Customer Reviews

Countdown to Action (Thunderbirds)

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Put down the game controllers and shut off the television, Countdown to Action is going to deliver the fun! This book is a must read for parents and kids alike. Joan brings the action in a family friendly way that I know you are going to enjoy.

Taken from the original Thunderbirds series made popular by the 1960's television series by the same name, Countdown to Action is the first in a fun and exciting action series about the Tracy family and their organization, International Rescue.

After his wife dies in a tragic accident, astronaut Jeff Tracy turns his grief into a dream: to create an organization which will rescue people that no one else can reach. With his five sons at his side, they set out to overcome all of the obstacles in their way and try to make the dream a reality to help those in need.

This is a wonderful action story with jets, race cars, rockets, speed boats and more... It is sure to keep even your pickiest young reader entertained. But do not mistake this for just another kids book, Countdown to Action is loaded with valuable life lessons that should be shared with the entire family. From overcoming the loss of a loved one, to learning about teamwork and working together as a family, this book delivers and needs to be shared.

I remember watching a few episodes of the old TV show when I was young, and was reintroduced to the Thunderbirds with the 2004 movie. I came across these books when looking for more information on the Tracy Family. This book is a fantastic read and gives a wonderful story for the background of Jeff and Lucy, their five sons and the founding of International Rescue. It is a fast read, but very enjoyable and I plan to reread it again. I highly recommend this book even if you've never heard of the Thunderbirds for the family interaction and the exciting action throughout the book.

** spoiler alert ** Based on the classic children's adventure show (starring marionettes), this novel tells the backstory behind International Rescue and their Thunderbirds ships. We discover what motivated former astronaut Jeff Tracy and his sons to create private, secret organization dedicated to rescuing people from disasters around the planet. We also learn how they meet supporting characters Kyrano, Tin-Tin, Lady Penelope and Parker. Finally, we also see how the ships and their secret base were constructed, and uncover the motivation behind recurring villain The Hood.

This books is very much a prequel, setting up the stuff fans will have already seen on the show. As a result, some elements (particularly the Hood) get set up but never quite pay off. Also, while we see the setup and get some pretty detailed descriptions of the Thunderbirds vehicles and their functions, as well as Tracy Island, we don't really see them in action that much. So it's a pretty atypical Thunderbirds story, and may appeal more to longtime fans than folks unfamiliar with the series. Having said that, I can't imagine too many people buying/reading this book who aren't already Thunderbirds fans, so that's probably not a big issue.

The author, Joan Marie Verba, is clearly one of those fans. The writing is occasionally clunky, and her detailed descriptions of the design and functions of the Thunderbirds and all the gadgets on Tracy Island certainly don't help to speed the pace. However, as the title says, this is merely the countdown to action, and it's fine that it's a slow, deliberate build-up to everything that comes next.

If I have one major criticism, it's that the characters aren't particularly fleshed out. However, I even have mixed feeling about that, since a novel based on a TV show should be true to that show. Is it a problem if the characters come across as stiff and wooden in the book, when that's what they literally were on the show? I guess the one change I would wish for is some more depth to patriarch Jeff Tracy. While we see his sons go through some trials and tests of faith, it would have been nice to have seen him go through the same sort of thing.

Having said that, when she's trying, Ms Verba really was able to evoke real emotion. Lucy Tracy's death scene actually brought tears to my eyes. Between stuff like that, and her fantastic evocation of the images of the TV series, I felt that she really wrote a successful Thunderbirds novel. I eagerly look forward to reading the next book, to see how she handles a more traditional Thunderbirds story, now that the groundwork has been laid.

This was the first time I have been introduced to the `Thunderbirds'. I understand they are based of the British 60's show "Thunderbirds are go". As I was reading, I really enjoyed the depth, detail and action as it unfolded.
The story was well done and truly full of imagination for me as I was able to fully visualize the island as well as their rescue vehicles. I found I was unable to set it down when I started, and it was a quick read. I am looking forward to sharing this set with my son when he is a few years older as I know he will enjoy it. Recommend for anyone that enjoyed the `Thunderbirds' show or movie, as well as those whom enjoy a fast-paced science fiction for young readers and adults alike.

Joan Marie Verba has created a wonderful futuristic world with a family of heroes. Dad, Jeff Tracy leads the way with a band of sons who are as adventurous as their Dad. It is a wonderful tale of villain versus good guys. Come join the fun with Tracy Technologies and the gang on their very own island. The gadgets of the future and their daring will save the day.

Verba has done it again! I love the super-hero stuff and "Countdown To Action" makes it totally believable. It's nice to meet characters who go through some tough times but don't give up on humanity. Awesome futuristic toys...wish we had them now! Makes me want to get in trouble so the Tracey's will come and save me.

Countdown to Action is a fast paced and exciting read. It starts off slowly giving a history of Jeff Tracy, father of five sons and originator of the Thunderbirds - but once the action starts - hold on. This is a great ride and a great read, especially for the young at heart.

There hasn't been a comprehensive "prehistory" written of the world of "Thunderbirds" since the magazine of the 1990s, which alone makes "Countdown To Action" a book to read and remember. It's also a thoroughly enjoyable, adventurous outing with characters who are beloved by fans around the world. The novel begins by filling in an element which has been largely neglected in Thunderbirds lore as it tells us about the relationship which brought those valiant Tracy brothers into our lives. Of course, "Thunderbirds" was never much on romance (unless you paid close attention to the Alan-Tin Tin-Brains triangle), but Ms. Verba's book reminds us that without a Mrs. Tracy--who was never even mentioned during the series--we'd never have had those five dashing, handsome and intrepid Tracy boys or their brilliant adventures.

My fascination with the series has always been more about what compels this amazing family to risk their lives time and time again, as well as about what in their collective background prepared them for their hazardous chosen task. Scott, Virgil, John, Gordon and Alan all had their own fields of study and interests outside of the family and were on their individual ways to gaining fame in their own right, away from their famous father's shadow. "Countdown To Action" illustrates in seamless order how Jeff Tracy raised five such selfless and brave sons to maturity, gifting the world with young men who were willing to sacrifice their own personal lives and safety to save those in mortal peril time and time again. "Countdown To Action" successfully delves into the formation of the core of International Rescue and so much more, making it a very satisfying introduction to an exciting new series.

Tragedy does strange things to people, and it is not always negative. "Countdown to Action!" is a novel based on the beginnings of the old television program "Thunderbirds". When faced with his wife's death, Jeff Tracy calls upon his sons to create an organization dedicated to rescuing those who need it. Creating such an organization, however, is much easier said than done. "Countdown to Action!" is highly recommended reading for science fiction enthusiasts in general and fans of the "Thunderbird" television series in particular.