What do you think?
Rate this book
Bug Out
An elite military unit is sent to a remote human colony to investigate a communication blackout. Rigel 4 was the setting for our victory over the Bugs. We claimed the territory and installed a colony. We haven’t heard from them in over a month. Something was wrong. Setting down, we search the colony. No shots had been fired. Children’s toys lay scattered. Clothes hang on washing lines. Meals sit half-finished on desks piled high with papers. The colonists had vanished without a trace. Then we hear something, something none of have heard since the Ultimate Victory. Chitter. The sound of Bugs. They’re back.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2019
160 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 21, 2019
I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Great twist on the space invaders story!
One thing though: it's Marine "Corps", not "core". Editor should have caught that!
Great twist on the space invaders story!
One thing though: it's Marine "Corps", not "core". Editor should have caught that!
March 16, 2020
Not a whole lot of action as I was expecting. But a good twist on the plot. A novella length story so I was not too much emotionally involved. I might check out other Charlie Dalton tales. Sci-fi for sure, with the Bugs, Space Marines and all.
June 14, 2019
Chitter! Chitter! Chitter! They’re back!
Rigel 4 is a colony installed in a remote planet after the victory over the Bugs. After a communication blackout, an elite military unity is sent to investigate what happened.
The team leader, Cain, is a very well-built character, and the parts that tell his story are very intriguing.
All the characters are interesting and the story has an intense pace keeping us eager to find out where the Bugs are and curious about what happened.
The ending is fantastic! I loved it!
Rigel 4 is a colony installed in a remote planet after the victory over the Bugs. After a communication blackout, an elite military unity is sent to investigate what happened.
The team leader, Cain, is a very well-built character, and the parts that tell his story are very intriguing.
All the characters are interesting and the story has an intense pace keeping us eager to find out where the Bugs are and curious about what happened.
The ending is fantastic! I loved it!
August 9, 2020
This book is clearly meant as a sort of homage to Aliens with the bug element of Starship Troopers to it. A war was fought against the bugs and we won, taking all their planets and resources for ourselves. Now, a colony has gone silent and nobody knows why, so the military send a unit to discover what is happening. While exploring in the tunnels the answers come-the bugs are not wiped out after all and now the team need to work out why the bugs are there, where the colony have vanished to and how the bugs can be destroyed before they can leave the planet.
There were plenty of Aliens moments in this book. The crashed ship being called Nostromo, several famous lines from the film being used by these characters, the way the colony vanish and the hope of destroying the site from orbit. It was a bit of fun I think. The book uses flashbacks to tell the reader about what happened at certain points in the war and how victory was achieved and I actually found that interesting, though I'd prefer more show than tell. The characters were good and the plot twist was also enjoyable.
There were plenty of Aliens moments in this book. The crashed ship being called Nostromo, several famous lines from the film being used by these characters, the way the colony vanish and the hope of destroying the site from orbit. It was a bit of fun I think. The book uses flashbacks to tell the reader about what happened at certain points in the war and how victory was achieved and I actually found that interesting, though I'd prefer more show than tell. The characters were good and the plot twist was also enjoyable.
February 1, 2023
Another good book by this author. Not quite as good as some of the others I've read, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was an intriguing tale with plenty of mystery and suspense. It was paced a bit oddly in places, slow, then fast, then slow again, and at times, I wasn't sure whether I was reading in the past or present. There was a nice twist towards the end, which I kind of expected, but was still really well executed.
A worthy 4 star read.
A worthy 4 star read.
May 27, 2019
What a great book! So exhilarating that was hard to put down.
I had never read a book in this theme - war between humans and alien bugs - but what immediately made me want to read it was, when I read the synopsis, it remembered me of one of my childhood's favourite movies - Starship Troopers (yeah, I know... I watched really weird movies growing up).
I really love how detailed the descriptions of the bugs are, the scenarios and the overall action, it makes easier for the reader to picture the story in it's head (for me, at least).
This book is really well written and it keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story.
If you like sci-fi stories, specially books about things from space, this is the one for you!
I can't wait to read more and more on this war against alien bugs!
P.S.: I kinda like the name that the author - Perrin Briar - choose for himself in this book. Charlie Dalton is the name of a character of "Dead Poets Society" a movie that I also saw a lot of times when I was a kid. I can say with absolute certain that reading this book brought up some great memories!
** I received an advance review copy of this book - This is my honest (and non paid) review of "Bug Out" **
I had never read a book in this theme - war between humans and alien bugs - but what immediately made me want to read it was, when I read the synopsis, it remembered me of one of my childhood's favourite movies - Starship Troopers (yeah, I know... I watched really weird movies growing up).
I really love how detailed the descriptions of the bugs are, the scenarios and the overall action, it makes easier for the reader to picture the story in it's head (for me, at least).
This book is really well written and it keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story.
If you like sci-fi stories, specially books about things from space, this is the one for you!
I can't wait to read more and more on this war against alien bugs!
P.S.: I kinda like the name that the author - Perrin Briar - choose for himself in this book. Charlie Dalton is the name of a character of "Dead Poets Society" a movie that I also saw a lot of times when I was a kid. I can say with absolute certain that reading this book brought up some great memories!
** I received an advance review copy of this book - This is my honest (and non paid) review of "Bug Out" **
June 1, 2019
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
* I received a copy of this novella for free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
"An elite military unit are sent to a remote human colony to investigate a communication blackout. Rigel 4 was the setting for our victory over the Bugs. We claimed the territory and installed a colony. We haven’t heard from them in over a month. Something was wrong. Setting down, we search the colony. No shots had been fired. Children’s toys lay scattered. Clothes hang on washing lines. Meals sit half-finished on desks piled high with papers. The colonists had vanished without a trace. Then we hear something, something none of have heard since the Ultimate Victory. Chitter. The sound of Bugs. They’re back."
This was such an epic story, I was sad that it was only a novella. Bug Out was an extremely quick read and was over way too soon. Entirely fun from start to finish.
We start off with a group of soldiers going to a human colony outpost on the planet Rigel 4. The colony has disappeared and it is up to the soldiers to figure out what happened. In between the chapters about the soldiers searching for the colony, you get chapters between two unnamed people having a private conversation that happened sometime in the past, towards the start of the war with the aliens. Through this past conversation, you learn more about the war and about the aliens themselves, and how it connects to what is going on with the soldiers looking for the lost colony.
This was a really clever little sci-fi horror story. At first you’re like, “Oh, ok. War with alien bugs… seen it before.” but NOOOOO… this is not your average alien bug story, my friend. There was a delightful little twist at the end that I did not see coming. I mean, my jaw dropped! I was like, ” *GASP* NO WAY!! WHAA-?? :O ” It was pretty great. My mind…. was blown. Loved the aliens. Really interesting and creative. This would make a very fun movie. Get on it, Hollywood!
Charlie Dalton is the new pen name by English horror writer Perrin Briar. Perrin is probably best known for some of his different zombie series, such as the Blood Memory series (very fun zombie series, by the way). According to the author, he wanted to use this new pen name for his more sci-fi-ish novels. If this is the type of sci-fi story we are going to be getting from him, sign me up for more!
Bug Out was a lot of fun. Wish it had been longer. I was sad to see it end, but what an ending! 😮 I can’t wait to see what else gets put out under the Charlie Dalton name.
* I received a copy of this novella for free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
"An elite military unit are sent to a remote human colony to investigate a communication blackout. Rigel 4 was the setting for our victory over the Bugs. We claimed the territory and installed a colony. We haven’t heard from them in over a month. Something was wrong. Setting down, we search the colony. No shots had been fired. Children’s toys lay scattered. Clothes hang on washing lines. Meals sit half-finished on desks piled high with papers. The colonists had vanished without a trace. Then we hear something, something none of have heard since the Ultimate Victory. Chitter. The sound of Bugs. They’re back."
This was such an epic story, I was sad that it was only a novella. Bug Out was an extremely quick read and was over way too soon. Entirely fun from start to finish.
We start off with a group of soldiers going to a human colony outpost on the planet Rigel 4. The colony has disappeared and it is up to the soldiers to figure out what happened. In between the chapters about the soldiers searching for the colony, you get chapters between two unnamed people having a private conversation that happened sometime in the past, towards the start of the war with the aliens. Through this past conversation, you learn more about the war and about the aliens themselves, and how it connects to what is going on with the soldiers looking for the lost colony.
This was a really clever little sci-fi horror story. At first you’re like, “Oh, ok. War with alien bugs… seen it before.” but NOOOOO… this is not your average alien bug story, my friend. There was a delightful little twist at the end that I did not see coming. I mean, my jaw dropped! I was like, ” *GASP* NO WAY!! WHAA-?? :O ” It was pretty great. My mind…. was blown. Loved the aliens. Really interesting and creative. This would make a very fun movie. Get on it, Hollywood!
Charlie Dalton is the new pen name by English horror writer Perrin Briar. Perrin is probably best known for some of his different zombie series, such as the Blood Memory series (very fun zombie series, by the way). According to the author, he wanted to use this new pen name for his more sci-fi-ish novels. If this is the type of sci-fi story we are going to be getting from him, sign me up for more!
Bug Out was a lot of fun. Wish it had been longer. I was sad to see it end, but what an ending! 😮 I can’t wait to see what else gets put out under the Charlie Dalton name.
May 23, 2019
Charlie Dalton
This was an interesting read, it flips back and forth in alternating chapters between current time (which is actually in the future) where a military team led by Cain is sent to the planet Rigel 4 to try and discover what has become of the 500+ colonists who seem to have disappeared and the past, when two individuals are discussing the ongoing war with an unknown species referred to as 'Bugs', which seem to be threatening the existence of humans and Earth.
This has a twist and a bit of a surprise ending, you can see it coming, as it's laid out for you...but fascinating to see the conclusion.
The story is quite a commentary on humans and how we treat other species in general; even on our native planet, we seem to look only at the surface of beings and not much deeper. One wonders what we might have discovered if only we had taken the time to learn, rather than wiping out entire species in our own backyard. And the fact that we are partners in creating the circumstances for our own demise on this our home planet, by how we affect our own environment and do not treat it or the varied species that share it with us with all due reverence and respect.
I received this as an ARC free of charge, with the exchange of leaving an honest review.
May 17, 2019
An elite military unit are sent to a remote human colony to investigate a communication blackout.
Rigel 4 was the setting for our victory over the Bugs. We claimed the territory and installed a colony. We haven’t heard from them in over a month. Something was wrong.
Setting down, we search the colony. No shots had been fired. Children’s toys lay scattered. Clothes hang on washing lines. Meals sit half-finished on desks piled high with papers.
The colonists had vanished without a trace.
Then we hear something, something none of have heard since the Ultimate Victory.
Chitter.
The sound of Bugs. They’re back.
Wow... this was a great read!
Totally had me hooked from the start.
Not normally my sort of read but so glad I said yes after reading the blurb.
I think this could be turned into a series easily and possibly even tv or movie.
I really want to see more of this one as I feel there is more to said.
Give this one a go even if Sci-Fi is not your typical read, you will be glad you did!
Highly recommend reading!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest voluntary review.
Rigel 4 was the setting for our victory over the Bugs. We claimed the territory and installed a colony. We haven’t heard from them in over a month. Something was wrong.
Setting down, we search the colony. No shots had been fired. Children’s toys lay scattered. Clothes hang on washing lines. Meals sit half-finished on desks piled high with papers.
The colonists had vanished without a trace.
Then we hear something, something none of have heard since the Ultimate Victory.
Chitter.
The sound of Bugs. They’re back.
Wow... this was a great read!
Totally had me hooked from the start.
Not normally my sort of read but so glad I said yes after reading the blurb.
I think this could be turned into a series easily and possibly even tv or movie.
I really want to see more of this one as I feel there is more to said.
Give this one a go even if Sci-Fi is not your typical read, you will be glad you did!
Highly recommend reading!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest voluntary review.
May 20, 2019
A science fiction, dystopian novel which takes place on space ships flying to check on their colonies and discover new planets to colonise and take natural resources and ore from. However the humans found out that they were not the only species doing this when they encountered the bugs and had the first inter-stellar war which they knew they had won when they wiped the bugs out! Or had they? Seems like the bugs are back, or had they even ever left at all? Now all human life was endangered and the corporation and control and their greed for more money and power was going to hit them all in the face in a rebound they never expected! The team which had been sent to check on Rigel Four and the colonists were already the victims, they felt something was not right but could not put their finger on what exactly was wrong! Phew what a great story full of twists and turns which are really unexpected thus keeping the reader on edge right till the end. One thing never changes though, human’s greed which sooner or later is going to lead to our downfall even in real life!
August 29, 2021
My thoughts before reading it: Bugs? Elite military units? "chitter"? Ok, I'm a sucker for sci-fi with aliens and soldiers, I wonder how original this one'll be though, and if the page number is enough for a good story.
What I liked:
- the Alien references in the first third of the book are cute
- the Bugs are fairly interesting and enigmatic
- the plot is quite engaging and succeesfully avoids many genre tropes
What I didn't like:
- while cute the references are a bit too obvious and become distracting at times
- characters were pretty flat, it was hard to care for them
- whole setting is very derivative
Final thoughts:
Well, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It's not the usual "big soldiers vs. aliens with lots of shooting" stuff you can easily find. While the first third has too many tropes and references the rest of the book was very captivating and the mistery behind what happened to the colony kept me hooked until the end.
Which is good as the characters sadly wern't all that interesting or complex.
What I liked:
- the Alien references in the first third of the book are cute
- the Bugs are fairly interesting and enigmatic
- the plot is quite engaging and succeesfully avoids many genre tropes
What I didn't like:
- while cute the references are a bit too obvious and become distracting at times
- characters were pretty flat, it was hard to care for them
- whole setting is very derivative
Final thoughts:
Well, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It's not the usual "big soldiers vs. aliens with lots of shooting" stuff you can easily find. While the first third has too many tropes and references the rest of the book was very captivating and the mistery behind what happened to the colony kept me hooked until the end.
Which is good as the characters sadly wern't all that interesting or complex.
May 19, 2019
This short sci-fi read is really interesting! Humans recently defeated an alien race known as the Bigs. Now a colony on Rigel 4 hasn’t been heard from in a month so a team is sent out to investigate the reason for the communication blackout. When they arrive, the colonists have vanished without a trace.
This story is written in alternating chapters, between the present day (in the future of course) and conversations between unknown individuals that took place in the past. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. It’s very well written and there’s plenty of action. I thoroughly enjoyed Bug Out!
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story is written in alternating chapters, between the present day (in the future of course) and conversations between unknown individuals that took place in the past. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. It’s very well written and there’s plenty of action. I thoroughly enjoyed Bug Out!
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 26, 2019
The author sent me a complimentary copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.
What a brilliantly written novella with just enough of a back story and depth of the characters to make you care about their fate. This story had me gripped from the first word until the last, a brilliant sci fi story that made me chuckle as mankind’s complete dominance of the universe is thwarted by an alien species.
Fabulous loved it and look forward to the next novella.
What a brilliantly written novella with just enough of a back story and depth of the characters to make you care about their fate. This story had me gripped from the first word until the last, a brilliant sci fi story that made me chuckle as mankind’s complete dominance of the universe is thwarted by an alien species.
Fabulous loved it and look forward to the next novella.
February 15, 2025
Yes, This is a SciFi Story, but Not Great
This is an OK humans-vs-alien short story. The plot itself isn’t bad, but the writing keeps jumping from one scenario to another — which is quite distracting to The Reader, and is the primary cause for this being a 3-star Review vs 4- or 5-stars.
If you can tolerate aliens being large-sized ants, then you’ll have no problems reading this book. If you don’t like bugs in general, though, I recommend moving on to another story.
This is an OK humans-vs-alien short story. The plot itself isn’t bad, but the writing keeps jumping from one scenario to another — which is quite distracting to The Reader, and is the primary cause for this being a 3-star Review vs 4- or 5-stars.
If you can tolerate aliens being large-sized ants, then you’ll have no problems reading this book. If you don’t like bugs in general, though, I recommend moving on to another story.
July 28, 2020
A mixed tribute...
This book tips it's hat to classic scifi with tributes to Alien (the nostromo),and star trek (rigel 4)..
With a little starship troopers as well...another tip to alien is the spread of the bugs ...i won't spoil the outcome but just think alien infestation minus the face hugger and instead replace it with DNA manipulation
This book tips it's hat to classic scifi with tributes to Alien (the nostromo),and star trek (rigel 4)..
With a little starship troopers as well...another tip to alien is the spread of the bugs ...i won't spoil the outcome but just think alien infestation minus the face hugger and instead replace it with DNA manipulation
September 2, 2021
Less than 100 pages, fantastic read. This book proves that you don't have to write a million pages to achieve a great story. Tight, direct, and imaginative. A new colony has been established on Rigel 4. We took it from the Bugs. Months later, we haven't heard from anyone...they've vanished. Upon arrival, the rescue team only hears one thing...chittering. The Bugs have returned.
May 22, 2019
I thought this was a great sci fi story by a new author. I enjoyed this story and I could see this happening in real life. I enjoyed the details and I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future. I received an ARC of this book and I voluntarily reviewed it.
May 26, 2019
Love it
This book was every interesting to me. I didn't think it would end like it did. I really enjoy reading this book. Was glad it wasn't so long so I could read the whole thing since I couldn't put it down.
This book was every interesting to me. I didn't think it would end like it did. I really enjoy reading this book. Was glad it wasn't so long so I could read the whole thing since I couldn't put it down.
Read
August 10, 2020Solid
Interesting short story. Just enough background information to avoid confusion and establish a foundation . Well paced, no errors, Good and creepy . Wish it would've been longer.
Interesting short story. Just enough background information to avoid confusion and establish a foundation . Well paced, no errors, Good and creepy . Wish it would've been longer.
August 17, 2021
A fast and furious read.
A fast paced story that draws you in and drags you quickly by the scruff of the neck through to the end.
There are some flashbacks for the Cain character, but once you get used to them, they fill out the tale.
A fast paced story that draws you in and drags you quickly by the scruff of the neck through to the end.
There are some flashbacks for the Cain character, but once you get used to them, they fill out the tale.
May 19, 2019
Awesome read! I can't stop reading it once I started! elite military unit was sent to find out what happen to human colony. All disappeared. The elite team found out real fast. It was the bugs!!!
May 20, 2019
Is this how Humanity ends? A totally new look at Humanity. Super read.
May 21, 2019
This book made me glad to be an earthling. Bugs taking over ... eek!
March 13, 2020
Wow!!
Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down. This book have me food for thought--literally. Since this is no spoiled alert, I will leave it up to you read the book
Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down. This book have me food for thought--literally. Since this is no spoiled alert, I will leave it up to you read the book
March 16, 2020
Excellent story of space colonization and first contact and corporate greed.
April 12, 2020
Although I was happy with the ending, it just took too much meandering to get there.
April 15, 2020
Just fabulous!
October 9, 2020
A quick if predictable read. I got to planetfall when I deduced the story twist (no spoilers it is short enough to read it for yourself.) So when the twist was revealed it was no surprise.
December 27, 2020
A fun, quick read. It was too quick in my opinion. Athough a tad predictable, it had a good setup and resolution.
February 26, 2021
Pretty good
I thought it was pretty good. Very familiar theme and some unique ideas as well. A fun Saturday night read. Mindless entertainment.
I thought it was pretty good. Very familiar theme and some unique ideas as well. A fun Saturday night read. Mindless entertainment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews