Like most avid fans of the Dark Angel series, I was devastated when the series was cut short on the most shocking of cliff-hangers with so many questions left unanswered. I hoped against hope that they would at very least make a movie to tie off loose ends, buy alas, my prayers went unanswered.Then, I discovered that someone had written three tie-in books. I HAD to have them. I ordered them from my favourite online bookstore (betterworldbooks.com) and got stuck in.I didn't really know what to expect. I've always steered clear of movie tie-in books before, being very skeptical of the content and quality of writing. Though I must say that Max Allan Collins does a solid job. I think he captures all of the characters perfectly so I could see the story playing out in my mind just as I would have on tv.The first book explains a lot about what happened before the series began. How Max escaped Manticore, her life as a child in the outside world, escaping her foster family, and how she came to be in Seatle. I think this may have even been the best of the three books, probably because I didn't have any expectations for the content. It was all new and interesting.The second and third books didn't sit quite as well with me. The major downfall was that I didn't believe the Max and Logan ending. It felt like a ending that was conjured up because Collins had a 3 book deal and that was all he could fit in. Sorry mate, I just didn't buy it.There were a couple of other bits and pieces that weren't exactly right either but that was the biggest one.Overall though, the books were well written and enjoyable. Despite their flaws they definitely satisfied my quest for answers.
It has been several years sense I've seen the TV series known as Dark Angel. I began scouring the internet looking for the series, instead discovered a written series that has a prequel to the show.The book while not bad, is not great either. It fills some questions that fans of the TV series may or may not ask, the book itself was written, in my opinion, a mediocre manner. At times I found myself confused as there seemed to be a sudden time lapse, or lack of information in a certain paragraph.If you enjoy the series you may enjoy this book and some background info it gives. Do not expect top quality writing for there are definitely areas that can be expanded on in both plot and detail.I do plan to read the other books in this series, however, it will wait until after I have read other books and possible series that I am more interested in at the moment.
What do You think about Before The Dawn (2002)?
I know, I know, but trust me after watching the TV series, which I will defend because I think it was really good, I needed to find out what had happened, did Max and Logan ever get together? Did Col. Lydecker REALLY die? What happened after the end of the second season when the series was unceremoniously canceled? Questions, questions, questions. So there is my motive for reading this series. Despite the horrible analogies and simple writing this is a fun book to read if you were plagued by the same need to know what happened. I only recommend these books to hardcore Dark Angel fans.
—Patrick Montero
I recently re-watched the Dark Angel TV-show and in the process discovered that there were books as well. I'm a bit wary of Max Allan Collins because he pissed me off once with a Criminal Minds novel where he got the characters spectacularly wrong. He did a better job with Max but only barely. I liked the plot, that's a plus, but still the writing style rubbed me the wrong way - again. I have the other two books on my shelf but I'm ignoring them for now. Maybe one day I'll find the courage to give them a try.
—Marie
It was so damn good when little Max, just after her escape, met a 'normal' child and tried to understand how the world works. Sadly, the rest of the book couldn't reach this pleasant feel, even a little, as the stories are more or less boring and the writing is less than compelling.The author added several explanations about the world and changed some characters' background. It's a little weird, but why not.Every motivation to finish the book was based on the characters, as I loved them from the TV show and was happy to spend a little more time with them. I'll read the next books for the same reason.
—Zaz
