EARTH 2 LEATHER WINGS BY JOHN VORNHOLT

Copyright 1995.

The colonists making their way to New Pacifica come on what looks like an impassable barrier. A huge canyon that is miles deep and wide that stretches for thousands of miles. They have to figure out a way to cross it. True and Uly discover a Koba pathway to the bottom that most of the colonists go down to explore. Alonzo, Yale and the kids are left behind and attacked by Grendlers looking to steal the vehicles. They use a desperate plan to parachute the vehicles into the valley.

With the vehicles united with the colonists they soon discover that the valley offers them a comfortable existence. Soon they discover a Terrian tribe that uses wings to fly. This tribe befriends them and shows that there is a Fountain of Youth they use to stay young. Martin Morgan has dreams of using it for wealth. The tribe though has an enemy Terrian tribe, and the colonists continue to look for and find a way out of the valley.

This third book in the TV series is another enjoyable read. John Vornholt has written some really good Babylon 5 books, so he has experience in writing for TV series. It is a little goofy with the parachuting of vehicles into the canyon. Everyone seemed in character from the TV series, and this would have made an enjoyable episode.

The series was short lived, so it only got these three books. Reading these books has given me a new appreciation of the series and it is unfortunate that it didn’t get the chance to grow. If you love the series, you will enjoy the books. I also recommend checking out the series.

EARTH 2 PUZZLE BY SEAN DALTON

Copyright 1995.

The colonists heading toward New Pacifica are running out of water. They enter a great plain and get trampled by a huge herd of buffalo type animals. The water tank is damaged and they need water. A valley has the potential of water, but both the Grendlers and Terrians both warn against entering the place. The colonists ignore this and find an underground city. A strange and beautiful place which True and Uly soon discover is a tomb. Morgan goes hunting for treasure and falls into a trap. Now the colonists have to rescue him and escape the deadly traps.

This is the first original story written for the sci-fi series. It is an enjoyable book. It did feel like an episode to the series and would have made a good one. There is a mystery to this deserted city that is left to the two kids True and Uly to explore. Morgan’s greed gets everyone in trouble which is consistent with the character in the series. I always enjoy reading book adaptations of TV series as they give us new story to enjoy.

EARTH 2 BY MELISSA CRANDALL

Copyright 1994.

It is the 22nd century and Earth is a polluted uninhabitable planet. Most of humanity lives in comfort on space stations scattered throughout the solar system. Only a problem has developed from living solely on space stations. Children are developing a condition called The Syndrome. The Syndrome will kill a child by the time they reach nine years old. It is theorized that they need to live on Earth to get better. Only Earth is a dead planet. Devon Adair the richest woman in the system has a young son Uly that has been stricken by the Syndrome. She mounts an expedition to planet G889 which is an Earth like planet. The plan is to set up a colony on New Pacifica for the children of the Syndrome. Only the government doesn’t want this to happen and tries to sabotage the expedition. The ship makes it safely, but a malfunction causes it to crash thousands of miles from their destination. They have to recover vehicles to make a trek and also find out the planet has intelligent aliens.

This book is an adaptation of the pilot to the series from the nineties. The pilot was a ratings success but unfortunately never caught on and the series was cancelled after one season. The author does a good job of adapting the screenplay. She gives us some more backstory about Adair and her son Uly. Reading this brings back how good the series was. I personally enjoyed it and was disappointed it was cancelled after a cliffhanger like most good series for the nineties. It had an interesting premise and likeable characters. I have the DVD set and might have to give it another look.