Review: Square³ by Mira Grant

Title: Square³

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, horror, sci-fi

Publication date: December 2021

Published by: Subterranean Press

Source: Purchased ebook

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Synopsis: We think we understand the laws of physics. We think reality is an immutable monolith, consistent from one end of the universe to the next. We think the square/cube law has actual relevance.

We think a lot of things. It was perhaps inevitable that some of them would turn out to be wrong.

When the great incursion occurred, no one was prepared. How could they have been? Of all the things physicists had predicted, “the fabric of reality might rip open and giant monsters could come pouring through” had not made the list. But somehow, on a fine morning in May, that was precisely what happened.

For sisters Susan and Katharine Black, the day of the incursion was the day they lost everything. Their home, their parents, their sense of normalcy…and each other, because when the rift opened, Susan was on one side and Katharine was on the other, and each sister was stranded in a separate form of reality. For Susan, it was science and study and the struggle to solve the mystery of the altered physics inside the zones transformed by the incursion. For Katharine, it was monsters and mayhem and the fight to stay alive in a world unlike the world of her birth.

The world has changed. The laws of physics have changed. The girls have changed. And the one universal truth of all states of changed matter is that nothing can be completely restored to what it was originally, no matter how much you might wish it could be.

Nothing goes back.

My rating: ★★★★☆

This was such an interesting concept for a novella, and I really enjoyed it! The whole rift thing with a parallel world and creatures coming through that apparently look like legendary Pokémon...

Review: Final Girls by Mira Grant

Title: Final Girls

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: April 2017

Published by: Subterranean Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: What if you could fix the worst parts of yourself by confronting your worst fears?

Dr. Jennifer Webb has invented proprietary virtual reality technology that purports to heal psychological wounds by running clients through scenarios straight out of horror movies and nightmares. In a carefully controlled environment, with a medical cocktail running through their veins, sisters might develop a bond they’ve been missing their whole lives—while running from the bogeyman through a simulated forest. But…can real change come so easily?

Esther Hoffman doubts it. Esther has spent her entire journalism career debunking pseudoscience, after phony regression therapy ruined her father’s life. She’s determined to unearth the truth about Dr. Webb’s budding company. Dr. Webb’s willing to let her, of course, for reasons of her own. What better advertisement could she get than that of a convinced skeptic? But Esther’s not the only one curious about how this technology works. Enter real-world threats just as frightening as those created in the lab. Dr. Webb and Esther are at odds, but they may also be each other’s only hope of survival.

My rating: ★★★★☆

"How much danger can I really be in?" Esther put the paperwork down. "It's not like the horror movie will be real.”

This novella was insane! We have Esther, a reporter that is looking into this sort of VR therapy situation. And understandably, some people call this emotional torture, which I totally get! Why? Because the VR was VRing SO good that some people had a hard time distinguishing real life from this virtual reality 😬

Review: Overgrowth by Mira Grant

Title: Overgrowth

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, horror

Publication date: May 6th 2025

Published by: Tor Nightfire

Source: eARC for review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: Day of the Triffids meets Little Shop of Horrors in this smart, charming, harrowing alien invasion story about being human, by a Hugo-award winning author.

Since she was three years old, Anastasia Miller has been telling anyone who would listen that she's an alien disguised as a human being, and that the armada that left her on Earth is coming for her. Since she was three years old, no one has believed her.

Now, with an alien signal from the stars being broadcast around the world, humanity is finally starting to realize that it's already been warned, and it may be too late. The invasion is coming, Stasia's biological family is on the way to bring her home, and very few family reunions are willing to cross the gulf of space for just one misplaced child.

What happens when you know what's coming, and just refuse to listen?

My rating: ★★★⯪☆

I have really enjoyed Mina Grant's books, and while I didn't love this one as much as those previous books I've read, I still did end up enjoying it for the most part.

Review: Symbiont (Parasitology #2) by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont

Series: Mira Grant

Previous book in this series: Parasite

Author: Parasitology #2

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, horror

Publication date: November 2014

Published by: Orbit

Source: Borrowed form library

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Synopsis: THE ENEMY IS INSIDE US.

The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts, turning them into a ravenous horde.

Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I always swore that I was going to do great things with my life, things that would change the world in a way that could never be undone. Well, I guess I got my wish. I brought an end to the Age of Mankind.
-Dr. Cale

I really enjoyed this sequel to Parasite! I'm just really enjoying the unique concept and the good mix of sci-fi and horror. Although the concept of the implanted tapeworm trying to take over its human host is unique (to me at least), the end result is not, but that's not a bad thing! This book was giving zombie apocalypse, except instead of the undead we got parasites, and honestly, I was here for it! I liked it!

Review: Parasite (Parasitology #1) by Mira Grant

Title: Parasite

Series: Parasitology #1

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, sci-fi, horror

Publication date: October 2013

Published by: Orbit

Source: Borrowed form library

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Synopsis: A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system - even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Mira Grant is an author I am very happy to have found because I just really like the stories she writes. Plus the blend of horror and sci-fi is SO good! And this book was no different! I really enjoyed it! It was intriguing and genuinely horrifying 😰

Review: Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep #1) by Mira Grant

Title: Into the Drowning Deep

Series: Rolling in the Deep #1

Prequel novella: Rolling in the Deep

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: November 2017

Published by: Orbit

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.

Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Killer mermaids. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. I know I said that about the prequel novella, but it’s still true!

Do I think they found mermaids?
Yes. Of course I do.
And I think the mermaids ate them all.

Review: Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant

Title: Rolling in the Deep

Series: Rolling in the Deep #0.5

Author: Mira Grant

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: April 2015

Published by: Subterranean Press

Source: Gift card purchase

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Synopsis: When the Imagine Network commissioned a documentary on mermaids, to be filmed from the cruise ship Atargatis, they expected what they had always received before: an assortment of eyewitness reports that proved nothing, some footage that proved even less, and the kind of ratings that only came from peddling imaginary creatures to the masses.

They didn't expect actual mermaids. They certainly didn't expect those mermaids to have teeth.

This is the story of the Atargatis, lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the bathypelagic zone in the Mariana Trench…and the depths are very good at keeping secrets.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Killer. Mermaids. That is all you need to know going into this.