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Why on Earth
With stories from NYT bestselling and debut authors, Why on Earth uses an accidental alien invasion to explore love and identity.
What starts as a simple rescue mission for a crew of teen aliens to recover one of their own soon becomes an interstellar encounter no one will forget.
Captain Iona is organizing an impromptu retrieval for her brother, an undercover alien posing as a movie star. But her efforts go awry when a technical malfunction turns her heroic rescue into an unintentional invasion. With tales of disguised extraterrestrials stuck in theme parks, starship engineers hitchhiking to get home, and myth-inspired intergalactic sibling reunions, each story in this multi-author anthology explores the universal desire to be loved and understood, no matter where you come from. After all...aliens are just like us.
"This anthology twinkles with an adventurous spirit, quirky personalities, hope, and a sense of belonging. Stellar."
―Kirkus Reviews
“Out of this world!”
―Scott Reintgen, New York Times bestselling author of A Door in the Dark
“Epic fun exploring themes of acceptance and the desire to connect, regardless of species, Why on Earth is an absolute blast!”
―Alechia Dow, author of The Sound of Stars
“A delightful collection of offbeat, otherworldly stories filled with heartwarming moments and loads of entertaining, imaginative writing.”
―Kimberly Jones, New York Times bestselling author of I’m Not Dying with You Tonight
“An all-star lineup of brilliant authors with stories that make you laugh, feel, and cheer.”
―Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Wish of the Wicked
“Whether it’s a story to build the world we’re beaming into, misguided crushes in the middle of an alien invasion, or the most charmingly awkward teen alien this side of the Milky Way, there will be plenty for readers to enjoy in this anthology!”
―Preeti Chhibber, author of Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot
What starts as a simple rescue mission for a crew of teen aliens to recover one of their own soon becomes an interstellar encounter no one will forget.
Captain Iona is organizing an impromptu retrieval for her brother, an undercover alien posing as a movie star. But her efforts go awry when a technical malfunction turns her heroic rescue into an unintentional invasion. With tales of disguised extraterrestrials stuck in theme parks, starship engineers hitchhiking to get home, and myth-inspired intergalactic sibling reunions, each story in this multi-author anthology explores the universal desire to be loved and understood, no matter where you come from. After all...aliens are just like us.
"This anthology twinkles with an adventurous spirit, quirky personalities, hope, and a sense of belonging. Stellar."
―Kirkus Reviews
“Out of this world!”
―Scott Reintgen, New York Times bestselling author of A Door in the Dark
“Epic fun exploring themes of acceptance and the desire to connect, regardless of species, Why on Earth is an absolute blast!”
―Alechia Dow, author of The Sound of Stars
“A delightful collection of offbeat, otherworldly stories filled with heartwarming moments and loads of entertaining, imaginative writing.”
―Kimberly Jones, New York Times bestselling author of I’m Not Dying with You Tonight
“An all-star lineup of brilliant authors with stories that make you laugh, feel, and cheer.”
―Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Wish of the Wicked
“Whether it’s a story to build the world we’re beaming into, misguided crushes in the middle of an alien invasion, or the most charmingly awkward teen alien this side of the Milky Way, there will be plenty for readers to enjoy in this anthology!”
―Preeti Chhibber, author of Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 21, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
This was fun and often fairly campy. Why On Earth is a novel told as a series of interconnected short stories by different YA authors. The premise is that a group of teen aliens are illegally coming to earth in an attempt to "rescue" one of their brothers who has become a pop superstar. But the ship crashes in Santa Monica, and they are all spread out in escape pods.
Some stories follow the aliens, some follow human teens experiencing this alien "invasion" or meeting some of the aliens. There's definitely a lot of suspension of disbelief required and parts of it are deeply unserious, but it's a fun anthology with a lot of diverse representation throughout it. Like many anthologies like this, some stories are better than others. Some were excellent, others not so much. I will be honest that I found the opening to be a little cringe-worthy and sometimes it made references that are more millennial than Gen Alpha who would be the target market for this. But things improved significantly and I had a pretty good time with it. A major themes cross many of the stories is coming of age and finding your place in the world as who you truly are. Which is lovely. The stories are clearly more directed than most anthologies where there is just a common theme. This actually aims to tell a complete story. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
This was fun and often fairly campy. Why On Earth is a novel told as a series of interconnected short stories by different YA authors. The premise is that a group of teen aliens are illegally coming to earth in an attempt to "rescue" one of their brothers who has become a pop superstar. But the ship crashes in Santa Monica, and they are all spread out in escape pods.
Some stories follow the aliens, some follow human teens experiencing this alien "invasion" or meeting some of the aliens. There's definitely a lot of suspension of disbelief required and parts of it are deeply unserious, but it's a fun anthology with a lot of diverse representation throughout it. Like many anthologies like this, some stories are better than others. Some were excellent, others not so much. I will be honest that I found the opening to be a little cringe-worthy and sometimes it made references that are more millennial than Gen Alpha who would be the target market for this. But things improved significantly and I had a pretty good time with it. A major themes cross many of the stories is coming of age and finding your place in the world as who you truly are. Which is lovely. The stories are clearly more directed than most anthologies where there is just a common theme. This actually aims to tell a complete story. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
January 27, 2025
This book was so f*ckin fun. I loved it.
Full review to come.
What starts as a simple rescue mission for a crew of teen aliens to recover one of their own soon becomes an interstellar encounter no one will forget.
Edited by beloved YA author Rosiee Thor and YA talk show host Vania Stoyanova, the anthology crosses genre bounds to bring in tropes from romance and contemporary adventure with stories from Alex Brown, Beth Revis, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Eric Smith, Julian Winters, Laura Pohl, Maya Gittelman, M. K. England, Rebecca Kim Wells, and S. J. Whitby.
^from the publisher!
I am OBSESSED with this anthology of stories. The alien invasion was so incredibly cool and fun and I just really really loved these. The romance was fantastic. The friendship was wonderful.
The stories had me literally squealing with excitement. I especially loved the story with Alex for the squeal factor!! I can’t even choose a favorite because I’d literally read a full book on each and every short story. They’re that good.
Full review to come.
What starts as a simple rescue mission for a crew of teen aliens to recover one of their own soon becomes an interstellar encounter no one will forget.
Edited by beloved YA author Rosiee Thor and YA talk show host Vania Stoyanova, the anthology crosses genre bounds to bring in tropes from romance and contemporary adventure with stories from Alex Brown, Beth Revis, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Eric Smith, Julian Winters, Laura Pohl, Maya Gittelman, M. K. England, Rebecca Kim Wells, and S. J. Whitby.
^from the publisher!
I am OBSESSED with this anthology of stories. The alien invasion was so incredibly cool and fun and I just really really loved these. The romance was fantastic. The friendship was wonderful.
The stories had me literally squealing with excitement. I especially loved the story with Alex for the squeal factor!! I can’t even choose a favorite because I’d literally read a full book on each and every short story. They’re that good.
February 9, 2025
3.5*
So this anthology is fun, because it tells a continuous story through many different authors and characters. They're all interconnected in some way, some bigger and some smaller, but I enjoyed that piece of it. The premise is this: teen aliens have crashed on Earth and are kind of stranded when they come to rescue their friend/fellow species member who has become a teen idol on Earth. So yes, it is kind of silly, but it is also rather charming, too.
Obviously, the premise requires some pretty heavy suspension of disbelief, which is mostly fine. My one qualm when it comes to that is that the characters (the non-alien ones, I mean) accepted this whole thing very quickly. I get it, it's a collection of short stories, and it would have been dreadfully boring if it was just a bunch of Earth teens yelling "nope, don't buy it!", but it made it a bit harder to suspend said disbelief.
But like I said, it is a charming collection with a lot of positive messages, and a lot of diverse stories and characters. And honestly, now more than ever, we (and especially younger folks) need this representation.
Bottom Line: A little "out there", but charming, quirky, and full of diverse tales to warm your heart.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
So this anthology is fun, because it tells a continuous story through many different authors and characters. They're all interconnected in some way, some bigger and some smaller, but I enjoyed that piece of it. The premise is this: teen aliens have crashed on Earth and are kind of stranded when they come to rescue their friend/fellow species member who has become a teen idol on Earth. So yes, it is kind of silly, but it is also rather charming, too.
Obviously, the premise requires some pretty heavy suspension of disbelief, which is mostly fine. My one qualm when it comes to that is that the characters (the non-alien ones, I mean) accepted this whole thing very quickly. I get it, it's a collection of short stories, and it would have been dreadfully boring if it was just a bunch of Earth teens yelling "nope, don't buy it!", but it made it a bit harder to suspend said disbelief.
But like I said, it is a charming collection with a lot of positive messages, and a lot of diverse stories and characters. And honestly, now more than ever, we (and especially younger folks) need this representation.
Bottom Line: A little "out there", but charming, quirky, and full of diverse tales to warm your heart.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
June 4, 2025
Disclaimer: I bought my copy of this book from Vania’s job at Brave and Kind, but I also received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks and support your local indie bookstores! All opinions are my own.
Book: Why on Earth
Author: Vania Stoyanova (Editor), Rosiee Thor (Editor), Alex Brown, Beth Revis, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Eric Smith, Julian Winters, Laura Pohl, Maya Gittelman, M.K. England, Rebecca Kim Wells, S.J. Whitby
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Bisexual character, Black gay MMC, Brazilian FMC and characters, Immigrant-like characters, Queer MCs and characters, Trans MC, Genderqueer characters, Nonbinary character
Recommended For...: Young Adult Readers, Sci-Fi, Anthology, Queer, Aliens, Romance
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi Anthology
Age Relevance: 13+ (romance, torture, language, grief, death, parental death, sibling death, parental abandonment, animal death)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight romance throughout the different stories in the book. Torture is mentioned in one story. There is some slight language in a couple of different stories. There is parental and/or sibling death and parental abandonment mentioned in a couple of stories. There is a scene with an animal death. There is death mentioned in a couple of stories. There is some grief present in a few of the stories.
If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Wonderland
Publisher: Page Street YA
Pages: 336
Synopsis: What starts as a simple rescue mission for a crew of teen aliens to recover one of their own soon becomes an interstellar encounter no one will forget. Captain Iona is organizing an impromptu retrieval for her brother, an undercover alien posing as a movie star. But her efforts go awry when a technical malfunction turns her heroic rescue into an unintentional invasion. With tales of disguised extraterrestrials stuck in theme parks, starship engineers hitchhiking to get home, and myth-inspired intergalactic sibling reunions, each story in this multi-author anthology explores the universal desire to be loved and understood, no matter where you come from. After all...aliens are just like us.
Review: I really liked this anthology and I'm not normally one for them. I liked the conversation about the different types of discrimination and I think the book is symbolic overall of the experience immigrants have who come over to America, misunderstood being the biggest obstacle. There was also a sense of "othering" in multiple stories as a theme that connected the human characters to the alien characters and to the experience many readers might have in their own world. The world building was great and I'd love to read more of any story in this book.
The only issue I really had with the book is the pacing in some stories and how back and forth the timeline is overall. I'd also have liked an ending outro with all of the alien characters, but that's just me.
Verdict: This was such a fun adventure! Highly recommend!
Book: Why on Earth
Author: Vania Stoyanova (Editor), Rosiee Thor (Editor), Alex Brown, Beth Revis, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Eric Smith, Julian Winters, Laura Pohl, Maya Gittelman, M.K. England, Rebecca Kim Wells, S.J. Whitby
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Bisexual character, Black gay MMC, Brazilian FMC and characters, Immigrant-like characters, Queer MCs and characters, Trans MC, Genderqueer characters, Nonbinary character
Recommended For...: Young Adult Readers, Sci-Fi, Anthology, Queer, Aliens, Romance
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi Anthology
Age Relevance: 13+ (romance, torture, language, grief, death, parental death, sibling death, parental abandonment, animal death)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight romance throughout the different stories in the book. Torture is mentioned in one story. There is some slight language in a couple of different stories. There is parental and/or sibling death and parental abandonment mentioned in a couple of stories. There is a scene with an animal death. There is death mentioned in a couple of stories. There is some grief present in a few of the stories.
If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Wonderland
Publisher: Page Street YA
Pages: 336
Synopsis: What starts as a simple rescue mission for a crew of teen aliens to recover one of their own soon becomes an interstellar encounter no one will forget. Captain Iona is organizing an impromptu retrieval for her brother, an undercover alien posing as a movie star. But her efforts go awry when a technical malfunction turns her heroic rescue into an unintentional invasion. With tales of disguised extraterrestrials stuck in theme parks, starship engineers hitchhiking to get home, and myth-inspired intergalactic sibling reunions, each story in this multi-author anthology explores the universal desire to be loved and understood, no matter where you come from. After all...aliens are just like us.
Review: I really liked this anthology and I'm not normally one for them. I liked the conversation about the different types of discrimination and I think the book is symbolic overall of the experience immigrants have who come over to America, misunderstood being the biggest obstacle. There was also a sense of "othering" in multiple stories as a theme that connected the human characters to the alien characters and to the experience many readers might have in their own world. The world building was great and I'd love to read more of any story in this book.
The only issue I really had with the book is the pacing in some stories and how back and forth the timeline is overall. I'd also have liked an ending outro with all of the alien characters, but that's just me.
Verdict: This was such a fun adventure! Highly recommend!
March 12, 2025
3.5/5 - Well this was nice and fun and a pretty cool idea for an anthology!
A group of teen aliens crashland on Earth to rescue the captain's brother who is now a famous movie star in the USA.
If you think that sounds kinda crazy, it is. But it's also a lot of fun and a good way to see a bunch of queer teens around the States, interact with a bunch of aliens and realise how aliens can be relatable to us queer folk.
Here's the thing: it did feel a tad bit too easy in the way that every one accepted the alien situation super easily and they were all very happy to help and open up to strangers, I mean... aliens!! And of course each alien landed in a place where a queer teen with similar issues to them were there to help and become their friend over the course of five minutes...
If you're able to look past that, you'll have a great time though.
(One last thing: this could have been an incredible opportunity for found family subplots but it never occured to anyone!?)
Special shout out to One Last Shot Before the End of the World By Julian Winters and A Taste of Country by M.K. England which were stand-out stories for me.
A group of teen aliens crashland on Earth to rescue the captain's brother who is now a famous movie star in the USA.
If you think that sounds kinda crazy, it is. But it's also a lot of fun and a good way to see a bunch of queer teens around the States, interact with a bunch of aliens and realise how aliens can be relatable to us queer folk.
Here's the thing: it did feel a tad bit too easy in the way that every one accepted the alien situation super easily and they were all very happy to help and open up to strangers, I mean... aliens!! And of course each alien landed in a place where a queer teen with similar issues to them were there to help and become their friend over the course of five minutes...
If you're able to look past that, you'll have a great time though.
(One last thing: this could have been an incredible opportunity for found family subplots but it never occured to anyone!?)
Special shout out to One Last Shot Before the End of the World By Julian Winters and A Taste of Country by M.K. England which were stand-out stories for me.
August 30, 2025
I was disappointed as soon as I found out this was a continuous story wherein each chapter is written by a different author instead not a collection of short stories about aliens. And I stayed disappointed. 😕
July 20, 2025
4.25/5
To start off this is one of the first anthologies I have ever read. I am usually weary of them because I hate the fact that each story could possibly be different and not have enough time for the reader to get attached to the characters. But, I decided to try something new. I was presently surprised when I found out the story is connected throughout the book, with just different POVs. I was also disappointed though, because all the characters had a lot of potential but I felt like we never got to really know the characters before we switched to another part of the story with different characters. The overall plot was really good though, I enjoyed it a lot. Not knowing how to review the book exactly, I made individual little reviews of each section with their own rating , which is below.
No strangers to love
3.5/5
A solid start to the book, excited to see where it goes
One Last Shot Before the End of the World
4.5/5
Really liked the story and it sounds like my personal hell getting stuck in an elevator but I’m happy to find out the stories are all in the same universe (hopefully we’ll get Max’s pov?)
Username: I’m an actual human
4.75/5
This one was so great! I loved how Dexin’s character gets explored more. Honestly this is going to be hard to find the final rating because let me tell you, the story is AWESOME so far, but I’m still worried there will be moments that will bring the rating down, I guess that’s how it is with every book you read though
Skill Issue
4.5/5
This one started a little slow but once it got going I was really sucked into the story. The opening scene was honestly a nightmare for me but with the group going around the park and able to grow as characters, to learn more about Vidra, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
A Time for All Things
3.75/5
This one is the first one that kind of fell flat to me, just because the goal was a little easier and there wasn’t a lot going on compared to the other stories to me. I did like how we’re getting introduced to more characters, and I wonder if they will show up in other stories.
Red Carpet Blues
5/5
This has got to be the best one so far. I loved finally meeting Max and Hannah was just a great as well. Can’t wait to see how this continues.
Impact Crater
4/5
Even though not a lot of stuff happened in this section, there was a lot of emotional depth to it and I’m happy the reader got to know a little bit more about the aliens
A taste of country
5/5
This one was definitely my favorite so far. There were so many times I laughed and I was really drawn into the stories climax (I think it’s the climax) but I can’t wait to read how it ends.
Parts of a System
3.75/5
This one I felt wasn’t as plot heavy, just a little road trip. Though it was fun to see another perspective.
The Road Less Traveled (Because there’s a detour sign)
4/5
This one was great. Really enjoyed Aster and Bryce’s little academic rivals to lovers. Nothing much else to say because it looks like the overall story is wrapping up.
Look Up
4.75/5
Now that was an ending
To start off this is one of the first anthologies I have ever read. I am usually weary of them because I hate the fact that each story could possibly be different and not have enough time for the reader to get attached to the characters. But, I decided to try something new. I was presently surprised when I found out the story is connected throughout the book, with just different POVs. I was also disappointed though, because all the characters had a lot of potential but I felt like we never got to really know the characters before we switched to another part of the story with different characters. The overall plot was really good though, I enjoyed it a lot. Not knowing how to review the book exactly, I made individual little reviews of each section with their own rating , which is below.
No strangers to love
3.5/5
A solid start to the book, excited to see where it goes
One Last Shot Before the End of the World
4.5/5
Really liked the story and it sounds like my personal hell getting stuck in an elevator but I’m happy to find out the stories are all in the same universe (hopefully we’ll get Max’s pov?)
Username: I’m an actual human
4.75/5
This one was so great! I loved how Dexin’s character gets explored more. Honestly this is going to be hard to find the final rating because let me tell you, the story is AWESOME so far, but I’m still worried there will be moments that will bring the rating down, I guess that’s how it is with every book you read though
Skill Issue
4.5/5
This one started a little slow but once it got going I was really sucked into the story. The opening scene was honestly a nightmare for me but with the group going around the park and able to grow as characters, to learn more about Vidra, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
A Time for All Things
3.75/5
This one is the first one that kind of fell flat to me, just because the goal was a little easier and there wasn’t a lot going on compared to the other stories to me. I did like how we’re getting introduced to more characters, and I wonder if they will show up in other stories.
Red Carpet Blues
5/5
This has got to be the best one so far. I loved finally meeting Max and Hannah was just a great as well. Can’t wait to see how this continues.
Impact Crater
4/5
Even though not a lot of stuff happened in this section, there was a lot of emotional depth to it and I’m happy the reader got to know a little bit more about the aliens
A taste of country
5/5
This one was definitely my favorite so far. There were so many times I laughed and I was really drawn into the stories climax (I think it’s the climax) but I can’t wait to read how it ends.
Parts of a System
3.75/5
This one I felt wasn’t as plot heavy, just a little road trip. Though it was fun to see another perspective.
The Road Less Traveled (Because there’s a detour sign)
4/5
This one was great. Really enjoyed Aster and Bryce’s little academic rivals to lovers. Nothing much else to say because it looks like the overall story is wrapping up.
Look Up
4.75/5
Now that was an ending
February 20, 2025
After all... aliens are just like us.
WHY ON EARTH is out now—an interconnected anthology of stories following a group of teen aliens accidentally crashing into the Pacific Ocean in search of their captain, Iona's brother Max who came to Earth on a mission five years ago and never came back. He's not dead, he's just... a movie star? And in a boy band?? And living amongst the humans???
Told from a new perspective each chapter, we follow the alien crew's mission to save Max after they all crash into a different city across the US. Now they all have to rely on help from internet friends they've never met in-person, strangers who are having an awful vacation but can't understand them because their translator device broke, and tourist trap gift shop owners who know someone who knows someone who knows Max.
But that's okay! The invasion isn't all bad for us humans in this story. Sometimes being trapped in an elevator with your crush who you've barely talked to or rushing around trying to fix the very expensive outfit that a movie star was supposed to wear to a premiere tonight that you spilled coffee on really puts thing into perspective and brings you closer to the people you love.
I'm not typically one for anthologies—I've tried reading several before and enjoyed them but not *gotten into them*, you know? But I just had to pick this one up when I saw one the cast of editors and contributors—some of my favorite authors like Rosiee Thor, Julian Winters, Eric Smith, and M.K. England, plus authors whose work I've heard great things about like Maya Gittelman, Laura Pohl, Rebecca Kim Wells, and Beth Revis, as well as new-to-me authors Alex Brown, SJ Whitby, Emily Lloyd-Jones, and Vania Stoyanova.
The story building in WHY ON EARTH that makes the chapters flow despite being by different authors is a work of art and you can tell just how much love and effort and fun went into writing it. I'm so glad I requested this one and you should do yourself a favor and pick it up too!
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tour and Page Street YA for including me on their book tour and providing me with an ARC.
WHY ON EARTH is out now—an interconnected anthology of stories following a group of teen aliens accidentally crashing into the Pacific Ocean in search of their captain, Iona's brother Max who came to Earth on a mission five years ago and never came back. He's not dead, he's just... a movie star? And in a boy band?? And living amongst the humans???
Told from a new perspective each chapter, we follow the alien crew's mission to save Max after they all crash into a different city across the US. Now they all have to rely on help from internet friends they've never met in-person, strangers who are having an awful vacation but can't understand them because their translator device broke, and tourist trap gift shop owners who know someone who knows someone who knows Max.
But that's okay! The invasion isn't all bad for us humans in this story. Sometimes being trapped in an elevator with your crush who you've barely talked to or rushing around trying to fix the very expensive outfit that a movie star was supposed to wear to a premiere tonight that you spilled coffee on really puts thing into perspective and brings you closer to the people you love.
I'm not typically one for anthologies—I've tried reading several before and enjoyed them but not *gotten into them*, you know? But I just had to pick this one up when I saw one the cast of editors and contributors—some of my favorite authors like Rosiee Thor, Julian Winters, Eric Smith, and M.K. England, plus authors whose work I've heard great things about like Maya Gittelman, Laura Pohl, Rebecca Kim Wells, and Beth Revis, as well as new-to-me authors Alex Brown, SJ Whitby, Emily Lloyd-Jones, and Vania Stoyanova.
The story building in WHY ON EARTH that makes the chapters flow despite being by different authors is a work of art and you can tell just how much love and effort and fun went into writing it. I'm so glad I requested this one and you should do yourself a favor and pick it up too!
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tour and Page Street YA for including me on their book tour and providing me with an ARC.
January 26, 2025
AAAAAAHHHH. Okay this is one of my most anticipated this year, and I can now report that it didn't let me down 🥹
Why on Earth, as a whole anthology, was lovely and entertaining. It's equal parts funny, adventurous, and introspective. I think the authors did a great job crafting stories that interweave with each other, while also creating stories that represent being human and/or how it relates to being an alien.
Some of my favorite stories in here are:
- One Last Shot Before the End of the World By Julian Winters
- Red Carpet Blues by Rebecca Kim Wells
- A Taste of Country by M.K. England
- The Road Less Traveled (Because There's a Detour Sign) by Emily Lloyd-Jones
I'm on book tour for this book, with Colored Pages this February! Please look out for my post on my blog/booksta soon! 🥹
(Thanks to Colored Pages and Page Street YA for having me and sending an ARC. This of course did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Why on Earth, as a whole anthology, was lovely and entertaining. It's equal parts funny, adventurous, and introspective. I think the authors did a great job crafting stories that interweave with each other, while also creating stories that represent being human and/or how it relates to being an alien.
Some of my favorite stories in here are:
- One Last Shot Before the End of the World By Julian Winters
- Red Carpet Blues by Rebecca Kim Wells
- A Taste of Country by M.K. England
- The Road Less Traveled (Because There's a Detour Sign) by Emily Lloyd-Jones
I'm on book tour for this book, with Colored Pages this February! Please look out for my post on my blog/booksta soon! 🥹
(Thanks to Colored Pages and Page Street YA for having me and sending an ARC. This of course did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
[ Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: Read Queerly 2025.
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Storygraph | Fable | Blog ]
February 6, 2025
I had a lot of fun with this book! It's a science fiction read full of adventure, humor and yes some romance. Each chapter is told by a different author and you would think that it would have messed with the flow but it didn't and each story is unique and entertaining! The authors match well with each other! This was definitely one of my most enjoyable reads so far this year! Thank you Colored Pages Book Tours, Page Street Ya, Vania Stoyanova and Rosiee Thor for sharing this book with me!
May 23, 2025
Really enjoyed I picked this up thinking it would be a thriller or a horror just off the library shelf and was surprised that it wasn’t and the stories were very heartfelt and heartwarming. Although it is an anthology I feel like you need to read each story and do so in order in order to really get the full story. They are all connected and lead into one another
April 2, 2025
Interesting story telling concept. Like the old party game where people each take three minutes to tell a story that is continued by the next person for three minutes until all the guests have had a chance to put their own spin on the tale begun by the party host. This book allows a number of authors to work on an alien invasion story. Geared to the "Young Adult" reader, I found it a rather strange look into what they are reading. Bear in mind that I am a 78-year-old Baby Boomer, born male and identify as a male. The book has eleven chapters, including the Prologue. Here's a non-spoiler take on each chapter. #1 Plural pronouns replace sex specific pronouns. #2 Boy to boy romance. #3 Girl to girl romance. #4 Girl to girl romance. #5 Girl to girl romance. #6 Queer (author's usage) werewolf and gender changing fairies. #7 Transgender he/she wannabe. Alien can go either way. #8 Plural pronouns instead of sex specific. Girl on girl romance. #9 Plural pronouns again. Male human identifies as female. Aliens are non-binary. #10 Good old-fashioned boy and girl romance. Surprise! #11 "Emily" wants to be called "Lee." The book "Why On Earth" makes me wonder why on Earth did I read this? I blame my low rating of this to my age. If I were a young adult, it may have gotten a higher score. IMMHO
March 7, 2025
"Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology," edited by Vania Stoyanova and Rosiee Thor, presents a collection of interconnected short stories that blend humor, heart, and chaos. The anthology begins with a rescue mission gone awry, resulting in an alien ship crashing into the Santa Monica Pier and scattering escape pods across the U.S. This sets the stage for tales of disguised extraterrestrials navigating human environments, starship engineers seeking unconventional rides home, and myth-inspired sibling reunions across galaxies.
Critics have praised the anthology for its adventurous spirit and diverse representation. Kirkus Reviews noted, "This anthology twinkles with an adventurous spirit, quirky personalities, hope, and a sense of belonging. Stellar." Similarly, School Library Journal highlighted its appeal, stating, "This fun and moving collection of interconnected short stories stars a cast of teens, human and alien."
Reader reactions have been positive as well. On Goodreads, the book holds an average rating of 4.09 out of 5 stars, based on 47 ratings and 24 reviews. Readers appreciate its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, with one reviewer commenting, "It's equal parts funny, adventurous, and introspective."
Overall, "Why on Earth" offers an engaging and imaginative exploration of love and identity through the lens of an accidental alien invasion, making it a noteworthy read for fans of young adult science fiction.
Critics have praised the anthology for its adventurous spirit and diverse representation. Kirkus Reviews noted, "This anthology twinkles with an adventurous spirit, quirky personalities, hope, and a sense of belonging. Stellar." Similarly, School Library Journal highlighted its appeal, stating, "This fun and moving collection of interconnected short stories stars a cast of teens, human and alien."
Reader reactions have been positive as well. On Goodreads, the book holds an average rating of 4.09 out of 5 stars, based on 47 ratings and 24 reviews. Readers appreciate its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, with one reviewer commenting, "It's equal parts funny, adventurous, and introspective."
Overall, "Why on Earth" offers an engaging and imaginative exploration of love and identity through the lens of an accidental alien invasion, making it a noteworthy read for fans of young adult science fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
Aliens--basically a teenage girl and a handful of friends--come to Earth to “rescue” the girl's brother, who’s been living incognito as a human movie star for years. They crash-land in various spots across the US, mostly near other teens who have similar gender identities or parent issues.
Word gets out immediately and humanity accepts it without question. The humans who encounter aliens are all remarkably calm and credulous, even when the aliens' appearance generators malfunction, revealing that they look like the guys from Strange Planet. Everyone meets the people they need to meet or learns the things they need to learn, and then the aliens go on their way. (The government can't interfere because of a treaty a president made with aliens back in the 1800s.)
If you don't care about science fiction and just want cheesy, affirming, easy-to-read YA stories, you might enjoy this. There are plenty of confessions of love and musings about humanity, and the anthology format is fun and easily digestible. Even from that point of view, though, pop culture references that somehow already sound dated, forced humor that falls flat, and far too many soliloquies about gender would still keep me from recommending it.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
Word gets out immediately and humanity accepts it without question. The humans who encounter aliens are all remarkably calm and credulous, even when the aliens' appearance generators malfunction, revealing that they look like the guys from Strange Planet. Everyone meets the people they need to meet or learns the things they need to learn, and then the aliens go on their way. (The government can't interfere because of a treaty a president made with aliens back in the 1800s.)
If you don't care about science fiction and just want cheesy, affirming, easy-to-read YA stories, you might enjoy this. There are plenty of confessions of love and musings about humanity, and the anthology format is fun and easily digestible. Even from that point of view, though, pop culture references that somehow already sound dated, forced humor that falls flat, and far too many soliloquies about gender would still keep me from recommending it.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
February 10, 2025
Thank you to TBR and Beyond for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Why on Earth is a delightful and surprisingly cohesive YA sci-fi anthology that takes the concept of an accidental alien invasion and spins it into a series of heartfelt, funny, and thought-provoking stories. With contributions from both bestselling and debut authors, this collection offers a fresh perspective on identity, belonging, and the universal desire to be understood.
One of the standout elements of this anthology is how well the stories fit together despite being written by different authors. The overarching premise of a botched rescue mission that turns into an invasion provides a solid foundation, making the entire collection feel connected rather than disjointed. It’s a fun, relatively low-stakes read that manages to weave in deeper themes about being "othered," gender identity, and self-acceptance without feeling heavy-handed.
There’s also a strong thread of humor throughout the book, with plenty of pop culture references sprinkled in. Some of these references made me laugh out loud, while others felt a bit dated, but overall, they added to the playful and engaging tone of the stories.
At its heart, Why on Earth is a collection of coming-of-age tales wrapped in a sci-fi setting, making it a great choice for YA readers looking for a mix of adventure, self-discovery, and a touch of intergalactic chaos.
Final Thoughts:If you love stories about aliens, identity, and finding your place in the universe, Why on Earth is a fantastic anthology to check out. It’s fun, heartfelt, and offers a refreshing twist on the classic coming-of-age narrative.
August 18, 2025
I love a scary apocalypse story that focuses on joy. I can't get enough of them.
I think the best part about this collection is that in each story, young people chose to give in to their best instincts. Sometimes also the least logical, but that's teenagers isn't it? Decisions weren't made out of fear of the unknown, which I think makes a wonderful kind of sense: who is better acquainted with the unknown than someone about to graduate high school? One thing I can't stand is an alien invasion story (or a weather event, or zombies, or whatever) and the entire storytelling is just "Let's explore the worst humanity has to offer. What if everyone was just mean and afraid and individualistic?" BLECKEWBORING there is not enough booing and hissing in the universe for that crap. But this book? This book was the opposite. What if the aliens really did come in peace, and everyone who had contact with them could tell? What if aliens accidentally crash landing on earth meant adventure and self-discovery, and we all were better for it? What if they kiss at the end??
I recommend this book for readers who liked Reclaim the Stars edited by Zoraida Cordova, West Hollywood Monster Squad by Sina Grace, and House Party edited by justin reynolds.
I think the best part about this collection is that in each story, young people chose to give in to their best instincts. Sometimes also the least logical, but that's teenagers isn't it? Decisions weren't made out of fear of the unknown, which I think makes a wonderful kind of sense: who is better acquainted with the unknown than someone about to graduate high school? One thing I can't stand is an alien invasion story (or a weather event, or zombies, or whatever) and the entire storytelling is just "Let's explore the worst humanity has to offer. What if everyone was just mean and afraid and individualistic?" BLECKEWBORING there is not enough booing and hissing in the universe for that crap. But this book? This book was the opposite. What if the aliens really did come in peace, and everyone who had contact with them could tell? What if aliens accidentally crash landing on earth meant adventure and self-discovery, and we all were better for it? What if they kiss at the end??
I recommend this book for readers who liked Reclaim the Stars edited by Zoraida Cordova, West Hollywood Monster Squad by Sina Grace, and House Party edited by justin reynolds.
December 8, 2024
Thank you Page Street and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I love this type of Anthology where all the short stories come together to build a larger story! Iona and her crew are on a mission to rescue her brother. He’s been on Earth for 5 years, she’s worried that he may be being held against his will. Well probably… he is a famous singer/actor on Earth… but still he can’t want to stay there. However, when there ship is going to crash on entry, they have to escape via the pods and the crew is scattered across America. Now they have to safe Max and get back to their ship all before midnight. And for the humans, they now have proof of alien life. Is this the beginning of the invasion? What do they want? Stories told from human and alien perspectives! A wonderfully queer story told from so many fun points of view! I love that the aliens are all genderqueer too! A sci-fi full of romance, adventure, and figuring out who you are! An enjoyable read that you won’t want to put down!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2025
This was such a unique take on the alien invasion story. This diverse anthology splits a single accidental alien invasion into one flowing plot with each individual story written by a different author. The stories lean toward romance and coming of age stories. It explores a variety of identities and even different locations around the country.
The collection is a mix of heartwarming and humorous. The characters find themselves in odd situations with a lot of fish out of water humor. In some stories the aliens are the focus, some the humans experiencing the alien invasion are the focus, and some are a mix of the two. While the stories were all different and written by different authors, I think they were able to align their writing styles in a way that flowed really well. I have read some of the authors before and some I have not, but everything matched up really well.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. I also pre-ordered my own copy (support indie bookstores!).
The collection is a mix of heartwarming and humorous. The characters find themselves in odd situations with a lot of fish out of water humor. In some stories the aliens are the focus, some the humans experiencing the alien invasion are the focus, and some are a mix of the two. While the stories were all different and written by different authors, I think they were able to align their writing styles in a way that flowed really well. I have read some of the authors before and some I have not, but everything matched up really well.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. I also pre-ordered my own copy (support indie bookstores!).
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February 10, 2025Thank you to @pagestreetya and @coloredpagesbt for the ARC of Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology. I must admit that I am not typically an anthology reader, which is evident by how long it has taken me to finish this collection. However, this anthology has been an enjoyable journey. Each story allows the human characters and aliens to shine, providing unique perspectives and challenging the common human belief about aliens.
Rather than being portrayed as horrible creatures intent on harming humans, the aliens in this collection are depicted as kind and loving beings who are simply trying to help someone who does not wish to be saved. Throughout their journeys in different parts of America, they all grapple with the same communication barriers.
Ultimately, this anthology showcases the beauty of the literary form. While not every reader will connect with every story, there is something here for everyone.
Rather than being portrayed as horrible creatures intent on harming humans, the aliens in this collection are depicted as kind and loving beings who are simply trying to help someone who does not wish to be saved. Throughout their journeys in different parts of America, they all grapple with the same communication barriers.
Ultimately, this anthology showcases the beauty of the literary form. While not every reader will connect with every story, there is something here for everyone.
June 20, 2025
Very interesting concept I didn’t like when I first got it and I was like oh aliens stories are terrible, but the prologue was actually amazing and it had me hooked like the first three or four chapters were pretty fine and pretty amazing but then, as we went on the end the chapters were just like the begging more people who met the aliens, the aliens together, for people and people making love stories like this don’t get me wrong, but having like 10 of them in a row is kind of annoying another thing that I also found really annoying is the fact that they had like four farm girls and they were the same thing they all wanted to get off the farm I get the farm is annoying but really four of them interesting. Also, as so many others pointed out the humans had no problem, understanding, and like not freaking out about the fact that there were literally aliens talking to them aliens on their planet, even when they showed their blue skin.
February 2, 2025
This is a fun story about a group of teenage aliens coming to Earth. Each chapter is written by a different author and describes one of the aliens and the people they meet, giving the story lots of different perspectives.
There are lots of funny one-liners and pop culture references, and I often caught myself giggling out loud. The last chapter was unexpectedly good.
My favorite scene was when one of the aliens gave her new friend a special item.
I bumped my Rating down because I found it a little unbelievable that everyone they met seemed to be a teenager and most were LGBTQ. I think the odds are they would come across a bigger variety of people.
I also disliked all of the “F” words — most of which were in the same chapter.
There are lots of funny one-liners and pop culture references, and I often caught myself giggling out loud. The last chapter was unexpectedly good.
My favorite scene was when one of the aliens gave her new friend a special item.
I bumped my Rating down because I found it a little unbelievable that everyone they met seemed to be a teenager and most were LGBTQ. I think the odds are they would come across a bigger variety of people.
I also disliked all of the “F” words — most of which were in the same chapter.
July 24, 2025
I like the set-up, but the stories were more disappointing than anything else. Overall, the book just wasn't as interesting or fun as I was hoping. In fact, I thought about DNFing it a bit over half way through and I probably should have.
- PROLOGUE: NO STRANGERS TO LOVE, by Vania Stoyanova and Rosiee Thor: ⭐⭐⭐
- ONE LAST SHOT BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD, by Julian Winters: ⭐⭐
- USERNAME: I’M AN ACTUAL HUMAN, by Eric Smith: ⭐⭐⭐
- SKILL ISSUE, by Laura Pohl: ⭐
- A TIME FOR ALL THINGS, by Alex Brown: ⭐⭐
- RED CARPET BLUES, by Rebecca Kim Wells: ⭐⭐✨
- IMPACT CRATER, by Maya Gittelman: ⭐✨
- A TASTE OF COUNTRY, by M. K. England: ⭐✨✨
- PARTS OF A SYSTEM, by SJ Whitby: ⭐⭐
- THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED (BECAUSE THERE’S A DETOUR SIGN), by Emily Lloyd-Jones: ⭐⭐⭐
- LOOK UP, by Beth Revis: ⭐✨ ✨
- PROLOGUE: NO STRANGERS TO LOVE, by Vania Stoyanova and Rosiee Thor: ⭐⭐⭐
- ONE LAST SHOT BEFORE THE END OF THE WORLD, by Julian Winters: ⭐⭐
- USERNAME: I’M AN ACTUAL HUMAN, by Eric Smith: ⭐⭐⭐
- SKILL ISSUE, by Laura Pohl: ⭐
- A TIME FOR ALL THINGS, by Alex Brown: ⭐⭐
- RED CARPET BLUES, by Rebecca Kim Wells: ⭐⭐✨
- IMPACT CRATER, by Maya Gittelman: ⭐✨
- A TASTE OF COUNTRY, by M. K. England: ⭐✨✨
- PARTS OF A SYSTEM, by SJ Whitby: ⭐⭐
- THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED (BECAUSE THERE’S A DETOUR SIGN), by Emily Lloyd-Jones: ⭐⭐⭐
- LOOK UP, by Beth Revis: ⭐✨ ✨
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February 6, 2025Special thanks to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing | Page Street YA for the ARC copy they provided.
I only read a small portion of this book. Unfortunately, it just did not pull me in as I hoped it would. The writing was lovely and the storyline engaging, but Why on Earth simply wasn’t for me. This is obviously an opinion solely my own and I feel this is a book many people will enjoy. Just because I didn’t finish it shouldn’t stop you from picking it up and deciding for yourself.
Go forth and read! It’s the only way to know what you’ll love, and Why on Earth seems to have a plethora of characters to love.
I only read a small portion of this book. Unfortunately, it just did not pull me in as I hoped it would. The writing was lovely and the storyline engaging, but Why on Earth simply wasn’t for me. This is obviously an opinion solely my own and I feel this is a book many people will enjoy. Just because I didn’t finish it shouldn’t stop you from picking it up and deciding for yourself.
Go forth and read! It’s the only way to know what you’ll love, and Why on Earth seems to have a plethora of characters to love.
December 29, 2024
So much fun! I loved this shared story anthology about genderqueer aliens going on a rescue mission to Earth only to be separated from each other when the ship crashes. Various teens are impacted by the crash and share a connection with the aliens. I loved how queer this was, which I definitely wasn't expecting. I recognized a few of the contributor names and am delighted to add more to my TBR based on these stories. My only issue is I wish we would have gotten a glimpse of the reunion of the crew.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
January 22, 2025
eARC
What a charming short story collection! Lately have been feeling burned out by both YA and story collections, yet this series of interconnected tales kept me interested, amused, and charmed. Usually I put "standouts" in a review, which can mean anything from "these are the only stories I liked" to "these were the best of a good bunch," but the best thing about this collection is that it's so SOLID. Every story is equally as good as the next, whether about love, family, or a singing fish plaque.
What a charming short story collection! Lately have been feeling burned out by both YA and story collections, yet this series of interconnected tales kept me interested, amused, and charmed. Usually I put "standouts" in a review, which can mean anything from "these are the only stories I liked" to "these were the best of a good bunch," but the best thing about this collection is that it's so SOLID. Every story is equally as good as the next, whether about love, family, or a singing fish plaque.
January 6, 2025
A wonderful anthology that has plenty of humor, heartfelt moments, and found family. I love that every story feeds into the large story. It's impossible to pick my favorite story. I am thankful for the opportunity to read such a well-orchestrated book that explores real human (and alien) emotions. We need more books like this one.
February 4, 2025
This book was MADE to be loved. Everything was so thrillingly exciting and each story fit in perfectly. I don’t know if there’s anything more fun than alien invasions, especially when they’re accidental. The romance was also a very sweet factor that I wasn’t expecting. I think so many people are gonna love this. It has a bit of everything.
Thank you tbrandbeyondtours and page street YA!
Thank you tbrandbeyondtours and page street YA!
February 6, 2025
This was an absolute DELIGHTFUL alien invasion anthology with some unique twists! We have a central plot of an alien invasion told through multiple short stories. What’s even better? It’s an accidental alien invasion and we get the story from the alien’s side.
So much fun! All of the authors’ voices blended so well together!
Thanks so much for my complimentary copy!
So much fun! All of the authors’ voices blended so well together!
Thanks so much for my complimentary copy!
March 28, 2025
I've been wanting to read WHY ON EARTH ever since I heard about it. Some anthologies are just random stories put together, but I loved how all of the stories were different, small bites of a larger story set in the same world. If you enjoy inclusive sci-fi that's not very techy, I'd highly recommend it!
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April 24, 2025Why on Earth did I just read that? It definitely is very YA with the language being quite simple and characters behaving childishly more often than not. The many cultural references seemed forced most of the time and missed the mark at being funny. The fact that all the stars appeared to come together is naive. And everybody seems to have a knack of repairing alien technology. Oh, my days.
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