Alien: River of Pain by Christopher Golden – An Audiobook Review

Publisher’s Summary:

Ellen Ripley finally returns to Earth, only to discover that LV-426 – where the crew of the Nostromo first came into contact with the deadly xenomorphs – has been renamed Acheron.

Protected by Colonial Marines, the colonists seek to terraform the storm-swept planet against all the odds. But in the face of brutal living conditions and the daily struggles of a new world, there is humanity and hope. Anne and Russell Jorden – two colonists who are seeking a fortune that eluded them on Earth – are expecting their firstborn child.

The birth of Rebecca Jorden, known to her family as Newt, is a cause for celebration. But as the colony grows and expands, so, too, do the political struggles between a small detachment of Colonial Marines and the Weyland-Yutani scientists posted on Acheron. Willing to overlook their orders in order to serve the Company’s interests, these scientists have another far more sinister agenda – to covertly capture a living Alien.

The wildcatters discover a vast, decaying spaceship. The horseshoe-shaped vessel is of particular interest to Weyland-Yutani and may be the answer to their dreams. But what Anne and Russell find onboard proves to be the stuff not of dreams but of nightmares.

Author: Christopher Golden, Dirk Maggs (Director)

Narrators: Anna Friel, Phillip Glenister, Colin Salmo, Alexander Siddig, Marc Warren, Michelle Ryan, William Hope & many more

Running Time: 4hrs 54 mins

Publisher: Audible Studios

Audio Release Date: 26/4/2017

Genre: Science-Fiction

My Rating of Alien: River of Pain: 5 out of 5

Purchase: Audible

 

Review:

Audible Studios are back with their latest ‘Audible Original’ Alien audio drama (and their latest sexy-looking Xenomorph cover). River of Pain is the sequel to Alien: Out of the Shadows ( <<< my review of Out of the Shadows) and also boasts an all-star cast that just gives the whole piece a completely professional feel. Laurel Lefkow reprises her role as Ripley and, as I said in the previous review, it’s hard to believe the voice you are listening to isn’t that of Sigourney Weaver.

River of Pain is an audio drama for fans of the film ‘Aliens’ more so than anything else. Everyone can enjoy it, whether you have seen the film or not, but those who enjoyed the film will get even more enjoyment out of the classic after listening to this. I say this because the story itself is not based on the events of the film, but based on those leading up to the film’s storyline.

In River of Pain we learn about Newt and her family and how the colony on LV-426 was founded and just how it came to find itself in the unenviable position of being slap bang in the way of the Xenomorphs. We also learn just how Newt got to be left alone on this dreadfully hostile world. I especially found that the scene where Ripley found Newt and the interaction the pair have throughout the film was made more poignant by having listened to this.

That being said, it’s quite refreshing to have a story based around the everyday people of LV-426 (and the marines, gotta have some marines!) rather than just Ellen Ripley. It’s actually quite nice that she barely features in this audio drama.

As one would expect with an audio drama featuring an all-star cast, the performances were to an excellent quality. I did think that three, however were a cut above the rest. Newt was, by far, the stand out performer in this. Captain Demian Brackett and Anne Jordan tie as a close second for me. I also feel Doctor Hidalgo should get an honourable mention, but more so because she sounded very similar to Dana Scully from X-files to me (got a soft spot for women that remind me of Gillian Anderson).

As with Out of the Shadows, the four to five hours this lasted seemed to fly by far too quickly! I can only hope Audible keep up with the trend of turning the Alien books into audio dramas. They seem very popular so, in theory, it would be a silly move not to carry it on!

Going to have to dig out my Alien boxed set again!