Publishing Information
Author:  Howard Weinstein
Publisher:  Pinnacle Books Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
ISBN:  0-523-42439-6
Canadian ISBN:  0-523-43420-0
Copyright: 1985, Warner Bros. Inc.
 

Comments
This novel was written prior to the production of the series, but after the story bible had been created.  Author Howard Weinstein was able to look at the working drafts of the first few scripts, and used the characters developed for the TV series in his novel.  He also attempted to maintain continuity between what is seen on the series and in the novel.
 

Major Plot Points

• The Resistance foils Lydia's plans by a daring rescue of three World Liberation Front members.  News of the arrival of a munitions shipment means that the Resistance has to split their manpower - return one of the WLF members to Japan, and rendezvous with a boat delivering the weapons.
• Ham is reunited with an old flame when the Resistance attempts to return Maragato to Japan - and Maragato has a secret of his own.
• Chris Faber gets the help of some local Resistance fighters to free a captured Mike.
• Elizabeth's psychic powers warn her of danger to Juliet, and save Julie from being revealed as the 'traitor' at Science Frontiers.
• Lydia fabricates a plan to disrupt the United States power grid and to invade the continent under the cover of darkness.  A Fifth Columnist must risk his life to get the plan to Donovan.

Memorable Moments
pp.27-29 (Kyle reflects on Elizabeth)
"The trail bike jumped up over the hillock and skidded for a perilous moment as its wheels hit the grass.  But Kyle Bates handled his favourite mode of transportation with the skill of a jockey on a thoroughbred.  Behind him on the seat, Elizabeth Maxwell sat pressed against his back, her arms locked around his waist as she screamed with a combination of fear and glee.  Her blond hair whipped in the wind ...  Since meeting Elizabeth by accident at Club Creole, he's been spending more time with the underground group as an excuse to be near her ... Kyle was only too aware that Diana badly wanted to get Elizabeth back under her control, to see what her bioengineering experiment had wrought.  Kyle found himself feeling fiercely protective when it came to Elizabeth's safety."

p.90  (Nathan Bates intercepts a Resistance munitions shipment)
Nathan:  "I want you and the other Resistance fighters to stop your sabotage and attacks against the Visitors and against my company in Los Angeles."
Elias leaned back and eased himself into a stool near an instrument console.  "As long as we're taking requests, how about 'Old Man River' played on water glasses at Club Creole every time you come in, hmmm?"

p.149 (A Fifth Columnist reflects on advice given him by another Visitor)
"Not so bad once you get used to them," was the way Barry had put it, adding, "Don't forget, they have to look like this for their entire lives.  Maybe it explains some of the way they behave.  But on the whole, they're not a bad species."
 

The Back of the Book ...

Trust No One!

The Earth has had another reprieve from alien domination.  A daring desert resistance raid has reclaimed
three key human prisoners - marked for conversion or death aboard the Mother Ship - from Commander Diana
and her security chief, Lydia.  The furious Diana blames Lydia, who plans a terrible vengeance; she will spin a
diabolical web to snare Diana's power - and trap her most hated enemies: Resistance heroes Mike Donovan
and Ham Tyler.  Meanwhile, the resistance has troubles of its own.  Trusted friends may be collaborating with
the alien enemy.  Every smile may hide a secret, as the fate of every living soul in Los Angeles turns on the
violent outcome of plot and counterplot, disguise and deception ... Prisoners and Pawns.
 

Ordering Information
All of the "V" novels are currently out of print.  However, you can often find used copies at reasonable prices at the Advanced Book Exchange.
 

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