A Stranger Thing

Ever-Expanding Universe #2

by Martin Leicht, Isla Neal

In this witty, adventurous sequel to Mothership, which Publishers Weekly called “a whole lot of fun” Elvie Nara is back on earth—but her life (including her new baby) is still pretty out there!

Pregnancy was pretty rough for sixteen-year-old Elvie Nara, what with the morning sickness, constant food cravings, and the alien race war she found herself in the middle of. But if she thought giving birth to an extraterrestrial’s baby would be the hard part, she was sorely mistaken.

After Elvie somehow has a baby girl, the always-male Almiri completely wig out. Suddenly Elvie’s supposed allies have shipped her—along with her father, her best friend, Ducky, and her maybe-boyfriend, boneheaded Almiri commando Cole Archer—off to a remote “retention facility” (aka alien jail) in Antarctica. Talk about cold. But things really get complicated when a new group of hybrid aliens arrive with information that sends Elvie’s world spinning. Before long, Elvie is trekking across the bottom of the Earth with a band of friends and frenemies to uncover the secrets of her own origin. Will Elvie ever be able to convince the Almiri that a conspiracy to conquer the planet is a greater threat than a sixteen-year-old girl and a newborn who won’t stop crying?

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Aliens, Romance, Humor, Futuristic, Fantasy

279 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Martin Leicht currently lives in New York City, a fantastic city to be sure, although his heart will always be in Philadelphia, where they properly refer to it as “water ice”. A master’s graduate from the Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing at NYU, Martin decided at the ripe old age of three that he wanted to spend the rest of his life spinning stories, much to the chagrin of his late grandfather, who always wanted him to go to Penn State and major in math so that the could be either an accountant or a bookie, two career paths he felt were eminently more stable than writing. Fortunately, Martin has never had the patience for higher math, so he has stuck to telling tall tales and hoping that people will listen to them. He hopes that, in some way, his grandfather’s spirit can find comfort in the fact that at least a few people do.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have come to realize that these books are crack fics. Did you ever read crack fanfiction? They're nonsensical and hilarious and just pure fun. Just like this.

Now, Mothership was quirky and smart and fun. A Stranger Thing is quirky and ridiculous and fun. Don't come into this expecting it to follow the rules of logic, you will just be disapointed. Not that you can't follow storyline, it's just that there will be multiple times where you will pause and attempt to inform the book "But now, you can't just do--" and "SHHHH I can't hear you LA LA LA LA" with the books answer.

Just accept this as a quirky tale full of sass and cool scifi/futuristic stuff, you'll have a much smoother read than me.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024

2020

2019
Although I didn't love this one as much as I did the original, I still think it's great.

Our little Elvie is bound and determined to keep her little family together (and her little family is growing). She now has her father, her daughter, Cole (sort of, she's a little fuzzy on their relationship status. Which causes him to be a little fuzzy. Well, fuzzier. He's still not the brightest bulb on the planet), Ducky (best friends for life, yo). And she has found her mother.

For the record, I wasn't much of a fan of her mother. Not that she is an absolutely awful person, but she did reappear in Elvie's life out of nowhere. And then she doesn't seem to try to connect much with Elvie or her new granddaughter, Olivia. She also doesn't try to connect much with her previous husband and Elvie's father, Harry. You'd think she'd try to have some sort of reconciliation but she is mostly blase to the whole affair.

Cole is still alright, but he is crazy dumb. Elvie even constantly thinks about how dumb he is, but she is still madly in love with him. For me, personally, looks aren't enough. Yeah, they are great and all, but I couldn't put up with stupid forever, no matter how pretty the face.

Olivia is, of course, the baby. She doesn't play too much of a role in the story except for the end (but I won't spoil that for you). Along the way, we also meet Bok Choy. Who is the science experiment of the Jin'Kai. He is a month old infant, except he is a six year old boy. Who's entire vocabulary is "bok choy," poor thing. I happen to think he is great. Maybe the greatest addition to the entire story, to be honest.

2016

[Rashika (is tired) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not a large improvement over it’s predecessor and I’d go so far to say that it was actually slightly worse but there is something about this series that makes you want to keep reading in spite of its shallowness. Sometimes we just really need is a nice fluffy read that doesn’t make us ask all the important questions and still manages to entertain us.

Most of A Stranger Thing takes place over a short period of time and I think that’s one of the things that works for this book. Its fast pace makes it so that the reader just wants to continue reading without any interruptions. The pace makes it easy for the book to suck you in.

Elvie remains the fun witty character she was in the previous book but with the added advantage of being more mature because of her new mommy status. Elvie is a fantastic character to read about. Its just so much fun to watch her deal with problems, both external and internal.

One of her internal conflicts in this book is her relationship with Cole and I find that I like that she is questioning if she wants something long term with him. She loves him but considering how he can be completely irresponsible and immature at times, it’s nice that she isn’t going all ‘I love him and we’ll work though everything’. She has a kid to think about now and is Cole really ready for the kind of responsibility that comes with being a parent?

On that note, I am quite interested in the potential growth Cole might undergo. I’d like to see his character develop from the dumb jock he seems to be. He is a nice change from the usual ‘misunderstood jock’ stereotype but at the same time, I really want to see another side of him, something that’ll make me really connect with his character instead of just laughing at his antics. Elvie deserves better and loving her doesn’t quite make up for the fact that he can be so silly at times. Especially considering the seriousness of the situations the two tend to find themselves in.

That said, I don’t want a love triangle and I don’t think the author will introduce one in the final book (that would just kind of be pointless). What I want is to see crucial character development.

Something else I had a problem with was how certain characters were introduced in this book and after the initial ‘get to know you’, they weren't brought up until the ‘twist’ moments. One of the characters is there with Elvie for a good part of the book but they are almost completely forgotten about until necessary to the plot. What were they doing all that time?!?!?!?!

There are also some twists in this book and while none of them are unpredictable, I have to say, they weren’t all that bad either. They weren’t in your face obvious and even if I saw them coming, I think the author did a good job executing them.

If you were to look closer at the plot, you would find that it’s actually not perfect (SURPRISE) but at the same time, it works for this story. I liked what was happening. I liked the way the author introduced us to new concepts and I liked how the author developed the story.

This book is not even close to perfect but in spite of all of its fault it’s such a fun and likeable read and if you want something really fluffy, I’d encourage you to pick the series up (so long as you’re prepared to deal with certain annoying things).

[Nasty Lady MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I almost think a reread of the first is in order to see if I truly loved it or if it was naive blogger syndrome. To see full review click on one of the below links.

The Blog

Booklikes

[Erin L · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the trilogy can often be a disappointment and this one certainly is. It's another case of putting a book down while I read something else (that I picked up at the library) and then another something else. And now, do I have to read it? Oh, I might as well just get it over with.

There are twists here. You're unlikely to be surprised by them. And even for sci-fi, the story goes a little off the rails here. But we get to spend some time in Antarctica with whales!

And then the last 50 pages came and I really would rather have been reading something else as I quickly came to the conclusion that this wouldn't end so much as give us a cliff hanger to draw us into book three. Like the authors knew the reader would need an extra boost to get there. Does the cliff hanger do it for me? Not right now. I've moved the third in the series to my "next in series" shelf. It may live on there until I finally discard it with the assumption that all ends well in this YA sci-fi world

[Kelly Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elvie is at it again in the sequel to Mothership. Elvie’s pregnancy has been pretty rough, but nothing could have prepared her for the actual birth… to a baby girl. According to her, just handsome, baby daddy it is impossible for her to have given birth to a girl, since he can only produce boys, and it seems like the rest of the Almiri clan feel the same. Immediately Elvie, Cole, Ducky, her father, and baby are shipped to Antarctica. Here they must assimilate with the criminals shipped out by the Almiri, oh and there is a new species of Aliens after Elvie and her baby.
Now Elvie has the care of her new baby in her hands, but she isn’t getting a break anytime soon. With the new Aliens as a threat, old secrets coming to light, and some strange feelings evolving and dissolving for her baby daddy, Elvie is in for a tougher time than most teenage moms. Will she be able to come to terms with her past and who she is? Will she and her family be able to leave Antarctica anytime soon? Is the leader of the Almiri really James Dean?!?! Keep tuned in because things have just gotten stranger for our heroine.
3 out of 5 stars, Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC.

[Whitney Pohl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The biggest issue that I had with this book is the same I had with first of the series: the almost casual deaths. "Ooops, he died horribly, eh? Oh well, on with the plot and no lasting emotional or mental consequences!"
And this book committed the Great Sin.

**SPOILER!*

The dogs die. Horribly. After we're allowed to get attached to them. This has been a deal-breaker for some books.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

All right, first things first. This book is definitely in the running for Worst Book Cover Ever. So aside from that, the book is great. Just like the previous book there are so many moments of hilarity. Good times.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still LOVE the series, the characters, campy and snarky as ever. HATE the cover.

[Balerion The Black Dread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still think Elvie is too current for a teen living so far in the future.

[Luann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This and its prequel, "Mothership" is a technically well-written book, or I would have rated it a one star. I did not find it appealing nor believable that a teenage pregnant girl could be an appropriate action hero (even if she is part alien). I've read thousands of books, a high percentage of them science fiction or fantasy, but this one just struck me as propaganda for unwed young girls to have babies. Yes, it has a plot and it moves quickly, in fact, maybe too quickly. But I did not find it "hysterical" (Kirkus Reviews) nor a "comic treat" (VOYA). I only found the characters unlikely and the subject matter badly handled. I definitely do not recommend this book for teenagers or young adults.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this book turned out, I really liked the second book and was waiting for it when I realized it was published in 2013. I would like this serise to end with Elivie, her dad, Ducky, and Olivia (the baby) to lve together peacefuly. (I don't like Cole that much) It would be cool, too, to have Elvie decide to adopt/take care of Bok Choy as her own child, or mabe have the father adopt him for her because shes still a minor.

[grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know I never realised how completely ridiculous this book was until I was explaining it to my sister and the sentance "James Dean is the dictator of clan of alien parasitic Calving Klein models." came out of my mouth.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series. I love Elvie Nara. She is witty and funny. I would love to see this series made into a movie. I think it would be absolutely hysterical. It is also packed with a lot of action.

Onto the last book in the series now...

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about an alien girl how gave birth to a girl and now is sent to a prison in Antarctica because the father of her child is an alien and wasn't supposed to get her pregnant. Then her died mother shows up and tells her that she is half-alien.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. Maybe I’m getting too old for these books? 1.5 stars.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book, a lot happened, some craze adventures and facing off the bad guys, and some big reveals! Need to read the final book, stat!

[Amanda Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less funny than the last one, but with a better plot. Probably 3.5 - 3.75 stars.

SPOILERS


I want to shoot Zada in the face. That is all.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mothership wasn't a book that wowed me so much that I just HAD to read the rest of the series. It was a fun enough read that I thought it would be worth it to read the rest of it, but it wasn't a burning desire to read the next book like I had after finishing, say, The Fifth Season.

The story shifts from outer space to Antarctica, but the tone and voice remains the same. This is good and bad, because it means if you liked the first one, you'll like the second one, but it also means you have to endure more of the teen talk. Elvs shows some growth, but man, nothing denotes this as a YA book as that kind of language.

On the bright side, the authors do a fantastic job writing their action scenes. My mind would drift during the slower parts of the story, but once the action got going, I was riveted. They don't lose focus, and keep the narrative moving in the right direction at all times. That's not to say that the events always make a lot of sense (because they won't), but at least you won't get lost during the more tense parts of the story.

I'm in for book three, but I'm not that excited about it.

[chisholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this author now when i read books with action i say man this action is boring. cause man when you get action in this book you get ACTION capital letter like i would like to see in what they would or how they would do it in the movies. and probably say the movie got it all wrong cause they always do..
i loved reading this series and the main character and all the characters in this series.

[Jess]

The other reviews are pretty spot on, especially about the worst cover in the world. I leave it upside down because I don't want my AirBnB hosts to see what trash I'm reading.
It is funny, and the wit keeps me reading, even though the plotlines are often cringeworthy and the Dad and Ducky characters are horribly cliched. The teenage voice feels fairly authentic, as much as I can be one to judge. The entire "give birth to a baby and then no mention of the unmentionables following that" is very hard to believe, given the candidness of the narrator, though. I think that could have been a goldmine had it been written by a woman exclusively.
The character of Cole is stereotypical but hilarious. I also like how often balls are referenced as an adjective ("balls cold") because I am a 12-year-old at heart.

[Jordyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what changed between this book and the first. I don't know if it's just me, but something seems OFF with this book and whereas I head-over-heels loved that one, this one didn't garner the same feelings from me. I liked it and I'm still going to read the next in the series (with the hope that this trilogy will end well), but there was a lot that bothered me here.

For one thing while I freely admit that the plot of Mothership was campy and crazy, I loved that one. It was unpredictable, original and hilarious. The plot to this second book is likewise campy and crazy, but this time so many of the twists and turns felt cliche and unearned. In the first book I loved the Elvie was just this smart, witty girl who ended up falling for a guy who ended up not-quite-human. But with the reveal of her true heritage in A Stranger Thing I was cringing a bit. Okay, more than a bit. I'll be honest and say that I was NOT A FAN of Elvie's mother "coming back to life." Plus, her mother was just pretty awful all around.

Additionally, Elvie herself bothered me this time around. Her wit often veered toward the mean, and I didn't like the ridiculous way Cole's character was treated. I get that he's essentially a pretty boy with not much in terms of smarts, but come on, he's not a child. The thing that bugged me was that generally even if someone isn't book smart, they're smart in other ways and have other talents, but with Cole I felt as if his lack of intelligence was exaggerated to show what a bad fit he is for Elvie-the-genius-super-girl. And since I was a sucker for the romance aspect of the last book, this went down like a lead balloon with me.

So there were quite a few things that bugged me with this one. I liked it, but a good part of my liking it was the fact that (a) I'd loved the first book so much, and (b) the storyline here really is pretty unique, and (c) even though Elvie got on my nerves this time around, I loved how the book showed her love for Olivia and for others in her life. She's really confused, but beneath the sarcastic exterior she's trying to make a life for her and her baby, and she's trying not to hurt any of the people who are important to her.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

When we last saw Elvie, she was just giving birth to a baby girl. An Almiri baby girl. Because being a teen mother isn't hard enough without your baby turning out to be an alien race. Turns out that that the alien-baby business is far less of a concern than the fact that the baby is a girl. The whole thing about the Almiri race is that they're all male and incapable of reproducing on their own. So they go to other words and secretly impregnate their females, who, in turn, give birth to little baby Almiri boys. Except in Elvie's case. The Almiri panic and send Elvie, her father, her bestie Ducky and her baby-daddy, Cole off to the secure facility they keep as a sort of prison for Almiri who broken the strict reproduction codes. Elvie isn't thrilled that she's going to essentially be a prisoner at the hands of the Almiri. She's even less thrilled that the facility they're being sent to is in Antarctica. Elvie and co. don't really have a choice though, so off to Antarctica they go. Things are tense, but palatable until some unexpected visitors show up and let Elvie in on the real reason the Almiri are so upset about a baby girl.
This book is essentially the polar opposite of the first book (see what I did there?). All the action takes place on ice, but Elvie maintains her characteristic snark to keep things light. There's something quite entertaining about the idea of a teen attempting motherhood while surrounded by alien men (and a few human men) in the subarctic conditions. I mean, sure, it's all a little preposterous, but it's a fun ride. Not quite as thought-provoking as the first installment, so there's every chance that some of the themes that made the first book so clever will be further explored later on.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm I was quite disappointed... 2.5 stars...


A Stranger Thing is the second book in the "Ever Expanding Universe" series, and -unfortunately- infinitely worse.



I was really excited to read this book because the first one ended on such a cliff hanger! But, after sort of hearing what happened in the third book, and not really liking this book, and not having access to the third book. This series is very disappointing. I mean don't get me wrong... it was REALLY funny. But that's about it.


In this book Elvie, Elvie's Dad, Ducky, and Cole, are sent to a prison (they call it a "remote retention facility" but it's jail) in Antarctica, with her alien baby... who is a girl. Almiri are supposed to always be boys, why is she a girl? Well, Elvie and co. are trekking across Antarctica to find the crash-site of the Hanover's School for Expecting Mothers ship. And stuff happens


I sort of liked this book at first but it was just kind of... meh.

I initially -and still kind of do- liked Elvie, but she was so selfish, and stupid. She was a huge jerk to Cole. I mean the man would take a bullet for her, he would do anything she asked, but she treats him like an idiot, and even if he's not that smart... well, she knew that before she slept with him and it didn't stop her then... I just really hate her sometimes. Part of that is because someone spoiled something that happens in the next book, and it made me really hate her.

I have no plans for finishing the series, and I would only recommend this book if your a person who doesn't get attached to book characters easily.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elvie and co. are back! And the cuteness and awkwardness of teenagers and aliens with babies continues!

I read Mothership a couple years back and I thought it was funny, light, and entertaining. That pretty much sums up what I felt about this one, too. Elvie is still a sarcastic, hot mess who sometimes has me laughing out loud and sometimes makes me want to roll my eyes. Cole, the baby daddy, is still incredibly stupid. This still angers me. Nobody is that dumb. And Elvie’s eccentric dad and her friend Ducky (who may be more than a friend? Maybe not? Idk. I can’t tell yet.) round up the group, or at least the group of people I can discuss without spoiling you. But, the last two I mentioned did make me smile on occasion.

The action in this book is just as out-of-this-world as the first book (See what I did there?), even though this plot takes place on Earth. In Antarctica of all places! How many books have you read that take place in Antarctica?! This is my first. Also like with the first book, things always seem to go terribly wrong, only to immediately somehow be solved. And while it’s great that all of the characters—minus Cole—are super-smart, it does make the OMG-what-are-they-going-to-do?!? factor a little less dire. But I was still quite shocked at some of the events that took place in the story. I will definitely be reading book three to get some answers.

All in all, if you’re looking for a light, different, sarcastic sci-fi read, pick up Mothership, and then pick up its sequel. You deserve a few laughs in your life.

[Anmiryam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second installment in the Expanding Universe series continues the story of Elvie Nara. With her newborn daughter in tow, she is transported to an Almiri prison in Antarctica with her father, her baby's father the adorable, but not so bright Cole Archer, and her best friend Ducky. The action quickly becomes even more implausible -- don't count on things being what they seem in this futuristic sci-fi comedy -- than in the first installment, but that's all to the good (except maybe the killer Orca bit, I can't really believe that).

I was impressed by the sheer proliferation of factions that are involved in the inter-species race war and the variety of alliances that form and reform in the course of these frenetic pages. But, as with all series, the real payoff is in watching Elvie grow as a person. She begins to understand what being a mother will entail, ponders her future with Cole and grapples with major surprises that challenge everything she knows about herself. Through it all she's still resourceful, smart, smart-alecky and a young woman I would love to meet.

The book ends, of course, with another cliffhanger that promises continued action packed absurdities, and given that "A Stranger Thing" just came out, the wait for the next installment is going to be uncomfortably long. I may need to plant myself in front of the Leicht/Neal residence so I can start reading as soon as they print out a first draft.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Mothership, the first book in this trilogy. At the end I suspected that there was more to Elvie's mother than a woman who died when Elvie was young. Well, I was right. I won't spoil the story any further but I have to say I was disappointed in the direction this book took. I didn't like the way Elvie treated Ducky (he is seriously the greatest best friend ever), and Cole...I mean could that guy be any dumber? In the first book it was kind of funny, in this book it was really annoying. There could have been more background given on the cast of characters Elvie meets in Antarctica, I felt that that story was just glossed over. However, this is the second book in the trilogy, and given the ending I am looking forward to book three. Hopefully there will be a satisfying conclusion.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book the same rating as the first in the series. Yet, my feelings toward them are pretty different. So perhaps Mothership is a high three (because it is silly and fun, but not likable or good enough to be a four), while A Stranger Thing is a low three. I don't know that it's objectively worse than Mothership, but it's definitely not as fun (but not so bad I would drop it to a two).

Perhaps the best summary of my feelings would be thus: After the first book, I immediately picked up the second. After the second book (and over a month later), I have little desire to pick up the third, though I'll probably get to it eventually.

Also, the super aggressive, way-too-skilled-at-tracking killer whales were just too over the top for me. (And despite crazy stuff like that, the book was very predictable.)

[Rachael Drenckpohl · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me almost a month to finish this book. Why? I'm not really sure. It was good, witty, and overly annoying with the repetitive use of the word, like. So essentially, it's just like the first. Only... There's no clear reason as to why Elvie feels the way she does about Cole. Why is she so hot and cold with him? Why is there never a huge fight with her mom who abandoned her. A discussion, yes. But not a fight. Elvie might be a mother now, but she's still a 16 year old girl, and she doesn't act the way a teenager does. Anyway, the point is I finally finished it and it left with a cray cliff hanger. I was on the fence about reading the last book, but I guess I will now to complete the story.

[Breezy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ridiculously beyond awesome! Aside from the first book, Mothership, I have never read a book like this. I was laughing withing two sentences and no matter how much I told myself to stop reading and go to bed I was not able to put it down. The twist at the end left me in agony, it was unexpected and terrible and I NEED MORE! I hope the next one is out asap because... just wow. I think I found a new favorite author. Amazingly done and I highly recommend this to just about everyone, especially anyone who has children or has one on the way. This is some seriously awesome reading material!