Aliens vs. Predator: War Book

Do not read Aliens vs. Predator: Hunter's Planet after Aliens vs. Predator: Prey. Read this one instead! It features two of the same fights from Hunter's Planet, but better. Then you can read Hunter's Planet if you want, I guess.

War continues Machiko's story. She has abandoned humanity to live and hunt with the Predators (every girl's dream, amirite?). But she's treated like garbage and spends most of her time alone in her room. Perry does an excellent job of making you really understand what Machiko is going through - you can feel Machiko's alien-ness compared to the Predators, her sense of isolation, and her empathy with the Alien Queen. Machiko is this utter bad-ass who is constantly browbeaten by the Predators, and though she hides it from them far better than I would, she cries like a regular person when she's alone.
She's torn between what she wants to do (hunt) and the society that will only ever see her as other. In a way, her struggle is parallel to a lot of women in the past. Think about the first female law enforcement officers, cowboys, miners, politicians, doctors, lawyers … pretty much every profession you can think of except for the "traditional" ones like nursing, teacher and secretarial work. But Machiko (and ladies before her) kept on fighting! Until the Predators betray her. And that's when SHIT GOES DOWN. And she's definitely ready!

There's also a great side story with a marine, a criminal, and a nerd who merges with a huge exo-suit named MAX. Their story is the impetus for the human side of the plot and allows the story to tie in more Alien elements. The bad guy is a big old douchebag who has a fitting end, there's an android, there's some sweet Predator battles, there's some equally sweet alien fights, you feel empathy for an alien queen, and, of course, Machiko fights a Predator in a battle that is both as exciting as it is emotionally gratifying.

There is just so much here that I love in this book. Fun, well-described action scenes with unique elements. A complex female protagonist who doesn't need to get partnered up. Side characters that are interesting and likeable, and who aren't pigeonholed based on gender, race or sexuality. Not only all that, but it's a lot of fun!

Overall, I LOVED it.

I forced my friend Jade to read the series too and she makes fun of me in her blog about old sci fi novels. If you like old sci-fi you should check out it out!