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MonsterVerse #4
Godzilla: The Official Movie Novelization
From acclaimed director Gareth Edwards comes the blockbuster movie GODZILLA When a nuclear plant disaster leads to the evacuation of a whole city, the threat is contained, or so people are told. Fifteen years later and the scientists are back, monitoring some highly unusual signals. Something is trying to communicate… Scientist Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) has never recovered from losing his wife in the accident. He is convinced that there has been a cover up � what exactly could they be hiding down there? Surely they wouldn’t be so stupid as to… feed them? An epic rebirth for Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure pits the world’s most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
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698 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 6, 2016
THE KING OF MONSTERS IS BACK!!!
This is the novelization of Godzilla, the 2014's new film about the iconic giant monster.
Why reading movie novelizations nowadays?
I mean, it's not like reading the original novel which is the inspiration for a film but quite the contrary, basically the prose presentation of a motion picture.
I guess that I still do it since I lived the times where if you want to possess something of a movie, your best options were the OST or the novelization, since actually had the movie to watch it every time you wish was something too wild to imagine.
Then, came the VHS, later the DVD and now the Blu-ray. And I am truly glad of living in this era.
However, I suppose that reading the novelizations is a habit hard to die. Still, one can gets some deeper details of the characters and scenes, and even some "variant" scenes since the novelizations are written during the process where the movie is still being made and some changes in the stript are common.
I went to watch Godzilla before reading the novelization.
With this novelization of Godzilla, you will get a presentation trully faithful to the actual movie. There are some "extra scenes" specially linked to the characters of Ford Brody (an US Army Lieutenant), Elle (his wife) and Sam (his son). Nothing extraordinary but certainly must be some ideas that were dropped and/or edited from the final film. A crucial dialogue between Dr. Serizawa (a Japanese scientist) and Admiral Stenz (the US commanding officer) is presented in a "fractional" way, I mean a relevant dialogue between is read in two different chapters, and honestly, I think that the solution on the movie worked better. Also, you get a little more of the intermediate battle between monsters but it's not that many additional and an early use of some resource of Godzilla.
What I really like on the film and here on the novelization is the concept that Godzilla is not just some iguana mutated by atomic radiation but it's an agent of nature, its unstoppable champion, a force that surges every time that nature needs to be balanced. So, when a couple of radiation-eating big monsters appear, you can count that Godzilla, the king of monsters will rise to battle them!
Godzilla, the most terrifying protector of humankind ever created.
Of course, the exposition of Godzilla on the story is quite limited, making this presentation something more like a "disaster" tale than a monsters' battle one. I am not complaining, just explaining what you can expect here if you decide to read it.
This is the novelization of Godzilla, the 2014's new film about the iconic giant monster.
Why reading movie novelizations nowadays?
I mean, it's not like reading the original novel which is the inspiration for a film but quite the contrary, basically the prose presentation of a motion picture.
I guess that I still do it since I lived the times where if you want to possess something of a movie, your best options were the OST or the novelization, since actually had the movie to watch it every time you wish was something too wild to imagine.
Then, came the VHS, later the DVD and now the Blu-ray. And I am truly glad of living in this era.
However, I suppose that reading the novelizations is a habit hard to die. Still, one can gets some deeper details of the characters and scenes, and even some "variant" scenes since the novelizations are written during the process where the movie is still being made and some changes in the stript are common.
I went to watch Godzilla before reading the novelization.
With this novelization of Godzilla, you will get a presentation trully faithful to the actual movie. There are some "extra scenes" specially linked to the characters of Ford Brody (an US Army Lieutenant), Elle (his wife) and Sam (his son). Nothing extraordinary but certainly must be some ideas that were dropped and/or edited from the final film. A crucial dialogue between Dr. Serizawa (a Japanese scientist) and Admiral Stenz (the US commanding officer) is presented in a "fractional" way, I mean a relevant dialogue between is read in two different chapters, and honestly, I think that the solution on the movie worked better. Also, you get a little more of the intermediate battle between monsters but it's not that many additional and an early use of some resource of Godzilla.
What I really like on the film and here on the novelization is the concept that Godzilla is not just some iguana mutated by atomic radiation but it's an agent of nature, its unstoppable champion, a force that surges every time that nature needs to be balanced. So, when a couple of radiation-eating big monsters appear, you can count that Godzilla, the king of monsters will rise to battle them!
Godzilla, the most terrifying protector of humankind ever created.
Of course, the exposition of Godzilla on the story is quite limited, making this presentation something more like a "disaster" tale than a monsters' battle one. I am not complaining, just explaining what you can expect here if you decide to read it.
March 4, 2016
Okay I will be the first one to ponder on how I came to give the same stars to this book and the book I read immediately after it which is Conan Doyle in full on Sherlock Holmes - easy this is not to do with anything more than what impressions it left on me.
You see I remember Godzilla form when one of the few terrestrial TV channels at the time did a season of original Godzilla movies - and I loved them, the original creature feature (Okay I am sorry that in my mind goes to the films of Ray Harryhausen). So when yet another Hollywood reboot came along I will admit I was a little more than suspicious of how good it would be - I was pleasantly surprised.
So when the chance came along to pick up the book in mint condition for considerably less than full price how could I not agree.
And so on to the book - as far as novelisations go this is not bad, it reads just like the film which sounds obvious but to anyone who has read a number of movie novelisations will agree with - their quality (and accuracy) can vary greatly. Yes the text might over do the majesty and nobility of the ultimate predator rather than sheer destructive action of the film but that you can over look, but in the end you get what you expect - two opposing sides beating each other in to submission while inadvertently trashing a famous city.
Okay the book was easy to read - I think it took a little longer than the film itself to read (with added coffee breaks) but it captured the exhilaration of the movie and for me kept the spirit of the originals - although no sign of Tokyo getting re-arrnaged, maybe in the next one.
You see I remember Godzilla form when one of the few terrestrial TV channels at the time did a season of original Godzilla movies - and I loved them, the original creature feature (Okay I am sorry that in my mind goes to the films of Ray Harryhausen). So when yet another Hollywood reboot came along I will admit I was a little more than suspicious of how good it would be - I was pleasantly surprised.
So when the chance came along to pick up the book in mint condition for considerably less than full price how could I not agree.
And so on to the book - as far as novelisations go this is not bad, it reads just like the film which sounds obvious but to anyone who has read a number of movie novelisations will agree with - their quality (and accuracy) can vary greatly. Yes the text might over do the majesty and nobility of the ultimate predator rather than sheer destructive action of the film but that you can over look, but in the end you get what you expect - two opposing sides beating each other in to submission while inadvertently trashing a famous city.
Okay the book was easy to read - I think it took a little longer than the film itself to read (with added coffee breaks) but it captured the exhilaration of the movie and for me kept the spirit of the originals - although no sign of Tokyo getting re-arrnaged, maybe in the next one.
February 3, 2022
Basically the same as the movie. Not much deviation there. Not a lot of focus on Godzilla but a lot of focus on Ford . He is a well written character but he is not the reason I picked up this book.
November 19, 2014
I decided to read the book before seeing the movie since the book is always better. I found the book to be well written with the majority of it a non-stop thrill ride with a few monsters thrown in that destroy nearly everything in their paths. My only negative thought on it is that I would have loved to see more about the monsters in the book, especially Godzilla.
Recommended!
Recommended!
December 9, 2025
Despite a lot of people's complaints, I really enjoyed this movie. People seem to complain that a lot of it was shown from the perspective of a humans and it didn't show all the monster action as much as they'd like, but I actually really liked it for that reason. I'm a huge Godzilla fan. I've seen all the movies many times, but none of them are quite like this. In a series with so many movies, there is definitely room for something unique. And this movie achieved that. It actually made the monsters seem scary.
How was the book? Well, it could have been better. It told the story adequately enough, but the book was riddled with typos, particularly missing word typos. And the narrative was interrupted almost every page or so. Maybe it's just me, but I find it harder to get invested in a story where the narrative thread is constantly interrupted.
3 out of 5
How was the book? Well, it could have been better. It told the story adequately enough, but the book was riddled with typos, particularly missing word typos. And the narrative was interrupted almost every page or so. Maybe it's just me, but I find it harder to get invested in a story where the narrative thread is constantly interrupted.
3 out of 5
June 13, 2014
The novelisation of the latest incarnation of Godzilla provides for exciting and entertaining action packed reading.
Aside from the destructive nature of these forms of fiction, this latest revamp follows a family decimated by larger than life inconvincible monsters; nightmares realised in the form of radioactive sustenance destined to purge Earth’s power source and mankind as a by-product of their size. The lineage of this family holds close ties with the scientific and military occupations which provide justification for their respective contact with Godzilla at large spanning intervals. Unfortunately, it’s also the cause of death and heartache. Despite this, the Hollywood influence panders to the ‘feel-good’ with hope not entirely blacked out by these mass scale monsters.
Not having seen the film, I can’t comment on the accuracy and true-to-source-material comparison, however, as a book in its own right, author Greg Cox does a great job at crafting a real page turner. There is a real sense of urgency and impending doom as the iconic monster struts its equally iconic unveiling from the depths of the ocean and onto land, shadowing the sun and threatening to turn the world post-apocalyptic.
I really liked the use of distinct acts or stanzas to progress the key plot elements; from the early reveal, subsequent unearthing of the monstrous threat, to the military involvement - all interlocked by the requisite family survival drama. Overall, this novelisation is well worth a look irrespective of the reader having seen the film.
Review first published on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
Aside from the destructive nature of these forms of fiction, this latest revamp follows a family decimated by larger than life inconvincible monsters; nightmares realised in the form of radioactive sustenance destined to purge Earth’s power source and mankind as a by-product of their size. The lineage of this family holds close ties with the scientific and military occupations which provide justification for their respective contact with Godzilla at large spanning intervals. Unfortunately, it’s also the cause of death and heartache. Despite this, the Hollywood influence panders to the ‘feel-good’ with hope not entirely blacked out by these mass scale monsters.
Not having seen the film, I can’t comment on the accuracy and true-to-source-material comparison, however, as a book in its own right, author Greg Cox does a great job at crafting a real page turner. There is a real sense of urgency and impending doom as the iconic monster struts its equally iconic unveiling from the depths of the ocean and onto land, shadowing the sun and threatening to turn the world post-apocalyptic.
I really liked the use of distinct acts or stanzas to progress the key plot elements; from the early reveal, subsequent unearthing of the monstrous threat, to the military involvement - all interlocked by the requisite family survival drama. Overall, this novelisation is well worth a look irrespective of the reader having seen the film.
Review first published on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
June 25, 2019
Greg Cox's novelisation of the 2014 Godzilla reboot is a fair effort, though clearly a rushed job. It's packed with typos and especially those of the omitted words variety. One imagines there was a tight schedule between receiving a near-final version of the script and getting the novel to print, but surely it wouldn't have killed them to do a single proof-read to clear up 80% of these.
Whilst there are no substantial deviations from the film, the different medium nonetheless allows for different perspectives, particularly as concerns the internal thoughts of the characters and above all the generic All-American protagonist Ford Brody. Kaiju action scenes are tough to portray in prose with anything like the visceral excitement of the films but Cox also does a commendable job here. Oh, and massive bonus points for his use of the adjective 'Brobdingnagian'.
As a kaiju novel in its own right, one could do a lot worse.
Whilst there are no substantial deviations from the film, the different medium nonetheless allows for different perspectives, particularly as concerns the internal thoughts of the characters and above all the generic All-American protagonist Ford Brody. Kaiju action scenes are tough to portray in prose with anything like the visceral excitement of the films but Cox also does a commendable job here. Oh, and massive bonus points for his use of the adjective 'Brobdingnagian'.
As a kaiju novel in its own right, one could do a lot worse.
June 7, 2014
The book is primary the movie version of Godzilla as told in the 2014 movie. As I'd hoped, you get thoughts and other tidbits / scenes that we didn't see or understand from the movie in the book. For this reason, and it's fairly accurate depiction of the action on the screen in book form, I would have given this a 4 stars. (or at least 3.5 rounded up). But I'm forced to round down from that 3.5 because the editing in the last 1/3 of the book is poor - many mispelled words and other items that makes the final product feel rushed. In the end, it didn't dramatically diminish my enjoyment of the read and it shouldn't for you as well.
February 21, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
I'm finally going through my tv, film etc. tie in library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per series etc. I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
I'm finally going through my tv, film etc. tie in library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per series etc. I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
July 6, 2016
Well this book took far far longer than a book of it's... nature should have. My issue (excuse) is that I read this in it's actual paperback, dead trees, form. I haven't actually done that in what must be two years now. I make it a point to stay pretty strictly to audio books. (thanks Audible.com!) So why did I actually plunk down the 6.99 and actually buy this? Surely it's not for it's literary merits as the next great American Novel... but I don't know, it's summer, I haven't had a 'throw away', or 'just for fun' book in a while. Last year around this time I read Pacific Rim and Edge of Tomorrow. So screw it and your judgements! Time for the king of monsters!
So with that longer than needed preface, let me say, I'm a huge Godzilla fan. My girlfriend isn't and I wake up everyday saddened by this fact. Anyway, this book is a novelization of the 2014 American made version of Godzilla. And no, before I continue, I will NOT mention the 2000 American Godzilla movie. This is NOT that movie. What this is on the other hand is a capitalization on the new 'dark and gritty' phase that is generally very popular in sci fi and comic book movies recently. What I refer to is the style and theme that makes an ultra realistic, gritty story out of essentially what's a much simpler story. If you've seen the Dark Knight Rises, the last two Superman movies, even a lot of the Marvel stuff, you'll get my meaning. While all of them incorporate fun/action/explosions, they're trying to really push a much darker theme to the charcaters. I mean just look at our new godzilla design... much sharper, deadlier, and less cartoonish than ever.
The book by Greg Cox does a decent job at portraying the movie. I mean really this one shouldn't have been too much of a mind bender for Cox. As much as I want to say that we get into the inner turmoil of Godzilla's head...we don't. The story sets up back into the 1950's, as does the original Godzilla story, and it evovles from there. Our main character has a troubled father who's apparently spent years researching Godzilla, after he lost his wife in the destruction of a nuclear power plant. The son grows up resenting his father's mentally shattered state, and has his own family and son. In, what is probably the best/worst timing, the grandfather is arrested on the day that his son comes home from the Middle East after his tour of duty. The slight probably being that Joe Brody (the grandfather) now lives in Japan. (of course he does). So Ford Brody (the middle Brody) hops to Japan on the day he returns from war back to his wife and son.
This is meant to be ironic because earlier in the book it was Joe Brody who was too busy for his son Ford and was always working. So much deep character development here. The unique character situations are completely original.. So anyway, Ford and his dad share a man moment, and with more great unexpected timing, two monsters decide to show up. And Joe Brody is still mentally scarred (you say scarred, I say obsessed) This causes Joe to throw caution to the wind and go hunt for them. Never mind the fact that Joe Brody was in Japan by himself for years and years, but he NOW needs to go hunting for these monsters the day his son arrives.
They both get caught up in Monster hijinks and the world crumbles around them, proving Joe was right in his wide eyed crazy conspiracies. No one is around to appreciate it though, except his son, who now thinks his dad is the best thing since sliced 'zilla meat.
By this time, as I've been reading, I've noticed a TON of typos. I don't know who the editor of this book was... but titanbooks needs to fire him/her...or pay for some English spelling certification.
What I did enjoy about the style of writing, is that POV. That is the point of view shifts from character to character, on a surprisingly rapid basis. So we're introduced to a few different characters, but honestly each one is pretty flat and not very memorable. So.. there's nothing special about any of them. Even Ford's wife, Elle... all her POV just involve her running around, and hiding. In fact besides the main character Ford...no one really does anything in this book. Ford literally is the one person who actually has a effect on the story...oh and Godzilla of course.
What this does though is put every other character, secondary to Ford. I kept waiting for the son...or Elle or Serizawa to actually contribute to the outcome. Nope. Ford does everything.
Now the idea that an American man named "Ford" showing up, and saving the world with zero help from any of the foreigners or supporting characters is pretty funny in retrospect...but while reading it, it was annoying. Anyway, the book *is* fun to read. I don't think I would have kept at it if it wasn't. The battle scenes are described pretty well, and the idea of two against one odds against Godzilla was a fun turn of events. Even the end with Godzilla sprawled out on the coast, and heaving was very well done.
That being said, read this book, knowing what it is...an adaptation of an adaptation. If you're that much of a Godzilla fan, you've seen the movie, in which case..honestly there's no real reason to read this. It doesn't offer anything "extra" in the way of character thought, and depth...
So with that longer than needed preface, let me say, I'm a huge Godzilla fan. My girlfriend isn't and I wake up everyday saddened by this fact. Anyway, this book is a novelization of the 2014 American made version of Godzilla. And no, before I continue, I will NOT mention the 2000 American Godzilla movie. This is NOT that movie. What this is on the other hand is a capitalization on the new 'dark and gritty' phase that is generally very popular in sci fi and comic book movies recently. What I refer to is the style and theme that makes an ultra realistic, gritty story out of essentially what's a much simpler story. If you've seen the Dark Knight Rises, the last two Superman movies, even a lot of the Marvel stuff, you'll get my meaning. While all of them incorporate fun/action/explosions, they're trying to really push a much darker theme to the charcaters. I mean just look at our new godzilla design... much sharper, deadlier, and less cartoonish than ever.
The book by Greg Cox does a decent job at portraying the movie. I mean really this one shouldn't have been too much of a mind bender for Cox. As much as I want to say that we get into the inner turmoil of Godzilla's head...we don't. The story sets up back into the 1950's, as does the original Godzilla story, and it evovles from there. Our main character has a troubled father who's apparently spent years researching Godzilla, after he lost his wife in the destruction of a nuclear power plant. The son grows up resenting his father's mentally shattered state, and has his own family and son. In, what is probably the best/worst timing, the grandfather is arrested on the day that his son comes home from the Middle East after his tour of duty. The slight probably being that Joe Brody (the grandfather) now lives in Japan. (of course he does). So Ford Brody (the middle Brody) hops to Japan on the day he returns from war back to his wife and son.
This is meant to be ironic because earlier in the book it was Joe Brody who was too busy for his son Ford and was always working. So much deep character development here. The unique character situations are completely original.. So anyway, Ford and his dad share a man moment, and with more great unexpected timing, two monsters decide to show up. And Joe Brody is still mentally scarred (you say scarred, I say obsessed) This causes Joe to throw caution to the wind and go hunt for them. Never mind the fact that Joe Brody was in Japan by himself for years and years, but he NOW needs to go hunting for these monsters the day his son arrives.
They both get caught up in Monster hijinks and the world crumbles around them, proving Joe was right in his wide eyed crazy conspiracies. No one is around to appreciate it though, except his son, who now thinks his dad is the best thing since sliced 'zilla meat.
By this time, as I've been reading, I've noticed a TON of typos. I don't know who the editor of this book was... but titanbooks needs to fire him/her...or pay for some English spelling certification.
What I did enjoy about the style of writing, is that POV. That is the point of view shifts from character to character, on a surprisingly rapid basis. So we're introduced to a few different characters, but honestly each one is pretty flat and not very memorable. So.. there's nothing special about any of them. Even Ford's wife, Elle... all her POV just involve her running around, and hiding. In fact besides the main character Ford...no one really does anything in this book. Ford literally is the one person who actually has a effect on the story...oh and Godzilla of course.
What this does though is put every other character, secondary to Ford. I kept waiting for the son...or Elle or Serizawa to actually contribute to the outcome. Nope. Ford does everything.
Now the idea that an American man named "Ford" showing up, and saving the world with zero help from any of the foreigners or supporting characters is pretty funny in retrospect...but while reading it, it was annoying. Anyway, the book *is* fun to read. I don't think I would have kept at it if it wasn't. The battle scenes are described pretty well, and the idea of two against one odds against Godzilla was a fun turn of events. Even the end with Godzilla sprawled out on the coast, and heaving was very well done.
That being said, read this book, knowing what it is...an adaptation of an adaptation. If you're that much of a Godzilla fan, you've seen the movie, in which case..honestly there's no real reason to read this. It doesn't offer anything "extra" in the way of character thought, and depth...
July 9, 2019
There were multiple mistakes in this book; for example, one character commented that he was “tutoring a kid whose [sic] studying whale songs.” Excuse me?! Do official movie novelizations not get editors?
June 27, 2024
Thank you Jade
April 13, 2024
Fun, easy reading. Pretty much as I expected! It’s nice to have a little more inference into characters actions and behaviours than we got in the film
Read
September 28, 2019I liked the movie but the writing took a while to get used to...
May 28, 2023
is review is from: Godzilla - The Official Movie Novelization (Kindle Edition)
I enjoy reading novelizations of films I have enjoyed. I really loved the serious approach of the new Godzilla film and wanted to read the book. This novel follows the Film faithfully and explains a few things skipped in the film. I was hoping for some more in-depth look into some aspects of the details of Joe Brody's research, but this sticks true to the film. An enjoyable read but don't expect too much extra. One of the best movie novelization I have ever read was Star Trek The Wrath of Khan by Vonda McIntyre. She really deepened the characterizations and expounded on the story. Greg Cox has also written some great Trek books. I'm guessing they didn't want to give too much away, so the novel had to follow the film
I enjoy reading novelizations of films I have enjoyed. I really loved the serious approach of the new Godzilla film and wanted to read the book. This novel follows the Film faithfully and explains a few things skipped in the film. I was hoping for some more in-depth look into some aspects of the details of Joe Brody's research, but this sticks true to the film. An enjoyable read but don't expect too much extra. One of the best movie novelization I have ever read was Star Trek The Wrath of Khan by Vonda McIntyre. She really deepened the characterizations and expounded on the story. Greg Cox has also written some great Trek books. I'm guessing they didn't want to give too much away, so the novel had to follow the film
June 16, 2019
Godzilla has been my favorite movie experience thus far this year. A little background before we get started. I became a fan of the great green giant the first time I caught his act on the Creature Double Feature, a Philadelphia area Saturday morning collection of low-budget sci-fi and heavily edited horror movies. I remember the first one I saw too. It was Godzilla on Monster Island (aka Godzilla vs Gigan) and it was love at first sight. I've seen every Godzilla movie made and have instilled a similar love in my children.
So, when I was offered the chance to read the novelization, I jumped on it with both feet. I'm happy to say that author Greg Cox captures almost everything great about the movie in a more portable version. Godzilla is well written, compelling, and heartfelt. There's very little derivation from the screen to print besides some expository backstory here and there, and this makes me happy. Not as happy and school-kid-giddy as the movie, but happy nonetheless.
You can read Michel's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
So, when I was offered the chance to read the novelization, I jumped on it with both feet. I'm happy to say that author Greg Cox captures almost everything great about the movie in a more portable version. Godzilla is well written, compelling, and heartfelt. There's very little derivation from the screen to print besides some expository backstory here and there, and this makes me happy. Not as happy and school-kid-giddy as the movie, but happy nonetheless.
You can read Michel's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
April 18, 2024
It's funny reading the novelization of a movie I didn't much like. I've enjoyed all of the Monsterverse movies except this first one, as it feels like the human story was pretty bad once Brian Cranston's character was killed off and there really wasn't enough Godzilla action. And it's been long enough since I watched the movie that I honestly cannot remember if there are any interesting deviations from it in this novelization. But I can't criticize the actual author too much, as the story isn't his, and he does a reasonable job adapting it to the page. All the problems I remember having with the film's story are still present, but somehow it's not quite as bad here. Maybe it's simply that reading a book is a different experience, and somehow that saves things a bit. Plus having seen Godzilla X Kong recently, it's funny to go back and see when the Monsterverse was relatively grounded - as grounded as anything with a four hundred foot tall lizard can be. I did enjoy the moments where minor characters get viewpoints, showing just how devastating the kaiju are. Particularly all the stuff in the Hawaii sequence was done well. But overall I don't think I have a ton to praise or take issue with here that's specific to this novel rather than coming from what it's adapting. It does a perfectly fine job of adapting a movie I'm not overly fond of, and I guess that balances out to being an alright read.
November 25, 2025
[Actual rating: 4 and a half]
I've read this back when the 2014 film came out and I had forgotten the changes that were made and the scenes that were added in this novelization. Admiral Stenz is my favorite military character as it gives us more inside of how he's forced to do the nuclear option even if he doesn't want to and he cares for the people he's suppose to be protecting. It's more gruesome in terms of having the presence of dead bodies. There is some scenes that I thought shouldn't have been added and changed but that's about all the gripe I have with this book. I loved rereading it and it's a good novelization.
I've read this back when the 2014 film came out and I had forgotten the changes that were made and the scenes that were added in this novelization. Admiral Stenz is my favorite military character as it gives us more inside of how he's forced to do the nuclear option even if he doesn't want to and he cares for the people he's suppose to be protecting. It's more gruesome in terms of having the presence of dead bodies. There is some scenes that I thought shouldn't have been added and changed but that's about all the gripe I have with this book. I loved rereading it and it's a good novelization.
June 3, 2019
A great novelization of a great movie. I could see what's happening in the story, and I can tell you it's not just my visualization skills and my knowledge of the movie. The precise adjectives and wording depict the intensity and scenery. I enjoyed the movie because of its realism (compared to other Godzilla movies), but the book also does a wonderful job of telling the story and keeping the reader hooked.
If you have seen the movie but haven't read the book, pick up the book now. It would be a great opportunity as the new Godzilla movie comes out in a few weeks.
If you have seen the movie but haven't read the book, pick up the book now. It would be a great opportunity as the new Godzilla movie comes out in a few weeks.
August 31, 2021
Auch die Romanfassung von Godzilla (2014) ist ein tolles Buch. Ich mag den Schreibstil und die Geschichte sowieso. Interessanterweise ist das Buch was die Kämpfe und ein paar andere Sachen angeht dem Film sehr unähnlich - da hat man wohl im Entstehungsprozess des Film viel verändert. Das stört mich aber nicht, denn als Fan des MonsterVerse kann ich auch dieses Buch vollends weiterempfehlen.
February 28, 2022
Watched the movie after finishing the book. The book is better at conveying emotions and reasons, and it helped me better understand the context of the actions taken in the movie, of why they did things a certain way since there's no explanations in the movie at all. Have to say though, after reading the book, the acting in the movie is not delivering the same payout.
June 14, 2017
Nice, workmanlike movie novelisation. Little provided in the way of additional scenes or background, but entertaining nonetheless. Greg Cox is an old hand at this kind of writing, and extracts what art he can from what he's given. Very enjoyable.
September 18, 2017
Was just as great as the movie, added several moments that don't happen in the film which add even more darkness and depth. For anyone upset about Akira Takarada's scene being taken out of the final film you'll get a small amount of joy to read the scene in the book.
February 12, 2021
Faithful albeit unnecessary
This is a very quick read. I got it done across 3 nights before bed. From my recollection this pretty much follows the movie plot with very little addition. I was hoping for some added scenes but I don't believe there really are any here. We do get character introspection that you can't really get with a movie. If you enjoy the film and want to experience the story in a different form then you'll likely enjoy this book. Don't expect much new or added. I did like digging a little deeper with characters. Cox does a fine job novelizing the movie, but I can't really recommend this book in general.
*UPDATE*
After rewatching the movie I realized how much I appreciate the book. The book adds the emotional context in the characters where the film is sorely lacking. I realized there are a few added scenes in the book and they’re worth it because they make the story more intense and investing.
This is a very quick read. I got it done across 3 nights before bed. From my recollection this pretty much follows the movie plot with very little addition. I was hoping for some added scenes but I don't believe there really are any here. We do get character introspection that you can't really get with a movie. If you enjoy the film and want to experience the story in a different form then you'll likely enjoy this book. Don't expect much new or added. I did like digging a little deeper with characters. Cox does a fine job novelizing the movie, but I can't really recommend this book in general.
*UPDATE*
After rewatching the movie I realized how much I appreciate the book. The book adds the emotional context in the characters where the film is sorely lacking. I realized there are a few added scenes in the book and they’re worth it because they make the story more intense and investing.
February 23, 2021
Good adaptation
This is the first time I read a novelization of a film rather than other way around. I liked the book. It provided more detail and humanized a little bit more some of the more underutilized characters in the film.
This is the first time I read a novelization of a film rather than other way around. I liked the book. It provided more detail and humanized a little bit more some of the more underutilized characters in the film.
April 23, 2021
A good book to read.
You are taken on a journey when you taken from Japan to the U. S. and you will a lot of damage and people lives are lost as well. The book was done with the writing and keeps you wanting more to read.
You are taken on a journey when you taken from Japan to the U. S. and you will a lot of damage and people lives are lost as well. The book was done with the writing and keeps you wanting more to read.
September 2, 2022
I think it's hard to novelize a movie as the starting point is dumbed down for most audiences. Even so, I liked the setup with Ford's father and mother and the working in of historical Godzilla stories without making it too obviously retcon.
May 31, 2023
I got myself on a Godzilla kick this month so that's where we are now. Good novelization work from Greg 7 It was short but the best part was getting the battle written from Godzilla's point of view. The whole time I was visualizing Showa era G since I've been watching those the most.
July 31, 2017
I will be honest with you, I read this book, because I was waiting on a book to come in.. But, I really enjoyed it.. Good read, makes you wonder what would happen if this really happened..
January 28, 2019
it was a very good book
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