Alien: Invasion

The Rage War #2

by Tim Lebbon

For centuries Weyland-Yutani has tried to weaponize the aliens. Now someone has beaten them to it, sweeping through Yautja space and turning predator into prey.

Faced with the overwhelming forces of the Rage, Earth envoys forge an unprecedented alliance with the Predators. Yet even the combined might of two races may not be enough to stop the carnage, as an unstoppable swarm of Xenomorphs topples planet after planet, penetrating ever deeper into the Human Sphere.

Genres: Science Fiction, Horror, Aliens, Fiction, Audiobook, Adventure, Thriller

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 26, 2016

About the author

I love writing, reading, triathlon, real ale, chocolate, good movies, occasional bad movies, and cake.

I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.

I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.

I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.

A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.

I'd love to hear from you!

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lebbon continues to deliver the goods in the second installment of the trilogy and lets say things are 'hotting up' for sure. Nonetheless, this is definitely a place holder volume awaiting a conclusion in the last book. Lebbon continues to alternate POVs, primarily among Johnny Mains, one of special marines who patrolled the outer edge of the human sphere; Isa Palant, a researcher into the Yautja, who made the 'peace treaty' with them at the end of the first volume, some honchos in the corporation back around Earth, and Beatrix Mahoney, the leader of the 'Rage', and a 'synthetic' who defected from the Rage and is now hotly pursued by them...

As in the first volume, there is no shortage of action here, as various parties face the Xenomorphs right and left and many hairy situations ensue. The loose 'treaty' with the Yautja is constantly being challenged/questioned, but as the Rage continues their invasion, less so. Once again, Lebbon manages to imbue the story with more than just action, as political intrigue bubbles up, and he gives more than a handwave at character development. I enjoyed this, and if you are in the need of a fast paced action thriller set in the Aliens universe, this is better than average. Yet, at the same time, this felt a little stretched out, kinda kicking the can down the road until the denouement in the next volume. 3 action packed stars!!

[11811 (Eleven) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've burned through 5 Alien books this year, 3 by Lebbon. This one has a lot of horror to go with the sci-fi. Space madness and shit like that. I was impressed.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Lebbon is the best thing to happen to the ALIEN franchise since James Cameron. ALIEN: INVASION is a fantastic continuation of a trilogy that, up to this point, puts all other ALIEN tie-in novels to shame. Lebbon's sci-fi universe is brilliantly conceived, and THE RAGE WAR as a whole is epic and scary in a way that lives up to the promise of the original films.
On the negative side, the book is bogged down by too many characters and too much jumping from place to place and viewpoint to viewpoint. I would have preferred something more streamlined. Also, there are places where you can tell the book was written on a strict deadline. Certain snatches of dialog are awkward or lame, and some of the characters seem less than fully realized. There's also an eye-rollingly convenient last-second rescue that almost ruins the book's opening chapter.
As a whole, though, ALIEN: INVASION is a wonderful entry in an outstanding series that does more to further this shared mythology than all previous ALIEN/PREDATOR novels put together.

[Gerhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical middle-volume holding-pattern problems in that this entire book is a gigantic set-up for a doozy of a finale. We hope. It doesn't add much to what we already know, but simply moves the various pieces around the Human Sphere chessboard. Still, probably a textbook-perfect example of a well-developed, plotted, and characterised trilogy. Blistering pace, jaw-dropping revelations (pun intended), nuanced characters, taut and often lyrical writing, fantastic attention to detail and the smaller moments. Oh, and acid-, blood-, vomit- and semen-drenched. For what is a good old horror without romance? The Expanse, please take note.

[Shawna Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry was much better than part one. Now I can actually remember the primary characyers and want them to meet. The action was brisk and superfluous characters were removed. There's a proper sense of things heading into part 3. Overall it was quite satisfying...

Except for Johnny Mains and Leider. Seriously wtf? Unless they're somehow saved at the start of book 3 they were literally brought back here just to depress readers some more. Their story goes nowhere, builds to nothing. Its just a series of unfortunate events. That really disappointed...its fixable but we'll see how part 3 goes.

I really like Ilsa and Lilya's stories though. Interacting with the mysterious Predators and hurrying around a war. They remind me of Luke and Han in Star Wars. The rebel and the Scoundrel destined to meet. After a joke made about Ilsa in part 1 there may even be potential for romance. Its their stories that are dragging me on to the conclusion of the Rage war.

[Gareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

After reading the first book I started on this one instantly. This story picks up where book one finished (obviously) and the action starts instantly. A few new characters have been added which add even more depth to this epic story. The story itself develops substantially and gets even bigger. I can honestly say that this trilogy is one of the best series I've read in a long time. If you've not read the first book, predator incursion, read that first. If you have read the first then you need to read this one ! Looking forward to the third now !

[Taylor Stumpf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am team Xenomorph, so I loved this book! I think it is the best one in the trilogy. Tim Lebbon delivers again. Well done!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talk about a novel that suffers from second-book-in-a-trilogy-itis!

As much as I still found it engaging and entertaining (and it had most of the same good things the first novel did), not a lot happens and instead of just whiffs of being the second book, the novel stank of it. There are some new characters introduced that felt like unnecessary filler and a lot of repetition of stuff we already knew.

And for a novel supposedly about Predators, there are barely any of them in it! Less than in the first novel, which I thought was done to try to heighten our expectations for the second and third novels. I have a growing concern that the author is trying to avoid including the Yautja for some reason. Hell, we don’t even get to see them fight! There’s a showdown between a Predator an android general and it’s off-screen! And if I have to read any more times about how inscrutable, mysterious and completely “unknowable” they are, I might just go back and change my review of the first novel too! I know all these iterations of the Predator canon are supposed to be unique (or at least aren’t supposed to be completely the same), but how hard would it have been to match their culture at least somewhat to those of a past book or comic? There’s this constant reiteration that they’re loners who steal and augment technology, but why and how is this possible? How can a culture that advanced not have a working class or an education system? How do they get food? And they can’t live for centuries – their physiology is close enough to ours that they’d have to be artificially augmented for that to work, and unless their green blood is some kind of android fluid, there is no indication they have any artificial parts. Now, perhaps they have managed to prevent the decaying of telomeres in their chromosomes (or some other breakthrough), but of course we get no explanation of whether they did this or not. You'd think Isa Palant would have noticed that in her studies of alien tissue and mentioned it at some point ...

To harken back to my favorite, the Machiko Noguchi series has a lot more depth regarding the Predator’s society. Maybe I was just hoping for more details about this than just a bunch of humans running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

BUT I DIGRESS.

Overall, if you liked the first one you’ll probably enjoy this one, but expect to be frustrated with its meandering pace and lack of urgency.

[Koen Crolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in an AvP trilogy that was only made part of this set of seven Alien novels I bought because its title begins with Alien:—neither its predecessor, Predator: Incursion, nor its sequel, Alien vs. Predator: Armageddon, is included. This doesn't turn out to be a huge problem: much of the story of the first one is recapped at the beginning and throughout this one (and these are not hugely complex plots), and it's not so compelling that I really care what happens next.
Tim Lebbon also wrote Alien: Out of the Shadows , which I read earlier and which was an Alien novel, and I have to say AvP's straightforward high-scifi action seems to suit him a lot better than Alien's nominal horror. While I don't have much of an idea what the AvP universe looks like beyond the two actual movies (and I do know it's older and bigger than those), Invasion feels like a much more successful entry in its franchise than Out of the Shadows did. It would be hard to call it a good novel—that's extremely beside the point anyway—but the writing feels considerably more natural. Thoroughly adequate.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a middle child book in a trilogy, not too shabby. Lebbon tends to do some unnecessary recapping of events from the first book, but refrains from this as the story moves forward. One aspect that really stands out is the horror element; Lebbon is quite deft at managing the balance between an action book (which this essentially is) and incorporating the classic horror of the franchise. And what’s interesting is that it isn’t really the Zenomorphs that bring the creeps - it’s the humans. Alien films and books have always been good at showing all spectrums of human capacity for good and bad, but our author here really ups the ante with Beatrix Maloney - a truly evil person with a nightmare vision. I’m still all in on this series and can’t wait to jump into the final installment.

[Leah Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished the second installment in the Rage War trilogy via audible and it was fantastic! An excellent continuance of the events of the first book, with new revelations and new character developments, along with reaching into the more impactful consequences of the coming conflict. There are moments of repetition, events that seem to line up a little too much with prior happenings, but I don't think it takes away too much from the story as a whole. The narrator did a fantastic job and I've got the third book ready to listen to!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess it took me a book to get fully on board but now I'm all strapped in and ready for the conclusion of this entertaining AVP trilogy. It's by the numbers sci-fi to be sure but offers up plenty of exciting and tense moments that keep up the pace and save it from becoming a bore. Once again the source material carries it so your mileage may vary depending on how much you enjoy these franchises in the first place.

I like that it doesn't reference any of the "legacy characters" (so far) which is a welcome change from this era of Alien novels.

[Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Solid Storyline Continues

Part 2 of the Rage War continues its multi tier story right where book one left off. There are many stories going on at once and the author does a great job keeping them cohesive. If you are a fan of the Alien or Predator franchise, then these books are a must.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was definitely the second book in a trilogy, I'm very interested in what it set up. I'm ready for the big climactic end to the series. My only complaint would be to give the Predators more personalization, but again I imagine that's what the last book is about

[Andy Perratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Lebbon

Brilliant as usual. Can't wait for the third one to come out. Pity my two heroes had to die. I'll be sad reading the next book without them.

[Mark Schipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I look forward to the next book due later this year. Really liked some of the Marines catch phrases...

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** 3.9 STARS **** words 79,003

One of the better Alien books I've read.

There was a lot of set-up in the first book in, The Rage War trilogy, and not enough Alien/Predator action. Not so in Alien: Invasion. The action is almost overwhelming at times. But Tim Lebbon also spent a good deal of time developing his characters, especially his human ones.

Really looking forward to the conclusion to this very good series.

[Kaisersoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

An improvement on the first book in the series in almost every way, and one that - along with the Alien 3 novel based on William Gibson’s unused screenplay - has reinvigorated my interest in these Aliens novels.

Now if I could only work out how to access my Goodreads account on my desktop having lost my password (because the reset email never comes through), I could get back to writing proper reviews.

But, for now …

3.5 Sacrificial Marines for The Rage War: Book 2 - Alien: Invasion.

[Alex Cotterill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first one. The Yautja and Xenos actually appear lots instead of just cameos like in book 1. Action sequences are good; Mains and Liliya are the better characters for me; Liliya's connection with Hashori predator is cool. Some of the conversation sections are a tad tedious still.

[Benjamin Parra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this trilogy so far, it reminds me of all the reading i used to do as a teen. Good action, cohesive story, and they're not pulling punches with the twists and turns. It's a great breather from all the large epic fantasy books I be reading. 4.5 stars

[clumsyplankton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly pretty impressed with how good this book is, I wasn’t expecting much as the first one was really good.

[Jason Dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 (audiobook)

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25/5

Another banger. This book did not suffer the sophomore slump, it remained very on point and straight after the first book.

I liked this book more just because there’s more interaction between the Predator and Alien species, there’s more in-depth POVs between the good guys and the villains. There was a ton of connection between character POVs and even with the introduction of new ones, it made sense where they connected. Each POV really played a significant role to the plot to further it — however there was a lot of insignificant details I don’t think mattered for the long haul.

I just like there was more interaction between species and individual characters. I liked there was still an air of mystery with the species of Predator — and I’m stoked to learn more.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author, Tim Lebbon, keeps up the pace nicely with his second novel in The Rage War trilogy. We pick up where the action left off in the first book and a lot of familiar characters are still with us. Some, however, have fallen by the wayside, thanks to Xenomorphs and the like. Lebbon doesn't chicken out by keeping all his main characters as some kind of superhuman beings and that keeps it real. Well, as real as scifi about human interaction with aliens can be right now. Who knows what the future may bring as mankind probes farther and farther into space? Famous British scientist, Stephen Hawking, has apparently warned of the dangers of humans contacting alien species. You know, kinda, hi E.T. why don't you come on over to my place? And the next thing you know, we've got squatters. If that sounds so absurd, think on a smaller level about the Australians introducing rabbits onto their continent. Now, while the Ozzies thought it a good idea at the time, they cannot get rid of the little invasive nibblers.

But I digress.

Lebbon cleverly uses a lot of real science in his stories and it's often a case of baffling 'em (his readers) with an amalgamation of real and not-so-real science kind of thing. At times it's difficult to separate the reality of physics with what is possibly (even probably) a load of old cobblers. What I find lacking at times is that while humans and even the likes of Predators (Yautja) are light years ahead in technology to present times, (it's all set about 670 years in the future) there are times when Lebbon has his futuristic science too firmly belonging to the past. No serious progression where surely serious progression would have been made. I won't write spoilers here and you may well spot what I mean if you read the novels for yourself. And if you like scifi, like the Alien and Predator movies and stories, then you should read them.

Like before, the end of this Rage War novel leaves us wanting more.

[Darien Bartholomew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good book following the first. It builds on some of the main characters fairly well, but not enough, and the action is pretty good. However, the book does seem to drag on with exposition and there are two events happening at the same time in almost the exact same way. It gets tiresome going back and forth to nearly identical events. Characters are introduced seeming to be a huge pivoting point in the story only to die immediately. Events transpire and lead to nothing, as well as some events that may leave readers feeling cheated. Overall, it is just a "good" sequel.


*SPOILERS*




If you became attached to Johnny and Leider, the ending will disappoint you. They were saved at the last minute at the beginning of the book, only to be killed off by suicide at the tail end. They survived weeks on a Xenomorph infested Yautja habitat, only to be picked up and thrown into an abandoned ship full of Xenomorphs. Their newly introduced crew die almost immediately and they end up blowing themselves up with a bomb. (PERSONAL OPINION) Their entire story in this book was essentially for nothing. It is almost as if the writer didn't know what to do with them for book 3, so they just decided to, cheaply, kill them off.

[Nicholas Kropp II · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very strong sequel to the first book. A lot of action and plot development with few slow points. The predators play a smaller active role than in the first book and are used more as a mysterious support cast (stage hands while the rest of the play unfolds), but the xenomorphs are much more front and center which should really be expected from the title. My one disappointment with the xenos is that they're used entirely for action and there were none of the more horror styled approaches to events with them which are some of my personal favorite points in other Alien novels. Aside from that the only other noticeable irritant was Dr. Palant just being a bit too self righteous, having many moments where she swings from a logical scientist to an emotional moralist in situations where such waffling will get yourself or others killed. Definitely a good read overall and eagerly awaiting the conclusion in September.

[Jacqueline Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author. Tim Lebbon treats these creatures and the world in a manner that makes them feel like they belong with the original stories. His characters are believable and feel like they belong with this world as well as the greater story. He has done very well in bringing these two fandoms together while staying true to both. Many times in cross over works there is a feeling that one or the other is given more or better attention then the other. I didn't feel that way while reading this book. Not only were they blended in a balanced manner, he was clearly familiar with the ongoing stories of both. This novel is nothing short of magic. While I am not a Predator fan, I found myself drawn into that world while reading this novel and glad to find myself there. Honestly, I only read this book because of who wrote the series and because I completely enjoyed the first book in the series. If you are a fan of either or both of these worlds, I highly recommend this series.

[William M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 AND 1/2 STARS

Author Tim Lebbon continues to take the reader on a dark and dangerous journey in this second book of a trilogy that incorporates a lot of new details and mythology involving Aliens and Predators. While this book focuses more on the Aliens, fans of both should enjoy the new revelations Lebbon brings to the table. While I would strongly recommend starting with the first book in the series, the author quickly gets the reader up to speed on prior events that occurred in Predator: Incursion (The Rage War book 1). My only complaint is that sometimes, with so many characters involved, I had to re-read passages to figure out who was speaking and remind myself who they were. Lebbon moves across the galaxy between various sub-plots and you need to focus on keeping everything in order. This is not a mindless beach read. Lebbon actually manages to elevate the Aliens and Predator brand to a literary level. Can't wait to read the final book 3.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave the first installment of this series three stars, but had to reread my review after finishing this one. Apparently back then I thought Incursion had actual characters and wasn't bogged down with endless fight scenes. Well, this one is one long and demented fight scene. Interestingly, although xenomorph brains splatter all over the place on most pages, there is really no sense of a story arc or an antagonist. The story is not thrilling at any point. People and aliens just die in different ways. I don't know what happened, because between the gore, the author shows some skill in crafting three-dimensional characters. Unfortunately, the reader doesn't really get to care about any of them--a big minus, even in a supposedly action-based book. Perhaps this book needed to be churned in record time and stuff like protagonist and plot were sacrificed in the process. Not checking out the final episode.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of people who once left the known solar system to explore, investigate and do their own thing has returned centuries later with the galaxy's worst fear - a mechanized, controlled Xenomorph army. Those in the human Sphere have entered into a truce with the Yautja as they work together to fight this threat that could mean the destruction of them all. Meanwhile, the surviving Colonial Marines and scientists who firs made contact with the Yautja are dealing with the invasion on two separate fronts, trying to gain invaluable information to stop the coming hordes.
Lebbon loaded this second book in the series with tons of action and intrigue, turning up the volume to 11. The only drawback is that there's another full novel to go, because I don't know if I can stand the anticipation for that long. I want to know how this ends now.