After Earth ─ A Perfect Beast

The official prequel novel of the epic film After Earth, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith

After their exodus from Earth, the last humans settled a remote planet, Nova Prime. When an alien force known as the Skrel descended from the skies, the United Rangers Corps, an elite defense unit, valiantly resisted. Centuries passed without an attack, and many colonists believed that, with other security measures in place, the resources devoted to maintaining their military strength would be better spent elsewhere. Little did they know that trouble was coming to Nova Prime—and it had a taste for blood.

The latest in a long line of decorated warriors, Conner Raige is one of the Rangers’ most promising young cadets, although his brash confidence and tendency to act on instinct have earned him as many skeptics as admirers. Conner’s ancestors were on the front lines of humanity’s victory against the Skrel. But when a deadly ground war breaks out, Conner’s up against an entirely different beast—because, this time, the Skrel have brought a secret weapon: ferocious killing machines designed to eliminate humanity from Nova Prime . . . and the universe.

Michael Jan Friedman is the author of nearly seventy books, many of them set in the Star Trek, Aliens, Predator, DC Super Hero, and Marvel Super Hero universes. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Friedman has also scripted tales of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and the Fantastic Four, and co-wrote the acclaimed second-season Star Trek: Voyager episode “Resistance.”

Robert Greenberger is a veteran writer and editor. His freelance writing career spans fiction and nonfiction. Previously for Random House, he has written The Essential Batman Encyclopedia and Iron Man: Femme Fatales. He makes his home in Connecticut.

Peter David’s novels include the fantasies Tigerheart, Sir Apropos of Nothing, The Woad to Wuin, Knight Life, and the quirky werewolf story Howling Mad. He is famous for writing some of the most popular original Star Trek: The Next Generation novels, including Imzadi and A Rock and a Hard Place. He collaborated with J. Michael Straczynski on the Babylon 5 novels and comic book series, and with Bill Mumy he created the Nickelodeon television series Space Cases.