From the inside of the Isolation novel.
(https://i.imgur.com/Go90a0J.jpg)
Sigler also wrote Dangerous Prey in Bug Hunt. Prey was one of the ones I genuinely enjoyed in Bug Hunt.
It's Dragon Con soon so I imagine we might get an announcement there.
Edit: Edited to reflect the updated title of the novel. Hicks. 15/7/19.
Thanks. Didn't spot that.
Hell yes! I thought Dangerous Prey was great, an interesting and respectful POV from the alien side of things. I enjoyed that he actually did research into military tactics and hive insects. I remember how nice it was to see an author highlight the difference in behavior when an alien is alone or in a swarm.
Looking forward to this!
I'm always glad to see more novels, so this is good. His story in Bug Hunt was one of the better ones.
I eagerly await the synopsis.
Awesome.
This one's a bit different.
Quote from: SM on Jul 11, 2019, 02:11:55 AM
This one's a bit different.
SM being a massive tease, there...
Indeed.
Now I'm intrigued...
As am I.
A novel from the perspective of the Xenomorph ?
I wonder if that'd actually carry for a whole novel.
That would be a very hard thing to do, IMO. Though, if they tried it, I'd give them props for that and buy it instantly just for being crazy/brave enough of them to try it. The title "Legion" can be suggestive of a sh*tload of aliens, so who know...
listening to the audiobook of Bughunt. looking forward to hearing one from the aliens perspective.
A full length book could be super cool
SM because I am your favorite tell me what it is about.
It is about something other than first person Alien perspective.
Maybe someone's building an alien legion?
Quote from: Still Collating... on Jul 14, 2019, 10:19:48 AM
Maybe someone's building an alien legion?
Maybe we got em demoralized?
Nice to see Isolation and Protype coming on Audible as well, guessing Legion will also happen.
Alien: IsolationThe Alien™ Series
Written by: Keith R. A. DeCandido
Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Audiobook Release date: 2019-07-30
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Alien: PrototypeThe Alien™ Series, Book 7
Written by: Tim Waggoner
Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
Audiobook Release date: 2019-10-29
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Legion? Ancient Rome setting confirmed! :laugh:
Quote from: Ultramorph on Jul 14, 2019, 01:53:59 PM
Legion? Ancient Rome setting confirmed! :laugh:
Seriously? Zzz setting.
Engineer time travel ;)
Maybe that's where they got their fashion sense. :-\
Quote from: Kimarhi on Jul 14, 2019, 02:07:13 PM
Maybe that's where they got their fashion sense. :-\
Pretty sure the Engineers are just LOTR fans.
(https://tinselbells.typepad.com/.a/6a01bb08cb8c95970d01bb0986c54b970d-550wi)
(https://www.scified.com/u/engineers_openingscene_prometheus1.jpg)
Everyone needs an elvish cloak.
I believe the Engineers do Time-Travel...
...forward via cryosleep.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jul 14, 2019, 02:05:00 PM
Engineer time travel ;)
Don't even joke with that, please :laugh:
Quote from: Nostromo on Jul 14, 2019, 01:52:08 PM
Quote from: Still Collating... on Jul 14, 2019, 10:19:48 AM
Maybe someone's building an alien legion?
Maybe we got em demoralized?
Nice to see Isolation and Protype coming on Audible as well, guessing Legion will also happen.
Alien: IsolationThe Alien™ Series
Written by: Keith R. A. DeCandido
Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Audiobook Release date: 2019-07-30
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Alien: PrototypeThe Alien™ Series, Book 7
Written by: Tim Waggoner
Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
Audiobook Release date: 2019-10-29
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Liking the length of Prototype, lots of new material. ;D
My supposition is a collective entity:
"I am Legion for we are many."
A.I (E.G Apollo) or Alien, or even a new organisation.
Hello, everyone. I'm the author of this upcoming ALIEN book. We've changed the title to ALIEN: PHALANX (or at least that's the working title). I'm new to working with Titan Publishing, so there may be bumps ahead.
I'm really excited to bring this to you, and I hope to properly honor ALIEN fandom with this story.
Thank you very much for your obvious respect for the franchise, the new title is interesting- why the change may I ask? Or is it a spoiler?
Welcome to the board, Scott!
Yes, welcome!
A Phalanx is a mass military formation, so I'm guessing it isn't a reference to the Alien itself but a military organisation.
Lol if it was meant to be a secret, revealing it in the Isolation preview was a big fail :laugh:
Always excited for more novels from Titan.
Interesting title change, but it should work well.
(Hi scotssigler. We've corresponded. :) )
Welcome to AvP Galaxy Scott, I am Studio Yutani on twitter. So excited for this story, a total surprise!
Legion sounded cooler.... :laugh:
Welcome Scott! Hope you enjoy your time with Titan and that you have fun writing this novel. As mentioned before, your story was one of the most unique ones and among the best in Bug Hunt as far as I'm concerned, so I'm really glad and eager to read your story next spring. ;D
Cool.
As this is military, it should be under the Aliens imprint rather than Alien, IMO. I hope we don't abandon the Aliens name and logo. It is the iconic symbol of the series.
It's got a iconic "I" yeah.
Aliens as Alien³ is the name of one film,
and one specific twist of the Alien title-
but it's the A L I E N series.
No, it's been the Aliens series for decades. It's only recently become the Alien series again when Ridley Scott came back into the fold. You still see lots and lots of products produced under the Aliens name. It's really Titan for the most part that is an exception to the rule.
It's the Alien franchise, the majority of the new movement of media is anyway-
AlienUniverse.com, Alien The RPG, Alien The Cold Forge, etcetera the only thing using the other license name now is the Dark Horse comics.
As far as I know, it's just a licensing thing. Titan has the rights to the name Alien, Dark Horse has Aliens.
Yeah, I think you're correct.
Otherwise we'd recieve more appropriately titled DH entries
Alien Dead Orbit for instance.
Even the Alien/AVP entries in the Rage War series were conspicuously sans "s", despite being very much second movie in tone.
But yeah, if you ask me it's the Alien franchise, because that's the film that started it.
I like that blue shining out of egg image
Quote from: Kradan on Jul 15, 2019, 07:52:57 PM
I like that blue shining out of egg image
I like the blue shining font of the ALIENS logo. It is iconic, and we should go back to that in the publications.
Just add the iconic "I" to the Alien logo, and you've got the best version.
Sweeter than some Arcturian boom boom!
PS> Shouldn't there be some kind of structure as to when a title is termed Alien or Aliens? Or just use 1. It's all good though.
Surprised there's no one wanting to make or accept 1 Alien stories anymore...
Ye of little faith. ;)
Quote from: Nostromo on Jul 15, 2019, 10:28:17 PM
Sweeter than some Arcturian boom boom!
PS> Shouldn't there be some kind of structure as to when a title is termed Alien or Aliens? Or just use 1. It's all good though.
Surprised there's no one wanting to make or accept 1 Alien stories anymore...
The upcoming novel "Prototype" claims to be just one alien... but we'll see. Personally I like the distinction that the novel line is singular whereas the comic line is plural.
And obviously I'm hyped for this announcement!
I haven't read Bug Hunt. So I'm curious how he depicted his story from the Aliens POV.
Did he give them some sorta tribe dialect or communicate like the Kharaa do from Natural Selection?
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jul 15, 2019, 01:05:31 PM
Cool.
As this is military, it should be under the Aliens imprint rather than Alien, IMO. I hope we don't abandon the Aliens name and logo. It is the iconic symbol of the series.
It might be ALIENS, I'm not sure. Since this board broke the secret, I made that graphic myself!
Quote from: Nazrel on Jul 14, 2019, 02:03:47 AM
listening to the audiobook of Bughunt. looking forward to hearing one from the aliens perspective.
A full length book could be super cool
It won't be a full book of xenomorph perspective, I don't think the concept would support a full book (or I don't have the writing skill to make that conceit into a novel, at any rate).
Quote from: SM on Jul 15, 2019, 09:42:41 AM
(Hi scotssigler. We've corresponded. :) )
You and me are on an express elevator to hell ...
Quote from: Nostromo on Jul 14, 2019, 01:58:52 PM
Quote from: Ultramorph on Jul 14, 2019, 01:53:59 PM
Legion? Ancient Rome setting confirmed! :laugh:
Seriously? Zzz setting.
Rome is not the setting.
Quote from: scottsigler on Jul 16, 2019, 02:58:47 AM
Since this board broke the secret, I made that graphic myself!
Blame Titan/Google, not us! :'(
Quote from: SM on Jul 16, 2019, 12:22:56 AM
Ye of little faith. ;)
Is that you Oram? lol.
Prototype has one Alien in it? Cool, nice to have one of those once in a while. Can't wait for Phalanx, always great to have the author appear in here as well.
Or anything pre-1979 Alien & Scott: Alien (As in everything is and seems Alien).
Post Alien timeline: Aliens. (Aliens are coming outta the God damn walls going forward, they're known to humanity).
Cold Forge, River of Pain, Echo and Sea of Sorrows all had the Alien title.
I don't think Titan's ever put out a book with Aliens in the title, have they? As Hicks said, likely a rights thing.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Jul 17, 2019, 09:38:49 AM
I don't think Titan's ever put out a book with Aliens in the title, have they? As Hicks said, likely a rights thing.
Just Bug Hunt.
I didn't know about the rights thing before this thread. Still, personally, I could care less if a book has the Alien or Aliens logo.
It really doesn't make any difference. The title doesn't determine the content.
No it doesn't really impact things in any way. What it really comes down to is that there are for the most part, 2 camps of fans for the series. There's the Aliens fans, and then the Alien fans, and they will be arguing ad infinitude over which is the superior and definitive Aliens film. As an extension of that, they will prefer one logo over the other.
I don't really care what logo we get so long as the story's good.
Although I'd argue the simplistic, spaced out "A L I E N" logo is every bit as iconic as the Aliens one. Even recently, Life basically ripped-off the former on it's Blu-ray cover.
I like both logos. Aliens had a lot more exposure over the past 3 decades, so it's arguably more iconic. Even as it's own font, it's unique. If you spell something out in the Aliens letters it is instantly recognizable where it's from, not so for the Alien font. They're just blocky letters with no distinction worth noting.
The last three decades correct, but the future is now old man and it's the future of A L I E N.
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jul 17, 2019, 02:35:48 PM
No it doesn't really impact things in any way. What it really comes down to is that there are for the most part, 2 camps of fans for the series. There's the Aliens fans, and then the Alien fans, and they will be arguing ad infinitude over which is the superior and definitive Aliens film. As an extension of that, they will prefer one logo over the other.
I think you forgot the biggest camp...camp 3, people who love both Alien and Aliens....
I really love Alien The Cold Forge, Isolation, Alien, enjoy Aliens and Alien³- and appreciate Covenant and even Prometheus retroactively on a good day, I really love the whole franchise regardless of my often frustration with Resurrection, Prometheus and particularly the EU.
And I really look forward to Alien Phalanx. ;D
Quote from: Erik Lehnsherr on Jul 17, 2019, 03:14:01 PM
The last three decades correct, but the future is now old man and it's the future of A L I E N.
Thanks for the old man bit Erik.
The future is the future. It is not now, nor will it ever be now.
Perfect Organism...
Spoiler
https://youtu.be/ta41xU-tkFA
Lol, ok.
It's all the Alien franchise, after the first they are all incarnations of the original.
That said, if Ghost of Walt can find that Aliens inspired movies make more than Alien ones you can guarantee that is where the franchise will go.
Welcome to the board. Looking forward to your book.
Quote from: razeak on Jul 18, 2019, 05:09:23 PM
Welcome to the board. Looking forward to your book.
Yah, good to have you hanging out with us!
I just happened to read Dangerous Prey a few days ago. It was pretty good.
Good, as good indication then.
Of hopefully an excellent Alien story.
Synopsis is up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1789094003/ref=sr_1_50?keywords=titan+books&qid=1566135835&s=books&sr=1-50
It's Medieval carnage meets Alien as a pre-industrial society fights against extinction brought about by a massive infestation of Xenomorphs.
"Ataegina was an isolated world of medieval castles, varied cultures, and conquests, vibrant until the demons rose and spread relentless destruction. Swarms of lethal creatures with black husks, murderous claws, barbed tails and dreaded "tooth-tongues" raged through the lowlands, killing ninety percent of the planet's population. Terrified survivors fled to hidden mountain keeps where they eke out a meager existence. When a trio of young warriors discovers a new weapon, they see a chance to end this curse. To save humanity, the trio must fight their way to the tunnels of Black Smoke Mountain--the lair of the mythical Demon Mother."
Lol seriously?
It's different. I'll give them that.
True. Credit where credit is due.
I hope it's not a generic lotr ripoff story with with xenos instead of orcs\undead\demons\evil horde.
I am a little tired of Alien novels though. Prefer we get new Predator ones
Sounds kinda cool actually!
This sounds pretty fun. That Vikings vs Aliens comic was great, so this could be a lot of fun.
I wonder if this is legit Earth Middle Ages or a pre-industrial humanoid alien species. The synopsis can kind of be read either way.
Well this isn't what I was expecting.
EDIT: Kind of hoping to see some of the Alien 3 monk concepts used in this. Also, would be very cool if this planet isn't a human colony, but rather, another planet seeded by the Engineers.
Maybe we're finally getting an Arcturian story!
Wow that's different! Also I agree with NA that it'd be really cool if this were another "human" species that the engineers seeded on some other viable planet. I'm intrigued to see how this turns out.
It's the first time that Alien is set in the Middle Ages, isn't it?
I think so.
A short comic, Aliens: Stalker iirc, was set during the viking age, so some time before what people imagine when they think Middle Ages.
Doesn't sound like this is actually Earth's Middle Ages. Seems to be set on another planet. Which means it is either a human outpost that, for whatever reason, reverted technologically or, more likely, another civilization of essentially humans that the Engineers created. If that's the case, then this thing could be set basically wherever in the timeline and have no effect. 1,000 years after Resurrection? Sure, why not!
Seems right. I'm guessing that weapon they find will probably be a crashed human ship or something like that.
Ok, so here goes.... ;D
SM, where does this fit on the canon timeline?
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 18, 2019, 05:44:25 PM
Ok, so here goes.... ;D
SM, where does this fit on the canon timeline?
If this is indeed an Engineer-seeded world, I wouldn't be shocked if timeframe is left completely ambiguous.
Very interested to see if this is one where SM
can clarify a point in the timeline. His answer (or non-answer) is definitely going to be intriguing.
What is SM?
As per the blurb "Ataegina was an isolated world".
It's not Earth's Middle Ages.
One of the worst (or best... depending on your point of view) designed Citroens ever. It featured a Maserati engine.
:D
He's the man who seems to be maintaining the Aliens timeline, with some sort of relationship over at Fox. Nobody knows for sure. He may work for Weyland-Yutani.
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 18, 2019, 08:31:36 PM
One of the worst (or best... depending on your point of view) designed Citroens ever. It featured a Maserati engine.
:D
He's the man who seems to be maintaining the Aliens timeline, with some sort of relationship over at Fox. Nobody knows for sure. He may work for Weyland-Yutani.
Oh, I understand.
Sorry, I'm new here hehe. :D
Quote from: SM on Aug 18, 2019, 08:27:54 PM
As per the blurb "Ataegina was an isolated world".
It's not Earth's Middle Ages.
And I assume you can't specify whether these humans originate from Earth or... elsewhere? ;)
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 18, 2019, 08:40:53 PM
Quote from: SM on Aug 18, 2019, 08:27:54 PM
As per the blurb "Ataegina was an isolated world".
It's not Earth's Middle Ages.
And I assume you can't specify whether these humans originate from Earth or... elsewhere? ;)
Can you specify where the humans in Middle Earth come from?
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 18, 2019, 08:40:53 PM
Quote from: SM on Aug 18, 2019, 08:27:54 PM
As per the blurb "Ataegina was an isolated world".
It's not Earth's Middle Ages.
And I assume you can't specify whether these humans originate from Earth or... elsewhere? ;)
You assume correctly. :)
Ataegina is a excellent name.
I got a bad feeling about this drop.
Definite Vincent Ward wooden planet vibes.
Quote from: Fiendishly Inventive on Aug 19, 2019, 12:46:48 AM
Ataegina is a excellent name.
Very appropriately Alien too - goddess of things that die and are reborn!
I'm really curious about this one too! Some very Vincent Ward vibes, but I'm also feeling the possibility of some Prince of Thorns style set-up for the medieval setting. It's definitely looking to be our most unique Alien novel! ;D
Cool synopsis, it's very different.
"Aliens Go Medieval"!
A phrase I thought I would never read. :laugh:
Gives me Alchemy vibes as well
A new definition of Plague.... ;)
Posted this over on Facebook. I had the idea that maybe this is set way after Rage War and this planet is one of the distant colonies that got cut off when they shut down the drop holes. Maybe it just reverted over time as resources ran out and they couldn't get resupplied.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Aug 19, 2019, 04:24:53 PM
Posted this over on Facebook. I had the idea that maybe this is set way after Rage War and this planet is one of the distant colonies that got cut off when they shut down the drop holes. Maybe it just reverted over time as resources ran out and they couldn't get resupplied.
You don't revert to ye olde castles and mediaeval living standards just because you get cut off. You keep with the technology you already have and advance it where you are able to. Especially medical expertise/technology.
It'll probably just be about an ET species, except you won't realise it until the author makes that clear, right at the end. Wouldn't be anything new. We've had ET-centric stories before in the comics.
I've also been saying for a while that I think someone could adapt '
Beowulf' into an '
Alien' story and it could be really cool if done right. This might be something essentially along those lines. Wouldn't be surprised if it took that and some other legendary stories as creative inspiration.
Yeah that's probably more likely.
If it is an ET species I'm looking forward to what they do with their culture and religion.
ET species is essentially going to be us, but having evolved under a different set of conditions on a different world that the Engineers seeded at a different point in history.
I would be willing to bet money that that's the route this one goes.
You always say that, Perfect-Organism. You always say "I got a bad feeling about this drop"
:laugh:
Quote from: Ultramorph on Aug 19, 2019, 04:24:53 PM
Posted this over on Facebook. I had the idea that maybe this is set way after Rage War and this planet is one of the distant colonies that got cut off when they shut down the drop holes. Maybe it just reverted over time as resources ran out and they couldn't get resupplied.
No connection to Rage War.
This actually is interesting...
I MIGHT pick this up for the premise alone. You'd expect something like this for Predator, but ALIEN? Not so much since it's usually been rooted in the future.
If its literally a book about another human species created by engineers... hell I'm up for it. That's really interesting.
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 19, 2019, 11:21:46 PM
If its literally a book about another human species created by engineers... hell I'm up for it. That's really interesting.
Although I would like to get away from the whole Prometheus thing, that would be interesting but I hope that if that is the case, it's not mentioned in the story.
But it would be interesting to see an expedition ship come down and then humans with advance tech come across these Medieval Times people and just go "WHAT THE F----!" because that would be interesting!
Set it hundreds of years after Resurrection, this planet was seeded some time after Earth so its people are not nearly as advanced, have some Earth-human or Engineer vessel crashed on this world years ago and that's the source of the weapons (and/or of the Alien eggs)......
I am very intrigued by that blurb. Quite excited to read this one.
Some interesting theories from people already as to what this is going to be.
Woohoo! my wishes will be fulfilled,
almost ( I've read the premise, so don't worry ;)). Reposting from the thread "How far into the future is too far for Alien and Predator settings?" (https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=53499.msg2325099#msg2325099):
"Bring me the post-apocalyptic Earth thousands of years in the future, after the black goo bombs have fallen and dark magic has come back into the world. The whole place is a deadly wasteland (comes to mind Mad Max Fury Road and Stephen King's The Dark Tower). The last humans are living in a wooden planet."
(https://i.imgur.com/qyenlQj.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/mkso31K.jpg)
• It's not a wooden planet.
• It's doesn't involved PROMETHEUS.
• No black goo.
Quote from: scottsigler on Aug 21, 2019, 12:15:49 AM
• It's doesn't involved PROMETHEUS.
• No black goo.
Good.
Quote from: scottsigler on Aug 21, 2019, 12:15:49 AM
• It's not a wooden planet.
• It's doesn't involved PROMETHEUS.
• No black goo.
• That's why I had said:
(https://i.imgur.com/9KXHrTb.png)
• I had in mind the idea of medieval societies struggling in a wasteland / isolated world, with Alien infestations.
• My personal fantasy was that some remnants of humanity are living in a medieval / steampunk-like space station orbiting the wasteland planet. But also, I used to fantasize that there were other humanoid cultures living in the dangerous desolate world. Maybe human mutants or hybrids.
But again, that's why I had said
#almost. I never claimed to have exactly the same idea. Rather a remotely similar fantasy. That's all :P
But I offer my apologies if my reply was inappropriate. I'm sorry.
Now this is an interesting premise! It's good I read Alchemy recently and found it great. So another planet with really old ways of life being attacked by aliens seems like a refreshing take for a novel. Liking the unique approach, even thought I don't find them necessary at all for a good book, once in a while is a good idea.
Really really looking forward to this.
I love concepts like this, certainly a breathe of fresh air. Now we gotta see how it's executed. Hopefully the Alien doesn't job too hard.
Someone jokingly said to me that the big twist for this story would be is if this entire story is a DnD campaign played by a bunch of kids who decided to have their characters go into a Xenomorph Hive as part of their in-game story... Admittedly, that would be a good twist. Ha ha ha ha!!
But yeah, the synopsis kind of does sound like it would make for a good DnD campaign.
Quote from: scottsigler on Aug 21, 2019, 12:15:49 AM
• It's not a wooden planet.
• It's doesn't involved PROMETHEUS.
• No black goo.
Now the book has my attention... Seriously, the whole medieval world thing being infested with Xenomorphs... That is something done only once and that was more of a story inside of a story. I'm talking about Aliens: Stalker of course, but yeah... I gotta say, I am more curious on the setting than anything else. Is it too soon to ask questions about the world it's set in?
There was a short comic (Aliens: Tourist Season), where a whole planet converted to a western world (Franchise Planet 1889). The tourist dressed in authentic clothes, the only sign of modern technology was some robot horses.
Also, in the Aliens: Cauldron book there were pirates dressed as vikings (if I am remember correctly) + the short story in the Bug Hunt anthology (the one, where the marines sent to Fury-161), in the first pages we read about some neo viking cult, who owned a planet and a space station (again, if I remember correctly).
However, I think we get an Aliens: Alchemy caliber story, where a colony ship crash landed in some planet, humanity is unaware about them.
Wicked Imagery.
It brings to mind those old epic Marine recruitment ads from the 90's/2000's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyYTK_hYeEo
...which, I suppose is highly appropriate given the universe in question.
Which, smh, could just be a sign of that fangy devil, Ol' Georgie hisself, my
Unreliable Narrator, like what they did with that old comic
Stalker from '98. I kinda hope that won't be the case, but in general, I loved to be surprised. So I won't knock it, 'til I've tried it. Personally though, I reeeaaally want the story to take place during those dark anarchistic times of that century of darkness following the Great Deletion.
If the virus swept across the sphere of humanity, like an intelligent living digital plague, akin to Silver Smile, it would have reduced every colony across the Network into lawless chaos. One could only imagine, some ordinary day, people everywhere going about their business, moving at their gravity driven hypervelocities, surfing through their superluminal layers of spacetime, secure in the knowledge of their mastery of the heavens. But on this auspicious day, every single human ship and orbital station across the full span of our exceeding reach, some 500 or more light years in every direction from Old Mother Sol, simultaneously opening. Each and every hatch and linked-in coupling; Beep. Click. Swooosh. And then there was no more dominion of man. Imagine the aftermath of something like that. Some 200 or more colonies of humanity, each descending into its own particular and nuanced flavor of technologically catalyzed hell.
Sure, there'd be outliers, pockets of luddites, space bound preppers, their paranoia finally vindicated, and they may very well be just fine for a while, that is until the vacuums of power start filling in once more. From there on out it's all Mad Max and Necromonger cults, space-faring gigachurches sailing in on massive conversion arks, just waiting to bring the light of the TrueTrue to every still living world full of the great unwashed sinners. Not to mention the actual plagues cutting swathes through those last vestiges of survivors, hope you've got some hardcopy med texts lying around, and close at hand. And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? All the while, our old chitinous fams down there, oozing and clicking away in the basement, just waiting for that one right stone to be lifted up by just that one right person. Sigh... one can dream.
But I been tricked before, and lurking ever in the shadows is that Ol' Georgie just waitin' once again, to unreliably narrate our precious could-be hours into old wooden coulda-beens ones.
But we shall see. In truth, every one of these authors are rad for doing what they do, and regardless of one's destination it's always fun seeing the path one takes to get there. Over the years some incredible stories have come from the most unlikely of places. So yes, regardless; I'm really looking forward to this one.
Give 'em hell, Scott!
Quote from: RakaiThwei on Aug 22, 2019, 05:18:07 AM
Someone jokingly said to me that the big twist for this story would be is if this entire story is a DnD campaign played by a bunch of kids who decided to have their characters go into a Xenomorph Hive as part of their in-game story... Admittedly, that would be a good twist. Ha ha ha ha!!
Yasssss! As long as the climactic scene has an homage to Tom Hanks from
Mazes and Monsters.
No Mass Paperback version?
https://bnccatalist.ca/ViewTitle.aspx?id=20404130
Hardback or die.
Quote from: Fiendishly Inventive on Sep 05, 2019, 03:38:41 PM
Hardback or die.
Supported. When the skinjobs bring about the global information Blackout a couple years from now, you'll be glad to have those on hand.
Nah. Hardbacks are too expensive and bulky. I like my books mass paperback sized.
I'm going more and more ebook these days.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Aug 19, 2019, 07:49:20 AM
Definite Vincent Ward wooden planet vibes.
Indeed, I wish it'll have something in common .
As I, something conceptually I'm a big fan of.
"Gentlemen! Let us construct our wooden planet..."
"Wouldn't that be a bit of a fire hazard?"
"Young fool..."
"No, seriously. It's a major fire hazard. Won't you be in major breach of every single health and safety violation in-"
"Silence! We shall now-"
"And where are you even going to get that much wood from?"
"Well, it... Uh... We shall... Create giant forests on many planets already in our nefarious possession!"
"Why don't you just put your base on one of them?"
">:("
I think the only way it would've worked is if they found it and it wasn't man made.
An early abandoned Engineer experiment. 'Forget it Frank. All the air keeps coming out.'
That'd actually be kinda cool, especially knowing how traditional their culture was in Covenant.
Quote from: Xenomorphine on Oct 16, 2019, 09:12:30 PM
"Gentlemen! Let us construct our wooden planet..."
"Wouldn't that be a bit of a fire hazard?"
"Young fool..."
"No, seriously. It's a major fire hazard. Won't you be in major breach of every single health and safety violation in-"
"Silence! We shall now-"
"And where are you even going to get that much wood from?"
"Well, it... Uh... We shall... Create giant forests on many planets already in our nefarious possession!"
"Why don't you just put your base on one of them?"
">:("
The best response I've heard regarding the concept! :laugh:
The idea of it being an abandoned Engineer concept though, I really think is appropriate.
https://twitter.com/scottsigler/status/1187821269888065536
Really looking forward to this book, but damn, Titan, come on! Sort your cover art game out!!
They're surely taking the piss at this point :-\
Out of curiosity, considering that this is set on a medieval world... Can we count on fantasy analogues to be mentioned or appear in this story?
Quote from: SiL on Oct 25, 2019, 10:31:24 PM
They're surely taking the piss at this point :-\
I mean, it's way better than I could do but it looks like they gave the task to the intern or something...
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 26, 2019, 09:11:48 AM
I mean, it's way better than I could do but it looks like they gave the task to the intern or something...
"Yeah man my son knows Photoshop he can totally do it."
Quote from: SiL on Oct 26, 2019, 02:21:30 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 26, 2019, 09:11:48 AM
I mean, it's way better than I could do but it looks like they gave the task to the intern or something...
"Yeah man my son knows Photoshop he can totally do it."
:laugh: my thoughts exactly.
Really looking forward to this though!
I hope they'll be a Mass Paperback version.
Quote from: RakaiThwei on Oct 26, 2019, 06:23:40 AM
Out of curiosity, considering that this is set on a medieval world... Can we count on fantasy analogues to be mentioned or appear in this story?
What kind of fantasy analogues?
Quote from: SM on Oct 27, 2019, 12:02:33 AM
What kind of fantasy analogues?
Like mentions of mythological beasts i.e. Dragons when they're really some extraterrestrial type of lizard which just resembles one, or someone alluding to someone being something like Soothsayer or Oracle, prophecies or legendary type of weapon when it's really some alien tech or something (that one might be a thing in this book according to the summary).
That kind of thing.
I'm not expecting any of those things to happen but it would be neat to see something alluding to something like those.
Wouldn't surprise me if that sort of thing was in there.
Anyone else notice that the cover gives the title as Aliens: Phalanx? Other than Bug Hunt, every Titan novel thus far has used the singular.
And yeah, it makes me lol that you've got everyone suggesting Titan really need to up their cover art game, only for them to respond with that.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Oct 29, 2019, 11:36:20 AM
Anyone else notice that the cover gives the title as Aliens: Phalanx? Other than Bug Hunt, every Titan novel thus far has used the singular.
Yeah, makes me wonder if it's a licensing thing. ???
That cover though...
Right?
Right. :-\
I still can't believe that cover is real...
Absolute, total, empathy.
Just ignore it...it wont be visible while we're reading. (Looking on the brightside)
I don't get why people get wound up over covers. But then I also don't get why people collect steelbook DVD covers either.
I understand that the cover itself isn't a big deal but in including artwork for a cover, it's there to draw a reader in and in some cases suggest what's going on. Bad cover art can be detrimental to a book. That being said I mostly come at this through comics so maybe novels are different though that's just how I perceive it.
I will say that I like it in theory but the framing is awkward. It looks like we're too close to the Alien and so the Alien looks huge. Maybe including an arm or zooming the scene out would be better suited. Muting the metallic color of the helmet would also help given the choice in color. The focus should be on the Alien with our eye leading to the helmet. But the helmet being too bright draws us right to it.
Though one could have just as easily done that shot from AVP where Grid lifts up Chopper and we get the hiss but instead of Chopper its a knight.
It's an awful cover,
I can't understand defending it. It's basic stuff.
Quote from: SuperiorIronman on Nov 17, 2019, 08:31:30 PM
I understand that the cover itself isn't a big deal but in including artwork for a cover, it's there to draw a reader in and in some cases suggest what's going on. Bad cover art can be detrimental to a book.
^ This. A good cover attracts your attention in the first instance.
Yeah, and if anything that one is repellent.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 18, 2019, 08:51:46 AM
Quote from: SuperiorIronman on Nov 17, 2019, 08:31:30 PM
I understand that the cover itself isn't a big deal but in including artwork for a cover, it's there to draw a reader in and in some cases suggest what's going on. Bad cover art can be detrimental to a book.
^ This. A good cover attracts your attention in the first instance.
I don't think I've ever seen an Alien book cover so bad that it would turn off a more casual fan, and the more dedicated fans won't care.
Quote from: Fiendishly Inventive on Nov 18, 2019, 09:51:59 AM
You're wrong then, showed it to my Brother and even his reaction was that it looked awful. And he doesn't even care for Alien that much, he's familiar with the first three, but doesn't enjoy the rest- like most of the general public I imagine.
I have to agree. A good or bad cover can sway a casual fan that maybe owns Alien and Aliens on Blu -
that's it - from dipping their toe in the EU.
Trying to forget that I'm an Alien nut for a second...
If I saw that in a shop, it would not encourage me to pick it up. For the same reason I don't buy any of those endless Asylum rip-off movies - looking at the art immediately gives you the impression it's probably shit.
That's truly a horrible cover.
I hope they give it some work.
I guess people really do judge a book by its cover...
If the book's any good I'm replacing that cover.
Don't get me wrong, I'm super keen to read this.
Yeah, of course- but when something looks bad, it's disingenuous not to call it out, especially if it's on an otherwise good thing.
Titan wouldn't hire subpar amateur writers to pen their novels. So why do they allow subpar amateur digital artists to create the covers? Cover art is still a marketing tool so it's ridiculous to me that they allow this lack of pride and professionalism in their products.
Still very excited to read this novel though.
I still remember how I felt when I saw the horrible cover art for The Cold Forge, the infamous ugly A:CM alien with 5 back tubes as the cover of such a great novel.
Maybe there's a correlation, the uglier the cover the better the novel? So we might be getting a really good read out of Phalanx... :laugh:
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Nov 23, 2019, 05:44:09 PM
Titan wouldn't hire subpar amateur writers to pen their novels. So why do they allow subpar amateur digital artists to create the covers? Cover art is still a marketing tool so it's ridiculous to me that they allow this lack of pride and professionalism in their products.
Still very excited to read this novel though.
I think it's honestly just a problem of what they have to work with. From what I can tell of their catalog a lot of it seems to be re-purposed images from promo shots or composited from other sources to essentially "sculpt" the image. The way they do it might be enough to get the job done even if the resulting cover art generally isn't that good.
I mean I don't know what's stopping them from downloading Blender and just making a couple of different Aliens to pose for the cover. It'd probably look better TBH. I'm still going to buy the book as well.
Quote from: Still Collating... on Nov 24, 2019, 12:45:48 PM
I still remember how I felt when I saw the horrible cover art for The Cold Forge, the infamous ugly A:CM alien with 5 back tubes as the cover of such a great novel.
Maybe there's a correlation, the uglier the cover the better the novel? So we might be getting a really good read out of Phalanx... :laugh:
By the time we knew it was "such a great novel" the cover art had been corrected.
Corrected in the sense they deleted the extra dorsal spine, but it was a still a shit cover.
And yet, it's probably the best of Titan Books' recent covers, I desperately want a hardback.
It appears that this book is either available as Hardcover or Paperback but no Mass Market Paperback. "Bug Hunt" was also released this way and both books share the "Aliens" moniker which probably has nothing to do with anything but just something I noticed. I'll be getting the hardcover though!
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 25, 2019, 09:00:42 AM
Corrected in the sense they deleted the extra dorsal spine, but it was a still a shit cover.
I dig TCF cover tbh, especially that frontal view of ridged Alien's head and "cold" palette. Yeah, it's still just photoshoped image but it's among better ones
(https://i.livelib.ru/boocover/1002815571/o/663e/Alex_White__Alien_The_Cold_Forge.jpeg)
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Dec 29, 2019, 02:13:58 PMIt appears that this book is either available as Hardcover or Paperback but no Mass Market Paperback.
In my experience the 2014 and
Rage War trilogies came in both paperback sizes but everything since has only had the larger one.
It deserves a more classy cover though.
The TCF cover is horrible. Like most of Titans cover art, it comes across as cheap and lazy. If they aren't going to put even the slightest effort into the cover art then I wish they would just go with a blank cover and title only.
I still buy the books because I'm a fan and the story is the real meat of the product not the cover. It doesn't stop me from wishing they didn't look like photoshopped garbage though.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Dec 29, 2019, 03:13:10 PM
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Dec 29, 2019, 02:13:58 PMIt appears that this book is either available as Hardcover or Paperback but no Mass Market Paperback.
In my experience the 2014 and Rage War trilogies came in both paperback sizes but everything since has only had the larger one.
In my section of the States it's nothing but smaller ones in the book stores. "If It Bleeds" and "Bug Hunt" are the only two Titan novels I've seen in the larger paperbacks.
I support Mass Paperbacks all the way.
Hardcovers are too expensive and the larger paperbacks take up too much space.
Personally I'm a fan of the larger format for the novels. A lot of what I read at the minute tends to be larger, and I just enjoy it more than the little ones.
Quote from: 426Buddy on Dec 29, 2019, 05:10:08 PM
The TCF cover is horrible. Like most of Titans cover art, it comes across as cheap and lazy. If they aren't going to put even the slightest effort into the cover art then I wish they would just go with a blank cover and title only.
I still buy the books because I'm a fan and the story is the real meat of the product not the cover. It doesn't stop me from wishing they didn't look like photoshopped garbage though.
That's an interesting suggestion actually .
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 30, 2019, 09:01:43 AM
Personally I'm a fan of the larger format for the novels. A lot of what I read at the minute tends to be larger, and I just enjoy it more than the little ones.
I'd actually prefer the larger format but I tend to buy the books the day they come out so I end up going to the bookstore as soon as it opens and all I've ever seen is the mass market paperback size on the shelves.
I can understand that. To be fair I just get whatever Titan sends me to review. Fortunately, it's mostly been the size I like but I got the smaller one with Sea of Sorrows and brought the larger size once I saw it in store.
I want hardbacks, with good covers, now.
https://twitter.com/scottsigler?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Wow 512 pages! That's by far the longest Alien novel. This may also explain why there's not the mass market paperback version in the initial release.
I'd love an autographed hardback of Alex White's The Cold Forge, with a decent cover, though.
That long? Nice! Hope everything is fleshed out well and we have a nice compelling story on our hands. Excited for this.
Ordered my signed hardback for display. Got high hopes for this one!
Haven't read too much about this one yet, is it supposed to be set in old days?
I have already pre-ordered it, so I hope its good.
I think I'm right in saving it's set on another planet, but one where they only have primitive technology (i.e. swords and shields).
It's not 'the old days' (quite the opposite) and yes it's not Earth.
Interesting but if its not earth, how come they have crusader/knight helmets?
I'm imagining a Prince of Thorns type scenario where some catastrophe just knocks a particular colony back in development.
Perhaps it's also partially taken from the "wooden" planet idea.
I hope so.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 07, 2020, 09:26:23 PM
I'm imagining a Prince of Thorns type scenario where some catastrophe just knocks a particular colony back in development.
That's what I'm thinking too. Getting amped up for a quest!
https://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/your-highness-gif-11.gif (https://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/your-highness-gif-11.gif)
I really need to revisit that series. I brought the second one recently but it's been an age since I read the first. Gotta re-read that.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 07, 2020, 09:26:23 PM
I'm imagining a Prince of Thorns type scenario where some catastrophe just knocks a particular colony back in development.
I am unfamiliar with that book, so I can neither confirm nor deny your take.
Quote from: Fiendishly Inventive on Jan 07, 2020, 11:34:11 PM
Perhaps it's also partially taken from the "wooden" planet idea.
It is not taken from the wooden planet. I hope you dig it.
I'm curious to see all about the medieval planet and how it is like that, assuming they are human of course.
Reminds me of two comics actually, one was about vikings I believe and the other I think was crusader...? It was never finished and even though it had future folks in it, I think the settlement was primitive, I might be wrong as I had only read it once and saw no reason to read it again since it was never going to be finished.
Crusade was set on Earth in the period after Earth War, and the characters were living in a medieval scenario.
Already pre-ordered it, just got to wait now. I'm curious to see how well a pre-industrial society would do against the Aliens. Anyone with a sword is going to seriously have the odds against them.
Hey, someone killed an Alien with a sword in Steel Egg and they didn't even break a sweat :P
What no acid splash? :laugh: I cannot remember about that now, I only read it once. Is this the one where someone performs surgery on themselves to try and remove a chestburster?
Yep.
Other than that and a couple of other half-decent scenes, unquestionably the worst Alien novel I've yet read. You've done well to block it from your mind :laugh:
The ninja in Music of the Spears killed Aliens with swords. Pretty sure the swords then melted and most of the ninja died.
That said, Sigler's done a lot of research for this.
The swords didnt melt when the Ninja's went for the Joints. Its was the Body shots that caused acid spurt and Ninja death ;D
I hope it's good, but I think I'll be reading it digitally.
Heathen!
Should be getting my review copy early next week. So looking forward to this.
With that cover? I'm a true believer.
Anyone heard about any new Predator/Alien book projects coming up later this year?
We've got 2 video game prequels, one for Alien and one for Predator. I think that's all that's been announced so far. With Phalanx coming out soon, I imagine we'll be seeing a new title in there if there is one coming.
23 days to go.
I might try reading Crusade again, even if it is unfinished. I kind want to go back and see what a medieval society handles Aliens. I only read Crusade once so my memory is spotty on the events but I recall a deranged priest who sacrificed people to the Aliens.
Despite having the full run of Aliens mag I've never actually read Crusade :laugh:
Well since it was unfinished, you probably saved yourself some disappointment. :laugh:
You should take a look at it though, see what you think of it.
Got my copy on Thursday night, spent a good chunk of Friday reading. Am about 330 pages in and I'm really enjoying it! I'm not sure it's going to be for everyone though, because it is very heavy on the fantasy/medieval/shields and swords side (duh) so depends on your taste. I'm really like the fresh approach.
To be fair, anyone buying the book should already be aware of its settings. so they should know what they are getting into.
Without spoilering, is this some kind of Alien 3 Ward scenario where they have renounced all technology? Is Weyland-Yutani even in this? Just interested as Sigler says it is intented to be canonical.
Quote from: TheBATMAN on Feb 08, 2020, 12:30:30 PM
Without spoilering, is this some kind of Alien 3 Ward scenario where they have renounced all technology? Is Weyland-Yutani even in this? Just interested as Sigler says it is intented to be canonical.
Spoiler
Nothing specified so far.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Feb 03, 2020, 10:44:10 AM
Despite having the full run of Aliens mag I've never actually read Crusade :laugh:
Im still missing issue #22, never seems to pop up anywhere. I dont have any of the Vol.1 issues either
Quote from: 426Buddy on Feb 08, 2020, 04:37:27 PMIm still missing issue #22, never seems to pop up anywhere. I dont have any of the Vol.1 issues either.
To be honest, Volume 1's mostly unnecessary except the final issue (#17) done by Dark Horse. The Trident issues are just pure comic reprints with no worthwhile extra goodies. I only have them because the one copy of #17 I could find for sale was in a bundle of the complete of Volume 1 :laugh:
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 08, 2020, 09:47:42 AMI'm not sure it's going to be for everyone though, because it is very heavy on the fantasy/medieval/shields and swords side (duh) so depends on your taste.
Yeah, I'm wondering how I'll feel about that because it's not really my thing, but it's not like I was gonna miss out on the new book :P
That is one horrible-ass cover!
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Feb 09, 2020, 08:37:16 PM
That is one horrible-ass cover!
The physical copy somehow seems less hideous. It's more muted.
I literally just finished reading it. Loved it! Easily recommended, especially if you appreciate something a little different with your Aliens. Full review up next week.
Somebody fetch me a jedi, I need hicks to be mind tricked into giving me his copy. :laugh:
If you loved it then it must have really been great. That's promising.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 09, 2020, 09:25:20 PM
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Feb 09, 2020, 08:37:16 PM
That is one horrible-ass cover!
The physical copy somehow seems less hideous. It's more muted.
I literally just finished reading it. Loved it! Easily recommended, especially if you appreciate something a little different with your Aliens. Full review up next week.
I'm happy to hear it's a good read. I only wish Titan well with these books, but how can they do well when the covers are so trite? I think that's 3 or 4 books now with a side head shot of an Alien head in green on black. The books look too similar. I just don't understand why some terrific artists are not given a chance to do something better.
For the love of Giger someone with twitter please tell Titan to contact Dorman, Beauvais, Swanland, Tristan Jones, or Plunkett.
Or anyone who can do cover art at this point.
Anyway I can't wait to add this to my collection!
Quote from: 426Buddy on Feb 09, 2020, 09:42:42 PM
For the love of Giger someone with twitter please tell Titan to contact Dorman, Beauvais, Swanland, Tristan Jones, or Plunkett.
Or anyone who can do cover art at this point.
Anyway I can't wait to add this to my collection!
Here, here!
or Hear, hear!
Whichever you prefer..
Even Stephen Youll's covers from the DH Press novels were really good.
Glad to hear that it's a different kind of story.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Feb 03, 2020, 10:44:10 AM
Despite having the full run of Aliens mag I've never actually read Crusade :laugh:
While it had some interesting visuals, the setting made absolutely no sense, whatsoever, to me.
I'm working on my review and I think I'm holding this one up with Cold Forge. I've just got nothing to grumble about with Phalanx. It was nothing but enjoyment.
(https://offthoughtsandthings.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/the-mask-jaw-drop.gif)
Well, now I'm getting this ASAP.
Cant wait to pick this up!
Ordered together with Aliens: Rescue
I just got my shipping notification, it is on its way!
I got my signed copy today from Forbidden Planet. ;D I'm really looking forward to seeing what others think of the book.
Quote from: muthur9000 on Feb 15, 2020, 01:00:10 PM
I just got my shipping notification, it is on its way!
I thought it wasn't due out for another week or so?
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Feb 15, 2020, 02:47:04 PM
Quote from: muthur9000 on Feb 15, 2020, 01:00:10 PM
I just got my shipping notification, it is on its way!
I thought it wasn't due out for another week or so?
I ordered mine from the UK, forbidden planet. I am sure a lot of UK peeps got their orders already.
My review is up!
https://www.avpgalaxy.net/literature/reviews/aliens-phalanx/
Spoiler
I mean, I guess if you're going to describe acid blood damage, you use that awful shot of Drake.
:'(
Nice review Hicks!
Wow a 10 out of 10??
(https://media.giphy.com/media/nlWGe7Q64zwQ0/giphy.gif)
Think I've only given 2 of those out to Aliens.
I tell a lie. I've given 3 out. So that's 3 for Predator, 3 for Aliens.
Glad to hear it.
Great review, Hicks!
Is it indicated somewhere in the novel where it is located in the chronology? (Or why civilization is medieval rather than futuristic?).
I could make a guess, but it might be kinda spoilerish. Come back with that question after you've read it.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 19, 2020, 11:50:07 AMI tell a lie. I've given 3 out. So that's 3 for Predator, 3 for Aliens.
Out of curiosity, what has received top marks?
Cold Forge, obvs...
Cold Forge, Music of the Spears and Phalanx. I'm due a re-read but from my memories of it I think I'd give Berserker a 10/10 too.
Predator wise it's Turnabout, South China Sea and If It Bleeds.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 20, 2020, 08:14:33 AM
I could make a guess, but it might be kinda spoilerish. Come back with that question after you've read it.
Oh, that sounds really interesting!
I got a notification from Amazon saying my copy won't arrive til March 2nd. Yay. :(
Not listened to yet. Mine should be out Monday. Actually did this one as a video interview for the YouTubez.
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/preview-titan-books-aliens-phalanx-novel
P.S - Titan Books has revealed a new Alien book called ALIEN: INTO CHARYBDIS by Alex White coming in 2021.
Another interview with Scott: https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-interview-aliens-phalanx-author-scott-sigler/
Quote from: felix on Feb 25, 2020, 07:45:35 AM
P.S - Titan Books has revealed a new Alien book called ALIEN: INTO CHARYBDIS by Alex White coming in 2021.
Yes they have! And we're looking forward to that beauty, as well! https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=63279.0
Amazon has preview pages.
https://www.amazon.com/Aliens-Phalanx-Scott-Sigler/dp/1789094011/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=alien+phalanx&qid=1582234609&s=books&sr=1-1
Looks interesting.
Amazon UK has the paperback in stock but not the hardback. Useless.
They have been really poor with the Alien Titan books of late.
They have the paperback and yet apparently I'm not getting mine until next month :laugh:
Might cancel and re-order to see what that does. Failing that I'll walk to an actual shop.
Support your brick stores, HuDa.
Exactly!
Kindle's quicker. And cheaper.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 24, 2020, 09:42:13 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or-JD6zSzTM
Not listened to yet. Mine should be out Monday. Actually did this one as a video interview for the YouTubez.
Interesting bit near the start where Sigler says Fox's guideline for authors is to not only stay within canon (obviously) but also DON'T get specific creating details about the alien either (such as its life cycle) because that would constrict later authors coming up with
their stories further down the track.
TC
So this isn't in the past but rather on a planet with a regressed society? Almost like how in Vincent Ward's Alien 3, he hints at people dealing with the creature in far gone time periods.
Spoiler
Yeah, something like that! The synopsis makes it clear it's set on another world, not necessarily in the past.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 25, 2020, 12:57:23 PMSupport your brick stores, HuDa.
I planned to, until I realised there isn't one within walking distance :( (Not at home at the moment.)
https://istorialit.home.blog/2020/02/26/book-review-aliens-phalanx-by-scott-sigler-a-brilliant-dystopian-horror-novel-set-in-the-alien-cinematic-universe/
I'm listening to this audiobook and the narrator's voice for the Margrave sounds like Dumbledore. I can't unhear it.
So far so good.
Done. Great book indeed. Can't wait for podcast now.
I have some issues with it but book really has kept me engaged till the end. The author did his best with such unique setting.
I'm waiting to hear SM's thoughts.
Just finished the audiobook. Initially I was skeptical of the premise, but didn't realize how refreshing this take would be on the franchise. There were characters who I truly hated because Sigler did a phenomenal job making them the villains. There were other characters who I found annoying, but ended up liking them more and more as the story progressed. The character development and depth he gave to the trio was great. I tend to buy audiobooks simply because of all of my driving for work. Sometimes the performer can kill a good book, but Bronson Pinchot did an amazing job and provided a lot of variety to the voices of each character.
I haven't read all of the Alien novels, but this and Cold Forge are by far my favorites for story and audio performance.
Just finished! Wow that was quite the exciting ride! Far from your typical Aliens story but the tension was thick, the action was epic and the characters/world was well fleshed out. This book legit made my heart pound. Well done Mr. Sigler!
Our interview with Scott is now up on the podcast! :) https://www.avpgalaxy.net/2020/03/02/this-is-ataegina-an-interview-with-aliens-phalanx-author-scott-sigler-avpgalaxy-podcast-103/
It's also available as an interview on YouTube:
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 29, 2020, 09:01:55 PM
I'm waiting to hear SM's thoughts.
Haven't read it yet. Got the Kindle version last week. About 4 chapters in or so.
No consulting on this one?
A bit. Scott and I exchanged a couple of emails while he was writing but I didn't see a draft.
Well then you're in for a treat!
Unbelievably good.
Spoiler
When Plagiarus praepotens was mentioned I had a legitimate fangasm :)
Also when one of the characters pissed (twice) on Alien I laughed pretty hard. Sooo satisfying !
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Mar 02, 2020, 07:34:52 AM
Our interview with Scott is now up on the podcast! :) https://www.avpgalaxy.net/2020/03/02/this-is-ataegina-an-interview-with-aliens-phalanx-author-scott-sigler-avpgalaxy-podcast-103/
It's also available as an interview on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1HNiDlzABQ
Great interview Hicks! Scott mentioned "300" being an influence which is something I definitely thought while reading
Spoiler
There was even a point when Sinesh & Ahiliyah we're playing war games and she presented the "300" scenario but Sinesh reminded her that the demons would climb the walls and drop from above so that tactic would fail. @Kradan Creen was a funny dude for sure :laugh:
@Kadran
:) "I had a legitimate fangasm"
This makes me happy!
Trying to reply to some of these comments, as you can tell I'm an idiot when it comes to working a message board...
@Fiendishly Inventive
"Unbelievably good."
If this was in reference to PHALANX, thanks!
I'm 25% through. It's well crafted and the world building is exceptional. Ready for some xeno action though.
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Mar 03, 2020, 02:08:12 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Mar 02, 2020, 07:34:52 AM
Our interview with Scott is now up on the podcast! :) https://www.avpgalaxy.net/2020/03/02/this-is-ataegina-an-interview-with-aliens-phalanx-author-scott-sigler-avpgalaxy-podcast-103/
It's also available as an interview on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1HNiDlzABQ
Great interview Hicks! Scott mentioned "300" being an influence which is something I definitely thought while reading
Spoiler
There was even a point when Sinesh & Ahiliyah we're playing war games and she presented the "300" scenario but Sinesh reminded her that the demons would climb the walls and drop from above so that tactic would fail. @Kradan Creen was a funny dude for sure :laugh:
I always felt 300 mixed with xenos was a good concept, as well as a Leonidas pitted against a Predator.
With the exception of COLD FORGE, every Alien novel so far for me has been mediocre at best and utter shite at worst.
PHALANX is hands down the best Alien novel. Even better than COLD FORGE and didn't think that novel would be beaten.
PHALANX meet everyone of my expectations and then surpassed them. Just brilliant!
This praise is all very good to hear. With the exception of Cold Forge (which I am actually in the middle of rereading now, since I haven't touched the book since the week it came out), I've never really been fond of the Alien novels either. With Alex White and Scott Sigler's work now, though, it seems like there's definitely some stuff happening here that I'm going to be immensely enjoying.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Mar 05, 2020, 04:16:57 AM
This praise is all very good to hear. With the exception of Cold Forge (which I am actually in the middle of rereading now, since I haven't touched the book since the week it came out), I've never really been fond of the Alien novels either. With Alex White and Scott Sigler's work now, though, it seems like there's definitely some stuff happening here that I'm going to be immensely enjoying.
From what I can tell, the novels are better when it's the authors that pitch their own ideas than when the author is solicited to do the job. This isn't always the case, but I feel like you can usually tell when the authors are having fun and when they're merely doing a job. That's not to say that every story pitched by the author turns out well, nor that everyone who's a hired hand doesn't have fun.
Finally got my copy of this in the mail and I need to finish a couple unrelated books first but I'm looking forward to this one.
Yeah... that first "trilogy" that Titan/Fox had done featuring a Ripley adventure between Alien and Aliens, Colonial Marines on LV-426 before the events of Aliens, and Weyland-Yutani existing post-Alien: Resurrection just... aren't my jam at all. I don't blame any of that on the authors themselves, but I also couldn't bring myself to read any of these books. :-\
Getting Phalanx tomorrow. Should i expect surprises?
Yes.
Started this about a week ago, but spent most of this week feeling so ill that reading was just too much effort. As a result I'm only a few chapters in.
Sword and shield/fantasy stuff isn't really my bag, but it's well put together so far and I really like that someone's tried a new direction instead of just setting it in another company lab. Can't say more than that because f*ck-all's happened in the few pages I've read so far :laugh: (Which is certainly not to say it's boring, it's just still busy setting things up.)
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 06, 2020, 10:27:19 AM
Started this about a week ago, but spent most of this week feeling so ill that reading was just too much effort. As a result I'm only a few chapters in.
Sword and shield/fantasy stuff isn't really my bag, but it's well put together so far and I really like that someone's tried a new direction instead of just setting it in another company lab. Can't say more than that because f*ck-all's happened in the few pages I've read so far :laugh: (Which is certainly not to say it's boring, it's just still busy setting things up.)
I raised an eyebrow at the sight of a LotR style map in the front of the book, but I'm here for it. Anything that isn't the typical mad scientist yarn, which is still--when we boil it down--what Cold Forge is.
The auditor's very real in fact, unfortunately I'm aware of people such as him, and I personally found Blue Marsalis very likeable while complex, scientist, yes, otherwise, no.
Spoiler
This book is a testament to how good an Alien story can be when it's completely free of any continuity constraints. So much so that the revelations towards the end of the book, while inevitable, were probably the weakest part. The story wasn't complex. It almost spends too much time setting things up, but it all pays off later on. the characters weren't complex - but they were also really well developed. They start as archetypes, but become more and more fleshed out as the story goes on.
The two best Alien novels for mine are Berserker and Cold Forge. I'm thinking Phalanx is better than both.
It's very good overall.
I don't think it's quite to my taste as The Cold Forge, it's good, but I'm obviously biased.
https://twitter.com/alexrwhite/status/1236328186021138433
Bought Phalanx yesterday. I think its one of the best Alien books so far.
At first i thought i reading some YA fantasy novel with Xenomorphs in it, but the revelations at the end...
Spoiler
So all this happens hundreds of years after Ripley's time?
Such high praise, looks like I'll have to pick this up too. And some of ya'll are saying it's better than the Cold Forge?
Quote from: felix on Mar 07, 2020, 11:55:24 PM
Bought Phalanx yesterday. I think its one of the best Alien books so far.
At first i thought i reading some YA fantasy novel with Xenomorphs in it, but the revelations at the end...
Spoiler
So all this happens hundreds of years after Ripley's time?
Spoiler
At least 320 years after Alien 3 considering the plagiarus nomenclature.
And yeah it did have a bit of a YA vibe.
Didn't care for some stuff but i guess they didn't have a choice.
Spoiler
So the local fauna is poisonous to Xenomorphs. Ah okay.
Spoiler
No. The local fauna gets used for hosts. The leaves of one particular bush react with Alien blood, which was really well handled.
Which I really never expected at all.
Nor did I.
Spoiler
Tbh, I find it's a bit convenient that on a random planet conquered by Aliens poisonous to them plant happens to grow. And even more so that discovery was made right when humanity was almost wiped out and right when there was a hero capable to lead people against xenomorphs and right when such weapon was most needed.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed book a lot.
Quote from: SM on Mar 08, 2020, 07:09:28 AM
Spoiler
No. The local fauna gets used for hosts. The leaves of one particular bush react with Alien blood, which was really well handled.
Spoiler
I agree it was well handled and does create a horrific situation later on when they are ingested by hosts, it does cause some continuity problems however, namely how it should not be possible to regurgitate something that is growing in the chest cavity, not the stomach. Cold Forge established that it was a mutagenic liquid that was injected into the host and then absorbed by the eosphagus/stomach, there is no chestburster until it starts growing in the chest cavity. The only thing that should have been regurgitated if anything, would be the black liquid.
Great interview, its cool he worked with Alex White on the book to a keep a sense continuity. I noticed the whole hook thing was taken from his previous work Dangerous Prey, nice touch.
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 08, 2020, 12:31:10 PM
Spoiler
Tbh, I find it's a bit convenient that on a random planet conquered by Aliens poisonous to them plant happens to grow. And even more so that discovery was made right when humanity was almost wiped out and right when there was a hero capable to lead people against xenomorphs and right when such weapon was most needed.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed book a lot.
Oops. I'm terribly sorry, Corporal. I forgot about spoilers.
Quote from: The Cruentus on Mar 08, 2020, 02:53:46 PM
Quote from: SM on Mar 08, 2020, 07:09:28 AM
Spoiler
No. The local fauna gets used for hosts. The leaves of one particular bush react with Alien blood, which was really well handled.
Spoiler
I agree it was well handled and does create a horrific situation later on when they are ingested by hosts, it does cause some continuity problems however, namely how it should not be possible to regurgitate something that is growing in the chest cavity, not the stomach. Cold Forge established that it was a mutagenic liquid that was injected into the host and then absorbed by the eosphagus/stomach, there is no chestburster until it starts growing in the chest cavity. The only thing that should have been regurgitated if anything, would be the black liquid.
Great interview, its cool he worked with Alex White on the book to a keep a sense continuity. I noticed the whole hook thing was taken from his previous work Dangerous Prey, nice touch.
Spoiler
Alien 3 established that the burster sits in the chest cavity - but you're right that you shouldn't be able to regurgitate one. I did think of it very briefly at the time then forgot about it because even throwing one up can kill you. Put it down to birth defects. Or something. ;D
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 08, 2020, 12:31:10 PM
Spoiler
Tbh, I find it's a bit convenient that on a random planet conquered by Aliens poisonous to them plant happens to grow. And even more so that discovery was made right when humanity was almost wiped out and right when there was a hero capable to lead people against xenomorphs and right when such weapon was most needed.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed book a lot.
It's no-more convenient than the
Spoiler
planet Church lands on having the black mold.
There's got to be some give when telling the stories.
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 08, 2020, 03:57:41 PM
Oops. I'm terribly sorry, Corporal. I forgot about spoilers.
No worries. No-one reported it so I assume you didn't spoil it for anyone.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Mar 09, 2020, 10:59:26 AM
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 08, 2020, 12:31:10 PM
Spoiler
Tbh, I find it's a bit convenient that on a random planet conquered by Aliens poisonous to them plant happens to grow. And even more so that discovery was made right when humanity was almost wiped out and right when there was a hero capable to lead people against xenomorphs and right when such weapon was most needed.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed book a lot.
It's no-more convenient than the Spoiler
planet Church lands on having the black mold.
Well, I'd say in Phalanx it seemed more convenient.
Spoiler
Even characters in the book wonder why the discovery wasn't made earlier and I actually hoped it would lead to some interesting revelation.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Mar 09, 2020, 10:59:26 AM
No worries. No-one reported it so I assume you didn't spoil it for anyone.
Glad to know.
I honestly wouldn't mind to see a follow up even if it didn't involve xenos. It's an interesting world.
Also, I'm glad they shut down the over explaining of particular aspects or mysteries of the alien.
It's taken a while to get going but I've just got to the first real interactions with Aliens and it's amazingly tense.
Apparently to the point where it had me dreaming about being hunted by Aliens last night :laugh:
Quote from: razeak on Mar 09, 2020, 06:45:53 PM
I honestly wouldn't mind to see a follow up even if it didn't involve xenos. It's an interesting world.
Also, I'm glad they shut down the over explaining of particular aspects or mysteries of the alien.
I haven't started yet, but this is a relief.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Mar 11, 2020, 11:45:02 AM
It's taken a while to get going but I've just got to the first real interactions with Aliens and it's amazingly tense.
Apparently to the point where it had me dreaming about being hunted by Aliens last night :laugh:
Cool dream you have !
QuoteIt's taken a while to get going but I've just got to the first real interactions with Aliens and it's amazingly tense.
Spoiler
The stuff in Keflan in the dark is the tensest stuff I've read in any Alien novel.
Yeah, loved that part.
Finally ordered this.
I don't often post here, but had to break cover to praise this one to the skies. I don't normally have a lot of time for tie-in literature, but Phalanx is gripping, original, tense and exciting. I burnt through the whole thing in less than a day and couldn't put it down.
Finally finished this. Great book.
Anyone know what year this is actually set in?
Spoiler
At least 320 years after Aliens.
So the first good thing set
Spoiler
after AR
about time.
Rage war is good whatever you say
Getting towards the end of this now.
Spoiler
A hive scene to rival Labyrinth. I've also got to the big twist that explains life on Ataegina. Seriously, this whole section has had me squealing with fanboy joy. Really surprised that the Palatine guards from Female War have returned! Loved the mention of Internecivus raptus too, and the little nods to The Cold Forge. (Although I do wonder how Zachariah could possibly know the staff on the Forge called the Aliens "snatchers"...) Speaking of Zachariah, he's only been in it one chapter, and I love him already.
Any time the Aliens are in this, it's absolutely blowing me away. (I was reading in bed last night, deep in the middle of some tense, creepy Alien shit, and a moth suddenly landed on my face. I practically hit the f*cking ceiling.) I'm less keen on the stuff in between, but that's really no slight against the book and purely down to me not caring for dungeons and dragons stuff. But as I said before, I'm really happy to see someone trying something new with the series. Even if it's not necessarily my bag, I'm glad that there are authors willing to be a bit more experimental and it's certainly among the most memorable Alien reads.
Spoiler
Zachariah might've met Blue at some point.
Tease.
Guess.
Fair.
About a hundred pages in and I'm loving it. I can already tell this is setting a bar for these books.
Finished it off the other day. My previous comments basically sum it up - it's not among my favourite AVP reads, but it's definitely one of the best. I did enjoy it a lot, just not sure it's one I'll rush back to.
I absolutely recommend people give it a go though.
My copy finally came in. I'll probably start reading it tonight.
Have you managed to avoid spoilers during whole month ?
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 25, 2020, 03:51:18 PM
Have you managed to avoid spoilers during whole month ?
I have. It's not difficult considering no one in my waking life is reading this book, and it's easy to not click the SPOILER tags when people use them on here.
Quote from: Hudson on Mar 25, 2020, 04:02:12 PM
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 25, 2020, 03:51:18 PM
Have you managed to avoid spoilers during whole month ?
I have. It's not difficult considering no one in my waking life is reading this book, and it's easy to not click the SPOILER tags when people use them on here.
This, basically. :D
EDIT: A few chapters in and so far, so good. A very different experience so far from The Cold Forge (TCF is the only Titan Alien novel I've read, barring the Covenant novelization) but I'm immediately interested in this world and want to see where this goes. It was also a very nice touch, given the structure of this story, to see a map up front at the start.
EDIT 2: Just finished chapter 15...
Spoiler
So the book is actually going to acknowledge there being a difference between the smooth and rigid heads...
To be honest, I've always just chalked it up to artistic interpretation and don't really bat an eye when a story chooses one option or the other, though I don't mind Cameron's take that the domes eventually molt off with age. I'm going to assume that that's the intention here.
So good, perfect uses of two appropriate quotes from the films and, because of the mostly wholly new dialogue when they did get used it created more of an impact;
"If it comes to that, I'll do us both."
"Hey f**kface, come and get me!"
A lesson in good fanservice.
Completely off topic, but hey ! You're The Old One again ! Or is it just my PC glitching ?
Was it better than (Alex White, forgive my soul) THE COLD FORGE ?
For me, it was. By the slightest.
It's the Alien (The Cold Forge) Vs Aliens (Phalanx) comparison.
I always preferred Alien.
Quote from: Kradan on Apr 10, 2020, 08:37:08 PM
Completely off topic, but hey ! You're The Old One again ! Or is it just my PC glitching ?
Was it better than (Alex White, forgive my soul) THE COLD FORGE ?
For me, it was. By the slightest.
Me too.
Finally finished this one tonight. Quite liked it, and definitely worthy of sitting on the shelf alongside The Cold Forge.
I have quite a few thoughts on things I'd like to discuss, but I'll hold out on all of that until after I go through all of the spoiler tags in this thread.
Haven't had the chance to watch yet.
Quote from: Kradan on Apr 10, 2020, 08:37:08 PM
Was it better than (Alex White, forgive my soul) THE COLD FORGE ?
For me, it was. By the slightest.
Probably got about 200 pages left and so far I agree. This is my favorite novel in the franchise so far, unless it collapses horribly from this point to the end which I doubt. I'm especially enjoying how political the book is with the numerous allegories that continue to populate the story. For instance, the current refugee crisis and the way the US government has responded to it, among other current issues. Beyond that, it's well-written and the characters are engaging and feel effectively portrayed. Someone at Titan could have proofed the manuscript though. Woops! :o
Quote from: Hudson on Apr 28, 2020, 02:03:11 PM
Quote from: Kradan on Apr 10, 2020, 08:37:08 PM
Was it better than (Alex White, forgive my soul) THE COLD FORGE ?
For me, it was. By the slightest.
Probably got about 200 pages left and so far I agree. This is my favorite novel in the franchise so far, unless it collapses horribly from this point to the end which I doubt. I'm especially enjoying how political the book is with the numerous allegories that continue to populate the story. For instance, the current refugee crisis and the way the US government has responded to it, among other current issues. Beyond that, it's well-written and the characters are engaging and feel effectively portrayed. Someone at Titan could have proofed the manuscript though. Woops! :o
! SPOILER ALERT !
Spoiler
It won't
^LOL, I will quickly finish the book and return to this hidden message.
Oh man, I don't want to keep you in suspence for so long. It's not really A SPOILER (nothing like Darth Vaider is Luke's father bullshit). It's just a joke really. So, if you trust my word you can look it up now and it won't affect your knowledge of the plot in any way.
What are people's thoughts on the (spoiler for the end of the book)
Spoiler
blue lighting continually mentioned during the hive sequence? Is it a throwback to the laser light from Alien? I'm struggling to make my mind up, as the book also references the light coming from the eggs and such.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 12, 2020, 10:31:18 AM
What are people's thoughts on the (spoiler for the end of the book)
Spoiler
blue lighting continually mentioned during the hive sequence? Is it a throwback to the laser light from Alien? I'm struggling to make my mind up, as the book also references the light coming from the eggs and such.
Spoiler
I think yes and yes. Visually (in the mind's eye anyway) it has that immediate association for us from the original film to instantly let us know that our heroes are in the final level as it were, the den of the beast. Contextually for Ahiliyah it offers her an instant telltale that she's not waking in any place she's ever known or is aware of. Expositionaly, it's another callback to the unique bioluminescent traits of Ataegina's waters and given how wet things are in the hives and in the eggs and such a really nice way to create some unsettling imagery, provide the characters something to see their surroundings with that isn't ancient or Ataeginian made and also a fun callback to the rarely referenced watery translucence and inner glow from the eggs of the original film. I think the blue glow water is just infused into anything containing moisture that happened to grown in that environment.
Somewhere I've got a McFarland Alien vs Predator two figure set that features an egg with a little light inside that makes it glow from within, it's always been my favorite part.
I've always loved the laser light from the egg chamber scene in the original film, and like the AvP2 game I've always preferred to think of it as (failing) stasis field, Pilot technology that's breaking down due to age and seismic activity, the egg containment starts to breach and the acoustic warning beacon immediately starts blasting through the æther. Isolation did such a gorgeous job picking up on this theme with the Marlowe beacon scene on the derelict. I think Steel Egg is the only time it was ever inferred that the mist field was some kind of emission from the eggs themselves (thankfully the only time IMHO).
On another non sequitur side note, the bit with the water droplets dripping up from the eggs has always been another one of my favorite little details from the film, and one of the few atmospheric tidbits that I thought
Colonial Marines really got right, if I'm remembering correctly, anyway.
Final thoughts:
It loses momentum for me over the final 150 or so pages, but I would still put it up there with The Cold Forge & Out of the Shadows as one of the more successful books in the series. I think my main problem is that this book does a really thorough job of building up an engaging group of characters, and has a really good eye on crafting a compelling human story that says quite a bit about various non-Alien franchise things, only to leave us with an extended ending sequence focused on physical action that doesn't serve as much of a culmination of any of those substantive elements. Boring battle scenes, and then more boring battle scenes. None of that stuff was very interesting to read,
Spoiler
especially considering Albus Dumbledore dies too early, eliminating a solid thread of tension
. A lot could have been cut and/or summarized. In particular, everything closely orbiting battle tactics. Anything involving the chess game Liyah plays, and then the considerations of that information coming up later. I found all of that excruciatingly boring from a pacing perspective. I'm not planning a D&D campaign.
Overall, you could cut a lot from this and still have a solid novel. I thought it was a cool idea and it was mostly well executed. It was generally a fun book to read, and I felt like it did a good job of reaching for more than the vast majority of Alien novels. The portrayal of the Aliens was effective, which feels like a roll of the dice each time I start reading one of these. Still have to be
that guy about the proofing of the book. The typographical errors are persistent through the whole thing.
Spoiler
For instance, was it 318 or 319 years? Two numbers are given on the same page.
Not a good look. If I was the Fox/Disney suit in charge of these books, that would piss me off.
Other disjointed thoughts:
* This was a better YA novel than Echo.
* The
fat character is named Panda, and is generally described as being overweight and good at his job because his job is sedentary, which is good because he won't have to move around much, which would be difficult for him because he's fat. See the pattern? The book constantly reminds you that Panda is the
fat character. For all the self-awareness of the novel, this is never reconciled from what I could tell. It's just there so you can laugh at a fat person. Panda is fat, and that's all there is to it. These moments are straight up 90s Adam Sandler.
*
Spoiler
The book ending with the image of Liyah cradling her baby has a very man-writing-women-characters vibe to it. It's a woman so she better have kids!
*
Spoiler
The plot twist is cool, but it was predictable. The book was relying on subverting Alien conventions by transitioning to sword & shield, so, the PLEASE DON'T SPOIL THIS plea at the beginning basically revealed that something worth spoiling was going to happen, and my mind immediately leapt to The Village in space. Plot wise, it's fine. It makes sense and I think it's a cool idea. However, I still don't really get how you could go 300+ years and no one would ever have discovered the leaves had a chemical property to them that blocked the acid blood. But okay. Also, when did we decide that if someone is an android, their dialogue has to be really badly written? This character dials back all the interesting progress made by Davis in the Zula Hendricks stories.
* I would read more novels in this particular series/thread if more were published. I would even look forward to them! I think there's still a lot you can do with this concept.
Quote from: Hudson on May 25, 2020, 04:23:05 PM
* Spoiler
The book ending with the image of Liyah cradling her baby has a very man-writing-women-characters vibe to it. It's a woman so she better have kids!
I have the same problem with it
Spoiler
Whole relationship between her and someone-whose-name-I-can't-remember feels off and completely unnecessary
Quote from: Hudson on May 25, 2020, 04:23:05 PM
The typographical errors are persistent through the whole thing. Spoiler
For instance, was it 318 or 319 years? Two numbers are given on the same page.
One thing that was glaringly obvious to me was that on at least one occasion, the main character's name was misspelled. I get that it was a big book, and longer than most of the EU novels released recently, but the proofreader(s) slipped up a lot.
Quote from: Stitch on May 26, 2020, 06:17:58 AM
One thing that was glaringly obvious to me was that on at least one occasion, the main character's name was misspelled. I get that it was a big book, and longer than most of the EU novels released recently, but the proofreader(s) slipped up a lot.
It's
really not a good look after Bug Hunt, which you would hope was embarrassing for anyone involved in a way that it would light a fire under their asses the next time. Apparently not. And yeah, it's a long book, but not nearly the first time a long novel has been published in a media franchise's EU or otherwise.
Quote from: Kradan on May 25, 2020, 11:36:12 PM
Quote from: Hudson on May 25, 2020, 04:23:05 PM
* Spoiler
The book ending with the image of Liyah cradling her baby has a very man-writing-women-characters vibe to it. It's a woman so she better have kids!
I have the same problem with it
Spoiler
]While I suppose an argument could be made for that, the whole situation and backwards society thing means that women are treated less than men in some of the settlements. I cannot remember for sure but I recall something about breeding being a necessity and some women purposefully have children to avoid doing the runs. So its more of a surviival thing than a they-women-so-they-must-have-kids thing..
Agreed.
Spoiler
That still falls into "They're women so they must have kids", though. It's just engrained deeper into the world the story takes place in.
Spoiler
Yeah it's part of the world that is established early on and reinforced throughout.
Spoiler
More to the point, it definitely conforms to the way the world was back in technologically comparable times.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on May 27, 2020, 07:55:03 AM
Spoiler
More to the point, it definitely conforms to the way the world was back in technologically comparable times.
Spoiler
... of 400 years into the future?
Quote from: SiL on May 27, 2020, 08:06:02 AMSpoiler
... of 400 years into the future?
Spoiler
...of medieval pre-industrial society.
The book may present an antiquated viewpoint, but it's hardly out of sync with the world in which it takes place.
Spoiler
Yeah, I think only one settlement there had any progression and that was the one led by a woman. To give credit where credit is due, the franchise overall has been progressive as whole, even in the 90s. It has a large amount of LGBT characters and women are usually the main protagonist, but I suppose once in awhile, old views and habits will leak through in some stories but at least here, its kind of in sync with the setting as Huda said.
Spoiler
All I'm seeing is "it makes sense with the story." Yeah, true. And also not my point.
Quote from: Hudson on May 27, 2020, 01:16:49 PM
Spoiler
All I'm seeing is "it makes sense with the story." Yeah, true. And also not my point.
Spoiler
I read a tweet last year of someone saying fantasy worlds can easily accept dragons, goblins, magic, etc. but somehow have to stick to medieval gender inequality for their world building and it's stuck with me since.
Spoiler
If sexist portrayals of women are some kind of institutional problem with fantasy books, I couldn't say. I've said before how sword-and-shield stuff really isn't my thing and this might well be the only such book I've ever read.
I certainly don't think sexist portrayals of women are a problem in the Alien series. And as such this book really didn't bother me :-\
Spoiler
This thread currently is just a line of spoiler posts
Our podcast review is now up!
Audio: https://www.avpgalaxy.net/files/podcasts/avpg_pc_episode108.mp3
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSOSVwq0Kn8
Spoiler
I liked Creen a lot too. I find his relationship with Ahiliyah to be very reminiscent of Ripley and Morse
Quote from: Kradan on May 29, 2020, 09:28:44 PM
Spoiler
I liked Creen a lot too. I find his relationship with Ahiliyah to be very reminiscent of Ripley and Morse
that's exactly what i thought while reading phalanx too!
also, ridgetop, you should read
the cold forge, stat!
You guys are gonna make me read this! >:(
I am totally baffled at how good of a response this is getting. I read Aliens: Stalker and it took me about 4 years to finish. I was just not down with Conan meets Aliens vibe. Is this book along the same lines in terms of vibe?
No.
Four years to read a twenty odd page comic?
I think it was the second last series in those Dark Horse compilations from a few years ago. I think reading everything back to back burned me out on Aliens a bit. For 4 years or so I would pick up book 6 and try to restart Stalker again and again, but it was just not keeping my attention. I usually read about 4 or 5 books concurrently. Eventually finished Stalker and it left me nonplussed. Total chore.
I'm actually getting kind of excited about Phalanx though, given the praises of many people on here who I know are hard to please...
Stalker had some great art and setting but the ending was a little too Eowyn.
The art was terrific. The story just didn't captivate me. Couple pages in, and I'd put it down. I definitely like my Aliens in a sci-fi setting. Or, quite possibly, I like my sci-fi setting... with Aliens in it. The idea of a haunted spaceship with a vicious alien in it lurking and stalking is a perennial fascination. Aliens in the forest or some medieval setting? Not so sure.
But there are a lot of folks here with pretty good taste in sci-fi so maybe I'll pick this book up on their praises. Saying that this book tops Cold Forge, says a lot.
If you don't like the idea of the medieval setting, I don't know how much this book would work for you, honestly. Even with some of the sci-fi backdrops, the period-inspired setting very much dictates the structure of the majority of the novel.
I personally preferred The Cold Forge, myself, but also really loved Phalanx. These are really the only two Alien expanded universe novels I particularly care about, to be honest.
So the novels I have ahead of me are Echo, Prototype, and Charybdis. And recommendations for order of reading? Does it matter?
I'd read Phalanx after The Cold Forge. Scott Sigler and Alex White have been in communication and because of that Sigler implemented a couple fun little references to White's TCF in Phalanx. Beyond that, I'm pretty sure everything else is basically standalone. Into Charybdis isn't due out until 2021, but since that one is also an Alex White novel, I'd imagine that it will have some more references to the little micro-continuity that White and Sigler seem to be establishing.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on May 30, 2020, 05:07:35 PM
I'd read Phalanx after The Cold Forge. Scott Sigler and Alex White have been in communication and because of that Sigler implemented a couple fun little references to White's TCF in Phalanx. Beyond that, I'm pretty sure everything else is basically standalone. Into Charybdis isn't due out until 2021, but since that one is also an Alex White novel, I'd imagine that it will have some more references to the little micro-continuity that White and Sigler seem to be establishing.
Thanks Nightmare Asylum!
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on May 30, 2020, 04:38:13 PM
So the novels I have ahead of me are Echo, Prototype, and Charybdis. And recommendations for order of reading? Does it matter?
Opinions vary greatly on Prototype and Echo, the former had a great start with some uneven follow-through, and the latter has some really annoying side-character(s) but has some definite high points, but ultimately feels like a set-up for something which may or may not ever be followed up on. It's kind of hard to put either of them in the same class of either Phalanx or Cold Forge, but both books are good and worthy of a read; I would definitely like to read more of what Mira Grant and Tim Waggoner have to offer from further potential works in the universes though.
They should've got Mira Grant to re-write the Colonial Marines comic after Wood got the flick.
a review from the itunes store :(
(https://i.imgur.com/jXiOiZN.png)
1. Hell of a troll.
2. Alien has always been an anti-capitalist, pro-feminist, pretty liberal series ???
"Some of us are Christians, and are good, decent, smart people."
Perhaps that's true, but I don't think Redneck Survivalist speaks for them.
Is this novel really so impure?
Quote from: SiL on Jun 01, 2020, 04:23:52 AM
1. Hell of a troll.
2. Alien has always been an anti-capitalist, pro-feminist, pretty liberal series ???
Not to mention the amount of lgbt characters they have, some of them are even protagonists in the franchise, such as in Cold Forge and Echo.
User was just a typical troll with nothing better to do. Honestly that comment should really be removed because its quite inappropriate.
i reported it to apple; even without this person's ridiculous views, calling the alien: isolation adaptation "great" is enough to get a review removed :P
I'm right wing and I thought Sigler did a great job on those issues. On several of those issues a certain character went back and forth a little. It's good writing. You can tell the authors stance, but he didn't cram it down anyone's throat either. It felt natural. Loved it. It's just a different point of view.
Not sure if snowflake or trolling as clichéd snowflake.
I dunno. In my short life I've met both: Christians who are inded decent and intelligent people, and those who would say exactly what can be read in that "review". Anyway it smells like trolling as others have already suggested.
Quote from: Local Trouble on Jun 01, 2020, 05:15:25 AM
Is this novel really so impure?
Don't worry I will read it.
Quote from: j0nesy on Jun 01, 2020, 02:25:09 PM
i reported it to apple; even without this person's ridiculous views, calling the alien: isolation adaptation "great" is enough to get a review removed :P
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/1e8739e386f1fa9ae30cae85ee70f082/tenor.gif?itemid=5715486)
i really enjoyed phalanx, it's a 9/10 for me. i actually found it to be an easier read than the cold forge (which i also gave a 9/10), but for me, tcf gets the nod in terms of what it adds to alien lore
also, favorite creen line :laugh: :
(https://i.imgur.com/idF7XgB.png)
About 200 pages in and I am completely enthralled. I have to make myself set it down.
Alien Isolation game, TCF, and Phalanx all prove that the Alien is not "cooked" or lost it's effectiveness when in the right hands.
I absolutely loved this book. I agree with AP, a 10/10 for me. It actually surpassed CF as my favorite Alien novel.
I don't even know where to begin! The first act is so amazingly intense and frightening. The Aliens are given so much respect in this book it just warms my heart lol. The second act is thrilling and crazy, and the end is like a love letter to the EU and Alien fans and just a lot of fun. It stayed completely faithful to what I love about the franchise while presenting it in a completely fresh and different way.
Spoiler
Even in the big battles in the middle it never felt like the Aliens were less of a threat and I found the McGuffin to be so creative and interesting. I didn't think it was contrived but perhaps a little convenient. It was the only possible way they could have saved themselves and I found it interesting that they find this chemical that stops the acid and kills them in time. Never did it feel like the Aliens were made weaker for any other reason than the poison. In a lot of films like ST, in the beginning arachnids seem to be far more deadly than in the later battles.
It was paced perfectly and the world and story were just so damn interesting. Especially the early portion where you learn about the world and running.
Spoiler
I would have read a whole book just about Aiko the head runner surviving her 23 runs lol. :D
.
Spoiler
I somewhat predicted the revelations at the end and like how inspired it felt by Alchemy ( one of my favorite series.) The whole end in the hive/ship felt so perfectly at home with the EU. I loved the nod to Genocide with the warring hives, I loved the praetorians, and using the scientific names for the aliens from the EU and the nods to Cold Forge. I was all wonderful IMO.
There were a few lil nitpicks but it was more about trying to piece together the timeline of the planet.
Thank you Scott Sigler for giving us such great book and amazing Alien story.
I almost forgot to add that the characters were just fantastic. I couldn't believe that Mr. Sigler had me actually caring about 'Liyah, Brandun, and Creen within like 30 pages. :D
Damn! You're going to make me buy this! >:(
;)
I strongly recommend it.
likewise, one of my favorite universe tie-in's
426buddy:
Spoiler
what did you make of zachariah?
Spoiler
You know it's funny when we first meet him and his drawings, for just a moment I thought "no way, maybe this is Origae 6 and this is the crashed Covenant and Zachariah is a damaged David!" But that was soon obviously not to be the case.
But I thought he was a great vehicle for a little exposition dump and would have liked him to live.
Spoiler
I wouldn't mind a short story prequel about Zachariah and the humans on board the ship, to be honest. Especially since they must have had some ancillary connection to the Cold Forge project, given Zachariah's knowledge of the term "Snatcher."
Spoiler
426: i didn't even think of that possibility, though i pictured zachariah resembling the david 8 model, perhaps with different hair, a la walter
nightmare: same here! i'd be interested in learning the details of the mutiny, what happened, and how zachariah played into that
I just bought it. It's in the mail.
....along with Prototype and the blueprints. It's an Aliens spree!
I also just bought a new book on the Citroen DS at the same time. Love that classic car. My all-time favourite.
do you have jw rinzler's "the making of alien"? that's an essential purchase too
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Jul 05, 2020, 10:18:53 PM
Spoiler
I wouldn't mind a short story prequel about Zachariah and the humans on board the ship, to be honest. Especially since they must have had some ancillary connection to the Cold Forge project, given Zachariah's knowledge of the term "Snatcher."
Spoiler
I had genuine fangasm when he started talking TCF stuff
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Jul 05, 2020, 10:18:53 PM
Spoiler
I wouldn't mind a short story prequel about Zachariah and the humans on board the ship, to be honest. Especially since they must have had some ancillary connection to the Cold Forge project, given Zachariah's knowledge of the term "Snatcher."
I would be all over that too! Would be a nice piece for another anthology along with Alex's on the background of the eggs in Cold Forge. Be nice to have a stronger Aliens anthology.
I was angling to have the Cold Forge eggs be from Trono (Dust to Dust). Never got anywhere with it.
Quote from: j0nesy on Jul 06, 2020, 04:10:48 AM
do you have jw rinzler's "the making of alien"? that's an essential purchase too
I have my eyes on both Rinzler books but alas they are not on my bookshelf yet.
Quote from: SM on Jul 06, 2020, 09:17:48 AM
I was angling to have the Cold Forge eggs be from Trono (Dust to Dust). Never got anywhere with it.
Do you know off-hand - forgive me, I'm too lazy to look right now - if we got a date for Dust to Dust?
Maybe this could help
Quote from: SpaceKase on Jun 29, 2020, 04:19:20 AM
Then, just for fun Chronologically! The Date format is yyyy.mmdd
Many of these figures disagree with SM's, but I assure you, each deviation has very precise and specific reasoning behind it that I will gladly go into if anyone is curious enough. But seeing as how they're all Comic specific in-universe, they've all been Banned by Corporate Governor's decree, anyway.
2024 AvP - Eternal reasoned deduction
2099 Aliens - Elder Gods (Special - b) explicitly stated
2137.1117 Aliens - Defiance explicitly stated
2141 Aliens - Fast Track to Heaven reasoned deduction
2142 Aliens - Apocalypse reasoned deduction
2160 Aliens - Inhuman Condition refine this
2181 Aliens - Survival refine this
2193.0603 Aliens - Countdown reasoned deduction
2193.1031 Aliens - Crusade reasoned deduction
2195 Aliens - Tribes reasoned deduction
2202.0315 Aliens - More Than Human reasoned deduction
2203.1205 Aliens - Music of the Spears reasoned deduction
2211 Aliens - Sacrifice refine this
2211 Aliens - Dust to Dust educated guesswork
2212.10 Aliens - Horror Show reasoned deduction
2213.11 Aliens - Salvation refine this
2217.0610 Aliens - 45 Seconds (Special - a) educated guesswork
2220.0420 Life and Death - (event) reasoned deduction
2223 Aliens - Labyrinth refine this
2225 Aliens - Glass Corridor reasoned deduction
2271 AvP - The Web reasoned deduction
2295 Aliens - Dead Orbit explicitly stated
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jul 07, 2020, 06:55:16 AM
Quote from: SM on Jul 06, 2020, 09:17:48 AM
I was angling to have the Cold Forge eggs be from Trono (Dust to Dust). Never got anywhere with it.
Do you know off-hand - forgive me, I'm too lazy to look right now - if we got a date for Dust to Dust?
No. I'd started working on a update to the Bible when Steve T got canned, and was going to date it around 2179 simply in order to link it to TCF (apropos of precisely nothing).
Quote from: 426Buddy on Jul 05, 2020, 05:18:40 PM
Thank you Scott Sigler for giving us such great book and amazing Alien story.
I almost forgot to add that the characters were just fantastic. I couldn't believe that Mr. Sigler had me actually caring about 'Liyah, Brandun, and Creen within like 30 pages. :D
Wow-wow-wow. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much!
Quote from: j0nesy on Jun 01, 2020, 12:36:57 AM
a review from the itunes store :(
(https://i.imgur.com/jXiOiZN.png)
Holy crap, that's a review of PHALANX? Perhaps he didn't read to the end where
Spoiler
Ahiliyah has a child
. The religion on Ataegina is not Christianity, BTW.
The fact that there are people chanting this "Get woke, go broke" mantra weirds me out so much. :-X
I loved Phalanx, and fond that it is right up there with White's The Cold Forge.
Quote from: scottsigler on Jul 07, 2020, 03:29:21 PM
Holy crap, that's a review of PHALANX? Perhaps he didn't read to the end where Spoiler
Ahiliyah has a child
haha it is!
thank you so much for adding this wonderful piece to the alien series. i'm a big fan of the
alien rpg and i'd give an arm and a leg for a phalanx scenario, where you get to play a runner ;D
Yes thank you Scott!
This is an excellent book, one we are lucky to have in this franchise. I've been a fan of this franchise for 30 years and Phalanx is now my favorite EU story. I thought The Cold Forge would stay my favorite alien novel but this has bumped it into 2nd place :laugh:
Don't listen to reviews like that one on itunes, that person is obviously ignorant in the extreme.
P.s. Hopefully someday you write a sequel/prequel but I would love even a new story if you are writing it.
scott: if you're able to, i'd love to hear more about your mindset when writing zachariah, particularly his history
cannot agree enough that i want you to continue working in this universe!
Quote from: j0nesy on Jul 07, 2020, 08:51:20 PM
scott: if you're able to, i'd love to hear more about your mindset when writing zachariah, particularly his history
cannot agree enough that i want you to continue working in this universe!
I have a whole history for Zachariah, and would love to do the story of how he came to be on Ataegina. That's probably not in the cards anytime soon, though, I've got projects stacked on projects.
Maybe in a few years ;D
hopefully we can witness that come to fruition at some point
Quote from: scottsigler on Jul 07, 2020, 09:51:18 PM
Quote from: j0nesy on Jul 07, 2020, 08:51:20 PM
scott: if you're able to, i'd love to hear more about your mindset when writing zachariah, particularly his history
cannot agree enough that i want you to continue working in this universe!
I have a whole history for Zachariah, and would love to do the story of how he came to be on Ataegina. That's probably not in the cards anytime soon, though, I've got projects stacked on projects.
Would be great! I really expect that story! ;D
Is setted anywhere...
Spoiler
around which time or year (Aliens, 2179, e.g.) the colony ship crash happens?
So this book arrived in the mail. Well, it is a page turner.
I like that it is under the Aliens imprint and not the Alien imprint. I am just wondering why it is a bigger size than the other books.
Bought my Dad the book for Father's Day. He really enjoyed it and thought it was a fun take on the franchise.
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Jul 16, 2020, 08:14:27 PM
Bought my Dad the book for Father's Day. He really enjoyed it and thought it was a fun take on the franchise.
This sounds so much as a comment someone would leave below YouTube video
I like it though
What can I say, my dad's the one who got me into the franchise's by showing me Alien and Predator when I was 9 (31 now). Plus he had all the comics which got me into the EU at the same time. So now I return the favor when new releases come out :)
That's really cool.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Jul 07, 2020, 03:46:43 PM
The fact that there are people chanting this "Get woke, go broke" mantra weirds me out so much. :-X
...
It tells me that goose-schtepping morons like [themshelves] should try reading books instead of bearning them!
Quote from: j0nesy on Jul 07, 2020, 10:13:07 PM
hopefully we can witness that come to fruition at some point
Oh mah gerd. I want this story to 'BE' soooo much, it almost hurts a little.Please, oh, sacred mouse, embrace this deviant world and let these stories livvve!
So this arrived in the mail. I'm actually rather enjoying it.
...and that means I'm leaving this thread until I finish the book.
Quote from: scottsigler on Jul 07, 2020, 03:29:21 PM
Quote from: 426Buddy on Jul 05, 2020, 05:18:40 PM
Thank you Scott Sigler for giving us such great book and amazing Alien story.
I almost forgot to add that the characters were just fantastic. I couldn't believe that Mr. Sigler had me actually caring about 'Liyah, Brandun, and Creen within like 30 pages. :D
Wow-wow-wow. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much!
Quote from: j0nesy on Jun 01, 2020, 12:36:57 AM
a review from the itunes store :(
(https://i.imgur.com/jXiOiZN.png)
Holy crap, that's a review of PHALANX? Perhaps he didn't read to the end where Spoiler
Ahiliyah has a child
The guy was clearly just a troll, though there are people out there with that kind of mentality and genuinely believe in what they are saying. Best to ignore them both. You know who your supporters are, just got to look at the AVP community and their high praise for Phalanx. :) I think I am going to reread actually, as I want to refresh my knowledge on it so I can update the wiki.
Interesting concepts in it though, how humanity will revert to dark age paranoia and religious superstition in the absence of science and technology regardless of any logic and rationale some would have. Group mentality takes over surprisingly fast.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 14, 2020, 12:17:59 PM
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscottsigler%2Fposts%2F10157874905538843&width=500" width="500" height="568" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>
Hell yeah. Let those votes have it, Marines!
Already registered! Awaiting my ballot!
same here! cool to see some love from dragon con too, especially since i live in atlanta
All signed up! Totally voting for Phalanx, such a great book.
got my ballot email and voted! also voted for the alien rpg in the very last category
Where does one sign up?
Quote from: SM on Aug 17, 2020, 04:27:03 AM
Where does one sign up?
https://application.dragoncon.net/dc_fan_awards_signup.php?fbclid=IwAR1F_NpMhwKGlxyczIq0gZKuzC3Z2zR7SmzpJo3-pTA9Yv5Hy7L0RTpO3U8
Cheers. :)
Quote from: j0nesy on Aug 17, 2020, 03:42:28 AM
got my ballot email and voted! also voted for the alien rpg in the very last category
Same. :)
Voted for Aliens: Phalanx and Alien RPG!
Half through the book, its really great and different. Seems there are a lot of Young Adult themes but that is not a problem.
Waiting for some big twist to drop soon.
Cast my vote! ;D
Registered earlier this week but haven't received a voting form.
think i remember reading something on their site saying they manually approve and send out the ballots on specific days; i got mine on sunday, so maybe yours will come this sunday :)
Didn't win :'(
Robbery!
That's a shame. Though I am now wondering if any of the books have won any recognition?
Just got this book, and I plan to start reading it today.
Hope its good!
You sir... are in for a treat.
Here, here!
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 15, 2020, 08:56:51 PM
Just got this book, and I plan to start reading it today.
Hope its good!
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/e3d250d45b8d3d386473ba0dc28925e1/tenor.gif?itemid=12724953)
Out. Get out now.
Like, whether you enjoy the genre or not (I'm not the biggest fan of sword-and-shield stuff), saying it's a bad book is just grossly inaccurate. It's very well-written.
I'm mighty tempted. :P
Should I beat him with my stick of re-education? :laugh:
I'm 13 chapters in. Couldn't stop reading last night, and would have kept reading if I didn't have to work today.
So far I'm really enjoying it. I've always defended that Alien belongs in space, in ship corridors, in other planet's terraforming colonies. They look silly in a modern day small town (I'm looking at you, AvP-R), and Aliens in a medieval world could turn out to be something really corny. To me, Predator was always the one that had the potential to be moved around into different settings and time periods to give us some really cool stories.
Well, Aliens Phalanx so far is proving me wrong. Maybe because its really well written. Can't wait to go back to it after work.
Also, I started this book assuming it would take place on Earth, in the past. But now I know that's not the case, hope the book gives more details on that.
Quote from: The Cruentus on Nov 16, 2020, 12:28:15 PM
Should I beat him with my stick of re-education? :laugh:
(https://y.yarn.co/7e5d6207-2eef-4274-885a-4a62d3f0cf2d_text_hi.gif)
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 16, 2020, 01:45:30 PM
Also, I started this book assuming it would take place on Earth, in the past. But now I know that's not the case, hope the book gives more details on that.
You'll get the details. Don't worry. :)
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 16, 2020, 01:45:30 PM
Also, I started this book assuming it would take place on Earth, in the past. But now I know that's not the case, hope the book gives more details on that.
You sir... are in for another treat :laugh:
:D
Also, ouch
On those details... (Katanu don't open this spoiler 'til you're done)
Spoiler
I absolutely love the mini-continuity that this formed with The Cold Forge, what with Zachariah's mention of "Snatchers." These are easily my two favorite Alien novels, and it is really cool to know that Sigler reached out to White a bit and made stuff like that happen.
Quote from: Kradan on Nov 16, 2020, 08:58:49 AM
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 15, 2020, 08:56:51 PM
Just got this book, and I plan to start reading it today.
Hope its good!
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/e3d250d45b8d3d386473ba0dc28925e1/tenor.gif?itemid=12724953)
Bummer, I'm sorry to didn't enjoy it. Thanks for giving it a shot.
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 16, 2020, 01:45:30 PM
I'm 13 chapters in. Couldn't stop reading last night, and would have kept reading if I didn't have to work today.
So far I'm really enjoying it. I've always defended that Alien belongs in space, in ship corridors, in other planet's terraforming colonies. They look silly in a modern day small town (I'm looking at you, AvP-R), and Aliens in a medieval world could turn out to be something really corny. To me, Predator was always the one that had the potential to be moved around into different settings and time periods to give us some really cool stories.
Well, Aliens Phalanx so far is proving me wrong. Maybe because its really well written. Can't wait to go back to it after work.
Also, I started this book assuming it would take place on Earth, in the past. But now I know that's not the case, hope the book gives more details on that.
Dope! I hope it finishes strong for you.
I'm really, REALLY sorry, Scott. I was just joking. For sure, there were things in your book I was unsure about but overall it was pretty great read. It was a long book and I don't regret one minute spent on it. Again, sorry for my poor sense of humour
Btw, I'm the guy who wrote this:
Quote from: Kradan on Mar 03, 2020, 06:38:31 AM
Spoiler
When Plagiarus praepotens was mentioned I had a legitimate fangasm :)
Also when one of the characters pissed (twice) on Alien I laughed pretty hard. Sooo satisfying !
Also, I'm genuinely surprised you're still checking these forums after what - 9 months since Phalanx was released ? Such dedication deserved fo be applauded
The author of the book I'm reading read my post about it, now that's cool :D
Very nice of you to visit the foruns and care about the fans' opinions.
I'll start chapter 39 tonight, so far I'm having a great time with the book!
I hope Titan hires you to write a Predator novel too, would love to see that, if you would be interested in writing one.
Spoiler
Also, gotta love the little Vootervert Alien!
Edit: Finished reading it. It was a great read! The last Alien novel I've read was Cold Forge, and while I loved Cold Forge for different reasons, Phalanx was more fun to read. It's nice how the novel changes from being very suspenseful with the horrifying reality of the runners of Lemeth's Hold to the epic action packed confrontations from the final chapters. Liyahs character arch was also really well done, along with the relationship with her friends, I started not so sure about them, but ended up rooting for them all. The World building also made me buy the story, at the beggining I was wondering all the time when and where it took place, but eventually I was pulled into that world and stopped wondering about that, only to be awarded with the anwsers near the end.
I don't have much knowledge on real medieval battle tactics, only a few Age of Empires 2 unit counters and stuff, but fans of that will probably get a kick out of this, since it appears Sigler put a lot of effort into it.
Anyway, loved the book, highly recommend it!
I just finished and loved, loved this book! I could've easily read another 200 pages!
Just finished. Loved it. I love how it broke the mold.
Spoiler
Not sure about swallowing the leaves to abort a chestburster, but that's been discussed plenty.
The big reveal at the end was exactly what I was hoping for. I knew the story took place far in the future after Resurrection, but everyone kept saying not to spoil the big reveal. This had me concerned that the whole setting was a simulation or a deliberate setup by WY being monitored as an experiment. A reveal like this would have really pissed me off. I just wanted a brief explanation of how this world came to be and that's all.
Quote from: scottsigler on Nov 16, 2020, 08:49:04 PM
Quote from: Kradan on Nov 16, 2020, 08:58:49 AM
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 15, 2020, 08:56:51 PM
Just got this book, and I plan to start reading it today.
Hope its good!
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/e3d250d45b8d3d386473ba0dc28925e1/tenor.gif?itemid=12724953)
Bummer, I'm sorry to didn't enjoy it. Thanks for giving it a shot.
Quote from: Katanu on Nov 16, 2020, 01:45:30 PM
I'm 13 chapters in. Couldn't stop reading last night, and would have kept reading if I didn't have to work today.
So far I'm really enjoying it. I've always defended that Alien belongs in space, in ship corridors, in other planet's terraforming colonies. They look silly in a modern day small town (I'm looking at you, AvP-R), and Aliens in a medieval world could turn out to be something really corny. To me, Predator was always the one that had the potential to be moved around into different settings and time periods to give us some really cool stories.
Well, Aliens Phalanx so far is proving me wrong. Maybe because its really well written. Can't wait to go back to it after work.
Also, I started this book assuming it would take place on Earth, in the past. But now I know that's not the case, hope the book gives more details on that.
Dope! I hope it finishes strong for you.
The whole book is awesome, I absolutely adore it. :)
Thank you
Quote from: Kradan on Nov 16, 2020, 08:58:57 PM
I'm really, REALLY sorry, Scott. I was just joking. Also, I'm genuinely surprised you're still checking these forums after what - 9 months since Phalanx was released ? Such dedication deserved fo be applauded
No worries! Readers are entitled to their opinion and every book can't be everything to all people.
I check in every now and then, yeah. This forum has the most deeply committed franchise fans, I think, so it's great to know whether or not I delivered for this audience.
I apologise for my joke of poor taste one more time. I loved your book and will definetly re-read it soon
Started reading this book as a new years resolution to read more books!
And I can't put it down. I'm nearing the end now and it's been very intriguing ... it did drag on initially building the whole word and culture around Lemeth and it's people but it was worth it now. Enjoyable. Nice one Scott.
Quote from: Prez on Jan 24, 2021, 03:36:19 AM
Started reading this book as a new years resolution to read more books!
And I can't put it down. I'm nearing the end now and it's been very intriguing ... it did drag on initially building the whole word and culture around Lemeth and it's people but it was worth it now. Enjoyable. Nice one Scott.
Finished it. Really enjoyed it. Great work Scott.
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
Cool stuff, I'll definitely be referencing this a fair amount!
Really great of Scott to provide this. Bravo.
Quote from: SM on Jan 27, 2021, 05:07:05 AM
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
Thank you mate.
Quote from: SM on Jan 27, 2021, 05:07:05 AM
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
This is legit...maybe too legit.
Quote from: Prez on Jan 27, 2021, 06:33:13 AM
Quote from: SM on Jan 27, 2021, 05:07:05 AM
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
Thank you mate.
You're very welcome.
Quote from: TheBATMAN on Jan 27, 2021, 06:19:48 AM
Really great of Scott to provide this. Bravo.
I was very pleasantly surprised. I emailed him the draft I'd written for any feedback and he sent me a tonne of info.
That was some extensive background! I love it when authors do that sort of background for themselves! Very generous of him to send them across, and very thankful he did! Thanks for the read, SM! Now I wanna re-read the novel...
Spoiler
Will we get more stories perhaps in Ataegina? Perhaps a prequel about the Rising would be interesting. Would love to see a comic book adaptation of the novel
Sigler's short in Ultimate Prey is a Phalanx sequel.
Awesome, I was wondering if it might be.
Quote from: SM on Jan 27, 2021, 05:07:05 AM
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
Nice! And shoutout to Scott for the added history!
A Predator(s) turning up on Ateagina seems a natural fit given the type of society living there. Looking forward to it.
Considering that Scott Sigler's story is the sequel to Aliens: Phalanx and that Aliens: Phalanx is canon, does that mean that from now on the Alien and Predator universes are officially the same?
Quote from: Miguel on Jan 27, 2021, 06:39:49 PM
Considering that Scott Sigler's story is the sequel to Aliens: Phalanx and that Aliens: Phalanx is canon, does that mean that from now on the Alien and Predator universes are officially the same?
Well stories within
license canon will always be separate because a licensee can only play in the very license they pay Disney for, and if you only pay for one, you ain't getting the others.... but within lore, its fair to say anything tied to AvP Phalanx will now be tied to the AvP/Predator lore. :)
Quote from: Miguel on Jan 27, 2021, 06:39:49 PM
Considering that Scott Sigler's story is the sequel to Aliens: Phalanx and that Aliens: Phalanx is canon, does that mean that from now on the Alien and Predator universes are officially the same?
Or Phalanx simply falls under the AvP banner. Like Fire & Stone or Life & Death.
I don't know, but I feel the whole 'canon' thing is much less defined now under Disney than it was under Fox.
Considering how popular Phalanx was, it makes perfect sense to revisit Ataegina at the first opportunity, and not worry too much about what's canon or not.
I'm an Alien purist who doesn't collect any AVP books, but I loved Phalanx...
*twitch*
Quote from: David's Creation on Jan 27, 2021, 09:41:35 PM
I'm an Alien purist who doesn't collect any AVP books, but I loved Phalanx...
*twitch*
You're one of us now!
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/l0HlFGWh0oulcTw2s/source.gif)
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 27, 2021, 08:47:37 AM
Sigler's short in Ultimate Prey is a Phalanx sequel.
HELLO
Quote from: David's Creation on Jan 27, 2021, 09:41:35 PM
I'm an Alien purist who doesn't collect any AVP books, but I loved Phalanx...
*twitch*
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/GIIC4jmmUlXZS/giphy.gif)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c2/db/84/c2db8415467e8dd002a3b822f4acc5cf.gif)
(https://c.tenor.com/yQWCx4uUIXwAAAAC/sinjin-fight.gif)
Yet it's entertaining! ;D
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/xThuWtKMZekUpLNxKg/source.gif)
Spoiler
The population thing is interesting, its not really enough people for long term genetic diversity. Inbreeding was going to be inevitable.
Also there may be just a tiny mistake here. Only one-hundred and nineteen colonists, all ten years old or younger escape the wreck under instructions from Zachariah to never return, approach an egg and to hide if they ever see an Alien.
Lifeboats carrying one hundred and twelve colonists are ejected from the Nan-Shan before it crashes. The EEVs land on the Southern Continent and Manroon Island to the north.
Year 1
Fifty-six survivors die during the first year, leaving a total human population on the planet of one hundred and seventy-five[/b][/u]
Was it meant to be 190?.
Spoiler
Not sure?
119 + 112 - 56 = 175
Have I missed something?
Spoiler
Well if they started at 119 and then it dropped to 112, then they lose a further 50 odd people, it would not be 175.
EDIT
Spoiler
My bad, I just reread it, there was still colonists in the main ship while others took the life boats, Apologies.
Quote from: Gentleman Death on Jan 27, 2021, 06:51:15 AM
Quote from: SM on Jan 27, 2021, 05:07:05 AM
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
This is legit...maybe too legit.
That's why I don't quit.
Quote from: Prez on Jan 27, 2021, 08:47:05 AM
Spoiler
Will we get more stories perhaps in Ataegina? Perhaps a prequel about the Rising would be interesting. Would love to see a comic book adaptation of the novel
I am not allowed to comment on that at this time, which is weird, because a bunch of other people are commenting about the thing that I am not allowed to comment on.
:laugh:
Quote from: scottsigler on Feb 05, 2021, 04:26:13 PM
Quote from: Gentleman Death on Jan 27, 2021, 06:51:15 AM
Quote from: SM on Jan 27, 2021, 05:07:05 AM
The History of Ataegina. (https://alientimeline.wordpress.com/2325-2381/phalanx/)
Exclusive history provided by Scott Sigler for his novel Aliens - Phalanx. HUGE SPOILERS - don't click if you want to read the book for yourself.
This is legit...maybe too legit.
That's why I don't quit.
Quote from: Prez on Jan 27, 2021, 08:47:05 AM
Spoiler
Will we get more stories perhaps in Ataegina? Perhaps a prequel about the Rising would be interesting. Would love to see a comic book adaptation of the novel
I am not allowed to comment on that at this time, which is weird, because a bunch of other people are commenting about the thing that I am not allowed to comment on.
;D
Quote from: ChrisDasinger on Jan 27, 2021, 09:41:35 PM
I'm an Alien purist who doesn't collect any AVP books, but I loved Phalanx...
*twitch*
It can be both
Yeah so I just read Phalanx. When I saw the cover with the medieval helmet I knew it was going to be cool and different. Just finished reading it last night and loved it. The concept of the 'runners' was really awesome and intense. The main characters were all well realised. When I was reading it I as like this would make a great live action Aliens story, if done well. Or even a game.
I'm sad it's over.
Anyone else like this one?
Oh yes. :)
There's a thread here.
https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/index.php?topic=62497.0
Quote from: Jacku on May 15, 2021, 12:05:22 PM
Anyone else like this one?
Oh yeah, a lot! One of my top 5 favourite Alien novels, and one of my 5 10 out of 10s. I can't recommend this book enough.
I was about to pick up some new Aliens novels for pulp fun and saw that this thing clocks in at ~512 pgs according to the Amazon listing for the hardcover and paperback versions. Is that correct? Or does the AVP wiki have it correct at 340 pgs?
It is 500-some, so that should be correct. But it's great!
(Speaking of which, in the Studio Yutani interview with Aliens Infiltrator author Weston Ochse, he claimed that he was confused by the criticism that his book felt short, because he said his book was about the same length as Phalanx. He must have been looking at the AVP wiki...)
I just now read this and I will say that it really surprised me by how much it drew me in. Actually I didn't read it, I listened to the audiobook which is sort of the only way I can "read" books nowadays. I had a few problems with it, like some story elements seemed implausible or just too damn convenient for me. But it was a fun, tense read overall and I loved the protagonists.
It resolved itself a little too easily but, yeah this was a pretty interesting stab at making a medieval Alien story.
I just finished another re-read of Phalanx and damn, I still love the f**k out of it. Such good world and character building and Scott does such a fantastic job making the premise not just plausible, but entirely engrossing. Still maintains its spot in my top 5 Alien novels.
Starting my re-read into Phalanx too. I really would love a graphic novel and a TV series adaptation of the book. It's rich enough in it's storytelling that a stronger visual media can accompany the novel.
Reading it again made me wonder why it took so long for the Aliens to start up their hive? It occurred to me that usually facehuggers are good at finding hosts and the book shows that those hoovert creatures (did I spell it right?) can be facehugged, so why did it take that long for them to take root?
Also, I would encourage Fox to let Scott make a sequel, like the AVP short story but as full on novel.
It truly is a fantastic and somewhat underrated book.
I want a pet vootervert!
Not sure if I would want Kaminus leaves for myself, but perhaps other in-universe characters would find out about them.