Customer Reviews

The Last Days of Krypton

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I wasn't sure what to think when I picked this one up. Kevin J. Anderson has written a lot of books, and the ones I've read have been good, but not great. I thought his Star Wars novels seemed.... simplistic. I thought his Dune novels (at least the ones I've read) came across as unfocused, relating a series of events as opposed to a coherent story. But, I picked this one up as I'm a die hard Superman fan, after reading a couple good reviews. Wow. I was totally blown away. The book did a number of things I would have thought possible. It told a remarkable and engaging Superman story, without Superman in it. It made General Zod interesting (I have always hated that character) And it even took what I considered to be the dumbest bit of Superman lore (the bottled city of Kandor) and made it into the Superman equivalent of 9-11. This is not a good book. This is a great book. Highly recommended for Superman fans, Sci-fi fans, and just about anyone who likes a good book. Go pick it up, and read it, and then try and tell me I'm wrong!

I found the book sitting on a forgotten shelf in the library and thought, how bad could it possibly be, after Kevin J. Anderson destroyed Dune, destroying Krypton won't be all that different. How wrong I was! Spoilers below, read at your own risk.

The concept the this book started off well. I was actually tempted and fascinated to see what life on Krypton was like in its last days. I was actually surprised that while Kevin tried to establish a civilization, he forgot the most important aspect, religion. He talked about past warlords, but did not mentioned any Gods of Krypton. Was there no religion other than worshipping their sun Rao?

The emerald green lava that was displaced from the core, was never really explained, it was intended to be established as the green meteor rock that we see on Earth as Kryptonite. The convenience of Brainiac stealing Kandor working itself into the story, just didn't really add the punch it needed. Neither did the visit by the blue traveler alien Donodon, his origins were not mentioned, nor his conveniently salvaged computer banks that held the location for Mars and Earth. Wow, the blue planet seen from an alien computer, would you send your son to this world in a last desperate attempt?

The story actually started mutating to civil war amongst the Kryptonians and their fight against General Zod, after Kandor got stolen, he took the opportunity to seize power and destroy his opposition. Even his aides Aethyr, possibly Ursa from the movie, and Nam-Ek, possibly Non from the Superman movies were hopeless. I'm sure General Zod was more powerful than sitting around gathering political power and getting his aides to do his dirty work for him!

The love between Jor-El and Lara, which should have transcended all love stories, was touch and go. As the novel progressed, I actually never felt anything, not even a spark between them, maybe it's his version of Kryptonian romance, I really don't know! Lara's pregnancy didn't even feel real, it was like, marriage, hey I'm pregnant, a period of civil war, and then out pops Kal-El after all the chaos! At the same time, I was appalled that Superman lore got twisted such that the Phantom Zone used to imprison Zod and his minions, get this, got thrown down a lava shaft and caused a singularity which caused the planet's destruction. Ah yes, and don't get me started on the pesky comet!

Kevin enjoys picking ideas from various sources, be it TV series, movies or comics and then stitching them together like an American quilt, except, you can see how bad the stitching is when he tries to create variations on the quilt that don't quite seem to fit together or make sense! If you have read enough of Kevin's novels and series, you will understand his need to establish names and ranks and bombastic terms for them. Throw in all those hyphenated names he created, Or-om, No-Ton, were they really necessary? These things in conjunction with superlatives that were frivolously thrown about all over the story to add some kind of color to the novel just made it all the more a nightmare to read. Also, his story telling methods are descriptively linear, they don't really allow readers to think for themselves to put things together. He leads readers by the nose through the entire story, hardly the stuff of sci-fi legend.

I will NOT recommend this book to casual readers or even readers of Superman lore, you might consider it blasphemy! I'd rather readers turn to the Superman comics to enjoy the creative stories told there, rather than waste any of your precious time on this trashy novel.

And before you actually go poking holes in my review of this novel, answer this: Kevin J Anderson has written so many sci-fi novels, if all of them were so great that fans and critics claim them to be, why has none of them been offered to be turned into movies, much less TV series? Even for the sake of argument that it does become a movie, will it actually make money, or will it be one of those straight to DVD movies that end up in the $1.99 discount bin at Blockbusters?

When I first heard Kevin J. Anderson would be writing a novel about events leading to the destruction of Krypton I was quite looking forward to his take on this classic mythology. For the most part I was pleased with Anderson's version, but I had two major quibbles. One, I thought his portrayal of Jor-El as a rather weak, easily duped man was too different from what we've all come to know from the many comic book variations. Second, I thought Anderson spent far too much time on the Zod story; it really bogged down the middle part of the book. What I do give Anderson credit for is taking the many different variations on the Krypton mythology, including the films and Smallville, while adding his own original ideas, to create his version of this timeless tale. I also thought it was an ingenious idea to make his Krypton a society of Luddites. Overall, this was a good effort, and as with any Anderson novel the final pages concluded at an action-packed, break-neck speed.

Ever since I was a child back in the sixties and one could buy a comic for twelve cents, I have been a moderately avid fan of Superman. No, I do not keep reams of comic books tucked away in a dark, protected corner of my abode, nor do I spend my life seeking out all things Kal-El, but when Superman literature or video crossed my path, I settled down for the ride, and only got back up after I was well sated.

When I received my copy of this book I even considered dropping what I was reading in favor of this 400-odd page tome. I'm glad I didn't. This was a mediocre read at best. Oh, the plot line was thrilling enough, but my disaffection with the work centers around two related problems. The first is the characterization, and the second is the character of the main proponents (and here, I refer to Lara and Jor-El).

My first criticism has to do with the fact that Mr. Anderson did a poor job convincing me that Lara and Jor-El were real. I came away from the book thinking, "well those were nice paper dolls dressed up as the bioparents of my favorite hero." I compare them with some of the works done by Timothy Zahn in the Star Wars universe or Peter David or Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens in the Star Trek universe and in this book, Anderson just comes out looking like a rank amateur.

And then, what characterization there was, did not feel like Jor-El or Lara. I have alway carried this picture in my head of a Jor-El who is tall and broad-shouldered, who looks you in the eye when he speaks and who lets nothing get past him. He stands tall and proud, and never shys away from the truth, nor does he let others do the same. Anderson's Jor-El gave me the impression of a stooped, mumbling, bumbling horn-rimmed grad student with an overly large adams' apple who happens to be really smart and eventually gets to the truth.

I was glad to get some questions answered, like "where did Kandor come from?" or "Who is General Zod and what was he trying to do?" Other, less important questions that were answered were, "why would a planet so advanced in tech and knowledge allow itself to get blown up?"

So in the end, because I am a fan and wanted to immerse myself in that world, I stuck it out and I was more or less glad that I did. But, if you are not a fan, if you do not hunger and thirst for more of the Man of Steel, then this piece of fiction will bore you. Leave it alone and try one of the graphic novels instead. They are more impressive, and worth your investment of time.

If you're interested in this book, you're probably either a Superman fan or a fan of Kevin J. Anderson. If so, you're going to love this book. However, even if you're just a fan of good old fashioned science fiction, you should buy this book. I will tell you why you should buy this book for those reasons, or even more.

Firstly, for Superman fans, this book is a gold mine. Yes, it's true that Kal-El doesn't show up until the last few pages (and he's a newborn infant), but so many other characters, essential to Superman's back story. Of course, Superman's parents, Lara and Jor-El are here, and their history is richly explored. They become more than holographic images, they become people. Zod has always been a great villain, but he becomes a fascinating character here. J'onn J'onzz and Brainiac make appearances.

For Kevin J Anderson fans, this book is also great. It has Anderson's usual grand scope. He can really bring world's to life (and then destroy them). I enjoy Anderson because he is an archeologist of worlds the rest of us can't see, and he can find a way to show us every detail of those worlds... to make them real to the rest of us. You have to love his work for that.

But if you're a fan of plain, old fashioned science fiction, you'll also love this book. It's about a world we'll never be to, in the far reaches of space, trying to navigate its way through alien attacks, insane despots, and one disaster after another. Through it all, the characters remain resolute in finding the best solution... even to the very end.

After reading this book, I can't think of a single reason that you wouldn't want to get it and give it a read. It's just a plain good read.

Highest Recommendations.

I started this book over 3 months ago and I'm still only half way. The "story" is nothing more than a hodgepodge collection of explanations for every significant detail in the comic. The people of Krypton are made to appear sheeplike and ignorant. All too often, the comic details simply pop up as if the author realized, "Hey, here is a good spot to explain how a whole city ended up in a bottle." The science part of science fiction is ludicrous and silly to follow. I found reading this story simply painful which is why I haven't finished it. The book is still in my car and when I get stuck in traffic, I'll read a few pages just to pass time. Otherwise, any other time spent on this book is wasted.

Superman is known as "The Last Son of Krypton," because everyone else died when the planet exploded. But what were the events that led up to its destruction? And what was General Zod's story, that he and his comrades were sent to the Phantom Zone as prisoners? Anderson creates a backstory for several of the characters only briefly mentioned in Superman comics and film.

Centering on the characters of Jor-El (Superman's father), Lara (Superman's mother), Zor-El (Jor-El's brother), and Zod; we are able to get an in depth look at the people so influential in the last days of Krypton. Scientists Jor-El and Zor-El are easily the most relatable, and have the toughest decisions to make that effect, quite literally, the future of the planet. Wonderfully described, the tragedy of Krypton is felt most through their eyes.

Zod and his followers are also keenly illustrated as characters who descend into the evil and destruction that they create. Wonderful backstories are given to these villains that ultimately escape and wreak havoc on Earth as well. Also included is a cast of main characters and their affiliations, at the beginning of the book. As the characters are numerous and oddly named, this is a very handy addition.

But the technology and Kryptonian culture that Anderson creates is by far the most fascinating aspect of the novel. He brings this fictitious and dead planet to life, with an apocalyptic tragedy looming that readers will know is coming but still futilely hope is averted. Superman fans, young and old, will enjoy this well-developed and interesting look at the mysterious Krypton and its people.

Brilliant. I have been a Superman fan as long as I can remember, and have worked on some Superman-related projects over the years. This book is incredible. With nods to nearly every incarnation of Superman from over the years, as well as other subtle references to the DC Universe, this book is a Superman fan's dream. I can't recommend it highly enough. Wether you remember George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Brandon Routh, or Tom Welling, this book is an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Kevin J. Anderson's reverence for the material and apt storytelling make Krypton's final year (or so) engaging and captivating. The book is simply "Super." :-)

I'll start this one by simply stating that I am not the biggest DC guy out there - nor am I much of a Superman comic reader - but as someone who loves the super hero genre away from the artwork of comics and in novel form I decided to pick this up once it hit the paperback stands not too long ago.

Granted its not really a superhero story but the tale of the events that led to Kal-el (aka Clark Kent)'s home planet's destruction. It is really more of a sci-fi story than a Superman story - and quite frankly I thought it was excellently written and told beautifully well by KJA.

As I read this book I really fell in love with SM's "real" parents: Jor-el and Lara and the story of their relationship and romance. The more I read the sadder I got because of the impending doom that I knew awaited them at the end of the story. KJA goes into great detail on how the two met and fostered a friendship that soon turned into romantic love.

I must say that Krypton's tragic story as told here was both compelling and thought provoking. KJA paints a picture of an inept government that really is the main contributer the planet's demise. They are over-run by inaction and complacency - and I kept getting the sense that everyone's take on Jor-el's warnings of planetary collapse was one of, "it will never happen to us."

KJA also does a great job of presenting General Zod as a classic villain - that you absolutely love to hate. His partners in crime, Nam-ek and Aethyr-ka are also presented and much of the story centers on how these three are hell bent on ruling Krypton.

I couldn't help but to keep thinking of that opening sequence of scenes in Superman the movie that came out in the 70's as I read this. I suppose its understandable since it was there that I was first introduced to all of these characters - but in all honesty what this book presents is ten times better.

I'm not exactly new to KJA's stuff - as he has been a prominent author in the Star Wars universe in years past, but quite frankly I think this is better than anything he has written in the Star Wars genre. Julius Schwartz would be proud of this fine piece of writing...

This book took me an eternity to complete. The first 250 pages or so are so slow-paced and plodding, with entirely too many plotlines, that I just kept putting the book down and reading other fare. However, the last 200 pages really pay off the lesser early parts of the book. We finally get to see some action other than behind-the-scenes intrigue and political manipulation. Characters start to take active roles in their fates rather than allow the flow of events to carry them along in its wake.

Perhaps Anderson tried too hard in this book to pay service to the many different origins of Superman in terms of how Krypton came to be destroyed. His final solution was clever and did not invalidate all the prior origin stories. It did, however, give a unique explanation of the underlying cause. Instead of focusing on the departure of the infant Kal-El to Earth, which occupies only a tiny portion of the end of the book, we instead get to read pretty much the entire rise and fall of Zod, along with getting excellent insights into his motivations and megalomania.

While the ending of this book is excellent reading, getting to the portions that are worth your time is difficult. At the very least, Anderson does not waste any words, really, as all the disparate elements from the early portions are paid off at the end. There is some frustration with the fact that the characters are so often one-dimensional and experience no development through their various trials and tribulations. Given that the end of the story was known in advance, Anderson does present a decent interpretation of the end of this world in the DC Universe.