So I woke up this morning to finish the book off before work. I already want to start rereading it. I really really enjoyed it. If you reduce it to its very basic plot it sounds like your typical Aliens mad scientist story. But Alex White just turns it all on its head. It's the most original Alien story for a long time.
The characters are all interesting - even if they're not likeable. His villain is just so f**king horrendous that I just wanted to reach into the page and smash his head in myself (in a way that his writing as so great at doing that). His "hero" is not so much a hero but also really interesting. What he does with the Alien is also a very nice twist and something actually new. I really loved this.