Transformers Exodus

Transformers Exodus, by Alex Irvine, is a unique twist on the Transformers plotline (conveniently released around the time "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" came out).  The book takes the reader back in time to the days before the Transformers arrived on the Earth, to a time before there were Autobots and Decepticons, before there was an Optimus Prime or a Megatron. 

The book introduces us to Orion Pax, a mere librarian working on Cybertron, who learns of a gladiator that has risen through the nameless ranks of laborers and pitfighters and taken the name Megatronus.  Orion finds his curiousity piqued when this gladiator utters the immortal and world-shattering words, "Freedom is every Cybertronian's right!"  These words lead Orion to think of the world in new ways, and start him down a path that will change the course of Cybertronian history.

Irvine does a great job with the book, laying the foundation to introduce us to a myriad of characters that fans of the Transformers have come to know over the past twenty-five years, and provides a fascinating timeline for the period prior to the rise of either the Autobots or the Decepticons.  Fans of the series will want to read this book and have their minds open to a new way of thinking about the Transformers.  Those who read this "official history of the war for cybertron" will find that there is more to the Transformer's history than meets the eye.

This is a recommended read for anyone who grew up playing with Transformers toys, is familiar with the cartoons, or has enjoyed any of the recent movies.