Battlestar Galactica is a 1978 science fiction novel written in partnership by Glen A. Larson and Robert Thurston, and published by Berkley Books. It is a novelization of the three-hour premiere to the series, "Saga of a Star World", which was also known simply as "Battlestar Galactica".
Plot[]
- "Flagship of the 12 Worlds' Warfleet, she was as large as a city, yet as swift as the Starbound fighters she launched from her bays. For generations the vast ship had led the thousand-year war against the Cylons for control of the known Galaxy. Now that war was in its last phase, and Galactica had one final mission, win or lose: blast through the deadly grid of the Cylon Starfleet and dash for deep space in a desperate attempt to find the legendary 'Stonehenge' of the universe - the lost planet the ancient microfilms call 'Earth'."
- —Preface
A vast and ancient starship probes the universe for the legendary lost planet "Earth".
The new deep space spectacular with the most exciting special effects ever produced!
Zac and Apollo are brothers – and rivals – in the ultimate adventure, as humankind's heroic star-fighter crew battle the alien Cylons for control of the known galaxy! Battlestar Galactica is an epic multimedia event: the triumphant ABC-TV spectacular with the most expensive special effects ever produced, designed by Oscar-winning genius John Dykstra... and a powerful science fiction novel, a gripping space-war saga of interstellar adventure!
Taglines[]
- The greatest space epic ever – from ABC-TV and Universal
Notes[]
- Each chapter is preceded by an excerpt from 'The Adama Journals'.
- In the novelization, Zac and Starbuck did not switch patrols. Instead, Zac was ordered to do this patrol to atone for a a little 'escapade he had with Paye's chief nurse in sick bay'. Meanwhile, Apollo took the patrol because he figured it would be one last bite of a mission before the armistice would put a stop to them.
- Starbuck is introduced playing cards with the gemons. This sequence is expanded in the novel and also serves to introduce Boomer and Greenbean.
- Cylons are described to be 'many-eyed creatures with heads that apparently could alter shape at will' beneath their armor. No human had ever discovered whether the moving lights in their helmets was generated by the Cylons themselves or was part of the helmet's technology.
- Athena is described as a blond and Cassiopeia as a brunette.
- There are several passages written from the point of view of the Imperious Leader, who has three brains and wears a helmet that connects him to all factions of the Cylon army. Cylons are awarded extra brains as they grown older, the Leader being the only one with three of them.
- Boxey is not Serena's biological son in this version of the story. She first meets him during the Cylon attack on Caprica.
- There is a subplot in which Adama decides to resign as President of the Council of Twelve. Anton takes his place, but is happy to give it back when Adama changes his mind at the end of the book.
- Starbuck and Boomer have nicknames for each other: 'Bucko' and 'Boom-Boom'.
- It is explained that in order to be granted a license to work as a Socialator, Cassiopeia had to prepare for years and endure endless courses concerning social behavior and human knowledge. They also have the ability to cure mild illnesses with intricate massage techniques.
- The Ovions use simian waiters that are can telepathically discern people's favorite food and drink. Starbuck's favorites are Aquarian ambrosia cake and a Sagitarian straight-arrow. The food is drugged with a substance that helps the users sway their minds towards foolish decisions.
- When Starbuck is confronted with both Cassiopeia and Athena at the gambling table, such a turn of events was known politely in space-fleet parlance as "the moment that the Cylon hit the fan".
- Boomer identifies the three singers with four eyes and two mouths each as 'Tucanas' from the planet Tucan.
- Muffit II is shot by Seetol the Ovion and shuts down during the escape from Carillon. Boxey is very distraught until they are reunited after Dr. Wilker has repaired the droid daggit in the final chapter.
- Starbuck and Cassiopeia pilot an Ovion freither filled wity Tylium from Carillon to the Galactica during their escape.
- Apollo and Starbuck do not launch a two-man attack on Carillon during the finale. Instead the planet begins to blow up by itself, and Adama orders the fleet to retreat. At the same time, Cylon forces attack the rag-tag fleet, and the Galactica and it's Vipers race to aid them and surprise the Cylons.
- The Cylon Base Star does not explode and the Imperious Leader survives. He is distressed to be experiencing very human-like feelings of revenge against Adama and Apollo.
- There is no mention of the abandoned subplot in which Serana is dying from radiation posioning, unlike in "Marvel Comics Super Special # 8: Battlestar Galactica".
- At least one edition of the book combines it with The Cylon Death Machine, the novelisation of the two part episode The Gun on Ice Planet Zero
External links[]
- Battlestar Galactica at Amazon.com
- Battlestar Galactica at Goodreads.com