readwithanna's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. This felt like such a fresh perspective on the alien franchise. The only reason I'm not giving this more than 4 stars is because of the audiobook narrator.
I don't understand the reason behind having a man in his sixties narrate the perspective of a nineteen year old woman. We never leave her perspective. It's told in third person but it's very limited to what she's experiencing.
There's also a way in which he narrates the other characters that kept taking me out of the story. One of the boys running with our MC (her name isn't spelled anywhere so I don't know how to spell it so she'll be MC), the narration is very choppy with him. The best way I can describe it is like the voice you make when you really have to pee but you need to ask a question and get an answer because you can hurry away. It's that strained, whiny sound. I don't know if that makes sense.
Besides that, I did think the pacing suffered a little. There was a point where I thought we were slowly gearing up towards the end and then I looked at my phone and realised there were over two and a half hours left of the audiobook. A little bit could have been trimmed, I think.
But the atmosphere. The horror in this is so well realised. I love how this is a new perspective on the xenomorphs themselves. They're very much seen as animals in this, which I don't think always is the case since they're often overpowered.
I don't understand the reason behind having a man in his sixties narrate the perspective of a nineteen year old woman. We never leave her perspective. It's told in third person but it's very limited to what she's experiencing.
There's also a way in which he narrates the other characters that kept taking me out of the story. One of the boys running with our MC (her name isn't spelled anywhere so I don't know how to spell it so she'll be MC), the narration is very choppy with him. The best way I can describe it is like the voice you make when you really have to pee but you need to ask a question and get an answer because you can hurry away. It's that strained, whiny sound. I don't know if that makes sense.
Besides that, I did think the pacing suffered a little. There was a point where I thought we were slowly gearing up towards the end and then I looked at my phone and realised there were over two and a half hours left of the audiobook. A little bit could have been trimmed, I think.
But the atmosphere. The horror in this is so well realised. I love how this is a new perspective on the xenomorphs themselves. They're very much seen as animals in this, which I don't think always is the case since they're often overpowered.
Spoiler
I did think it was unsatisfying when in the prologue it's established that the Mc got together with the guy she'd been sleeping with and now have a kid together. I don't remember his name but the comments he made about the MC and women in general was gross and even the MC recognised that. But then he doesn't grow in his views. Or if he does then we don't really get to see that. I don't know, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Also, the MC mentions several times that she doesn't want kids so to have her end up with a misogynistic man and a kid just feels like an insult.anti_formalist12's review against another edition
4.0
What antics will the Xenomorphs get up to next?
sblonk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.5
mferrante83's review against another edition
4.0
Sigler plays with the Aliens formula here by setting this novel on world more akin to something you'd find in a fantasy novel. An interesting take on how a pre-industrial society would tackle these iconic creatures. As a plus there are no corporate goons for us to hate on and our lead character (and her companions) are all genuinely likeable.
stevied's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, and Death of parent
originaltomc's review against another edition
5.0
I guess my rating is number 666! :)
It's been a while since I explored Aliens Universe. Actually this was my first book about it. [a:Scott Sigler|114504|Scott Sigler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1434042056p2/114504.jpg] is a true master of the craft. I enjoyed immensely. Thank you!
It's been a while since I explored Aliens Universe. Actually this was my first book about it. [a:Scott Sigler|114504|Scott Sigler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1434042056p2/114504.jpg] is a true master of the craft. I enjoyed immensely. Thank you!
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood and Death
Minor: Death of parent, Body horror, Death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder