What do you think?
Rate this book
Osprey Adventures
Bug Hunts: Surviving and Combating the Alien Menace
They said there were no monsters. But there are.
It is the 23rd Century. Across the cold void of space, alien monsters prey on infesting generation-ships, destroying colonies, and transforming humans into hosts for their foul spoor. From the insectoid hive-beasts of Klaatu, to the xenomorphic parasites of the outer rim, this book contains the sum total of human knowledge of the myriad forms of alien menace; where to find them…and how to kill them. In this guide you will find details of mankind's greatest champions, the marines of STAR Industries. With their state-of-the-art technology and advanced combat tactics developed over a century of warfare, the STAR marines battle the alien, wherever it may strike.
It is the 23rd Century. Across the cold void of space, alien monsters prey on infesting generation-ships, destroying colonies, and transforming humans into hosts for their foul spoor. From the insectoid hive-beasts of Klaatu, to the xenomorphic parasites of the outer rim, this book contains the sum total of human knowledge of the myriad forms of alien menace; where to find them…and how to kill them. In this guide you will find details of mankind's greatest champions, the marines of STAR Industries. With their state-of-the-art technology and advanced combat tactics developed over a century of warfare, the STAR marines battle the alien, wherever it may strike.
80 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
About the author
Mark A. Latham
34 books183 followersMark A. Latham is a writer, editor, history nerd, proud dogfather, frustrated grunge singer and amateur baker from Staffordshire, UK. An immigrant to rural Nottinghamshire, he lives in a very old house (sadly not haunted), and is still regarded in the village as a foreigner.
Formerly the editor of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf magazine, Mark designs tabletop games, and is an author of strange, fantastical and macabre tales.
Formerly the editor of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf magazine, Mark designs tabletop games, and is an author of strange, fantastical and macabre tales.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 7, 2024
Kind of disappointing entry in the series
The biggest reason I, and I would hazard most others, read an Osprey book is for the artwork, and this volume is lacking. Some if the most interesting items of gear are not depicted, while those that are resemble very slightly altered 'Aliens' props. I realize this is more an "RPG setting" book than anything else, but it's still a bit of a letdown. The narrative hews too closely to the 'Alien' franchise to be particularly interesting as well. I would skip this entry in the "Dark Osprey" series.
The biggest reason I, and I would hazard most others, read an Osprey book is for the artwork, and this volume is lacking. Some if the most interesting items of gear are not depicted, while those that are resemble very slightly altered 'Aliens' props. I realize this is more an "RPG setting" book than anything else, but it's still a bit of a letdown. The narrative hews too closely to the 'Alien' franchise to be particularly interesting as well. I would skip this entry in the "Dark Osprey" series.
January 5, 2020
I'm not sure what this book is for. It combines thinly disguised elements from Alien, Space Hulk and what I assume is Starship Troopers into one narrative that reads like background for a role playing or war game, but there's no game to go with it.
November 2, 2026
Mark Latham's Bug Hunts: Surviving and Combating the Alien Menace presents an imaginative and unsettling vision of humanity's future among the stars. Set in the 23rd century, when human civilization has expanded across vast regions of the galaxy, the book introduces a terrifying obstacle to humanity's ambitions: hostile alien creatures capable of destroying colonies, infesting generation-ships, and turning human beings into hosts for their own biological purposes.
What makes the premise especially compelling is its presentation as a survival and combat guide rather than a conventional science-fiction narrative. Readers are invited to explore the different forms of extraterrestrial threats, from the insectoid hive-beasts of Klaatu to the xenomorphic parasites lurking in the outer reaches of space. The emphasis on identifying these creatures, understanding their dangers, and learning how to combat them gives the book the atmosphere of a military field manual from a future where humanity's survival is never guaranteed.
The inclusion of STAR Industries' marines adds another exciting dimension. These soldiers represent humanity's most capable defenders, equipped with advanced technology and combat methods developed through more than a century of warfare. Their role in confronting alien threats across distant worlds creates a strong military science-fiction foundation, while the specialized equipment and tactics make the setting feel like a fully developed fictional universe.
The book's concept also benefits from its balance of science-fiction horror and military action. The alien creatures are not simply enemies to be defeated; they represent unpredictable biological dangers that threaten human settlements and the stability of an expanding civilization. This creates a sense of urgency that gives the subject its appeal. Darren Tan and RU-MOR's illustrations further support the visual identity of the book, helping readers engage with its imaginative extraterrestrial world.
For fans of military science fiction, alien-invasion stories, creature design, and science-fiction horror, Bug Hunts offers an entertaining exploration of humanity's struggle against an enemy that cannot be negotiated with or easily understood. Its field-guide approach gives the concept a distinctive personality and makes it especially interesting to readers who enjoy fictional military documentation and detailed speculative worlds.
Overall, Bug Hunts: Surviving and Combating the Alien Menace is an imaginative addition to the science-fiction field-guide format. It combines extraterrestrial horror, military strategy, and futuristic world-building into a compact volume that invites readers to consider what humanity might face when the greatest dangers in the universe are no longer distant possibilities, but threats already inside the walls.
What makes the premise especially compelling is its presentation as a survival and combat guide rather than a conventional science-fiction narrative. Readers are invited to explore the different forms of extraterrestrial threats, from the insectoid hive-beasts of Klaatu to the xenomorphic parasites lurking in the outer reaches of space. The emphasis on identifying these creatures, understanding their dangers, and learning how to combat them gives the book the atmosphere of a military field manual from a future where humanity's survival is never guaranteed.
The inclusion of STAR Industries' marines adds another exciting dimension. These soldiers represent humanity's most capable defenders, equipped with advanced technology and combat methods developed through more than a century of warfare. Their role in confronting alien threats across distant worlds creates a strong military science-fiction foundation, while the specialized equipment and tactics make the setting feel like a fully developed fictional universe.
The book's concept also benefits from its balance of science-fiction horror and military action. The alien creatures are not simply enemies to be defeated; they represent unpredictable biological dangers that threaten human settlements and the stability of an expanding civilization. This creates a sense of urgency that gives the subject its appeal. Darren Tan and RU-MOR's illustrations further support the visual identity of the book, helping readers engage with its imaginative extraterrestrial world.
For fans of military science fiction, alien-invasion stories, creature design, and science-fiction horror, Bug Hunts offers an entertaining exploration of humanity's struggle against an enemy that cannot be negotiated with or easily understood. Its field-guide approach gives the concept a distinctive personality and makes it especially interesting to readers who enjoy fictional military documentation and detailed speculative worlds.
Overall, Bug Hunts: Surviving and Combating the Alien Menace is an imaginative addition to the science-fiction field-guide format. It combines extraterrestrial horror, military strategy, and futuristic world-building into a compact volume that invites readers to consider what humanity might face when the greatest dangers in the universe are no longer distant possibilities, but threats already inside the walls.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews