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magik_the_cat's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this. It was like listening to an Alien movie. Apparently its canon and happens between movie 1 and 2. Not sure it actually needs to exist. In any case its better than Alien 3 and 4.
basharria's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it well enough! Simple, but it hooked me. Don't expect a groundbreaking sci-fi story here, but a solid Alien novel. If I could, I'd give it a 3.5/5, with most of the points coming off because I didn't really see a point in bringing back Ash, and I found the appearance of a Queen (however brief) pointless and over-indulgent. Lastly, the ending excuse for why these events are never mentioned again was well-executed but silly. With some practiced restraint I feel as if this book could've fit the canon without contrivances like that.
Still, I have to give it credit. A lot of Alien's tie-in content is over the top, invents new and dumb things, and just tries to reinvent the wheel. This book showed how you can still tell great, captivating stories without abusing the universe.
Still, I have to give it credit. A lot of Alien's tie-in content is over the top, invents new and dumb things, and just tries to reinvent the wheel. This book showed how you can still tell great, captivating stories without abusing the universe.
dmcke013's review against another edition
3.0
So, Alien: Out of the Shadows.
Or, more precisely, the audiobook version of it, since that's the one I read (listened to?), picking it up as part of an audible trial where it was presented as, essentially, a series of podcasts.
Set between the events of the original Alien and it's sequel Aliens (the one with a 'S' at the end) and starring Ellen Ripley (or her sound-alike), you might wonder how Ripley never once mentioned the events of this at all in any of the later films.
You might wonder it, but it is explained away towards the end of this.
The story starts with her escape pod being picked up by the mining vessel Marion, a mining vessel orbiting the planet LV178 but which - just prior to picking Ripley up - has been knocked out of its orbit and had its communications array damaged by a shuttle coming up from the planet: a shuttle crewed by miners from that planet, and that has picked up some unwelcome guests.
What follows is a series of events and encounters, with the surviving members of the crew being picked off one by one as they attempt to find a way out of their predicament.
And, I have to say, the actress voicing Ripley sound amazingly like her, while Rutger Hauer is also suitably menacing in his role, while the background beeps and whirrs and hisses etc all add to the atmosphere.
It's also no surprise that this won an 'Audie award for excellence in production' in 2017.
Or, more precisely, the audiobook version of it, since that's the one I read (listened to?), picking it up as part of an audible trial where it was presented as, essentially, a series of podcasts.
Set between the events of the original Alien and it's sequel Aliens (the one with a 'S' at the end) and starring Ellen Ripley (or her sound-alike), you might wonder how Ripley never once mentioned the events of this at all in any of the later films.
You might wonder it, but it is explained away towards the end of this.
The story starts with her escape pod being picked up by the mining vessel Marion, a mining vessel orbiting the planet LV178 but which - just prior to picking Ripley up - has been knocked out of its orbit and had its communications array damaged by a shuttle coming up from the planet: a shuttle crewed by miners from that planet, and that has picked up some unwelcome guests.
What follows is a series of events and encounters, with the surviving members of the crew being picked off one by one as they attempt to find a way out of their predicament.
And, I have to say, the actress voicing Ripley sound amazingly like her, while Rutger Hauer is also suitably menacing in his role, while the background beeps and whirrs and hisses etc all add to the atmosphere.
It's also no surprise that this won an 'Audie award for excellence in production' in 2017.
spakai's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marrlu's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
broccoli_aesthetics's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
joelanichols's review against another edition
3.0
Fun read for Ripley fans
Fun and engaging story taking place between alien and aliens. Satisfying although you already know how it must end. Poor Ripley!
Fun and engaging story taking place between alien and aliens. Satisfying although you already know how it must end. Poor Ripley!
nobutj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Good start, uninspiring middle, decent end. Some characters were good, most were forgettable. Overall a decent read though and good addition to the Alien franchise.
kestis's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
poisonfrostbyte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Very enjoyable read, jumps right into the action and adds to the mythos to the Alien Universe. Does have a lot of characters to keep track of but an enjoyable read!