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Titan Books New Alien Novel Details Are In! David Barnett’s Alien: Colony War!

Following Pat Cadigan’s Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay by William Gibson release back in August (read our review here), we hadn’t yet heard about any future Alien novels from Titan Books. Thanks to a new listing spotted on Amazon, we now have the first details of our next Alien novel from Titan and author David Barnett – Alien: Colony War!

Political conflicts on Earth erupt into open hostilities between their colonies in space, with Xenomorphs as the ultimate weapon.

Political tensions boil over on Earth, spreading to the outer fringes of known space as the UK colony of New Albion breaks with the Three World Empire. When an oil-drilling facility on nearby LV-187 is destroyed, its French colonists slaughtered, the British are blamed. Military forces arrive from the Independent Core Systems and combat erupts.

Trapped in the middle are Cher Hunt and Chad Mclaren. Cher is trying to find out who was responsible for the death of her sister, Shy Hunt (of McAllen Integrations from Alien: Into Charybdis). At the same time Mclaren, accompanied by the synthetic known as Davis, follows in the footsteps of his late wife, Amanda Ripley, seeking to stop the weaponization of Xenomorphs. When a horde of the deadly aliens overwhelms both groups, however, their only hope may lie with Royal Marine Corps unit known as “God’s Hammer.”

 Titan Books New Alien Novel Details Are In! David Barnett's Alien: Colony War!

Interestingly, Colony War appears to be a direct continuation from Alex White’s phenomenal Alien: Into Charybdis with the introduction of Shy Hunt’s sister. We also seem set to see the return of Davis from Aliens: Defiance/Resistance/Rescue, as well as the introduction of Amanda Ripley’s husband Chad Mclaren.

Though we haven’t seen an Alien novel from David Barnett previously, he has written a short in the upcoming anthology Aliens vs. Predators: Ultimate Prey, which is currently scheduled for release on the 14th of December. You can pre-order that from Amazon (UK/US) now.

According to the Amazon listing, Alien: Colony War is currently slated for release on the 12th of April 2022. Thanks to felix on the forums for the news!

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Comments: 144
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  1. Kimarhi
    I'll probably start this one tomorrow. It seems like it may be kinda trashy going by the handful of reviews I've glanced at, but I also know my history of liking EU material nobody else likes. 
  2. xShadowFoxX
    At this point, I don't blame you. I feel like, as I've mentioned on Facebook, that without any meaningful stakes for the writers to play with, I feel like the franchise might stagnate if it hasn't already.
  3. Corporal Hicks
    Oh, and before I forget!
    Spoiler
    f**king rat Alien????
    [close]
    Come on. Stupid.

    Now to actually write a review for this. I've still not decided on whether or not to do a podcast review on this. I'm feeling a severe lack of enthusiasm at the minute.
  4. Adamantiumhip
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 12, 2022, 07:04:01 AMIt's how the Brexit situation is handled. Thoughts on the entire real thing aside, there's a place for separatist stories in science-fiction and it being relevant and recent is perfect - sci-fi is the place for social commentary after all. But it needs to be nuanced and intelligent. 3WExit is neither.

    The problem is it's a parody. And it's one-sided. I'm not one to really share my political opinions as I can't be arsed with people shouting theirs at me, but I sat on the same side of that yes/no vote as Barnett obviously did. And jfc if Barnett isn't determined to paint everyone on that other side as a clown. There's no exploration of the benefits or detractions of that question. Everyone is just a caricature of a raging racist Brit - aside from that one taxi driver, if I remember rightly?

    And when the story does stop trying to just rip the shit out of leavers and take itself more seriously, it's just a boring retread. Seen this all before.

    100% correct on all counts.

    If it was more subtle but serious maybe it might have worked but it isnt. Its just boring and not particularly clever parody in a series thats supposed to be serious and intense.


    May 13, 2022, 07:11:30 PM

    Quote from: Xiggz456 on May 12, 2022, 05:29:45 PM
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 12, 2022, 07:04:01 AMIt's how the Brexit situation is handled. Thoughts on the entire real thing aside, there's a place for separatist stories in science-fiction and it being relevant and recent is perfect - sci-fi is the place for social commentary after all. But it needs to be nuanced and intelligent. 3WExit is neither.

    The problem is it's a parody. And it's one-sided. I'm not one to really share my political opinions as I can't be arsed with people shouting theirs at me, but I sat on the same side of that yes/no vote as Barnett obviously did. And jfc if Barnett isn't determined to paint everyone on that other side as a clown. There's no exploration of the benefits or detractions of that question. Everyone is just a caricature of a raging racist Brit - aside from that one taxi driver, if I remember rightly?

    And when the story does stop trying to just rip the shit out of leavers and take itself more seriously, it's just a boring retread. Seen this all before.

    I recall Alex White mentioning that either Titan or 20th Century wanted the stories to move more towards political conflicts a'la "The Expanse" and they set up such a conflict with "Into Charybdis". But as you said 3WExit is not nearly nuanced enough. It's far too on the nose and I think the scale is a bit too small for an interstellar conflict. Hopefully "Inferno's Fall" does a better job.

    Fingers crossed for the podcast lol


    The political scenario in alexs book seemed far more intriguing and serious
  5. kie
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 12, 2022, 07:04:01 AMThe problem is it's a parody. And it's one-sided. I'm not one to really share my political opinions as I can't be arsed with people shouting theirs at me, but I sat on the same side of that yes/no vote as Barnett obviously did. And jfc if Barnett isn't determined to paint everyone on that other side as a clown. There's no exploration of the benefits or detractions of that question. Everyone is just a caricature of a raging racist Brit - aside from that one taxi driver, if I remember rightly?

    Yeah, you nailed it Hicks... I'm the of the same persuasion as yourself and Barnett, but the broad strokes he used painting everybody as Sun reading, French hating bigots was just way over the top, and dated.

    There were moments when I thought it was about to get going, but then it just reverted to type.

    I actually listened to the Audiobook, and another thing I found strange was a kind of weird time-stretching where characters engaged in long existential conversations with Alien maws just inches away. Found it a bit cheesy, and took me out of the book.
  6. Xiggz456
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 12, 2022, 07:04:01 AMIt's how the Brexit situation is handled. Thoughts on the entire real thing aside, there's a place for separatist stories in science-fiction and it being relevant and recent is perfect - sci-fi is the place for social commentary after all. But it needs to be nuanced and intelligent. 3WExit is neither.

    The problem is it's a parody. And it's one-sided. I'm not one to really share my political opinions as I can't be arsed with people shouting theirs at me, but I sat on the same side of that yes/no vote as Barnett obviously did. And jfc if Barnett isn't determined to paint everyone on that other side as a clown. There's no exploration of the benefits or detractions of that question. Everyone is just a caricature of a raging racist Brit - aside from that one taxi driver, if I remember rightly?

    And when the story does stop trying to just rip the shit out of leavers and take itself more seriously, it's just a boring retread. Seen this all before.

    I recall Alex White mentioning that either Titan or 20th Century wanted the stories to move more towards political conflicts a'la "The Expanse" and they set up such a conflict with "Into Charybdis". But as you said 3WExit is not nearly nuanced enough. It's far too on the nose and I think the scale is a bit too small for an interstellar conflict. Hopefully "Inferno's Fall" does a better job.

    Fingers crossed for the podcast lol
  7. Corporal Hicks
    It's how the Brexit situation is handled. Thoughts on the entire real thing aside, there's a place for separatist stories in science-fiction and it being relevant and recent is perfect - sci-fi is the place for social commentary after all. But it needs to be nuanced and intelligent. 3WExit is neither.

    The problem is it's a parody. And it's one-sided. I'm not one to really share my political opinions as I can't be arsed with people shouting theirs at me, but I sat on the same side of that yes/no vote as Barnett obviously did. And jfc if Barnett isn't determined to paint everyone on that other side as a clown. There's no exploration of the benefits or detractions of that question. Everyone is just a caricature of a raging racist Brit - aside from that one taxi driver, if I remember rightly?

    And when the story does stop trying to just rip the shit out of leavers and take itself more seriously, it's just a boring retread. Seen this all before.
  8. Adamantiumhip
    Quote from: Xiggz456 on May 10, 2022, 12:03:18 PM
    Quote from: kie on May 09, 2022, 03:26:45 PM
    Quote from: Xiggz456 on May 02, 2022, 10:12:26 PMWhile reading I wondered how all you Brits would like the "Best of British" angle (especially the Boris knockoff) lol it seemed a bit over the top  :laugh:

    Hi there, first time poster here... I recently got back into the Alien mythos after really enjoying the Alex White novels, which are a definite franchise high point. I'm also familiar with most of the comics and games, and even the recent RPG (excellent).

    Was a little bit apprehensive when reading the premise for 'Colony War' and well, my suspicions were sadly valid...

    It's enjoyable enough in places with some decent suspense, and the research and tie-ins are well done (although probably too cryptic as others have mentioned).

    The main issue is it's just way over the top, not every Brit is a xenophobic dumbo, I mean Ridley Scott created the whole franchise! And don't get me started on the bizarre victorian parlance which sounds more 19th century than 22nd.  "Best of British to you" I had to google it as I have honestly never heard anybody say that in my life!

    To sum up, whilst there are some decent ideas and set pieces but the amount of cringe and inconsistency sunk it for me. Not bad, but pretty misguided 6/10
     

     

    Welcome to the boards Kie! You make some valid points here. It sounds like the British angle is more cringe to Brits than patriotic lol.

    I agree on the suspense being decent enough as the majority of scenes with the xenos were beautifully described. As for the tie-ins
    Spoiler
    I love the character Davis, but making him a cockapoo android was an odd choice.
    [close]

    If you get a chance check out the author's short story in the anthology "AVP Ultimate Prey" as it's one of the best shorts in the book.

    It was more cringe than anything.

    it seems like they forced a brexit type scenario in there and it doesnt feel serious at all and hurts the story.

    I also feel like the main story is basically a retelling of alien mashed with aliens. So many scenes basically directly taken from the movies
  9. kie

    Quoteit was taking the piss out of brexit. It was far too silly to take seriously

    Yeah, my thoughts exactly


    May 11, 2022, 10:30:14 PM


    QuoteIf you get a chance check out the author's short story in the anthology "AVP Ultimate Prey" as it's one of the best shorts in the book.

    Thanks Xiggz456, I'll check that  8)
  10. Adamantiumhip
    Quote from: kie on May 09, 2022, 03:26:45 PM
    Quote from: Xiggz456 on May 02, 2022, 10:12:26 PMWhile reading I wondered how all you Brits would like the "Best of British" angle (especially the Boris knockoff) lol it seemed a bit over the top  :laugh:

    Hi there, first time poster here... I recently got back into the Alien mythos after really enjoying the Alex White novels, which are a definite franchise high point. I'm also familiar with most of the comics and games, and even the recent RPG (excellent).

    Was a little bit apprehensive when reading the premise for 'Colony War' and well, my suspicions were sadly valid...

    It's enjoyable enough in places with some decent suspense, and the research and tie-ins are well done (although probably too cryptic as others have mentioned).

    The main issue is it's just way over the top, not every Brit is a xenophobic dumbo, I mean Ridley Scott created the whole franchise! And don't get me started on the bizarre victorian parlance which sounds more 19th century than 22nd.  "Best of British to you" I had to google it as I have honestly never heard anybody say that in my life!

    To sum up, whilst there are some decent ideas and set pieces but the amount of cringe and inconsistency sunk it for me. Not bad, but pretty misguided 6/10
     
    it was taking the piss out of brexit. It was far too silly to take seriously
     


    it was taking the piss out of brexit. It was far too silly to take seriously
     
  11. Xiggz456
    Quote from: kie on May 09, 2022, 03:26:45 PM
    Quote from: Xiggz456 on May 02, 2022, 10:12:26 PMWhile reading I wondered how all you Brits would like the "Best of British" angle (especially the Boris knockoff) lol it seemed a bit over the top  :laugh:

    Hi there, first time poster here... I recently got back into the Alien mythos after really enjoying the Alex White novels, which are a definite franchise high point. I'm also familiar with most of the comics and games, and even the recent RPG (excellent).

    Was a little bit apprehensive when reading the premise for 'Colony War' and well, my suspicions were sadly valid...

    It's enjoyable enough in places with some decent suspense, and the research and tie-ins are well done (although probably too cryptic as others have mentioned).

    The main issue is it's just way over the top, not every Brit is a xenophobic dumbo, I mean Ridley Scott created the whole franchise! And don't get me started on the bizarre victorian parlance which sounds more 19th century than 22nd.  "Best of British to you" I had to google it as I have honestly never heard anybody say that in my life!

    To sum up, whilst there are some decent ideas and set pieces but the amount of cringe and inconsistency sunk it for me. Not bad, but pretty misguided 6/10
     

     

    Welcome to the boards Kie! You make some valid points here. It sounds like the British angle is more cringe to Brits than patriotic lol.

    I agree on the suspense being decent enough as the majority of scenes with the xenos were beautifully described. As for the tie-ins
    Spoiler
    I love the character Davis, but making him a cockapoo android was an odd choice.
    [close]

    If you get a chance check out the author's short story in the anthology "AVP Ultimate Prey" as it's one of the best shorts in the book.
  12. kie
    Quote from: Xiggz456 on May 02, 2022, 10:12:26 PMWhile reading I wondered how all you Brits would like the "Best of British" angle (especially the Boris knockoff) lol it seemed a bit over the top  :laugh:

    Hi there, first time poster here... I recently got back into the Alien mythos after really enjoying the Alex White novels, which are a definite franchise high point. I'm also familiar with most of the comics and games, and even the recent RPG (excellent).

    Was a little bit apprehensive when reading the premise for 'Colony War' and well, my suspicions were sadly valid...

    It's enjoyable enough in places with some decent suspense, and the research and tie-ins are well done (although probably too cryptic as others have mentioned).

    The main issue is it's just way over the top, not every Brit is a xenophobic dumbo, I mean Ridley Scott created the whole franchise! And don't get me started on the bizarre victorian parlance which sounds more 19th century than 22nd.  "Best of British to you" I had to google it as I have honestly never heard anybody say that in my life!

    To sum up, whilst there are some decent ideas and set pieces but the amount of cringe and inconsistency sunk it for me. Not bad, but pretty misguided 6/10
     

     
  13. Adamantiumhip
    It feels like it enjoys bashing britain way too much honestly. It feels its to the point of parody and not a faction worthy of a serious place in the alien mythology. The three world empire presumably would have a lot of power and influence and not be the bumbling idiots this makes them out to be so far.

    I am enjoying it though.

    And someone said it retcons a certain characters death. When did said character die? Ive read pretty much all the novels and comics and dont remember that death which should be a huge event.
  14. Xiggz456
    Just finished! Overall I had a good time with this one. Would strongly recommend reading "Into Charybdis" and playing/reading the RPG's "Colonial Marines Operations Manual" first as it's side-quel to both. Really I think to fully appreciate the story you will need to be well versed in the current canon as there are tons of references and connections to lore and previous stories.
    I was actually flipping from the book to
    The "Operations Manual" as all the vehicles and weaponry were straight out of the RPG. So I fully appreciated all the lore references but it definitely toed the line of crossing into "fan service" territory. I'll go ahead and give this one a 7.5/10

    May 02, 2022, 11:29:34 PM
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Apr 30, 2022, 10:00:57 AM
    Quote from: Nukiemorph on Apr 30, 2022, 08:55:49 AMFinally got my copy today.

    Regarding that page 127 spoiler... I'd be very curious to know if that was the author's choice or if it was mandated by someone.

    I'd be surprised if it wasn't editorial.

    I'm up to chapter 19 now. It's taking itself more seriously now, but I do wish all the British characters would die, so I stop having to read "guv" in every piece of dialogue.

    There's some fantastic descriptive imagery of the Aliens in this. Really digging some of these descriptions. Also really liking the
    Spoiler
    whole Queen reaching out the humans aspect. It was something I liked in the original comics, and an aspect of the normal Aliens mesmerizing people from the RPG that I dug too. Not sure where else, if at all, it's going to go with it in this novel but was cool to see that.
    [close]

    Quote from: TheBATMAN on Apr 28, 2022, 02:12:43 PMThe author doesnt let you forget about the border bomings btw. They are referenced in what seems like every 10 pages.

    Honestly, I wish we'd have had something better established with this. An actual written journalistic piece within the book, early on, addressing this a bit more. It's so off-handed in the novel, despite the frequent mentions.

    While reading I wondered how all you Brits would like the "Best of British" angle (especially the Boris knockoff) lol it seemed a bit over the top  :laugh:

    As for the Border Bombings, I agree that there should've been more background on it as very few folks have read/played through the "Operations Manual" 10 mission campaign where it's addressed.

    Well lookin forward to your thoughts on the rest of the book, guv   ;D
  15. TheBATMAN
    Finally finished it. I felt it improved once all the main characters came together on the colony but the climactic battle was underwhelming. The naming of the Royal Marines operatives just cant be taken seriously and the twist with one of the characters was far too obvious.

    Whilst I appreciate what the author was trying to do with the world building and parallels to current British politics, it was far too on the nose and took me right out of the whole thing.

    The book wasnt terrible but as an indirect follow up to Into Charybdis it was a big letdown.

    Of all the Titan novels so far, this and Prototype are my lowest ranked.
  16. Corporal Hicks
    Quote from: Nukiemorph on Apr 30, 2022, 08:55:49 AMFinally got my copy today.

    Regarding that page 127 spoiler... I'd be very curious to know if that was the author's choice or if it was mandated by someone.

    I'd be surprised if it wasn't editorial.

    I'm up to chapter 19 now. It's taking itself more seriously now, but I do wish all the British characters would die, so I stop having to read "guv" in every piece of dialogue.

    There's some fantastic descriptive imagery of the Aliens in this. Really digging some of these descriptions. Also really liking the
    Spoiler
    whole Queen reaching out to the humans aspect. It was something I liked in the original comics, and an aspect of the normal Aliens mesmerizing people from the RPG that I dug too. Not sure where else, if at all, it's going to go with it in this novel but was cool to see that.
    [close]

    Quote from: TheBATMAN on Apr 28, 2022, 02:12:43 PMThe author doesnt let you forget about the border bomings btw. They are referenced in what seems like every 10 pages.

    Honestly, I wish we'd have had something better established with this. An actual written journalistic piece within the book, early on, addressing this a bit more. It's so off-handed in the novel, despite the frequent mentions.
  17. HuDaFuK
    I'm only a couple of chapters in, but a reference to "tales of black goo raining down on frontier worlds" makes me feel like this should have come out after Inferno's Fall.
  18. Nukiemorph
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Apr 23, 2022, 08:04:13 PM
    Oh boy.
    Spoiler
    The Pulse Rifles fire pulse blasts and pulse beams.
    [close]

    :-\ :-X

    I made this especially...

    https://i.imgur.com/KHqtNfO.jpg
    https://i.imgur.com/uAUTGxQ.jpg

    Quote from: TheBATMAN on Apr 22, 2022, 10:37:18 PM
    Who would have thought we'd have a brexit reference in an Alien book?

    Oh dear... page 127.

    Spoiler
    They've actually done it. They have retconned Amanda Ripley's death. She is still alive and in hypersleep.
    [close]
    https://i.imgur.com/znc6Ze3.jpg
  19. BlueMarsalis79
    Phalanx ought to wash the taste of The Rage War out of your mouth when you get round to it. Or just play Mass Effect for the original version of Rage War that's actually got characters worth a damn instead.
  20. VN1X
    Quote from: Stitch on Apr 23, 2022, 11:37:45 PM
    Hmm. Kinda glad I haven't picked this up. From what you're all saying, this sounds like trash.
    I bought it but I probably won't touch it until I've finished Sea of Sorrows and the Rage War trilogy lol. Maybe by then I'll think of it favorably compared to those titles (saying that, I am so far really enjoying SoS. Much more so than Out of the Shadows but granted, that ain't hard lol).

    Current progress:

    https://i.imgur.com/qaodoUL.png
  21. BlueMarsalis79
    Quote from: SiL on Apr 23, 2022, 10:38:00 AM
    Quote from: BlueMarsalis79 on Apr 23, 2022, 08:45:36 AM
    I think it definitely adds something, like being able to have this opening:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEAqcB-oeeM

    It amounts to disposable fanservice. Nobody praises the game for its opening titles, they praise the aesthetic and experience. Neither of which relies on Amanda being Amanda.

    I do not agree, but you already know this because we have already discussed this earlier in this very topic, I do not consider it disposable. I consider it part of Alien Isolation's identity, it's woven into every aspect of the experience, the Isolation's not just in reference to being alone in the physical sense but also being without answers.

    That's why the opening and the ending credits are what they are.

    Sure it works on the level of the raw gameplay, but I think omitting the factor the story and characters play's reductive personally, and misses part of why it feels authentic.

  22. Corporal Hicks
    Quote from: TheBATMAN on Apr 22, 2022, 10:37:18 PM
    Who would have thought we'd have a brexit reference in an Alien book?

    I rolled my eyes at that. Thoughts on the politics of it all aside, at least Brexit was a play on words that worked. 3WExit doesn't.

    Also, I'd have thought it would have made better continuity having the colonies use the weaponry of their various national companies instead of everyone rocking Pulse Rifles. Would have been nice to see the Dukes using the WY weaponry from Fireteam.

    I've got to the bit with the guard hut. The book is feeling like parody now.


    Quote from: BlueMarsalis79 on Apr 23, 2022, 08:45:36 AM
    I think it definitely adds something, like being able to have this opening:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEAqcB-oeeM

    I'm with Blue on this. Sure, the emotional impact means more to the fans, but it was a big part of the experience for me.


    Oh, and I forgot RyanSpace at the start of the book. I had a small chuckle at that at the time, but now it's feeling like a part of the silly tone.


    Quote from: StarWolf212 on Apr 22, 2022, 10:51:32 PM
    the immersion breaking idea of naming the RMC assault unit after the Trumpton fire brigade. (Pugh, Pugh, McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb). How am I supposed to not think its a p*ss take?

    Oh boy, this is going to make me throw the book at the wall.
  23. Local Trouble
    Quote from: Local Trouble on Aug 05, 2019, 10:04:09 AM
    Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 05, 2019, 08:09:44 AM
    Quote from: Local Trouble on Aug 05, 2019, 03:02:58 AMI also think choosing a different protagonist would have given them more creative flexibility.  After all, we know from Aliens that Amanda lives through it all (unless Fox intends on retconning that).

    Honestly, at this point, I can quite easily buy the whole thing about her records not actually being accurate or simply Burke lying.

    Nothing would surprise me at this point.  Maybe she winds up being a Predator killer.

    I guess we know which Ripley this is now...

    https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/47582371_343459419571377_1678431481132215546_n.jpg
  24. SiL
    Amanda finding her mother's logs is ultimately a disposable plot point that's only meaningful to fans of the movies - and even then not a particularly welcome one.

    Nobody praises the game for its deeply emotional story, they praise the experience. Amanda could've been anyone going on a journey to do anything at the station and it would've had the same audience reaction.
  25. Kradan
    I'm of a mind that Isolation could've worked just as great without Amanda. Her quest for finding her long lost mother is probably the part of that game I'm least interested in
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