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In book eight of the Roswell High series, Michael's dreams of finding his family are threatened when his brother, Trevor, has questionable motives.

Blood brothers...

Michael has finally found the one thing he always yearned for -- family. When his brother Trevor arrives in Roswell, Michael will do anything to please him. But soon Trevor's loyalties come into question -- and Michael is caught in the cross fire.

Maria's little brother has disappeared and she knows the kidnappers are trying to get to her and her friends. Devastated and guilt-ridden, Maria turns to Michael for help. But will he be there for her, or has Michael himself become the enemy?

168 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

17 people are currently reading
836 people want to read

About the author

Melinda Metz

118 books629 followers
Melinda Metz grew up in San Jose, California. People sometimes ask if she knows the way there. She kinda does, but she has an off-kilter sense of direction, so to be confident of arriving, it's better to consult some kind of navigational device.

Her mother tried to teach her to read in kindergarten, but Melinda had no interest. She also had no interest in learning to write her name. (FYI, when Melinda was in kindergarten it was all about finger-painting, play time, and naps.) Eventually, she mastered both and even majored in English at San Jose State University.

After college, Melinda moved to Manhattan to seek her fortune, which involved learning to identify fruits and vegetables while working at a grocery store,
making $2.73 working backstage for an off-off Broadway play (her part of the box-office profits), and editing books.

Melinda and the lovely and talented Laura J. Burns pretty much became unofficial writing partners when they were editors at the same company. They teamed up to brainstorm story ideas, and at some point their brains fused in some key places. Later they worked on the Roswell High book series, Laura developing and editing the series, Melinda writing.

That series led to Melinda and Laura, now an official writing team, writing two TV pilots, moving to L.A. to work on the Roswell TV show, and briefly living in Toronto while on the writing staff of 1-800-Missing. They both continue to write books, together and separately.

Laura and Melinda's new book, Sanctuary Bay, a YA thriller, is coming out in January 2016. It's set at an ultra-exclusive private school on an island. Once a student is accepted to the school, they must stay until graduation. No visits home, no contact with the outside world at all. Find out why in January!

The first four books in Melinda's new middle-grade mystery series,S.M.A.R.T.S., are out now. The books involve a group of kids in a makerspace club and they all have lots of science info. For all the cool geeks out there!

Melinda lives in Concord, NC with her dog, Scully (yes, she loves the woo-woo so much she named her dog after a kickass X-Files character). She has never regretted learning to read and write her name.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Craig.
6,355 reviews179 followers
January 23, 2024
The Rebel is the eighth book in the Roswell High series of ten books, upon which the television series was based (a quarter of a century ago!) The television iteration didn't stick as closely to the plotline after the first book, so it can be seen as an interesting alternate history story. The books were targeted for adolescent girls, and the main focus is on the angst of teen romance, but the science-fiction twist adds a bit of a fun twist. This focuses more on two characters who weren't tv cast members, Trevor (Michael's brother) and Kevin (Maria' brother). Alex is safely returned, and Kyle seems to be the big new problem. Max is working on alien stuff, and Liz is spending that time with Adam... the never-ending Liz (who's Ortecho in the books, not Parker)-Max drama continues, the Michael-Maria situation spins a bit, and they all seem to hold hands a lot, and, oh yeah, there's interplanetary stuff going on, too. It ends on less of a cliffhanger... When the television series became popular Pocket reprinted the earlier books with photographs of the cast on the covers, so the characters didn't look much like they were described, but this one was published after the show had been on for a while so this one came out with the actors' photographs.
Profile Image for Meredith .
252 reviews154 followers
August 28, 2013
*This review is a guest review I did for the blog Mel Erin & Regina Read-A-Lot. To read the original review, check it out here*

Much like Vanished, The Rebel surprised me. It was better than I expected, though some parts left much to be desired.

I still can’t get over the physical appearances of the characters in the books versus the show. Every time Max is described with blonde hair and blue eyes, I just want to cringe. Also, my mind was messing with me – I would imagine Jason Behr (the actor who played Max) with blonde hair and blue eyes… And then I kept picturing Brendan Fehr (Michael) with black hair and Colin Hanks (Alex) with red hair. Needless to say, it was kind of strange picturing these actors I knew and loved as the characters, but not looking like themselves. It shouldn’t be a big deal – Actors and appearances change all the time in book-to-movie adaptions. But for some reason, it really threw me off.

The physical appearances aside, the thing that upsets me the most, still, is the differences between television Sheriff Valenti and Kyle versus book Sheriff Valenti and Kyle. I really want to cry whenever I read about them in the books. We learned to love these characters for three years on the show, and to see the different relationship in the books… I feel dramatic saying this, but it really broke my heart.

The Collective Conscious officially freaked me out in this book. There were moments when they just took Max over, even without his permission, and during really awkward, uncomfortable moments – especially for Liz. I don’t necessarily believe they are evil, but I don’t fully trust them, either.

Adam is such a useless character. At least, he feels that way to me. He is bland and doesn’t say or do much to warrant anything. I can see the places where his character was divided into the Tess storyline and the Isabel storyline for the show. And I can absolutely see why his character was not included in the television show. His crush on Liz is unsettling, as Liz was pretty much 100% focused on Max in the show, so to have her affections stray is just… I don’t like it. Same goes with Maria and the mysterious Trevor. Maria had such a puppy-dog crush on Michael, I can’t see her straying like that.

I didn’t like or trust Trevor from the very beginning. I even thought he might have been DuPris in disguise, at first. I didn’t like him threatening Alex – who is finally home, after roughly two weeks – and I didn’t like the way he so easily swayed Michael away from his group. Michael, in the show, does not easily trust. He’s suspicious of everyone. So why didn’t he question Trevor more? Why did he so easily accept what he said as truth? His desire for family is understandable, but to the point that he would let his guard down so fully? It just wasn’t believable.

The Rosa storyline was definitely unnecessary, and I can absolutely see why it didn’t make it to the television show. Liz needs to sneak around, sneak out, and lie so much in the show to help Max, Isabel and Michael. If she had been under the kind of scrutiny her parents – her father, especially – put her under in the books, she never would have gotten away with the things she did in the show. I also just can’t picture Liz with a sibling, just as I can’t picture Maria with a sibling – it was just too much to visualize, too many differences from the show.

The two main focuses in The Rebel are: Who is Trevor, and what does he want? And who kidnapped Kevin (Maria’s little brother) and why? Both of these questions are answered at the end of the book. The ending was so mind-blowing, and it leaves so many questions unanswered. I almost couldn’t wrap my mind around what happened, or how. Melinda Metz is amazing with cliffhanger endings, and she truly does leave you eager to pick up the next book.


You can also find more from me on my blog: Pandora's Books
Profile Image for Kailey (Luminous Libro).
3,583 reviews547 followers
September 11, 2023
Michael meets an alien who claims to be his brother, but the rest of the friends have their doubts about this new alien's loyalties. Max and Liz start to lose their connection, drifting further apart as Liz and Adam become closer. Liz confronts her parents about their over-protective behavior. Maria is terrified that someone is stalking her family home.

I loved the Roswell TV show when I was a teenager, and it was so fun to rediscover this story through the books! I don't think I would have enjoyed the books now as an adult if I didn't already have the nostalgia of the TV show.

I like that the books are different than the TV show and have different plot lines. It keeps it interesting for me, and it's fun to see how the books differ from the show. The character's personalities are a little different too. Michael is way more funny and less brooding. Isabel is more haughty and proud. Alex is more confident. Max is way less calm than in the TV show. It's weird to see these different sides to their personalities.

The writing is really dorky and has all the high school tropes that you would expect from a 90s teen novel. But I don't care! I love it anyway! Most people would probably roll their eyes at the teen angst, but it just makes me laugh because I already adore the characters.

I can't wait to read more from this series!
Profile Image for Steven Betge.
66 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2025
This story had similar vibes as book #2. One of the crew is blinded by their emotion. Except this time, it's Michael.

It also featured an interesting non-alien section that focuses on Liz and her parents' relationship. I thought that was a pleasant change of pace because readers are here for these individuals' arch, not just alien survival.

There was also an "about time" moment when Maria's mom & Liz parents questioned their kids' whereabouts. For 7 books, these teens have been all over the place, at all hours of the night, and the parents have been too busy to notice.
Profile Image for Sammy.
99 reviews
March 17, 2021
Very good follow up from the last book with the happy reunion triggering the next big story arc with a new bad guy in tow. Alot more teenage angst while combining the alien elements. Main thing I've loved about these books so far is the same thing I love about shows like Buffy, or Angel. If you take away the alien or supernatural elements, the problems the characters face could be related to real life issues. This book is, again, an easy read like the previous, with a captivating cliffhanger for the ending.
Profile Image for Khione .
156 reviews38 followers
September 11, 2021
Finally finished this book. Took me a while. This book was interesting for a couple of reasons.
1. Introduction of Trevor who is Michael's Brother
2. The dynamic of Max and Liz relationship vs Adam and the consciousness
3. Liz family drama finally resolved
4. The build up of Kyle Valenti being a threat to the pod squad

So I'll go in more detail of each reason.
1. I was happy for Michael to finally have family. For all the tragedy he's endured, it was nice to explore more of their planets origins and the family challenges they face. Even more so with someone who has been on it alot longer. I liked the built up with will he be good or bad? I liked the idea of him viewing Max's connection to the consciousness as a bad thing since we have only considered it to be an ally for the aliens despite it being forced upon them so seeing that rebellion offered more ideas on whether it's needed, it's true importance and what happens to the aliens who don't die from not connecting to their akino. It was pretty sad that in the end that Trevor betrayed Michael. It would've been nice for Michael to have a brother who loved him unconditionally.

2. I'm over the consciousness. It was a nice idea in the previous books but I'm over it. It does seem like all with Max is the consciousness is his whole being now. So I fully understand that Liz would feel disgusted, isolated and frustrated with Max no longer being himself. I miss their intimacy and romance that was more evident in the tv shows. Although I was sad that Liz cheated on Max, I can understand why she would feel like Adam who follows her like a puppy dog would turn to him in her time of need. But she had Maria. It doesn't feel like they share much friendship moments in the book. I think this is the problem when there is just too many characters. I was low-key that Liz broke up with Max. Any sane woman would do the same but wished she did it without cheating on him.

3. It's been a recurring theme with Liz always being compared to Rosa so it was nice to watch Liz and her father resolve this hole in the family and work through their issues.

4. It was interesting seeing Kyle try to hunt down for the truth but it was slightly surprised that he kidnapped Kevin (Maria's brother) to do it. It wasn't needed but it provided some interesting confrontation moments. I felt for Kyle who only wanted to know what happened to his father but sad for him to learn it that way. But that's what happens when people lie to you.

I liked the ending of this book the most because of the twist. So I look forward to seeing what will happen next. It's been a long run but hopefully it'll be worth it and I can finally put these books to rest and read again maybe in 30 yrs time when I've forgotten for good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jaime K.
Author 1 book44 followers
August 6, 2022
Alex is back! And something evil seems to have followed him.
Could it possibly be Trevor, Michael's brother? Because OF COURSE there is yet another alien who comes into play!

We learn about the Kindred--aliens who don't like the one-child rule, and who don't agree with the consciousness and believe it's evil.
The consciousness is pretty freaking creepy. Max goes slack while kissing Liz. I agree that it's disgusting.

Michael is over the moon to have Trevor in his life.
Alex has a secret he brought back with him.
And Trevor does have this weird obsession with Alex...

Adam continues to be enamoured with Liz, who doesn't make things better.
Profile Image for Adric Rangel.
844 reviews29 followers
June 2, 2018
Este libro si que me ha sorprendido. Y se aleja muchísimo de la serie Roswell de la tv. Me alegro saber que finalmente Alex regreso a su casa. Seguiré leyendo lo que resta de la serie en libros, esperando ver que más sorpresas encontraré...
Profile Image for 光彩.
684 reviews
March 20, 2022
frankly my dear i didn't give a damn about this book. i hate how michael treats maria. even though i'm their biggest shipper. the synopsis is woefully inadequate
Profile Image for Kimberley Perkins.
40 reviews
April 10, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. A nice continuation for the series. A quick easy read. The books don't require too much brain power but still have some good unexpected twists.
30 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2022
Guilty pleasure. Didn't even know ot was a serialized novel set. Grew up with the show.
Profile Image for Isabella ⸙.
258 reviews17 followers
February 8, 2023
My boi Alex is back! (All I need is for Cameron to stay gone for good...)

I appreciate the realistic toll that the collective consciousness is taking on Liz and Max's relationship. It was also nice to see the Liz's conflict with her parents come to a head. Trevor's introduction was a bit sudden for me, so I hope that will be explored more in the next two books. On that note, I'm a bit wary of how all the relationship drama will be resolved satisfactorily before the series ends. But that's a different book's problem! I had a lot of fun reading this installment; it was fast-paced and I particularly enjoyed all the loose cannons. I can't wait to see which ones will explode in the next book!
Profile Image for Lucie ⋆ ☾.
485 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2025
- 3 / 5 stars

I am speed reading the books in one evening but I can’t help thinking about people picking them up when they came out and not remember shit because this literally can be read as a whole novel but if you don’t remember much you don’t understand 😂

I think I would have been obsessed if I had read these as a kid… the 90s vibe are magical and this is so teen drama I can picture me reading this at 12 and being OBSESSED

They truly made all of them extra horny

The talks about kissing girls and tongue less or not kisses… high school top convo

Not mush happens here expect Micheal has a brother who is called Trevor and he kidnapps Maria’s little brother Kevin ( who does not exist in the series)

Seriously they have no time to rest in those books it just shit after the Other

Why would Kyle kidnap Kevin ?

Freaking Czechoslovakian
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Felicia.
576 reviews38 followers
January 2, 2016
Profile Image for Sal Niner.
19 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2012

Preliminary thoughts *SPOILERS*:

The Rebel is Michael Guerin.

Liz faces a number of major changes in this story. Max and Liz break up due to the consciousness invading their relationship. Liz kisses Adam and becomes closer to him (can't help but think that this is somehow parallel to how Max and Tess got together in the television series). Liz and her family talk about her dead sister Rosa for the first time, all after the build-up of pressure and tension they all feel because Liz's father wants to keep her under constant surveillance in his fear that Liz will end up like Rosa in a drug overdose death.

Alex returns, only with the help from the Stone of Midnight he was able to obtain while on the aliens' home planet. He discovers his father is part of Project Clean Slate but does not get told how the organization works.

Kyle's stalking on the group continues and goes as far as him kidnapping Maria's brother, Kevin; who the group rescues at the end of this story.

Michael meets his brother Trevor, who came through the wormhole along with Alex when he returned to Earth. We learn that Trevor is Michael's older brother whom their parents hid because of the "no-birthing-more-than-one" "rule" on their home planet. There are suspicions about Trevor, which only intensify when Kevin gets kidnapped. Though Trevor has gone through his akino, it seems he did not connect to the consciousness. He says that the consciousness is a liar (one doesn't need to connect to it to live) and evil; we start to wonder if it isn't manipulating Max by being connected the way he is.

Who is really the bad guy here? Trevor or the Consciousness? And if it's the latter, how will Max get rid of it? Can he? As for the Stone of Midnight, why does Trevor want it? Why does the consciousness, really? Let's hope The Dark One answers these questions...

I reserve the right to edit, including add more to, this review in the future.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Linda Jaejoong.
577 reviews6 followers
January 6, 2017
Die Inhaltsangabe auf der Rückseite des Buches hätten sie ruhig weglassen können. Das meiste was erwähnt wird passiert erst auf den letzten ca. 30 Seiten des Buches. Man freut sich auf die Dinge die kommen, aber nein sie passieren erst am Ende des Buches. Das hat mich sehr enttäuscht, da es ja auch erst im nächsten Band weiter geht. Ab besten ihr lest erst gar nicht die Inhaltsangabe und lasst euch einfach überraschen.

Ich hab mich so für Michael gefreut. Endlich ist er nicht mehr alleine. Er und Trevor sind so toll zusammen. Schade das er in der TV Serie nicht vorkam. Die Brüder sind sich sehr ähnlich und dadurch mochte ich Trevor auch gleich von Anfang an. Michael und Maria haben zwar nur wenig Szenen im Buch, aber sie kommen sich endlich wieder näher. Es wäre so toll wenn Trevor sie auch gut finden würde und Michael dadurch Eifersüchtig werden würde.

Ich habe ein klein wenig angst um Max. Diese Wesen sind mir nicht geheuer. Sie machen ihn so anders. Dadurch leidet auch seine Beziehung zu Liz, die sich dadurch immer mehr Adam zuwendet. Der arme Adam tut mir jetzt schon leid. Ich finde ihn so knuffig. Er verdient ein glückliches Leben. Alex ist endlich wieder da und ich hoffe er hat aus seinen Eskapaden mit Isabel gelernt. Er verdient jemand besseres.

Fazit: Band 8 war spannend, sehr witzig und einfach nur typisch Roswell. Die Figuren entwickeln sich stätig weiter und es macht Spaß, ihnen dabei zu zu sehen.
53 reviews
Read
December 17, 2012
Goodreads Synopsis:

Blood brothers... Michael has finally found the one thing he always yearned for -- family. When his brother Trevor arrives in Roswell, Michael will do anything to please him. But soon Trevor's loyalties come into question -- and Michael is caught in the cross fire.

Maria's little brother has disappeared and she knows the kidnappers are trying to get to her and her friends. Devastated and guilt-ridden, Maria turns to Michael for help. But will he be there for her, or has Michael himself become the enemy?
Profile Image for Evie.
194 reviews
July 31, 2012
Oh poor Michael. I don't know that I believe that Trevor is bad though. They should have seen Kyle coming. What is UP with Max? O_o I'm still wondering how the whole Adam/Max thing will play out. Of course I'm definitely voting for Max and Liz but Adam is such a sweet kid...he deserves to be happy too! And they definitely need to fix whatever is wrong with Max straight away! I can't believe there's only 2 books left! :(
Profile Image for Katie Jauncey.
23 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2012
These books are rated more for teens, and I read the Roswell series when I was about 15 ..... but I still really love reading them now. They're written in an easily worded way so that if you want something quick and easy to read, they're perfect ..... I love the whole series :)
Profile Image for Claire.
590 reviews
November 27, 2014
I last read this when I was about 14 or 15 and can still remember the plotline, so I think that's pretty telling. Loved these books in middle school and am debating whether or not it would be humiliating to check them out of the library again as an adult now that I've been reminded of them...
Profile Image for Kat.
41 reviews
July 10, 2008
Once again, it's as if the more Metz wrote the books, the better her plots became. I didn't feel as if I was reading fan fiction as much in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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