Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes: The Official Prequel Novelization [Mass Market Paperback]

Timothy Zahn (Author)

Book Description

Series: Terminator Salvation | Publication Date: March 17, 2009

From The Ashes, written by Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn, sets the scene for the events chronicled in the movie Terminator Salvation, revealing the full story behind John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators.

In post-Judgment Day LA, two lost kids named Kyle and Star keep watch for Terminators; a jaded Marine struggles to keep his rag-tag community together in the face of unrelenting danger; and John and Kate Connor assemble their Resistance team for a brutal assault on a deadly enemy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gripping action scenes are set against a backdrop of relentless danger, as the shell-shocked humans struggle to organize and survive in the post-Judgement Day world." - School Library Journal

About the Author

Timothy Zahn is the Hugo award-winning author of a number of best-selling Star Wars novels including the hugely popular Thrawn Trilogy. He is also the writer of over twenty novels such as the thrilling science-fiction series: Quadrail, The Conquerers Saga, the young adult series Dragonback and many more.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Titan Books (March 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1848560869
• ISBN-13: 978-1848560864
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Timothy Zahn is the Hugo Award-winning author of more than a dozen original science fiction novels and the bestselling Star Wars trilogy Heir to the Empire, among other works. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling and scary!, March 20, 2009

By 

W. cooper "RAME COOPER" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes: The Official Prequel Novelization (Mass Market Paperback)

As a fan of the terminator franchise I've been looking forward to the upcoming movie and this book has only increased the anticipation. This is a great read and provides a believable and gripping back story for the upcoming movie. The characters are hardened from years of war with Skynet and it shows in their battles against the fierce T600s. Connor proves himself as a witty, passionate and tough leader and the way the humans have adapted to the environment is impressively written. There were plenty of times my heart begin pounding as I read through each chapter. A well written book that is just a few paragraphs short of being perfect. The beginning starts alittle too "comic bookish", which is something you do not want to read or see in a Terminator franchise. Otherwise I could not put this book down. If this is really the prequel I cannot imagine the movie being better, and if it is... WOW!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect complement to the movie, May 28, 2009

By 

Datan0de "Tech Freak" (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes: The Official Prequel Novelization (Mass Market Paperback)

This book, which takes place 5-6 months before the movie, is an excellent introduction to the post-Judgment Day world of 2018. We meet most of the main characters of the movie and get some insight into their history, character, and motivations. We also get a real look at what day-to-day life is like in the post-apocalypse, not just for the epic heroes but also for average people trying to survive in a dangerous and terrifying world where Skynet's ever-expanding army of killing machines are just one of several hazards.

And scary it is. Zahn does his usual perfect job of keeping the tension level up. It's dark and gritty but also surprisingly human, with just a touch of humor here and there to provide a contrast to the action.

From The Ashes stands on its own as a superior page turner set in the Terminator universe, but it also enhances the movie by providing insight into both the world and the people in it.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad book, but lacks passion..., April 26, 2009

By 

M. panah "Sassonic" (Orange County, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Terminator Salvation: From the Ashes: The Official Prequel Novelization (Mass Market Paperback)

"From the Ashes" is a good book for the die-hard Terminator fan. John Conner and the resistance are determined to use preemptive strikes on Skynet to get the upper hand, in their struggle for survival. Timothy Zahn will wet your appetite for the upcoming movie "Terminator Salvation." I am glad I read it because I feel now I have a better context for the upcoming film as many of the characters and the scenery will likely be the same. Be aware though that the book reads more like a screenplay than it does a good novel. What I mean by this, is the book is simply action and characters talking to each other, the book lacks passion. I would have liked for Zahn to spend more pages exploring the characters thoughts, there's nothing wrong with "freezing time" and spending a page or two describing the fear in someone's mind when he sees a terminator approaching him, instead the book is just action and talking, there is no character depth or passion in the story. To me, that gets boring, I would rather watch a movie if I can't have the pleasure of knowing in depth what the characters are thinking and feeling. If you're a die-hard fan and want to know as much as possible before the film comes out, then you may want to read this book, otherwise don't bother, there are far better books out there.