Transformers Exodus Review

So this is my first attempt at reviewing something and posting it on here. Mind you this is my opinion and that’s it. I’m no expert on anything but I do have the right to write down what I think. If you don’t like it sorry but you have the choice not to read it. (Just putting that out there.)

I will be reviewing Transformers Exodus by Alexander C. Irvine. He is a good writer I will give him that before I even start this. If you haven’t read it then be warned there are spoilers. If you have and disagree with me that’s fine just don’t read this. Now that this is out of the way let’s get started.

I’ll warn you all now I haven’t read this in a while and am going off of memory.

I didn’t care for it. It wasn’t overtly bad but it wasn’t good either. Especially considering it was supposed to be a part of the Transformers Prime universe. (But that’s a different rant altogether.)

If this was based on a different universe or was a standalone series it wouldn’t have been bad but… In this light I cannot stand but I’ll do a quick recap first before I begin truly ranting.

This book focuses on Cybertron back in the day when Megatron was still the gladiator calling himself Megatronus and was first preaching and gaining fame. Optimus was still the data clerk known as Orion Pax and a couple of his friends, like the awesome Jazz are referenced. The caste system is still going on and that’s what’s pissing off most of the Cybertronians not in the higher castes. (Really? You can’t go to a damn amusement park because of your caste? What the hell is that shit? But I digress and will go into that later.)

Alpha Trion is the normal cliché of mysterious older mentor. Anyway, these two meet, a friendship arises, more introductions take place, and shit goes down. (Mind you I’m going through this really fast because I’m merely going on what I recall.) They split apart after Orion is made the new Prime and he has to go off and find the Matrix of Leadership. He does, ejects the Allspark out into space, and the Autobots make the Ark and leave on it. The Decepticons do their thing, make their own ship, and follow suit. (Boy, I left out a lot but you get the idea. Especially if you’ve read it. If not why are you reading this review first?)

Ok, time for my rant. Get ready because this is not gonna be pretty.

First off, why is there a stupid caste system in place? If the masses hate it why wasn’t it destroyed years ago since it was placed originally there by an alien race bent on enslaving them all? How does this council have so much power? Would the military automatically be on their side? I mean, Starscream and his group are upset with shit and they are made Senitnel Primes elite guard. These guys are charged with protecting this so called leader and they can’t stand him.

Why is Sentinel Prime so important anyway? He was originally placed there by the damn Quintesson like the caste system. Wouldn’t he lose his power as soon as they broke off from those guys? But I’ll spend more time on this issue when I review the Covenant of Primus. My guess is that this entire issue just acts as a catalyst so we can have the real fight between the Autobots and Decepticons.

Moving on, why the hell do we need Alpha Trion narrating? All he does is summarize things. Yes, we don’t need to know every single thing that happens but damn… All he goes on about his how he wishes he could do more but can only read and write the Covenant. Why? Does it say he can’t get off his ass and help more? Why doesn’t he tell anyone he’s one of the original Thirteen? It might help where the bots are concerned. The bots might not look at Optimus like he’s crazy when he says their artifacts might be out there.

If this is based in the Transformers Prime verse why the heck does Megatron, Starscream, and his troops use Dark Energon? Injecting the planet with it is one thing but they use it. And in the show they made it look like they’d never used it before! Continuity people, it wouldn’t be a problem if they said ‘Oh this is an alternate universe’ but it’s not.

What is Starscream’s backstory? Half the time he’s made out to be a scientist, the rest of the time an air commander and/or a guard of Sentinel Prime.

Back to the Dark Energon issue. In what possible way was injecting your entire planet with it sound like a good idea? I know Megatron’s not always made out to be the smartest dude ever but really? No one had the balls to point out this wasn’t a good idea and could kill the damn planet. Not even Shockwave? Where were you Mr. Logic?

Soundwave talks. Huh? I did a double take and had to reread when I saw that. He does not say anything but one line in the entire damn television show and here he’s a chatter box. I caught myself thinking more than once this is bullshit and Soundwave needs to shut the f*** up already. Plus, where did the Casseticons come from? Other than Laserbeak none of them were in the show and even then she was described as a drone instead of a sentient being. Plus, Ratbat’s a senator? When the hell did that happen? Last I saw he was a Casseticon.

Jazz and Prowl act sneaky in the beginning about how they don’t care for the caste system around Orion. Is there a reason for this? No, there isn’t.

Sentinel Prime is a little bitch, pure and simple. And he’s supposed to be the leader of the entire planet. Well shit.

Shockwave is made out to be as insane as ever but how does he keep getting so many Decepticon volunteer test subjects? Does Megs just hand him cons and say, ‘Here ya go have fun?’

Did Omega Supreme, Trypticon, and Bruticus Maximus have to be shoved into the same book? They feel rushed and I got annoyed how Trypticon was made and we had to hear every detail. For what? He just ends up being the Nemesis anyway and then we hear about how he’s not sentient anymore.

Wasn’t Alpha Trion supposed to me a member of the council? In the Covenant it says he is but here he’s just some old bot they all go to for advice. Ok…

How big is the Ark and Nemesis? We’re told they’re huge but what’s the capacity. This is referenced in Transformers Exiles but it says the Ark could only support so many bots. That many bots did get to go but mostly because Optimus choose them? HUH?! In every other version it was always the bots trying to shove as many of their own on this thing as possible. Now it had a limit, even though there’s not supposed to be that many Autobots left at this point to begin with. Yeah, some stay behind like the Wreckers and Trion but really? It’s based on favoritism or how useful you are. Honestly, how hypocritical is that shit? Yeah Optimus way to get away from the caste system or tyranny like Megatron.

How is there so many Decepticons? This book made it sound like they outnumbered the bots a hundred to one. I mean yeah Megs might have got a good number because he represented the entire lower caste system but not everyone’ stupid. Peace through tyranny? How is that better then Sentinel Prime and the council? Oh boy for beings supposed to be so more advanced than us they sure are stupid. Now the book tried to say many joined because when their areas were invaded they didn’t want to be killed. But what’s keeping them loyal? As soon as the cons leave why don’t they either join the bots or go hide or something? How loyal can these forced participants be? You can’t tell me the Decepticon numbers were so great to begin with they could keep track of everyone they forced to join them.

So, now we come down to my main grievance against this thing. Megatron and Optimus’ relationship. In the show it was clear these two were once close and even considered each other ‘brothers’. In this book I didn’t get that feeling. They felt more like awkward friends then brothers. When it was mentioned it didn’t feel real. I know the book can only get so much in depth without becoming boring but I would have liked a little more interaction between these two before the shit hit the fan. It was like ‘Oh hi we have the same goals lets be friends!’ and ‘Sure thing buddy!’. WHAT? I CALL BULLSHIT! The book could have showed a couple more instances of them hanging out maybe talking about their ideals. So that way when the big ‘betrayal’ issue came around it had more weight to it.

Overall, I do recommend it for fans out there. I do warn you though that if you’re a big Transformers Prime fan then you’re going to have to forgive a lot. But it’s not bad if you’re curious. There are a few decent parts.

Extras (I’m just going to add a few things I thought were interesting or odd.)

Carry Me: How does Jetfire carry both Bumblebee and Optimus to the core? They can’t be lightweight but what’s the limit on how much they can carry? Does that mean Bumblebee could carry the two of them if he needed to?

Stupid Move: I know Jetfire volunteered to stay on Cybertron but is it wise to leave one of your only flyers behind?

We’ll Never See You Again: What is this books focus on characters like Ratbat that we only get like two lines of dialogue from and we’ll never see again? I don’t need to know everyone’s sob story, but I would have liked to know how he got to be a senator.

Favoritism: Way to go Optimus you sure do lead by example.

Why is Starscream so important?: Why do all the seekers follow him so religiously? It’s not because he’s tough so is it because he can do flips?

Data Clerk: I am so tired of the cons using this to insult Optimus. Why does no one counter with, ‘So what you dumb gladiator, at least I can read.’

Alpha Trion: DO SOMETHING! Quit whining about it already, it gets old. Especially in the next book.

Bitch: Sentinel Prime is still a bitch.