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Roswell (Simon Spotlight Entertainment) #5
A New Beginning
Facing an unknown future
As Max, Michael, Isabel. Liz, Maria, and Kyle pile into their van and leave Roswell behind, they are each hoping for positive experiences - or at least something different from most of the events of the past three years. After all, their high school years were anything but typical - the whole alien experience has nearly cost them their lives, again and again. Still, they know that taking charge of their destinies and deciding to make a positive difference in the world has empowered them all.
But it isn't long before Liz sees a vision of future destruction, and the group realizes by leaving Roswell they have changed history, and not necessarily for the better. When they end up in a town where young girls are disappearing, it quickly becomes clear that their lives beyond Roswell will be anything but easy...
As Max, Michael, Isabel. Liz, Maria, and Kyle pile into their van and leave Roswell behind, they are each hoping for positive experiences - or at least something different from most of the events of the past three years. After all, their high school years were anything but typical - the whole alien experience has nearly cost them their lives, again and again. Still, they know that taking charge of their destinies and deciding to make a positive difference in the world has empowered them all.
But it isn't long before Liz sees a vision of future destruction, and the group realizes by leaving Roswell they have changed history, and not necessarily for the better. When they end up in a town where young girls are disappearing, it quickly becomes clear that their lives beyond Roswell will be anything but easy...
238 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Ryan
125 books21 followersKevin Ryan is an American writer of many Star Trek books and one episode. He has also written comic books and the novelization of the movie Van Helsing. He lives in New York with his wife and children.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 5, 2023
As the title promises, this book begins shortly after the end of the final episode of the television series upon which it's based and offers a new beginning to the six Roswell refugees. It's a stop-along-the-way story, as their van breaks down and they have an adventure with some interesting guest-stars in a secluded small town. The book has some typesetting errors which leads you to believe that the publisher didn't put too much effort into the project, but it's an enjoyable story. Liz resumes keeping her journal, there are some mysterious alien shenanigans, and the good-natured kids risk themselves to help young people in trouble. What's not to like? It's fanfic, but very well done.
April 23, 2010
I brought this book because I was disappointed when the TV series ended and didn't answer all my nagging question of what happened to my favortie Roswell characters and this book satisified my curiousity well until the next book came out. This book picks up where the TV series finale leaves off. For those who loved the Roswell TV series and were disappointed when was cancelled this is a MUST read.
Want to read
April 29, 2014If this book series wasn't impossible to find, $70 brand new, or no longer available in every library within a 50 mile radius of me (Yes, I wold drive 50 miles to borrow anything Roswell...I'm that obsessed), I would be reading this right now.
December 20, 2021
I read this because I love the show and characters and wanted to see the story continue where it left off.
I appreciate a lot of what was set up here, but feel some of the storylines were pretty lack luster and even slightly off character at times.
The overall “plot” with the aliens at the end made little to no sense honestly and was definitely the worst/weakest part of the book, taking it down a star.
I’m still deciding if I’ll read the next book or not. If I want more of the series I can honestly find much better fanfiction.
I appreciate a lot of what was set up here, but feel some of the storylines were pretty lack luster and even slightly off character at times.
The overall “plot” with the aliens at the end made little to no sense honestly and was definitely the worst/weakest part of the book, taking it down a star.
I’m still deciding if I’ll read the next book or not. If I want more of the series I can honestly find much better fanfiction.
March 1, 2011
great book
August 29, 2012
If you watched the series and felt it ended way to soon. these three books give you closer to the series
March 14, 2019
A great beginning to the four book story arc that tells what happened to the Roswell gang after they left their hometown in the show's final episode. It picks up only a couple of hours after the show left off, and as typically happens in stories about a road trip, their van breaks down in a town that is facing troubles that make them innately distrustful of outsiders.
In terms of plot, this particular novel reads like a standalone adventure. Almost like the pilot episode of a spin off. The gang is only in the town for this one book, but we are introduced to some interesting characters and given almost a similar set of scenic backdrops as would have been familiar in the show -- a diner, a mechanic's shop, and a room with cramped quarters (which I kept picturing as Michael's apartment living room, just with different furniture.) The bad guys, who are extraterrestrial in origin, are interesting, but only make up a total of maybe 50 pages of the story and are rather "big overture, little show." We are never told why they abducted the women of the town or what exactly they had planned to do with them, and they don't stick around long enough to make more than a vague impression on the reader. It will be interesting to see if they reappear during the three remaining books or if they're just McGuffins.
There is also a disconnect between this book and the previous books in the Roswell season 3 book series. For one, the opening conversation revolves around Max discovering Liz's introduction to Future Max and the disturbing future that Liz had been trying to save them all from in s02. But that is a conversation that occurred between Max and Liz in the final pages of the previous Roswell novel, "Quarantine." This book, however, ignores that conversation completely. (I guess only the show is considered true canon for these four remaining books.) It was also a bit of emotional whiplash to go from four books where Max is worrying about his son to Max not thinking about his son at all (though that has to do with the fact that they closed out that particular story line in the show in the penultimate episode.) At least I finally get some books where Max truly seems to love Liz; it's not just a thought he keeps having, but is something that he enacts. As a person who still considers Max x Liz an OTP (even almost 17 years later), it makes me really happy to read a book where they're not bogged down by destiny!angst.
A strong beginning to what I hope will be a story good enough that I will regret that we never got to see it onscreen.
In terms of plot, this particular novel reads like a standalone adventure. Almost like the pilot episode of a spin off. The gang is only in the town for this one book, but we are introduced to some interesting characters and given almost a similar set of scenic backdrops as would have been familiar in the show -- a diner, a mechanic's shop, and a room with cramped quarters (which I kept picturing as Michael's apartment living room, just with different furniture.) The bad guys, who are extraterrestrial in origin, are interesting, but only make up a total of maybe 50 pages of the story and are rather "big overture, little show." We are never told why they abducted the women of the town or what exactly they had planned to do with them, and they don't stick around long enough to make more than a vague impression on the reader. It will be interesting to see if they reappear during the three remaining books or if they're just McGuffins.
There is also a disconnect between this book and the previous books in the Roswell season 3 book series. For one, the opening conversation revolves around Max discovering Liz's introduction to Future Max and the disturbing future that Liz had been trying to save them all from in s02. But that is a conversation that occurred between Max and Liz in the final pages of the previous Roswell novel, "Quarantine." This book, however, ignores that conversation completely. (I guess only the show is considered true canon for these four remaining books.) It was also a bit of emotional whiplash to go from four books where Max is worrying about his son to Max not thinking about his son at all (though that has to do with the fact that they closed out that particular story line in the show in the penultimate episode.) At least I finally get some books where Max truly seems to love Liz; it's not just a thought he keeps having, but is something that he enacts. As a person who still considers Max x Liz an OTP (even almost 17 years later), it makes me really happy to read a book where they're not bogged down by destiny!angst.
A strong beginning to what I hope will be a story good enough that I will regret that we never got to see it onscreen.
February 19, 2022
I’ve read that a lot of people think this book is mediocre because of the villainous aliens being somewhat vague. But isn’t that the case in the show as well? I thought for what it’s worth, this was a good continuation starter. It was pretty believable, and I loved that everyone had something to do. Kyle was a big part of this book too which I loved seeing, especially his inner dialogue about Isabel and how he felt about being important to the group. I also loved the changes we start to see in Michael- I always thought that had the show continued we’d start to see him mellow out.
Max kind of continues to boss everyone around without even thinking about it. I love the boy but I really wish he’d take up a better ruling method. I did agree with him and Michael though. Jesse was never the one for Isabel. I think she rushed that relationship to try and have some normalcy and to do something that didn’t involve Max. But we never saw any genuine connection or chemistry. I’m curious to see what the next books will say about their relationship. Overall though, a great little story!
Max kind of continues to boss everyone around without even thinking about it. I love the boy but I really wish he’d take up a better ruling method. I did agree with him and Michael though. Jesse was never the one for Isabel. I think she rushed that relationship to try and have some normalcy and to do something that didn’t involve Max. But we never saw any genuine connection or chemistry. I’m curious to see what the next books will say about their relationship. Overall though, a great little story!
May 1, 2025
Was excited to read this as a fan of the show.
However I'm basing my review on the writing and less on the story which was okay though even in sci-fi fantasy it is pushing the realms of possibility to happen across more aliens.
The writing style was good my issue was with continuity in the earlier part of the book which could have put me of from reading the book further. Actually, I'm sure I had read the book up to the moment when cash amounts were being used and missed the amount of money they paid to tow their van seemed ridiculous to me.
However I pushed through and there are a number of editing mistakes. Grammar mistakes or just using a word that doesn't flow with the sentence became more prominent nearing the end of the novel.
With how rare these books become, you are paying a lot more than I'd ever spend on a physical book just to own it because I love Roswell. Not worth the money.
However I'm basing my review on the writing and less on the story which was okay though even in sci-fi fantasy it is pushing the realms of possibility to happen across more aliens.
The writing style was good my issue was with continuity in the earlier part of the book which could have put me of from reading the book further. Actually, I'm sure I had read the book up to the moment when cash amounts were being used and missed the amount of money they paid to tow their van seemed ridiculous to me.
However I pushed through and there are a number of editing mistakes. Grammar mistakes or just using a word that doesn't flow with the sentence became more prominent nearing the end of the novel.
With how rare these books become, you are paying a lot more than I'd ever spend on a physical book just to own it because I love Roswell. Not worth the money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2017
The three Roswell aliens and their friends have left Roswell for good. When the van breaks down, they are stuck in a town suffering from a rash of mysterious abductions. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing how the team works together to solve the mystery while dealing with their own personal dramas.
July 14, 2020
Is this real?
How did this get published? It’s not edited at all. The paragraphs are non-existent. There are pages missing. What is going on here? The story is okay, but all the other issues really really detract from it.
How did this get published? It’s not edited at all. The paragraphs are non-existent. There are pages missing. What is going on here? The story is okay, but all the other issues really really detract from it.
October 11, 2018
I am on my way to finding out the last few stories from Roswell. This was a great start can't wait to read the next book.
September 23, 2021
Lots of typos, and the action only really happened in the last few pages, then was dispatched with super easy. Hoping for more from this last quartet of Roswell books.
April 10, 2025
Kinda short but good pace.
January 1, 2016
Das Buch beginnt wo die Serie endete, in einem Van auf der Suche nach einem neuen Leben. Max, Michael, Isabel, Liz, Maria, und Kyle haben Roswell hinter sich gelassen als neue Probleme auftreten. Der Van indem sie unterwegs sind ist alt und hat seine besten Jahre schon hinter sich. Sie müssen in dem kleinen Ort Stonewall einen ungewollten Stop einlegen. Als dort plötzlich ein Junges Mädchen spurlos verschwindet merken sie das etwas grausames in Stonewall geschieht.
Ich liebe die Serie, also musste ich natürlich auch wissen wie es weiter geht. Es ist interessant zu sehen was die 6 auf ihrer Flucht alles erleben und wie sich ihre Charakter verändern, beziehungsweise wie sie sich weiter entwickeln. Es war schön zu sehen das die Figuren wie in der Serie waren und man seine Lieblinge wieder gefunden hat.
Es passiert nicht wirklich viel im Buch und die Reise geht sehr schleppend voran. Man vermisst ein bisschen die Interaktion untereinander. Mir hat einfach stark die Pärchen Kommunikation gefehlt und auch ein bisschen die Tiefe. Die Figuren wurden vom Charakter nur oberflächlich angekratzt und das fand ich sehr schade.
Auch wurden lose Enden vom Staffel Finale nicht aufgegriffen. Wo steht die Beziehung von Maria und Michael, er hat schließlich alles für sie aufgegeben? Ist Liz wirklich über Tess hinweg und was genau sind ihre neuen Fähigkeiten? Wie sieht es in Isabel nach ihrer Trennung von Jesse aus? Und wird Kyle auch Fähigkeiten erlangen?
Fazit: Das Buch war zeitweise sehr spannend, aber leider auch oft langatmig und ein wenig langweilig. Es sind viele Fragen offen geblieben , aber zum Glück gibt es ja noch drei Folgebände. Ich hoffe wirklich das Band 2 ein bisschen mehr Spannung bereit hält und das wir mehr von den Pärchen zu sehen bekommen, sie wurden ja schon in der Serie oft stark vernachlässigt.
Ich liebe die Serie, also musste ich natürlich auch wissen wie es weiter geht. Es ist interessant zu sehen was die 6 auf ihrer Flucht alles erleben und wie sich ihre Charakter verändern, beziehungsweise wie sie sich weiter entwickeln. Es war schön zu sehen das die Figuren wie in der Serie waren und man seine Lieblinge wieder gefunden hat.
Es passiert nicht wirklich viel im Buch und die Reise geht sehr schleppend voran. Man vermisst ein bisschen die Interaktion untereinander. Mir hat einfach stark die Pärchen Kommunikation gefehlt und auch ein bisschen die Tiefe. Die Figuren wurden vom Charakter nur oberflächlich angekratzt und das fand ich sehr schade.
Auch wurden lose Enden vom Staffel Finale nicht aufgegriffen. Wo steht die Beziehung von Maria und Michael, er hat schließlich alles für sie aufgegeben? Ist Liz wirklich über Tess hinweg und was genau sind ihre neuen Fähigkeiten? Wie sieht es in Isabel nach ihrer Trennung von Jesse aus? Und wird Kyle auch Fähigkeiten erlangen?
Fazit: Das Buch war zeitweise sehr spannend, aber leider auch oft langatmig und ein wenig langweilig. Es sind viele Fragen offen geblieben , aber zum Glück gibt es ja noch drei Folgebände. Ich hoffe wirklich das Band 2 ein bisschen mehr Spannung bereit hält und das wir mehr von den Pärchen zu sehen bekommen, sie wurden ja schon in der Serie oft stark vernachlässigt.
May 11, 2013
A must read for Roswell fans. I skipped right to this book because it left off where the show ended. This book does great at picking up where they left off, I still felt like I was watching an episode even though I was reading. It is giving me the rest of the story that I felt I needed. Very excited to read the next book.
Read
September 16, 2013I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was good to know what happened to them after season 3 of the TV Series....that kind of left you hanging thinking is that it....so i went on line and found a whole Roswell book series which i read them all and found that this was my favourite. It had everything romance, suspence, humour and tears. everything i love in a good read,,,,
August 13, 2021
Roswell is one of all-time favorite series ever. When the books started being written/sold, I was so excited. Once upon a time, I had them all, but lost them in a move...now I'm collecting them all over again...I haven't read this book in 20 years, and it was great fun to read it again.
May 16, 2010
I feel I have to justify - I wanted to find out how it ends since they cancelled after season three leaving a major cliff hanger.
The ending of this book was awful.
The ending of this book was awful.
July 24, 2016
If you liked Roswell the tv show, then you'll love this book because it takes off right from where the show left off. I'm a fan, so I enjoyed it.
September 15, 2014
This book could have given me more but I'm just glad that I can finish this series.
April 10, 2016
After Roswell was cancelled I was very upset. However with this book and the three that followed I was able to live with Max and Liz for a few more adventures.
March 15, 2016
Excellent. I re-read it every year after I watch the series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews