a fantastic novel, I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

Funny, but not overly so. Quirky, but not quite enough. The extreme nature of some of the characters was repetitious and off-putting (The Wife eats bacon, the kids call their cat a chonk). The constant whiny, baby-talk of the two main children was mildly humorous the first couple of times we meet them, but after a while we see that this is their only character trait, and it's irritating.

Interesting debut and will look for their next title.

Quirky and funny! A great pick for the #greatspaceread. What happens when first contact occurs? I loved the characters and the development of the story. Add some telepathic cats and this is right up my alley.

Early on in this book, giant spaceships appear over Earth - but for the first half of the book, it barely seems like science fiction as it’s more about the way people on Earth react, as seen through the eyes of three different characters - a suburban husband and dad, a spoiled California 19 year old girl, and a man who’s just woken up from a long coma.

I don’t even know how to fully describe this one, especially without spoilers. I can’t lie, the start of this book was pretty rough and slow for me, and if I was a DNFer, I probably would have just abandoned it. But I’m glad I stuck with it, as I found the second half much more interesting and I even kinda liked it by the end. The writing is weird, the tone is weird, the story is weird, but it definitely was a unique one. Not for everyone for sure though.

3/5 stars - This book asks: what if alien spaceships came to Earth and asked nothing then left? What if aliens live normal lives among us? What if they loooove bacon and plastic? What if cats talked telepathically to us? A pretty funny romp through an alien sci-fi tale with way more cats than a Murakami novel. I mostly enjoyed the ride, though found it a bit long and dragging in several spots without a ton to anchor me to the plot. Blaine’s children are maddeningly obnoxious but also say the most hilarious things. And so many cats.

"On Earth as It Is on Television" takes readers on a journey of first contact like no other. Emily Jane's debut novel offers a refreshing and immersive take on the classic trope of extraterrestrial arrival, blending elements of science fiction, family dynamics, and self-discovery in an intoxicating narrative.

From the very beginning, the novel captures the reader's imagination with the sudden appearance of spaceships above Earth. The story cleverly explores the myriad questions that arise from this event: What is humanity's place in the universe? Why have the aliens come? These uncertainties serve as the backdrop for a tale that is as much about self-discovery and human relationships as it is about contact with otherworldly beings.

The characters are a major strength of the novel. Blaine finds his steady life unraveling as his family's reactions to the extraterrestrial arrival veer into unexpected territory. Heather's journey from a mundane Malibu poolside to a quest for self-understanding mirrors the transformative power of the alien presence. Oliver's emergence from a decades-long catatonic state adds a layer of mystery and intrigue, culminating in a truly remarkable adventure that challenges the limits of what's possible. And cats. There are telepathic cats!

Emily Jane masterfully weaves together these individual threads, interconnecting the characters' lives in a way that keeps the reader engaged and invested. The author's skillful handling of diverse perspectives offers a rich and multifaceted exploration of the human experience against the backdrop of an otherworldly event.

The novel's prose is both compelling and evocative, seamlessly transitioning between the personal struggles of the characters and the grandeur of the cosmic event. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between introspection and action, ensuring that readers become emotionally attached to the characters while being swept away by the unfolding events.

As a debut novel, "On Earth as It Is on Television" showcases Emily Jane's talent for crafting intricate stories that resonate on multiple levels. With its unique blend of introspection, interpersonal dynamics, and the cosmic unknown, this book stands out as a captivating and memorable addition to the science fiction genre. It's a story that not only explores the impact of first contact but also invites readers to contemplate their place in the universe and the connections that define their lives.

#NetGalley #OnEarthasItIsonTelevision

An enormous thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and of course, Emily Jane for providing me with an eARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review, all opinions are my own.

I actually enjoyed this one more than I had anticipated, this was such a fun read from start to finish. I loved the idea of an alien invasion book, and the way it all played out was great.

The book was a tad slow at times because so much comes together in the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed how the story played out. I adored the characters, such a variety and each with their own background story and moments. I absolutely loved all the cat stuff- especially with the kids.

I don't want to give too much away as there's a lot to the plot that weaves together in the end, but this was such an enjoyable read.

I thought it was charming. I thought it had a decent amount of heart. The title and cover were great at drawing me in. It was good. I would recommend it to friends.

On Earth as it is on Television is a perfect summer read. Quirky and fun with a pulse all its own, it's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Emily Jane is one to watch.

How would we react if aliens showed up, and then quickly left with nary a word? On Earth as It Is on Television provides one answer to this intriguing premise. This scifi novel follows several different people, as their lives are impacted in different ways by the appearance and disappearance of these alien ships. One man awakes from a decades long catatonic state. A teen girl begins to question her family and her place in it. Another family packs up their lives for an unplanned vacation to "disney world". And cats around the country begin acting strangely. What do the aliens want, and will they be back? Pick this one up and find out.

This was a joy to read. So imaginative, yet grounded in reality. Touching and humorous. I loved each of the three main storylines, and couldn't wait to see them connect. The cats were just as interesting to follow. Of course cats should have a role to play in any alien centric novel. Quite a fun read, with a unique writing style. Really enjoyed this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book, my thanks to the publisher, author and netgalley for the advanced copy. Will be recommending

“All those billions of planets, those Goldilocks planets, all that proliferating life. If some of it survived, a miracle. If it launched itself out across vast uninhabitable space, shouldn’t we expect it to be better than ourselves? Not just intellectually, technologically, but also morally? Yet here we were, on our still-dying Earth, and the aliens had gone on.”

The aliens came, and then they went. This book follows a group of people as they struggle to figure out what comes next.

I absolutely loved Oliver’s story—the aliens’ arrival somehow woke him from his catatonic state, and he found himself being drawn to a mysterious location with an unexpected companion by his side—but I really didn’t feel like the other characters’ experiences were as compelling. Overall, this story is incredibly unique, and the plot had so much potential, but some parts felt dragged out while others felt rushed.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very zany alien first contact story really focused, as many are, on how people would respond in that case. People, we're somehow our own worst enemies and a source of amusement for others. Love the cat POV.

“Here, have some bacon.”

“Life is miraculous and absurd.”

Wow, what a FUN read this was!!! I don’t know where to begin without spoilers. All in all, this is a funny (and sometimes kinda serious) love letter to life and to being human, defects and all. There is so much to unpack in this story, but everything meshes and everything comes together at the end. I loved the aliens with their horse-like appetites and their love of TV, pop culture, cats, and above all else, plastic! Gotta love it! Also, if you’re a cat person (sadly, I’m allergic) you are in for a huge treat. I started reading this novel unsure of whether I’d even finish it, but a few pages in, I was hooked. So many relatable characters and situations. Mostly funny with a sprinkling of tears here and there. Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion for my digital ARC!

I read this as an ARC from Netgalley.com.

On Earth as It Is on Television follows the lives of four people as they deal with Earth's new reality - aliens are here, and they /aren't/ invading... or doing much of anything, as far as anyone can tell.

I picked it up for the premise, as I'm a sucker for first contact stories, but I have to admit that it was only the lure of the cats that kept me going until the story really picked up about a third of the way through. Jane has a staccato and detached style of writing that can take some getting used to, though it also lent itself well to humor. I'd give it a solid three stars and a recommendation for anyone who likes stories based on interpersonal relationships with a hint of sci-fi thrown in.

It was just another day. Then the UFOs appear in the sky. The aliens made no demands, no statements, and no declarations of war. They came, briefly hovered over major cities, and then abruptly left. All that remains are questions.

Why did they come?
Why did they go?
Are they coming back?
Why did all the cats run away?

What unfolds is an outlandish, slice-of-life, science fiction adventure that tells the story of what it means to be human.

On Earth as It is on Television is not your conventional first contact story. It is full of heart, fun, sadness, cats, and bacon. No, really. So much bacon. I smiled so many times. I laughed out loud. I thought about my place in the world. If you enjoy quirky adventures with unique characters and a bit of ridiculousness, I highly recommend picking this up.

"Everything here is like TV, and then there's TV, and it's all just so . . . awesomely insane."

It happened just like in the beginning of 'Independence Day', with spaceships hovering menacingly over major cities around the globe. The world held its collective breath. And, then . . . nothing happened. The ships departed, and life went back to normal. Well, mostly normal. Cats and certain spouses began acting a little bit stranger than usual. Jinkies! Could it be possible that aliens are already living among us?

I kind of loved this. Quirky, and strange, off the wall, and funny enough to please my slightly warped sense of humor.

I was also gaga over the half-feral kids with their bizarre internet-speak language of chumbis, chonky, and slonks, and their skin-peeling plans to reveal the real aliens. (And, I'm pretty damned glad they were someone else's children.)

This wacky, off-kilter gem makes my best of the year list.

What a delightfully weird read!! And I mean that in the best way. If you like the odd, heart-warming sci-fi book with a healthy dose of cats, feral children, bacon, and aliens - this one is for you!

This book is SO unique, and I genuinely had no idea where it was going. Were the aliens real? Was it all a big hoax? How are all these people related? What’s going to happen at the end?

Then it all came together so nicely! This is a great story about life and family, and also the great impact of TV. It’s quirky and funny, plus it’s a memorable read that stands out among other books I’ve read this year.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the copy in exchange for my honest review!

I’m very particular about my science fiction. And this book checked every box on the list of things I’m looking for: engaging characters, quirky and interesting story, humorous undertones, etc. There’s just so much to like about what’s going on in this most impressive debut.
There’s been a gazillion of first contact stories, so it takes inventiveness and imagination to come up with something new and original.
But what has always interested me the most in fiction in general and science fiction in particular isn’t the aliens themselves so much as what their presence (and absence) can reveal about the earthlings.
At that this novel excels. Because at first, the aliens are merely spaceships the sky, there one day (setting of all kinds of apocalyptic vibes) and gone the next.
But then, there’s more to the story and it’s close to home than you might think.
Then novel follows several different people/several different families to see how this potential alien apocalypse affects them. It’s tricky talking about it, and I’d rather say less than risk giving away crucial plot points. Suffice it to say, there are some fun twists in there.
The entire book, despite its end-of-the-world vibes is very fun and funny, and who wouldn’t love (or want to read about) a charismatic alien.
They are surprisingly relatable. In fact, they have a peculiar passion for some of the worst things about the Earth: plastic, TV sitcoms, junk food. And on top of all that, they can also teach us a lesson or to about enjoying life.
On Earth as it is On Television, in space as it is here, the things that make us happy are not that different. I suppose that’s the moral of the story. Not that it overly concerns itself with being moralistic.
I already described it as fun and funny, so let’s go with awesome next. An awesome read. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of On Earth as it is in Television by Emily Jane