In association with Amazon.co.uk
In association with Amazon.co.uk
There have been four official Xena:Warrior Princess novels published by Boulevard Books;
New out from August 1999
Buy this Book from Amazon.co.uk
Calling All Questors!
Draco, ex-lover of the Warrior Princess, rejected suitor of gabrielle heeds the call.
So does the pure-of-heart young hero Bellerophon. Rumored to be the son of Poseidon, he's determined to live up to his lineage.
And so does Joxer. he goes to seek fortune, fame - and Gabrielle's approval.
But Xena soon discovers that the voice behind the summons belongs to an old enemy - Menelaus, the King of Sparta. If he is involved, Joxer could be headed into dire danger.
So the Warrior Princess and Gabrielle follow the hapless hero into the Spartan palace, where she sees another unpleasantly familiar face:a venal priest of Apollo named Avicus.
King and priest are up to no good. But what is their plan? And can Xena stop them before the ship of foolish questors sets sail?
Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
based on the Universal television series created by John Schulian and Robert Tapert
"In a small remote village, Xena and her protege, Gabrielle, make a stunning discovery: All of the men in town have disappeared without a trace. Meanwhile, armed bands are running rampant in the streets. What mysterious and malevolent force is at work? Strange magic? Godly might? Xena and Gabrielle must uncover the truth before it is their turn to disappear..."
This is the first of the novels, and the first one I read. Avid fans of the show and fans of the fanfiction that is very common on the web will probably be disappointed by the lack of authenticity in the portrayals of Xena and Gabrielle. They are barely recognisable as our Xena and Gabrielle. For some reason Gabrielle is endowed with prophetic powers in this book. This doesn't help the plot much and isn't a feature of the tv show. The shocking misspelling of the chakram as 'shakra' and Xena's horse being descibed as a he are likely to grate aswell.
The story precis from the back cover(see above) is not all that accurate as it only covers the first part of the book. From investigating the disappearances, Xena and Gabrielle are lead into an story elements from The Odyssey. They meet the sorceress Circe and then go to Ithaca, the absent King Odysseus' island home, where they help out Queen Penelope and the young prince Telemachus who are being threatened by Draco.
This is not a book for the part time fan- you need stamina for this one! I am a devoted XWP watcher and reader of fanfic, but I found it tough going as this book is simply dull. It appears that author, Emerson is unfamiliar with the characters and so sticks to traditional Greek Myth, Gabrielle being chatty and the bad guy from the series premiere Draco. This combines to make a rather rambling and unexciting story. Of course Xena and Gabrielle's meeting with Ulysses- otherwise known as Odysseus- and Penelope, makes much of this story invalid, but there isn't much the author could have done about that.
The one highlight was Gabrielle talking the sorceress Circe into reversing her spell and trying again with men instead of bewitching them. If the rest of the book had this part's wit and originality it would have been a much more enjoyable read. For readers of fan fiction, one blessed relief is to see a properly punctuated and grammatical Xena story! I do wish someone would get a dictionary and some grammar lessons to some fanfic authors out there.
First Boulevard edition, October 1996. 231 pages
Whoosh have an interview with Ru Emerson that is a bit over reverential, but interesting.
Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
based on the Universal television series created by John Schulian and Robert Tapert
"No one is braver or faster than the legendary huntress Atalanta. Or so she says. And when Xena and Gabrielle are asked to rescue a group of kidnapped children, Atalanta is the first to volunteer. After all, she is the only one who could possibly be strong enough to succeed.
But when they find the kidnapper, Xena realizes that no one is strong enough to defeat it. For who can challenge the power and knowledge of the almighty Sphinx?"
First Boulevard edition, January 1997. 226 pages
This second novel by Ru Emerson is much more fun! Pacier and funnier than the first, it begins well with Xena and Gabrielle visiting Athens and the women's races to see the legendary Atalanta. Now forget about that body builder lady who appeared in Hercules:TLJ, this Atalanta is much different. Xena and Gabrielle join with the bard, Homer and the huntress to find the group of kidnapped girls, and finally confront the mythical Sphinx herself.
This book was more enjoyable in my opinion for a number of reasons: Firstly, Emerson is more accurate in her depiction of Xena and Gabrielle, although their relationship is very early season one-like. Xena tells Gabrielle hardly any thing, leaves her a lot, and doesn't talk to her much. Gabrielle is given Homer as her main companion for much of this story. Gabrielle is also VERY chatty! However, the scenes of her verbal encounters work quite well as they are reminiscent of that nice scene between Gab and the dumb cyclops in Sins of the Past.(Incidentally, that cyclops also pops up here in a little cameo.) She outwits her opponents well. Gabrielle is the main focus in this book really. Thankfully most of the visionary stuff from the first book has been dumped apart from one bit near the end.
Another strength is that Emerson has injected a good deal of humour here, after the rather stodgy first book. Some good one liners, and of course Gabrielle and Homer's riddles. The Sphinx as a character, is written in a similarly amusing way to Circe in the first book- vain and capricious, but I would have liked to have more scenes with her.
There are several references to the first book, particularly in the opening chapter or two, and yes, Argo IS still a boy. Hopefully she'll be herself again soon! Emerson seems to be getting into her stride with this book. While again using well known Greek myths and legends (the Sphinx, Atalanta, Arachne), and XWP characters (Homer, the cyclops), Emerson has produced a more enjoyable story, even if it was a bit predictable.
Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
based on the Universal television series created by John Schulian and Robert Tapert
"His name is Helarion, fleet of foot, full of charm, and a thief like no other. He claims to be the son of Hermes, the Sun god and divine trickster. When he frames Xena and Gabrielle for one of his crimes, they must plan a daring jailbreak- and suddenly they are living like true cutpurses.
Is Helarion good or evil? A god's child or a liar? Xena and Gabrielle don't have time to find out. For they're about to be drawn into an adventure only the son of Hermes could survive..."
Still yawning my way through it!
First Boulevard edition, March 1997. 229 pages
Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
based on the Universal television series created by John Schulian and Robert Tapert
"Traveling the countryside, Xena and Gabrielle encounter a twelve year old seer with a startling prophecy. She warns them about a mage whose well-intentioned spell will lead to disaster. The spell will unleash Cerberus, the fearsome guardian of Hades' gates. The mage seeks relief for those who suffer in the underworld. But his spell will set free many evildoers- as well as Cerberus himself- to terrorize the earth.
Xena and Gabrielle must help the seer break the spell- before all Hades breaks loose. But more danger awaits. Because according to the prophecy, one of them will not return...."
According to the Whoosh Ru Emerson interview(see above), this was supposed to be a young adult novel originally. That would explain the change of author and clearly shorter book.
However, sometimes brevity is good, and despite a certain lack of depth, I found this book to be quite enjoyable. While still plodding through The Thief of Hermes- about 6 months so far- I read Prophecy of darkness in about two days. There are the usual inconsistancies that Ru Emerson also uses, so I guess it was their source that was dodgy. Gabrielle's character is very much early season one, young and innocent. The biggest inconsistancy though is the depiction of the Gods and the belief system. Hades is a place, Tartarus and the Elysian Fields not really believed in.
The story itself it nice and pacy. The young seer is likeable, and the well meaning but foolish young man who is about to unleash Cerberus is a well drawn character also. There is a nice degree of tension and what it lacks in details, the book makes up for in plot. OK, so not that many bad guys to fight, but this was a well written and lively book. No masterpiece and pretty light weight, but as a TV tie in, its quite good. I did a quick calculation, and this book has about 50,000 words compared to about 85,000 for Ru Emerson's books. Wonder who got paid more?
First Boulevard edition, May 1997. 215 pages (bigger writing too!)
The Official Guide to the Xenaverse
Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
My highest recommendation to this very good book that even hardened Xena fans will enjoy. OK, so the episode guide only covers seasons one and two and isn't that in depth, but each episode has Lucy Lawless' own view of it. (Her comments range from the insightful to the frivolous, but it is a real scoop.)
The book is divided into sections; the origins of the series, a facinating behind the scenes look, cast profiles, a look at tv heroines, and an episode guide. For many of us, the behind the scenes section is the most interesting as author Weisbrot clearly had the opportunity to talk to all of those names that flash past before the witty disclaimer. Ever wondered what stuntees do? Or how to pronounce Ngila Dickson? How about casting Kiwis? Insider information that I hadn't heard before had me rushing back to my tape of Sins of the Past to spot Rob Tapert in the staff fight and the production staff being walked on by Xena! Most Xena fans know the Lucy-was-a-goldminer story, or the acting background of Renée O'Connor well enough, but there is so much original information here, I am sure fans will be well pleased. There are also some very good quality colour photographs and an interesting appendix on how to do a convincing US accent for New Zealand actors, accounts of a writers meeting, what the actors get up to between takes and during read through sessions and much, much more. Get out there and buy this book!
The Unofficial Companion: Hercules and XenaBuy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
I'll admit right off that having bought these two books recently, its the Official Xena book that's been the one to get my attention. Naturally, this book hasn't got the sort of information that Robert Weisbrot's has, and it covers Hercules AND Xena. The main difference appears to be a more in depth episode guide in this book, with a fair amount of mythological background information included, and a useful detailed cast list. However the actual episode guide is sketchy and contains numerous errors. The commentary on the episodes is not very insightful, and the opinions of the author are at times facile. He picks up on trivial things and makes no comment on the significant events of many episode.
Interestingly, Van Hise includes a section of the subtext of the show, although the chapter about subtext is virtually copied from internet sources. He also mentions some web sites - although nice for the authors to see, there are many omissions and some of those mentioned no longer exist. Van Hise also repeats the nasty allegation that Lucy's unfortunate RedWings Ice Hockey 'exposure' was staged.
The character and actor profiles are not terribly good. Van Hise has made use of a variety of magazine and internet sources, but there is little original information at all.
Almost worth the cost of the book is Kevin Sorbo's appallingly bad high school photo and Lucy Lawless' Mrs New Zealand photo spread with hubby and baby Daisy- whose name Van Hise gets wrong. Hardly any Xena or Hercules photos, but a few Lucy and Kev ones- copyright dahling!
This is an infinitely inferior book to the Official Guide reviewed above, but it is useful to have a comprehensive episode listing, and cast list for the Hercules and Xena episodes. While the information and opinion on the episodes is rather poor, at least there is a decent mythology section. Casual fans might like it, hardcore nutballs will be irritated by the errors.
I liked it a lot.Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
Battle On!Buy the Book from Amazon.co.uk
Of the growing number of Xena books, at first glance this didn't look promising. No photos at all apart from the not terribly good cover photo of Lucy, and the clunkiest title imaginable. However, this is a nicely written book that has a playful but very positive tone.
The bulk of the book is a very enjoyable episode commentary that has the big plus of covering all of series three. There is a small attempt to have a few chapters, but Chapter 4 , the Xena Chronicles(the episode guide), starts on page 19 and lasts for over 200 pages! There is a brief look at some of the female warriors that came before Xena, and the events leading up to the beginning of the show in those brief opening chapters, and at the end is a look at the Xena phenomenon- the comics, novels, merchandise, internet popularity and fanfiction. The episode commentaries are what makes the book worth the money. Unlike some books, Cox doesn't spend pages describing the plot of individual episodes. He summarizes in a few lines, has his own remarks and comments that while very much those of a fan, are fair and positive without being gushing. There is also a Reality Check section- just to remind us all that reality has NOTHING to do with the show. Greg's ratings are, of course, subjective, but he argues his points well, and I disagreed only on a few episodes. Interspersed throughout the book are boxes with quoted from interviews or particular points of interest, like all those things that happened "ten winters ago".
The words "unauthorized" and "irreverent" give a false impression of some sort of cash in revealing sordid details, whereas this is a well written set of episode reviews, that bring up all sorts or trivia points and in jokes. Cox is clearly a fan, and even has a go at his own disclaimer.
No smart aleck writers were harmed during the production of this volume, but my VCR sure got a workout."
Buy the Book from Amazon.co.ukNow here's a genuine cash in book. I must own up that I haven't read all of this book, but a lengthy session in a book shop soon convinced me what a load of rubbish this is. Someone has made up a load of sub-Snoopy witticisms that they supposedly learnt from watching Xena. The funniest thing about it is the sub title- "A guide to happiness, success and body armour." No photos, not even on the cover. Rubbish, pray no unsuspecting relatives don't think-"oh that'll make a nice Xmas present". Avoid.
Xena X-Posed by Nadine CrenshawBuy the Book from Amazon.co.ukLess said about this one the better! A quickly cobbled together book with old information and old photos. One of the first books out though, so may be of historical interest!
Xena Books by Roy ThomasBuy Xena:Warrior Princess - comic compilation book 1 from Amazon.co.uk
Buy Tooth and Claw - comic compilation book 2 from Amazon.co.uk
Xena and the Arrow of MyxBuy the Book from Amazon.co.ukA new young adult fiction book. I have it but haven't read it yet. Rather slim and one for the children really.
The Xena Scrolls by Ru EmersonBuy the Book from Amazon.co.ukNot a book, a poster featuring quite nice pictures and fictional letters between Janice and Mel from the episode, The Xena Scrolls. Opinions vary as to whether this is worth the cash.
All I Need to Know, I Learned from Watching the Warrior Princess by Josepha ShermanBuy the Book from Amazon.co.ukOfficially sanctioned but a bit dull. Supposedly Gabrielle's thoughts on some of their early adventures.
Back to the Main XWP page
Back to the Features Page