. Mulder is convinced that the Mayan ruins conceal extraterrestrial secrets, and Scully is as skeptical as ever. You even meet the Lone Gunmen. I couldn't ask for much more fanservice than that.
This book took me back to the golden age of the X-files. Before the first movie, before the shipping, before all of the mysteries had been revealed. It made me remember what it was I loved so much about the show, and it taught me that I shouldn't dismiss franchise fiction out of hand, and that guilty pleasures are still pleasures.
Well, let me tell you something. I'm a fan, and goddamnit, sometimes I need to be serviced. And the only person who knows how to do that right is another fan.
I was intrigued by Ruins, but still a bit skeptical on the face of it. I mean, here was X-files franchise fiction, written by someone whose reputation stemmed from writing Star Wars books. (I've never read a Star Wars book, because, deep down, I'm a little bit of a snob about my sci-fi.) But I went for it, because it came with a good recommendation. And I wasn't disappointed. Kevin Anderson manages to stay true to what made the X-files so much fun while letting his own style show through. He knows what the fans want to see, and he gives you that. From the first scene of the book where the archaeologist Cassandra Rubicon is searching the temple of Xitaclan, and Anderson describes her using her flashlight, I can picture it in my mind, the lone beam of light reaching out into the darkness, leaving the protagonist in silhouette, just the way it's supposed to. Ruins feels like an X-files episode in just the way it should.
And yet, if anything, Ruins is more ambitious than a typical X-files episode. By throwing Mulder and Scully into the Yucatan jungle in the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, he gives our heroes an enormous playground for them to work their magic in. You can tell that Anderson loves the X-files; Mulder and Scully's chemistry feels right. They're excellent foils for each other here. Mulder is convinced that the Mayan ruins conceal extraterrestrial secrets, and Scully is as skeptical as ever. You even meet the Lone Gunmen. I couldn't ask for much more fanservice than that.
This book took me back to the golden age of the X-files. Before the first movie, before the shipping, before all of the mysteries had been revealed. It made me remember what it was I loved so much about the show, and it taught me that I shouldn't dismiss franchise fiction out of hand, and that guilty pleasures are still pleasures.
May 28, 2024
Ruins
By Kevin J. Anderson
This was a pretty good X-File story. This story dealt with an archeological dig, superstitious natives, people disappearing, rumors of feather monster in the jungle, and more. Of course, Scully never sees the good stuff, but Mulder sure does!
By Kevin J. Anderson
This was a pretty good X-File story. This story dealt with an archeological dig, superstitious natives, people disappearing, rumors of feather monster in the jungle, and more. Of course, Scully never sees the good stuff, but Mulder sure does!
January 10, 2026
7.0/10
Kevin J. Anderson's "Ruins" should please fans of the show. It's an interesting plot, Mulder's and Scully's personalities match the ones on the show, and you have your classic tropes. As it happens in the tv series, agent Mulder is the one who encounters supernatural phenomena, while agent Scully doesn't see anything weird and still tries to find a reasonable explanation.
This is a good story and one that only works in printing form, because an adaptation for the small screen will require quite a big budget.
If aren't familiar with the tv show, i would say this is more of a 3 stars book then.
Kevin J. Anderson's "Ruins" should please fans of the show. It's an interesting plot, Mulder's and Scully's personalities match the ones on the show, and you have your classic tropes. As it happens in the tv series, agent Mulder is the one who encounters supernatural phenomena, while agent Scully doesn't see anything weird and still tries to find a reasonable explanation.
This is a good story and one that only works in printing form, because an adaptation for the small screen will require quite a big budget.
If aren't familiar with the tv show, i would say this is more of a 3 stars book then.
May 16, 2019
What can one say about the X-files beyond that this tv show as a benchmark in television history in which a male and female FBI agent both equally shared the lime light. It also was about alien abduction, supernatural stuff, urban myths and straight up horror and conspiracy theories, so everybody something.
The music especially the theme music is highly recognizable, there were two movies, a shedload of comics and of course books, some totally new stories. Ruins is a new story.
In Ruins an American archaeological team disappears while they are on dig in Mexico in one of the recent discovered Mayan cities overgrown in the Jungle. One of the team members has an influential father and he manages to get a investigation by the FBI going. Scully & Mulder get send. They soon find out that the Indiana Jones adventures easily stepped over the hardships of discovery and traveling through the jungle. When they finally arrive mayhem and murder starts.
The American army discovers an crater which seems like a nuclear explosion site and nearby the crater they have recorded a radio message so an commando unit gets send to take out this possible military thread so close to the American border.
Then there is the matter of local constabulary involved in the black market for antiquities and the local guerrilla army for the liberation of their part of Mexico.
Thrown in the expected regulars from Mulders convictions and you have fully blown up X-files adventure in which Scully and Mulder are in thick of any trouble possible.
This second book by Kevin J. Anderson is a decent read and the wickedness of Mulders sense of humour is better done than in his previous book, he and Scully feel more than their TV characters. So that is a step forward. It is no grand literature but more a guilty pleasure to read these books.
Definitely for the X-files fans and not so much for newcomers if you have never done anything with this show, then starts watching the TV series first.
The music especially the theme music is highly recognizable, there were two movies, a shedload of comics and of course books, some totally new stories. Ruins is a new story.
In Ruins an American archaeological team disappears while they are on dig in Mexico in one of the recent discovered Mayan cities overgrown in the Jungle. One of the team members has an influential father and he manages to get a investigation by the FBI going. Scully & Mulder get send. They soon find out that the Indiana Jones adventures easily stepped over the hardships of discovery and traveling through the jungle. When they finally arrive mayhem and murder starts.
The American army discovers an crater which seems like a nuclear explosion site and nearby the crater they have recorded a radio message so an commando unit gets send to take out this possible military thread so close to the American border.
Then there is the matter of local constabulary involved in the black market for antiquities and the local guerrilla army for the liberation of their part of Mexico.
Thrown in the expected regulars from Mulders convictions and you have fully blown up X-files adventure in which Scully and Mulder are in thick of any trouble possible.
This second book by Kevin J. Anderson is a decent read and the wickedness of Mulders sense of humour is better done than in his previous book, he and Scully feel more than their TV characters. So that is a step forward. It is no grand literature but more a guilty pleasure to read these books.
Definitely for the X-files fans and not so much for newcomers if you have never done anything with this show, then starts watching the TV series first.
December 5, 2025
Ruins was my favorite of the X-Files novels that I read. It's got an archaeological setting, the lost Mayan city of Xitaclan, and of course Mulder runs into a Von Daniken connection. The missing-scientists in the ancient city is one of my favorite adventure tropes, and I thought Anderson did a very good job of setting an X-file in the middle of it. (I'm not sure we needed the covert military team investigation, but...) Anderson's style is much faster paced and entertaining than Charles Grant's cerebral observations, and I thought he also captured Mulder's buoyant enthusiasm and Scully's skeptical, slightly acerbic wit excellently. The story is a pleasantly stand-alone one and obviously wasn't filmed in Vancouver. It made me want to believe that the truth really is out there.
April 29, 2016
Τέταρτο αυτοτελές μυθιστόρημα της σειράς X-Files και δεύτερο που συγγραφέας του είναι ο Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον. Μπορώ να πω ότι είναι και το καλύτερο απ'όλα τα βιβλία της σειράς που έχω διαβάσει μέχρι στιγμής. Η ιστορία έχει ως εξής: Οι Μόλντερ και Σκάλι καλούνται να ερευνήσουν την υπόθεση εξαφάνισης μιας ομάδας Αμερικανών αρχαιολόγων, τα τελευταία ίχνη των οποίων χάθηκαν σε μια αρχαία πόλη των Μάγια, την Ξικατλάν, στα βάθη της Μεξικανικής ζούγκλας κάπου στο Γιουκατάν. Οι δυο αγαπημένοι μας πράκτορες, θα βρεθούν αντιμέτωποι με παράξενα αρχαία ευρήματα, καθώς και με τις δεισιδαιμονίες των ντόπιων, και θα καταλάβουν ότι δεν έχουν να κάνουν με μια απλή υπόθεση εξαφάνισης. Κατά την εξέλιξη της πλοκής, μεγάλοι βαρόνοι ναρκωτικών, διεθνείς αρχαιοκάπηλοι, ντόπιοι επαναστάτες και Αμερικανοί κομάντος που ψάχνουν ένα μυστηριώδες ηλεκτρονικό σήμα, θα προστεθούν στο όλο μπλέξιμο. Τελικά τι βρίσκεται θαμμένο κάτω από τα ερείπια της αρχαίας αυτής πόλης;
Πραγματικά πολύ ωραία και ευχάριστη περιπέτεια επιστημονικής φαντασίας, χορταστική και ψυχαγωγική, απόλυτα ταιριαστή με το ύφος και την ποιότητα της αγαπημένης μας τηλεοπτικής σειράς. Ο Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον κατάφερε να περάσει με αρκετή δεξιοτεχνία στο χαρτί την ατμόσφαιρα και τους δυο κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες της σειράς, προσφέροντάς μας παράλληλα μυστήριο, μπόλικη δράση και φαντασία. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή και ευκολοδιάβαστη, με ωραίες περιγραφές των τοπίων και των σκηνών δράσης, και με λεπτό χιούμορ εδώ και κει χάρη στις ατάκες του Μόλντερ. Επίσης, όντας φαν των περιπετειών σε τροπικά μέρη, μου άρεσε που η ιστορία διαδραματίστηκε στα βάθη της ζούγκλας, και ότι είχε σχέση με έναν αρχαίο πολιτισμό όπως αυτόν των Μάγια. Γενικά πέρασα πολύ ωραία διαβάζοντας το βιβλίο αυτό, κρίμα όμως που δεν έχουν μεταφραστεί τα δυο επόμενα βιβλία ("Antibodies" του Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον και "Skin" του Μπεν Μέζριχ), που φαίνονται εξίσου ψυχαγωγικά. Αν τύχει και τα βρω στ'αγγλικά, σίγουρα θα τα διαβάσω.
Πραγματικά πολύ ωραία και ευχάριστη περιπέτεια επιστημονικής φαντασίας, χορταστική και ψυχαγωγική, απόλυτα ταιριαστή με το ύφος και την ποιότητα της αγαπημένης μας τηλεοπτικής σειράς. Ο Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον κατάφερε να περάσει με αρκετή δεξιοτεχνία στο χαρτί την ατμόσφαιρα και τους δυο κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες της σειράς, προσφέροντάς μας παράλληλα μυστήριο, μπόλικη δράση και φαντασία. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή και ευκολοδιάβαστη, με ωραίες περιγραφές των τοπίων και των σκηνών δράσης, και με λεπτό χιούμορ εδώ και κει χάρη στις ατάκες του Μόλντερ. Επίσης, όντας φαν των περιπετειών σε τροπικά μέρη, μου άρεσε που η ιστορία διαδραματίστηκε στα βάθη της ζούγκλας, και ότι είχε σχέση με έναν αρχαίο πολιτισμό όπως αυτόν των Μάγια. Γενικά πέρασα πολύ ωραία διαβάζοντας το βιβλίο αυτό, κρίμα όμως που δεν έχουν μεταφραστεί τα δυο επόμενα βιβλία ("Antibodies" του Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον και "Skin" του Μπεν Μέζριχ), που φαίνονται εξίσου ψυχαγωγικά. Αν τύχει και τα βρω στ'αγγλικά, σίγουρα θα τα διαβάσω.
July 22, 2024
O livro é mais uma fantástica aventura e misteriosa com os investigadores Mulder e Scully👫. Mais um ficheiro secreto enigmático e repleto de suspense🆔️🆔️! Amei a sua leitura!!💯
January 24, 2021
3.5 stars. This is about what you might expect from a typical episode of the television series. It's a competently done, self contained story, without ties or references to any other story or movie plot lines. The ancient Mayan lore and the setting among long lost ruins that hold ancient alien secrets lends an air of mystery and wonder that fits in well with the main themes of the series.
May 9, 2014
Ok I made it I have managed to read my way through the series. now to be honest if I take away one lesson from all this is that the quality of the books varies so much. Yes I know there are numerous authors involved with vary age brackets being targeted but this series certainly covers it all off - both good and bad. For this instalment I think scale was the target - from the sheer size of the discovery (after all I think its easier to hide a microbe than it is a lost civilisation and their ruins) and the scope of their adventures, from being able to encompass the globe (there is no need to limit the filming to Vancouver and its surroundings) to the proportions of the destruction - after all we all know there will be no evidence left over to prove the conspiracy one way or another. However for me the sheer scale of it all makes this a great end to the series re-read(for now)
March 29, 2022
1.5
The X Files meets Tomb Raider but the worst of those two things combined. Add to that the racism (portraying the Indigenous people of Mexico as unequivocal savages, , etc) and this book wasn't the fun "bad" book I was expecting, and just a bad book.
The X Files meets Tomb Raider but the worst of those two things combined. Add to that the racism (portraying the Indigenous people of Mexico as unequivocal savages, , etc) and this book wasn't the fun "bad" book I was expecting, and just a bad book.
July 28, 2016
This book is just fun. It's not brilliant and it's not the best ever, but I enjoyed it.
I like how the author nails Mulder and Scully's voice perfectly, imho.
It's just campy fun that you can't take seriously. lol
I like how the author nails Mulder and Scully's voice perfectly, imho.
It's just campy fun that you can't take seriously. lol
May 3, 2023
(Synopsis) - When a well-connected American archaeologist, Cassandra Rubicon, disappears while exploring the lost Mayan city of Xitaclan, the incident becomes a case for FBI agents Mulder and Scully. They are investigators assigned to the X-Files, the strange and inexplicable cases the FBI wants to keep hidden -- cases involving the paranormal, the supernatural, and possibly, the extraterrestrial.
(Review) - I enjoyed this book, that is when it decided what kind of story it wanted to be! Like i haven't been so up and down with a book but still interested in the story in my life. As i am a die hard fan of the Maya and Aztecs and the idea of old ruins, ancient aliens and lost technology, so the idea of old mayan ruins lost to time rediscovered where the research crew goes missing without a trace like the congo, im all here for it!! But it felt like it had to throw in drug lords and rebels into the story and blood sacrifices. Now don't get me wrong that's interesting in it's own story, but when the story keeps changing it's mind from that ancient aliens back to drug lords and rebels and then back to blood sacrifice, and on and on. Don't get me wrong i was interested as they are all fascinating topics but to be tossed about so much I was worried this was going to be the theme all the way through. So blessed my soul when they finally choose the story line i wanted and stuck with it, i could relax with a huge smile on my face that i knew i was going to enjoy what was to come and i did. So overall apart from the flippy floppy story plot changing, I'd still say give this one ago, as once it sticks the landing and finds the story thread it wants to follow then you'll enjoy the book more!
4/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐
95/100 GingerPoints 🔥
(Review) - I enjoyed this book, that is when it decided what kind of story it wanted to be! Like i haven't been so up and down with a book but still interested in the story in my life. As i am a die hard fan of the Maya and Aztecs and the idea of old ruins, ancient aliens and lost technology, so the idea of old mayan ruins lost to time rediscovered where the research crew goes missing without a trace like the congo, im all here for it!! But it felt like it had to throw in drug lords and rebels into the story and blood sacrifices. Now don't get me wrong that's interesting in it's own story, but when the story keeps changing it's mind from that ancient aliens back to drug lords and rebels and then back to blood sacrifice, and on and on. Don't get me wrong i was interested as they are all fascinating topics but to be tossed about so much I was worried this was going to be the theme all the way through. So blessed my soul when they finally choose the story line i wanted and stuck with it, i could relax with a huge smile on my face that i knew i was going to enjoy what was to come and i did. So overall apart from the flippy floppy story plot changing, I'd still say give this one ago, as once it sticks the landing and finds the story thread it wants to follow then you'll enjoy the book more!
4/5 Stars GoodReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐
95/100 GingerPoints 🔥
June 1, 2023
I read this book years ago and absolutely loved it. I was recently reminded of this story, probably from watching Ancient Aliens and reading The Robot City series, especially thinking of the pyramid structure in Robot City.
May 7, 2020
This is the fourth X-files book I've read, and the first one I would actually recommend to other people. It was entertaining. K.J.A. really got Scully and Mulder in this one. The story was vivid in my mind...I could really picture everything, and the Yucatan is a pretty place to picture. I WISH the second X-files film had been something similiar to this one...minus the alien connection. Could you image how infinitely more interesting it would have been exploring the pyramids or some remote archeological site with Sully and Mulder in a more Indian Jones type setting than following vague clues by some pedophile in snowville?
No mistake, I like snow, but I didn't want to BE in the second X-files film. I didn't really want Scully and Mulder there either...heck there isn't anyone I wanted enduring that plot or circumstance. But I wanted to BE in the Ruins book in the Yucatan with Scully and Mulder. I wanted to meet some of the secondary characters they encountered.
It wasn't a perfect book. There were minor mistakes, some typical KJA unnecessary repetition, and a few lines of dialogue that seemed out of place. But they were very minor things and didn't pull me out of the story. A character who I wanted to live died and that sucked...but all the characters you wanted to see dead obliged. Ruins had me eagerly turning pages, wanting to see what happened next.
No mistake, I like snow, but I didn't want to BE in the second X-files film. I didn't really want Scully and Mulder there either...heck there isn't anyone I wanted enduring that plot or circumstance. But I wanted to BE in the Ruins book in the Yucatan with Scully and Mulder. I wanted to meet some of the secondary characters they encountered.
It wasn't a perfect book. There were minor mistakes, some typical KJA unnecessary repetition, and a few lines of dialogue that seemed out of place. But they were very minor things and didn't pull me out of the story. A character who I wanted to live died and that sucked...but all the characters you wanted to see dead obliged. Ruins had me eagerly turning pages, wanting to see what happened next.
May 1, 2020
The author has a solid grasp of Scully and Mulder--lots of funny dialogue. The plot made me turn pages. By the end of the book I felt like I took a trip.
Here's what bothered me:
***Do all the Mexican characters have to be villains? The story takes place in Mexico and all of the Mexican characters (that I remember), while given context and backstory, are bad guys. Come on.
Here's what bothered me:
***Do all the Mexican characters have to be villains? The story takes place in Mexico and all of the Mexican characters (that I remember), while given context and backstory, are bad guys. Come on.
August 9, 2025
Not all X-Files were identical. Probably because the stories were written by different people.
Kevin J Anderson gives his own voice to Mulder and Scully. Mulder is more akin to the episodes were he gave a lot of funny situations whilst Scully was more witty on her remarks, a bit condescending towards Mulder and even a bit scorn. The idea that she still is so averse to aliens where she has been through a lot (this book hints to several shows so it's not he first episode Scully but rather around halfway.
You would never thought that romans or Greeks had the influence of alien beings but Aztecs, Mayans or even the Egyptians (all very similar) have been hinted to that. Maybe because all three built pyramids and all have some interest (Mayans more than a small interest) on stars, horoscopes or beings from the stars.
This book is bit different of your typical episode since Mulder & Scully go to Yucatan province (Mexico) to find a team of Americans archaeologists who have disappeared. It's go from one place to the other until they find those ruins and try to uncover what happened there.
Going into spoilers - please stop reading
As per usual, there are incidents that hint of aliens, good solid proofs but unfortunately as its normal, there is no mobile, no camera and even other people whereas Mulder do find some clues.
In the end, the status quo is mantained.
The problem I face with books novelization is that sometimes they enhance the story (very common with 40K universe) sometimes it had something with no impact on the world at large because something via a deus ex-machina device does not allow it to happen. So nothing is learn, gain or no impact. Read it as a side quest that nobody will talk in episodes. 42/100
Kevin J Anderson gives his own voice to Mulder and Scully. Mulder is more akin to the episodes were he gave a lot of funny situations whilst Scully was more witty on her remarks, a bit condescending towards Mulder and even a bit scorn. The idea that she still is so averse to aliens where she has been through a lot (this book hints to several shows so it's not he first episode Scully but rather around halfway.
You would never thought that romans or Greeks had the influence of alien beings but Aztecs, Mayans or even the Egyptians (all very similar) have been hinted to that. Maybe because all three built pyramids and all have some interest (Mayans more than a small interest) on stars, horoscopes or beings from the stars.
This book is bit different of your typical episode since Mulder & Scully go to Yucatan province (Mexico) to find a team of Americans archaeologists who have disappeared. It's go from one place to the other until they find those ruins and try to uncover what happened there.
Going into spoilers - please stop reading
As per usual, there are incidents that hint of aliens, good solid proofs but unfortunately as its normal, there is no mobile, no camera and even other people whereas Mulder do find some clues.
In the end, the status quo is mantained.
The problem I face with books novelization is that sometimes they enhance the story (very common with 40K universe) sometimes it had something with no impact on the world at large because something via a deus ex-machina device does not allow it to happen. So nothing is learn, gain or no impact. Read it as a side quest that nobody will talk in episodes. 42/100
April 15, 2025
It pains me to say it as a huge X-Files fan, but this book is awful. Years ago I read Ground Zero, another X-Files novel by the same author and I don't remember it being this bad.
I can tell by a few details dropped that this story takes place sometime between Season 3 and 4. That's more than enough time to get a feel for these characters and know their voice, but I found myself shaking my head repeatedly throughout this book, saying: "Mulder wouldn't say that!" or "Scully wouldn't say that in that way." Getting the voice of the character right should be easy with over sixty episodes to draw from, so how does KJA get it so wrong? I can only assume he wasn't really a fan.
There is so much pointless faff in this book, it really annoys me. We start off with 'the thing' that our duo will have to investigate, much like the pre-credits sequence in the TV show, so straight after that they should receive the case and then start investigating. Instead there's all manner of pointless chapters; visiting The Lone Gunmen (for no reason), sitting on the plane looking at the old people sharing the flight (exciting chapter!), getting a taxi, booking into the hotel and eating dinner! All riveting stuff that could've been skipped. So by the time we actually get to the scene of the crime, we're halfway through the book and NOTHING has happened.
The second half of the book is slightly better, but getting the voices wrong still bothered me, and having Mulder make terrible 'jokes' that aren't in line with his wry sense of humour at all just made me cringe.
I miss The X-Files and I was hoping to dive into these novels to get my fix, but this has soured me from reading any more... for a while at least. I don't know how KJA got this gig (sorry, dude, I can see you're a Goodreads member), but I'm not exaggerating when I say I could write a much better X-Files novel than this, so someone drop me an email.
I can tell by a few details dropped that this story takes place sometime between Season 3 and 4. That's more than enough time to get a feel for these characters and know their voice, but I found myself shaking my head repeatedly throughout this book, saying: "Mulder wouldn't say that!" or "Scully wouldn't say that in that way." Getting the voice of the character right should be easy with over sixty episodes to draw from, so how does KJA get it so wrong? I can only assume he wasn't really a fan.
There is so much pointless faff in this book, it really annoys me. We start off with 'the thing' that our duo will have to investigate, much like the pre-credits sequence in the TV show, so straight after that they should receive the case and then start investigating. Instead there's all manner of pointless chapters; visiting The Lone Gunmen (for no reason), sitting on the plane looking at the old people sharing the flight (exciting chapter!), getting a taxi, booking into the hotel and eating dinner! All riveting stuff that could've been skipped. So by the time we actually get to the scene of the crime, we're halfway through the book and NOTHING has happened.
The second half of the book is slightly better, but getting the voices wrong still bothered me, and having Mulder make terrible 'jokes' that aren't in line with his wry sense of humour at all just made me cringe.
I miss The X-Files and I was hoping to dive into these novels to get my fix, but this has soured me from reading any more... for a while at least. I don't know how KJA got this gig (sorry, dude, I can see you're a Goodreads member), but I'm not exaggerating when I say I could write a much better X-Files novel than this, so someone drop me an email.
February 4, 2026
Compared to the other two original X-Files novels I’ve read, Goblins and Ground Zero, this one is definitely my favourite so far.
In terms of characterisation, mystery and reveals it’s a good time. It’s nothing new necessarily for Mulder & Scully but it’s an enjoyable X-Files outing that kept me engaged throughout despite some questionable writing choices.
My only real complaint is that Mexicans are done so dirty in this. There’s repeated claims of savagery and I think a parallel is attempted to say the US military are just as/if not more savage than the Maya locals towards the end but it just doesn’t land well at all. Like I get they’re strangers in a strange land but even The Mummy (1999) gave us Ardeth Bay to join the team.
In terms of characterisation, mystery and reveals it’s a good time. It’s nothing new necessarily for Mulder & Scully but it’s an enjoyable X-Files outing that kept me engaged throughout despite some questionable writing choices.
My only real complaint is that Mexicans are done so dirty in this. There’s repeated claims of savagery and I think a parallel is attempted to say the US military are just as/if not more savage than the Maya locals towards the end but it just doesn’t land well at all. Like I get they’re strangers in a strange land but even The Mummy (1999) gave us Ardeth Bay to join the team.
January 3, 2022
Marginal effort in the X-Files canon. The characterization of Mulder and Scully is actually done pretty well, but the novel could have worked just as well with two random government agents plugged into the storyline. The X-Files spin on the book was not pivotal or necessary. Outside of that it was an okay read.
February 11, 2021
It's been years since I last read this, and if I remember correctly, it was probably my favorite out of all the novels that came out. I still have to work my way through the others, but still liked it after listening to it this week. Probably because of the whole ancient monument thing; but reading it now, the author certainly got Mulder and Scully perfectly!
October 24, 2016
This book holds a special place in my heart as both the first X-Files tie-in novel I ever read and my favorite tie-in novel for any show ever. I first read it in December 2001, two months into my full-blown obsession with the show after years as a casual viewer, and for several years it was my December tradition to read it once I finished with school for holiday break. Too many lines to count are burned into my brain, in the way that you flash with recognition upon seeing them again.
Every time I read it, I'm transported right back into that remote Yucatan jungle, fascinated by the setting and the alien/Mayan artifacts on top of the very human threats to Mulder and Scully's lives. For example, I'd forgotten the significance of the cenote, but as soon as I saw the word a chill went up my spine, with good reason.
Usually the main issue with tie-in novels is their characterization of the main characters, but I was and am too enthralled by the action plot here to notice -- although it must be on point since I often forget this isn't an actual episode. Original characters are usually the second shortcoming of a tie-in novel, but Cassandra Rubicon and her team are like old friends to me despite their minimal time on the page, and the greedy bad guys are better than most of the villains on the show. (Although I did notice the phrase "ocelot-skin cap" was mentioned every single time Aguilar was. Calm down, Anderson; I get it, he's Jungle Davy Crockett.)
And did I mention the alien stuff being all tied up with Mayan lore, a deserted and mostly untouched temple, and actual feathered serpents? Because it's pretty amazing.
Every time I read it, I'm transported right back into that remote Yucatan jungle, fascinated by the setting and the alien/Mayan artifacts on top of the very human threats to Mulder and Scully's lives. For example, I'd forgotten the significance of the cenote, but as soon as I saw the word a chill went up my spine, with good reason.
Usually the main issue with tie-in novels is their characterization of the main characters, but I was and am too enthralled by the action plot here to notice -- although it must be on point since I often forget this isn't an actual episode. Original characters are usually the second shortcoming of a tie-in novel, but Cassandra Rubicon and her team are like old friends to me despite their minimal time on the page, and the greedy bad guys are better than most of the villains on the show. (Although I did notice the phrase "ocelot-skin cap" was mentioned every single time Aguilar was. Calm down, Anderson; I get it, he's Jungle Davy Crockett.)
And did I mention the alien stuff being all tied up with Mayan lore, a deserted and mostly untouched temple, and actual feathered serpents? Because it's pretty amazing.
January 22, 2016
On a recent trip through my local used book store, I stumbled upon a convergence! An X Files hard cover hidden under a stack of other books, and then pick it up to find that Kevin Anderson, one of the best and most prolific SF/F writers, wrote it, all wrapped up in my exuberance over the return of the show to television next week!
Mr. Anderson really nailed the relationship between Mulder and Scully. The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking that it would been a great episode if not it's own movie. The playful banter between the characters, the amazing settings, and the "their" really out there sense of wonder all carried over wonderfully to the print format.
It was an Ancient Aliens story set in the Yucatan, where some college students stumble into someplace where the natives didn't really want them to be. Fox and Mulder show up at the Pyramid to investigate the disappearance, and then all the hidden agendas start to come out. The search for answers takes you through a civil war, a history of the Aztec civilization, and a US government cover up in true X Files fashion .
I would recommend for any other Kevin Anderson Fans, lovers of the X Files, and anyone else that loves digging through piles of old books at their local bookstore for hidden gems.
Mr. Anderson really nailed the relationship between Mulder and Scully. The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking that it would been a great episode if not it's own movie. The playful banter between the characters, the amazing settings, and the "their" really out there sense of wonder all carried over wonderfully to the print format.
It was an Ancient Aliens story set in the Yucatan, where some college students stumble into someplace where the natives didn't really want them to be. Fox and Mulder show up at the Pyramid to investigate the disappearance, and then all the hidden agendas start to come out. The search for answers takes you through a civil war, a history of the Aztec civilization, and a US government cover up in true X Files fashion .
I would recommend for any other Kevin Anderson Fans, lovers of the X Files, and anyone else that loves digging through piles of old books at their local bookstore for hidden gems.
January 14, 2013
I always enjoyed watching The X-Files growing up, so when I stumbled across this book, I was all-too-happy to get my hands on it.
The book revolves around a case that takes place near the Xitaclan ruins in Mexico. When an archaeological team goes missing, Scully and Mulder are sent to track them down. What follows is a whirlwind of political issues and paranormal - for Mulder, at least. Scully remains a skeptic.
The research that must've been done to write this book is astounding; I loved reading about the historical ruins and facts.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, but I can't say it was the most exciting thing I ever read. To be fair, I didn't really get into it until around page 150 - when Scully and Mulder actually make it to the ruins. Once they got there, it definitely picked up the pace.
If I didn't like The X-Files before this, then I wouldn't have stuck around long enough for it to get more interesting. While I won't say the start was bad, it just wasn't as interesting as the second half of the book.
Because of this, I'll give it three stars. Definitely not a favorite, but worth a read if you like The X-Files.
The book revolves around a case that takes place near the Xitaclan ruins in Mexico. When an archaeological team goes missing, Scully and Mulder are sent to track them down. What follows is a whirlwind of political issues and paranormal - for Mulder, at least. Scully remains a skeptic.
The research that must've been done to write this book is astounding; I loved reading about the historical ruins and facts.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, but I can't say it was the most exciting thing I ever read. To be fair, I didn't really get into it until around page 150 - when Scully and Mulder actually make it to the ruins. Once they got there, it definitely picked up the pace.
If I didn't like The X-Files before this, then I wouldn't have stuck around long enough for it to get more interesting. While I won't say the start was bad, it just wasn't as interesting as the second half of the book.
Because of this, I'll give it three stars. Definitely not a favorite, but worth a read if you like The X-Files.
April 13, 2010
I recently listened to the abridged version of another X-Files novelization called Antibodies and enjoyed it quite a bit (especially the smart dog bits). Ruins, though, just couldn’t hold my attention for any length of time and I found myself doing a lot of rewinding when my mind would wander. Could be the story was a dud or it could be my frame of mind either way I won’t be re-reading this again.
The story is about an archeological dig gone bad. Throw in an ancient curse, a search for a missing archeologist, possible human sacrifice (yikes!), then add some bad guy standbys like a drug dealer and the leader of a revolution and sprinkle it with bits of Scully and Mulder and you have yourself a story that falls to Ruins (at least for me). I’m sure it’ll appeal to folks interested in archeology (there’s lots of techie jargon tossed about), die-hard X-Philes, and fans of Mitch Pilleggi, AKA Agent Skinner who does a decent job of narrating the story excepting a few bits where his tone takes a turn toward the monotonous.
The story is about an archeological dig gone bad. Throw in an ancient curse, a search for a missing archeologist, possible human sacrifice (yikes!), then add some bad guy standbys like a drug dealer and the leader of a revolution and sprinkle it with bits of Scully and Mulder and you have yourself a story that falls to Ruins (at least for me). I’m sure it’ll appeal to folks interested in archeology (there’s lots of techie jargon tossed about), die-hard X-Philes, and fans of Mitch Pilleggi, AKA Agent Skinner who does a decent job of narrating the story excepting a few bits where his tone takes a turn toward the monotonous.
December 11, 2019
As always, love this book. This is my favorite of the X-Files novels. Anderson gets the voices of the main characters right, in my opinion. On top of that, the Mayan mythology and legends brought to life as Mulder and Scully are stranded in the jungle makes it very entertaining read to me. The ancient astronaut idea is out there... so it makes for a perfect chase for Mulder. Anderson also captures the essence of any X-Files story... which is that Mulder witnesses something that cements his faith, Scully misses out on all of it, all the proof vanishes, and the X-Files is left at square one, but the pair continue to push forward in search of the truth. Ever-frustrating, yet still so rewarding as an episode in the X-Files saga. Great read.
January 11, 2019
Perhaps its the nostalgia talking, but this was a fun and welcome return for me to the world of Agents Mulder and Sulley. Though the title indicates this book is #4 in some series, Ruins is more like a "monster of the week" episode. And truth be told, while I really dug the deep unfolding conspiracies from the show, I much preferred the monster of the week, especially in print format. I've read a few of Kevin Anderson's take on Star Wars. If memory serves, I recall being pleased with those stories, just as I am with Ruins. Ruins is a fun romp into the ancient astronaut theory with a mystery that isn't so mysterious given the franchise. The characters felt true to nature. And the journey from start to finish was enjoyable and satisfied my X-File itch.
November 12, 2019
Clumsy prose (including a smile where someone is said to collapse "like an overcooked noodle"), racism, and a surface-level understanding of two of the most iconic characters in television history does not make for a good time. Scully and Mulder deserve better, and so do the Maya peoples who still live in Yucatan.
October 1, 2016
Mulder & Scully uncover that the mythical Aztec flying serpent, Quetzacoatl was an alien. There is the usual cover-up,, conspiracy and confrontation that X-Files fans have come to expect. Overall, this is a decent science fiction novel with well-known characters.
December 13, 2015
Compelling and captures the feel of the series well. A really good read. Far better than Anderson's first X-Files novel. Grear plot, tension, and alien tie-ins, good use of setting. A must for true fans, a good choice for others
February 17, 2025
X-Files Agents Away from Home
The collection of books from the X-Files series is full of diverse stories that have been transferred from TV screens to the pages of novels. Novelizations of episodes of the series are often predictable and familiar due to the fact that you just remember this or that episode. Sometimes the authors of these works add something of themselves that you simply won't see in the series, say, the reflections of the characters. But still, these are rather bland works without a particularly elegant transfer of the original. They're repeating the series, even though they're doing it well.
Another thing is a separate independent original novel, which was created in the same universe, but has its own story, which undoubtedly relies on the concept of the story from the creator of the series Chris Carter. And Kevin Anderson's "Ruins" really impressed me.
This story is a novel. This is a large and steadily moving work, where time is well and properly devoted to almost all important characters. The plot of the story, what happened to a group of people, the beginning of the investigation, and the subsequent denouement are presented without any kind of ragged rhythm, which is so often evident in the above-mentioned stories based on episodes of the series. In the novel, the story is much better revealed, and the narration carefully prepares for one of the most interesting, in my opinion, adventures of the beloved FBI agents Molder and Scully.
There are several main characters in the book. Of course, the reader is well aware of the pair of main protagonists: Agents Fox Molder and Dana Scully. Their characters have long been understandable and familiar to everyone. However, even here the heroes will be able to show themselves as experienced agents. However, sometimes their actions caused me questions, but in general, the characters are still lively and interesting, ready to cover for each other and be sure to get to the truth, which, as everyone has long known, is out there (nearby).
There will be other characters in the work. I want to pay tribute to the author. Anderson does a good job of confusing readers. Despite the fact that from the very beginning you understand that someone will turn out to be a villain, almost until the very end it is unlikely that you will be able to understand who will pursue their own selfish goals and threaten the safety of FBI agents. And this is one of the undeniable advantages of this work — the constant tension in the represented society, which turns out to be far away in the wilderness of the jungle, where everyone can become a target.
I also liked the locations where the events take place. The novel reveals many new and interesting facts about the Maya civilization, and the author perfectly describes the places where events take place. He makes these places so realistic on his pages that I, as a reader, fully imagine those very jungles, the heat, the stuffiness, a bunch of insects and animals in the thicket. And you can well imagine how hard it is for the characters of the book.
In general, the novel, although it will show several unexpected twists, follows the narrative with a familiar step, where everything will come to an interesting, but seemingly predictable ending. In any case, the book deserves the attention of fans of the X-Files universe. She will give a lot of impressions, open for readers new pages of an unknown story about the adventures of her beloved Scully and Molder.
9 out of 10
The collection of books from the X-Files series is full of diverse stories that have been transferred from TV screens to the pages of novels. Novelizations of episodes of the series are often predictable and familiar due to the fact that you just remember this or that episode. Sometimes the authors of these works add something of themselves that you simply won't see in the series, say, the reflections of the characters. But still, these are rather bland works without a particularly elegant transfer of the original. They're repeating the series, even though they're doing it well.
Another thing is a separate independent original novel, which was created in the same universe, but has its own story, which undoubtedly relies on the concept of the story from the creator of the series Chris Carter. And Kevin Anderson's "Ruins" really impressed me.
This story is a novel. This is a large and steadily moving work, where time is well and properly devoted to almost all important characters. The plot of the story, what happened to a group of people, the beginning of the investigation, and the subsequent denouement are presented without any kind of ragged rhythm, which is so often evident in the above-mentioned stories based on episodes of the series. In the novel, the story is much better revealed, and the narration carefully prepares for one of the most interesting, in my opinion, adventures of the beloved FBI agents Molder and Scully.
There are several main characters in the book. Of course, the reader is well aware of the pair of main protagonists: Agents Fox Molder and Dana Scully. Their characters have long been understandable and familiar to everyone. However, even here the heroes will be able to show themselves as experienced agents. However, sometimes their actions caused me questions, but in general, the characters are still lively and interesting, ready to cover for each other and be sure to get to the truth, which, as everyone has long known, is out there (nearby).
There will be other characters in the work. I want to pay tribute to the author. Anderson does a good job of confusing readers. Despite the fact that from the very beginning you understand that someone will turn out to be a villain, almost until the very end it is unlikely that you will be able to understand who will pursue their own selfish goals and threaten the safety of FBI agents. And this is one of the undeniable advantages of this work — the constant tension in the represented society, which turns out to be far away in the wilderness of the jungle, where everyone can become a target.
I also liked the locations where the events take place. The novel reveals many new and interesting facts about the Maya civilization, and the author perfectly describes the places where events take place. He makes these places so realistic on his pages that I, as a reader, fully imagine those very jungles, the heat, the stuffiness, a bunch of insects and animals in the thicket. And you can well imagine how hard it is for the characters of the book.
In general, the novel, although it will show several unexpected twists, follows the narrative with a familiar step, where everything will come to an interesting, but seemingly predictable ending. In any case, the book deserves the attention of fans of the X-Files universe. She will give a lot of impressions, open for readers new pages of an unknown story about the adventures of her beloved Scully and Molder.
9 out of 10
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