Collateral Damage (Alias) [Mass Market Paperback]

Pierce Askegren (Author), J. J. Abrams (Creator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1416902473 | ISBN-13: 978-1416902478 | Publication Date: June 28, 2005

When a routine assignment to infiltrate a public building and retrieve some APO monitoring equipment goes wrong, the question arises of who is actually monitoring whom? Agent Sydney Bristow skilfully and resourcefully manages to complete the objective, but a split-second pause during her escape endangers a civilian caught in the crossfire. When details of the victim emerge and the lead suspect is murdered, Sydney's carefully compartmentalized life is in danger of unravelling. Has she always made the right choices, knowing the inherent danger posed to those around her? Her handler Vaughn and her father - and fellow-agent - Jack are understandably concerned. As a field agent, even the smallest distraction can prove fatal...

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416902473
• ISBN-13: 978-1416902478
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,386,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Tie-In Novel, July 27, 2005

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Collateral Damage (Alias) (Mass Market Paperback)

It was supposed to be a routine retrieval mission. In fact, it was almost beneath Sydney and Dixon's talents. That is until armed men corner Sydney on the roof of a building. In her attempt to escape, an innocent office worker is shot.

The failed mission means big trouble to APO. Someone was piggy backing on their surveillance, and they need to know who. The trail leads to Peru, where a member of the team is taken hostage. Can Sydney overcome her guilt over innocents hurt to save the day?

After the last couple tie-in novels, I was about ready to quit, but I'm glad I gave it one more shot. This is the strongest for a while. The plot was entertaining and moved along quickly. The characters were strong and leap off the page into their TV personas without any extra work on my part. There were times when the book seemed slightly overwritten, but for the most part, this author avoided that pitfall, even when giving background needed for newer viewers. And long time viewers will be rewarded with some resolve to emotional issues from years back.

If you can't get enough of this show, this is a great place to get a summer fix.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Even with a low expectation I was displeased, August 16, 2005

By 

Kerry "E-M-E-T-I-B" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collateral Damage (Alias) (Mass Market Paperback)

I understand when I pick up an Alias novel that it will be a light read. I don't anticipate overly in depth writing or storytelling. I don't expect it to be anything harder than what a 5th grader might read.

Nonetheless, I was still highly disappointed by this book. The prequel books that I've read have had some problems, but I found this one from the APO series to be the most offensive. I found myself wondering if the author had ever seen an episode of the show to which he was penning a story.

The plot itself was intriguing, if disjointed. Too many aspects did not fit with the actual missions. Another reviewer mentioned the misspellings and other technical mistakes that any casual viewer of Alias would have known, had they bothered to do the research. Misspelling Rambaldi is just unacceptable, both in the writing and editing of this novel. However, the thing that bothered me even more was the characterizations. For one thing, I don't think Weiss and Vaughn even know what handball is. Picky? Yes. I don't expect good writing, but I expect writing that comports with the series.

Sydney and Jack's voices especially were out of character. There was a point in the novel where Jack actually called her 'Syd'. You tell me the last time you heard that on the show.

One good thing I will say-- the author did have his technical research down. The plot was enjoyable, as long as one didn't pretend they were the Alias characters we know and love. The author did have the voice of Marshall down pretty well, and he gave good performances during his briefings and throughout the book.

All in all, I'm not overly anxious to read anything else this author has written, and if I hadn't already bought another APO book (bought 2 at the same time), I'd probably be far more hesitant to go and purchase another Alias book, period.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great light reader!, August 18, 2005

By 

Phoenix "Freelancer" (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collateral Damage (Alias) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm in school right now and love books that don't require thought but do let me get lost in them! This book is just like that and that's a good thing! It really sucks you in and transports you to the world of Alias!!!