Transformers, Book 1: Hardwired [Paperback]

This is not that book...

The editing of the book is poor, at best. While I know how easy it is to make these mistakes ('it's' instead of 'its'), most publishers hire someone to be an editor. In this case, someone figured that spell-checking is enough.

The writing? Well, take every bad Transformers fan-fiction cliche and throw them together in a nonsensical mix of gratuitious and graphic violence. Full-paragraph descriptions are given to just how innocent human bystander #1 died. There's less gore in most of Stephen King's work.

In the end, you get a book trying desperately to be 'mature' in the way you would expect Junior High boys to be. The book is too graphic and grotesque for the kids who might want to get it because they're into Transformers: Armada. Adults who have fond memories of Transformers can find something better written online.

This book hurts, rather than helps, the Transformers franchise. Avoid this like cosmic rust.

Optimus sounds a lot like Rodimus Prime, whiny and doubting. After being in command of the Autobots for 4+ million years, Prime would not have these kinds of doubts. Prowl is supposed to be second in command, yet takes orders from Bumblebee. Prowl is also supposed to be a highly intelligent and logical warrior, yet comes across as an stupid oaf. Soundwave talks way too much. Sideswipe can actually fly with Air Force jets and then gets blown to bits by one shot from Devastator. Bluestreak gets some nice characterization, but then gets killed by Jazz. the Autobots I know and love would have found a way to escape and not not only kill each other, but not lead to human deaths as well.

And then there's some disparity with Transformer weapons. Devastator can disintigrate Sideswipe and an entire squadron of F-16s with one shot, while Starscream can navigate a dangerous canyon, yet F-15 pilots are inept and crash into walls like TIE fighters in an asteroid field. Prime can slice Megatron's arm off with one pass of his energon axe. There is no way the way would have lasted for so long if the Transformers were so brittle.

As a fan since the beginning of the U.S. Transformers toys, this is one novel to avoid. A pure stinker. And what was with putting the word "transform" in italics every time a robot converted to their alt form? We KNOW they transform, that's why we're reading it. DUH! Piece of literary garbage. Almost as bad as some of the current MechWarrior novels, but that's a different story.

Good Job, Scott Ciencin!!!!!