#txf book project

[southpawstance]

Reading and Rating every X-Files Novelization I can Find Part 1: Goblins (1994)

Introduction: So, because I am insane I have decided to find and consume all the supplementary media for The X-Files that I can get my grubby little mitts on. I don’t know if anyone cares about this kind of stuff except for me but I’m going to chronicle my journey anyway. Every review will had 5 categories: Writing (is it well written?) Plot (is it a good/interesting plot?) Canon-Compliant (does it fit into the TXF universe?) MSR (does it contain Mulder and Scully’s iconic relationship dynamic, romantic or otherwise?) and overall rating. I’ll also include whether I would recommend the book and eventually make a ranking.

The X-Files: Goblins (1994) Written by Charles Grant

Synopsis (via Fandom.com): Mulder and Scully are called in to investigate when gruesome murders occur around a military base. There is a myth going around among the local population that a malicious goblin, who wreaks havoc at dusk, is responsible for the deaths.

Writing: 2 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️

First, what I liked. This was a very easy read, and I mean that in a good way. The pacing was done really well and it was pretty accessible in terms of prose. My main issue was how overtly sexist a major portion of this book was. So many of the male characters make extremely crude comments about women that were so unnecessary. All the female characters in this book were portrayed as harpies, villains, or both. Scully gets treated more like Mulder’s nagging sidekick than a main character. I get that this was written in the 90s and that the book was probably geared toward a more male audience but it definitely brought the book down.

Plot: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

By far the most enjoyable part of this book. It was a classic “Monster of the Week” and had a pretty interesting premise and stood up on its own. I was invested that whole time and had a more or less satisfying conclusion.

Canon-Compliance: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️

This book does get a little leeway in this category because only one season of the show had come out so far. Plot-wise it was on target, it felt like it could’ve been a one-off episode in the early seasons. There were a few “original” characters that felt unnecessary since it was clear they were only going to last the one book.

(Side note: one of my critiques was going to be the lack of Walter Skinner, but apparently he’s only in one episode in Season 1 which totally baffled me)

MSR Content: 1 out of 5 ⭐️

There is virtually no Mulder and Scully relationship dynamic in the book. Hell, they barely tolerate one another in this book. It is set very early on in the series but they definitely had a well established friendship at this point. If you are looking for a more in depth look at the thoughts and feelings of these characters and their relationship, you are plum out of luck.

Overall rating: 2.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️〰️

Do I recommend this book: Nah ❌ it’s not the worst book in the word and it is pretty speedy to read-through but the whole weird sexism thing was a big turn off for me so I unfortunately cannot recommend this one.

Not a strong kickoff to this project but I know for sure there a books coming down the line that are far more interesting that I can actually recommend with a full conscience.

[southpawstance]

Reading and Rating every X-Files Novelization I can Find Part 2: Whirlwind (1995)

Introduction: I’ve been burning through these books like nobody’s business. If anyone is curious so far I’ve been listening to them on audiobook through Hoopla the library app!

The X-Files: Whirlwind (1995) Written by Charles Grant

Synopsis: (via Fandom.com) Several corpses are found in the arid areas around New Mexico, all of which have one thing in common: their bodies are mutilated beyond recognition, their skin appears to have been torn to shreds while they were still alive. Mulder and Scully begin to investigate, but the number of deaths continues.

Writing: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The writing style of this one is pretty much the same as the previous novel (Goblins) since it’s the same writer. It’s a very easy read, that’s quick to get through which I anticipated. This one toned the weird misogyny of the last one way down, making a much more enjoyable read. I still think this guy has a weird subconscious issue with women but it’s less of evident here. It’s still not ~stellar~ writing, but for a paperback novelization of a cult tv show, it gets the job done.

Plot: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again, this plot follows the classic X-Files “monster of the week” structure that works really well for a short form novel like this. The plot centers around a fictionalized native tribe in New Mexico, which does fall into a lot of stereotypical pitfalls. The X-Files show tends to be guilty of this as well, so it wasn’t that jarring. That being said, it’s an alright story with some interesting twists. I liked the original characters in this one, I thought they were more fleshed out and likable.

(Side note: there will be quite a few critiques I will make of these books that will be ultimately summed up by the phrase ‘it was the 90s’. It’s not an excuse, just an observation)

Canon-Compliance: 3 out of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️

So based on when this was published, it would put us midway through season 2. But since it was obviously written before that, this would still put us early season 2. I say this because Scully’s abduction arc nor Krycek get mentioned BUT we finally get an appearance of Walter Skinner. Like the previous book, the book threads the needle between being in the canon while still being an original story.

MSR Content: 2 out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️〰️

This book definitely improved quite a bit in terms of Mulder and Scully’s connection. I still really don’t like the way this author writes Scully’s character. Her dialogue is incredibly combative to everything Mulder says and it comes off at nagging, which I don’t think is true to her character. That being said, she definitely has more to do in this book and Mulder and Scully have some good moments together. I’m hoping to see more of their personal relationship as we get further down the line.

Overall rating: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Do I recommend this book: yes ✅ I think that this book really sands down some of the rough edges of the first one. (Pun intended) it’s quick and a fun story, I think it’ll be worth it. Though if you are more sensitive to the use of some outdated terms/language, maybe skip this one.

Next Up: Ground Zero (1995)

[southpawstance]

Reading and Rating every X-Files Novelization I can Find Part 3: Ground Zero (1995)

Introduction: boy oh boy, we are finally cooking with gas on these books.

TXF: Ground Zero (1995) Written by Kevin J. Anderson

Writing: 4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Now that this book is written by a different author there’s a major improvement in quality to me. The writing style is pretty similar but this one just felt snappier. This authors writing also doesn’t have that weird, thinly veiled sexism about it.

Plot: 3 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The plot is definitely the weakest category but it’s still really interesting. It makes some real poignant perspectives on nuclear war tactics that was unexpected for a tv-show tie in novel. I will say, this the second time in as many books that they’ve make up a fictional ethnic group. I suppose it is better than making stuff up about actual minority groups but it’s weird it happened twice

Canon-Compliance: 3.5 out of 5⭐️⭐️⭐️〰️

This book does a much better job incorporating details of the show into its plot and characters. They make callbacks to things like Mulders fear of fire (1x12 Fire) and the death of Scully’s father (1x13 Beyond the Sea). It does make some editorial choices, like Scully going to Berkeley for a year and almost joining a protest group, but I thought it was still accurate to her character. You can really tell that the author is a fan l!

(Side note: based on the callbacks to previous episodes, this book takes place late season 1 but before the finale )

MSR Content: 3 out of 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Finally, some quality MSR content. They actually act like they respect one another and enjoy eachothers company, what a concept. There are some really good moments between the two and it being a novel, gave time for some extra banter that wouldn’t be in the show.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Do I recommend this book: Yes! This is the first of the series I can confidently recommend. The plot is definitely out there, but it is worth it for the great Mulder/Scully moments.

Up Next: X-Files Ruins (1995)