Aliens: DNA War (Aliens (Dark Horse))

Book Description

In an inhospitable galaxy, the planet Rosamond 6 seems to have everything needed for human habitation: a moon, an atmosphere, a thriving biosystem. But although it looks like an oasis, it harbors a fatal secret: murderous aliens bent on wiping out every life form in their path. Anthropologist Jocasta Malvaux is eager to prove her theory that the aliens can be reasoned with, so she sets up an observation post on Rosamond 6. Amazingly, when the monsters become aware of Malvaux and her expedition, they don’t attack. What’s the reason behind the aliens’ seeming lack of interest in the humans? Are they evolving? Or are they simply lying in wait? Expanding on Ridley Scott’s classic film, Aliens: DNA War continues the chilling saga of the intrepid men and women who fight to stay alive against an opponent that sleeps, breathes, and breeds with just one goal: to kill.

Customer Reviews:

Authors often do not control content.......2007-08-08

Sorry some readers didn't like the new twists, but readers should realize that any media tie-in book like Aliens, Star Trek, Star Wars is a collaborative effort between the publisher, studio, and author. In the case of the different behavior of the aliens in this book, I was specifically asked by the publisher to come up with some traits, methods, abilities, behavior that had not been seen before. Some readers also did not like Star Trek TNG: Ship of the Line, in which Kelsey Grammer's character returns for more than a cameo, suggesting that I was infatuated with the momentary appearance and got carried away. In fact, I never saw the episode with Kelsey Grammer's appearance. I was asked by the franchise licensors (Pocket Books and Paramount Studios) to write a book with that character as a main character in response to fan enthusiasm, so I did. Be aware that content in media tie-in books is not always solely the conception of the author, but part of a marketing plan from those who own or license the property.

Authors cannot arbitrarily enhance or alter these owned properties. Each book must be approved by the owner or licensor before it can be published, and therefore becomes a kind of "canon." I'm somewhat surprised that long-time fans and frequent readers of licensed properties are tuned in to every micro-detail, yet don't know that their beloved venue is tightly controlled, and not by the authors.. Apparently many reviewers are not aware of the cramped box within which professional writers must work. It's hardly a "whim" business. What readers find in these books is not always the author's idea.

PS I am not giving a star rating to the book, because I'm the author; I only put "3" because the review menu required it.

Flying Facehuggers?! Rolling ALIENS?! Oh the horror!!!!!.......2007-08-02

I've been a hardcore fan of all things ALIEN ever since seeing the movie back in 1979. I've eagerly read every book and comic that has been published on the series. Some I've liked more than others, but never have I been so disgusted with one as I've been with ALIENS: DNA WAR!
Facehuggers hunting as a pack? Aliens rolling as a means of locomotion? Flying facehuggers?! What manner of horror is this? Is this a story out of MAD Magazine? Nope, it's a fully authorized and licensed paperback novel put out by Dark Horse Press in May 2006 titled ALIENS: DNA War and written by an established writer named Diane Carey. She's said to be the author of over 45 novels, many based on the Star Trek universe. If this is the respect she gives the ALIENS universe, I'd hate to see what she did to Star Trek!
The story involves a group of Marines, an earth detective named Rory and a transport ship's crew on a mission to rescue a group of 52 scientist on an isolated planet name Rosamund 6. The scientists have set up camp there several years prior in the hopes of studying the ALIENS which were discovered to be living on this world.
Rory is there as the law enforcement official and because his mom and his sister are the ones running the science team. Both women are raving nut bags who have set up what amounts to nothing more than a cult and as Rory slowly discovers as the mystery unfolds, that the two women could very well be more dangerous than the ALIENS!
Clark the captain of the transport ship has his own agenda. He's there to see that all of the survivors are evacuated and then he is to unleash an army of war robots armed with poison packed needle darts that will hunt down the aliens by targeting their DNA and wiping them all out. This is purely for monetary reasons so Clark's bosses can use the planet for it's resources since no teraforming will be required to live there.
Needless to say, chaos, death and unintentional hilarity ensues. Since when do face huggers leave their eggs to hunt down potential hosts and do so as a huge pack or swarm? They rely on ambush for petes sake! Perhaps the worst idea ever having to do with the aliens is giving the facehuggers the ability to change the size and shape of the sacks on the side of their bodies, flattening them out and flapping them to FLY! Don't believe me, than just check out page 250! The other equally stupid idea is having the aliens coil up into a circle shape like a wheel and ROLLING as a means of moving! Check out page 105 for a jaw dropping laugh.
The planet is described as having hundreds of aliens and face huggers but not once is it explained how they got there, who laid all of the eggs (where's the queen alien?) and WHAT native life forms were used for the host bodies? There weren't a hundred human bodies to use and all of the aliens are described as humanoid which means no animal hosts could`ve been used. (Remember the bipedal dog alien from ALIEN 3?) Another overlooked detail was the loud noise that thundered across the planet that seemed to hypnotize the aliens on two separate occasions. It was never explained if it was natural or caused by the scientists. All these questions and more WON'T be answered by the final page!
It's not that Diane is a bad writer, the book is a page turner at times but only until you hit up against one of her bad out of character ideas mentioned above. You can't blame her for trying to add her own spin on the ALIENS universe, but damn, these ideas are so far out there, that it reeks of old style story telling based on licensed properties that you would read back in the `60s, `70s or `80s before anyone kept track of continuity or canon! Who authorized this? Anyone involved with it should have their heads examined to see what they were all thinking! This is a total slap in the face to the property and the fans.
The book appears to have had NO editor for I found far to many distracting typos. The book is only a measly 268 pages long and let me tell you, getting through the first chapter was quite difficult. Never in all of my years of reading have I seen an opening so confusing and overly drawn out. I was bored and thought I'd never get through it.
Hands down the WORST ALIENS related book ever written! Even scarier than this book is the fact that Dark Horse let Diane write another one titled ALIENS: Cauldron. I just picked it up yesterday and hope to god it's nothing like DNA WAR! Please bring back Steve and Stephanie Perry to pen any future books! In book stores world wide, you CAN hear an ALIEN fan scream!

Avoid this at all costs.......2007-07-29

Whoever gave this book the go-ahead should be fired.
Not only does this book completely ignore cannon, it acts as if everything that had come before never happened.
Case in point: the Xenos -do not roll- and face huggers do not "stampede".
Then there is the fact that this author cannot keep up with her own story line.
In one chapter, characters will be talking and making reference to previous happenings in the Alien universe, then in the next they talk and act as if everything that had happened previously were forgotten or never happened.
An example of this is the fact that some characters will speak of how the Aliens migrate by "hitchhiking" on any ship unfortunate enough to encounter them. Then, in a complete turn around, they'll talk of how no one knows how the Xenos migrate.
They even ignore the fact that pervious books definitly put the xenos on earth AND that extensive study and research had been done on the Xenos.
It is clear that this author hasn't even a passing familiarity with the Alien Universe and seems to be making things up as she goes along.
This is not a worthwhile addition to the Alien universe and should be avoided.

Update:
BATTLE BALL?! since WHEN did the Xenos fight like that?!
No to those that thought this was a good book, I suggest you re-acquaint yourselves with the first 2 movies ( I hesitantly recommend the third) and then ask yourselves how THIS tripe is even part of the Alien cannon and universe.
No, mrs. diane carey should stick to what she knows, as she -clearly- knows nothing of this cannon.

Excellent read for an Aliens Fan.......2007-04-24

Great read for any scifi/horror fan, a very decent storyline and great suspense from the get go. Excellent story, characters were perfect. More books like this should be written.

I love Aliens, but this book is horrible........2007-03-11

I am a fan of Aliens. I loved the movies, and I enjoy the books when they are well written. This one was not. Another reviewer pointed out that a character killed on page 245 is alive on page 246, absolutely true. That may be the worst editing mistake, but it is far from the only one. There are spelling errors in this book that any spellchecker would catch. I expect that kind of thing if I'm getting a book published by LuLu, but not from a supposedly professional publishing house.

Whoever edited this book let Diane Carey down in a big way. I'm a writer and I know how hard it is to catch errors after you've rewritten something a dozen times, but that's why good editing is so important. That being said, the writing itself wasn't up to her usual standard. Little things like using the same adjective too often to describe things, but also problems with the plot. Aliens spew acid everywhere whenever they are wounded, but somehow there are always acid-free Alien body parts around during a battle to be used as weapons when needed.

There were a lot of trite lines and situations, and I never really felt like I knew any of the characters well enough to care about them. I know other reviewers didn't like that the book was written from the main character's point of view. Writing a book from the first person point of view is OK as far as I am concerned, if you think about it the Alien movies are all about the lone human surviving and winning. When I was done this book I was relieved that it was over, I didn't really care which characters lived or died.

I recommend you check out some of Diane Carey's other books and leave this one alone. I also recommend that Ms. Carey find another editor, as this one didn't do her any favors.

Average customer rating:

Aliens: DNA War
Diane Carey
Manufacturer: DH Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QU53JM

Average customer rating:

Good Stuff

The Dragon Waiting

Great story..... poor execution

Excellent

For History Lovers Only
The Dragon Waiting : A Masque of History (Fantasy Masterworks)
John M. Ford
Manufacturer: Gollancz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books | Alternate History | Anthologies | Arthurian | Contemporary | Epic | General | Historical | History & Criticism | Magic & Wizards | Series
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ASIN: 0575073780

Book Description

The Wars of the Roses have put Edward IV on the throne of England, Lorenzo de' Medici's court shines brilliantly, and Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza plots in Milan. But this is a changed world, and medieval Europe is dominated by the threat from the Byzantine Empire. Sforza, the Vampire Duke, marshals his forces for his long-planned attack on Florence, and Byzantium is on the march. A mercenary, the exiled heir to the Byzantine throne, a young woman physician forced to flee Florence, and a Welsh wizard, the nephew of Owain Gly Dwr, seem to have no common goals but together they wage an intrigue-filled campaign against the might of Byzantium, striving to secure the English throne for Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and make him Richard III.

Customer Reviews:

Good Stuff.......2005-08-28

This book is a delight to read. The story unfolds in a re-working of history, and being up on your history will bring even more savor to your enjoyment of the novel, but you needn't be an expert to experience the shivers of excitement and fear that it effortlessly brings on. It is not true historical fiction, since magic and vampires have been added to the world, but I didn't find them gratuitous. I first heard of it in Neil Gaiman's web-journal, and have not regretted looking it up afterwards.

The Dragon Waiting.......2005-03-22

The adventures of four different characters -- an emperor-in-exile, a native-prince-of-Wales in exile, a German vampire and an Italian woman doctor -- in a very alternate fifteenth century Europe.

Ford's alternative history concepts are fascinating. At times, his writing is beautiful and many of the individual scenes are full of action and imagery.

However, the book reads to me like something the author wrote for himself, without considering (or perhaps without caring) if readers could follow along. Characters' motivations are opaque, as are some of the events in the plot; a major antagonist only comes into existence near the end of the book and is never developed. Whole scenes descend into a kind of oblique vagueness; characters react, sometimes with great emotional intensity, but it is not always clear to the reader what caused the reaction. That Dragon Waiting held my interest despite this is a tribute to Ford's writing, but it's hard not to think that a tremendous story was lost in the shadows of this book.

Great story..... poor execution.......2005-01-02

As a fan of historical fiction and fantasy I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, I was dissapointed. The storyline is choppy and the characters are poorly developed. It is often difficult to figure out who is talking and the character motivation is questionable. In addition, the medicine is just plain wrong (ie. looking for a femoral pulse in a calf). If you want a great historical fiction version of the War of the Roses, I would suggest starting with The Sunne in Splendor by SK Penman. (although there is no magic) This falls very short of the mark in all cases.

Excellent.......2001-12-29

I read this book, more or less by accident, not particularly famous and was dazzled. Wow. Can't think of what to say, but will try.

The novel is set in an alternate history Europe, where either Constantine never converted to Christianity or Julian established the equality of all faiths, and the Byzantine Empire never declined, but in fact by the middle of the XVth century controls most of Eastern Europe and is trying to get as much of the West as possible. And magic works, and vampires exist also. I don't usually like alternate history, the real historical characters usually look unlikely next to the alternate bits, but this novel handled it perfectly, and the real historical characters of the XVth century (Richard III of England, his mother, and brothers, the Earl Rivers, Louis XI of France, the Medicci, the Duke of Urbino) are a joy to read about if you have met them before.

Great novel, deserving of a far better review than this one.

For History Lovers Only.......2000-11-13

This book tells a complex story within a richly and well researched history. Don't expect your basic vampire/sorcerer horror tale. The references to the supernatural are minor to the story at hand. My one criticism is that the story sometimes gets a bit too convoluted.

Book Description

An inspirational classic since 1979, LOVE IS LETTING GO OF FEAR remains one of the seminal works in the transpersonal movement. Psychiatrist Dr. Gerald Jampolsky's timeless message may be timelier today than ever: the only thing that stands between us and the awesome energy of love is fear. To live without fear, we must stop analyzing it, stop agonizing over it, stop fighting with it, and simply . . . let it go. How? By releasing our paralyzing preoccupation with the past and our chronic apprehension over the future—which is, needless to say, easier said than done.

To help us in this difficult journey from fear to love, Dr. Jampolsky presents tools in the form of 12 daily, progressive lessons for personal transformation. These crucial lessons work through the concepts of giving, forgiveness, cause and effect, perspective, reactive behavior, victimhood, judgement, living in the present, releasing the past, visualization, freedom to choose, and taking responsibility. In the 25 years since it was first published, LOVE IS LETTING GO OF FEAR continues to change lives with its frank, thought-provoking, and powerful response to overcoming life's greatest challenges.

Customer Reviews:

Love is letting go of Fear.......2007-05-18

I think this is a great book. I'm a little better person every time I read it.

This Book Changed My Life.......2007-05-02

I was extremely depressed and about to lose a good relationship when I encountered this book. I read it, studied it, and saved my relationship. Now, my wife and I have been married 4 years strong and have an 18-month old son!

Go for it.

Obvious why this book has long tail!.......2007-04-26

Or I suppose the more old-fashioned way to put it is "staying power." The concept is so simple. Fear and love cannot coexist. Want to be happy? Experience love? Let go of the fear. This book is a great reminder about what we fear -- the sneaky ways we are fearful and might not even recognize it as fear -- and then shows us to let go of it. Terrific book in its forthright simplicity and directness in dealing with very deep concepts.

love is letting go of fear.......2007-03-15

Dr. Jampolsky, as do so many others, seem to believe love is an emotion. I think it is a choice, which lends itself to many emotions. Dr. Jampolsky if love is an emotions is it a matter of choice or something that you simply feel?

learn to create miracles with ease.......2007-01-28

Jerry Jampolsky wrote this litte action book thirty years ago, based in A Course In Miracles. He was able to put into action a practical handbook to enable a person to get into another reality by letting go of fear. There are daily affirmations, which when used actually impact on the user and allow them to understand how they can choose to repond to life and the challengers. A Course In Miracles took the world by storm, and is lengthy program which involves three volumes of student, teacher, and workbook. Love is Letting Go Of Fear is a short cut that is just as powerful today as it was when it was first published.

Love Is Letting Go Of Fear: 12 Steps To Greater Happiness

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Love Is Letting Go Of Fear: 12 Steps To Greater Happiness
M.D. Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Nightingale-Conant
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: B000J0DFG2

Product Description

Four cassette tapes and a booklet in a large clam shell case.

Average customer rating:

Love Is Letting Go Of Fear
Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0553207962

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LOVE IS LETTING GO OF FEAR
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GSJ8UY

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Love Is Letting Go of Fear
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SBX422

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Love is Letting Go of Fear
MD Illustrated by Jack O. Keeler Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts
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Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KAHMNI

Love Is Letting Go of Fear : 25th Anniversary Edition

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Love Is Letting Go of Fear : 25th Anniversary Edition
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JJKS36

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Love Is Letting Go of Fear
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HMOFRK

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Love Is Letting Go of Fear
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXW2S2

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Love Is Letting Go of Fear
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UV72VO

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Great for Armchair Afficianados

Does this guy want to be Jamie Oliver or what!

Thirsty Work: Love Wine Drink Better
Matt Skinner
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Wine & Winemaking | Wine | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0762425334

Book Description

This is a book about wine, Pure and Simple. It will arm you with a little more wine confidence, knowledge, and enthusiasm. Packed with user-friendly information and all the tricks you could ever want to be able to say, "I know enough to know what I like." Thirsty Work celebrates wine and all that goes into making it and all who are involved in sharing it. Matt Skinner has a broad background in teaching the subject of wine and is wine manager of Jamie Oliver's famous London restaurant, Fifteen. Based on the way he teaches the subject of wine to his students he breaks down all the key topics-from drinking, choosing, and tasting to the key red and white grapes to where and how wine is made to the range of soft, serious, and fizzy styles. And, his 24-hour faces of wine features all the people who are involved in bringing wine to your table. Serious but unpretentious, inspiring and fun, Skinner presents his subject on a unique and personal level in everyday terms.

Customer Reviews:

Great for Armchair Afficianados.......2007-05-06

I've just recently become interested in wine and I'm trying to learn enough to keep up with my girlfriend. I spotted this book when I was with her at the Seoul Wine Expo and picked it up.

Aside from being happy to find a decent introductory book about wine in English, I thought the book was a very accessible read that didn't overwhelm too much. I'm sure I'll re-read parts of it in the near future as I try more wines.

I have just two criticisms. 1: it could use a little more substantive information, but overall I thought it struck a nice balance. The design of the book and the pictures helped to create an enticing feeling towards wine in general that helped me to want to go out and experience more. 2) I found the writing style of the book artificial in some places. I appreciate that the author wants the book to be accessible and not snobby at all, but the jokes seemed forced except in a couple places, where I did laugh at them. It could also be a cultural difference though.

If you're looking for a comprehensive guide that's going to teach you everything, this probably isn't the right book for you. But if you're brand new to wine, like me, and want to learn what you can without getting overwhelmed, then this is a good start I think. I'm happy with the purchase even though I paid a significant mark up on the other side of the planet from where it was published.

Does this guy want to be Jamie Oliver or what!.......2006-03-14

I bought this book because I thought that it looked fun, but to be honest it is just a carbon copy of a Jamie Oliver style book. In my opinion there are much better books out there. Start-off by reading anything by Jancis Robinson, rather than this poor effort.

Thirsty Work: Ten Years of Heineken Advertising

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Thirsty Work: Ten Years of Heineken Advertising
Peter Mayle
Manufacturer: Pan Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0333360532

Average customer rating:

Status Quo: Thirsty Work

Manufacturer: International Music Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1859092551

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