Alien: The Cold Forge

Title: Alien: The Cold Forge

Author: Alex White

Published in: 2018

Date read: 16th February 2025

Score: 4/5

Genre: Horror, Science fiction, Science fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Alien: Cold Forge," published in 2018, is a harrowing novel set within the universe of the Alien franchise. It is a terrifying story that explores corporate greed and the dangers of playing god with a perfect organism. The book takes place on a remote Weyland-Yutani research station, where the company is secretly trying to weaponize the deadly Xenomorphs.

The narrative focuses on two primary characters who are at odds with one another. The first is Dorian Sudler, a ruthless and psychopathic Weyland-Yutani auditor who arrives at the station, known as "The Cold Forge," to investigate a project that is hemorrhaging money. He is a callous and manipulative man who views human life as nothing more than a liability on a spreadsheet.

The second main character is Dr. Blue Marsalis, the head of a highly secretive research project at the station. Dr. Marsalis is a brilliant but physically disabled geneticist who operates through a remote connection to a synthetic android body, "Marcus." She is secretly using her position to try and reverse-engineer a Xenomorph protein in an attempt to find a cure for her own degenerative illness, a plan that is a direct violation of Weyland-Yutani's protocol.

The tension escalates when a mysterious saboteur on the station releases a destructive computer virus that causes the research labs to go into lockdown and the Xenomorph containment kennels to be breached. The station is plunged into chaos as the aliens, which were spawned from chimpanzee hosts, begin to run rampant.

The novel becomes a desperate and claustrophobic battle for survival as Dorian and Dr. Marsalis must navigate the bloodbath, all while continuing their psychological cat-and-mouse game. Dorian is obsessed with securing the research for the company and is willing to sacrifice anyone to get what he wants. Meanwhile, Dr. Marsalis is determined to save her own life, even if it means exploiting the very creatures that are hunting them.

The climax is a brutal and visceral showdown where the characters' true natures are revealed. "Alien: Cold Forge" is a dark and intense thriller that explores the idea that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are not the ones with acid for blood but the ones who value profit over humanity.

Comments:
I am a huge fan of this franchise and after watching the latest instalment, Alien: Romulus, I was told (again) about this book. The story is gripping and very much in-keeping with the Alien saga and as new films and soon a TV series are popping up, I wonder if the owners have considered making this into a film. I am very glad that I read it and it opens up more snippets into the behaviour of the aliens/snatchers, If you are into these films, I recommend that you give it a go.

Books that we've read by Alex White (1):
Alien: The Cold Forge (2018)