Alan Wake Paperback – Bargain Price, May 25, 2010

Got it for my sister and she said it was great!

Upon Receiving Alan Wake by Rick Burroughs I was exited albeit nervous.Many reviews I'd previously seen spent a very short time altogether talking about the book. all they seemed to do was criticize the writing.one went to far as to say he could not finish reading the preview online and it was ridiculous to think he could finish the book.So, I was worried. quite worried. But, being a "Rose" to Alan Wake, I needed to have this book.Getting down to the bookThe writing style of the book is quite simplistic. this is not a criticism, just a fact.I have no problem reading it at all. This being a terrible relief.Personally I have no clue what the people who were complaining were even talking about.The book takes place alongside the storyline of the game. So you will see plenty of familiar moments. I say this not as a spoiler. but rather as a helpful point. upon ordering the book I was originally under the impression that the book began before the game. but they do begin at about the same point. so hopefully no surprises there.Just like any book, there will be and are minor differences between the book and the game.if you have issues with that , you probably wont like the book. I have no problem with it allRick Burroughs uses an enjoyably descriptive style of writing, that, combined with all my preconceptions of characters and situations gives a cinematic feel to reading this book.As I am not sure what else to touch on I'll wrap this upAlan Wake by Rick BurroughsIs a wonderful novel. any fan of the game will love reading it. or perhaps just to own it as more Wake merchandise comes out.it also is a great gift idea to people who like a good story but either do not have the 360 to play the game .I Cannot recommend this book to highly especially for its price. After shipping and handling I only really payed about ten dollars more than its price on the back to ship it to me.All in allAlan Wake - Rick Burroughs gets a 8.5/10only thing I can think of bad about it is that, again, some people have an issue with the writing style. If you search around on the web you can find a chapter or so preview. Try it if you are concerned about this.Give it a read. tell me where I went wrong or right in this reviewbut more than every thing elseEnjoyScincerlyA.wakePS, don't forget to bring your "...flaming eye of Mordor"Streamlight 61052 Septor LED Headlamp with Strap ;D

Alan wake as you know is a game but imagine being able to read through and seeing a whole different perspective to the creepy twisted dark story of bright falls!!!! 10,0000/10 (A MUST READ)

I wrote my review title like that for a reason. Because this book is not so much poorly-written as it is uninspired writing. It reads just as the game plays, like somebody's younger brother was jotting sentences in a notebook as their sibling was playing through the game. If you've played the game, you know the story. And there's not much more in the book than that.Now, I'm not saying it's a bad book. I'm not even saying the author isn't a good one. My problem with it is that the video game raises a lot of questions, and was really hoping that the book would shine some light on the story, the ending, or at least some backstory of the major and minor characters; something to add to the Alan Wake canon and help flesh out their world. But there was none of that. It was point A to point B. I'm surprised they didn't include the 100 or so thermoses that can be picked up in the game.I don't know what happened because there is a scene early in the book that did not appear in the game and the author did a great job of describing it, creating atmosphere, and organically melding it into the story I was already familiar with. So the author CAN write. Whether he wanted to stay too true to the video game (to a fault) in order to appease gamers, or whether he was on a time limit or decree not to waver from the allowed path (i.e. invisible walls gamers are familiar with...), I guess I'll never know. But it's a shame because there are flashes of good story-telling in an otherwise bland book.PROS:1) It's an easy book to read2) More Alan Wake goodness, if you are really digging the game3) Might get some gamers who don't normally pick up an actual hardcopy book to put down the controller for a few days.4) There are flashes of atmosphere and good writing that make the long trip a little less boring.CONS:1) Really doesn't add anything to the canon that isn't revealed in the video game.2) Misses opportunities to flesh out characters and make the reader/gamer care about the people that are being killed/attacked.3) Adheres WAY too closely to the game. I know Alan spends a lot of time walking in the dark woods in the game, but it's really not as exciting reading it as it is playing it.4) Writing style is just too bland overall through most of the book; the scenes that are well-done only make it all the more obvious that the rest of the writing is lackluster.

It is pretty much a shot for shot of the game. Fun read. Need to come out with Alan wake 2 book now.