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Stargate Atlantis #14
Death Game
Colonel John Sheppard wakes up on an alien world in the wreckage of a Puddle Jumper--and can't remember how he got there. Putting the pieces together, he discovers his team is scattered across a tropical archipelago, unable to communicate with each other or return to the Stargate. Original.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 17, 2024
Colonel John Sheppard and Teyla wake up injured in the wreckage of a crashed puddle jumper on an alien planet and they’re quickly captured by the locals. Rodney McKay is off working on the Stargate as someone’s clearly tampered with it, preventing them from leaving the planet. And Radek Zelenka and Ronon Dex have been dropped off on an island to investigate some ancient ruins.
The world building is pretty good. I love the idea of exploring a planet where humans worship the Wraith. It’s actually a nice and subtle throwback to the Stargate SG-1 days where they went to many planets that worshipped the Goa'uld. The Wraith are also a fantastic villain to have in a story as they have so much untapped potential for greatness. And the characters mostly stay true to who they are on the TV show.
The one thing I have mixed feelings about is the many flashbacks, this is done to help give the characters some more backstory. On one hand, I actually quite like them as they help flesh out the characters more. But on the other hand, every flashback does take you away a bit from the story at hand. So you don’t want to use them too often. They’re also all pure telling instead of showing. And one flashback in particular is just way too long.
There are also a few other things I need to address. First of all, why the memory loss trope? I know it’s a good trope when used right. But here it feels completely unnecessary. Since Teyla still has her memory, she immediately tells John everything he needs to know on like the second page of the book. So the memory loss trope serves no purpose here.
Second, the reason for dropping Radek and Ronon off on the island needed to be explained better. Because Radek is a scientist. If there’s trouble with the Stargate, their only way off the planet, then he should be with Rodney to help him fix the gate. That’s priority number one. And Rodney’s also a bit of a scaredy-cat who’s pretty much useless in a fight, so why was he left alone? That being said, I did enjoy the oddball pairing of Radek and Ronon.
Third, the plot is a bit too simple, boring and for a small part a bit too reminiscent of Hunger Games.
Overall, a very flawed but still pretty entertaining nostalgia story. And a decent little side story for me as I’m rewatching the series.
The world building is pretty good. I love the idea of exploring a planet where humans worship the Wraith. It’s actually a nice and subtle throwback to the Stargate SG-1 days where they went to many planets that worshipped the Goa'uld. The Wraith are also a fantastic villain to have in a story as they have so much untapped potential for greatness. And the characters mostly stay true to who they are on the TV show.
The one thing I have mixed feelings about is the many flashbacks, this is done to help give the characters some more backstory. On one hand, I actually quite like them as they help flesh out the characters more. But on the other hand, every flashback does take you away a bit from the story at hand. So you don’t want to use them too often. They’re also all pure telling instead of showing. And one flashback in particular is just way too long.
There are also a few other things I need to address. First of all, why the memory loss trope? I know it’s a good trope when used right. But here it feels completely unnecessary. Since Teyla still has her memory, she immediately tells John everything he needs to know on like the second page of the book. So the memory loss trope serves no purpose here.
Second, the reason for dropping Radek and Ronon off on the island needed to be explained better. Because Radek is a scientist. If there’s trouble with the Stargate, their only way off the planet, then he should be with Rodney to help him fix the gate. That’s priority number one. And Rodney’s also a bit of a scaredy-cat who’s pretty much useless in a fight, so why was he left alone? That being said, I did enjoy the oddball pairing of Radek and Ronon.
Third, the plot is a bit too simple, boring and for a small part a bit too reminiscent of Hunger Games.
Overall, a very flawed but still pretty entertaining nostalgia story. And a decent little side story for me as I’m rewatching the series.
May 6, 2021
After a bunch of so-so and downright disappointing SGA novels, I've finally struck gold: great writing, spot-on characterisations and character voices, an engaging fast-paced story that would have made a great episode, interesting team dynamics through pairing off characters in ways we haven't seen a hundred times (Ronon and Zelenka make quite the effective team - who knew?), and a few brilliantly funny moments that had me laughing out loud in delight. Definitely the best SGA book I've read so far.
October 22, 2023
2022 52 Book Challenge - 51) The Word "Game" In The Title
This was like Stargate meets the Hunger Games. It was quite fast paced, and all of the team were scattered across the world, trying to get back to each other again.
I really liked the stories that the characters tell each other, giving more depth to the characters. It felt quite in character, and it was quite nice to see the atypical pairings and the interactions between them all. I particularly liked the Ronon and Radek pairing because they were nice and interesting, but it was the Sheppard and Teyla pairing that really pushed the plot forward. I also liked that Lorne and Carson were given quite a chunk of the novel because I do really like both of them as secondary characters.
This is probably one of the SGA books that I could see as a real episode and it was worth the read.
This was like Stargate meets the Hunger Games. It was quite fast paced, and all of the team were scattered across the world, trying to get back to each other again.
I really liked the stories that the characters tell each other, giving more depth to the characters. It felt quite in character, and it was quite nice to see the atypical pairings and the interactions between them all. I particularly liked the Ronon and Radek pairing because they were nice and interesting, but it was the Sheppard and Teyla pairing that really pushed the plot forward. I also liked that Lorne and Carson were given quite a chunk of the novel because I do really like both of them as secondary characters.
This is probably one of the SGA books that I could see as a real episode and it was worth the read.
July 15, 2020
Death Game is a good Stargate Atlantis story. I can see this book being an episode, which is the best praise a tie-in novel can get. It wouldn't be one of my favorite episodes, though. The pace is too slow for a Hunger Games style plot. Sometimes the character voices are off, especially Teyla. I enjoyed the unusual character pairings. Ronon and Radek working together to rescue Sheppard and Teyla and becoming friends along the way was the best part of the book.
November 9, 2010
It was a bit of an ordeal actually getting a hold of this book. It was available for several weeks through the publisher while Amazon still had it down as a Pre-Order with an unknown ship date. I eventually got frustrated enough to cancel my pre-order and order directly from the publisher. Was the book worth all that hassle? I believe so.
In 'Death Game' the Atlantis team is scattered on a world whose DHD has been tampered with: allowing travelers to arrive but not to leave. The world also has an energy field similar to one the team encountered on a world full of children that would disable any ship that tried to pass through it. Sheppard and Teyla wake onboard their crashed jumper; John with a bad enough concussion to not remember how and why the jumper crashed. The two end up as prisoners and shipped to the High King as "Tribute" to act as contestants in the Games of Life. It doesn't take long for Sheppard and Teyla to figure out who is actually running these games and that they need to escape... now. All the while, Ronon and Zelenka are trying to find their own way back to Sheppard and Teyla while Rodney, Lorne, and team of Marines do their best to fix the Stargate and rescue their missing team-mates.
The Stargate novels I've read tend to fall into the categories of Hit or Miss. I think 'Death Game' falls into the Hit category. The characterizations were much closer to their TV counterparts than I've seen in other novels. Though I do wish the publisher or author would add a "This story takes place between episodes ..." for clarity's sake so one doesn't have to puzzle it out in their own head as they read. I think Zelenka's character in the book was a bit more testy than I recall him being on the show (he always had far more patience for the unscientific mind and rarely lost his cool with anyone besides Rodney). I would have rather seen his characteristic outbursts in Czech when frustrated. I did enjoy that the characters were paired off in an atypical fashion: Sheppard and Teyla, Ronon and Zelenka, and McKay and Lorne instead of the usual: Sheppard and McKay, Teyla and Ronon, Lorne and Zelenka that we saw often on the show. The banter between Sheppard and Teyla was fun (except I can't imagine Teyla using the word "Meta") though I would have loved to have seen one near-romance situation (but that's the Sheppard/Teyla 'shipper in me speaking out.) Major Lorne is my favorite Atlantis recurring character so, I love, love, love that he had a decent part to play in this book.
If I had to get nit-picky I'd have to point out that the last time the team encountered an energy field around a planet it rendered all electronics inert within the field. If it was meant to be the same type of energy field then the Jumper should have crashed as soon as they left the 'Gate and entered the field and none of their equipment (radios, etc) should have worked. Also, though I enjoyed the story, I felt it was lacking a true sense of urgency and peril. Never once did I wonder how or if the team would escape.
All in all, "Death Game" is a good story which I could picture as an actual episode and, for a media tie-in, that's not a bad thing.
In 'Death Game' the Atlantis team is scattered on a world whose DHD has been tampered with: allowing travelers to arrive but not to leave. The world also has an energy field similar to one the team encountered on a world full of children that would disable any ship that tried to pass through it. Sheppard and Teyla wake onboard their crashed jumper; John with a bad enough concussion to not remember how and why the jumper crashed. The two end up as prisoners and shipped to the High King as "Tribute" to act as contestants in the Games of Life. It doesn't take long for Sheppard and Teyla to figure out who is actually running these games and that they need to escape... now. All the while, Ronon and Zelenka are trying to find their own way back to Sheppard and Teyla while Rodney, Lorne, and team of Marines do their best to fix the Stargate and rescue their missing team-mates.
The Stargate novels I've read tend to fall into the categories of Hit or Miss. I think 'Death Game' falls into the Hit category. The characterizations were much closer to their TV counterparts than I've seen in other novels. Though I do wish the publisher or author would add a "This story takes place between episodes ..." for clarity's sake so one doesn't have to puzzle it out in their own head as they read. I think Zelenka's character in the book was a bit more testy than I recall him being on the show (he always had far more patience for the unscientific mind and rarely lost his cool with anyone besides Rodney). I would have rather seen his characteristic outbursts in Czech when frustrated. I did enjoy that the characters were paired off in an atypical fashion: Sheppard and Teyla, Ronon and Zelenka, and McKay and Lorne instead of the usual: Sheppard and McKay, Teyla and Ronon, Lorne and Zelenka that we saw often on the show. The banter between Sheppard and Teyla was fun (except I can't imagine Teyla using the word "Meta") though I would have loved to have seen one near-romance situation (but that's the Sheppard/Teyla 'shipper in me speaking out.) Major Lorne is my favorite Atlantis recurring character so, I love, love, love that he had a decent part to play in this book.
If I had to get nit-picky I'd have to point out that the last time the team encountered an energy field around a planet it rendered all electronics inert within the field. If it was meant to be the same type of energy field then the Jumper should have crashed as soon as they left the 'Gate and entered the field and none of their equipment (radios, etc) should have worked. Also, though I enjoyed the story, I felt it was lacking a true sense of urgency and peril. Never once did I wonder how or if the team would escape.
All in all, "Death Game" is a good story which I could picture as an actual episode and, for a media tie-in, that's not a bad thing.
August 31, 2018
By far the worst book in the Stargate series I've read. I've set out to read all of them, good and bad, but I have not been tempted to quite a book mid-way through more than this one.
Too much exposition. It is rather inexplicable, the amount of exposition there is in this book. Imagine just standing around and breaking into a soliloquies the worthy of Hamlet, out of nowhere, with no connection to the situation at hand. "Let me tell you a story", Radek says, "I was two and a half years old on August 21, 1968, when my mother was arrested for participating in demonstrations. My father, though, was different, he didn't have my mother's fire, not after the concentration camps in '39, and you, my friend Ronon, is well enough versed in the geo-political situation and chronology of the mid 20th century on a planet in a different galaxy to make sense of all the nuances of what I am not saying", to which Ronon replies "Sateda will rise again, because I, Ronon, am so well known for my loquaciousness". And Lorne tells to Rodney out of nowhere, "Let me tell you a story. I was conceived in the summer of '69, the Summer of Love, right? I remember it like it was yesterday, it was a cold and drizzly evening". And who could forget Teyla asking John how he came to Atlantis, and he just launches with no preamble into "Antactica is really quiet. It's just miles and miles of snow, miles and miles of nothing. It was there that I have first eyed the control chair, it has called out to me like nothing ever did before, and because you, Teyla, has clearly have no idea what a control chair is, I must describe it to you in excruciating details." ...normal people do not talk like that. These characters do not talk like that. And, well, I very much have to question just how well these stories actually fit into the backstories that we know of them.
Second, the plot, if you are willing to call it that, is nonsensical. First, I have absolutely zero understanding why they all decided to split up. Second, I have zero understanding why they wouldn't just stay put while they were split up. "They are overdue at picking us up? Clearly, we must leave this place in which we have not encountered anything lifethreatening, we'll avoid all the locals, steal a boat, swim for our lives, and get capsized, because none of us actually knows how to sail. Brilliant!". Third, even if Rodney couldn't fix the DHD, why didn't he want a rescue team to come to look for the others? As far as he knew, with no contact for almost 24 hours, very much overdue, they could have been in serious danger, with the time being of the essence. Worst case scenario, they would be stuck on that planet for a few days, few weeks at most, waiting for Daedalus to arrive and beam them out. ...where was Daedalus, anyway? And why is Beckett flying the jumper when Lorne is there too, who is actually a pilot, and also has ATA?
The plot just started to become an actual thing, half way through the book. In total, I reckon if you take all the standing around and telling nonsensical stories, you could pack it all into 20 pages, tops.
Certainly, if the Legacy series is anything like it, I very much not looking forward to it.
Too much exposition. It is rather inexplicable, the amount of exposition there is in this book. Imagine just standing around and breaking into a soliloquies the worthy of Hamlet, out of nowhere, with no connection to the situation at hand. "Let me tell you a story", Radek says, "I was two and a half years old on August 21, 1968, when my mother was arrested for participating in demonstrations. My father, though, was different, he didn't have my mother's fire, not after the concentration camps in '39, and you, my friend Ronon, is well enough versed in the geo-political situation and chronology of the mid 20th century on a planet in a different galaxy to make sense of all the nuances of what I am not saying", to which Ronon replies "Sateda will rise again, because I, Ronon, am so well known for my loquaciousness". And Lorne tells to Rodney out of nowhere, "Let me tell you a story. I was conceived in the summer of '69, the Summer of Love, right? I remember it like it was yesterday, it was a cold and drizzly evening". And who could forget Teyla asking John how he came to Atlantis, and he just launches with no preamble into "Antactica is really quiet. It's just miles and miles of snow, miles and miles of nothing. It was there that I have first eyed the control chair, it has called out to me like nothing ever did before, and because you, Teyla, has clearly have no idea what a control chair is, I must describe it to you in excruciating details." ...normal people do not talk like that. These characters do not talk like that. And, well, I very much have to question just how well these stories actually fit into the backstories that we know of them.
Second, the plot, if you are willing to call it that, is nonsensical. First, I have absolutely zero understanding why they all decided to split up. Second, I have zero understanding why they wouldn't just stay put while they were split up. "They are overdue at picking us up? Clearly, we must leave this place in which we have not encountered anything lifethreatening, we'll avoid all the locals, steal a boat, swim for our lives, and get capsized, because none of us actually knows how to sail. Brilliant!". Third, even if Rodney couldn't fix the DHD, why didn't he want a rescue team to come to look for the others? As far as he knew, with no contact for almost 24 hours, very much overdue, they could have been in serious danger, with the time being of the essence. Worst case scenario, they would be stuck on that planet for a few days, few weeks at most, waiting for Daedalus to arrive and beam them out. ...where was Daedalus, anyway? And why is Beckett flying the jumper when Lorne is there too, who is actually a pilot, and also has ATA?
The plot just started to become an actual thing, half way through the book. In total, I reckon if you take all the standing around and telling nonsensical stories, you could pack it all into 20 pages, tops.
Certainly, if the Legacy series is anything like it, I very much not looking forward to it.
March 8, 2020
I think this is an ok book, i was looking for something to remind me SG and SGA shows, since they were cancelled long time ago and this scratched that itch quite well.
However, I found there was too much of unnecessary "telling a story" - if it had to be there, then it could have been at least something more related to the problem and not just random stuff that often doesn't even fit with the character (mainly Ronon, John etc).
Possible spoilers ahead
------ SPOILERS ------
Also, the main story was very simple, predictable and boring. The "death game" was supposed to be some complex labyrinth with traps, monsters and dangers, but they it seemed like very simple maze with few turns and only dangers were caused by other contestants. It didn't make sense for them to stay behind to hurt other people and let their "allies" to go ahead and win.
I was also disappointed with the ending - I might have missed something, but how did SG team get to the planet, if the gate had shield before Rodney took it down? And how did the wraith get to the island, if there was a shield around the planet? were they there all the time since before the shield was activated? Why couldn't they let the King to decide what to do with the gate, but some random had to decide planet's security, just because they were there at that time? SG team could also show them how to put the control crystal in and out, so that they can control it themselves. And if the shield was put there by Ancients, then it would probably let puddle jumpers go through, just like the one on Atlantis.
However, I found there was too much of unnecessary "telling a story" - if it had to be there, then it could have been at least something more related to the problem and not just random stuff that often doesn't even fit with the character (mainly Ronon, John etc).
Possible spoilers ahead
------ SPOILERS ------
Also, the main story was very simple, predictable and boring. The "death game" was supposed to be some complex labyrinth with traps, monsters and dangers, but they it seemed like very simple maze with few turns and only dangers were caused by other contestants. It didn't make sense for them to stay behind to hurt other people and let their "allies" to go ahead and win.
I was also disappointed with the ending - I might have missed something, but how did SG team get to the planet, if the gate had shield before Rodney took it down? And how did the wraith get to the island, if there was a shield around the planet? were they there all the time since before the shield was activated? Why couldn't they let the King to decide what to do with the gate, but some random had to decide planet's security, just because they were there at that time? SG team could also show them how to put the control crystal in and out, so that they can control it themselves. And if the shield was put there by Ancients, then it would probably let puddle jumpers go through, just like the one on Atlantis.
June 22, 2021
The part when Radek and Ronan get picked up by a boat is really funny. I bet those people who write funny, weird, explicit fan fiction loved that part. I also laughed when Ronan threw Radek across a pit. Another funny thing is that in this franchise, mentioning MacGyver never gets old, even when it's Atlantis.
There's a mistake in this book; in the show, Radek says he can't swim.
This was kind of an odd book, with the characters telling stories about their pasts. Not the style of the show. Some of them were kind of interesting, but overall it made the book a bit slow. This was generally a good read though.
There's a mistake in this book; in the show, Radek says he can't swim.
This was kind of an odd book, with the characters telling stories about their pasts. Not the style of the show. Some of them were kind of interesting, but overall it made the book a bit slow. This was generally a good read though.
January 30, 2020
Alright, so this has a lot more backstory and looks into the characters as people. There’s still plenty of action, don’t worry, but it definitely felt more like a ‘getting to know you’ sort of thing.
With main characters like Sheppard, Teyla, Rodney and Ronon, you get the feeling there isn’t much more to know. This book proves otherwise and shows a little bit more about secondary characters like Lorne, Radek and even Cadmen.
While not as heart pounding as the others I’ve read, it’s a great read and a good way to slow the heart rate down for the next non-stop action book.
Enjoy!
With main characters like Sheppard, Teyla, Rodney and Ronon, you get the feeling there isn’t much more to know. This book proves otherwise and shows a little bit more about secondary characters like Lorne, Radek and even Cadmen.
While not as heart pounding as the others I’ve read, it’s a great read and a good way to slow the heart rate down for the next non-stop action book.
Enjoy!
July 5, 2025
Giving this four stars has big “I liked it!” Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain energy. Look, it’s a tie-in novel, it’s not Shakespeare, but it was genuinely enjoyable and had solid characterizations. I think that the characterizations definitely benefited from being written after the series had ended (RIP to the many, many tie-in novels that are published and contradicted by canon within a year or two…). The world building was cool and reminded me quite a bit of the early seasons of SG-1.
September 25, 2025
This book was a bit different; it takes place early in Season 2 (shortly after Ronon joins the team), and while the story shifts between different characters' point(s) of view, the narrative turns introspective as the various members of the Atlantis expedition share their backstories. There were some unexpected surprises in some of the stories, but overall it was an interesting read.
March 5, 2018
Awsome
That’s is more words to say about this book Thea is ever said previous time but the more that I read that more I loved it is not a sequel is a series not Are standing by itself
That’s is more words to say about this book Thea is ever said previous time but the more that I read that more I loved it is not a sequel is a series not Are standing by itself
August 31, 2019
Death Game
I gave 5 stars for this book because author Jo Graham has written a very fast paced environment for the reader and has conveyed a story of the Atlantis Team on yet another adventure on an alien planet of people whom they have befriended against the Wraith .
I gave 5 stars for this book because author Jo Graham has written a very fast paced environment for the reader and has conveyed a story of the Atlantis Team on yet another adventure on an alien planet of people whom they have befriended against the Wraith .
April 5, 2021
Not much of a plot here, mostly a series of character studies that didn't link up too well. But I did like those character studies - and I liked the D&D dungeon crawl at the end. This book has also somehow made me a diehard Radek/Ronon shipper???
December 28, 2019
The world-building could have been much more extensive....BUT.....that wouldn't have left room for the fantastic adventure and it would have been a 900-page book. Good read Jo Graham!!!
September 4, 2025
PEAK
i really really love Zelenka, perfect character
i really really love Zelenka, perfect character
October 23, 2011
Well, I've been waiting a long time for this book and finally read it. I'm pretty torn about it. There are some things I liked and some things that made me go: No, don't like it and no way!
Things I liked:
Ronon and Radek. I think it was a great idea to pair them up.
Major Lorne! Even though he still just drives the rescue Jumper - at least he gets to say some sentences.
The John and Teyla banter.
The backstories of everyone.
Things I didn't like:
No Rodney and Lorne snark/banter like in "Runner".
I couldn't hear the voices of the characters most of the time. :( There were some scenes but most of the time unfortunately not.
Teyla calling John "Sheppard". I can't remember an episode in which Teyla calls him just "Sheppard". Major/Colonel Sheppard or just John - yes but Sheppard (please contradict me when there was an episode in which that happened)? That really threw me out of the story for some reason.
They leave Rodney alone at the Stargate? Without any back up? When they know that the DHD, and maybe even the Stargate, has been messed with? Sorry, I'm so not buying it that John (or Teyla!) would do something like that. I might (!) believe it when it's Season 5!Rodney and even then there has to be a very good reason for it, but with Season 2!Rodney? No way. Sorry, that really soured the story for me because John and Teyla acted OOC for me in this regard.
All in all the story was a bit predictable and didn't really capture me. It was an okay book and now I'm a bit hesitant to order the Legacy series. Has anybody already started reading it and would be so kind and share their toughts about it with me?
Things I liked:
Ronon and Radek. I think it was a great idea to pair them up.
Major Lorne! Even though he still just drives the rescue Jumper - at least he gets to say some sentences.
The John and Teyla banter.
The backstories of everyone.
Things I didn't like:
No Rodney and Lorne snark/banter like in "Runner".
I couldn't hear the voices of the characters most of the time. :( There were some scenes but most of the time unfortunately not.
Teyla calling John "Sheppard". I can't remember an episode in which Teyla calls him just "Sheppard". Major/Colonel Sheppard or just John - yes but Sheppard (please contradict me when there was an episode in which that happened)? That really threw me out of the story for some reason.
They leave Rodney alone at the Stargate? Without any back up? When they know that the DHD, and maybe even the Stargate, has been messed with? Sorry, I'm so not buying it that John (or Teyla!) would do something like that. I might (!) believe it when it's Season 5!Rodney and even then there has to be a very good reason for it, but with Season 2!Rodney? No way. Sorry, that really soured the story for me because John and Teyla acted OOC for me in this regard.
All in all the story was a bit predictable and didn't really capture me. It was an okay book and now I'm a bit hesitant to order the Legacy series. Has anybody already started reading it and would be so kind and share their toughts about it with me?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2011
The mission goes wrong again and the team gets separated and stranded. John and Teyla crash and are injured. The locals find them and are not very friendly, but are not very hostile either. Radek and Ronon get left on an island, and Rodney is stuck by the gate. All of this is made more difficult by the fact that the gate has been tampered with so Rodney can't dial out for help. All their paths eventually lead to the Games, where there is only one survivor. [return][return]I review tie-ins based on Does it feel like an episode? I would say mostly yes. Chronologically it is set shortly after Ronon joins Atlantis. The character interactions are on target, the plot feels right; everything goes to pieces just like a regular episode and the team pulls it out at the very end. Lorne and Radek are involved only adding to the story. My two complaints are the way the Wraith are involved in this story. I’m not sure if I agree with how they are written into the plot. Their restraint seems uncharacteristic. The other problem I have was the stories that are mixed into the book. They had neat character background, but they slowed the pace and were at times awkward. Other than that, this was a solid tie-in, worth reading to get an SGA fix.
March 3, 2011
One of the better installments in Fandemonium's SGA series, the story is interesting, though with very little team interaction, and no significant character development. Ronan and Radek are stuck off somewhere together, while John and Teyla are being held captive by a people that serve wraith as their king and nobility and present them with Tribute from their Death Games, while Lorne, Cadman, Rodney and sundry others attempt to find and rescue them all. The storyline was serviceable, but not really very exciting. Bland was my overall feeling. I hope the SGA: Homecoming series is much better in both plot, characters and writing.
One interesting note (though they did not seem to serve any logical purpose within the confines of the story) were the stories told by each character to the other. Some interesting insights, esp, for John and Teyla.
One interesting note (though they did not seem to serve any logical purpose within the confines of the story) were the stories told by each character to the other. Some interesting insights, esp, for John and Teyla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this story. The Team goes through the Gate on a mission to a world they've never been to and discover a world with loads of hurt.
Well written and fast paced, the story starts in the middle of the action and rolls on from there. The Team is paired off due to circumstance but well-loved secondary players get to shine too--players like Cadman, Lorne, Zelenka, and Carson. The bad guys are pretty bad, though not horrible. There's humor, action, lots of backstory, some h/c, and definite Shep whumpage otherwise known as 'getting lots of bruises.'
The ending comes full circle and made me smile.
The bad? Just your standard little bits, nothing major to me.
As tie-ins go this was a good one for me, and one of the few I plan to keep and reread. It made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me read it in less than 48 hours.
Well written and fast paced, the story starts in the middle of the action and rolls on from there. The Team is paired off due to circumstance but well-loved secondary players get to shine too--players like Cadman, Lorne, Zelenka, and Carson. The bad guys are pretty bad, though not horrible. There's humor, action, lots of backstory, some h/c, and definite Shep whumpage otherwise known as 'getting lots of bruises.'
The ending comes full circle and made me smile.
The bad? Just your standard little bits, nothing major to me.
As tie-ins go this was a good one for me, and one of the few I plan to keep and reread. It made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me read it in less than 48 hours.
October 14, 2012
The writing was Jo's usual excellence, but the premise was just... off. Why on earth would the Wraith create an elaborate game for their prey? Wouldn't culling be easier? I mean, I know they have Runners and they like the hunt, but this just seems like those lazy hunters who go after animals in a small fenced-in area and try to call themselves "hunters."
I dunno, maybe the Wraith got bored or something.
I dunno, maybe the Wraith got bored or something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2018
Loved this! I love the writing, I love the references to multiple episodes and I love the little back stories this author had each character relate, in particular John and Redick, and Evan's. Tayla's and Rodney's were good to of course but we never really got any back story for Radick or Evan and I really liked the ones she envisioned.
It's not the most fast paced or action packed but it was wonderfully compelling and a pleasure to read.
It's not the most fast paced or action packed but it was wonderfully compelling and a pleasure to read.
October 9, 2014
I am a fan of Jo Graham and her novels of ancient history and of the show Stargate Atlantis so when I heard that she was writing a Stargate Atlantis novel I was intrigued. She didn't disapoint and I have to say that this story was one of the better ones that I have read in the novels series. I look forward to reading her other novel in the Atlantis series.
January 10, 2011
In this book the team is scattered on a planet with a wraith cruiser on the loose. John and Teyla are both injured and held captive by a local chief. Ronon and Zelenka are together many miles a way and McKay is trying to fix the DHD.
This wasn't a bad book. It had a lot of action, but I would've much preferred to have the team together and not have a patchwork of their stories.
This wasn't a bad book. It had a lot of action, but I would've much preferred to have the team together and not have a patchwork of their stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2014
Reading books based on a TV series can sometimes be disappointing. However, this book added some wonderful stories that helped to fill in the background of some of the most important characte and the story was a good one, too. A few details were a bit confusing and seemed inconsistent. But it was so much fun having an adventure with some old friends that I as able to overlook them easily.
March 17, 2014
The team investigate a planet, get separated, and have to avoid dying in various ways. The characterisations are spot on and there are some nice ideas here. The excuse to tell back stories does get a bit strained at times but it is nice to know more about Zelenka. The death game is the highlight of the novel but does not occur until near the end. A good read.
April 24, 2011
An enjoyable SGA story, fast paced and at a time when the team were still trying to get to know each other. My favourite part was Ronon and Radek growing to know and respect each other, they made a very good team!
June 17, 2016
A really good SGA book - the main story line was the type you would expect from a good episode, but the author took the time to delve into the character's history some - and did a really good job. Well worth the time to read.
October 28, 2010
Loved it!
July 7, 2011
This was a fun read. The author stayed true to the characters personalities from the series, which I appreciated.
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