Book Review: The Chronicles of Riddick by Alan Dean Foster

The Chronicles of Riddick by Alan Dean Foster

Genre: Science fiction, space opera, dystopia

Publisher: Del Rey Books (December 2007)

Author Info: alandeanfoster.com

Wendy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

“You’re not afraid of the dark are you?”

In my quest to read more movie novelizations this year, it’s unsurprising that Foster’s name would pop up on the list. In fact, in searching my library for more novelizations by him, this one popped up. Pitch Black and subsequently The Chronicles of Riddick are favourite films in my household and I am quite fond of the character of Riddick. I suspect Vin Diesel, the actor who plays him, is quite fond of Riddick too, and it shows with Chronicles. I could have done with a little less of Riddick being Riddick in what was perhaps Diesel’s attempt to bring back the macho tough guy of the 80s, but with less campiness, and more attempted intellectual and occasionally gross sexist comments and actions (I’ll never watch the third movie, Riddick, again for the latter reason).

Anyway, after surviving the monster infested planet in Pitch Black, Riddick has sequestered himself away from humanity, but is dragged back in thanks to the arrival of the Necromongers, a powerful race of beings bent on purifying the galaxy and preparing everyone for the great beyond. As with all fanatics, they believe they are doing their lord’s work. Alas, the Lord Marshal is going to have to deal with Mary Sue–I mean–Richard B. Riddick, who has now been imbued with magical Furyan powers thanks to a prophecy and upgraded backstory. Not that these new elements don’t work for the story. They do make sense, but it’s how Riddick is now portrayed that has me rolling my eyes. And yet, it’s for this very thing that I give Foster credit. Part of writing a novelization is being able to capture the feel of the film, right down to Riddick’s new found ability to be faster than fastness and more quiet than silence as he skillfully outsmarts and murderdeathkills vast hordes of bad guys.

“Riddick moved forward, seeming to cross the intervening space between the clerics and himself with barely a step. One by one, he pushed back hoods and examined faces. He had no divining equipment with him, needed none. He knew men better than any machine.”

Foster’s words drip with the sense that someone thought more of Riddick’s status than they should have, and I get the impression that, as he wrote, Foster was frequently peppered with phone calls and emails from Diesel with suggestions on how to improve scenes. So I feel like I should give Foster credit for capturing both the vibe of the film and showing such patience with our illustrious star.

Fortunately, this book was not just about Riddick and the perspective quite often changed. Kyra in particular is a character of interest, as is the Lord Marshall in his unwavering beliefs, but really, I am here for the Vaakos. Foster did not let me down with the sultry blade that is Dame Vaako.

I read novelizations with the hope that I’ll get a few new insights into the characters and events, and maybe a deleted scene or two. This honestly didn’t add much save for amusement in reading the Riddick loves Riddick story. I was disappointed though — or perhaps pleased with the final movie version of the parting between Riddick and Kyra. The movie moment is powerful and the line “Are you with me Kyra?” is a much stronger connection to the running theme of his abandonment of her in the first place. In the book, he demands to know “what side” she is on, which holds less emotional stakes. I’m guessing that was a last minute script change that made it into the movie, much like Leia and Han’s “I love you” “I know,” which was not in the original script, or the novelization of The Empire Strikes Back.

“I was always with you.”

Where the book did give me something more was the epilogue that detailed the history of the Necromongers and the chain of Lord Marshall’s leading up to Riddick’s eventual taking of the throne.

“You keep what you kill.”