- Hardcover: 243 pages
- Publisher: Del Rey; First Edition edition (April 9 1996)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0345404955
- ISBN-13: 978-0345404954
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 14.7 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 363 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,440,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Bulbous-headed, needle-toothed Martians do unspeakable things to hapless babes in bikinis and other Earthlings in this disappointing first of two novels spun off from a controversial set of 1962 playing cards. The Mars Attacks cards, issued by Topps, created an uproar for their garish depictions of gore and sexual mayhem occasioned by a modern-day Martian invasion of Earth. Curiously, the novel, which focuses on a mixed band of Earthlings as they're stalked by Martians and other nasties in an isolated mansion-turned-museum, is less graphically detailed than the cards, which might have been a relief had suspense or creativity taken the place of shock. But as imagined by Archer (who's written some paperback Star Trek and Predator novels), the Martians think, feel and act exactly like humans. More alien-like, in fact, are the insects-wasps, mosquitoes, beetles-the Martians blow up to giant size. But even big bugs don't add much buzz to this tired yarn, a repetitious, near-random series of chases, stalkings and killings that works neither as SF horror nor as schlock. (May) ~ FYI: The second Mars Attacks novel, War Dogs of the Golden Horde, will be published in July. Meanwhile, Tim Burton (Batman) is slated to direct a film based on the trading cards.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
"Mars Attacks" trading cards, released by Topps Chewing Gum in 1962, featured alien invasion scenes deemed in their day so gruesome that they were pulled from the market. Today, comics-style gore is almost passe, and Topps has met little resistance to reissuing the cards, whose cult status has in the interim spawned comic books and pulp fiction such as this yarn and soon will give us a movie. Archer's effort, the putative first in a series, follows the alien invaders' violent progress as witnessed by several unfortunate humans who flee to a large mansion in the countryside. The Martians use their superior technology to transform insects into giant, devouring monsters, and the hapless humans must pull together to outwit the invaders. Although this is mostly fast-paced action and grisly violence, Archer puts enough farcical spin on it to make it entertaining to sf readers looking for a few campy thrills as well as to hardened "Mars Attacks" fans. Carl Hays
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mars Attacks- Deathtrap is a fun ride!,
By Damito (Montreal, CAN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mars Attacks #1: Martian Deathtrap (Hardcover)
I have seen the Tim Burton's Mars Attacks movie before reading this book, thus giving me a sense of comedy instead of a sense of suspense / horror when I read it. If you saw the movie you will understand what I am saying here!If you, like me, appreciate reading something different, and enjoyable just for the fun of it. This could turn out to be a fun ride for you too! Keep in mind that this book reads fast, and will not waste your time with never ending descriptions of scenery or of head to toe description of each and every character in this story. The chapters are short, over 40 chapters, in a less than 250 page book! The action starts from the first page, and spins you one way, then the next! What I appreciate most about this book is the way the author gives you both view points, that of the Humans and that of the Martians. One minute you are with the humans and the next you are with the Martians. Two points of view for your enjoyment! Yes, in this book the Martians actually speak, and the reader will understand what they say! (Unlike the movie where annoying sounds come out of Martian's mouths and you just have to kind of figure out what they are trying to say!) But not this book! No mumbo jumbo here! It's all there in black and white for you to understand! Super cool! Mars Attacks would be no fun without the gore! Like I said before if you saw the movie, the gore will probably be more comedic than horrific and you will be reading on to find out how the Humans and Martians come to their horrific ends! Enjoy for the fun of it! I did!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Human-The other white meat,
By General Pete (SC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mars Attacks #1: Martian Deathtrap (Mass Market Paperback)
Wonderful book. Reads like a comic book from the 50s, but lots of blood and gore, be warned. You will like this if you like the
1.0 out of 5 stars
little green schtick,
By Kevin D. Flythe (Greenville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mars Attacks #1: Martian Deathtrap (Mass Market Paperback)
I'm not sure why I read this, but I did. Maybe it's because I had recently watched Mars Attacks, or maybe it's because I thought those TOPPS cards were so dang cool. Whatever the reason, though, this novel wasn't worth my time. I'm not trying to insult the author, because I've enjoyed Archer's work before, and his writing in this book is actually quite good. It's just that the plot isn't. A group of people take shelter in a mansion under siege by Martians. That's about the extent of it. To be honest, though, I wasn't so silly as to go into this one with high expectations. It's actually quite good for what it is, but my rating reflects my personal feelings towards it. The cover art looks a lot like a comic book, and I think this story would actually have made a pretty darn good comic. As a novel, though, it's lacking (plot, motivation, characterization, etc.). The characters are all very cardboard. And I have no idea why the Martians are attacking, nor does this book make me interested enough to care all that much. Some of the death scenes are fun, and it sort of reminded me of Night of the Living Dead, only with Martians instead of zombies and a mansion instead of a farmhouse (I know, I know, I should be shot for comparing those two because NOTLD is worlds above and beyond). The house (mansion) in this book was my favorite part. I'd love to live there. Too bad those Martians had to trash it. If you're a young reader, this is entertaining, and might appeal to you (I know I would have loved it at a more tender age). It probably won't withstand the test of time, but have fun with it while you can.
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