The Watcher

Roswell High #4

by Melinda Metz

Life will never be the same... Max is dying. No one wants to believe it, but he knows it's true. And as the end grows closer, he can only think of one Who will protect Liz if he's not here? Liz can't stand watching Max suffer. She's determined to find some way -- any way -- to save him. But the only way to help Max is to risk her own life. Is she willing to die for the one she loves?

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Aliens, Romance, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Watcher is the fourth 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 one picks up the cliffhanger from the previous book, where Max suddenly collapsed. It focuses on the Liz (who's Ortecho in the books, not Parker)-Max drama, but all of the other friends have interesting bits of development, too. It's a fun, very quick read, and ends with something of another cliffhanger. When the television series became popular Pocket reprinted the books with photographs of the cast on the covers, so the characters don't look much like they're described.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watcher was another excellent installment in the Roswell High series.

Max is dying and it's made him reevaluate who and what is important to him. The one person that keeps popping up in his head is Liz. He spent so much time fighting his feelings for her and now that he's dying, he can't help but wonder what might have been. Liz can't watch Max suffer and do nothing so she's determined to find a way to save him. But when they discover the one thing that will help him could put them all in danger, Liz and the others will have to decide if they're willing to risk their lives to save Max.

I'm continuing to enjoy the Roswell High series and discovering how different it is from the TV adaptation. The plot in The Watcher focuses on Max and we learn what caused him to collapse at the end of the previous book, The Seeker. Due to what is happening to him, Max's life is in danger and eventually Isabel and Michael's will be as well. The key to saving Max requires the group to find their ship which hasn't been seen since the original crash. With few clues to go on, the group is in a race against the clock to find the ship before it's too late and I have to say the tight timeline definitely helped with the pacing in the story. There's a bit of action involved near the end of the book which I enjoyed and this one ended on a pretty big cliffhanger that has me eager to pick up the next book in the series soon.

There's quite a bit of a focus on the various relationships in this book (Liz/Max, Maria/Michael, and Isabel/Alex) which I for the most part enjoyed. We finally got some progress on Liz and Max's relationship but I have a feeling that's going to take a backseat in the next book due to what happened at the end of this one. Maria and Michael's relationship also advances a bit and I'm excited to see where that goes as theirs was one of my favorites in the show. Isabel and Alex's relationship is probably the one I like the least but I still mostly enjoyed it.

Overall The Watcher was a fantastic read and I'm excited to pick up the next book in the series, The Intruder soon.

[Patricia (Patricia's Particularity) · Rating 5 out of 5]

((Tiny spoilers, but nothing tooo dramatic or affecting!! - so this will be a really short review, or I'll give away too much)) In The Seeker we are left with Max collapsing and Liz begging for him to stay alive (swoon). The Roswell crew learns that Max is going through his species' version of maturity: connecting to the consciousness, "ankino". If Max is not able to connect he will die, and it will only be a matter of time before Michael and Izzy face the same fate. The mission is to find the stones that will allow him to connect. However, these stones are inconveniently located on their ship, which they still have not found.

Out of all the Roswell high installments so far, this one has the most action and conflict, and not excluding the relationships. Liz is watching Max die. At this point she doesn't understand, even more so, why they should just remain friends. Maria and Michael are much closer, and Maria makes a confession of epic proportion! Izzy and Alex are finally dating, even though Izzy still is reeling from Nickolas' death.

Without giving away too much, the Roswell crew comes the closest they ever have been to their ship!! Again, this novel is told from each of the characters' point of view. By far this is the most exciting installment so far. A must read for Roswell fans!!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this fourth book of the series, Max is worried that he might be dying from a strange alien condition. His only chance is for them to find the alien ship that crashed decades before. Liz will do anything to save him. The group of friends spend their days scouring the desert, looking for a clue to the whereabouts of the crashed ship. Maria admits her true feelings for Michael, and Alex stands up to his father. Isabel feels a special connection to Max and Michael as they explore what it means to be human or alien. Each character is growing in different directions, but they all unite around Max when he needs their help.

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!

[Karina Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Watcher (Roswell High, #4) : ¡4 estrellas!

Ellos acaban de escapar de una experiencia que pudo ser mortal para más de uno. Entre todos, lograron sortear los obstáculos y salir de allí ilesos, juntos y más fuertes que antes. Porque ahora son un verdadero grupo y ya no podrán separarse. Pero algo no está bien, algo le pasa a Max. Cada día está más cansado, demacrado y débil, y aunque él trate de negarlo, la situación es muy evidente, en especial para los ojos de Liz: Max se está muriendo. Es el turno del grupo de movilizarse, armar un plan, llevarlo a cabo y salvarle la vida. De lo contrario, ese sería el inicio del fin para todos.

Este libro de la serie me pareció más corto que los otros, pero con más contenido y acción. Me gustó más y seguro que por eso casi que me lo devoré. Continúa lo sucedido en el anterior, aunque la autora hace referencia a escenas de los libros pasados también, explicando lo justo y lo necesario (mi memoria lo agradeció).
Creo que es bastante fiel a lo que ocurrió en la serie de televisión, en este caso. O al menos tengo vagos recuerdos de imágenes de lo que aquí sucede.
La redacción, como siempre, es sencilla, una brisa de aire fresco para relajarse un poco. Tuve la impresión que no se le dio tanto lugar al histeriqueo hormonal adolescente, como sí pasó en otros libros. Hay algunas escenas lindas entre Maria y Michael (no me quejo, no me quejo), y otras bromas internas con Alex (me choca mucho cuando lo describen como pelirrojo). Se atisban algunos conflictos que no se desarrollan, por lo que supongo que se desenvolverán luego.

¿El final? Ay, fue lo más parecido al final de un episodio de televisión y probablemente me lleve a leer el próximo libro antes del año que viene. ¿Max va a vivir?, Ray está muerto y ¿Michael? Ya sé que todos lo logran, pero necesito leerlo.
Bien jugado, Melinda Metz.

The Watcher es el cuarto libro de la serie de Roswell High y, a diferencia de los que lo anteceden, en este la acción es constante. El grupo está muy unido y debe enfrentarse a sus peores miedos para poder salvarle la vida a Max, incluso a Vallenti. Porque, él tiene grandes sospechas, pero ellos aún no conocen qué es lo que el comisario se trae entre manos; sólo saben que es capaz de matar por eso.

[Terese]

Meh, the romance drama took over. Pointless triangles, not for me.

[Steven Betge · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the completion of book #4 in this series, I am still just as invested as when i started this 10 book journey. Miss Metz has created a group of 6 characters whose (literary) existence matters. I want them to be ok, I want their hopes to be realized, I want them to be together.

I'm not surprised that a tv network discovered this series and created a TV show. it has everything needed.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the end of the line for me. Do you know what this book is?




The series so far is ridiculous. I was blinded at the beginning. I could see the similarities with the television show and wrongly assumed the series would develop into something spectacular. Can you blame me? The television show was based on these books. One of the rare instances where I will tell people to drop the book and pick up the remote instead. I just can't see any potential in the series. The characters are annoying (16/17 years old who act like they're 12), the plot's ridiculous and nothing about this is realistic. I get it. It's about aliens. Nothing realistic about it. But, come on - Project Clean Slate. Really? That's the best you could come up with. That definitely instills fear in people.

Secondly, in what universe did you think that plan would work? Aliens are breaking into the facility and the sheriff finds out. A high speed race ensues with the local sheriff and to stop him from getting to the facility, you decide to roll down the window and scream at him. Telling him that there's a burglary back in town and he needs to go back there. If anything, you just availed yourself as an accomplice! And if the sheriff was smart, he would figure out that your friends are aliens and they're the ones breaking into the facility. Well done.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I enjoyed very much. To be honest, even thought this books are very short compared to other books, I felt like I fly to this book. Liz and Max chemistry is as good if not better than the one from the show, they just have that love that I have failed to find in other couples from other books or show. Maria's is as dorky and adorable as in the show. I'm amazed how much she is like the one from the show. I love getting to know more about Alex, and he is treated like one of the main characters, not like the show. Michael, I love him in the books way too much, in the show I like him but he sounds too rough sometimes. Isabel's character improved a little more in this book, she is overall my least favorite character.

[Unbestechlich · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't understand how this can even be a book, it's written like a script, there's no plot but for whining of the main characters that are so selfish, stupid and disgusting it's even hard to cmprehend. Especially that Isabel who is the worst person possible is a main character. How can you want to read the book if one of the main characters is so atrocious? Really, sheriff Valenti is much more interesting that the whole bunch of those whining kids, though Ray is probably the only pleasant character.

[Khione · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of all the Roswell series, I've read so far, this has been my least favourite. I was drawn to Roswell because of 2 reasons. Aliens and a love story. Yet, the way the characters have been written, it's almost feels like a prolonged drama of will they or won't they? I know it's supposed to make me swoon and go oh I want Max and Liz to be together or Michael and Maria. But instead, it seems void. Maybe it's because I'm older and this is written for another demographic?
I wasn't worried for Max since I knew he wouldn't die. But it was an interesting twist for the ending for Michael and the suggestion of him being with Isobel. I can see where the OG show got its ideas from.
Side note, I really don't see Isobel and Alex as a thing so im glad that the reboot series didn't make it happen cause honestly Isobel isn't the right person for Alex. He deserves better.

On a positive note, I am enjoying them exploring their alien mythology and the Akino which is just another thing for alien puberty. I thought that was interesting. This book was hard to press through. I felt over the series but I will progress with the series because I already got all the books so might as well see how it ends. But I don't recommend this book in my opinion.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mi sto mettendo d'impegno per leggere i libri che hanno ispirato la serie TV Roswell e dopo averne finiti quattro posso dire con certezza che la serie ha sorpassato il materiale originale. Molte cose sono diverse nei libri (e meno male), alcuni punti di trama sono stati rielaborati per la TV. La cosa che più infastidisce della scrittura della Metz è la ripetizione continua di cose che il lettore già conosce, per non parlare della totale assenza di sinonimi per descrivere, ad esempio, i colori dell'aura dei ragazzi. Anche le scene che dovrebbero essere le più ricche di colpi di scena sono brevissime e si concludono comodamente con fughe fortuite e colpi di pistola. Dal punto di vista sentimentale l'autrice inventa comode scuse per ritardare il più possibile il momento in cui Max e Liz potranno iniziare ad avere una storia e la stessa cosa vale anche per Michael che riceve la dichiarazione d'amore di Maria, non risponde, e al contempo fa sogni hot su Isabel. In ogni caso sono curiosa di vedere come finiranno i dieci libri rispetto al finale della serie.

[Katelyn Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cliffhangers at the end will be the death of me… or maybe Michael. I immediately purchased the fifth one.

I absolutely loved this one… again, they are just so fun and nostalgic. What I love most about these books is they’re all under 200 pages and fast to read. The author gets right to the point and doesn’t dance over so many details where you feel lost. Now, she could have expanded on so many more scenes, like the spaceship, but I hope we get to revisit that as things for them were kinda tense so I understand the short scene.

I’m a little bummed at the Isabel/Micheal love/dream thing they had going on in this book, I was really rooting for Michael and Maria so we will have to see. I also love Alex and Isabel so I’m really hoping, as in the show, this is just part of a larger road map that they don’t need to follow. Max being essentially dead in this book was kinda funny lmao, he referring to himself as “patient X” like what are you doing my dude, this affects all of you 🤣 I really hope Ray isn’t dead…

[Bella Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Review: This was another good one but like the first two, the paced really fast and it was really throwing me off with how quickly Isabel seems to change her mind on her men 🤣. The cliffhanger, as usual, is very juicing leaving ya at the edge of your seat. But this one didn’t really feel like it gave any character development, just a little relationship development in the Michael and Maria department, but that was all really.
My Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Tropes: forbidden love, alien romance
Triggers: mentions of murder

[Isabella ⸙ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Remember what i said about guys and girls just being friends? sigh.)

This was okay. I'm more interested in the characters at this point (especially Michael, Maria and Alex) because the plot is just so random. And that ending? (Poor Ray! I really liked him... he didn't deserve such an anti-climatic death :(.) Is this just how YA used to be? Still enjoying it though! It's quite funny and a quick read.

[Adric Rangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empecé a leer esta serie el año pasado, pero la detuve, porque no me gustó tanto el tercer libro. Sin embargo, me dio la curiosidad de leer este, por lo que terminé de retomar la lectura y para mi sorpresa, me lo terminé de leer rápido. No tiene nada que ver con la serie de TV, ya que nada de lo que leí, lo vi en la serie. Pero de igual manera la trama es buena. Le di un 4/5.

[Morag Riddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun young adult series. The first time I think I read a series, which diverged from the television show that was based on it. The television show really only follows the first book so this story was never told on the show. Now it is so common for shows to completely diverge from the books. Maybe this one started the trend?

[光彩 · Rating 2 out of 5]

two big things to note about the books:
1. metz is either simply a bad writer or completely half-assing her way through this job
2. the big doom portents in the synopses often get resolved in a couple pages

max is a boring character and even though i know what happens to him in the end i was like "yes. die"

[Jaime K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max goes thru some ridiculous alien issue. And is still being dumb regarding Liz.
Ray continues to be awesome. Valenti continues to be awful.
Maria reveals her feelings to Michael.
Michael’s foster family, the Pascals, are pretty great. I am so glad that Michael has a good foster family in this book series.

[Francesco Totaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth installment in the Roswell High book series. The writing style of the novel is extremely easy, making it a quick read. The plot is pretty much straightforward with a final cliffhanger that makes you wonder what will happen next. If you feel nostalgic and you are a fan of the 1999 TV series like me, then this book is for you!

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an interesting premise and an interesting execution I again enjoyed this much more thoroughly than the previous book. With more to lose the groups dynamics gets tense before again pulling together to save Max.

[Kimberley Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving the series so far. Again, not perfect with proof reading but I can ignore the rare spelling mistake when the flow of the story is achieved so easily.

I'm hooked on these books, plus light, easy and enjoyable.

[Abby Lattanzio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ends on a cliffhanger.

[MarylineD · Rating 3 out of 5]

another good one if you loved that tv show

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

[David Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good plot!

Like the plot, it’s moving along. I recommend this to anyone who likes young adult books-especially high school age students.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*audiobook*

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cool. Very different story lines from both the original show and the reboot which makes it feel like AU fan fiction, but very fun.

[Isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Natalie Armentani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and fun

I am enjoying series.. Good book but missing actual pages. Got to edit better.. Otherwise this would be 5 stars.