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Firefly #4
Generations
The fourth original novel tying into the critically acclaimed and much-missed Firefly series from creator Joss Whedon.
Mal wins an old map in a card game. Ancient and written in impenetrable symbols, the former owner insists it's worthless. Yet River Tam can read it, and says it leads to one of the Arks, legendary ships that brought humans from Earth-that-was to the 'Verse. The salvage potential alone is staggering. But the closer they get to the ancient ship, the more agitated River becomes. She says something is waiting inside, something powerful, and very angry...
Mal wins an old map in a card game. Ancient and written in impenetrable symbols, the former owner insists it's worthless. Yet River Tam can read it, and says it leads to one of the Arks, legendary ships that brought humans from Earth-that-was to the 'Verse. The salvage potential alone is staggering. But the closer they get to the ancient ship, the more agitated River becomes. She says something is waiting inside, something powerful, and very angry...
Audible Audio
First published October 13, 2020
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About the author
Tim Lebbon
294 books1,534 followersI love writing, reading, triathlon, real ale, chocolate, good movies, occasional bad movies, and cake.
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
February 19, 2024
The fourth continuation novel following on the demise of the FOX tv series Firefly. Which was a western in space essentially, and a series that lasted way too short hence the movie as closure and now than the books of which this one takes place before the movie Serenity.
Mal wins a map in a game of cards which catches River Tams interest. It looks like a map to one of the generation ships from Earth-that-was. And the loot from such a vessel would enrich them a lot.
So they leave for deel space where the shop would be located with River as their guide. She knows something is calling her and is anxious to find this treasure from mankinds past.
When they discover the lifeless shop they discover that this ship has found a different use for the Alliance. River comes face to face with the past of the project she has been saved from by her brother Simon.
The crew of Serenity and of an Alliance cruiser are in the fight of their lives.
This novel actually has the fun and fear from the tv series and is well written. The story lacks 2 characters who are off doing their thing while the rest of the crew are of treasure hunting. A great story for the fans of Firefly who never wanten the show cancelled and now can continue to enjoy their hero's. And have a wee bit of fun too.
Mal wins a map in a game of cards which catches River Tams interest. It looks like a map to one of the generation ships from Earth-that-was. And the loot from such a vessel would enrich them a lot.
So they leave for deel space where the shop would be located with River as their guide. She knows something is calling her and is anxious to find this treasure from mankinds past.
When they discover the lifeless shop they discover that this ship has found a different use for the Alliance. River comes face to face with the past of the project she has been saved from by her brother Simon.
The crew of Serenity and of an Alliance cruiser are in the fight of their lives.
This novel actually has the fun and fear from the tv series and is well written. The story lacks 2 characters who are off doing their thing while the rest of the crew are of treasure hunting. A great story for the fans of Firefly who never wanten the show cancelled and now can continue to enjoy their hero's. And have a wee bit of fun too.
January 16, 2022
Generations
(Firefly #4)
by Tim Lebbon
This book has the Captain winning a strange map from a card game which gets the attention of the Alliance rebels. The map is also catnip for River. Only she can make sense of it. Where it leads the crew is somewhere they really shouldn't be!
The characters didn't seem as developed in this book as the others. I felt it was a story about them but I wasn't there like books 1 and 2. It was still a very exciting story.
I listened to the audio version.
(Firefly #4)
by Tim Lebbon
This book has the Captain winning a strange map from a card game which gets the attention of the Alliance rebels. The map is also catnip for River. Only she can make sense of it. Where it leads the crew is somewhere they really shouldn't be!
The characters didn't seem as developed in this book as the others. I felt it was a story about them but I wasn't there like books 1 and 2. It was still a very exciting story.
I listened to the audio version.
December 4, 2021
5 Stars for Firefly: Generations (Firefly #4) by Tim Lebbon and Joss Whedon.
I’m so glad that authors haven’t forgotten about Firefly. The characters and story are really special to me and I think this author did a great job of writing in this universe. This story could have easily been in the second season.
I’m so glad that authors haven’t forgotten about Firefly. The characters and story are really special to me and I think this author did a great job of writing in this universe. This story could have easily been in the second season.
June 23, 2021
I thought this was easily the best of the Firefly novels so far. After seeing what a competent author can do, I'll probably skip the rest of the James Lovegrove novels. There were only a couple of things that felt a little off; Kaylee and Zoe both referred to Mal as Mal, instead of Captain and Sir, respectively, but that's a pretty minor nitpick.
We finally got to see more of Wash and River, both characters have been criminally underused in the first few Firefly novels. The best part of setting the novels before Serenity is that Wash is alive but up until now, his roles have been minimal. Actually, everyone other than Book and Inara, both are absent for most of the book, are pretty evenly represented.
We finally got to see more of Wash and River, both characters have been criminally underused in the first few Firefly novels. The best part of setting the novels before Serenity is that Wash is alive but up until now, his roles have been minimal. Actually, everyone other than Book and Inara, both are absent for most of the book, are pretty evenly represented.
April 7, 2023
3.5 Stars
As per the blurb, when Mal wins a mysterious map during a card game, the gang decides to take a chance on seeing where it leads, especially since River is the only one who can decipher it. It’s not surprising that for the Firefly crew, nothing can ever be a simple grab and go.
Despite a potential treasure trove of historic relics to be taken, what’s also found is an Alliance secret that should remain hidden away for forever, lest all humanity perish. Delving more into River’s thoughts, the agenda of the Alliance, and the mysterious Hands of Blue henchmen, this definitely lends more insight to canon lore.
My only complaint - if you could call it that - was not much really happens in the grand scheme of things. No doubt there’s plenty of life threatening situations for each character and gory violence that is very par for the course, but I found motive, thoughts, and reveals repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed this because how could I not? Of note, the first 3 books in this series were written by a different author and I can easily say that because these characters are so well drawn from the TV series and movie, that the spirit of Serenity continues to be captured, and Tim Lebbon’s entry here is no different!
As per the blurb, when Mal wins a mysterious map during a card game, the gang decides to take a chance on seeing where it leads, especially since River is the only one who can decipher it. It’s not surprising that for the Firefly crew, nothing can ever be a simple grab and go.
Despite a potential treasure trove of historic relics to be taken, what’s also found is an Alliance secret that should remain hidden away for forever, lest all humanity perish. Delving more into River’s thoughts, the agenda of the Alliance, and the mysterious Hands of Blue henchmen, this definitely lends more insight to canon lore.
My only complaint - if you could call it that - was not much really happens in the grand scheme of things. No doubt there’s plenty of life threatening situations for each character and gory violence that is very par for the course, but I found motive, thoughts, and reveals repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed this because how could I not? Of note, the first 3 books in this series were written by a different author and I can easily say that because these characters are so well drawn from the TV series and movie, that the spirit of Serenity continues to be captured, and Tim Lebbon’s entry here is no different!
September 26, 2021
Šis bija tā okeish. Kaut kā tai visā pietrūka, it kā gana izklaidējoši, bet drusku pavirši, kā 10.+ sezona, kad tikai kārtējais piedzīvojums, bez īpašas iedvesmas.
February 16, 2022
Rating of 4.5.
Over the last couple of years, there has been a resurgence of tie-in fiction around the Firefly television series, such as a new range of comics that was released by Boom! However, the tie-in fiction I have been enjoying the most has been the excellent Firefly novels released by Titan Books. I have so far had the great pleasure of reading and reviewing the first three novels in the series, Big Damn Hero, The Magnificent Nine and The Ghost Machine. All three of these Firefly novels have been extremely fun to read and The Ghost Machine was one of my favourite books from the first half of 2020. As a result, I have been eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series, Firefly: Generations by bestselling author Tim Lebbon. Lebbon is an intriguing author who has been writing since the late 1990s across a variety of different genres. Not only has he written several of his own novels and series, including Coldbrook, Relics and the Toxic City series, but he also authored an impressive amount of tie-in fiction, including a Star Wars novel, the official novelisation of The Cabin in the Woods and, most notably, the Rage Wars series, which encompassed both the Predator and Alien franchises. Generations is the author’s first foray into the Firefly universe and it was originally set for release last year, before being temporarily delayed. However, it was well worth the wait as this new novel from Lebbon is an extremely good Firefly tie-in novel that sees the crew of the Serenity embark on another dangerous adventure in space.
Set between the events of the television show and the Serenity movie, Generations sees the crew of Serenity once again low on cash after another poor job. Hoping to turn their fortunes around by visiting a backwater planet with some potential smuggling jobs, the crew are disappointed by a lack of work. However, an intriguing new opportunity presents itself when Mal wins a mysterious and seemingly unreadable map from an old mercenary.
While initially sceptical of its worth, Mal is convinced he may have something when a rival group of smugglers attack the crew, desperate to retrieve the map. Curious, the crew investigate further and find that their wayward psychic, River Tam, can read the map and believes that it leads to an abandoned Generation ship, one of the massive vessels that brought humans to this galaxy from Earth-that-was. With the potential for priceless salvage too much to resist, Mal and his crew decide to follow the map out into deep space, hoping for a miracle.
Arriving at the coordinates indicated on their map, they find the wreck of the Generation ship exactly where expected and loaded with valuables. However, the ship appears to have been recently visited by the Alliance, who have made some surprising modifications to it. Even worse, the closer they get to the ship the more animated River becomes, convinced that something is waiting for them. Ignoring River’s cryptic warnings, Mal leads a team aboard, but what they find will haunt them to the end of their days. Something extremely dangerous has awakened on the ship, and it is very, very angry!
To see the full review, click the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/11/30/...
For more exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Over the last couple of years, there has been a resurgence of tie-in fiction around the Firefly television series, such as a new range of comics that was released by Boom! However, the tie-in fiction I have been enjoying the most has been the excellent Firefly novels released by Titan Books. I have so far had the great pleasure of reading and reviewing the first three novels in the series, Big Damn Hero, The Magnificent Nine and The Ghost Machine. All three of these Firefly novels have been extremely fun to read and The Ghost Machine was one of my favourite books from the first half of 2020. As a result, I have been eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series, Firefly: Generations by bestselling author Tim Lebbon. Lebbon is an intriguing author who has been writing since the late 1990s across a variety of different genres. Not only has he written several of his own novels and series, including Coldbrook, Relics and the Toxic City series, but he also authored an impressive amount of tie-in fiction, including a Star Wars novel, the official novelisation of The Cabin in the Woods and, most notably, the Rage Wars series, which encompassed both the Predator and Alien franchises. Generations is the author’s first foray into the Firefly universe and it was originally set for release last year, before being temporarily delayed. However, it was well worth the wait as this new novel from Lebbon is an extremely good Firefly tie-in novel that sees the crew of the Serenity embark on another dangerous adventure in space.
Set between the events of the television show and the Serenity movie, Generations sees the crew of Serenity once again low on cash after another poor job. Hoping to turn their fortunes around by visiting a backwater planet with some potential smuggling jobs, the crew are disappointed by a lack of work. However, an intriguing new opportunity presents itself when Mal wins a mysterious and seemingly unreadable map from an old mercenary.
While initially sceptical of its worth, Mal is convinced he may have something when a rival group of smugglers attack the crew, desperate to retrieve the map. Curious, the crew investigate further and find that their wayward psychic, River Tam, can read the map and believes that it leads to an abandoned Generation ship, one of the massive vessels that brought humans to this galaxy from Earth-that-was. With the potential for priceless salvage too much to resist, Mal and his crew decide to follow the map out into deep space, hoping for a miracle.
Arriving at the coordinates indicated on their map, they find the wreck of the Generation ship exactly where expected and loaded with valuables. However, the ship appears to have been recently visited by the Alliance, who have made some surprising modifications to it. Even worse, the closer they get to the ship the more animated River becomes, convinced that something is waiting for them. Ignoring River’s cryptic warnings, Mal leads a team aboard, but what they find will haunt them to the end of their days. Something extremely dangerous has awakened on the ship, and it is very, very angry!
To see the full review, click the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/11/30/...
For more exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
October 9, 2021
Firefly: Generations begins with the story of a map. This star map changes hands many times, through treachery or happenstance, but this is no mere map, and those who take it into their possession seem to somehow recognize that fact without being fully conscious of it.
The truth of the map only reveals itself when it finds its way into the hands of River Tam, where hidden machinery embedded in the material activates. From there, we find ourselves following most of Serenity's crew into the outer reaches of the verse, where deadly secrets await them amidst an awe-inspiring relic of the history before mankind reached their new homes on the planets and moons the Firefly crew is familiar with.
This novel falls somewhere after the prematurely canceled television series, though before Inara and Book had permanently left the crew and retired to the locations where we meet them again in the movie Serenity.
Tim Lebbon takes the helm in this fourth Firefly novel, telling us a story that fills in gaps in the mystery that is the life of River Tam, the secret experiments conducted by Alliance scientists, and the centuries-past journey from Earth that was. Generations is a far different tale than those contained in the three previous Firefly novels, focusing on the more science fiction elements of the property rather than on the land-based adventures of the crew. It's a nice transition, receiving this glimpse into the less western-themed exploits of Serenity and the family that calls her home.
Foster's narration seems only to be improving with each subsequent audiobook release. As he more firmly captures the nuances and patterns of speech for the individual characters, one could almost close their eyes and envision the cast playing their parts.
The truth of the map only reveals itself when it finds its way into the hands of River Tam, where hidden machinery embedded in the material activates. From there, we find ourselves following most of Serenity's crew into the outer reaches of the verse, where deadly secrets await them amidst an awe-inspiring relic of the history before mankind reached their new homes on the planets and moons the Firefly crew is familiar with.
This novel falls somewhere after the prematurely canceled television series, though before Inara and Book had permanently left the crew and retired to the locations where we meet them again in the movie Serenity.
Tim Lebbon takes the helm in this fourth Firefly novel, telling us a story that fills in gaps in the mystery that is the life of River Tam, the secret experiments conducted by Alliance scientists, and the centuries-past journey from Earth that was. Generations is a far different tale than those contained in the three previous Firefly novels, focusing on the more science fiction elements of the property rather than on the land-based adventures of the crew. It's a nice transition, receiving this glimpse into the less western-themed exploits of Serenity and the family that calls her home.
Foster's narration seems only to be improving with each subsequent audiobook release. As he more firmly captures the nuances and patterns of speech for the individual characters, one could almost close their eyes and envision the cast playing their parts.
November 14, 2020
Must read!
This was the best Firefly story I’ve read so far. It was a fascinating and original concept: another being like River...only, maybe not, and a derelict old generation ship from Earth-That-Was. It was so well written, I had a hard time taking a break. Kudos, Tim Lebbon!
This was the best Firefly story I’ve read so far. It was a fascinating and original concept: another being like River...only, maybe not, and a derelict old generation ship from Earth-That-Was. It was so well written, I had a hard time taking a break. Kudos, Tim Lebbon!
December 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this story focusing on River
February 12, 2021
I enjoyed this novel from the series tie-ins to the Firefly show. It reads very much like an episode from the show. I love this series as well as the comic books that are being published as well. My only complaint about this novel is: when did Malcolm Reynolds become a safe cracker? There’s nothing I’ve read that shares his affinity for this skill.
November 14, 2020
Some said The Ghost Machine was the low point of the series but I think this was. It just didn't grip me like the others.
January 31, 2022
I am (and probably always will be) a little biased toward anything Firefly.
I have so much love for these characters and the 'Verse they belong to, that no matter the quality of the story, I am predisposed to enjoy it at least a little. Luckily with this series of Firefly novels, whomever the author, the quality is always high and there is always some element that hooks me and keeps me enjoying my time with it.
*Spoiler-Free*
In Generations, the crew of Serenity find themselves a space chart, and coordinates to a potential treasure trove of old "Earth-That-Was" loot - only what they find, probably predictably, isn't what they are expecting.
I'll admit, it's not the most imaginative premise, but it's engaging enough and it gives the characters a chance to really be themselves. Much like with Lovegrove's work with them in these books, the characters are by far the strongest element. As with most of the episodes of the show, not all characters are present here, both Shepherd Book and Inara sit this one out.
But everyone else is present and my gosh do they come alive. Kaylee and Jayne are paired up during a large portion of the book, including the climax, and having those two interact more together is fantastic. They are definitely a pair of characters that weren't given enough of a relationship on-screen before the show was scrapped.
River plays arguably the biggest role in this book. Without wanting to spoil anything, we get more information as to her history and experience at the Institute and with the creepy fellas with "blue hands", we come to understand her psychology a bit better and are given some frame of reference regarding her powers and how she uses them.
Take from that what you will.
But yes, the story has plenty of action, great pacing and a host of the trademark wholesome moments we all know and love from this series. Generations leans much harder into the Sci-Fi side of Firefly's DNA, setting it apart from the Western inspired/styled stories we see more frequently from Serenity and her crew.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Life Signs!
-
Thank you for reading my review.
There is still plenty of Firefly out there for me to consume, both prose and graphic. I'm not done with the 'Verse yet, not by a long shot!
I have so much love for these characters and the 'Verse they belong to, that no matter the quality of the story, I am predisposed to enjoy it at least a little. Luckily with this series of Firefly novels, whomever the author, the quality is always high and there is always some element that hooks me and keeps me enjoying my time with it.
*Spoiler-Free*
In Generations, the crew of Serenity find themselves a space chart, and coordinates to a potential treasure trove of old "Earth-That-Was" loot - only what they find, probably predictably, isn't what they are expecting.
I'll admit, it's not the most imaginative premise, but it's engaging enough and it gives the characters a chance to really be themselves. Much like with Lovegrove's work with them in these books, the characters are by far the strongest element. As with most of the episodes of the show, not all characters are present here, both Shepherd Book and Inara sit this one out.
But everyone else is present and my gosh do they come alive. Kaylee and Jayne are paired up during a large portion of the book, including the climax, and having those two interact more together is fantastic. They are definitely a pair of characters that weren't given enough of a relationship on-screen before the show was scrapped.
River plays arguably the biggest role in this book. Without wanting to spoil anything, we get more information as to her history and experience at the Institute and with the creepy fellas with "blue hands", we come to understand her psychology a bit better and are given some frame of reference regarding her powers and how she uses them.
Take from that what you will.
But yes, the story has plenty of action, great pacing and a host of the trademark wholesome moments we all know and love from this series. Generations leans much harder into the Sci-Fi side of Firefly's DNA, setting it apart from the Western inspired/styled stories we see more frequently from Serenity and her crew.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Life Signs!
-
Thank you for reading my review.
There is still plenty of Firefly out there for me to consume, both prose and graphic. I'm not done with the 'Verse yet, not by a long shot!
March 24, 2022
Another great Firefly tale. This one was good but not quite as enjoyable as James Lovegrove's inductions to the verse. I did love the idea of finding the treasure map and learning more about Earth that was.
August 6, 2021
As good as books 1 and 2. An interesting adventure involving a mysterious map, historical detail, plenty of shoot-em-up scenes, and lots of River weirdness.
October 3, 2024
This book is peak Firefly. So much lore was revealed from Earth-That-Was to the Hands of Blue.
November 25, 2020
A great story but it presents some continuity questions as some events contradict events from the Canon "Those Left Behind" series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2021
I loved all the River in this one!
December 16, 2020
I mean, it's fine. ::shrug:: I've thought for a while that it's time to just let Firefly go. We have Mandalorian, we have The Expanse, and it's been twenty years. Even if the whole cast could get back together now (impossible, what with Ron Glass' death) there are issues with certain cast/crew members I won't get into that would make it untenable. Yes, it was a great run of episodes but trying to hold onto it is just diminishing the product.
As for the book itself... it's almost too big. It's impossible to imagine this happening between episodes without anyone ever bringing it up. Maybe it would fit before Objects in Space, but a reference to Early proves 1) it happens after that and 2) this crew would absolutely reference things that happen in this story in another adventure.
And the sloppiest thing in the whole book is the fact that I guess the author just couldn't figure out what to do with Book and Inara (or maybe just doesn't like them) so he put them on a shuttle and they were never seen again. I don't think Inara actually makes an "on-screen" appearance in the entire book.
So, I guess it was fine if you're craving a space western story. For me, it's just more evidence that Firefly's day is long done.
As for the book itself... it's almost too big. It's impossible to imagine this happening between episodes without anyone ever bringing it up. Maybe it would fit before Objects in Space, but a reference to Early proves 1) it happens after that and 2) this crew would absolutely reference things that happen in this story in another adventure.
And the sloppiest thing in the whole book is the fact that I guess the author just couldn't figure out what to do with Book and Inara (or maybe just doesn't like them) so he put them on a shuttle and they were never seen again. I don't think Inara actually makes an "on-screen" appearance in the entire book.
So, I guess it was fine if you're craving a space western story. For me, it's just more evidence that Firefly's day is long done.
August 24, 2023
Finally, a good Firefly novel. Story was actually interesting for a change, expanded on the already established lore from Tv/Movie/comics. Only took four novels to get here
November 17, 2020
The Firefly books get back on form, a cracking adventure, speedy read. Great fun.
November 3, 2021
This was a really great story! I loved how it told more of the story of how humans went from Earth That Was to the current 'verse. We also got a little bit more insight into the hands of blue creepy people of the Alliance. A lot of action and the plot moved along nicely. Unfortunately Shepherd and Inara were only in the very beginning. I would've loved to get their perspective on the Generation ships and the ancient history of the verse.
October 10, 2021
The best in the series! An unique and compelling story.
September 11, 2021
The previous 3 novels, written by James Lovegrove added depth to the Firefly universe with Mal Reynolds and his crew. This book continues to add dimensions to the characters and their back stories.
One of the strengths of Lovegrove's novels was the voice in which they were narrated. It was easy to differentiate point of view.
Unfortunately, Lebbon falls short with this approach and there are sections which are muddled, confusing and are jarring enough to break the fourth wall and transport the reader back to the obviousness of reading a book rather than living it. In his attempt to take this approach there are sections where the tone of Silas and blue gloved individuals are the same and it takes paragraphs to figure out who he is narrating the story as.
The passages of other individuals are not congruent as well at various points, and on the whole just doesn't come across as a polished novel.
All criticism aside, the story line is intriguing and all of the characters fall in line with the previous build up. There is, however, a spark which is lacking in each of the characters which shines in Lovegrove's novels. The personalities fall flat in this and it effects the whole overall.
A good novel for continuing into the 'verse, but a bit muted in the delevery.
One of the strengths of Lovegrove's novels was the voice in which they were narrated. It was easy to differentiate point of view.
Unfortunately, Lebbon falls short with this approach and there are sections which are muddled, confusing and are jarring enough to break the fourth wall and transport the reader back to the obviousness of reading a book rather than living it. In his attempt to take this approach there are sections where the tone of Silas and blue gloved individuals are the same and it takes paragraphs to figure out who he is narrating the story as.
The passages of other individuals are not congruent as well at various points, and on the whole just doesn't come across as a polished novel.
All criticism aside, the story line is intriguing and all of the characters fall in line with the previous build up. There is, however, a spark which is lacking in each of the characters which shines in Lovegrove's novels. The personalities fall flat in this and it effects the whole overall.
A good novel for continuing into the 'verse, but a bit muted in the delevery.
November 23, 2020
I miss Firefly!
May 27, 2025
This series is such a comfort food or a soothing balm for the ache that the cancellation of this wonderful production left to the fans. And these new episodes in a book form are so well written with each one using the tried and true characters in slightly new, but logical ways. Contrary to first 3, this one is not written by Lovegrove, but Tim Lebbon.
I would just like to point out staying true to the existing setting, using the characters and worldbuilding, but still providing something fresh and interesting is not a foregone conclusion. Just look at the horribly written Warhammer books that have the world given to them, but are just badly written rule extensions of the lore sections, not allowed to make any meaningful changes to the world. Or the multiple Disney Star Wars TV-series spam that is an extremely careful shuffle of the existing set pieces, providing nothing new, because they were scared to deviate into originality.
I would just like to point out staying true to the existing setting, using the characters and worldbuilding, but still providing something fresh and interesting is not a foregone conclusion. Just look at the horribly written Warhammer books that have the world given to them, but are just badly written rule extensions of the lore sections, not allowed to make any meaningful changes to the world. Or the multiple Disney Star Wars TV-series spam that is an extremely careful shuffle of the existing set pieces, providing nothing new, because they were scared to deviate into originality.
August 14, 2021
Šita knygų serija – mano guilty pleasure. Skaitau tik iš nostalgijos vienam geriausių visų laikų sf serialų. Kita vertus, knygos, kad ir labai vidutinės, bet kaip visiškai pramoginė laisvalaikio literatūra – skaitomos.
Iki šitos.
Atrodo, yra viskas. Siužetas, užkabinantis vieną iš svarbiausių „Firefly“ visatos paslapčių, gaudynės, šaudymai, atpažįstami personažai. Bet viskas krūvoj – negroja. Ir negroja tiek, kad mano nostalgija nebeatperka. Personažai – tarsi stop-kadrai. Lyg ir tie, bet negyvi. Gal išskyrus Džeiną, bet tą atvaizduot lengviausia. Kiti – tik blankūs šešėliai. Idėjos ir sumanymai – tiesmuki, tekstas nelaiko prikaustyto – net ir labiausiai įtemptoje scenoje jokios problemos atidėt knygą į šalį ir nueit pasidaryt kavos. Nes kava už knygą geriau.
Vienas iš penkių. Gerai pagalvojau – gal du. Ne, vienas.
Iki šitos.
Atrodo, yra viskas. Siužetas, užkabinantis vieną iš svarbiausių „Firefly“ visatos paslapčių, gaudynės, šaudymai, atpažįstami personažai. Bet viskas krūvoj – negroja. Ir negroja tiek, kad mano nostalgija nebeatperka. Personažai – tarsi stop-kadrai. Lyg ir tie, bet negyvi. Gal išskyrus Džeiną, bet tą atvaizduot lengviausia. Kiti – tik blankūs šešėliai. Idėjos ir sumanymai – tiesmuki, tekstas nelaiko prikaustyto – net ir labiausiai įtemptoje scenoje jokios problemos atidėt knygą į šalį ir nueit pasidaryt kavos. Nes kava už knygą geriau.
Vienas iš penkių. Gerai pagalvojau – gal du. Ne, vienas.
December 2, 2020
If you miss Firefly then I suggest you pick up this collection of novels. They are a great continuous of the series. The characters are spot on and the adventures are shiny. I had read a few of the log lines for season two episodes and I hope those stories make it into these novels. This one would have raised the stakes of the blue gloved men and give some insight into what happened to River. It also explores a bit into the Earth-that-was. Its not as strong as the first three books. But it is still Mal and the gang. Its not the strong action-based adventures as the first three novels. Jayne is still Jayne. I want more and hope they continue with these novels and expanding the verse.
October 18, 2021
With the completion of this book, I havenow read all of the Firefly novels. My only comment here is that Tim Lebbon also writes these adventures well. Aside from a few stylistic differences in the characters' dialogue (none worth more than a mention), his work is as fine as the other Firefly novelist, James Lovegrove.
February 22, 2021
I very much enjoy these stories and can't wait for the next. They stretch out the single tv season that should have been 10 at least.
The author keeps the characters true to the show. I haven't thought once "so and so wouldn't do/say that!"
The narration is excellent.
The author keeps the characters true to the show. I haven't thought once "so and so wouldn't do/say that!"
The narration is excellent.
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