We have just uploaded the 65th episode of the Alien vs. Predator Galaxy Podcast (right-click and save as to download)! Our latest episode includes an interview with Alex White, the author of the absolutely brilliant recent novel Alien – The Cold Forge!
Be warned, this chat does contain some spoilers for the book so I would recommend reading the book first and seriously, if you haven’t already, what are you waiting for?!
Alex at his book signing on #AlienDay 2018.
Alex talks about how he was inspired with the despicable Dorian Sudler and how to channel Sudler and manipulate your way into writing an Alien book! (just kidding!) We also nerd out with plenty of Alien talk, more about his time working on The Cold Forge and where exactly those eggs came from!
You can follow Alex on Twitter and you can also check out his website here. Alien: The Cold Forge is currently available to order from Amazon (UK/US) and plenty of other good bookstores. If you’ve enjoyed The Cold Forge, be sure to also check out Alex’s new original novel – A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe.
What did you think of our latest episode? Be sure to let us know down below! You can also listen to any of our previous episodes in the Podcast section under the News tab on the main menu. The Alien vs. Predator Galaxy Podcast is also available via iTunes, PodBean and Stitcher.
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I'm surprised more people aren't discussing this book. Just awesome.
*Added spoiler tags. Hicks.
Thanks for that assist in putting up the spoiler alert Hicks. I tried to do it but it did not go up right on the iPhone. I guess I have to type in between the spoiler warnings rather than clicking spoiler before and after the spoilery text...
Yeah.
Absolutely excellent. I think the difference between this and the other Alien novels I've read is that this wasn't just a good Alien book, it was a damn good book full-stop. Great ideas, great characters and great writing from Alex White. I mean good God, Dorian was the single most exquisitely hateful villain I can recall reading about in a book, and his gradual descent from sociopath to complete and utter madman was both well-done and engrossing. Blue was also by far the most interesting protagonist of any Alien novel I've read before; her disability and the limitations it placed upon her added so much to the story, and the way she lives her life by commandeering synthetics was likewise refreshingly new and interesting.
Some superbly tense and scary sequences - in particular, Dorian hiding in the cupboard while another of the station's staff is attacked in front of him was heart-racing. I also really liked that the Aliens were almost incidental for a lot of the story - they were just kinda there doing their thing in the background, which was a refreshing change from the norm. Yet despite this, they lost none of their threat, menace and intelligence.
If I had any criticisms at all, it's that I thought the very end was a bit of a disappointing cliché, although it did at least leave room for a follow-up, which I'd welcome. In the grand scheme though, it's such a minor quibble it pales in comparison to everything I loved about the book.
Yeah, can't praise this enough.
Also, is it just me, or did some elements of this feel like they were very obviously inspired by Isolation?
I usually don't like stories that push the central story along, but this one worked so well jus in terms of how well it was written, and the character building, that it doesn't matter. Of course this story could reconnect with Ripley's story assuming that A3 is retconned out of sequence.
Both Out of the Shadows and River of Pain had normal readings prior to getting adaptations. Additionally, all the readings are now done by Blackstone Audio (and have been for some time) while the adaptations are done by Audible Originals.
I, too, hope to high heaven that this gets adapted because sweet jesus it deserves it.
This book really shows what the Aliens series can be if handled by the right person. It was epic! One of the best Alien books, if not the best Alien book ever written. Thanks for that Alex, and thanks for the really great podcast.
To me, Lucy was the Lambert of the novel. I wonder how intentional that was.
The proposed audio book really gives me cause for concern. If I don't get this as a full on Audible audio play, I will be disappointed. I don't recall ever hearing two audio books being made of the same book, so I hope this does not spell out the death of the proper Audible play. This book truly deserves it.
Oh, and I forgive the awkward flat headed Alien on the cover. Is there any way I can get my hands on a copy of the instantly classic version with the erroneous 5 tubes on the Alien's back?
But I do hope that Titan moves away from the artist doing their covers. It strikes me that it may be the same artist, because there is a feel of the same cheap photoshop technique.
https://twitter.com/alexrwhite/status/997273787920977920
Especially liked
And yeah, Dorian is a c*nt and Blue is probably the most interesting hero I can recall in an Alien novel, so kudos to White.
Really enjoyed this one. I just love listening to Alex chat about the book and Alien. Loved his idea about mankind being the Engineer's ultimate bioweapon. Alex needs to return to this franchise.
Yes, please.
Oh I see, thanks. Still it would be easier to just set the story much far into the future, that way we could just imagine the aliens came from the locations of any of the other EU stories out there.
He says he'd like to do a story about it if Titan does another anthology volume.
He also reasons that Burke was trying to pull a power play, and keeping things need-to-know, hence why he went himself instead of sending a disposable pawn.
Where did the author said the aliens in this novel came from? I haven't listened to the podcast yet, since it has spoilers on the history. Can you answer it here on a spoiler tag or with a PM to me?
The last podcast was posted on avpgalaxy's youtube channel.
In the immortal words of the prophet Goldblum.... life finds a way.
If you don't do transcripts, I'll just have to commit and listen to the podcasts. Can I get them through iTunes?
Something like this ->
To go out in left field, and just for the fun of it, I'd say they have a company owned hive already, like I assumed it was in the fan film Alien: Special Order.
Keep in mind, I am totally okay with this. I’m just pointing out that SM seems to be finally coming around on this concept, and that’s great.
But I guess he's done a 180 on that position (and I couldn't be happier!).
Pretty much.
And sorry - should've probably spoilered that.
It's unclear when or where the eggs came from, but the story is written so well that's it's really a non-issue. It is truly the pickiest of nits. And the author addresses it in the podcast if you're bothered enough to be curious.
As someone who nitpicks this stuff out the wazoo to the point of 'that ship was way too slow to cover the distance considering the time period of the story, and no one else will ever worry about this' - the source of the eggs wasn't even worth a nitpick.
I hear you. I've been stung by that before. I use the USA ISBN on Amazon.com when ordering just to be sure.
I really hope we get to see Alex return! I don't really care what story he'd be back to tell, just want him back.
It really was a non-issue within the story and I completely agree that it'd have detracted from the actual story. I do get why people have the question (obviously) so it's good to know that it was actually thought about by the author though.