The Complete Aliens Omnibus: Volume Four (Music of the Spears, Berserker): 4

I really enjoyed this fourth Aliens Omnibus. The first story, Music of the Spears, really stood out for me. This was against expectations. Normally I go for the stereotypical "bug hunt" stories that are common to the Aliens franchise. So reading a novel about recording Alien screams for the purposes of a musical composition didn't sound particularly appealing or interesting. I could not have been more wrong! The story was so different and unusual that I got pulled into its strange premise and enjoyed it immensely. The second story, Berserker, is more of a typical Aliens story. It was very readable and enjoyable. "Berserker" is actually the first part of a two part story. The sequel, "WAR" by S.D. Perry, was recently reprinted in "The Complete Aliens vs Predator Omnibus." I initially tried reading "War" before reading "Berserker" and wondered why it didn't quite make sense. A bit of research revealed why and made the story a better experience. It's not quite as entertaining, or weird, as "The Music of the Spears" though.

This Omnibus featured two stories written by two different authors. They are novelisation of comics that came out in the late 90's but they can be enjoyed still now as we are nearing 2020. I must say, however, I gave the books 4 stars because the conceptualisations were really good in terms with how humans can have contact with xenomorphs or how humans are manipulative enough to treat other humans with the excuse of the xenomorph crisis . As Ellen Ripley once stated, she doesn't know which species is worse. Additionally, now that "Alien:Covenant" has come out one may read these stories as better information on a world more familiar with the xenomorph threat. What I did not appreciate is the stereotypical way of looking at Japanese people in one of the books and the dumbing down of female characters in the other. I don't really blame Navorro or Perry for this. They are adapting material from these titles that previously came out as comics. So, whoever wrote the comics should have done better research on some things. Yvonne Navarro's "Music of the Spheres" — the piece is deep in characterisation serving both as a cultural critique and criticism of human commodification. It also asks the question, how do we perceive art and understand art? Damon Eddington wants an Alien to record his screams. He procures a drone. Damon has no idea that he is also part of a corporation and masculine-ego competition between his employers Jarleeth Keene and Yoriku. This book does a lot of mapping of the drug "royal jelly" which is cultivated from xenomorph queens. It is an instant addiction. It is now part and parcel of the human world. It has led some people even to worship Xenomorphs. So, aside of bioweapons the xenomorphs are being used for medicinal and corporate usages. Helping Damon with his project is the empathetic Michael Branwen and the unreadable Darcy Vance. Brangwen, first a fan of Eddington's "unpopular" music, starts to question the artist when his obsession to get the alien to scream gets twisted. Vance has no interest in Damon and wants to develop a bond with the Alien. This story runs a lot on characterisations, as mentioned earlier. It really makes us understand many of the main characters in the story. My favourite character is Vance because she is pretty honest about what she wants. Philip Rice, another character, starts off really interesting but then we don't get to know him much. He is one of my second favourites aside Damon. Navarro does an excellent job in showing how egocentric, condescending, blind and obsessed Damon Eddington is. She does not make him a naive or optimist artist but rather a misanthrope who is angry with people and is narcissistic. Contradictorily, he also hates himself. Then there is the assassin/bodyguard/jack of all trades, Ahiro. Ahiro really was one of my favourite characters until we have the book make him into the typical Japanese Ninja stereotype. Ahiro is bound to Yoriku with unquestioning loyalty. It is apparently his traditionalist "Japanese" ideas of loyalty. I really disliked this mentality placed on Ahiro. There seemed to clearly a depth to him but this was not pursued. Seeing that the story has to have Ahiro act like a puppet, I guess Navarro didn't change this. The other reduced character is Mina. Mina is also Japanese and is likened to a typical Westernised understanding of what a geisha is. Seriously, I was pretty irked by the representation of these characters. I hope this doesn't happen in future Alien books and comics. That the industry has evolved enough to know that using the word "Oriental" is a big typecast. As for the Alien, Mozart, he is very involved in the story. Mozart is mostly his xenomorph self, slaying and feasting on prey. At the same time, you can see the glimmer of his cunning intelligence and understanding. Some of its "naivety" is given to youth. Mozart is contrasted with an older captured xenomorph called Ol' Blue. Blue seems pretty much aware of his world and his roles. Mozart is still discovering who and what he is. Stephani (S.D) Perry's "Berserker" — "Berserker" is known as "Frenzy" in comic form and both titles are true to this story. I do think this story runs on a frenzy of action and getting rid of Xenomorphs using mobile suits called, well Max, a Berserker suit. We know first a little about Max but when we do we are presented with some ethical questions. Much of these ethical questions are run down by Brian Ellis, this 24 year old newbie tech, who is one of my favourite characters. Aside him, we have the disciplined yet compassionate, Martin Jess who is also one of the protagonists of the story (and a favourite) and the communications officer Katherine Lara. Well, a bug hunt goes wrong and some parts of the story I did anticipate. It was a very plot ridden book but Perry did a great job showing us enough of the characters to feel sorry for them when they are going through trials. I would say even if the first story was built on characterisation, the characters in the second book are more likeable. Personally, there is so much action in the book but the main storyline doesn't come until chapter 10. Then we have torrents of action. Sometimes it got me really revved up. Other times, I was kinda bored. I felt that this would have been better as playing a video game rather than novelised in this particular way or being solely a comic. The story is exceedingly slow. The Aliens don't matter much in this storyline as long as they are creatures to blow up. However, the storyline shows the use of convicts as expendable firepower to keep Xenomorph population low around the known universe. The convicts are said their sentences will be lowered and then they are free to reenter society. This offer is really tempting. Company protocols doesn't allow sexual deviants in the offer but Katherine notices that they are also introduced so Weylan/Yutani, as usual, can't be trusted. There is a lack of closure to "Berserker" but given its rich concept and possibilities I was disappointed. I hope they continue with some of these characters later on. There are some bad details in both the books. We are presented to situations that don't make sense. Pulaski, a character in "Berserker", is called a "dumb, dog" but I feel he was just a normal guy. Katherine Lara, an ex-marine, is made less stronger, both physically and emotionally, to make dramatic situations. It seemed really stupid. Especially, the Alien franchise was launched with the female protagonist and hero, Ellen Ripley. I think the series should remember that. I wished I got more from Vance in the end. I liked how they chose to go with her but I want to know more. The second book's lack of closure left me unsatisfied. I want to know more. There seems to be more. Yoriku and Jarleth Keene are like some of the worst soap opera drama kings ever. I didn't mind that. Navarro pretty much showed the reality of grudges and jealousies. Saying anything more would be a spoiler but Yoriku is a bit too much of a perfect corporate villain at times for my tastes. Keene's and his misogyny are well placed. They don't seem to be like enlightened people. This is great contrast compared to how Martin Jess, a supposed criminal, respects women. Not to forget he is a Black man who isn't stereotyped. The books were good reads. They delve into how humans interact with xenomorphs and how xenomorph interactions has shaped and changed the human world. There is some talk about the change of physiology and anatomy of xenomorphs living in hives controlled in Earth. Now, that is something the series can focus on in future.

Great read based on the Alien franchise. Read these novels back in the day on paperback.

Excellent book great read! Dispatched rapidly

Daughter happy with it

A great addition to my favourite series. Can't wait to read the next book (next in my TBR list) in the series.

Music of the Spears is a different approach to an Aliens novel, which works in most parts, despite unrelatable characters. Berserker, on the other hand, is much more traditional (Marines vs Bugs), but breaks no new boundaries. Two decent, if not ground-breaking, continuations the Aliens saga 😉

Not great read

I enjoyed this off shoot of the Alien Universe. It was well written and very exciting. But the ending left the story just hanging. I do hope the next book if there is one by this author will add closure to this story.

Good condition. Fast shipping. Thanks!

Unpredictable and nerve racking. Couldn't put it down not knowing what would happen next. A good read for sure. Phil

Mais duas novelizações de HQs da Dark Horse em mais um volume da Coleção Complete Omnibus da Titan Books. A segunda história é convencional (missão de destruição de ninho de xenos, condenados recrutados, traição da Companhia), mas a 1a (músico excêntrico querendo mixar os gritos da criatura em suas composições) é bem mais assustadora do que todos os filmes da franquia!

One VERY differently premised type of alien story, but possibly my new favorite? Incredibly written. Gripping amusing tragic. Wow. The second, with a premise that could’ve been a yawn it seemed so cliche and banal, but was in fact pretty fantastic.