Alien: Seventh Circle

by Philippa Ballantine, Clara Carija

As human colonies are obliterated by the dark pathogen and hideous monstrosities proliferate, a family of scavengers find an amnesiac who may hold the secrets to the forces tearing apart the galaxy.

Life amongst the stars is brutal. Human colonies are being obliterated by a dark pathogen launched from mysterious ships, which turns whole populations into hordes of ravenous monsters. And no one knows what happened to the Jackals, the cadre of soldiers hunting down the perpetrators of these atrocities.

When a family of scavengers recover the amnesiac Mae Hendricks amongst the wreckage of an unidentified ship, they bring a world of pain down on themselves and the civilians of Guelph Station. Mae doesn’t know where she is from or her true nature, nor that she is being hunted by vicious adversaries.

Mae’s past could reveal the conspiracy that is tearing the galaxy apart, but may well unleash a tide of snarling terrors...

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

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2025

About the author

Born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, Philippa is a writer and podcaster of fantasy fiction.
Immersed in books from an early age, she moved onto to become a librarian. She'd been dreaming of being a writer since a teenager, but in the last ten years she's devoted herself to it.
She's the author of the Books of the Order series from Ace Books. Geist, Spectyr, Wrayth (2012) and Harbinger (2013).
Also, with Pyr books the Shifted World series, Hunter and Fox (2012) and Born and Made (2013)
Philippa is also the co-author of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series. Phoenix Rising and the Janus Affair (2012)
Philippa currently resides in Manassas, Virginia with her husband and co-writer Tee Morris, their daughter and a clowder of five cats who keep them all in line.

Awards

2011 Goodreads Short Listed for Best Science Fiction
2011 Airship Award winner for best written work (with Tee Morris)
2011 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel- Adult
2010 Parsec Award finalist for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
2010 Sir Julius Vogel Award finalist for Best fan production
2009 Parsec Award finalist for Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award winner for Best fan production
2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel- Adult
2007 Parsec Award finalist for Best Writing Podcast
2006 Sir Julius Vogel Award nominee for Best Novel

Reviews

[Kaisersoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite a great decision to break up the linear narrative in Seventh Circle, Phillippa Ballantine's second novel in the Alien Universe suffers badly from a lack of three things:

1) Characters to care about: With the exception of Mae, Rook, Zulu - who were mostly established in previous entries into this Universe - the only characters who get any kind of development whatsoever are the family which find Mae adrift. The countless Jackals as well as anyone who briefly appears as a villain get name-checked a couple of times and are then dispatched. Makes it really hard to care about a loss when they're not even thinly sketched in.

2) Answers: The back cover alludes to some pay off re the conspiracy which has been running through these last few novels in terms of who or what is spreading the dark pathogen. Except it doesn't. A major plot development is only referenced but never explained and the knowledge readers have been craving is clearly carried over into a future book. Sigh.

3) Xenomorphs: Yes, as hard to believe as it sounds, the amount of Xenomorph action in this Alien Universe novel is limited to a few chapters, most of them toward the end. Boo.

2.5 (Rounding up to 3) Barely Explained Controlling Fungi for Alien: Seventh Circle.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seventh Circle is barely an Alien novel. It's all about synthetics. The protagonist, Mae, is an especially human-like covert model that looks and acts human, bleeds red blood, feels pain, and has emotions... sort of. The other protagonist is Mae, an amnesiac girl who awakens from a cryopod that's been found by a bunch of salvagers. They have a suppporting cast of characters. Mae, Mae, and Mae. If that sounds confusing. You are right. They are all the same character... sort of. There are some other characters who are by far the BEST parts of the book, but they get much less focus and "screen time".

It's set up like a mystery with a viewpoint bouncing between two(or more) points in time. It's been done before, but the method here takes any attachments to the main character and puts it straight into the gutter. I found it nearly impossible to care about this Mae at any point in time.

Attempting a plot structure like this can get pretty messy, so you would expect the author to give you some sort of indication of which Mae and WHEN at the start of each chapter, but you generally just kinda have to figure it out for yourself. For the most part it does bounce back and forth from chapter to chapter, but that's not always the case.

I don't go into an Alien novel expecting something that's going to make my year or change the way I think about science fiction for weeks. I pick one up expecting some pulpy action horror in space. Maybe if I'm really lucky I get a bit of an eerie chilling atmospheric vibe to go with it.

Maybe that's the problem. There aren't many "real" people in the book so there isn't much character growth and there isn't much risk for it to ever be a horror novel. Even in the most tense moments, I really struggled to find any care about the characters in it.

The last 50-100 pages of this is where Xenos actually have a presence, but even then it's mostly a side note as the plot plays out. The tempo is better there, the chronological jumping about is over and we get a straight forward narrative that does a lot of work to leave you feeling like this was almost a decent book. The trouble is that it wasn't and I had to remind myself how much I hated this book all the way up until that last bit.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another in the increasingly disappointing series of Alien novels. Better than the recent "Vasquez" novel but weaker than the "Bishop" novel.

The story is mostly concerned with Mae Hendricks, who you may remember from a previous novel. Mae is not a compelling protagonist and her scenes on the space station drag the pacing way down. Zula gets pushed to the background and her jackals exist as paper thin names (I wouldn't even call them characters).

It's a 400 page novel and only about 50 pages concern the aliens. A plot thread of an engineer ship is abandoned almost immediately.

The bishop style android is also named "Rook" which for those who've seen Romulus causes needless confusion.

The editors on these recent novels really need to start cutting the fluff out of them. What should be an exciting read is ponderous and drags.

I had high hopes for this series of novels, but each seems to be low effort, churned out content.

They're one step above YA content and remind me of the SD Perry books which is not what should be coming from the alien universe. Dark, gritty and dripping with atmosphere should be what's aimed for, rather than what we've been getting lately.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way better than Inferno's fall but still pretty bad. The addition of Rook into.the story helps and Mae is better but I think I'm gonna pass on anymore of Ballatine's alien books. I couldn't have been more bored ... Nothing happens of any note until the last quarter. The author still doesn't know how to develop characters. I don't expect high art for a scifi book but jeez, the characters are lifeless. I still didn't care if any of them died.

[Alise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid sci-fi adventure! There is a little less xenomorph action than I would want but a solid plot line of the xeno experimentation that we see in the films. I am excited to see if this will be a continued arc. I would love to follow these characters on further missions.

I liked Mae’s character arc and how they tied the two timelines together. The timelines are not terribly far apart, which kept the story pacing pretty similar no matter which timeline you were in.

Probably the biggest issue for me was having dual timelines but no indication at the beginning of each chapter which timeline they were in until you read through.

Disclosure: I received a free gifted copy from the publisher.

[Gary Knox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family of scavengers rescues an amnesiac woman, Mae Hendricks, from a wrecked ship, unknowingly entangling themselves in a web of corporate conspiracies and bioengineered horrors. As Mae's forgotten past resurfaces, they confront the dark forces threatening humanity's survival.
As a huge fan of the Alien franchise, I was eager to dive into this novel. The book introduces compelling concepts, such as the exploration of synthetic consciousness and the ethical dilemmas of bioengineering. However, while the ideas are intriguing with the story delving into themes of identity, control, and the consequences of unchecked ambition, their execution occasionally falters, leading to moments where the narrative feels disjointed.
The world-building is!decent, offering a fresh perspective on the Alien universe by focusing on the lives of scavengers and the intricacies of space stations like Guelph. Yet, the pacing is uneven, with certain sections dragging and others feeling rushed. Additionally, the limited presence of Xenomorphs might disappoint readers expecting more traditional alien encounters.
We're presented strong ideas that enrich the Alien lore but doesn't consistently deliver on their potential.

[Duarte · Rating 4 out of 5]

It presents us with yet another planet with scientific advances created by the Weyland-Yutani company. These advances give xenomorphs the ability to manage resources more intelligently. It's a new, genetically enhanced version, while retaining its original characteristics. You're human, you're screwed.
However, this book focuses mainly on the development of synthetics. These too have new capabilities. They are more advanced, with a more “human” appearance and attitude.
With creative writing and good dialogue, it's easy to visualize all the action.

[…] Reaching the bottom of the spiral, the passage finally widened. Now, some of the transparent hexagonal panels were occasionally replaced with openings. These were not more corridors, but rather smaller chambers.
The Good Boys identified biological remains, but nothing alive.
Mae bent and stuck her head into the first hexagonal chamber they found. She immediately identified what that biological matter was: an open Xenomorph egg at the back of the space, and in front of it sprawled a young woman’s body with her chest blown open.
Curled up by her right foot was a desiccated facehugger. Her bright red hair matched the blood splattered around the translucent chamber.
[…]
“These corpses are glowing, too.”[…]

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take two (thanks, Goodreads, for crashing!). Star Wars puts out more novels than I can keep up with anymore and while I really want to dig into them at some point, it’s been easier for me to snag the 2-3 alien EU novels that drop every year. I’ve also appreciated that the border bombings with the black goo remain a central mystery so far, though I’m starting to genuinely worry that it’ll never be delivered on until 20th Century snags a single author to write a single novel that tries to cram three books’ worth of content into one 400 pager. We shall see. I feel like Ballantine might be a solid choice for that, since Inferno’s Fall did a good job setting up Mae and re-introducing Zula while also dealing with plenty of neomorphs and no traditional xenos. Her writing of the characters made that book hold together, as did a sufficient level of spectacle.

In Seventh Circle, Ballantine focuses on dual narratives from different temporalities. It’s…fine? I never really cared all that much about the Popes, but I guess this allowed a thinner plot involving WY and Minos Station to be stretched out over a whole book. Mae and Zula feel encased in plot armor and other than Lenny and Rook, no other characters here are that meaningfully developed. For being a book with a few legitimately horrifying moments in the back quarter, it honestly mostly feels bloodless — especially as it pertains to the xenomorphs themselves. I kept having deja vu to Napper’s Bishop.

If Ballantine comes back to write another of these and keeps the cast that ends the novel together, I’d be happy to dive back in and see what she does next. She and White would be my votes to split duties on eventually wrapping up the loose threads involving Michael Bishop and the border bombings. However, I would like some other authors who want to focus their books more on the xenomorphs — they felt very peripheral in this book, which seems to be a pretty notable trend in the novels of late (I’d love if they were more consequentially present beyond the beginning and ending of these books).

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Thank you NewSouth Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review

Alien: Seventh Circle is a thrilling addition to the Alien franchise, delivering a story that intertwines classic horror elements with fresh, character-driven narratives. The novel centres on Mae Hendricks, an amnesiac android rescued by a family of scavengers, whose mysterious past holds secrets that could unravel a galaxy-wide conspiracy.
Ballantine and Carija masterfully craft a narrative that delves into themes of identity, humanity, and the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence. Mae's journey of self-discovery is both compelling and poignant, offering readers a protagonist who is as introspective as she is formidable.
The authors' world-building is immersive, painting a vivid picture of a universe plagued by a dark pathogen and monstrous entities. The tension is palpable, with each chapter escalating the stakes and deepening the mystery.
Overall, Alien: Seventh Circle is a standout entry in the Alien literary universe, offering a fresh perspective while honouring the franchise's roots. It's a must-read for fans seeking a blend of classic sci-fi horror and nuanced character exploration.

[Taylor Stumpf · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw Phillipa Ballantine had written another installment in the Alien Expanded Universe, I approached it hesitantly. “Inferno’s Fall” was a complete disaster, boring and filled with an absurd level of wokeness that upstaged the story. HOWEVER, “Seventh Circle” redeemed Ballantine. I am happy to say that I enjoyed the book. I am glad I gave this author another chance.

“Seventh Circle” combines elements that are unique to the xenoverse. For example, Blue from “The Cold Forge” and “Into Charybdis” is mentioned. Rook (the Bishop model, NOT the Ash model from the movie “Romulus”) also plays an important role in the story. As a fan of the Bishop models, I appreciated seeing him, in particular, in the story.

My only criticism of “Seventh Circle” is that it was slow and very confusing for most of the novel. However, in the last 100 pages, the action ramped up in a very Alien fashion, building up to the final showdown with the xenomorphs. Overall, I would give “Seventh Circle” three stars. The book was a good addition to the xenoverse, integrating ideas from other authors while introducing its own. The action, once it picked up, was also entertaining. Good job, Philippe Ballantine. That is how you write a good Alien tribute.

[Barakiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually very well done for a horror book written by a female(s). I am very hard on my own sex when it comes to authoring, us girls tend to talk about feelings too much. But I am glad to say there is a healthy balance of action, plot and all the rest in this book.
Unfortunately I feel that there was just too much going on and the true antagonist of this universe, the aliens, were left on the back seat. Too much time jumping, too many antagosists, too many settings, too many intertwining stories. If some of that could just have been dialed back 10%, I would have enjoyed this book more.

The best part of this book is May, the protagonist. She's competent and does not just in her room and cry. I would have loved to see more of her special ability, the split. It's like a super power and gives the author some interesting things to do with viewpoints.

[The Smoog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring in all honesty, and the plot structure is so disjointed. It was also painful being bashed over the head every other paragraph with the protagonist's "oh, how I wish I was human!" rhetoric, while being simultaneously presented with her schizophrenic reflection on how superior to humans synthetics really are. The whole thing is also littered with plot holes and inconsistencies, none of the "characters" were able to invoke even the slightest interest in whether they lived or died (with Zula Hendricks, a character I liked in earlier books, being turned into a dislikable drone), and the Xenomorphs (yet another unnecessary variation of them, yawn) are relegated to little more than a sideshow.

Skip it, there are far better books out there to be reading.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one.
The Xenomorphs are barely in it. The interesting research is never really explained in depth. Lot of side characters never expanded upon. The chapter structure can be jarring at until you figure out what is going on.
What the book does well is expand upon the story of Mae, a bit of Rook, a bit more on Zula and Mae’s relationship, and even a tie into Blue and her research.
If wanting pure Xenomorph action you can probably pass.
If you want more of the Jackals this is for you.
For the mystery ships dropping the goo, well there is one, but it is short lived and we learn zero more about the mystery.

[Jedidiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mainly read this because it continues a few elements of Alex White's last book Into Charybdis, which I enjoyed a great deal. This one is not very good though. The story is meh, the characters are almost non-existent, the action is by-the-numbers, the setting is unremarkable, and the "scientific" explanation for the new research is less than a half-formed thought. At least it's a quick read so it didn't waste too much of my time.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but I have one problem. It is a sequel to Alien: Inferno’s Fall by the same author. No where in the book does it say this that I could find. Maybe I missed it. Maybe it’s me who messed up but usually there is a number some or some mention like, “the thrilling sequel to…” Not here. Not that I could find. Go read that first I guess. I don’t know, I haven’t read it yet.

[Neal F Rosenberg III · Rating 3 out of 5]

7th circle

It was an ok book. Story progression was a little off owing to authors use of time. In a book in the Aliens franchise the xenomorphs managed to be a minor character/ story arc

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom asked me if I did the dishes. I yelled "the Titan Books Alien series". She smiled and hugged me. She knew they were washed

[Larry Mortensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Strong characters, hopefully some we will experience in future novels. Plot was also strong with multiple story lines that connect in the end.

[Manuel Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing introductions and familiar faces. Very little growth from there. Cool alien design introduced, nothing done with it.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting entry into the Alien canon, not perfect, and I think overall I liked Inferno's Fall a bit more, but when the story got going it was a compelling read!

[Maya Malice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was a fun one and I really enjoyed it for the most part. As a big Alien nerd though, there were a handful of lore mistakes that slipped through and broke immersion in some places.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow this one was a slog! It was barely even an Alien novel.

[Hodgey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that Seventh Circle is a good alien novel. I think that for fans it has all the things that make a good alien story. I was hoping for more though. The book feels like a random adventure in the alien universe that doesn't really do anything to push the universe forward. This is evident with a space battle between the Righteous Fury and an Engineer ship where the engineer ship is destroyed but the characters just keep moving along. I had the same problem with this in Inferno's Fall. Wouldn't Zula and the Jackels get a wealth of information from investigating those engineer ships they bring down. I thought the whole point of the Jackels was to discover who is behind the border bombings. Everytime they bring a ship down they go, "That was close, who knows when we will get to the bottom of who is flying those things". I know that writers can't do much with the Engineers but it's frustrating to have them used because it's teasing a larger plot for the universe that feels like it's going nowhere after 3-4 years. Mae's development is a strong point of the novel. She's been a fun character to read and I like her taking the mantel of fighting the aliens from an older worn down Zula. I'm ready for Mae to become her own character though. I feel like this book exists to get Mae from this child-like android making sense of the universe to a hardened warrior like Zula. I hope if these two authors get to make a trilogy were Mae breaks away from Zula and really shows us that she's grown up into her own person. Please, if we are using the Engineers again let's actually use them instead of being these boogeymen that exist just to get shot out of the sky.