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Underworld #4
Rise of the Lycans
The official movie novelization of the latest film in the blockbuster action/horror movie series, Underworld—coming to theaters in January 2009 from Sony Pictures! Centuries ago...two ageless and terrifying races—the aristocratic vampires and the feral lycans—are bound by a cruel, ancestral relationship between master and servant, and eternally separated by the ongoing, violent rivalry between their two species. But unknown to both nobility and enslaved alike, a clandestine—and forbidden—affair between the lycan servant Lucian and the beautiful vampire noblewoman Sonja burns brightly with an unbridled passion. Seeking to escape Sonja’s tyrannical father, Viktor, and a future in which their love is considered an abomination, Lucian risks the ever-present machinations of the court and his very life to cast himself and his beloved free of their bonds...a daring tactic that will eventually give all lycans the courage to rise up against their oppressive vampire overlords. New alliances are forged even as the chains of slavery are broken...and all that Lucian and Sonja hold dear will be threatened with utter annihilation....
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
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1292 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 28, 2020
Lucian and Sonja's love symbolically supersedes prejudice. And Lucian proves to be a courageous leader for his werewolf brothers trapped in slavery. His battle cry, "We are not animals!" offers the downtrodden race dignity in the midst of suffering and injustice. He rallies them to demand a better destiny than forced laborers and tells them they have a choice: remain barbaric slaves or be true and dignified Lycans. He also defends his kind fiercely, coming to the aid of those who are beaten or imprisoned. He and Sonja both risk their lives for the sake of others. Slaves try to ease one other's misery by giving water or encouragement.
February 11, 2012
The most fastest book I have ever read in my entire life. My sister got it for me from the library and as I have seen the film I thought why not read it and see it is in some way different from the movie. It actually was but only ever so slightly. Took me three days to read this book, at first i read a few chapters but then when I got into the story I was completely dwelled in the story and could imagine everything...I felt like I was taken out of reality for the entire time when I was reading. Generally I do not read romance books or watch romance films but this book has a deep and forbidden love throughout the story along with bloody violence, gore and action. So it has everything you could want really apart from comedy. A thrilling, gripping, exciting and fantastic book to read. I am definitely going to take out the other two books!
October 12, 2009
I seen the movie and could not figure out what the heck was going on so I got this book. Great "cliff notes"! It is actually a lot more detailed and explanatory than the movie. I highly recommend you read the book before you see the movie. Cox does an excellent job of bringing the screen to life and adds enough character detail and background that you get to know the characters more intimately. The story itself, (sorry Underworld fans) is kind of lame. I found it a bit eye rolling that Lucian (A wereworlf enslaved to the vampires) is so enamored with one of his slave holding "betters" (a vampire princess) that he refuses to even escape for love of her. And vice versa. I am not a romantic tho. A thought tho.. the sex scene was a little outrageous.. engorged member? Succulent rump? LOL
May 29, 2012
I really liked this one. I think the Mr. Cox was wise in having the books in this particular order. I enjoyed reading the story of Selene and then finding out how Lucian overthrew the vampires before Selene became an immortal. Very nice.
February 2, 2011
The third book that covers the trilogy tells the story of the beginning of the war, and how the battles between the werewolves known as Lycans and the vampires known as Death Dealers came into being. This book is a novelization of the film, written by Greg Cox who has written the other books. It follws the film, and as such is a good read because this franchise of horror films are very good indeed.
The story tells of Lucian, the first werewolf able to transform between his human shape and that of a Lycan, and the clandestine love affair he starts with Sonja, the vampire daughter of the underworld's tyranical leader, Viktor. Of course, things don't go as planned for the lovers, and in a world where the Lycans are laves of vampires nothing could ever possibly go well in a relationship between the two. from these catastrophic happens is born a brutal war between the two species, that spans centuries and is covered by the films and books Underworld, and Underworld Evolution.
Cox does a good job describing the world the film's have shown us. It's a book well worth reading.
The story tells of Lucian, the first werewolf able to transform between his human shape and that of a Lycan, and the clandestine love affair he starts with Sonja, the vampire daughter of the underworld's tyranical leader, Viktor. Of course, things don't go as planned for the lovers, and in a world where the Lycans are laves of vampires nothing could ever possibly go well in a relationship between the two. from these catastrophic happens is born a brutal war between the two species, that spans centuries and is covered by the films and books Underworld, and Underworld Evolution.
Cox does a good job describing the world the film's have shown us. It's a book well worth reading.
June 4, 2020
This book was so fun to read. It was fantastic getting more insight into the characters from the beloved movies! You see things from a lot of different perspectives; understand the way people think a bit better. I did reach a point where I knew the dreadful thing that happens was next, where I had to set the book down for a while. When I picked it up again I cried and the finished it all in a rush!
Overall the book was well written, if a little floral and had the occasional typo. But totally worth it! My star rating might be a bit high for the quality, but I’m prejudiced... I love the movies and I love Lucian and Sonja. Lucian in particular! Just fair warning: the movies are violent, but the descriptions are much more graphic in the book.
Overall the book was well written, if a little floral and had the occasional typo. But totally worth it! My star rating might be a bit high for the quality, but I’m prejudiced... I love the movies and I love Lucian and Sonja. Lucian in particular! Just fair warning: the movies are violent, but the descriptions are much more graphic in the book.
February 13, 2013
Amazing...just...wow! Battles, maidens and Vampires? Ah I'm fangirling loving it!
April 17, 2016
very good so far! even though its the same as the movie, it is alot better because you can actually know how deep Lucian and Sonja's love goes, instead of just seeing the story happen in the movie.
September 9, 2018
Blood for blood leaves the whole world blinded
I have to say once I came across this novel I was transfixed upon it I mean I’ve seen the movie and I was impressed not only by the storyline but by the cgi and everything and reading this novel made me team lycan I felt for Lucian losing his girl and child and to have lost them by the sonja father was even more heartfelt I mean viktor was just awful I detested him with a passion for his stupidity like why wouldn’t you join the two bloodlines and be all powerful instead of mindlessly destroying them when clearly they had a level of intelligence the whole time but I recommend this book to my little sister tara who loves vampires as much as me or so I think and anyone who enjoys the underworld movies then read the novels they give you much more depth and I gave it five stars because I enjoyed the book aside from so spelling mishaps and my hatred for viktor I really love this book
I have to say once I came across this novel I was transfixed upon it I mean I’ve seen the movie and I was impressed not only by the storyline but by the cgi and everything and reading this novel made me team lycan I felt for Lucian losing his girl and child and to have lost them by the sonja father was even more heartfelt I mean viktor was just awful I detested him with a passion for his stupidity like why wouldn’t you join the two bloodlines and be all powerful instead of mindlessly destroying them when clearly they had a level of intelligence the whole time but I recommend this book to my little sister tara who loves vampires as much as me or so I think and anyone who enjoys the underworld movies then read the novels they give you much more depth and I gave it five stars because I enjoyed the book aside from so spelling mishaps and my hatred for viktor I really love this book
March 16, 2020
Enjoyed this quick moving tale
As much as the movies follow the books amd integrate past and future, the book completes the histories and tale. Good read, quick moving and good story line.
As much as the movies follow the books amd integrate past and future, the book completes the histories and tale. Good read, quick moving and good story line.
April 13, 2021
Not bad
Not bad. I liked that it had some additional story line instead of exactly like the movie. My biggest complaint is the unneeded over use of "azure eyes". Good grief! It was overkill.
Not bad. I liked that it had some additional story line instead of exactly like the movie. My biggest complaint is the unneeded over use of "azure eyes". Good grief! It was overkill.
November 27, 2019
Nonstop gore. A true gothic horror. I liked Sonja, and was sorry she died; so all the dudes with the "thews", and might male parts could continue. But that's just my opinion.
December 21, 2019
Finished this in one day I loved it so much !
Just liked the movie , characters are kickass , romantic and yet fragile !
I loved this so much and every detail taken From the movie and adapted ! 🤍
Just liked the movie , characters are kickass , romantic and yet fragile !
I loved this so much and every detail taken From the movie and adapted ! 🤍
April 28, 2021
Surprisingly well written for a movie novelization.
November 7, 2024
Very good except for the fact that Greg can not write sex scenes and, "Her breasts were full and inviting. Blood-red nipples aimed like spear points at his heart." will haunt me until I die LMAO
February 26, 2021
I have no idea if this is an unpopular opinion or not, but I preferred Rise of the Lycans to both Underworld and Underworld Evolution. Don't get me wrong, I love Selene. But something about Sonja really captivated me. I wouldn't have thought I'd like this so much, since Sonja's love for Lucien is very much a focal point. But there is so much going on behind it all, and I love a good origin/backstory. If you're hesitant about reading one of the novelizations of the films, I'd suggest this one. It was very well written and entertaining as well.
September 23, 2012
c2009. A penny horrible of the spec fic genre. I read this straight after a heavywieght of a spec fic novel of Malazan and this was balm for the brain. A novelisation of a film (that I have never seen), I finished it in a couple of hours. Nothing to really rave about other than an interesting take on the vampires/werewolves back story. "Lucien paced restlessly in the courtyard. His eyes probed the fog beyond the gate for any sign of Sonja's return."
January 20, 2009
Edit 1: I went out in search of a simple, quick read before my next semester of classes started, and when I saw the book. I couldn't resist. I love the Underworld movies.
I like the movie trilogy and will occasionally pick up move tie-ins to read.
I like the movie trilogy and will occasionally pick up move tie-ins to read.
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February 27, 2009Read this book
March 5, 2011
This book is like reading the movie. Recommended for all Underworld lovers.
September 18, 2012
own the movie! AWESOME!
July 14, 2015
It was actually well done! The author gets into the mind of each character very well! Now, I have a clear understanding of what was going on in the movie! Highly recommend it!
August 13, 2015
loved being able to go back in time and meet the characters that are referred to in the other books
December 12, 2014
I loved this book. No foofoo vampires here!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews