I've been a fan of
the TV Show, Roswell since it first aired back in 1999. Back then of course the
only thing I did was watch TV. Had I known that the show I loved, about aliens
on earth, disguised as cute, mysterious and quiet regular teenagers was a book series, well, it
wouldn’t have much mattered. I probably wouldn’t have dared crack open the book
and *gasp* read. I had so many more important things to do.
But when a
subscription to Netflix revealed I could watch the much loved TV show again, even now,
over ten years later, I jumped in and soaked it. I bet I covered all three
season in a little over a week. I was thrown back into the world of Max and
Liz, who I'd almost call lovers of the star-crossed variety.
So, you can only
imagine how tickled pink I was that now, in my older years, I find out the much
loved TV Show is based off a series of Books called Roswell High by Melinda
Metz.
Jumping on a wagon
to find you ten years into the future and that the books you crave are out of
print is disappointing to say the least but BUT... Thank god for Kindle! For
about ten dollars each I was able to download the books and start reading.
Enter the RoswellRead-a-thon. I was beyond giddy when I randomly came across a Facebook group
and a swarm of people with the same love for Roswell as I and an eagerness to
read the books! Luck couldn't have been more on my side, destiny I would call
it. Nothing short of kismet because there were people out there willing to read
and chat about the very books I had just managed to get my hands on!
So here we are. Now,
you are all caught up with my journey and as I read the books, I'll write a
blog post sharing a few things with you, the world.
The book opens up
with a scene similar to that of the show. A young waitress serving up alien inspired fair to a couple of
unsuspecting tourists, in a town once rocked by what could still be the Governments
biggest cover up. Liz, the main characters last name slightly different
then her on screen counterpart, the description of herself is the same. I agree
for the sake of TV to come up with something simple, plain even. Her character on TV, and thus far in the series is something we writers like to call a
Mary-Sue, so her name should reflect as such.
But the
similarities don’t stop there, her quirky best friend Maria is the spitting resemblance,
with a character profile so in-tune with the onscreen version that the two were
a perfect fit. Molded together, I quickly loved both, right from the start, the
Maria from the show and the Maria from the Book.
I thank the
creators and screen writers for not talking away the Crashdown Cafe. It plays
an important role both in the book and onscreen. The hub for which the story
and show begins and where the lives of the characters change, for the better,
or the worse, that’s up to you to decide.
The problem with
any onscreen adaptation is that details are always mixed and muddled. Silly
things like last names, hair color and even some personality traits don’t
crossover but I was still intrigued.
I could still close
my eyes and picture the scene as it played out before me, of course, the
characters took on the form of which I knew from the series but even that doesn’t
matter. Not really.
I was surprised that
the first book was very similar to the pilot episode of the show. Many things
the same, playing out in such an uncanny similar manner it was at times hard to
remember what came first, the show or the book. But of course, the written
word by an author I'd never heard of--until recently--came first.
The writing was
smooth, to the point. I wasn’t overwhelmed with paragraphs of description but I
also didn't feel a picture was completely painted either. I found myself
filling any blanks with TV show resemblances that I had picked up along the
way. No matter.
I also had to
remind myself that when it comes to writing such as movies, TV and even music,
the era changes everything. The characters often used corny '90's lines. At
times I wondered if I too sounded that silly back then. I pushed that side and
continued on...
I very much liked
this first look into the series that though was short lived, to this day still
has die hard followers.
The things left out
of the shows first episode were interesting to read. The differences at times
were enough to give the world, for me, a new take, giving me a whole new outlook.
I craved Roswell and this was like getting even more of a show I deeply missed.
Max, whether the
blond haired, quiet, good samaritan--he saved a mouse after all--from the book
or the deeply wounded brunette from the show is still swoon worthy. His
character continues to draw in the love, at times I even had to remind myself
that I'm an adult now, shaking my head for blushing and getting caught up in
the world where he was a teenage alien. But for me, he is what propels this
story forward. His life, his secret and his love for Liz.
The romance of the
novel seemed at times like it was going to move hypersonic in speed compared to the show. For this first
novel, I’m okay with that because quickly we see Max put on the breaks. Though
he loves Liz, he understands that they cannot be together. Her life is in
danger as well, just as much as his, and the rest of the alien/human group.
This is a good
start to a series. It was able to grab my attention and hold on to it. I only
hope the rest of the novels can do that, in part because I’ve heard after this
point, the TV Show and the Books have little in common.
So, up next is
Roswell High Book Two, The Wild One.
If you are a Roswell Fan like myself, it's not to late to join the Read-A-Thon! Grab your Roswell High books, or download them for your e-reader and joing the group!
17 July 2012 at 14:49
I love this series and am also doing the read athon can't wait for next week! I followed you blog to see your posts for it too!!:)
19 July 2012 at 02:35
Thanks for posting about the Roswell Read-A-Thon on your blog, Avery! And thanks for the great discussion topics you have been posting. Glad you could join us!