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Space: 1999
Space: 1999 Born For Adversity
As the Moon enters an area of space controlled by a mysterious alien race, Computer is plagued by strange malfunctions. A ship of apparent refugees crashes near Alpha, heralding strife for the base and an emotional crisis for Maya. Change has come to Moonbase Alpha, and the future will never be the same.
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
David A. McIntee
77 books30 followersDavid A. McIntee was a British author who specialised in writing spin-offs and nonfiction commentaries for Doctor Who and other British and American science-fiction franchises.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 8, 2010
Born for Adversity is another in the series of Space 1999 books recently released by Powys Media. The unique aspect of this book however, is that it begins a speculative “third season” for the now long defunct sci-fi show. Fans know that it ran only two seasons, and the two seasons had a very different flavor to them, with some characters disappearing without explanation between seasons, and new characters being added—most notably a shape-shifting alien named Maya.
So how would Powys start off a third season? Which season would it emulate? The more cerebral first season, or the more action-oriented second?
The answer is, surprisingly, both!
The story starts with an alien battle, followed by the results of a seeming computer malfunction on Alpha, and a sub-plot involving Maya’s personal relationship with one of the earthlings. (Tony Verdeschi for those in the know.) From there it becomes a fanboy’s dream. There are invading alien forces—some new and some familiar. Personal struggles. Nods to characters and episodes from both seasons. Even the popular Hawk ships make an appearance.
There are also explanations given to some of the shows more nebulous mysteries. Like: Why do people inside Moonbase Alpha walk under normal gravity, but float around under reduced (moon-like) gravity outside?
The book is written by David Mcintee, a longtime sci-fi writer, responsible for novels of many popular series, including Star Trek and Dr. Who. He does a better than credible job here. Clearly he knows the characters and situations he is writing about. He carves out a great new adventure, drawing from many parts of Space 1999 canon.
As of this writing, there are at least two more “season three” novels available. If this one is any indication, the future of Space 1999 looks very bright. And fun!
So how would Powys start off a third season? Which season would it emulate? The more cerebral first season, or the more action-oriented second?
The answer is, surprisingly, both!
The story starts with an alien battle, followed by the results of a seeming computer malfunction on Alpha, and a sub-plot involving Maya’s personal relationship with one of the earthlings. (Tony Verdeschi for those in the know.) From there it becomes a fanboy’s dream. There are invading alien forces—some new and some familiar. Personal struggles. Nods to characters and episodes from both seasons. Even the popular Hawk ships make an appearance.
There are also explanations given to some of the shows more nebulous mysteries. Like: Why do people inside Moonbase Alpha walk under normal gravity, but float around under reduced (moon-like) gravity outside?
The book is written by David Mcintee, a longtime sci-fi writer, responsible for novels of many popular series, including Star Trek and Dr. Who. He does a better than credible job here. Clearly he knows the characters and situations he is writing about. He carves out a great new adventure, drawing from many parts of Space 1999 canon.
As of this writing, there are at least two more “season three” novels available. If this one is any indication, the future of Space 1999 looks very bright. And fun!
October 5, 2018
A decent entry in the Space: 1999 series, though a little bloodthirsty at times! As is par for the course, a hefty dose of suspension of disbelief is required at times through the text, but overall it's another great example of an episode tie-in that goes into great depth of the possible details behind the action. Snappy writing for the most part, though a small font means this one is longer than it appears!
August 13, 2012
One of the latest Space: 1999 novels from Powys media, this one written by David A Mcintee.
I enjoyed it (but not the font or the sometimes Odd page formatting LuLu printed it into), and this could be the first proper Powys book that really begins setting up their grand unified Space
1999 continuity - with the next two books Omega and Alpha.
The Characters are pretty spot on (although the phrase "Koenig snapped." I think was overused,
but then again, given Martin Landaus delivery of his lines in the show, I guess it fits. heh. The characters are pretty much spot on, with all the season 2 cast getting atleast something to do.
One thing that did kinda bug me at the end, was it appears there was almost a check list of things to get done in this novel, and by the end of it you kinda can see it looking back. Dealing with
cast members that vanished from season 1 to 2, most without even a "tiny hole in a space suit" explanation. The evacuation of Main Mission was explained in the Previous novel, and here, internally
at least John Koneig HATES the new subterranean cramped version. but fear not .... heh.
All in all this is definitely a MAYA story. More long thought dead Psychons, and Psyche, and
a bunch of other things. Alpha really beefs itself up here for the long haul.
Was it worth 20 bucks? hmmm. Ultimately I suppose it was since I spent that pretty much Sight Unseen.
Dove right into the next book in the series OMEGA...
I enjoyed it (but not the font or the sometimes Odd page formatting LuLu printed it into), and this could be the first proper Powys book that really begins setting up their grand unified Space
1999 continuity - with the next two books Omega and Alpha.
The Characters are pretty spot on (although the phrase "Koenig snapped." I think was overused,
but then again, given Martin Landaus delivery of his lines in the show, I guess it fits. heh. The characters are pretty much spot on, with all the season 2 cast getting atleast something to do.
One thing that did kinda bug me at the end, was it appears there was almost a check list of things to get done in this novel, and by the end of it you kinda can see it looking back. Dealing with
cast members that vanished from season 1 to 2, most without even a "tiny hole in a space suit" explanation. The evacuation of Main Mission was explained in the Previous novel, and here, internally
at least John Koneig HATES the new subterranean cramped version. but fear not .... heh.
All in all this is definitely a MAYA story. More long thought dead Psychons, and Psyche, and
a bunch of other things. Alpha really beefs itself up here for the long haul.
Was it worth 20 bucks? hmmm. Ultimately I suppose it was since I spent that pretty much Sight Unseen.
Dove right into the next book in the series OMEGA...
January 22, 2011
This the first of the new original series of novels to delve beyond the limited two season run is set a few years after the series ended - the proverbial third season. True I could nitpick at pieces and plot points but won't, and I found it the be the best written to date - and a lot of fun to read!
The sheer douchebaggery of the Psychon race is well documented here, and begs me to wonder if Maya suffered from the Psychon equivalent of Down's Syndrome, being the only happy well-adjusted Psychon in the Universe...
And kudos to my old dear friend Ken Scott on his cover artwork!
The sheer douchebaggery of the Psychon race is well documented here, and begs me to wonder if Maya suffered from the Psychon equivalent of Down's Syndrome, being the only happy well-adjusted Psychon in the Universe...
And kudos to my old dear friend Ken Scott on his cover artwork!
January 28, 2013
This book was a disappointment because of choices that were made affecting the future of the franchise. The motto with such a book really has to be "First, do no harm". So I have to rate this book poorly, despite the evident care that went into it, and my general support for Powys Media's line of Space: 1999 novels.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews