If aliens landed on Earth tomorrow, would they come in peace… or by accident? "Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology", published by Page Street YA, and edited by Rosiee Thor and Vania Stoyanova, takes an amusing and heartfelt approach to first contact. Featuring stories from both NYT bestselling and debut authors, this young adult sci-fi collection blends intergalactic hijinks with themes of love, identity, and belonging.
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for including me on this book tour! Click here for all the tour stops and be sure to read my full review below!
Title: Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology
Edited by: Rosie Thor and Vania Stoyano
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi
Publishing date: February 4th, 2025
Publisher: Page Street YA
Book Buy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Synopsis:
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.
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.
My Review
The anthology kicks off with Captain Iona, a teen alien on a rescue mission to retrieve her brother—an undercover extraterrestrial living out his dream as a movie star. But what was supposed to be a quick grab-and-go turns into an all-out invasion when a technical mishap sends her crew hurtling into Earth's atmosphere. Oops. From there, the book unfolds into a series of interconnected yet distinct stories, featuring everything from aliens stuck in theme parks to rogue starship engineers trying to hitchhike home. At its core, Why on Earth reminds us that, no matter where (or what) we come from, we all crave connection and understanding.
What I Loved ❤️
✨ The shifting perspectives – One of the coolest things about this anthology is how it moves fluidly between the perspectives of the alien crew and the human teens caught in their unexpected arrival. Seeing the story unfold from both sides adds depth and variety, making each new tale feel fresh and exciting.
👽 The quirky alien crew – The anthology's greatest strength lies in its humor and heart. Iona's crew is a delightful mix of oddballs, each with their own quirks and personalities that make them instantly memorable. Whether they’re navigating human customs or just trying to avoid getting caught, their antics kept me entertained throughout.
🚀 Fun, fast-paced storytelling – While each author brings a unique voice to the collection, the stories share a playful, energetic tone that keeps the pages turning. There's a great mix of action, humor, and emotion, making it easy to jump from one tale to the next.
What Didn’t Work for Me 🤔
📖 A bit too experimental? – At times, I had to reread chapters to fully grasp who was who and what exactly was happening. The anthology takes a creative approach to storytelling, which might appeal to younger readers but occasionally left me feeling lost. If you enjoy unconventional formats, you may love this; if not, it could be frustrating.
🛸 Too many characters, too little time – Given the anthology format, some stories ended just as I was getting attached to their characters. While the variety is fun, a few narratives felt rushed, making it harder to connect deeply with certain characters.
Final Verdict ⭐⭐⭐½
Why on Earth is a fun, fast-paced anthology perfect for fans of sci-fi humor and coming-of-age stories with an extraterrestrial twist. While the experimental format and rapid shifts between perspectives may not be for everyone, younger YA readers who enjoy quirky, unconventional storytelling will likely love it. If you're looking for an alien invasion story that’s more chaotic rescue mission than War of the Worlds, this one’s for you!
Would I recommend it?
Yes—especially for teen sci-fi fans who love humor, adventure, and a bit of interstellar weirdness. Just be prepared for a wild, sometimes confusing ride. 🚀👾
About the editors:
Vania Stoyanova is a photographer by day and a writer by night. Hailing from the Eastern European Balkans, this Bulgarian immigrant loves getting swept away in a new world. She loves romance so much she is one of the organizers of LOVE Y’ALL Book Romance Fest. She has run a successful Young Adult book club for adults for over six years, has contributed content for NY Times bestselling authors and major publishers, created book trailers for popular books, and photographed book covers for favorite authors. From touring with authors to moderating at book festivals, Vania seeks to spread the love of books. She’s on the board of directors for Atlanta’s Broadleaf Writer’s Association and is the organizer of YATLCon, a conference for writers of young adult books.
Rosiee Thor began their career as a storyteller by demanding to tell their mother bedtime stories instead of the other way around. They spent their childhood reading by flashlight in the closet until they came out as queer. Now, they write stories for all ages, including young adult novels Tarnished Are The Stars and Fire Becomes Her, the picture book The Meaning of Pride, and tie-in novels for franchises like Life is Strange and Firefly. Their short fiction appears in many anthologies, including the Lambda award-nominated Being Ace, and they are the editor of Why On Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology. Their debut cozy mystery, The Dead & Breakfast, is forthcoming from Berkley Press. Rosiee lives in Oregon with a dog, two cats, and an abundance of plants.
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