Customer Reviews

SPACE: 1999 The Forsaken

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There is something serious and very interesting at work in John Kenneth Muir's entry into the new (and hopefully long-lived), series of "Space: 1999" novels from Powys Media.

Set sometime after the events of Year One of "Space: 1999", Muir's tale involves Alpha's role (intentional and otherwise), in the extermination of a new race. Along the way, we are privy to the philosophical and important discussions of humanity's role in the Universe that were so common in Year One of the classic series. We also are introduced to characters and sociolgical facets of the future Alpha in Year Two.

Also on disply is some great discussion of the oft-rumored "cosmic intelligence" pulling the strings from behind the curtain. Finally, the realization that something larger is at work in the Universe dawns on the Alphans, and is discussed more openly than ever before.

Fans of Paul may not be overly happy with Muir's solutions, but there are solid "Paul" moments, and we get a peek into the hidden lives of the Alphans in a logical and mature way.

The story is a very interesting bridge between Year One and Two, which fans all know were radically different from each other. Most of the forshadowing of Year Two is in some locations and future construction plans (and the intorduction of Tony, as well as the all-but-forgotten Year Two supporting character, Bill Fraiser), but it is mostly displayed in the impatience of several supporting characters. Year Two characters were generally of a surlier nature, less inclined towards introspection and resignation as the characters were in Year One. Having been cooped up on the base for so long, resentment of Koening and his command staff festered, many Alphans wanting to challenge authority and get off the wandering moon at any cost. "Green sickness" or "embarkation syndrome," and even outright mutiny, are all hallmarks of Year Two, and we see those and other seeds of discontent brewing here in Muir's novel.

If the book has a failing, it is that there are, perhaps, too many references to past series events, as if Muir was trying to stuff in as many references as possible. He needn't have bothered, because he's spot on with the characters and sentiments of our favorite lunar castaways.

Year One and Two, radically different in tone, pace, and styling, are merged here in a sensible way, albeit in an uneasy coexistence. Fans should still check this one out, though, because you probably won't find a better attempt to bring Alpha back to life in novel form than Muir's efforts here. Granted, "Alien Seed" by E. C. Tubb was a pretty good stab at it, as was the first novel in this series, "Resurrection". But the difference here is, I think, because Muir is an admitted and unabashed fan of the series. The man "gets it," and it shows on every page.

Besides, it's a real page-turner.

As a science fiction novel, "The Forsaken" is okay. As a Space:1999 novel, "The Forsaken" is standout. In terms of the series and the medium, it does exactly what it needed to do to maximize its potential. It describes alien races and events that were impractical to film for mid-seventies television and it goes a long way to sewing up the gap in fabric between seasons one and two. On top of that it gives the reader some chewy ethical issues to ponder, as well as expanding one's cosmic view of the 1999 universe (he actually made me learn to respect and analyze the soap-bubble laden "Space Brain" epsiode).

I've heard some paint Muir's references to events and characters from past series one episodes as excessive and unnecessary. I didn't feel that way at all. By evoking past events Muir gives the sense that this is a moment in a larger epic - a passage in the larger odyssey of the Moon's travels. It helps build context and sense of continuity along the single timeline of Alpha's travels. It makes the story feel like part of a continuous epic rather than a stand-alone episodic vehicle.

The nature of the show's premise is bleak. Alpha must cling to the hope of finding a new world while their population and resources dwindle with each adventure. Kind of a downer. Muir captures that mood, making "The Forsaken" a rather somber novel, but effectively capturing the true spirit of the series which is always lurking just beneath the surface. I hope we can look forward to more 1999 work from Muir, as he clearly understands the core values and characters of this potential-loaded (but often un-met) sci-fi drama.

I've enjoyed both Seasons of Space 1999 since I was a child. Mr Muir tells the exciting tale of just what happened between season one and two. Reading this type of Space 1999 novel is a dream come true for me. It is moving and captures my imagination the way the series always did.
This is beautiful work Mr Muir. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you.

John Muir's first venture into an actual novel of Space:1999 is a perfect companion to his authoritative "Exploring Space:1999" book. Powys Media's new series of books is now starting to fill in some of the blanks between Year One and Year Two of the show, and Muir is the perfect guy to do it. We get to see why some of the characters didn't show up in Year Two, and it's heart-wrenching to see them leave, but in the context of the book it makes perfect sense, and it's like saying goodbye to old friends. There's plenty of solid action in this book, and the characters continue to grow in interesting directions. Muir's knowledge of the show permeates every page of the book, and no Space:1999 fan will want to miss this one. Its tie-in to an episode from Year One makes perfect sense.

Buy this book!

Its hard to write a Space:1999 book that is faithful to the atmosphere and spirit of year 1 while preparing the reader for Year 2 (and beyond..as this series of books will cover).Muir accomplishes that superbly. Read it and see!

Fans of the series will see that Muir knows his Space:1999 and the characters, as his story continues the 'Mysterious Unknown Force' theme that was displayed in Year 1. There is drama, action, character conflict, and the departure - in surprising circumstances - of a Y1 regular. If amazon can't get you this book, go to www.powysmedia.com for more info.

This is such a great book even if you are not familiar with the series! The book really brings to life the characters we all love so much and has a fast moving plot. A very original idea to set the story in between seasons,lets hope there are more to come!

I am the first to admit I'm a Space: 1999 geek...a geek of the Season One variety, but I find I can legitimately recommend this book to anyone. This - and the whole lot of Space: 1999 novels published this decade - are surprisingly A+ stuff.

Specifically about this novel: It's a bridge between Season 1 and Season 2. You can feel the author's love of the show off every page. Plot is damn good. Characterizations are dead on. And the ending of the novel - which serves as an explanation why the command center went from a huge, beautiful, sprawling white room to a Pez-dispenser-sized closet - is nothing short of thought provoking. I was at once seized with the feeling of "A-ha, I get it now." and the sense of foreboding, "Oh this isn't going to end well (for the characters involved, that is)." And as any Space: 1999 fan can tell you about the second season, it didn't.

Buy this book. If you're a fan of the show, you'll love it. If you're not familiar with the show, you'll still get a solid read with enough background info that you won't get lost.

reminds me of the old space 1999 tv show does a good job of bridging season one and two by having tony show up in it and the reason why he was promoted to second in command also the reasoning for getting rid of main mission a very good read felt like the actual actors would recomend also a better ending for paul morrow which i found alot more satisfying then him and kano dying in a eagle cash

If you were a fan of the Space 1999 TV series back in the 1970's, you will love the book. Even if you do not know about that TV series, you still will enjoy reading this book. Great story lines, quick pace and nice character building. In addition, it give you something to think about. It is a great bridge between Year one and Year Two of the TV series and gvies some explanations as to what happened in between, however, it is also a great read as a stand along novel.

In this book the author, in effect, is writing a link story between series one and two of Space: 1999 explaining some of the changes in personnel and style that occurred between the two. For the most part, he succeeds in an enjoyable, fast paced adventure that certainly "feels" like Space: 1999 but it has its flaws. In particular and at the risk of being cryptic (to avoid a major spoiler) would rational, intelligent human beings, no matter how desperate, believe that their chosen home would be a viable alternative to Moonbase Alpha?

Additionally, the climactic ending feels rushed and confused as though the author was in a hurry to bring the story to a conclusion within a set page count, he appears to forget that a lead character breaks a limb (then has that character bounding about the lunar surface with no apparent discomfort) and, at times, the standard of proof reading/editing leaves a lot to be desired with characters' names getting mixed up.

That said the story does move at a cracking pace and fans of the show will not be disappointed: it just could have been a lot better!