Here is my first batch of February books! A bit of a mixed bag, but overall definitely more good than not!

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman
Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology edited by Vania Stoyanova & Rosiee Thor
The Black Orb by Ewhan Kim
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
Symbiote by Michael Nayak

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on February 4, 2025
Pages: 528
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness becomes contagious and the teens caught in the conspiracy by the powers that be to bring back discontent.

An unprecedented condition is on the rise. It behaves like a virus, with the first symptom being a fever, but those who contract it experience long-term effects no one has ever seen utter contentment. Soon after infection, people find the stress, depression, greed, and other negative feelings that used to weigh them down are gone.

Almost everyone revels in this mass unburdening. But people in power—who depend on malcontents tuning into their broadcasts, prey on the insecure to sell their products, and convince people they need more, new, faster, better everything—know this new state of being is bad for business. Soon, campaigns start up convincing people that being happy all the time is dangerous. There’s even a vaccine developed to rid people of their inner peace and get them back to normal because, surely, without anger or jealousy as motivators, productivity will grind to a halt and the world will be thrown into chaos.

It’s nearly impossible to determine the truth when everyone with a platform is pushing their own agendas, and two teens from very different backgrounds who’ve had their lives upended in different ways by the virus find themselves enmeshed in the center of a dangerous power play. Can they reveal the truth?

All Better Now reimagines the pandemic, if the side-effects of Long COVID were a newfound and permanent sunny disposition. Who else but Neal Shusterman could come up with this stuff, right? Now, don’t misunderstand: this pandemic is equally deadly, or rather, more deadly than COVID. It’s just that if the person does recover, they don’t have heart problems and chronic fatigue, they just have… perma-rose colored glasses.

Yes, it is weird, but because it is Shusterman, it somehow inexplicably works. You buy it, it seems plausible, even though your logical mind is asking if you’ve gone mad. We get point of view accounts from several different characters. Some are into this idea of becoming enlightened via the virus, such as Rón (“with a pretentious accent above the O”), and some are adamantly against the whole thing, and trying their best to put the kibosh on it (not for any altruistic reasons, mind). Basically the problem is, everyone takes everything too far. Rón decides that everyone should have the virus, even though it can kill. Mariel, one of the very few immune, knows she cannot allow innocent people to die. Basically everyone has an agenda, and since there is no clear “right” move, it makes for a very morally gray story, which I adore.

I won’t say too much else, but it is light and fun at times, and definitely darker in others. The whole concept is incredibly thought provoking, and as such quite readable. It seems like it may be part of a series, though I am not finding any confirmation (or denial), as the ending tends to leave things a bit open for my liking (but I don’t mind if it is a series). I would, of course, be reading any further books if they exist!

Bottom Line: It’s so bizarre, yet it somehow works for providing great thought provoking commentary, as always.

Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology by Vania Stoyanova, Rosiee Thor, Alex Brown, Beth Revis, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Eric Smith, Julian Winters, Laura Pohl, Maya Gittelman, M.K. England, Rebecca Kim Wells, S.J. Whitby
Published by Page Street YA on February 4, 2025
Pages: 336
Format:ARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review

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

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.

The Black Orb by Ewhan Kim
Published by MIRA on February 4, 2025
Pages: 304
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

In this propulsive, award-winning novel, a man struggles to survive in a world overtaken by mysterious black orbs that consume everyone they touch. For fans of popular Korean dramas like PARASITE and SQUID GAME and reminiscent of LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND and THE LAST OF US.

One evening in downtown Seoul, Jeong-su is smoking a cigarette outside when he sees something impossible: a huge black orb appears out of nowhere and sucks his neighbor inside. The orb soon begins consuming other people and no one knows how to stop it. Impervious to bullets and tanks, the orb splits and multiplies, chasing the hapless residents of Seoul out into the country and sparking a global crisis with widespread violence and looting. Jeong-su must rely upon his wits as he makes the arduous journey in search of his elderly parents. But the strangest phases of this ever-expanding disaster are yet to come and Jeong-su will be forced to question everything he’s taken for granted.

I have a bit of a case of Mixed Thoughts about this one. There were some aspects that I… well not enjoyed, because it’s pretty messed up, but we’ll say certainly piqued my interest and kept me reading. On the other, there were times I wanted to throw this book at my wall, except I was reading on my Kindle and that would have been an expensive foible. Anyway.

What I Liked: 

I mean, it was exciting and fast paced and you all know I love an end-of-the-world story. This was definitely a creative apocalypse, too, even if I couldn’t quite wrap my head around how these orbs worked- neither could anyone else, so it tracked. There were also a ton of twists that made the story quite readable. The atmosphere was also good, as you certainly could feel the isolation and desperation. The story definitely excels at the creepy, messed up vibe, and I am bummed that it disappointed in other ways.

What I Didn’t: 

Okay so the main character kind of sucks? And so does everyone else for the most part. I had kind of hoped that there would be some epic character arc but that simply wasn’t the case. It was all just so depressing, especially considering our current state of the world. And honestly, I think that had our MC been nuanced and kind of an ass, it could have worked. But he was just boring and also an ass, which did not. Like- antiheroes can work! But in this case, sir was just dull and miserably unlikable. He cares only about his status and ego, which is pretty dumb at the end of days, and he legit has the personality of a piece of bread. The end piece, too.

There is also a lot of really messy stuff happening (think assault) that should definitely have some trigger warnings included. The thing that bugged me is not that this stuff occurred, it was more how it was glossed over without any actual handling of the situation(s). Add to it, a lot of my questions simply were never answered.

Bottom Line:   I think we were maybe supposed to be rooting for the orb?

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
Published by Flatiron Books on February 4, 2025
Pages: 304
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret—and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

A whirlwind romance.When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.

Stay away from Connor Dalton.Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has about this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.

I’ve been here before.Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.

I quite enjoy Kate Alice Marshall’s books as a rule, and this was no exception. I’ll tell you the one thing I struggled with from the start: the “I should tell them but nah” trope. Idk what to call this honestly- I have called it the “lack of communication”, “lie of omission”… it needs a proper name and I am posting a discussion about this now because it is bothering me. Anyway. That is my one issue. Theo has some stuff that she keeps not telling Connor, and while I get it, it is just one trope that irritates me.

That said, everything else about the book was fabulous! I loved the atmosphere, and the unhinged vibe Connor’s family gives off from the start. Like you know they’re messy, but you have no idea just how messy it all gets. I really enjoyed unraveling the secrets and mysteries, too. Theo was definitely an entertaining character, as she herself was missing a lot of information about her own past, so it made her a bit… not unreliable, but just unknowing, I guess. Whatever the case, I found it very readable.

I loved that I never knew who we could trust, who was out to get Theo, or what would ultimately happen with her and Connor. There are just so many fun things to find out, and I definitely could not put this one down. Also, highly recommend reading it in the winter, I loved the snowy setting!

Bottom Line: Another exciting and compelling thriller from Kate Alice Marshall!

Symbiote by Michael Nayak
Published by Angry Robot on February 11, 2025
Pages: 400
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

World War III rages, and the scientists at the South Pole are thankful for the isolation – until a group of Chinese scientists arrive at the American research base with a dead man in their truck. The potential for a geopolitical firestorm is great, and, with no clear jurisdiction, the Americans don’t know what to do. But they soon realize the Chinese scientists have brought far more with them than the body…

Within seventy-two hours, thirteen others lie dead in the snow, murdered in acts of madness and superhuman strength. An extremophile parasite from the truck, triggered by severe cold, is spreading by touch. With rescue impossible for months, it is learning from them. Evolving. It triggers violent tendencies in the winter crew, and, more insidiously… The beginnings of a strange symbiotic telepathy.

From an exciting new voice comes this propulsive SF-thriller, infused with authentic details about life in one of the world’s harshest, most mysterious landscapes, Antarctica.

Symbiote is such a cool story (pun not intended, but I’m going to go ahead and keep it). I mean, Antarctica is a fascinating setting regardless, but when you take into the account that the author has actual firsthand knowledge that makes this probably the most authentic fiction book possible, it’s downright mesmerizing. I’ve read a few “unearthed frozen germ” type books, but this one has been my favorite, and I think the author’s experience is a huge reason why. Because look- you and I cannot really put ourselves in the shoes of the folks at the South Pole. We could try, sure, and that is the fun of reading, but actually living the psychology of being so sequestered from the rest of humanity really packs a punch here in terms of  characterization and emotional evocativity.

I was, at first, bummed that we didn’t learn more about what was happening elsewhere in the world, since it is a plot point. But then, I found out there is more planned for this world and so that became much less of an issue. I will also say that at first I had a bit of trouble connecting with the characters, but that started to change midway through the book. Obviously, the stakes are huge, because it is clear from the start that this parasitic entity isn’t just going to wreak havoc in Antarctica and then burrow back into the snow for a hibernation. No, this has the potential to disrupt the world at large, and at the very least, mess up the entire continent beyond recognition.

One minor qualm is that I didn’t wholly love some of the more action-driven parts where we actually get to hear from the parasite, in a way. Funny enough, this is the part that most other reviewers seem to enjoy the most, so take my opinion with a grain of salt! I am glad that we did get to understand more of how the parasite worked, I just maybe would have wanted a little less once we did know what we were dealing with, as it felt a little like reading a fever dream (because it kind of was, heh). The atmosphere was also on point, which I suppose makes sense since the author lived it, but he did a great job translating it to paper, too.

Bottom Line:  Very atmospheric and exciting, I look forward to whatever comes next!

Have you read any of these books? Plan to? Let us chat about them!  

The post Reviews in a Minute: Firsts of February appeared first on It Starts at Midnight.