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View Full Version : Transformers: The Veiled Threat (ROTF Spoilers)


Robimus
05-28-2009, 12:53 AM
So I'm about half way through the new Alan Dean Foster ROTF prequel novel and thought I'd check to see if anyone else has had an oppurtunity to take a look at this.

I'm pretty familiar with Alan Dean Foster from not only his previous Transformers novels tied to the first film but his many Star Wars novels as well.(He actually wrote the first ever Star Wars Expanded Universe novel, Splinter of the Minds Eye in 1978.)

While I enjoyed Ghosts of Yesterday in 2007 it was lacking in quite a few ways, issues that are fixed in this sequel-prequel.

Foster captures a bit of surprise and mystery with this book as we have new characters joining our established bots like Prime. Here's a list of bots that appear as of page 150 or so in the book.

Autobots:
Optimus Prime
Ironhide
Ratchet
Beachbreak(Jet Ski Alt Mode)
Salvage( Pick Up Truck-TFTM Toy)
Knock Out (Motorcycle Alt Mode)
Longarm(Tow Truck-TFTM Toy)

Decepticons:
Star Scream
Drop Kick(Truck-Like TFTM Toy)
Macerator(Garbage Truck)
Payload(Tank-Not like the TFTM Toy)
Frenzy(His disembodied head anyway...)
Ruinination(Osprey)
Blademaster(Helicopter.....I think)

The book itself follows the tale of the combined human/Autobot task force named NEST which operates out of Africa.

In the first 140 pages we get two large battles between Bot's, pretty good stuff. Foster captures Prime very well to the point that I can hear Cullen when I read his lines.

As for the human characters we have Epps and Lennox returning as a part of Nest with a couple newbs as well.

We also learn that Starscream has recruited some African militia of somekind to help him, as well as utilizing the above mentioned 'Cons.

My favorite parts of the whole book thus far are the parts featuring former Agent Simmons of Sector 7 and his continuing quest to find out as much as he can about the "invaders" as he calls them.

Now working in his mother's Deli he spends his day making sandwiches and his nights researching everything he can about Transformers.

As well Simmons has somehow gotten possession of Frenzy's head(still somewhat functional no less). He has some great original lines and exchanges with Frenzy's severed head, as well having to bite his tongue everytime someone orders a corned beef on rye with mustard(because as Simmons point out to one customer, those do not go together:p)

So far so good. I'm very much enjoying this read.:)

Pascal
05-28-2009, 12:58 AM
Awesome. I meant to order this book from Archambault earlier this week but I just forgot. Macerator. I want a toy for that one!

GMfan
05-28-2009, 01:00 AM
Finished it on my flight. Good read. Hated the Italian at the end...and Barricade coming out of no where seemed useless.

Otherwise its a great read.

onecoin
05-28-2009, 01:06 AM
The Veiled Threat? Sounds awfully close to "The Phantom Menace"

Robimus
05-29-2009, 11:50 AM
I just picked up Knockout at TRU because of his role in the book, lol.

Ultra Maverick
05-29-2009, 12:03 PM
^I was thinking the same thing, when I see knockout I will probably pick him up.

I also kinda want a Beachbreak toy now too, I don't think there is any plans for that however!

Robimus
06-19-2009, 11:22 AM
I finished the book. Quite enjoyable. The Barricade part was a bit of a stretch but I do like how Foster tied in the Reign of Starscream comic series.

Overall very worth a read, tons of bots.:)

Euroflip
06-19-2009, 01:06 PM
In the comic book preview series alliance, Lennox was promoted to Major. In this novel he is still a captain. Aside from the obvious plot holes etc etc its a great read. Love the first chapter where they try to steal ironhide. LOL

Nyghtwynd
06-19-2009, 04:23 PM
Prime shanks more Decepticons. Always a good read when Prime kicks butt. Bayformers Prime doesn't hold back

Robimus
06-19-2009, 04:26 PM
In the comic book preview series alliance, Lennox was promoted to Major. In this novel he is still a captain. Aside from the obvious plot holes etc etc its a great read. Love the first chapter where they try to steal ironhide. LOL


This was likely in the works way before Alliance. I wonder if the Comic folk worked with the novel folk outside of the Reign of Star Scream stuff. Probably no comunication.

Nyghtwynd
06-19-2009, 04:31 PM
This was likely in the works way before Alliance. I wonder if the Comic folk worked with the novel folk outside of the Reign of Star Scream stuff. Probably no comunication.

Actually I read that Foster did talk to IDW to make sure the works didn;t contradict. I guess though a few things got mixed up