ROSWELL on PLANET-SF

I must confess that I wouldn't have even glanced at The Outsider if it wasn't for the TV series, but after slogging through enough decidedly average Buffy novelisations and YA novels, I thought I'd give it a go.

And I have to say that I'm pleased that I did as The Outsider proved to be an enjoyable read, and certainly better than most of the Buffy books that are aimed at younger readers.

Although it forms the basis of the opening episode to the TV series, there are a number of differences, but the basic premise will be familiar to anyone who's seen the pilot.

Liz, whose surname here is Ortecho and not Parker, is shot in the family-owned Crashdown Cafe and saved by Max Evans, who subsequently reveals that he, his sister Isabel and their friend Michael Guerrin are aliens.

The shooting alerts Sheriff Valenti to the possible presence of aliens in Roswell. In the novels, Valenti has a much more black-and-white interest in the aliens, due to his involvement with Project Clean Slate.

There are also plenty of other differences between the novel and the opening episode, although putting the TV cast on the front cover does help visualising references to almost identical twins Max and Isabel.

All in all, I liked The Outsider a lot. Compared to the Buffy novelisations and YA novels, it's easily up with the best of both series. back to the top

THE OUTSIDER

Written by MELINDA METZ

POCKET BOOKS

£3.99

RATING: 9/10

NEXT RELEASE:
THE WILD ONE