Books

Roswell High - How They Started
Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns about how they begun working together on the "Roswell High" book series.

The Roswell High Series - Melinda Metz
The television series is based on the "Roswell High" books by Melinda Metz. Find out more about the books and the plots.

Roswell Books - different Authors
The "Roswell" book series is based on the television show. Different authors developed additional adventures. Laura J. Burns even wrote a book for this book series.

"Roswell High" - eBooks
Find out where you can buy a digital version.

Melinda Metz
Find out more about the author of the "Roswell High" books.

"Roswell High" - How They Started

Added by Lena

When Crashdown.com had the opportunity to interview Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns in 2001, they discussed how they begun working together on the "Roswell High" book series.

"I was developing the "Roswell High" series for Pocket Books." Laura J. Burns told Crashdown's Kdberg. "Melinda, at that time, was making the jump to full-time writer. So I was able to bring her on after I had developed the characters, the story arcs and the tone of the series."

Melinda added that Laura had already come up with the characters of Max and Liz, Michael and Maria, Alex and Isabel and Valenti and the arc for the first six books.

"It was perfect because I could hire Melinda and we could keep working together, which was great and, I think, just good timing. It was perfect for both of us." Laura said and Melinda added "Then together we fleshed out the individual plots for the books–although Laura had all the initial stuff. But we got to do what we used to do, which is sit around and brainstorm and figure out stuff together, which is fun."

Based on the young adults book series the weekly TV series was developed by writer-executive producer Jason Katims. Apart from the first book "The Outsider" and the pilot being almost identical, the story of "Roswell" follows a completely different plot.

Jason Katims explained to Starlog in 2002 that "The books have always lived in a parallel universe that's different from the show. What Melinda has done with the books and what we've gone on to do with the show – we've both used the first book as the jumping-off point, but we've gone in different directions, so the characters, their experiences and what happens to them is different."

After the pilot episode aired on October 6th, 1999, the books were re-released with new cover art very soon.

The "Roswell High" book series ended after ten books.

Based on the television show, two novels were released during the series' original run, with eight additional books being released after the series ended. Being on the writing staff of the third season, Laura J. Burns penned the seventh book of the new series "Quarantine", which was released in March 2003.

Sadly, neither the "Roswell High" nor the "Roswell" are in print anymore, but you can buy digital versions of Melinda Metz's "Roswell High" books.

Read the full interview with Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns.

The Roswell High Series - Melinda Metz

Added by Lena

Please find some information on the "Roswell High" book series by Melinda Metz below.


#01 - The Outsider

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: He's not like other guys.
Liz had seen him around. It's hard to miss Max- the tall, mysterious senior stands out in her high school crowd. So why is he such a loner?
Max is in love with Liz. He loves the way her eyes light up when she laughs. And the way her long black hair moves when she turns her head. Most of all, he loves to imagine what it would be like to kiss her.
But Max knows he can't get too close. He can't let her discover the truth about who he is. Or really, what he is... Because the truth could kill her.
First Sentence: "One Sigourney Weaver and one Will Smith."
Last Sentence: She and Max were meant to be togehter here, now - and she was going to find a way to prove it to him, no matter what.

#02 - The Wild One

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Dangerous love...
Isabel: From the moment she hears the roar of Nikolas' motorcycle, she's hooked. This new guy in town seems to understand exactly how she feels and thinks, exactly what she needs. He's someone willing to let her be what she was born to be... the wild one.
Alex: He's jealous of Isabel's new boyfriend. Worse, he fears that Nikolas is dragging Isabel deeper and deeper into danger. If Isabel's not careful, Sheriff Valenti will discover the truth about her. And if that happens, no one from Earth will be able to save her...
First Sentence: "Gimme A U!"
Last Sentence: I'm not from around here, either."

#03 - The Seeker

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Circle of danger...
Maria: She hasn't told her friends about the strange glowing ring that she found. It seems to be giving her powers - special abilities that let her enter a world she's been dying to experience. Here's her chance to lern waht she longs to know: how Michael feels about her.
Michael: He feels all alone on Earth and he's searching for a place to belong. He didn't count on discovering someone to care about right here in Roswell. Now he's falling for his best friend. But what he doesn't know, and Maria doesn't realize, is that she's drawing danger to them all...
First Sentence: "Hmm ... I could wear this with those thigh-high tights I never wear," Maria DeLuca said softly to herself.
Last Sentence: "Max?" she cried. "Max!"

#04 - The Watcher

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Life will never be the same...
Max is dying. No one wants to believe it, but he knows it's true. And as the end grows closer, he can only think of one thing. Who will protect Liz if he's not there?
Liz can't stand watching Max suffer. She's determined to find some way - any way - to save him. But the only way to help Max is to risk her own life. Is she willing to die for the one she loves?
First Sentence: Max Evans gazed in the bathroom mirror.
Last Sentence: Because Valenti's got Michael," she said.

#05 - The Intruder

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Love...too late?
Michael: He's being held in a secret compound. But he's concerned less for himself than his friends. Max. Maria. Liz. Alex. And Isabel. He's got to get out, before he's forced to betray the Roswell residents whom Sheriff Valenti is dying to capture. And once Sheriff Valenti has the information he wants, he won't be needing Michael anymore.
First Sentence: "Please, Max," a voice begged.
Last Sentence:
It was Adam.

#06 - The Stowaway

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk

Book Description: Trust betrayed...
Michael: He's still having flashbacks of his escape from the underground compound. Only Cameron, the mysterious girl he met behind bars, seems to understand him - and realize that the sheriff may be gone but an even more dangerous enemy is out there...
Cameron: She fell for Michael while in the compound...spying on him for Sheriff Valenti. Now she feels guilty, and wishes she could tell him the truth. But how can she be honest - without losing Michael?
First Sentence: "He almost killed us!
Last Sentence: "We sent Alex trough the wormhole."

#07 - The Vanished

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Gone for good?
Max is on a mission to save Alex, who is stranded on the home planet. Alex may be lost or wounded - or worse. To get Alex back, Max knows he'll need one of the Stones of Midnight. If only he knew where to find one...
Liz unterstands that Max can't rest until he finds Alex. And she's been busy herself - spending time with Roswell newcomer Adam. She's been having so much fun with Adam that Max is in danger... of being forgotten.
Fist Sentence: Michael Guerin cought a whiff of something fresh and tangy.
Last Sentence: And winked out.

#08 - The Rebel

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Blood brothers...
Michael has finally found the one thing he always yearned for - family. When his brother Trevor arrives in Roswell, Michael will do anything to please him. But soon Trevor's loyalties come into questin - and Michael is caught in the cross fire.
Maria's little brothe has disappeared and she knows the kidnappers are trying to get to her and her friends. Devastated and guilt-ridden, Maria turns to Michael for help. But will he be there for her, or has Michael himself become the enemy?
First Sentence: Max Evans spread a thin layer of spicy brown mustard over his AstroNut bar, careful not to miss a spot.
Last Sentence: "Now, you will tell me what I want to know."

#09 - The Dark One

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: True love never dies.
Isabel has run away from home, and Max knows her life is in danger. He has to find her and save her, but time is ticking away.
Alex is back on Earth, and he's a changed man. He looks better, feels better, and is ready to live life to the fullest - without Isabel Evans. Little does he know he's the only person that can help the ailing Isabel. Will Alex be able to put aside his pride and save the live of this former love?
First Sentence: "All of you, backs against the wall," Kyle Valenti ordered, his voice harsh.
Last Sentence: "Tra...apped."

#10 - The Salvation

Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: The ultimate battle.
Max is out of control. He's lying to his friends, ignoring his family, and has even turned on Liz. Has Max completely lost his mind...or is Max not really Max at all?
Liz hasn't feld connected to Max in a long time - not the way she used to be. She knows he isn't the guy she fell in love with. There's something else controlling him. Something sinister. Can Liz help Max break free before he's lost forever?
First Sentence: Liz Ortecho stared into the open grave.
Last Sentence: "How could any of us ever forget?"

Sadly, the books are no longer in print, but you can buy a digital version.

Roswell Books - different Authors

Added by Lena

Based on the young adults book series the weekly TV series "Roswell" was developed by writer-executive producer Jason Katims. Apart from the first book "The Outsider" and the pilot being almost identical, the story of "Roswell" follows a completely different plot.

Based on the television show, two novels were released during the series' original run, with eight additional books being released after the series ended. Being on the writing staff of the third season, Laura J. Burns penned the seventh book of the new series "Quarantine", which was released in March 2003.

Sadly, neither the "Roswell High" nor the "Roswell" are in print anymore, but you can buy digital version of Melinda Metz's "Roswell High" books.


#01 - Loose Ends

Release date: 4. June 2001
Author: Greg Cox
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Eight hundred feet underground... and deep into danger.
It started out as an innocent road trip to Carlsbad Caverns to unwind, but now Max, Isabel, Michael, Liz, and Maria are totally regretting their plan. Hundreds of feet underground, in the cavern gift shop, Liz turns and is stunned to see someone she thought she'd never meet again -- the man who shot her long ago in the diner. Their eyes meet and Liz bolts. But running won't solve the group's new "problem." Because the shooter has recognized Liz. Now he wants her dead. And nobody knows why.

#02 - No Good Deed

Release date: 1. October 2001
Author: Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: The second in a sequence of adult science-fiction thrillers based on the cult TV series "Roswell". Michael is kidnapped in mistake for Max, by a frantic father who wants him to use his healing powers on his desparately ill daughter.

#03 - Little Green Men

Release date: 7. May 2002
Author: Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Roswell succumbs to an unidentified virus which turns the skin a worrying shade of green. As more and more of the human population report the same mysterious symptoms, the pale-faced aliens are left totally exposed.

#04 - Shades

Release date: September 2002
Author: Mel Odom Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: The ghosts of the past come back to haunt Roswell ...
Now that their best chance for returning to the home planet has left without them, the "Czechoslovakian" residents of Roswell (code for aliens) must adjust to a more permanent existence on earth than they were expecting. Seeing a possible future for the two of them, Maria nags Michael about money, sending him packing on a salaried weekend trip to help a geologist study a proposed chemical company site. As the group camps out under the stars, a round of spooky ghost stories provides entertainment -- until one of the guys sees a real ghost. The kicker? Michael can see it too. River Dog has also been plagued by the shades of the past in recent days, and he brings Max out to the desert to bear witness as the apparition threatens him. He tells Max of an ancient Mesaliko prophecy that tells of vengeance being exacted by the tribe's ancestors if Visitors are allowed to remain among them -- Visitors like Max, Michael, and Isabel. As the hauntings increase in both frequency and violence, the alien teens and their friends know they must uncover the true origin of the phantoms -- whether physical, mystical, or alien -- before the ghosts follow through on their deadly threats.

#05 - Skeletons in the Closet

Release date: November 2002
Author: Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Everybody has them ... It's all in the past...or is it?
After Michael gets inspired by the photo of Charles Dupree and Max "borrows" some files from the UFO museum and Liz surfs the Net, the "Czechoslovakians" are hot on the trail of one of their human DNA donors. Could the donor give them some clue to their past -- and their future?
But Michael gets held up when he suddenly becomes the prime suspect in his foster father's murder. Good thing Jesse Ramirez, the new lawyer in Mr. Evens's firm and a close, personal friend of Isabel's, is there to help Michael out. But Sheriff Hanson is watching them all more closely than ever, and trails that once burned hot have suddenly gone cold. How are the aliens supposed to find their destiny when for every door that cracks open, another gets slammed in their faces?

#06 - Dreamwalk

Release date: January 2003
Author: Paul Ruditis
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: You can run, but you can't hide.
Night after night Kyle is haunted by nightmares of Alex's death. He begs Isabel to help by dreamwalking him and removing the images from his mind. Isabel knows that's not how her powers work, but Kyle is relentless and she fi nally agrees. The disturbing images she encounters in Kyle's subconscious are almost too much to bear, but when she tries to exit his mind, she finds herself trapped in a maze of guilt -- while back in the conscious world, Kyle is unable to wake her.
Meanwhile Liz invites Max to babysit with her. She wants to give him a chance to train for the day when he finds his own son. But watching this troubled child turns out to be not just another day in the park, and before they know it, Liz and Max are in way over their heads....

#07 - Quarantine

Release date: March 2003
Author: Laura Burns
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: No One Is Safe.
There's a new corporation in town -- Meta-chem -- and Liz is psyched to land a scholarship program working in the lab. But when the giant pharmaceutical company creates a disease that accidentally infects the town, Liz is among the first to fall ill -- and, despite his powers, Max is unable to heal her.
There's also a new girl in town, Sadie, who's come to Roswell searching for her half sister, who she believes is Maria. Maria doesn't know how to feel: what if she and Sadie do share a father? Maria hasn't seen him since she was seven years old, and she's not sure she wants to see him now. but when news of the quarantine breaks, Maria has no choice but to keep Sadie with her in town, all while trying to find out who is sick and whether anyone can be saved in time....

#08 - A New Beginning

Release date: 1. June 2003
Author: Kevin Ryan
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk

Book Description: Facing an unknown future
As Max, Michael, Isabel. Liz, Maria, and Kyle pile inot their van and leave Roswell behind, they are each hoping for positive experiences - or at least something different from most of the events of the past three years. After all, their high school years were anything but typical - the whole alien experience has nearly cost them their lives, again and again. Still, they know that taking charge of their destinies and deciding to make a positive difference in the world has empowered them all.
But it isn't long before Liz sees a vision of future destruction, and the group realizes by leaving Roswell they have changed history, and not necessarily for the better. When they end up in a town where young girls are disappearing, it quickly becomes clear that their lives beyond Roswell will be anything but easy...

#09 - Pursuit

Release date: September 2003
Author: Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: Visions of Danger
When Liz, Max, Maria, Michael, and Kyle left Roswell, they didn't think their lives would suddenly become perfect. They were, after all, on the run from the FBI. But they certainly didn't think things could get much worse. They're learning how wrong they were. The FBI has tracked them via their e-mail accounts and is hot on the group's trail. It can only be a matter of time before they are apprehended.
Meanwhile, in New York City, three alien Dupes are captured by the police. When the feds are brought on to the case, the Special Unit recognizes the Dupes -- and wonders why "Tess," "Michael," and "Isabel" have changed so much since their last encounter. Little does the Unit know it is dealing with a case of mistaken identity. And the real Isabel has more pressing concerns, if Liz's latest vision is to be believed....

#10 - Nightscape

Release date: 1. November 2003
Author: Kevin Ryan
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: When Liz has a vision of Maria being chased in an old house, the van in which she and her friends are traveling suddenly breaks down in front of a similar place, making them wonder about their destinies after leaving Roswell.

#11 - Turnabout

Release date: 1. February 2004
Author: A. Mangels and M. Martin
Order: amazon.com | ca | co.uk
Book Description: The final showdown
According to Liz's most recent visions, a horrible death awaits Isabel in Los Angeles -- the same place where the Evanses, the Parkers, and one of the New York dupes are being held by the FBI's ruthless Special Unit. Determined not to allow Liz's dire prophecy to come to pass, Max sends his sister to Boston to reunite with her husband, Jesse Ramirez, accompanied by the newly-powered Kyle. What no one realizes is that an alien danger waits for these travelers in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Max's group hits L.A. and drafts their former alien protector to help plan and execute and all-out assault on the federal government's shadowy alien hunters. Now the Roswell teens and their dupes must work together in a desperate bid to beat the Special Unit at its own covert game. But can Max confront the feds directly -- and rescue his and Liz's parents -- without getting blood on his hands?

"Roswell High" - eBooks

Added by Lena

Sadly, the books are no longer in print, but you can buy a digital version.

#01 - The Outsider
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#02 - The Wild One
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#03 - The Seeker
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#04 - The Watcher
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#05 - The Intruder
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#06 - The Stowaway
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#07 - The Vanished
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#08 - The Rebel
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#09 - The Dark One
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

#10 - The Salvation
Simon & Schuster Adobe DRM (eBook)
NB.com NOOK Book (eBook)
Amazon.com | co.uk Kindle Edition
iTunes.com

Melinda Metz

Added by Lena

Melinda Metz was born and raised in San Jose, California. Her great-grandfather is from Bavaria. Melinda grew up with two brothers, a dog named Spot, one rabbit, two guinea pigs as well as a cat named Smokey.

She started her first writting attempts in primary school. After college in California, she went to New York. There she worked as laundress, light technician etc. at "off-off-off-Broadway" plays - and additionally in a supermarket.

Later she worked as editor and she wrote the book series "Roswell High" which was the base for the television show "Roswell". For a long time she didn't saw herself as an authoress. She said "It seemed tons of ME that writers were somehow special in A way that I wasn't."

Today Melinda Metz lives Los Angeles - together with a pen-eating dog named Dodger. Her request: "I hope the young adults today won't as slow as I which tons go for their dreams." Along with Laura J. Burns, Melinda wrote the script for "A Tale Of Two Parties" an episode in Roswell's third season. This experience was unique for both of them. It was the first time for them that they have written for a televison series. An other engagement as write became Melinda one year later for the tv show "The Dead Zone" and for "Missing".

Besides the Roswell High books a seven book series "Fingerprints" (Echoes) was written by her, too. They are about a girl, which can hear the thoughts of people by touching their fingerprints. Again a book series which makes addicted.

Furthermore she wrote books for the "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson" book series and "Goosebumps". Together with Laura J. Burns, she wrote many books based on episodes of various televison shows.

One of her recent writing project is called "Wright and Wong". The second book in the series, The Case of the Nana-Napper, was nominated for a juvenile Edgar.