Alien: Echo by Mira Grant Review

Title: Alien: Echo

Author: Mira Grant

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Standalone

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

                I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

                Mira Grant has piqued my interest for years, because it’s a pseudonym for bestselling author, Seanan McGuire, and I’ve had Alien: Echo sitting at the top of my stack for a few weeks. As soon as I was finished with The Downstairs Girl, I dove in. Something weird to know about me: I HATE horror movies in all forms, but I love them in books! Drawing on the classic Alien film series, Echo tells the story of the twin Shipp sisters, Olivia and Viola. Reluctantly following their parents across the galaxy to the planet Zagreus, all Olivia wants to do is woo a pretty girl from school. But the new colony has dark, fatal secrets, and it will take all of Olivia’s instincts, her parents’ knowledge of alien wildlife, floral and fauna, and more than one adaptation to survive the unknown threat that is working to take over the planet.

                This is the first book I’ve read under Seanan McGuire’s pseudonym, Mira Grant, and I’m happy to report that this will not be my last! I loved the way Grant took the strange but familiar world of Alien and made it her own. I love science fiction, it’s one of my favorite genres, but I love it even more when it’s mashed up with horror! The pacing was breakneck and I was immediately captivated by Olivia’s voice. The stark and terrifying planet of Zagreus will probably haunt my nightmares from now on. The sense of dread and terror only mounted as the book continued. I loved the entire Shipp family, but Olivia and Viola, as well as their bond, were my favorite part of the book. And that ending! I loved the way it ended. Having narration in the present tense only added to the terror! The only thing that bothered me was that at times Olivia seemed ruled by her hormones. Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed this book! Easily one of the best sci-fi novels I’ve read recently! The bottom line: Terrifying, dark, thoughtful and shocking, I loved Alien: Echo! Next on deck: Long Bright River by Liz Moore!