With the popularity of the Alien franchise on the rise again thanks to the upcoming Fede Álvarez film Alien: Romulus and Noah Hawley‘s 2025 Alien television series on FX, many are looking to get caught up on what’s been happening in the franchise or might even be curious about where to start. For gamers, there’s plenty of outstanding entries into the franchise, both canon and non-canon; there are also the Dark Horse Comics omnibus collections for those who love a visual medium but aren’t into video games.
But for those looking for a page-turning summer read, who want to get a taste of the Alien franchise before Alien: Romulus releases August 16, the expanded universe novels are a fantastic place to start.
First, some context. There are the older Alien novels, which published in the 1970s-1990s, that are novelizations of the films or direct adaptations of the comics from Dark Horse. In 2014, Titan Books took over the publishing rights, and has released a number of installments in the franchise, recognized as canon in the Alien expanded universe.
If you’re looking to get started or simply want a fun read, but don’t know where to start among the dozens of Alien novels, we recommend these five:
#5 Aliens: Bishop
Aliens: Bishop: This 2023 novel from T. R. Napper begins in the days following the events on Fiorina 161, the prison planet where Ellen Ripley died killing the last-known Xenomorph specimen, and where Weyland-Yutani recovered the remains of synthetic Lance Bishop, whose “death” locked away priceless research on the Xenomorph XX121 species.
The company had always known more specimens existed; and the knowledge possessed by Bishop is now priceless, a surefire competitive advantage for unlocking the potential of the Xenomorph biology and its technological applications. But the Weyland-Yutani corporation isn’t the only one seeking Bishop’s remains; a contingent of Colonial Marines has located his remains and is on a collision course with the evil mega-corporation.
Napper’s storytelling and quality of writing are masterful. His writing talents give further life to an already excellent story and make Aliens: Bishop one of the gems of Titan Books’ collection of expanded-universe novels, securing its place among our Top 5.
#4 Alien: River of Pain
For fans of the 1986 masterpiece Aliens, this is a must read. Christopher Golden’s Alien: River of Pain tells the story of the fall of Hadley’s Hope, the doomed colony on LV-426. Beginning with the desperate hopes of Russ and Anne Jordan, the story details the missing pieces behind the lore, covering both the events leading up to the discovery of the derelict spaceship and the tragic events that follow.
Fans will especially enjoy the backstory of Rebecca “Newt” Jordan and her incredible will to survive the Xenomorph infestation. And of course, there’s plenty of Colonial Marine action to scratch that Aliens itch (but don’t worry, no events break canon).
#3 Alien: The Cold Forge
Alex White‘s Alien: The Cold Forge is considered by many to be the best novel in the franchise’s expanded universe. White is an incredible author that has mastered the ability to explore deep human issues while telling a ripping-good horror story.
After the loss of the Xenomorph on LV-426, Weyland-Yutani is desperate to find a path forward in securing and weaponizing the most dangerous organism. Thanks to the remote lab on RB-323, the company is back in business with perhaps its most terrifying specimen yet.
Readers will love protagonist Blue Marsalis, a scientist with a complex story that will immediately pique curiosity and intrigue as she attempts to survive the chaos on RB-323. Life-threatening health conditions force her to blur the lines between organic and synthetic life in a thematic exploration that is among the most compelling in the franchise. Her story continues in the direct sequel from Alex White, Alien: Into Charybdis–a novel that’s so good, many will feel it should have made this list.
#2 Aliens: Phalanx
It was really hard for me not to put this atop the list. Simply put, Scott Sigler’s Aliens: Phalanx is the most creative and original storytelling anywhere in the Alien universe (expanded or otherwise). Unlike, the many incarnations of humanity’s struggle against the Xenomorph, this story does not take place aboard a space station, ship, or even a futuristic colony.
Aliens: Phalanx takes place in the beautiful, open world of Ataegina; it is a planet full of sunlight, flora and fauna, and medieval societies of castles and conquests. At least, it was a vibrant world until the black demons arose, killing with their dreaded tooth-tongues, razor claws, and barbed tails. The story follows Ahiliyah Cooper, a “runner” or messenger that must risk her life for the good of her people by traversing the open world occupied by the Xenomorphs, armed with nothing more than a knife and a “hidey suit”.
Readers will love Sigler’s expert storytelling and will savor every moment of this 500-page adventure. The novel manages to tell a story found nowhere else in the Alien universe while not breaking canon and having a kick-ass twist at the end. Don’t pass this up.
#1 Alien: Invasion (The Rage War trilogy)
I cheated a bit here, as Alien: Invasion is technically part of the Alien Vs. Predator canon and not strictly the Alien canonical universe. (For those that don’t know, the Xenomorphs exist in the Predator canon thanks to the film Predator 2, but the Yautja don’t exist in the primary Alien canon; instead the two species cross paths in the AVP canonical universe instead.)
Nevertheless, Tim Lebbon‘s Alien: Invasion, which is book two of three in the trilogy known as The Rage War, is simply my favorite iteration of science-fiction’s greatest monster. It is HIGHLY recommended that readers pick up book one (Predator: Incursion) before reading this one, and for that matter, read the whole damn trilogy because any fan of these franchises will be in for a special treat.
The trilogy tells the story of a conflict far off in human history, when The Rage (a group of outcast humans) return from across the galaxy to take vengeance upon Earth. Their greatest weapon? A legion of Xenomorphs, weaponized and under the command of synthetic generals. The Rage accomplish what Weyland-Yutani always dreamed of: mastering control of the Xenomorph and unleashing its terror upon enemies–only this time, it is all of humanity caught in the crosshairs.
The trilogy features incredible collisions between humans, Yautja, and Xenomorphs. Lebbon takes the best that the Alien and Predator movies have given us and blends these elements with fresh ideas and serious storytelling. If you consider yourself a fan of these franchises, The Rage War trilogy should be atop your must-read list.
Tell us what you think! Have you read any of the Alien expanded universe novels? Which are in your top five? Share your reactions in the comments below or join the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.
David Lasby is the Editor In Chief for Boss Rush Network. His favorite video games are The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and the Aliens franchise. You can find him on Twitter to talk all things Nintendo, sci-fi / fantasy, and creative writing.
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