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The X-Files #3
The X-Files: Ground Zero
A renowned nuclear weapons researcher is not only dead - he's been charred to a radioactive cinder. The incinerated remnants of Dr. Gregory are found curled in the corner of his laboratory at the Edward Teller Nuclear Research Facility near Oakland, California.
Since this is a death on Federal property, Mulder and Scully are hastily called in. As FBI agents who specialize in unexplained phenomena, they are the investigators of the X-Files, strange and inexplicable cases which are also mysteries that the FBI doesn't want solved.
Dr. Gregory's unique death quickly and clearly becomes an X-File. As Mulder and Scully begin their frustrating work, unearthing the top secret project that Dr. Gregory was working on, they confront a tight-lipped Federal bureaucracy whose job it is to stop questions before they are asked. One by one, Mulder and Scully hit dead ends, closed security clearances, and classified documents that no one wants them to see. But that doesn't stop Mulder and Scully from ripping the lid off Dr. Gregory's illegal project - "Bright Anvil" - a new type of flash nuclear explosive that has all the destructive power of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, but with a new design that leaves virtually no radioactive fallout. The implications for the modern world are deadly, and some radical protest groups will stop at nothing to prevent the test from happening.
When a second victim, completely unrelated to nuclear science or Dr. Gregory is obliterated in the New Mexico desert, and then a third dies the same way in Washington, D.C., Mulder and Scully begin to focus on the frightening dimensions of their task. The bizarre deaths cannot be a coincidence. And as they work to uncover the secret unifying element that unites these deaths, it becomes clear that this twisted puzzle has fatal consequences for the entire world.
Since this is a death on Federal property, Mulder and Scully are hastily called in. As FBI agents who specialize in unexplained phenomena, they are the investigators of the X-Files, strange and inexplicable cases which are also mysteries that the FBI doesn't want solved.
Dr. Gregory's unique death quickly and clearly becomes an X-File. As Mulder and Scully begin their frustrating work, unearthing the top secret project that Dr. Gregory was working on, they confront a tight-lipped Federal bureaucracy whose job it is to stop questions before they are asked. One by one, Mulder and Scully hit dead ends, closed security clearances, and classified documents that no one wants them to see. But that doesn't stop Mulder and Scully from ripping the lid off Dr. Gregory's illegal project - "Bright Anvil" - a new type of flash nuclear explosive that has all the destructive power of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, but with a new design that leaves virtually no radioactive fallout. The implications for the modern world are deadly, and some radical protest groups will stop at nothing to prevent the test from happening.
When a second victim, completely unrelated to nuclear science or Dr. Gregory is obliterated in the New Mexico desert, and then a third dies the same way in Washington, D.C., Mulder and Scully begin to focus on the frightening dimensions of their task. The bizarre deaths cannot be a coincidence. And as they work to uncover the secret unifying element that unites these deaths, it becomes clear that this twisted puzzle has fatal consequences for the entire world.
290 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,095 books3,209 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 223 reviews
August 18, 2023
3.5
Reading this book was like taking a trip down memory lane to good old days, when I had nothing better to do than study and wait for a new episode of X-files and hoping that Mulder and Scully would hook up soon.
Thanks Anna, for your recommendation!
Reading this book was like taking a trip down memory lane to good old days, when I had nothing better to do than study and wait for a new episode of X-files and hoping that Mulder and Scully would hook up soon.
Thanks Anna, for your recommendation!
November 27, 2020
4.5 Stars for The X-Files: Ground Zero (audiobook) by Kevin J. Anderson read by Gillian Anderson. This was such a treat getting to hear Gillian Anderson read this story. It’s like a time machine taking me back to when this was on TV. It just wouldn’t be the same in another voice.
June 27, 2018
No me interesa el fútbol así que ayer, durante el partido de Argentina del Mundial me puse a mirar los últimos capítulos del reboot de The X Files. Entonces mientras el resto del país lloraba y sufría con Argentina, yo lloraba y sufría con el final del ojete con el que me obsequiaron luego de 25 años de seguir la serie. Gracias, señores guionistas. Gracias, Chris Carter. Se pueden ir todos a la reputísima madre que los parió.
Me queda algún consuelo, y es que anduve comprando por librerías de viejo y en MercadoLibre estos pastiches y me quedan varios por leer. Este es bastante potable, la historia está buena y en sintonía con lo que podría tranquilamente ser un capítulo del arco conspirativo (myth-arc) de la serie en los 90s- con algunas licencias inexplicables que le quitan magia, como por ejemplo que Scully es física en vez de médica y estudió en Stanford, a requerimiento de lo que necesita la trama. Pero los personajes están bastante bien logrados y el autor los retrata muy bien (como dice en la introducción, se fumó no sé cuántos capítulos cuando le encargaron esta novela para sacarles la ficha). Además escribe bien, es un autor de ciencia ficción medianamente reconocido y se nota, el libro es entretenido de leer. Hasta creo que lo puede encontrar ameno alguien que no tenga ni idea de la serie y los personajes o apenas un conocimiento superficial.
Después del bajón de ayer, le dí el último impulsito y leí de un tirón las 100 últimas páginas, como para apurar el mal trago que me dejó la TV. Y ahora, a seguir con los próximos.
*3.5 stars*
Me queda algún consuelo, y es que anduve comprando por librerías de viejo y en MercadoLibre estos pastiches y me quedan varios por leer. Este es bastante potable, la historia está buena y en sintonía con lo que podría tranquilamente ser un capítulo del arco conspirativo (myth-arc) de la serie en los 90s- con algunas licencias inexplicables que le quitan magia, como por ejemplo que Scully es física en vez de médica y estudió en Stanford, a requerimiento de lo que necesita la trama. Pero los personajes están bastante bien logrados y el autor los retrata muy bien (como dice en la introducción, se fumó no sé cuántos capítulos cuando le encargaron esta novela para sacarles la ficha). Además escribe bien, es un autor de ciencia ficción medianamente reconocido y se nota, el libro es entretenido de leer. Hasta creo que lo puede encontrar ameno alguien que no tenga ni idea de la serie y los personajes o apenas un conocimiento superficial.
Después del bajón de ayer, le dí el último impulsito y leí de un tirón las 100 últimas páginas, como para apurar el mal trago que me dejó la TV. Y ahora, a seguir con los próximos.
*3.5 stars*
May 11, 2019
For me the TV show called the X-files have always been something special like the original Star Trek series from the sixties they were a benchmark series that changed television in style and taste. Still today when I come across the series on the telly I sit down and watch it, both Scully and Spooky Mulder are mesmerizing and their tales are interesting.
So when I passed two hardcover novel even ones written by Kevin J. Anderson whose writing delivered some of the worst Dune continuation novels (the continuing of the cliffhanger by Frank himself is abysmal in my humble opinion.) did not stop me as I did enjoy his Star Wars novels as well. This novel is no way a novelization of any episode of the X-files, it is an original story.
Ground zero in this book is meant by the place a nuclear weapon has been placed for detonation, and that is what this book is about the history of testing the nuclear arsenal and a next generation weapon that would leave no fallout whatsoever.
When the leading scientist dies under suspicious circumstances the responsible department recognizes the dead as one for FBI-agent Fox Mulder. He and Scully are brought in to investigate while at the same time kept at arms length from the secrecy around the science the dead man was involved in. Gradually we learn that more people die under the same circumstances and they were all involved in the same project of previous Nuclear testing or enabling it.
The investigation takes Mulder and Scully in the end to the Pacific where the story comes full circle.
A lovely evening with the X-files once again featuring mainly Mulder & Scully with the usual ending with Skinner in the FBI headquarters. The story in itself is fairly decent and Anderson has not reached the level of certainty he feels with these characters to his a confident stride. The book is pleasurable and that is the best it gets.
Especially for those who still keep this series a guilty pleasure around this book will not fail to hit the mark.
So when I passed two hardcover novel even ones written by Kevin J. Anderson whose writing delivered some of the worst Dune continuation novels (the continuing of the cliffhanger by Frank himself is abysmal in my humble opinion.) did not stop me as I did enjoy his Star Wars novels as well. This novel is no way a novelization of any episode of the X-files, it is an original story.
Ground zero in this book is meant by the place a nuclear weapon has been placed for detonation, and that is what this book is about the history of testing the nuclear arsenal and a next generation weapon that would leave no fallout whatsoever.
When the leading scientist dies under suspicious circumstances the responsible department recognizes the dead as one for FBI-agent Fox Mulder. He and Scully are brought in to investigate while at the same time kept at arms length from the secrecy around the science the dead man was involved in. Gradually we learn that more people die under the same circumstances and they were all involved in the same project of previous Nuclear testing or enabling it.
The investigation takes Mulder and Scully in the end to the Pacific where the story comes full circle.
A lovely evening with the X-files once again featuring mainly Mulder & Scully with the usual ending with Skinner in the FBI headquarters. The story in itself is fairly decent and Anderson has not reached the level of certainty he feels with these characters to his a confident stride. The book is pleasurable and that is the best it gets.
Especially for those who still keep this series a guilty pleasure around this book will not fail to hit the mark.
August 27, 2015
I personally really enjoyed this book. I could see how others would find it boring but I liked it so I guess that's what matters! :D
November 15, 2020
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.
Gillian Anderson, i.e. agent Scully, does a good job with the audio narration.
Gillian Anderson, i.e. agent Scully, does a good job with the audio narration.
October 12, 2015
Βαθμολογία: 7.5/10
Τρίτο αυτοτελές μυθιστόρημα της σειράς X-Files, πρώτο που συγγραφέας είναι ο γνωστός στο είδος της επιστημονικής φαντασίας και του Φανταστικού, Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον (π.χ. The Saga of Seven Suns, μυθιστορήματα Star Wars κλπ). Μου φάνηκε αρκετά καλύτερο των δυο προηγούμενων βιβλίων, πιο καλογραμμένο και σίγουρα πιο χορταστικό. Φυσικά θα πρέπει κανείς να μην σκεφτεί και πολύ κατά πόσο στέκουν όλα αυτά τα υπερφυσικά και κουλά γεγονότα της ιστορίας, για να απολαύσει την ιστορία.
Ο διακεκριμένος πυρηνικός ερευνητής, Δρ. Γκρέγκορι, πεθαίνει με φρικιαστικό τρόπο στο γραφείο του στο Κέντρο Πυρηνικών Ερευνών Τέλερ της Καλιφόρνια. Θα έλεγε κανείς ότι μια υπερβολικά μίνι πυρηνική έκρηξη σκότωσε τον επιστήμονα. Την υπόθεση θα αναλάβουν οι ειδικοί πράκτορες του FBI, Μόλντερ και Σκάλι, λόγω της φύσης του εγκλήματος και της φήμης τους. Ο Δρ. Γκρέγκορι δεν θα είναι το μοναδικό θύμα, καθώς θα υπάρξουν και άλλα, που το κοινό στοιχείο που τους ενώνει είναι ένα απόρρητο πυρηνικό πρόγραμμα, το Σχέδιο Λαμπερό Αμόνι. Καθώς οι δυο πράκτορες προσπαθούν να ξεδιαλύνουν το μυστήριο, θα δουν ότι η όλη ιστορία ξεκινά σαράντα χρόνια πριν και σχετίζεται με απόρρητα κυβερνητικά προγράμματα...
Σίγουρα έχει κάποια θεματάκια αληθοφάνειας των υπερφυσικών συμβάντων και λίγες σεναριακές ευκολίες, όμως κατά τ'άλλα πρόκειται για ένα ιδιαίτερα καλογραμμένο, συναρπαστικό και χορταστικό θρίλερ επιστημονικής φαντασίας, που σίγουρα θα ικανοποιήσει τους λάτρεις της σειράς, αλλά και του είδους γενικότερα. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή και ευκολοδιάβαστη, με ωραίες περιγραφές και λίγο χιούμορ, οι δυο πρωταγωνιστικοί χαρακτήρες καλοδουλεμένοι και η ατμόσφαιρα εξαιρετική.
Τρίτο αυτοτελές μυθιστόρημα της σειράς X-Files, πρώτο που συγγραφέας είναι ο γνωστός στο είδος της επιστημονικής φαντασίας και του Φανταστικού, Κέβιν Τζ. Άντερσον (π.χ. The Saga of Seven Suns, μυθιστορήματα Star Wars κλπ). Μου φάνηκε αρκετά καλύτερο των δυο προηγούμενων βιβλίων, πιο καλογραμμένο και σίγουρα πιο χορταστικό. Φυσικά θα πρέπει κανείς να μην σκεφτεί και πολύ κατά πόσο στέκουν όλα αυτά τα υπερφυσικά και κουλά γεγονότα της ιστορίας, για να απολαύσει την ιστορία.
Ο διακεκριμένος πυρηνικός ερευνητής, Δρ. Γκρέγκορι, πεθαίνει με φρικιαστικό τρόπο στο γραφείο του στο Κέντρο Πυρηνικών Ερευνών Τέλερ της Καλιφόρνια. Θα έλεγε κανείς ότι μια υπερβολικά μίνι πυρηνική έκρηξη σκότωσε τον επιστήμονα. Την υπόθεση θα αναλάβουν οι ειδικοί πράκτορες του FBI, Μόλντερ και Σκάλι, λόγω της φύσης του εγκλήματος και της φήμης τους. Ο Δρ. Γκρέγκορι δεν θα είναι το μοναδικό θύμα, καθώς θα υπάρξουν και άλλα, που το κοινό στοιχείο που τους ενώνει είναι ένα απόρρητο πυρηνικό πρόγραμμα, το Σχέδιο Λαμπερό Αμόνι. Καθώς οι δυο πράκτορες προσπαθούν να ξεδιαλύνουν το μυστήριο, θα δουν ότι η όλη ιστορία ξεκινά σαράντα χρόνια πριν και σχετίζεται με απόρρητα κυβερνητικά προγράμματα...
Σίγουρα έχει κάποια θεματάκια αληθοφάνειας των υπερφυσικών συμβάντων και λίγες σεναριακές ευκολίες, όμως κατά τ'άλλα πρόκειται για ένα ιδιαίτερα καλογραμμένο, συναρπαστικό και χορταστικό θρίλερ επιστημονικής φαντασίας, που σίγουρα θα ικανοποιήσει τους λάτρεις της σειράς, αλλά και του είδους γενικότερα. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή και ευκολοδιάβαστη, με ωραίες περιγραφές και λίγο χιούμορ, οι δυο πρωταγωνιστικοί χαρακτήρες καλοδουλεμένοι και η ατμόσφαιρα εξαιρετική.
April 5, 2025
Having watch the X-Files when it came out, and soon going to be re-watching everything I think this book really help quenching my thirst for new tales.
First let us focus on characters because they are half the interest on this story and it was good to see Mulder & Scully again, this time being more akin to what I remember on the series. There is no comparison between this and the previous book I've read. Mulder really behave a bit more like him, always making goofy statements. If you watch the series you know Mulder was sometimes very comedian-like others more taciturn - probably due to the writer of the show changing. Scully was more consistent on that regard - so yeah. Good characterization.
The second part is the story - which is a bit supernatural, a bit cat and mouse chase. The leader investigator dies mysteriously after receiving a package. For some reason FBI agents call Mulder due to his connection to X-Files, then its basically going from one place to the other trying to understand more what is happening and why it happened. There are some supernatural (or not) involved which was quite common on X-Files - it would depend if it was Mulder or Scully. Pretty decent book. 73/100
First let us focus on characters because they are half the interest on this story and it was good to see Mulder & Scully again, this time being more akin to what I remember on the series. There is no comparison between this and the previous book I've read. Mulder really behave a bit more like him, always making goofy statements. If you watch the series you know Mulder was sometimes very comedian-like others more taciturn - probably due to the writer of the show changing. Scully was more consistent on that regard - so yeah. Good characterization.
The second part is the story - which is a bit supernatural, a bit cat and mouse chase. The leader investigator dies mysteriously after receiving a package. For some reason FBI agents call Mulder due to his connection to X-Files, then its basically going from one place to the other trying to understand more what is happening and why it happened. There are some supernatural (or not) involved which was quite common on X-Files - it would depend if it was Mulder or Scully. Pretty decent book. 73/100
July 22, 2022
I love The X-Files!! I watched the show religiously when it first aired. I don't know I didn't read read the novels back then. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and figured out what was really going on about halfway through.
November 29, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of the X-Files, but this awesome TV show has not been on TV for years. Nonetheless, I still watch the re-runs and I can't get enough of the stories and the main characters. The X-Files book series is a cool way to stay connected with the characters and TV show. I read another book in this series, by a different author, and I was less than impressed. I then read "X-Files: Ground Zero," by Kevin J. Anderson, and I was pleasantly surprised. Keep in mind, this book was written before 9/11, so the "Ground Zero" title has nothing to do with 9/11. It actually has to do with the site of a nuclear bomb detonation. I found the story of this book to be very interesting and intriguing, and I learned a lot about America's nuclear bomb program from the 1940s to today. I love to learn interesting, cool facts from books, and I didn't know much about America's nuclear tests. After reading this book, I gained some new knowledge about this subject, which is cool, and I also developed some interesting, personal insights into the issue of nuclear arms in general.
Like I said, I really liked the story told in this book. Without giving anything too important away, the story revolves around a nuclear scientist who dies in a very unusual way, and FBI Agents Mulder and Scully of the X-Files are sent to investigate. As is typical of an X-Files story, what they find is something that appears to go beyond the boundaries of science, and into the realm of the paranormal. Kevin J. Anderson's ideas in presenting this story are quite unique and thought provoking. This book is an easy read, but it is engaging and interesting. If you don't know a lot about nuclear testing, you'll definitely learn some new and disturbing information in this book. If you're a fan of Mulder and Scully, you'll really like this book, as the two FBI agents are portrayed well in the narrative.
Like I said, I really liked the story told in this book. Without giving anything too important away, the story revolves around a nuclear scientist who dies in a very unusual way, and FBI Agents Mulder and Scully of the X-Files are sent to investigate. As is typical of an X-Files story, what they find is something that appears to go beyond the boundaries of science, and into the realm of the paranormal. Kevin J. Anderson's ideas in presenting this story are quite unique and thought provoking. This book is an easy read, but it is engaging and interesting. If you don't know a lot about nuclear testing, you'll definitely learn some new and disturbing information in this book. If you're a fan of Mulder and Scully, you'll really like this book, as the two FBI agents are portrayed well in the narrative.
April 28, 2013
As good as any of the t.v. episodes.
July 17, 2022
"At last the wave of fire will reach the shore of death. " 🖤
October 7, 2020
I was a fan of the show and own all the episodes on DVD. Although the story was OK, Mulder and Scully were cardboard cutouts of their television selves.
June 25, 2008
Not a very memorable book. I would recommend this only for hard-core X-Files fans.
April 11, 2023
(Synopsis) - Dr. Gregory, a renowned nuclear weapons researcher, is not only dead--he's been charred to a radioactive cinder. Since this is a death on Federal property, Mulder and Scully are hastily called in. As FBI agents who specialize in unexplained phenomena, they are the investigators of The X-Files.
(Review) - I will be honest I have a fear of radiation & nuclear war, both terrify me completely so off the bat this book was already giving me chills. Now I haven't watched the X-Files show, just the movies which isn't enough to get a feel for Mulder & Scully but here I could sense that chemistry and magic they have together, that i would like to see this on screen as an episode. As it was a story/topic that was grounded and real and something we are all worried about especially now in 2023, with the potential of world war 3 and this one being fought with sticks and extra arms and less skin! But this is very gripping, as it drips with true facts about real tests of nuclear weapons, and had questions, that made you think and question humanity as to why did we build these devices and after we dropped them last and saw there destruction why did we have to go bigger? It reminds me of a quote by the doctor, "Should we leave it alone, should we back off, should we play it safe?" NAH, you think: "Let's make it BIGGER!" And the more destruction that caused! Like the tribes of the bikin atoll Islands can never return to there Island as most of it was destroyed and what's left is still poisonous! So im saying this story is a grounded realistic story, with that X-Files twist at the end that was handled so well it doesn't feel stupid, it kinda works and for me added more weight to everything and overall I ended up enjoying it a lot! This author did a way better job than the guy before him 100%.
5/5 Stars GoodReads 🌟⭐⭐⭐⭐
100/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥
(Review) - I will be honest I have a fear of radiation & nuclear war, both terrify me completely so off the bat this book was already giving me chills. Now I haven't watched the X-Files show, just the movies which isn't enough to get a feel for Mulder & Scully but here I could sense that chemistry and magic they have together, that i would like to see this on screen as an episode. As it was a story/topic that was grounded and real and something we are all worried about especially now in 2023, with the potential of world war 3 and this one being fought with sticks and extra arms and less skin! But this is very gripping, as it drips with true facts about real tests of nuclear weapons, and had questions, that made you think and question humanity as to why did we build these devices and after we dropped them last and saw there destruction why did we have to go bigger? It reminds me of a quote by the doctor, "Should we leave it alone, should we back off, should we play it safe?" NAH, you think: "Let's make it BIGGER!" And the more destruction that caused! Like the tribes of the bikin atoll Islands can never return to there Island as most of it was destroyed and what's left is still poisonous! So im saying this story is a grounded realistic story, with that X-Files twist at the end that was handled so well it doesn't feel stupid, it kinda works and for me added more weight to everything and overall I ended up enjoying it a lot! This author did a way better job than the guy before him 100%.
5/5 Stars GoodReads 🌟⭐⭐⭐⭐
100/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥
December 1, 2025
The X-Files 03 Ground Zero by Kevin J. Anderson
4.0 Stars
challenging emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
What is involved in a mystery? and how is Fox Mulder attracted to all these different events? Just lucky, I guess.
Instinct and seeking of the truth. Ha!
I really enjoyed this story. There was just enought factual information within the story to pull you in, and just enough "spookiness" to keep you hooked.
Even if you could've seen it with your own eyes, would you believe. Even when so many lost their lives, were reassigned, or "disappeared"... so that you were the only ones "telling the truth" of what you had witnessed. It would be SO frustrating. Ugh.
I still love the dynamic between Mulder and Scully. We all know that Fox Mulder believes, and we also know that Dana Scully is the ultimate skeptic, but even she has gotten wrapped up in the conspiracy of the government and the coverup of what they both (and others) have seen. Why won't they acknowledge the Truth?
For obvious reasons. Right?
Had a lot of fun with this one. The reality was based in science, and the part that you had to suspend your disbelief...in this one, was less than you'd think. IMHO.
On to the next book in the series:
The X-Files 04 Ruins by Kevin J. Anderson.
4.0 Stars
challenging emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
What is involved in a mystery? and how is Fox Mulder attracted to all these different events? Just lucky, I guess.
Instinct and seeking of the truth. Ha!
I really enjoyed this story. There was just enought factual information within the story to pull you in, and just enough "spookiness" to keep you hooked.
Even if you could've seen it with your own eyes, would you believe. Even when so many lost their lives, were reassigned, or "disappeared"... so that you were the only ones "telling the truth" of what you had witnessed. It would be SO frustrating. Ugh.
I still love the dynamic between Mulder and Scully. We all know that Fox Mulder believes, and we also know that Dana Scully is the ultimate skeptic, but even she has gotten wrapped up in the conspiracy of the government and the coverup of what they both (and others) have seen. Why won't they acknowledge the Truth?
For obvious reasons. Right?
Had a lot of fun with this one. The reality was based in science, and the part that you had to suspend your disbelief...in this one, was less than you'd think. IMHO.
On to the next book in the series:
The X-Files 04 Ruins by Kevin J. Anderson.
August 30, 2026
I read 1/3 of this book a year ago, up until a big “reveal” in the story. This put me off of reading further, because I disliked that the cards were seemingly laid out on the table so suddenly. I finally came around finishing the book this week, and unfortunately the initial reveal was not a red herring. I would have liked a bit more suspense in the story.
On the other hand, I thought that the character building was quite good, though I was sometimes annoyed at the lack of action(s) taken at dire moments by supposed FBI agents. I also liked the compact chapters, with clear locations and times, and the switching between various different character perspectives.
I also learned a bunch about nuclear bombs. Watch out world.
On the other hand, I thought that the character building was quite good, though I was sometimes annoyed at the lack of action(s) taken at dire moments by supposed FBI agents. I also liked the compact chapters, with clear locations and times, and the switching between various different character perspectives.
I also learned a bunch about nuclear bombs. Watch out world.
March 19, 2022
The most like the TV series of any of the X-Files books I’ve read this far! I’m hoping the rest of the books will follow in it’s footsteps…
This one also spooked me waaaay more than the others, covering the topic of nuclear weaponry is untouched ground for the more supernatural side of literature but this book really went there, and it worked.
This one also spooked me waaaay more than the others, covering the topic of nuclear weaponry is untouched ground for the more supernatural side of literature but this book really went there, and it worked.
May 12, 2022
Thus far this book was the furthest from “channeling” the X-Files series and characters. I’m thinking perhaps these characters and their stories translate best to the screen. There tends to be too much information dumping and time spent with ancillary characters in the books, instead of Mulder and Scully solving the mystery.
January 8, 2020
I never watched the X-files, but I got this novel in a lot and I have read Kevin Anderson before, so I gave it a go. It is well written and unfolds nicely. If you are a Fan of X-Files, you may appreciate it more.
March 22, 2026
i liked this one! i was skeptical at first, but the plot ended up being a lot more interesting than i thought it would be. also, there was so much wonderful mulder and scully banter i had no choice but to enjoy.
August 8, 2024
I wish there were infinite of these books. It’s not great in many respects, and I firmly disagree with many of the political assumptions made by the book, but I found it for 2 euros at a flea market in france and read it all within 24h.
March 8, 2025
Despite the references to small breasted women, this did actually read like an episode of the X Files and was enjoyable
September 4, 2026
Kevin J. Anderson sure does like the word “gypsum”. Anyway, this is very much like an extremely ambitious but not fully developed episode of the show. The antagonist, though operating from a fully sympathetic position, isn’t fleshed out enough. The “explanation” for what’s going on is doled out far too quickly (before Mulder even begins to develop a theory!). Yet it does feel like an episode of The X-Files in novel form; I could see it playing out in my mind from start to finish. Props for that.
July 23, 2026
ciekawa tematyka, bardzo lubie nawiązania do historii tutaj, ale tłumaczenie i język średnie troszke
December 25, 2022
3.5 stars
November 23, 2024
Worthy of inclusion with the best episodes of the series. And a really fun read.
April 2, 2024
Oh this was SO MUCH better. The characters felt like real people, qnd their characters matched what we see on screen MUCH more closely. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Gillian Anderson, which really made it more fun; I felt like I was listening to Scully read a case file. Lots of fun. Regardless of the narration, this story was a lot more interesting and well-crafted.
May 2, 2021
Tenhle díl se mi líbil víc, než Smrtící šepot. Už jsem věděla co od toho očekávat a tak mne rozuzlení nezklamalo, právě naopak. Už asi 70 stran před koncem jsem měla teorii jaké to rozuzlení bude (a byla správná) ale ani mi to moc nevadilo, bylo zajímavé pozorovat jak se to všechno vyvine. Agenti Mulder a Scullyová jsou skvělá dvojice, navzájem se dokonale doplňují a Akta X jsou pro mne zajímavé čtení. Určitě se pustím i do dalších dílů <3
4,5/5*
4,5/5*
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