Attack on Titan: Before the Fall (Novel)

Attack on Titan: Before the Fall (進撃の巨人 Before the fall) is the first of three light novels, in the Attack on Titan: Before the Fall novel series. It is written by Ryō Suzukaze and illustrated by Thores Shibamoto. It has been licensed by Vertical and was released in English on September, 16, 2014, almost three years after its original Japanese release date of December, 2, 2011.

The novel along with the other Before the Fall novels would later be adapted into a manga series by Satoshi Shiki.

Plot
Set seventy years before the fall of Wall Maria, the story follows Angel Aaltonen, a member of the Survey Corps' weapons development. Angel is tired of seeing the corpses of Survey Corps members, and is working to design equipment that will allow humans to be able to kill Titans. Thus far, no one has been able to find out the weak point of the Titans, and so no one has managed to kill one. However, government conservatives think that fighting against Titans is unnecessary, and order the dissolution of the Survey Corps. But two new materials have been found and they might give them a chance against the Titans, if only Angel can get out beyond the walls and test his new equipment for himself.

Prologue
In Shiganshina District, Angel Aaltonen admires the sight of Wall Maria before encountering Maria Carlstedt, a soldier of the Garrison. Together they await the return of the Survey Corps from the recent expedition, along with Angel's friend and Maria's fiancé Solm Hume. The order is given to open the gate as the Corps rushes in, and the sudden sound of cannonfire alerts them and the townsfolk of the Titans following behind. Elena Mansell searches for her husband Heath amidst the soldiers as Angel wonders whether his cannons have killed the pursuing Titans. Shortly afterwards, the heads of several fallen Survey Corps soldiers soar over Wall Maria, landing gorily in the streets of Shiganshina and sending all nearby into a panic. Jorge Piquer, Commander of the Survey Corps, attempts to rally the panicking troops within the district as rain begins to fall.