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Smallville (Young Adults) #5
Animal Rage
Before the legend . Before the icon . There was the teenager Clark Kent - a Freshman doing all the usual High School stuff - wrestling with classwork, hanging with his mates, and trying to get a dream date with the drop-dead-gorgeous Lana Lang. Oh, and attempting to master his developing superpowers well enough to save Smallville from a succession of freakish events and deadly mutants! Look out for more great Smallville 1. Arrival by Mike Teitelbaum (Nov '02) 2. See No Evil by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld (Nov '02) 3. Flight (Jan '03)
Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
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About the author
David Cody Weiss
108 books11 followersDavid Cody Weiss is a published adapter, author, and an editor of children's books and young adult books. Some of the published credits of David Cody Weiss include Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Phonics Comics: Hiro Dragon Warrior - Battle at Mount Kamado (Phonics Comics), Groovy Tube Books: Monsters (Groovy Tube Books), and Phonics Comics: Hiro - Level 2: Dragon Warrior (Phonics Comics).
He was a Writer and letterer who worked for DC and Marvel during the 80s. Weiss is credited in 248 issues for DC Comics.
He was a Writer and letterer who worked for DC and Marvel during the 80s. Weiss is credited in 248 issues for DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 13, 2017
Simple writing but well-written, I continue to enjoy these more than I figured I would when I first started the Smallville reading project. Being a fan of the show and characters is likely what does it.
Like the others in the earlier series besides the first book, this novelization invents a story instead of using an episode recap. I enjoy this since it adds on to the fan canon, and overall the writers have done a worthy job. This time the group of friends runs into a local girl who takes animal activism too far, and the author brings up the controversial topics of big-game hunting, meat eating, farming, and animal activists, treating said subjects delicately.
The freak of the week was a clever tale about a girl who gains twisted meteor powers. The ending is kind of funny, even if it probably wasn't meant to be, with the large animal suddenly charging the stage.
I dug seeing the series regulars. Lana isn't a favorite of mine but I loved her ending speech and the subtle revenge she takes with it; it too me by surprise because I was kind-of expecting some humdrum, goody-two-shoes output and was pleasantly amused instead. Chloe is cute but almost cloying. Pete's always fun, and Lex steals any page he appears on. The authors captured a faithful picture of Clark and made it convincing.
Enhanced smell shows up, something I'd wondered about before. He has an ability with his ears, four with the eyes, and considering the breath powers and mouth...I always wondered about the nose. The only sense not heightened? As the book explains it, it's not a power but something that enhanced during puberty along with a full host of other powers. I'm guessing instead of actually "Super smell", he just has a more advanced olfactory system than humans. Works out for the subtle burning wire smell that's about to start an issue in the book, but would suck in other situations with smelly people. The "fear sweat smell" scene was a little fan-girl fascinating.
Overall this series is proving to be much more fun that I anticipated. Despite the weaker first book, these sequels are definitely worth a read for fans, as long as you don't mind the writing style geared for such a young age group.
Like the others in the earlier series besides the first book, this novelization invents a story instead of using an episode recap. I enjoy this since it adds on to the fan canon, and overall the writers have done a worthy job. This time the group of friends runs into a local girl who takes animal activism too far, and the author brings up the controversial topics of big-game hunting, meat eating, farming, and animal activists, treating said subjects delicately.
The freak of the week was a clever tale about a girl who gains twisted meteor powers. The ending is kind of funny, even if it probably wasn't meant to be, with the large animal suddenly charging the stage.
I dug seeing the series regulars. Lana isn't a favorite of mine but I loved her ending speech and the subtle revenge she takes with it; it too me by surprise because I was kind-of expecting some humdrum, goody-two-shoes output and was pleasantly amused instead. Chloe is cute but almost cloying. Pete's always fun, and Lex steals any page he appears on. The authors captured a faithful picture of Clark and made it convincing.
Enhanced smell shows up, something I'd wondered about before. He has an ability with his ears, four with the eyes, and considering the breath powers and mouth...I always wondered about the nose. The only sense not heightened? As the book explains it, it's not a power but something that enhanced during puberty along with a full host of other powers. I'm guessing instead of actually "Super smell", he just has a more advanced olfactory system than humans. Works out for the subtle burning wire smell that's about to start an issue in the book, but would suck in other situations with smelly people. The "fear sweat smell" scene was a little fan-girl fascinating.
Overall this series is proving to be much more fun that I anticipated. Despite the weaker first book, these sequels are definitely worth a read for fans, as long as you don't mind the writing style geared for such a young age group.
March 10, 2016
This book follows the shows early "freak of the week" formatting. This time, young Heather, a passionate animal rights activist finds she has an even greater affinity to animals than she realized. As so many of her predecessors did, she becomes a little unbalanced as her powers take over and becomes focused on destroying Clark.
More so than the episodes, this is from Clark's point of view. Everyone else feels minor as Clark explores his growing gifts and skills. I found that part very interesting. As an animal lover I did sympathize with Heather for a long time.
Quality wise, the best part was Chloe's article at the end of the book.
More so than the episodes, this is from Clark's point of view. Everyone else feels minor as Clark explores his growing gifts and skills. I found that part very interesting. As an animal lover I did sympathize with Heather for a long time.
Quality wise, the best part was Chloe's article at the end of the book.
December 19, 2023
For a junior Smallville tie-in novel this is about what I expect and makes for a quick, fun read.
It gets a bit clunky with the exposition - every time a character is introduced, the authors feel the need to give us their backstory from the TV series. The villain of the week is cringey - of course the hippy/vegetarian girl is over-the-top shrill, rude and unhinged. It would have made a more interesting story if they injected a little nuance.
When we get Heather's point of view it's actually quite sad - she believes she is being haunted by the screams of animals her father killed. The girl needs some therapy but this being "Smallville" she's infected by meteor rocks with the ability to transform into animals.
There is also a lot of Clark mooning over Lana which is not my favourite thing.
But on the other hand, we do also have lots of Lex in this book. First, he just randomly shows up at the Kent farm with Chloe and Pete, then he takes Clark out for coffee and they talk about how baby Clark wanted to grow up to be a sheepdog (yes, really) and eventually Lex takes him to buy a tux.
For Chloe fans, there is a really cute bit with Clark escorting Chloe through a county fair.
It gets a bit clunky with the exposition - every time a character is introduced, the authors feel the need to give us their backstory from the TV series. The villain of the week is cringey - of course the hippy/vegetarian girl is over-the-top shrill, rude and unhinged. It would have made a more interesting story if they injected a little nuance.
When we get Heather's point of view it's actually quite sad - she believes she is being haunted by the screams of animals her father killed. The girl needs some therapy but this being "Smallville" she's infected by meteor rocks with the ability to transform into animals.
There is also a lot of Clark mooning over Lana which is not my favourite thing.
But on the other hand, we do also have lots of Lex in this book. First, he just randomly shows up at the Kent farm with Chloe and Pete, then he takes Clark out for coffee and they talk about how baby Clark wanted to grow up to be a sheepdog (yes, really) and eventually Lex takes him to buy a tux.
For Chloe fans, there is a really cute bit with Clark escorting Chloe through a county fair.
December 26, 2017
This fourth in a series of YA novels based on the CW TV series Smallville continues the coming of age saga of Clark Kent as he learns to deal with his emerging powers and the responsibilities they impose on him. Clark meets Heather who can shape shift into any animal she touches. She is an avid animal rights activist making use of her meteor rock (kryptonite) induced talents. Her activities endanger Clark's friends and Clark must protect them. Clark's friendship with Lex Luthor takes a turn down an exploratory road of discussions about man's relationship with nature and in what way does nature shape a person.
The authors are veterans of DC comics and county fairs, so the narrative has engaging authenticity. I found it to be an enjoyable read and needed fuel for my Kryptonian obsession.
The authors are veterans of DC comics and county fairs, so the narrative has engaging authenticity. I found it to be an enjoyable read and needed fuel for my Kryptonian obsession.
December 7, 2024
This was one of the better Smallville books I've read. Deals with a bit of a heavier topic in regards to the treatment of animals by humans. Someone takes great offense to how animals are and have been treated, and uses her newly found meteor powers to get revenge on their behalf.
The only real negative would be the constant mooning Clark does over Lana, which gets very old with how much it goes on for the entire book.
The only real negative would be the constant mooning Clark does over Lana, which gets very old with how much it goes on for the entire book.
January 13, 2018
It feels more Middle Grade than YA, and sometimes it was so bad/simple that it was entertaining due to that. Also occasionally some of the characters seemed to have overly OOC moments, comparing to what they were on the show. But anyway. It's Smallville.
December 2, 2018
again, i cry
July 31, 2021
This was like finding a new episode in season one that I'd never seen, and I loved it.
October 14, 2024
Comme j'étais devant le TV avec des subtitles
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October 19, 2025FRASES DESTACADAS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLca...
November 22, 2025
es básicamente un episodio de la serie, fue divertido 3/5⭐
December 23, 2025
Interesting story. Set sometime after the first season episode Craving, Clark does a favor for his favorite lovely brunette friend Lana, all the while he confronts a very interesting new foe.
A girl named Heather Fox, a diehard animal rights activist, is affected by the meteor shower and obtains the ability to transform into animals by touching their skin. This girl is driven by her mutation as well as her sympathies and commits heinous crimes in the name of her cause, as Clark begins to suspect her.
This story was good, but the big flaw in it is that somehow, Clark possesses a Super-smell. Now I know Superman comics have done some weird powers over the years, but not many of them have held the course. Somehow it's only temporary, but it's very weird to read this.
Not bad, could be better.
A girl named Heather Fox, a diehard animal rights activist, is affected by the meteor shower and obtains the ability to transform into animals by touching their skin. This girl is driven by her mutation as well as her sympathies and commits heinous crimes in the name of her cause, as Clark begins to suspect her.
This story was good, but the big flaw in it is that somehow, Clark possesses a Super-smell. Now I know Superman comics have done some weird powers over the years, but not many of them have held the course. Somehow it's only temporary, but it's very weird to read this.
Not bad, could be better.
September 25, 2022
As far as Smallville tie-in books go, this was fine. I don’t think I have more to say about this book than that.
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May 17, 2010F SMA bk.4
Science Fiction
Science Fiction
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews