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Keith R. A. Decandido
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Serenity Mass Market Paperback – August 30, 2005

by Keith R.A. DeCandido (Author), Joss Whedon (Collaborator)
4.5 out of 5 stars 279 ratings
Five hundred years in the future, Captain Mal Reynolds, a hardened war veteran (on the losing side), ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family -- squabbling, insubordinate, and undyingly loyal.

When Mal takes on two new passengers -- a young doctor named Simon and his unstable, telepathic sister, River -- he gets much more than he bargained for. The pair are fugitives from a coalition that dominates the universe with unlimited wealth and power -- and that will stop at nothing to control River and her abilities. The crew of mercenaries, used to skimming the outskirts of the galaxy unnoticed, soon find themselves caught between the unstoppable military force of the Universal Alliance and the cannibalistic fury of the Reavers, savages who roam the very edge of space. Caught up in the fight to stay alive, they don't yet realize that their greatest danger may be on board Serenity herself....

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pocket Star
  4. Publication date
    August 30, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    4.25 x 0.5 x 6.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1416507558
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1416507550
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"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Keith R.A. DeCandido was born and raised in New York City to a family of librarians. He has written over two dozen novels, as well as short stories, nonfiction, eBooks, and comic books, most of them in various media universes, among them Star Trek, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, Marvel Comics, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, Resident Evil, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Farscape, Xena, and Doctor Who. His original novel Dragon Precinct was published in 2004, and he's also edited several anthologies, among them the award-nominated Imaginings and two Star Trek anthologies. Keith is also a musician, having played percussion for the bands the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players, the Boogie Knights, and the Randy Bandits, as well as several solo acts. In what he laughingly calls his spare time, Keith follows the New York Yankees and practices kenshikai karate. He still lives in New York City with his girlfriend and two insane cats.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pocket Star (August 30, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1416507558
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1416507550
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.25 x 0.5 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 279 ratings

About the author

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Keith R. A. Decandido

Keith R. A. Decandido

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Keith R.A. DeCandido was born and raised in New York City to a family of librarians, which pretty much explains everything. He has written more than 60 novels, more than 100 works of short fiction, more than 70 comic books, and more nonfiction than he's comfortable counting. Some are in various media universes, among them Star Trek, Alien, Supernatural, World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Marvel Comics, Cars, Farscape, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stargate, Serenity, Resident Evil, Kung Fu Panda, Doctor Who, Sleepy Hollow, Leverage, Orphan Black, and more. His original fiction includes Dragon Precinct and its sequels; the new Supernatural Crimes Unit series; The Adventures of Bram Gold, which includes A Furnace Sealed and Feat of Clay, with more to come; and much more besides. Keith is also an editor (having supervised several book lines and put together dozens of anthologies), musician (percussionist for the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players, the Boogie Knights, and others), pop culture commentator (he writes for both Reactor Magazine -- formerly Tor dot com -- and his own Patreon), and a fourth-degree black belt in Kenshikai karate (he both trains and teaches). He still lives in New York City with various humans and animals.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
279 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this book as a novelization of the movie, appreciating how it integrates backstories from the TV series and provides additional background information. They love the Firefly series and find the characters fantastic, with one review noting how well it captures the show's spirit. The writing quality receives mixed feedback, with some finding it well-written while others say it hurts the flow of the text.

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27 customers mention "Enjoyment"27 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book very much, finding it a pleasant read that they can revisit multiple times, and many consider it one of the best TV shows.

"...and the movie were not just another great SciFi event, it was great experience that just happened to take place around a space ship instead of a town..." Read more

"...I think you'll have a good time reading this book, even if you've never watched the series. I had a lot of fun with this one. Enjoy!!!" Read more

"...The book is a good representation of the movie, but the movie is a world better...." Read more

"This book was OK. I initially stayed away from it because of the incorrect characterizations that earlier reviewers had mentioned...." Read more

21 customers mention "Novelization"17 positive4 negative

Customers find this novelization to be a good adaptation of the movie, with one customer noting how it integrates the back story from the TV series.

"...Like so many of you, I was amazed at the stories, the settings, the adventures, the well worn vessel, and the promise of many years of captivating..." Read more

"...The true spirit of the original series Firefly, is captured in this novelization for the movie. And once I started the book, I couldn't put it down...." Read more

"...I can't repeat this enough. The book is a good representation of the movie, but the movie is a world better...." Read more

"Obviously this is the book version of the movie Serenity or as fans call it 'The Big Damn Movie'...." Read more

6 customers mention "Background"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the background information in the book, with one review noting how it provides additional context and insight.

"...The exception is that you get a lot more background on events. Details about the fight at Serenity that are more often thought than said...." Read more

"Loved the series and the movie. I felt the book went more behind the scenes. I loved it. I will have to check out his other books." Read more

"A follower of the Firefly series and movie, I really liked the fill-in background for each of the characters that I may have missed along the way...." Read more

"...It is not just a rehash of the TV episode. It gives additional insight into Mal became who he is...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning that the cast is terrific.

"...Each episode (when I could find it on) stayed strong in character development (just the right amount of little at a time) and story line with..." Read more

"This was a fast read, with some fantastic characters. The true spirit of the original series Firefly, is captured in this novelization for the movie...." Read more

"...It gives great introspection to the various characters and moments that almost seem like missing scenes from the movie...." Read more

"...Background about the characters and some thoughts that maybe aren't noticable during the show...." Read more

5 customers mention "Love of firefly series"5 positive0 negative

Customers express their love for the Firefly series, with one customer noting how the book captures the true spirit of the original show.

"...The true spirit of the original series Firefly, is captured in this novelization for the movie. And once I started the book, I couldn't put it down...." Read more

"I love Firefly, and i love the books srt in that universe. Wasn't disappointed" Read more

"...It is the movie that explains all on the firefly series." Read more

"love firefly and serenity" Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the money, with one mentioning it's an excellent way to spend extra time.

"..."Serenity" I found this novelization to be an excellent way to spend a bit more time in the "verse"...." Read more

"...To me, it made the comics all the more valuable. Definitely worth it." Read more

"...This particular buy was worth it. It is a well written, enjoyable read, and I liked how it expanded upon things in the movie...." Read more

"I was excited to see that this was so cheap. I love the Firefly series, and enjoyed the movie. The book is a nice read. Yes, I am a fan." Read more

3 customers mention "Functionality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find that the book does its job well.

"...of you, I was amazed at the stories, the settings, the adventures, the well worn vessel, and the promise of many years of captivating episodes this..." Read more

"...was used throughout this stayed true to the series and was wonderfully used." Read more

"Awesome glad I got this item it works great it does the job great. I received this item so quick I was blown away." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"9 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it well written while others note that it hurts the flow of the text.

"...It is written from Mal's perspective and shows the same dialogue from the movie plus a lot of Mal's thinking during the entire movie...." Read more

"...The writing does come off a bit flat, when compared to the movie, and there is a lot of extemperaneous description, but that is necessary for people..." Read more

"...I enjoyed it. Nice back and forth sequence of events and well written." Read more

"...This particular buy was worth it. It is a well written, enjoyable read, and I liked how it expanded upon things in the movie...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Larry S. Prescott
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Networks goofed again
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    It is a pity that a very excellent movie has to be the culmination, of a TV series that was so enjoyable, needed to help give some closure.
    I am a SciFi fan from the early 1950's. I have seen and enjoyed this venue from Buster Crab in the theaters to the offerings of today. When Star Trek came out in the 60's I thought - finally someone made a series that dealt with a promising future of mankind's need to explore wrapped up in the stories of the lives of those who will be living it. Loved the tech, the personal interactions, and the personal turmoil of the characters. I thought this was the best there was (have continued to enjoy watching them over and over from the beginning) and was shocked when it was cancelled.
    The new millennium come along and shortly after a new SciFi series starts. A lightly promoted and very often pre-empted series of a group of divergent people come together, for a wide number of yet to be explored reasons, aboard a space cargo vessel.
    Sounded like I should at least give it a watch for an episode or two just to see if it deserved such little promotion from it's network. Surprise!!!! Like so many of you, I was amazed at the stories, the settings, the adventures, the well worn vessel, and the promise of many years of captivating episodes this group of interesting individuals and exploits would bring. Each episode (when I could find it on) stayed strong in character development (just the right amount of little at a time) and story line with believable adventure. In the TV series, the science tech was very minimal, in the movie it needed a little more (but not dwelled on in detail). It wasn't about the science of the time, but about the individuals (not just the main characters but those they interacted with on planets and other ships). A bonding with these people came quick to the audience. You began to feel you were a silent part of the 'crew'. The TV series and the movie were not just another great SciFi event, it was great experience that just happened to take place around a space ship instead of a town, city, precinct, home or office. I knew I was going to have to wait until the season was offered on DVD the next fall in order to catch the missed episodes (due to network scheduling irregularities and my own work schedule) before the next season started in order to have the proper story flow.
    Then the worst fear happens again. The Network gives it only a half season and pulls the plug. 14 episodes produced, 12 episodes aired due to the Networks wisdom in deciding not to waste our time. They didn't even want to give it one full season to get the true impact of the series from the public. Star Trek was given three full years before that network blew it. And as great as Star Trek was, Firefly exceeded it in the stories of it's people.
    Waited for the Movie to be released and enjoyed it immensely. Cleared some points on the characters but still left a unanswered and unresolved. Too many expectations to be cleared in just one 2 hour movie. Which brings up the question - Mr. Whedon, why just one movie? Even if they went straight to DVD/BD the response would have been worth your efforts.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Tracy M. Rocha
    5.0 out of 5 stars Serenity, a Great Book.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    This was a fast read, with some fantastic characters. The true spirit of the original series Firefly, is captured in this novelization for the movie. And once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. I think you'll have a good time reading this book, even if you've never watched the series. I had a lot of fun with this one. Enjoy!!!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Kaylee-sama
    4.0 out of 5 stars A pretty good novelization of the movie
    Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    SEE THE MOVIE FIRST.

    SEE THE MOVIE FIRST.

    SEE THE MOVIE FIRST.

    I can't repeat this enough. The book is a good representation of the movie, but the movie is a world better. The novelization here was written from the shooting script of the movie, using descriptions of characters that won't match up when you see this on the big screen, but overall, the story itself is the same and is a solid book. The writing does come off a bit flat, when compared to the movie, and there is a lot of extemperaneous description, but that is necessary for people finding the book and having not seen the movie, nor the series.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars a very good novelization of the movie
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    As a serious fan of both the TV series "Firefly" and the movie "Serenity" I found this novelization to be an excellent way to spend a bit more time in the "verse". May the suits at FOX who cancelled "Firefly" roast in Hell ... in the special place, rerserved for child molesters and the people who talk in the theater.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • TheHappyHermit
    3.0 out of 5 stars OK book, but it seemed like a novelization instead of standing on its own
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    This book was OK. I initially stayed away from it because of the incorrect characterizations that earlier reviewers had mentioned. However, the characterizations only really bothered me at one point in the book, so it wasn't that big of a deal to me.

    What I liked about the book was how the author used aspects from Firefly episodes to explain how they purchased the new mule (hovercraft). He also introduced a character from Simon's past and then stated that that same character was the one that Jayne picked up false ID's from in the episode "Ariel". I really liked how the author connected those different story lines.

    However, I felt that the author referred back to the episodes way too often. Some things didn't need a back story to help explain what was going on in this book. It seemed like he was just putting that extra info in the book to add content. It kept the text from flowing in certain areas.

    I also didn't like how the author seemed to use run-on sentences a lot. I am sure they probably aren't officially run-on sentences since he knows more about how to write than I do. However, some of his sentences seemed like they were a paragraph long. They would start with one idea and then jump to another (apparently for clarification). However, by the time he got back to the original idea, I had already forgotten it. I thought this too hurt the flow of the text.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Brian Arnold
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fairly decent adaptation of the movie...
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I went to the theater to see the movie. I never saw the book adaptation in stores. I've always read book version afterwards just to see where the author and the movie differed. This book had a few thing different than the movie. Sequences of the movie moved around a bit. Some back story that helped to flesh out parts of the movie. This a book I'll be rereading in years to come.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • J. Humphrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If you are a fan of the show "Firefly", this book, based on the movie, will be a treasure. It is written from Mal's perspective and shows the same dialogue from the movie plus a lot of Mal's thinking during the entire movie. The style is so spot-on that anyone can feel that Mal wrote it.

    A good, fast read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Shn4zy
    4.0 out of 5 stars A supplement to a Great Damn Movie
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Obviously this is the book version of the movie Serenity or as fans call it 'The Big Damn Movie'. I imagine that this is what Whedon wanted in the movie but it was just so ruddy long. It gives great introspection to the various characters and moments that almost seem like missing scenes from the movie. To me, it made the comics all the more valuable. Definitely worth it.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • David Delaney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
    Reviewed in Canada on October 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Given the book is based on the movie it is true to the film. Definitely a fun read. Definitely Recommended.
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  • LDRMD6
    5.0 out of 5 stars read this book - brings back a lot of good memories.
    Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyable read! When you can't see the movie often, read this book - brings back a lot of good memories.
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  • ShepherdSpy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Late to the party..
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I have all the DVD versions of Firefly and Serenity and finally thought to look for the novelization version..Was sort of hoping for a little more background story than what the BDM gave..I got a little more,but not much! Stayed true to the movie,though. Worth it for the completist.
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