War of the Worlds: Goliath

by Adam J. Whitlatch

In this official novel for the movie, War of the Worlds: Goliath, it’s 1914, fifteen years after the first invasion from Mars. On the eve of World War I, the Martians stage a second attack, stronger and more powerful than before, to finish what they started.

But this time, they meet a very different Earth, rebuilt using technologies left behind to create a wild and unsettling steampunk landscape.

And this time, we fight back.

With new scenes and character backgrounds not found in the action-packed film by Tripod Entertainment, this novel is the perfect companion piece for fans of both the movie and the original sci-fi classic.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2014

About the author

Adam J. Whitlatch is the author of "The Weller," "The Weller - Fear of the Dark," "War of the Worlds: Goliath," "Birthright," and "Vengeance For My Valentine," as well as dozens of short stories and poems spanning the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

A fantasy enthusiast from a young age, his interest in science fiction was first sparked at the age of ten when his father played the infamous 1938 Orson Welles War of the Worlds radio broadcast for him on Halloween. It's a tradition Adam carries on to this day.

Adam lives on a small farm in southeastern Iowa with his wife and their three sons.

Reviews

[Dennis Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifteen years after the events in H.G. Wells War of the Worlds, the world must fight off a second Martian invasion.

Fortunately, in the years since the earth was saved by the smallest of us (bacteria and microbes), Nikolai Tesla has been busily reverse-engineering the Martian weapons technology, so Earth now has its own giant battle tripods, heat rays, and the like.

Unfortunately, Europe is in the beginning stages of what in our world became World War I, causing most of the world to ignore the Martian menace. It's up to the Allied Resistance Earth Squadron (A.R.E.S., get it?), to save the day, led by the courageous crew of the battle tripod Goliath, along with Tesla, Teddy Roosevelt, and even the Red Baron.

This is a novelization of an animated movie which I also enjoyed. But as is often the case, the expanded scenes and backstory you get in a book, even if the movie came first, made the movie that unfolded in my mind as I read even more enjoyable.

Whitlach does a great job staying true to the dialogue and set pieces of the movie, while making the story his own with a fast-moving narrative style.

I hope there is a sequel to the movie and that Adam Whitlach writes the novelization of that one, too!

[Rene Averett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great adaptation of the "War of the Worlds Goliath" animated film that came out earlier this year. Working with the producers of the film, Whitlatch has not only captured the characters and emotions of the story, but beautifully filled in the back stories that are only hinted at in the film. It expands the scope of the story, which is what any good adaptation should do. I usually only give a 5 star rating to a book that I would potentially read again and that applies to this novel. It is well-paced, solid writing that keeps you following these characters through the nightmare of a second Martian invasion.

[Jessica Whitlatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved War of the Worlds, well here’s a great continuation of the Martian butt kicking saga. Lots of action, and a great story. Would highly recommend.

[Nicholas Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the War of the Worlds: Goliath movie I couldn't wait to pick up a copy of the official novel, by Adam Whitlatch. I was not disappointed. In some ways I liked the book even more. The author was able to flesh out the characters in more detail and give us a deeper look into the invasion. From the opening scene to the end of the story I was captivated.

Both the movie and the book put a unique twist on the famous story by H.G. Wells. The steampunk world was fascinating, and so was the second invasion. My favorite part however, was the character of Teddy Roosevelt. Good ole' Teddy would be damn proud of this work, damn proud, indeed.

[Barbara A. Huyser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

The characters are compelling. The battle scenes are written so vividly, I could see them playing out in the theater of my mind. I put leftovers on the table, so I could go on reading. This story is a worthy successor to the original War of the Worlds and has Teddy Roosevelt, to boot. An excellent and spell binding read.

[Melissa Dally · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action packed adventure that you're going to have a hard time putting down. It will also definitely make you want to see the movie, even if you know the book will be better. :-)

[Ron Adkins]

This book is exactly the extension of War of the Worlds that I was hoping for! HG Wells left such a great door open and Adam Whitlatch walked right through and made himself at home. Rather than simply counting ourselves fortunate and blindly moving on, Whitlatch captured the spirit and drive in humanity. We don’t roll over. You knock us down, we get back up and come back stronger. We get ready to fight the rematch. And who best to embody that spirit than Teddy Roosevelt! This book is a tough, gritty, and completely absorbing adventure. If you haven’t read HG Wells’s book, read it first, then IMMEDIATELY start War of the Worlds: Goliath. You will thank yourself. And you’ll thank Adam J. Whitlatch for his creativity!

[Smalltowncat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a novelization of a movie, but don't let that put you off. The story provides more background on some of the characters and extra details not shown in the movie. It's a great read whether you've seen the movie or not. I hope the author is someday allowed to expand this novelization into a really fleshed out, full-length novel. I'd definitely buy that one!

[Fire Lord · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little read. If you enjoyed the movie, you'll definitely want to read this novelization as it includes a lot of extra content that gives sorely needed development to the characters, while also still being as fun as the movie was.

[Israel Laureano · Rating 2 out of 5]

El estilo clásico de la narración de una película de aventuras: lineal, totalmente plana y con personajes bidimensionales, con una trama llena de momentos artificiales y ad-hoc de sacrificio yu honor (y hasta sexo).
Yo la leí porque me imagino que en México va a estar difícil conseguir la película -sobre todo en formato digital. Como punto bueno, la lectura es fluida y sin complicaciones, con un cierre que abre la puerta a una continuación.