DNF @ 25%

The idea of experiencing different life stories after encountering aliens seemed fascinating, but it fell short of my expectations. I found I did not like any of the characters and struggled to care about what was happening. I think this book could really work for some people, but it was just not for me.

Thank you, NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a sci-fi story, this is NOT it. While I found the overall story interesting, it was weirdly written. The pacing was quite slow and failed to retain my attention for a long time that I had to pause in between reading.

On Earth as it is on Television is a quirky book. I love sci-fi and this book seemed like it was right up my alley. The beginning was slow and didn't quite have the sci-fi elements that I was looking for. The second half was definitely more interesting, but the book just wasn't for me.

ON EARTH AS IT IS ON TELEVISION is one of those books that starts a bit slow, you're enjoying the ride, like the characters, and then about 60% through it smacks you in the face with how utterly brilliant it is. Emily Jane's debut novel is a lovely, genuinely surprising and funny book about aliens. But, it's really about humans. And what it means to be human and live on this earth. It's truly delightful.

I don't want to give too much away because the journey is so worth it. As I mentioned, it has a bit of a slow start but that's needed in order to feel fully invested in the characters and slowly finding out how they are all interconnected. See, alien spaceships appear to hover over a few cities on earth. Everyone freaks out, especially the cats, and then in a few days the spaceships leave again. No one knows why, no one knows if they're going to come back, and no one knows what exactly is going on. Our characters all respond in different ways to this event - some come out of comas, some decide to raid trip to Disney World, some think their stepdad is an alien and turn him into the government.

It all sounds bonkers, but it's an absolutely lovely bonkers that even made me tear up in the end. I really loved this book and it's a hidden gem that I hope you seek out too.

On Earth as It Is on Television is a challenging book to review without spoilers. I was attracted to the advertised premise that alien spaceships appear and then disappear just as suddenly without contact, leaving the world in a state of uncertainty. While this is definitely part of the plot, it’s (purposely) a bit misleading.

The story is told from multiple points of view, some stronger than others. I think I might have preferred the book to focus on the family of four who have fled their home and are driving seemingly aimlessly around the country. I loved how the author captured the chaotic nature of sibling relationships - the shared language and the constant need to antagonize.

It was difficult to get into the story with its surprisingly dark beginning. I was looking for light and quirky, and it took a bit too long to get there. While I enjoyed parts of the book, overall it felt uneven.

Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for this eARC.

What a lovely surprise of a quirky book! The premise sounded intriguing, so I was excited to get approved for it, and I devoured it very quickly. It managed to be both funny and insightful at the same time. A story of fiction, but one that is not THAT far removed from what the world could be someday. I felt for the characters, but I also could feel and see the astute social commentary at the same time.

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!