X-Men: A Novelization

X-Men Novelizations #1

by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, Ed Solomon

A novelization of the major motion picture!

Outcasts from society, the X-MEN are genetic mutants, born with superhuman powers, who harness their special abilities for the greater good. But the human race they fight to protect rejects and fears—even hates—them.

Not all mutants seek to protect mankind. One terrorist group—led by the supremely powerful Magneto—seeks to strike first. Battling against prejudice and agents of intolerance, the X-MEN must establish a peaceful coexistence between mutant and mankind or they will surely perish . . .

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, X Men, Media Tie In, Comics, Superheroes, Marvel

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.

Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.

In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".

She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a competent novelization of a script that was written by Christopher McQuarrie and Ed Solomon, which was of course based on characters and situations developed by Stan Lee and Chris Claremont and a host of such Merry Marvelites over the years. Their job was to translate the script into prose, not change or improve the story, and they accomplished it pretty well. There are a few lines missing and a few scenes are added, perhaps because they were given an earlier version of the script from which to work. The Logan-Jean-Scott thing is still a bit awkward, Magneto is still a little weird, but some background of some characters is added that adds to the story. 'nuff said, true believers. eXcelsior!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is how the authors describe a young Magneto: “There was always something about metal he loved.” Really? Is that so? A mutant super villain named Magnet-o who hearts metal? That's uncanny! I wonder: did Archangel always have a thing for down pillows too?




.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

*minor edits because phone was being an idiot*
A good adaptation of the film, sometimes the writing is a bit dry\flat but overall I love it:-) Its nice too to see/hear some inner thoughts and scenes missing from the movie.

In high school, I was a bit of an outcast, kept to myself and spent all of time in the library. These people/characters resonated with me then and still do:-) I felt less alone. Whenever I felt down or frustrated back then i would pop in the movies and pretend I was saving the world with them.

Only complaint I have is the love triangle with Jean/Logan/Scott, felt it was unnecessary and didn't add anything at all... Wolverine/Storm or Wolverine/Rogue (when she was older) would've been better.


I knew people didn't understand my love for the x-men when they said this *snorts and rolls eyes* :'you only like Wolverine because he's hot' ... I'm geek, plain and simple haha.

I f I mad a mutant power, it'd probably be Telekinesis. .. or teleporting (save a ton on gas that way;-) )

[Joey Patapas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read, that took me no time at all to Finnish. Pretty much the movie beat for beat. There are a few additional scenes that aren’t in the film (as well as a few scenes that are written completely differently). We also get the thoughts and perspectives from characters that are completely absent in the movie. Bottom line, if you enjoyed the film and want a quick, easy read, then you will enjoy this book.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for a novelization. Follows the movie plot-line but fills in some of the character back-stories and thoughts in a way that movies can't without taking too long.

It allows you to spend a few more hours with characters that you like and even gain a slightly deeper understanding of their perspectives.
If you liked the movie, you'll probably like the book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the whole concept for the story. The characters were really interesting and their stories went in-depth into their own issues they were dealing with. The plot as a whole took on real concerns about being different and how people view one another. I thought it sent a good message.

[Kent Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic for a movie novelization. Just what was in the movie outside of a couple extra scenes that didn't really change anything. Sadly, they omitted Logan's use of 'bub' during his climactic fight with Sabretooth. One of the funnest parts of the movie. And they refer to Logan's FOUR claws. I let it go thinking it was just an error but then they did it again toward the end. Glaringly wrong.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This is the movie novelization of the 2000 film, X-Men.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great novel, and really my first experience with the X-Men. How they all came together, and Wolverine’s story made this a great read. I liked getting to know all the different characters, learn some about their backstories, and be immersed in the universe. The conflict between Charles and Magneto, former friends, made it tense and exciting. An adventurous and just fun book.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a good novelization. The Wolverine in the book is closer to the Wolverine in the comics, much closer than the first movie's Wolverine is.

[Rich Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely mediocre novelization of an okay movie. Readable but kind of dull ... not worth the efforts of two authors certainly.

[Amber Jadus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss Stan Lee :(

[Rami Abuhamra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The X-Men have emerged as iconic figures in superhero narratives, encompassing both cinematic and comic explorations. Before the advent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the genre experienced several lackluster entries. Superhero movies could not be taken seriously anymore. A notable example comes from the poorly received film "Batman & Robin (1997)," which led to a widespread perception that superhero films lacked seriousness. However, this perception was significantly altered with the release of Bryan Singer's "X-Men," which revitalized interest in the genre.

Typically, any movie not based on a novel receives a tie-in novel, and "X-Men" is one such example. The novelization of "X-Men" was written by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, author of "Star Wars: The New Rebellion (1996)." Rusch largely adheres to the movie's script, making only minor adjustments to the dialogue and scene transitions. This approach works well, suggesting that there is nothing wrong with the film itself.

One significant change I want to highlight is the exploration of Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Ororo Munroe (Storm)'s origins. In the novel's prologue, after the introduction of Magneto in Poland, we transition to the backstories of Cyclops and Storm. This shift addresses a concern I raised in my review of the film, where I expressed disappointment over the minimal development of these two crucial characters. However, this novel enriches the narrative by delving into their histories, illustrating their personal journeys, challenges, and the flaws that shape them into the heroes they become. It’s refreshing to see their character arcs fleshed out, providing a deeper understanding of their motivations and evolution throughout the story.

Apart from the aforementioned changes, there is limited content to discuss within this novel, as it largely serves as a retelling of the final shooting script of the film. This mirrors my previous critique of the novelization of "The Phantom Menace." Upon reviewing both novelizations, I was notably surprised to discover that there were no significant flaws in the films themselves. If the novelizations do not identify any issues, it suggests that the films are, indeed, satisfactory. Those films accomplished a great deal.

3/4 stars.

[Rangga Sukmawijaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ini adalah novelisasi dari film X-Men yang rilis tahun 2000. Artinya sudah dua puluh satu tahun yang lalu. Saya sendiri sudah banyak lupa seperti apa adegan-adegannya. Membaca novel ini rasanya seperti menonton film itu lagi karena novel ini memang diadaptasi dari film tersebut. Kelebihan membaca novelisasi film adalah kita berinteraksi secara "lebih intim" dengan cerita dan tokoh-tokoh di dalamnya ketimbang jika kita menonton film. Di film, adegan-adegan berlangsung cepat dan selesai sebelum kita dapat "menyerapnya", di novel kita bisa menentukan "kecepatan" kita membaca adegan.

[Bookhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Instagram books review page: Bookhead_01

Mutants: the newest stage in human evolution gifted with powers that make them more powerful than normal humans. Trying to escape the persecution from humans while trying to coexist with them, Professor Xavier has created a school for mutants to come to and learn how to control their powers to benefit humanity and to fight a band of Mutants that want to conquer the world and destroy humans.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I watched the movie, but I think this book captured it quite well.
In the beginning the characters felt very flat or superficial with their thoughts in some situations, and I disliked that a lot, but in the end it was pretty good, I think. It's a solid book, but nothing too special and I don't think it gives anything the movie doesn't give either. (But then again: It's been years, I might remember the movie very wrong.)

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun experience. While I greatly enjoyed the changes the actors and director made on set, seeing some of those changes with the lingering bits of the '99 script was super interesting. I've seen the movie enough times that the changes made on set are ingrained in my memory so it was fun to see the last bits of the og script that were still hanging around when the book was written.

[Kendal Connors · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s only getting three stars because of the internal monologue of magneto in the prologue. It’s 100% true to the movie. I simply read it because of the Wolverine. I’ll read the next two, but it’s not truly for me lol. However I got a copy of all three in the series for $2 each from half price so I’ll be keeping them

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most novelizations, this book has no surprises but it flows well. The author does have a mastery of colorful and descriptive writing. I was engaged but some of the writing is quite simplistic. Still, the action is riveting and well-handled. Overall, this is a good novelization.

[Adryien · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Come on…I’ll take care of you”

UGHHH MY HEART

Also…

“It could be our world, Charles”

“It’s always been our world, Eric. It’s only when we lose sight of that that we imprison ourselves.”

That entire epilogue hits differently reading it compared to watching it <3

[David Macpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, retelling of the movie, with a nice amount of additional information put in. The two writers, Rusche and Dean Wesley Smith, are talented and the story moved quickly and efficiently. It didn't excite me as much as I hoped, but that's novelizations for you. They tell the story.

[Dominic Paoletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this adaptation. I have not felt the bond between Logan and Rogue the same way before. It was comfortable and familiar with a few new scenes and insights that I'll probably keep coming back.

[Mike Shen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A movie novelization. Almost the same as the movie. Short, without much new words for an English language learner.

[Lee Bartholomew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tolerable. Has a few things the movie doesn't have. But it's fairly verbatim

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made the movie real

This book was very instrumental in clearing some of the movie’s concepts. Wish I had read it before. Have to see it again.

[NoRa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was watching First Class, then I moved on to read this. Along the way, I watched Logan for the second time. I adore Wolverine out of all superhumans. I love his rage and yet his level of care.

[Jaime Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a fun read.

[Aaron Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A-Z Challenge (X).

Plus:
Observing changes between this novelization and the film e.g. The difference in how Rogue and Wolverine meet.

Minus:
I think they made some smart changes to the script when you compare to the film.
Prime example is Rogue in the book approaches Wolverine because the trucker she's been hitching a ride with is a serial killer with two confirmed victims.
From a story perspective this goes unaddressed.

The writing does tend towards being a bit dry at times. Like reading a screenplay at times, unsurprisingly perhaps.

Interesting:
Getting internal thoughts from characters during sections provides some additional insight and/or perspective.

[Hiram Castillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered how cool it must be to have super powers?.Well i have and i know it would be very cool.In my novel that is X-Men by Krisine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith it is all about super heroes,In this novel their are special humans who have super powers not all of them do and the ones who do are called Mutants.This book is mainely about action so if you like action books,this will be a great book.

In my novel it starts off with a boy and his family,and the boy is being taken away from his family not knowing what is going on,than he gets a strange power that nobody had ever seen including his parents,the more mad he got the stronger he would get,this kind of sounds like the hulk but it’s not,so he kept trying to get loose from the guards who were separating him from his parents,until he was very mad and had the strength to break loose from the guards hands,he than runs up to his parents and hugs them,than a a few more guards come up to him and hit him on the head,than he faints and gets taken away.

In this novel the main characters are mutants with different powers one of them is called Logan and his power is that he grows claws that come out of his knuckles and that every bone in his body is covered with metal so he can never break a bone,his nickname is wolverine.Than their is a laddie named storm,she can play around with the weather.Their is Scott,nickname cyclops,he shoots out a laser beem out of his eyes.Than their is jean she can read minds and move things with her mind.Rouge is a young girl but she is very deadly when she touches someone she takes away their memory and puts out for days.Than their is Proffesor Axavier he is the leader and he can read peoples mind no body else can do it like him.He is the one who put together the X-men team.

The bad guys in this novel are only a few but they are difficult to defeat,their is saber tooth he is a cat/human being he has incredible strength and a good sense of smell.Their is toad a big fat toad looking guy who spits poison and crushes people.Their is mystique she is a blue women who is a good fighter and can transform her body to almost anything she wants,and for last the leader Magneto he is the one who put together his team and his power is using metal he can control it by looking at it,thinking of it,or anything he wants,everything he has is made out of metal.

The main conflict in this novel is that Magneto and his team build a machine that will turn all the humans who have no powers at all into mutants,but he does not know that his machine only works for a few hours than the person who go effected by it melt.So the x-men team try to stop him and his team from using that machine and killing every Innocent person in the world,and informing him that his machine does not work.

I think this was a great book.

[Anthony McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up on the cartoons, not the comics. Wolverine has always been my favorite "comic-book character". Although I also love He-Man, Lion-O, Michaelangelo (Ninja Turles), etc., I never considered them "comic-book characters". I knew of the X-Men comics, I just didn't read them. Why would I when there were so many cartoons!?! Anywho, when the motion picture was announced, I was as excited as any other fan. As more movies continue to come out, and how excited the cast remains to play these roles, I continue to be excited! Then I find this treasure at a local used book store for 25 cents! It is clear the movie came first, and the writing is phenominal, expanding the scenes much more vividly than the movie was capable of. Like the movie, the movie emphasizes the Wolverine. The only complaint is a small one that is easy to overlook; the book twice mentions his claws as "8" the first time, then the second time as "4", meaning the writers gave him 4 per hand, which is inaccurate; in the movie (the '90s cartoon) he had 3 per hand, for a total of 6, and since this was an adaptation of the film, it should have at least been caught by somebody. But I just smiled and kept reading, enjoying it for what it is. I viewed it as "special features on the dvd." An insight to what they wdrs thinking, also a more complete description of the scenes than what the movie has time for. A treat for X-Fans!