4/5 The War of the Worlds Review

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is a must-read for sci-fi lovers and avid book readers alike. The War of the Worlds, written between 1895 and 1897 is a thrilling science fiction novel that combines an apocalyptic alien invasion with immense imagery to keep the story moving. In this novel, 1800s Britain is attacked by extraterrestrials believed to be Martians from Mars. Utilizing nearly impenetrable tripod mechanisms and devastating heat rays, the Martian wreaked havoc on the towns of England. The War of the Worlds follows an unnamed narrator’s adventurous experiences before and after the Martians' attack. While the idea of extraterrestrial aliens had been pondered by the Narrator and his friends, he never thought they could reach Earth. Yet one day, a metal capsule launches itself into the sparse forest of the English landscape, influencing inquisitive citizens of the nearby town to investigate further. Having seen the Martians himself, the Narrator must make a quick decision that could drastically affect the lives of his family and his home. As a sci-fi fan myself, I really enjoyed the simplistic take on aliens who wanted to take over Earth after recently experiencing many sci-fi media that tries too hard to be convoluted and deep. The Narrator being a very calm-minded and philosophical man helps truthfully convey realistic feelings of the current situation he is experiencing. Being H.G. Wells’ most known novel, you go in with high expectations, and he definitely delivers a very enjoyable novel. While the plot can occasionally get confusing on a first read, the structure of the book overall makes for an entertaining read. Overall, I give The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells a 4 out of 5 stars because it is a very chilling novel and a science fiction classic.