When the Tripods Came
The Tripods series, Book 1
John Christopher
Simon & Schuster
Fiction, CH Sci-Fi
Themes: Aliens, Apocalypse, Robots
****
Description
It started when three strange, metallic objects landed on Earth, alien probes from the distant stars. Nobody thought much of the tripods, and they were quickly destroyed,
their limited capabilities no match for human weaponry and technology. Soon, it becomes apparent that there is more to the Tripod invasion than one seemingly laughable
attempt, for what their makers lack in direct firepower, they make up for in other areas...
Lawrence and his best friend Andy were out in the English countryside when they witnessed the initial landing. They saw what the Tripods were capable of with their own
eyes. Both stand witness to the invasion that swiftly and surprisingly strips humanity of power on its home planet.
Review
This book was apparently written as a prequel to the original Tripod trilogy, which I have yet to read. It makes a good stand-alone story, with all the darkness and paranoia that make invasion tales so gripping. A suspenseful and interesting read. One mark against it, and I find this in many British series, is the distinct sexism displayed by the author; female characters seem to exist merely to be protected and/or to screw things up. Maybe, as a female, I notice it more than I should, but it still bugs me. (Even if you overlook the sexism, it's still a cheap crutch to have one character exist merely to be saved by another.)