Resistance: The Gathering Storm

Resistance Universe

by William C. Dietz

The thrilling novel based on the bestselling video game Fall of ManGreat Britain. July 1951. Three years ago, Russia went dark. Nothing got in. Nothing got out. The world assumed it was political strife. But it was the voracious extraterrestrial invaders. And in December 1949, they burst across the Russian border and poured into Europe. The luckiest humans died. The less fortunate succumbed to an alien virus—and changed. Within a year, most of Europe had fallen. Only Great Britain, after struggling desperately, had kept the conquerors at bay. But as the Chimera were repelled, they were evolving. Building. Planning. America. November 1952. The Chimera have crossed the Atlantic. Their lightning strikes on American borders are devastating. Cities are lost. Small towns overrun. Citizens transformed into monstrosities. Enter Lieutenant Nathan Hale, U.S. Ranger. A veteran of the Chimeran conflict, he is uniquely immune to the alien virus. And when regular troops can’t stem the Chimeran onslaught, Hale and his special-operations team meet the menace head-on. But while they battle the relentless Chimera, deadly power games rage in the White House. And when Hale discovers a far-reaching conspiracy, one with deadly consequences for the human race, his allegiance to country and mankind is stretched to the breaking point. Based on a game rated Mature by the ESRB

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Video Games, Horror, Military Fiction, Aliens, War

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

New York Times bestselling author William C. Dietz has published more than fifty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Washington, and has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, and television news writer, director and producer. Before becoming a full-time writer Dietz was director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company. He and his wife live near Gig Harbor, Washington.

Reviews

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically stay away from video game to book stuff. I never felt it passed well. However I am a big fan of alternate history. I read all of Harry Turtledove's World War II series and this one was just like that.

Alternate earth where ww2 never happens, the tzar beats the communists and and aliens attack in the 50's. The story falls between the PS3 Resistance 1 and 2 during the two year gap. 2 main side stories tell the tale of war against a highly advanced enemy.

Very well done. Nathan Hale was believable and the battles were well done. and gave the gravity of the era.

So I liked it. Still does not mean I am going to run out there and buy the Doom books though

[Fred Hughes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book. I've never played the video game it is based on and that may be the issue.

However besides this series I have read many other books written by William C. Dietz and he is a HIGHLY RECOMENDED Author. Just not for this series

[Nicholas Papadimitriou · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uneventful read mainly. When something interesting happens, the author either decides to cut it short or focus on something else. The first part where Hale goes to see his family home is nice. Same as the part toward the end, the image of how humans are made into Chimera will stick with me for a bit. However most of the book doesn't read as smoothly, with multiple side plots and a main plot that doesn't come into focus until the very end.

[Dmitry Yakovenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

На удивление, отличная книга.
Очень понравилось манера автора, вводить много персонажей, таким образом, в книге около десяти героев и более того: нам дадут взглянуть на мир, даже глазами химеры. Дитц отлично передает атмосферу этой фантастической войны и безысходности, мир пал, война почти проиграна и это отлично осознаешь и чувствуешь, читая данную книгу. Что и говорить про отличных героев, которых очень и очень много. Стоит ли говорить про диалоги и описание сражений? Думаю, стоит. Они отличные. Вообще, почти все в этой книге сделано, если не великолепно, то очень хорошо.
Настоятельно советую прочитать эту книгу, не только геймерам, фантам этой серии, но и просто любителям фантастики.

[Chris The Lizard from Planet X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resistance: The Gathering Storm By Willam C. Dietz, is a video game tie-in novel based on Insomniac Games “Resistance” video game franchise.

Set in an Alternate History that deviated from our timeline in 1908 with the arrival of alien viruses on Earth. These viruses interfaced with each other as a collective intelligence, infecting and transforming humans into Chimera and advancing the technology of their creations. By early 1950s, most of the planet has fallen to the Chimera. The USA held back from the conflict until 1946 and is now the only superpower left on Earth resisting the Chimera invasion.

The story focuses on the first game’s protagonist, Sentinel Special Forces soldier Lieutenant Nathan Hale during five eventful weeks at the end of 1951. As Hale and his fellow Sentinels fight the Chimera throughout the United States. This novel However, is not all scenes of blood and guts combat. As we also follow US President Noah Grace as he, and his administration conduct deadly political games, and use a secret project in hopes of making a treasonous peace with the alien invaders. This concludes with Nathan Hale joining the president's party as negotiations are attempted with the Chimera, and Hale’s loyalty to his country and mankind is pushed to the breaking point.

Dietz is a master at military Sci-Fi! I have not read a book by Dietz that I didn't like. This book was no exception. I love alternate history and military sci-fi genres. I especially like the combination of the two genres, and author Willam C. Dietz shows his talent as as he combines the two genres in the book. He really explores and builds upon the Resistance game universe in this novel. Author Dietz did an outstanding job of putting this NOVEL together. It is well written and I love the way the plot has both a military side and a political thriller side to it, the character developement was exellent.

It fleshes out a lot of the plot and characters seen in the games, while also adding plenty of new storyline to the Resistance game canon. I particularly liked small nods to the far-flung corners of the Resistance universe, including references to the Project Abraham from the Resistance graphic novel series and the Resistance: Retribution PSP game; this, combined with the many references to the weapons and characters seen in the games, ensures that the book does feel like a legitimate part of the Resistance world. Some of the side-plots - particularly a plotline revolving around President Grace and his cabinet in Washington - feel a little disconnected first, but the whole thing comes together nicely at the end.

I'm a big fan of the Resistance games and Nathan Hale, so I was happy to see that this book has a lot of focus on him. The book basically tells you what happened in America between the first two games, while also introducing some new things about the Chimeran race, Nathan's family, and The Sentinels (the secret military force Hale is a part of). You also learn more about certain characters that are only occasionally mentioned in the games, such as Jordan Shepperd and President Noah Grace. From start to finish, this book does a great job of bridging the gap between the first two Resistance games.

That being said, the book isn't as dark or mysterious as the first game, and fails to capture the same sense of hopelessness that I felt playing the first. I was disappointed that there was no mention of the non-American characters like Rachael Parker or Steven Cartwright. I also found certain things, such as Nathan Hale's love interest, to be pointless and boring additions to the story. Although minor reasons, that's why I didn't give the book a perfect rating.

All in all, Willam Dietz writes a great prequel that bridges the gap between the first two games Resistance: Fall Of Man and Resistance 2 that’s both entertaining to both gamers and regular readers of sci-fi and alternate history. That I would most definitely recommend reading.

[Asmaå Slimani · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel is based on an electronic game

The novel primarily focuses on the decisions of President Noah Grace, who realizing the inevitable fact that his nation will fall to the Chimera, announces to his Cabinet his plan to implement a compromise known as Project Omega. This compromise calls for a negotiation between the United States and the Chimera - through the former the human turn Chimera, Jordan Shepherd, now known as Daedalus. Grace reasons that his decision is a necessary act to spare the United States from the horrors of the Chimeran War at the expense of the world (as the plan calls for the withdraw of all American forces from the conflict). Furthermore, Grace, privately, intends the negotiations to save himself, and only himself. This decision is met with disgust and outrage from Grace's Secretary of War Henry Walker, who recognizes this as treason and secretly records Grace's plans. After Project Omega is accepted by Grace's Cabinet, Walker flees with his wife to join the resistance group Freedom First in Chimera-occupied Chicago in order to expose Project Omega; however, while en-route to the city the Walkers are captured by the Chimera and taken to a mining pit in Wisconsin, alongside other human prisoners, that is being used as a conversion center. Grace becomes aware of Henry Walker's absence and orders a manhunt to find Walker, dead or alive. The search for Walker is led by Chief of Staff William Dentweiler, who is also in charge of Daedalus's capture

[Arizona Spartan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like many I have serious issues with this book, however these issues are not entirely the fault of Dietz who is a great writer. I have enjoyed his Legion series. The fault lies with the limitations placed on the book being sandwiched between 2 video games. Dietz in my opinion is left without building tension for a good climax and the story and plot options are limited. I get that there is some character study going on for the protagonist Hale as he relates to the video games. All these things together really create a weak narrative. Although I enjoyed the combat scenes, a Dietz strength, the story just doesn't work. A better option for the book would have been to write a side story about some character who maybe never shows up in the game where more narrative tension could be achieved. I would have even preferred to just have the plots from the video games written into book form instead of this book. There were some good scenes and moments but they couldn't save the overall story.

[Mark Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never played or heard of the game so didn't know what to expect.

Typical end of world stuff with some good characters and plenty of action and some degree of tension.

Would have liked more info about fall of Britain but am guessing that was in the game!

Overall not a bad read, if you're into your apocalyptic/alien invasion/resistance fighters scenarios.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious attempt to bring video game logic into a more mental setting.

[Nicholas Cesare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool book in my favorite universe.

[Dakeyras · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Resistance games from Insomniac Games and I wanted to love this book just as much.

Unfortunately I just found the novel to be lacking and couldn't finish it.

[Dale (Aus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. It worked well and was a good addition to my reading list

[Steven Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared to hate this book. Until it came in the mail, I did not realize that it was based on a video game. Not being of the generations that immerse themselves in video games, I am not all that familiar with the setting of this book. That being said, you can read this and know nothing of the game (as I did) or Google the game (which I did as well), but either action are not necessary to enjoy this book. I have yet to read a Dietz book that I did not enjoy and this one, despite its game setting, is no exception. The story is fast-paced, the characters are believable, and I enjoyed the story arc. My only complaint is the ending of the book which felt truncated and chopped off as if the publisher had a word or page limit.

Spoilers ahead stop reading if you wish to skip. The part where Nathan kills the President, I felt could have been taken into a whole new book. Nathan could have risen to lead the Freedom First group against the government. I would have liked to see a small civil war where Nathan with Susan beside him, leads Freedom First, taking the Sentinels with him against the Grace administration. Nathan walking in and shooting the President was anti-climatic and not the page-turning action that I have come to expect from this author.

[Genessa]

So.. Ok. I don't know how to evaluate this overall so I'm just gonna throw details at you.

Writing: mostly decent with a few awkward spots. Not poetic or anything, but mostly unobtrusive, except for the aforementioned clumsy places.

Plot/story: I would have appreciated some more background setting, when the aliens have first invaded and are taking over various places. It felt like the book jumped into the middle of things, but that makes sense since you're probably supposed to know the background already from the video game off which it's based. The story is mostly battles strung together with a few scenes of human interest/state of governance/"romance" (yo, you gotta develop it or I won't believe it) interspersed. The supporting characters were pretty believable and human, but I can't say I was too sad when they died? And that ending. Way too sudden.

I will stop being a complaining potato now. Overall it was pretty decent, a good fluff action read.

[Elvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about Luitenant Nathan Hale who is fighting against the chimera and the chimeran virus in him.The Chimera are a race of aliens that are attacking the Earth. The Americans are losing the war but the SRPA that house the sentinel: soldiers wit the chimeran virus in the and trained to combat the chimeran menace. I like this book because i played the games and it goes good with the story. The book is an of a video game series. I liked how the author added things to make the story more interesting and go with the plot. The main character is just so interesting because he is injected with the virus that the chimera inject in to humans to make humans become chimera. The climax was a good way to end the book because the traitor in the White House is killed point blank and the traitors die.

[Ali · Rating 1 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the Resistance games, and I was really excited to read this book. However, the book fell way short of my expectations. The author tends to be overly descriptive, causing the story to drag in numerous places, especially the meetings in the white house. Also, the way Nathan Hale is portrayed in the book conflicts with how he's portrayed in the games. He is a completely different person in the book than he was in the games. Finally, the games, while giving the player an alternate timeline where world war 2 never happened, still stayed true to the time period. The book on the other hand did not and had, on more than one occasion, characters using computers. The secretary of war had a tape recorder that was newly developed tech, but they also have computers that can send email? That just doesn't add up.

[Klajdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not as good as the other books I've read, but it's decent. One of the important characters, whose name is Hale, didn't seem all that interested in the war, and he acted like he did not want to be there. It made me think many things, one of them being "What is the whole point of signing up for a job if you are not going to do what you are assigned?" It can relate to school in a way. One reason that I rated it only 3 stars was because the book was mostly narration, and it did not focus that much on the characters. Another reason that I gave this was because the parts where the book did focus (or try to) on the characters, didn't do a whole lot of focusing. It mainly focused on the setting. Kind of a downer. Read it if you are interested. Wouldn't recommend it to many people.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad companion novel for the Resistance series, its quite interesting and has a few unexpected twists, my main gripe however is with the unnecessary otheruse of calling the Chimera by the lazy name of "stinks" when no such reference exists elsewhere in the series. The story itself tells the tale of Nathan Hale and a few other characters between the gap of Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2 and includes the tale of a political betrayal and the creation of Daedulus. People unfamiliar with the series may find these books a bit incomprehensible however the ones familiar with it I definitely recommend it to.

[CP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy video games such as Halo, and I really don't pay that much attention to the story - I am there for the action. So it is kinda funny that I not only read a book based on a video game, but that it is also a game that I have never played. It ran a bit long for me in certain parts, but I enjoyed it overall, and it kept me interested until the end. This is definitely targeted to the gamers, because the author assumes you know what the different creatures look like and therefore doesn't spend much time with descriptions. This definitely piqued my interest in the game, but sadly it is not meant to be as I do not own a PlayStation.

[Dale Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good novel. Good length, well written, engaging and fits well with the game series. My only criticism is the ridiculously decapitated ending. The last few pages are a whirlwind of trying to tie up a few loose ends and leave it open for a sequel. It was beyond rushed, it's like another 10,000 words were compressed into a few pages. And there were other loose ends that were not addressed at all. But apart from that, it was pretty enjoyable.

[Mansour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to any one who played "Resistance: Fall of Man" and wants to know more about the main protagonist, Nathan Hale as it talks about his parents, his sister and even his love interest. All that while presenting a good conspiracy theory that gets more interesting as you progress through the book.

[Teddy Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While an enjoyable book that takes place in the Resistance universe, it left me unsatisfied with the ending. Most gaming books add to the universe and create more depth. This one gave the main character some depth, but outside of that it was just some side story that didn't really feel like it related to the main story line.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

was alright, but there wasn't too much of a story. I never played the Plastation game so that might have been part of the problem, but stand alone it just kind of went from one encounter to another without much in between.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though Dietz is not the greatest writer, the Resistance setting is a fun one to spend a few hours, moving from adventure to adventure quickly enough that the reader never spends too much time thinking about some cliched set-pieces and uneven main character.

[Paige-lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

for the first action book i've read in a while it was packed with it. also great for people who haven't played the game it's based on as it gives good description of the characters. And from a person who hates reading politics The political side of things was quick, to the point and interesting.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world of Restistance is a savage and brutal world, and I like it!

[SUPER BRETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resistance was a book about Lieutenant Nathan Hale as he battle the alien enemy and the elements in the fight or struggle to take back North America

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was boring and didn't have much interesting stuff in it. The video games were much better than the book ever was. I thought the ending was very stupid.

[Killebrewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK EVER

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book but it's such a shame that it didn't tie in to the start of Resistance 2. The author had the perfect chance to do it but for whatever reason, didn't.