Alien: Echo by Mira Grant

Title: Alien: Echo

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Imprint 2019

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 299

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Dancing with Fantasy and Scifi - Another Planet

Olivia and her twin sister Viola have been dragged around the universe for as long as they can remember. Their parents, both xenobiologists, are always in high demand for their research into obscure alien biology.

Just settled on a new colony world, they discover an alien threat unlike anything they’ve ever seen. And suddenly the sisters’ world is ripped apart.

On the run from terrifying aliens, Olivia’s knowledge of xenobiology and determination to protect her sister are her only weapons as the colony collapses into chaos. But then a shocking family secret bursts open—one that’s as horrifying to Olivia as the aliens surrounding them.

The creatures infiltrate the rich wildlife on this untouched colony world—and quickly start adapting. Olivia’s going to have to adapt, too, if she’s going to survive..

I’ve loved all of Mira Grant’s other books (and all her writing under Seanan McGuire), so I had to grab this one from the library. Slight confusion when the story started, but I quickly realized that this story is set in the Alien universe. Should have been clued in my the title and yet I wasn’t. Once I dove into the story, this was a ride from one chapter to the next. It was horrifying to be right along with Olivia figuring out how the aliens operate. Definitely full of terror. I ended up reading this one in less than 24 hours. Definite fun.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant

Title: Rolling in the Deep (Rolling in the Deep #0.5)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit

Genre: Horror

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR: Popsugar - Lyrics; Seasonal Series - Duology

When the Imagine Network commissioned a documentary on mermaids, to be filmed from the cruise ship Atargatis, they expected what they had always received before: an assortment of eyewitness reports that proved nothing, some footage that proved even less, and the kind of ratings that only came from peddling imaginary creatures to the masses.

They didn't expect actual mermaids. They certainly didn't expect those mermaids to have teeth.

This is the story of the Atargatis, lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the bathypelagic zone in the Mariana Trench…and the depths are very good at keeping secrets.

A lovely, horrifying prequel to Into the Drowning Deep. Anyone who has read the main novel knows how this prequel is going to end, but I was still on pins and needles waiting to find out the fate of the crew on the Atargatis. And the sirens were just as horrifying (maybe even more so than the novel). A great read!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Title: Into the Drowning Deep

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2017

Genre: Horror

Pages: 440

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR: Reading Assignment; Seasonal Series - Red on Cover

Seven years ago the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a mockumentary bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a tragedy.

Now a new crew has been assembled. But this time they're not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life's work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves.

I finally got this one through my Care Exchange group and I immediately dove into the book. I couldn’t put it down, it was just too good. Horrifying, but good. I fell for all the characters we met and desperately wanted all of them to survive (but knew that some definitely would not survive). Grant gives the reader a horrifying set-up and payoff on a boat in the middle of the ocean. I was looking over my shoulder and my ceilings for monsters from the deep. Very scary! They even invaded my dreams. I love when a horror book unsettles me. I was completely sucked into this world and was so incredibly disappointed when I reached the last page. Now I must read the prequel story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Chimera by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont (Parasitology #3)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2016

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 488

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Finish a Trilogy

The outbreak has spread, tearing apart the foundations of society, as implanted tapeworms have turned their human hosts into a seemingly mindless mob.

Sal and her family are trapped between bad and worse, and must find a way to compromise between the two sides of their nature before the battle becomes large enough to destroy humanity, and everything that humanity has built...including the chimera.

The broken doors are closing. Can Sal make it home?

Such a great conclusion to this trilogy! I was so deeply invested in Sal and her fellow chimera. I couldn't wait to see how everything ended. Who would live? Who would die? What other surprises would we encounter along the way? I loved that we got to see less of Dr. Banks (seriously didn't care for him) and more of Fang and Fishy and Sherman. I loved the excerpts from diaries and autobiographies. I loved how most of the story focused on Sal as a narrator, but we did get some fun interludes featuring Sherman. Loved this series!

Parasitology

Next up on the TBR pile:

Symbiont by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont (Parasitology #2)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2015

Genre: Sciences Fiction

Pages: 518

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Blue on Cover

The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts, turning them into a ravenous horde.

Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped.

According to the author, this series started out as a duology, but during the writing of these volume, she expanded it to a trilogy. For the most part, I really enjoyed this volume. Sal is a great character. And all the side characters are super fun and interesting in their own rights. I really enjoyed the storyline. I loved the adventure with Sherman. But... there were a few times that I wanted the book to go just a little faster. Don't worry. I will be picking up the third book to read soon.

Parasitology

#1 Parasite
#2 Symbiont
#3 Chimera

Next up on the TBR pile:

Parasite by Mira Grant

Title: Parasite (Parasitology #1)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2013

Genre: Sciences Fiction

Pages: 502

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Pile; Share a tea; Seasonal Series -- Set in the real world

We owe our good health to a humble parasite -- a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the Intestinal Bodyguard worm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system -- even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.
But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives . . . and will do anything to get them.

Why did I leave this book sitting on my shelf for this long? I loved Mira Grant's Newflesh series and couldn't wait to read this newer series, but somehow it just got shoved to the back. I finally picked this one up and holy cow! I love love loved it! Love Grant's mix of science and fiction. In this series, we follow a seemingly normal girl on her journey to find out what's really going on in the world. Had my suspicions about what was really going on and it turns out I was right. And yet, I didn't care. I was along for the ride and loved every minute of it. I'm ready to read the next in the series!

Parasitology

#1 Parasite
#2 Symbiont
#3 Chimera

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell by Mira Grant

Title: The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell (Newsflash #3.6)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2014

Genre: Horror

Pages: 105

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; What's in a Name - Word "the" used twice

A new Newsflesh novella from the New York Times bestselling author that brought you Feed, Mira Grant.

Outside the classroom walls the Rising was spreading, but inside was a carefully protected sanctuary against the growing threat.

Or so the teachers and students thought.

I thoroughly enjoyed Grant's original Newsflesh trilogy a few years back and have been enjoying the additions of the short stories and continuations of the story. This short little story was full of all the horror and expert writing I have come to expect from Grant. I was completely horrified by this tale of a teacher attempting to save herself and her students from the unspeakable horror of the infected. I sped through this story and loved very bit of it. Such a great story!

Newflesh:

#0.5 Countdown
#0.75 San Diego 2014
#1 Feed
#1.5 Fed
#2 Deadline
#3 Blackout
#3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
#3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
#3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
#4 Feedback
#4.5 All the Pretty Little Horses
#4.6 Coming to You Live

Next up on the TBR pile:

San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats by Mira Grant

Title: San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats (Newsflesh novella)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2012

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 120

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombies; ebook; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: iPad read

It was the summer of 2014, and the true horrors of the Rising were only just beginning to reveal themselves. Fans from all over the world gathered in San Diego, California for the annual comic book and media convention, planning to forget about the troubling rumors of new diseases and walking dead by immersing themselves in a familiar environment. Over the course of five grueling days and nights, it became clear that the news was very close to home...and that most of the people who picked up their badges would never make it out alive.

Ran across this novella being reviewed on another blogger's site. I loved the original Newsflesh trilogy, so I had to download this one right away. And during the FrightFall Readathon seemed like a great time to read a little zombie story. Those who have read the trilogy know how this story is going to end. We know all about The Rising. But the story is written so well that I kept seeing glimpses of hope and survival until the bitter end. It's a great little short read to introduce you to The Rising or just as an extension of the original trilogy. Love, love, love!

Newsflesh

#0.4 Apocalupse Scenario #683: The Box
#0.5 Countdown
#0.75 San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats
#1 Feed
#2 Deadline
#3 Blackout
#3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
#3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
#3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
#4 Rewind

Blackout by Mira Grant

Title: Blackout (Newsflesh #3)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2012

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 660

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Mount TBR; Color Coded - Black; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I own it!

The year was 2014. The year we cured cancer. The year we cured the common cold. And the year the dead started to walk. The year of the Rising.
The year was 2039. The world didn't end when the zombies came, it just got worse. Georgia and Shaun Mason set out on the biggest story of their generation. The uncovered the biggest conspiracy since the Rising and realized that to tell the truth, sacrifices have to be made.
Now, the year is 2041, and the investigation that began with the election of President Ryman is much bigger than anyone had assumed. With too much left to do and not much time left to do it in, the surviving staff of After the End Times must face mad scientists, zombie bears, rogue government agencies-and if there's one thing they know is true in post-zombie America, it's this: Things can always get worse.

What a conclusion to the trilogy! I am blown away. I couldn't have imagined that the conspiracy went so deep and was so insidious. I love that this series, while keeping the zombie scares, involves a huge political thriller. This was definitely a departure, especially a departure from my last series (As the World Dies from Rhiannon Frater), but I loved it. I loved seeing more of my favorite characters, loved Maggie so much! I loved seeing more action sequences, love the shooting! I loved hearing more witty quips, hello Alaric! I must caution readers that this series is super addictive and super dense. While I flew through the pages, I sometimes needed to take a moment to let certain events and revelations sink in. A very well-written complicated zombie thriller.

Newsflesh

#0.4 Apocalupse Scenario #683: The Box
#0.5 Countdown
#0.75 San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats
#1 Feed
#2 Deadline
#3 Blackout
#3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
#3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
#3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
#4 Rewind

Deadline by Mira Grant

Title: Deadline (Newsflesh #2)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2011

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 624

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I own it!

Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn't seem as fun when you've lost as much as he has.But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.

The second part of this series continues the saga. I love this series. We get away from the political intrigue, or do we? As much as I missed Georgia, I really grew to love Shaun in this book. Even his crazy conversations with Georgia added a great character flaw. And we get to meet some of the beta bloggers who become alpha bloggers. I especially loved Maggie and all her crazy teacup bulldogs. Of course, the conspiracy keeps getting deeper and deeper. I loved the science involved in this series. The zombies are scary, but I'm more scared of the humans involved. I stayed up last night way too late trying to finish this book. I got to the end and sat in my chair stunned. I knew there would be a cliffhanger, but good graciousness that was big cliffhanger. Now I must start Blackout.

Newsflesh

#0.4 Apocalupse Scenario #683: The Box
#0.5 Countdown
#0.75 San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats
#1 Feed
#2 Deadline
#3 Blackout
#3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
#3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
#3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
#4 Rewind

Feed by Mira Grant

Title: Feed (Newsflesh #1)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2010

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 600

Rating: 5 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I own it!

The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED. NOW, twenty years after the Rising, Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives-the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will out, even if it kills them.

A different type of zombie novel, less concerned about the horrors of the zombies and more concerned about the horrors of uninfected humans. The novel focuses on politics and the news media. We see how the world post Rising has resorted to fear and false security. We see groups and individuals fall into the extremes in thinking. We see a group of bloggers attempting to give people the truth no matter the cause. I loved every minute of this book. It shocked me, but deep down didn't surprise me how low some the characters could go in their effort to "save America." In no way was this book predictive. I was stunned at every twist and turn.

Except for the comment about zombies, this is a very appropriate comment on the news media and the truth. I see this everyday. Scary that things in a post-zombie apocalypse world have so much in common with the state of the world today. Something to ponder. And go read this book!

The trouble with news is simple: People, especially ones on the ends of the power spectrum, like it when you're afraid. The people who have the power want you scared. They want you walking around paralyzed by the notion that you could die at any moment. There's always something to be afraid of. It used to be terrorists. Now it's zombies.

What does this have to do with the news? This: The truth isn't scary. Not when you understand it, not when you understand the repercussions of it, and not when you aren't worried that something's being kept form you. The truth is only scary when you think part of it might be missing. And those people? They like it when you're scared. So they do their best to sit on the truth, to sensationalize the truth, to filter the truth in ways that make it something you can be afraid of.

If we didn't have to fear the truths we didn't hear, we'd lost the need to fear the ones we did. People should consider that. (pg. 346)

Newsflesh

#0.4 Apocalypse Scenario #683: The Box
#0.5 Countdown
#0.75 San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats
#1 Feed
#2 Deadline
#3 Blackout
#3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
#3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
#3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
#4 Rewind