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Although it retains the silver hand print logo from the original book series, that's about all that LOOSE ENDS has in common with the ROSWELL HIGH novels that the television series was based on. And that's no bad thing. As entertaining as they are, Melinda Metz's books are undeniably aimed at the younger end of the market, and the television series was wise to move away from its teen-orientated roots. As someone who's constantly bemoaned the lack of continuity between Pocket Books' novels and the TV series that spawned them, this one scores immediately since the loose ends in question go right back to the start of the first episode as, feeling the need to unwind, Max, Isabel, Michael, Liz, Maria and Alex head off to the Carlsbad Caverns. There, amongst all the Tom Sawyer allusions, Liz meets someone she thought she'd never see again - the man who shot her in the Crashdown Cafe. Except, of course, that officially Liz wasn't actually shot, but how will those involved react when they're forced to relive the events of two years ago? The result is a very readable tale that puts the Pod Squad up against this threat from their past, and which also delves into the events of the shooting as well - just what was the argument in the Crashdown that day about? In many ways, LOOSE ENDS feels like the television series itself, which is something that I'd be hesitant to say about many of Pocket Books' various spin-off novels. The whole road trip aspect and the various surveillance elements made it feel like an early season one episode when the Squad were faced with more human adversaries, although Isabel's method of getting information is definitely closer to her season two persona! Of course, it's by no means perfect. Although the characterisation is generally pretty good - especially for a Pocket Books novel - there is a slight tendency to overdo certain traits, with Tabasco Sauce and Maria's usage of oils rolled out a little too often for my liking. Admittedly, those sorts of things are probably rather more obvious than on TV, where they can be slipped in a little more unobtrusively. Freed from budgetary constraints, the aliens are able to use their powers more than on the screen, but fortunately not to the extent of the ROSWELL HIGH novels. Having touched on the subject of continuity earlier in this review, and without wishing to give too much away, the author has been more than a little unlucky on this front. Anyone who's watched season two will probably know what I'm talking about, but Greg Cox clearly couldn't have anticipated this major development while writing the novel. As it stands, it's probably just about possible to shoehorn LOOSE ENDS into the TV series' continuity, but I hope Pocket Books are alert to this one and we don't veer off into an alternative third season à la their BUFFY novels (some hope!) This unfortunate glitch aside, LOOSE ENDS is certainly an enjoyable read and a pretty good start to the more adult ROSWELL novels. BACK TO THE TOP |
LOOSE ENDS |
