A cosmic trip Meet Stella, a widowed English teacher who’s still grappling with the loss of her husband. And then there’s Andrew, a disillusioned New York City executive who’s ready for a change, a more soul-satisfying life. When a mysterious childhood friend reaches out for help, Stella and Andrew must explore new depths within the universe and within themselves to come to her aid. What begins as a quest to save an alien species that has been hiding on Earth for decades becomes a mission to save humanity from its ignorance—a mutual exchange of resources, technology, and cosmic consciousness. But how can two such vastly different species communicate? The answer lies in the mind-expanding power of mushrooms. With the help of psilocybin, Stella discovers the universe within—the profound connections that can be made when she opens her mind to the vast possibilities of the universe. As Stella and Andrew help the aliens return home, they must also confront their own fears and find the courage to forge a new path forward, together—a path that leads to unrivaled love and rebellious adventure.
Genna Pfister is a native Texan raised in Bellaire and Flower Mound. She currently resides in The Woodlands, Texas with her husband, three children, two dogs, and bird. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2011. When she isn't juggling after school activities and cooking Jessica Seinfeld recipes, you can catch her at the local rock gym eyeing a 12- route and settling for an 11+. She also enjoys her monthly book club meetings and occasional adult ballet class. Nothing makes her feel more humbled and grateful than staring into the night's sky with her family to acknowledge his magnificent universe.
Topics that I will always love reading about- dark energy, expansion of consciousness, soul connections, aliens, fractals, psychedelics, and the cosmos. I thought this book was incredibly clever to include all these sick topics in one epic story. I love how the story touches on these vast subjects that make you stop and think, even look stuff up (me!) The story was super fast paced and sweet, heartfelt, just awesome. Far out!!! I wish a book like this would get popular instead of stupid superficial nonsense, but I'm thankful I at least got the chance to read it! I love how it subtly implies government distrust, also seems similar to some ancient religions.
A lovely story about a woman who connects with a genuinely kind alien who seeks help to return to their own planet. Along the way there is tragedy and love. An interesting twist on how kind humans subvert the US government to help Earth’s knowledge of space and free energy evolve centuries ahead of natural progression. It was a great read and I look forward to more books from this author. I love her writing style and her character development which seems fast at times but still a wonderful read. #goodreadsgiveaway
A debut novel about connecting to the universe on a personal level, as well as a deeper more meaningful level. Themes of cosmic interconnectedness, self discovery, and the search for deeper meaning beyond the physical world. Connecting to something greater than ourselves has always been an interest of mine, and this is a creative storyline that provides opportunities for deep thought and introspection while still maintaining a fun, romantic plot that keeps the pages turning. This type of romance is often missing in sci-fi and I appreciate their connection. While the main theme gets a little lost in their mission, it's easy to see this is just leading up to an epic sequel. With everything that's happening with Elon Musk in the media, this book seems extremely relevant and honestly, Pfister might be on to something there.
I won this book via Goodreads giveaway. I laughed it right off my shelf. I think this author has potential, but this felt like it was written by an extra terrestrial sometimes. It was much more tell than show, didn’t flow very nicely, and felt unintentionally pretentious in a number of places. Also, for the amount of times the author mentioned drugs in the part I did read, I get the sense they haven’t actually taken any (or many). IYKYK. The blurb sounded interesting, but it was a poor execution in my opinion. Lol at the “lavish golden labradoodle” that a character keeps humble (characters words) with “long, shaggy hair.” AKA, a matted mutt. None of these characters felt real or relatable. Not interested in finishing this one.
An ambitious debut with too many ideas and not enough pages to develop them fully. The basic idea of peaceful alien contact is good, and there’s a lot that could have been fleshed out to emphasize the importance of two species meeting each other. Unfortunately, it gets lost amidst a poorly developed romance between two people who just met each other. There’s too many characters, very few of importance, and Stella, the main protagonist is all but forgotten in the last few chapters. Some of the plot points strain credibility. For example, Zain gets reacquainted with a college friend, and then a mere two days later he’s traveling with the aliens back to their home planet?
Major character traits and plot points just get pushed to the wayside. Ali’s central concern was getting the materials for their ships to go home, and Zain was going so that he could see their planet and report back. So why does there ship return a few months later after with a whole different set of priorities?! Also the book randomly shifts from Stella from being the only person who Ali and the aliens can communicate with to at least a dozen people just at NASA alone that are able to talk to them. So was Stella not that important after all? And so many people have used psychedelics are we to believe that none of them communicated with aliens. And lastly, the thinly veiled Elon Musk character was an alien that randomly turns evil, gets killed, but not really at the very end?!? I’m not a fan of Musk but it seems like his character was written just for some easy jabs.
You’d be better off served reading Lindsay Ellis’ Axiom’s End and Truth of the Divine. Same premise with much better execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The "Universe Within," by Genna Pfister, is a delightful read. I'm not a romance reader, but I love it when it's science fiction or fantasy meet in romance. In this case, it is a splendid blending of science fiction and romance. Even from the beginning, Stella mourns her late husband, James. Also, how Andrew views math in nature is just as romantic.
"The most beautiful part of math is its omnipresence in nature. From the mesmerizing spirals in shells to the intricate fractals of a snowflake, the perfectly symmetrical patterns adorning butterfly wings, and concentric circles like the rings inside a tree trunk, math seems to be woven into every nook and cranny of nature and the universe, beckoning us to explore its hidden secrets."
Stella and Andrew both have ties to alien life. One is a more physical kind of experience, and the other is more of a psychedelic trip with years of belief. Pfister touches on something I've said for many years about the limited perception of humans and how difficult it is to see everything in the universe because of our universally infantile view. I could see our first contact being something similar to this book. I love the science fiction part of the book as well.
I enjoyed the characters that tested everyone, like Neil. People who profit from or can manipulate people are far less likely to want to rock the proverbial boat. Neil was one of those sorts.
This book was thoroughly enjoyable. Anyone who loves romance, mysticism, science fiction, and aliens will love this book for sure.
I was kindly gifted this book by the author however I did have my reservations as this is not something I would normally read.
When I first started I thought this is a little weird aliens and mushrooms aren’t really my thing. However I quickly fell into the story especially once the FBI got involved and couldn’t put it down. I started to feel as if the story was coming to a finish and thought ohh I can see where this going. Then the last two chapters happened and oh my gosh do I want some much more. I added a star just for the last two chapters.
I can honestly say I really enjoyed this story even though it’s a book that I would normally never give the chance.
Thank you so much again Genna for gifting me this book it is very much appreciated.
I don’t understand why this has so many good reviews. I’m sorry but it’s simply not good. It’s boring. It’s almost entirely filler. And it’s entirely unbelievable. I don’t mean the aliens and the space travel. I mean the actions of the humans. There is practically no conflict. Everything just happens so easily. It’s very unrealistic. I was going to leave 2 stars but then I came across a line where a NURSE tells a certain character who is in labor to cross her legs so the baby doesn’t come out before the doctor gets there. This is the WORST advice a nurse could give. Doing this actually leads to brain damage for the baby. I’m sorry again but this book wasn’t good. 🤷🏻♀️
Like nothing I’ve ever read before. What would happen if life from another planet made contact with humans here on earth? What would happen if we could communicate and coexist, work together, share ideas and learn from each other? This book answers all of those questions with enough scientific jargon to make you question if you are actually reading fiction. Definitely a thought provoking read!
I love a book that brings attention to awareness and letting go of the self and expanding your consciousness. Shrooms can change the world, I know it! Sadly, I felt like this book needed more planning for that message to be fully grasped.
The whole premise of the book revolves around the fact that the two main characters are more connected with nature, the cosmos, consciousness, etc. than anyone else and that is why they can connect to Ali, the alien, by using psychedelics. Cool. The issue is that at no point are they shown to have this connection before they do shrooms/LSD. In the case of Stella this is a big issue because she met Ali when she was a kid before she did shrooms and Stella is apparently so connected that her and Ali can speak telepathically. The author shows us nothing of little Stella having this connectedness other than little Ali saying she does. With Andrew, the only reason he connected with Ali is because he did LSD one time and is also a big space nerd. I can garuntee you there are probably a thousand space nerds doing LSD this very second. It’s just not unique enough to be convincing.
More on the characters, they are written so weird it’s almost as if they are the real aliens. The whole reason Andrew does LSD is because his weed was spiked. Instead of being mad at the guy who gave it to him, he’s just weirdly chill about it? Unless Andrew is a big time party drug user which, he is never described as being, any person in their right mind would be furious. Psychedelics are terrifying if you 1) have no idea you’re on them and also 2) it’s your first time doing it! Instead of being mad, Andrew politely asks the guy what was in the weed and when the guy tells him LSD Andrew responds, okay, glad it didn’t last the whole weekend and then he goes home horny about the space lady he saw. Like ???
My biggest gripe is, this book felt like reading a heavily opinionated blog post rather than a book. I can tell you exactly what the author believes about every topic presented in this book just by the way they are presented. Obviously, an author’s opinions are going to shine through to some extent in any book but, in this book it felt like the author was trying to convince me global warming is bad and Elon Musk is evil. It doesn’t matter whether I agree with those things are not, at least present them by backing them up with in-book reasoning. Most things were just presented as fact and expected to be accepted because the book tells you it’s true which is hard to do in a book so heavy based in reality. There’s one point where Andrew brings up to NASA that the Earth is at the end of it’s life cycle and NASA, as well as myself, where just dumbfounded. Nowhere in the book up until that point was anything about the Earth’s life cycle mentioned. Then they just move one without a proper explanation other than “Ali says so.”
Going back to Elon Musk… That reminds me: It’s said that the FBI has been aware of the aliens for the whole 20 years they’ve been on Earth but chose to ignore them, not capture them or kill them, ignore them because… it’s never explained so idk.
There’s a lot more smaller things I could mention: This book is equally fast paced and boring at the same time; there are little to no scene descriptions or character descriptions. This book is 100% tell not show. There are absolutely no stakes; the main characters always get what they want. Stella is prescribed shroom pills by her therapist even though shrooms are illegal where this book takes place. The romance is forced. Stellas becomes a backseat passenger in her own story the whole second half of the book
Anyway. Sorry for ranting. I know this is the author’s first book and no one is going to write a perfect first book but I really feel like this book wasn’t planned well enough despite that.
Lost me when there was a billionaire owner of a tech and spacecraft company named Husk. The dialog was very stilted. Kept going back to same device, character would assume the worst, the best would happen and they would respond with "can you belive it". No, no I cannot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
While this is not my typical genre, I was pleasantly surprised. This book presented a very interesting premise with plenty of tension and twists to keep me wanting to read on.
This was a super fast read for me, with so many interesting factors and so unlike anything I’ve read yet. I really enjoyed the characters and their dynamic and the aliens were a really cool factor! This was really well written and a wonderful debut novel I recommend for any sci-fi fan!
Thank you to the author for my review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
The Universe Within a fast paced nice and easy read. This novel follows two main characters Stella and Andrew who are trying to find their purpose after coming out of some troubling times. They are brought together with a mission to save an alien species and find themselves at the centre of trying to better the human race!
The characters in this book were really likeable and I enjoyed how this was a Sci-Fi paired with a little bit of romance.
I would say the storyline was predictable at times, however, something about it was a page turner. I really enjoyed Genna’a writing style, and the book got to the point without too much waffle.
If you like Sci-Fi Fantasy I say give this a read.
A big thank you to NetGalley and River Grove Books for allowing me access to this ARC for my honest review.
I picked up this book after seeing it come through one of the “Bookstagram” feeds that I follow, and I’m very glad I did. I really enjoy sci-fi and contemplative subject matter, and this book delivered. What I wasn’t expecting was how well the author took some very deep ideas (regarding the possibility of alien life and the sheer amount of knowledge that is still out there in both the cosmos and our own human consciousness for us to discover) and folded them into an extremely compelling, fast paced, and romantic story that was narrated remarkably well through a dual pov perspective.
This a wonderfully unique novel that combines many enjoyable and deep themes into one entertaining story and I highly recommend it. I also believe this is the author’s first published novel - so Bravo! and I can’t wait for the sequel.
I bought it for the pretty cover, will cherish it for the moving story. Not only was it put together well, but the characters are realistic, authentic. I wouldn't say it was action packed because that sounds like a movie, but it was so fast paced and things kept happening that I couldn't put it down. It's a good blend of genres. There are some cliches, but i can see why they were important to keep the story moving. All in all I totally loved this book and really hope there will be a sequel because what happens next??? Also, I love stumbling upon ufo sightings on insta and now everytime i see one I'm like Aliiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Universe Within was a delightful read. Genna has a crisp writing style that constantly moves the reader forward, never bogging down. The plot line of the book deals with things about which I have a great interest. i.e. interstellar travel, are we alone?, all while basing her book on real-life science. She displays a broad-brush knowledge that ranges from Liszt piano compositions, to dark matter/energy, to rock climbing, while keeping the main characters grounded. I look forward to her next book.
Universe Within is a truly unique story. The use of hallucinogens to open our consciousness in order to connect to the universe on a higher spiritual plane.
Main Characters: Stella: a highschool teacher struggling with the recent and unexpected death of her husband. Processing her grief and anxieties, who then starts taking a new drug (proscribed by her therapist) which is essentially micro dosing mushrooms.
Andrew: a wildly successful and handsome scientist who leaves corporate America in New York to go back to his childhood home after smoking some marijuana laced with LSD and having a vision.
Ali: a beautiful and charismatic alien trying to save her people.
Trigger warning: Mention of TTC (trying to conceive) - this book was generously gifted and I wasn't aware this it would be mentioned but I wanted to give y'all a heads up. Potentially not tokophobia friendly
Pros: - The authors dialogue between characters is really quite good, the conversations feel natural and they flow really well, that's where the story really holds is in the dialogue. - The universe the author created was unique. - The concept behind the aliens was well thought out and intriguing. - The platonic relationships were well constructed. - Stella and Ali's interactions felt very natural. Their characters feel well developed and have a more realistic depth that I really appreciated.
Cons (in my opinion): - some issues with descriptions and setting the scene. (Ex. I had no idea Andrews childhood home was on an island until he was leaving it on the ferry. He says the view is beautiful but there is no description of it.) - Quick jumps between related scenes but the author doesn't set you up for the change so you often have to take a minute to re-align yourself so you can picture the story. - Also how the author is trying to connect the present to the past is good but the flow feels a tad disjointed when it comes to Andrew's POV. - The punctuation is harsh while reading. It almost feel likes you're reading a list of bullet points. - Andrew also said he could retire at 35 but the author doesn't elaborate in the moment so you kind of sit there asking yourself how? - Andrew has two siblings but the house left by his parents remained vacant which seems odd, some details here would have also been good. - Andrew also seems way too quick to believe that a hallucination he had twice on LSD was real. For a scientist I would expect a lot more deductive reasonsing and investigation. - The romance/attraction between Andrew and Stella felt really unnecessary. Her husband only passed a few months ago and the minute she started interacting with Andrew and having this reaction to him I started feeling alienated (no pun intended) from her. Her grief and love for James felt so genuine and I was really able to connect with her until this.
Overall the premise, concept, characters, and story were all quite good! I just mainly held issue with the relationship dynamic, and some of the authors writing construction.
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book. Many thanks to the author.
Enter the world of Stella, an English teacher grappling with the weight of widowhood, and Andrew, a disillusioned NYC executive yearning for a more meaningful existence. Their lives take an unexpected turn when a mysterious childhood friend seeks their help, propelling them into a cosmic odyssey that transcends the boundaries of Earth and humanity.
What begins as a mission to aid a concealed alien species unravels into a profound exploration of interconnectedness, mutual exchange, and the expansion of cosmic consciousness. The unconventional means of communication? The mind-altering properties of psilocybin mushrooms. Stella, in delving into the universe within herself, unveils the extraordinary connections that emerge when one embraces the boundless possibilities of the cosmos.
The narrative navigates the complexities of saving not only an extraterrestrial race but also humanity from its own ignorance. The plot is a tapestry of adventure, self-discovery, and the transformative power of unconventional alliances. As Stella and Andrew assist the aliens in returning home, they are confronted with their deepest fears, setting the stage for a courageous journey into uncharted territories.
The heart of the story lies in the synergy between two vastly different species, emphasizing the potential for unity in diversity. The narrative invites readers to ponder existential questions while riding the wave of an unconventional love story. Stella and Andrew's path converges into a new trajectory, one marked by love's transcendence and the audacity to embrace rebellious adventures.
At its core, the novel is a celebration of love, courage, and the boundless possibilities that emerge when minds open to the mysteries of the universe. The infusion of psilocybin as a catalyst for profound revelations adds a unique and thought-provoking dimension to the storyline.
The author skillfully weaves a narrative that challenges preconceived notions and encourages readers to question the limits of human potential. Vividly drawn characters and a plot that unfolds like a cosmic tapestry make this a captivating read. 'Stella and Andrew' is a testament to the transformative power of love, consciousness-expanding experiences, and the journey into the unknown realms of existence.
Stella has recently become a widow when an old childhood friend reaches out to her asking for help. She meets her friend and meets Andrew, who is also asked to help this childhood friend, Ali, to help her and her kind get back home.
I love scifi books, this was a bit more contemplative than what I’m used to or have read before, but I found it very interesting and kept my mind thinking, which I love!
It was fascinating just thinking of aliens were amongst us and if we met one, how would we react? I personally think it would be fascinating and I would absolutely want to learn more about them!
It really made you think, though, how you would react versus the world. And what would the world do?
I normally do not read contemplative fiction, but the author had a way with words that keeps you reading and wanting to know more and what will happen next!
I loved how we also get to learn a lot about Stella and Andrew as individual people. You really learn about them and their personalities, their backgrounds and history and even their families.
I loved the little bit of romance in here too! I mean, I can never say no to romance 😂 it was rather instalove for my liking, but I really liked the characters and they worked well together, so I was able to look past that.
I will say Stella was rather hard to figure out. She was not scared as a child when she met Ali, but then as an adult, she’s completely different and just seemed scared of everything. Willing to try things, but always seemed to have a concerning thought about everything, whereas, Andrew reacted the way I would and was excited, wanted to know more and was willing to help!
Overall, this was a very interesting read and if you enjoy science fiction, give it a try!
I received a gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It started out Interesting enough. A woman is trying to move on after losing her husband. A man has made enough money that he can retire young, but feels unfulfilled. They both end up getting high and make contact with another being. He leaves his job and returns to the other side of the country to the place he grew up. They meet with the other being; then with each other. The other being and her people need help from human beings to leave Earth. One scientist is chosen to go with the beings to learn their technology to advance and enhance life on Earth.
The part that I didn’t like was the cheesy love story. It felt odd and it didn’t fit into the overall story. The woman went from heartbroken to pregnant in record time, of course with the blessing of her deceased husband. To me, none of the romance parts were well written or helped to explain the story or move it along. It seems like there would be better and more logical ways of telling a very similar story with the same outcome without those parts.
The basic idea of this book is not merely peaceful contact with aliens, but rather that humans lack the capacity to truly understand the mysteries of the universe, and with the help of psilocybin they obtain cosmic consciousness. This book is about thinking outside of our tiny existence while appreciating what’s special about being human, which is falling in love, family, friendship, and trust. The author brings up a new idea about space travel "cosmic slip" where cosmic consciousness enables us to slip through space faster than the speed of light. Stella was the gateway for the aliens, the open spirit they could trust. She tries to introduce cosmic consciousness to other humans, which would be a wonderful thing, don’t you think? Only those who can open their mind to the vast possibilities of human potential can become matched through an intricate process within a cosmic trip to the Universe Within. And lastly, this book pokes lighthearted fun at a real world celebrity to add a tantalizing twist. I'd recommend this book to those who ponder our existence, those who appreciate the facets of a soulful life, and to those who enjoy fast paced unique stories with likable characters.
I totally loved this book. I don't actively search for romance books, but I feel super excited about how the romance fell into the story line. It's a first contact story, but in completely unique telling. The psychedelic aspects were really engaging, and I really wanted more of that! I love watching ufo sightings and all the alien shows, so this hit the spot for me. I love thinking about life out there and what it will actually look like if we make contact. This book seems frighteningly realistic, and I really enjoyed the whole story. It's funny too. I guess I related well. The characters were easy to like, and the fast pace was suuuuper refreshing. I hate all the fluff with long books. This gave enough details to connect, but kept the story moving and I really enjoyed that. Might be one of my favorite books.
This entertaining science fiction novel is designed to captivate those who typically aren't attracted to the genre. The reader quickly feels familiar with the characters due to Pfister's masterful character development. Her writing style draws you in, making for a quick and absorbing read. The novel also touches on very relevant and timely problems facing humanity today. It urges us to forget our differences while trying to work together for the common good. This novel leaves one thinking and questioning life as we know it, as it asks us to reach beyond our limitations to dream for a better tomorrow.
Genre blends? Numbers and nature? I didn't think I'd eat up a book like this the way I did, given that it is more scientific and has a math component. But when I say this read pulled me in and never let go I am serious. Also the aliens were amazing and not at all corny or anything. The connections between mind and universe, laws of nature and all of that were clear and interesting which I completely wouldn't have expected. Needless to say I was completely uncertain how this would pan out and let's just say I'm glad I took the risk because this book is Beautiful with a capital B!!!
I won this book via Goodreads giveaway. 3.3 🌟 I did finish this, but she definitely gave me some headaches. This book has/had so much potential and if there's a sequel, I may read it. However, this book has awful flow, and does too much telling and not enough showing. It's, also, a tad pretentious at times. "I’m very protective of my mother, and I’m not really sure about this guy. When I meet him, I will feel him out. I’m a very good judge of character." The ideas are great but the execution was not ideal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As Stella and Andrew navigate through the challenges of intergalactic diplomacy, they discover that the connections they make with others, no matter how different, can be the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of all. Ultimately, Stella and Andrew's journey teaches them that love knows no bounds and that unity can be found in even the most unexpected places.
The writing style is incredibly compelling, and I loved the sci-fi aspect of the novel. The characters are well-developed, and I couldn't wait to know what happened next.
I really liked the story and the characters, and I never knew what was going to happen. I think the book could have been longer. At times, I felt like there was a lot of detail, especially with small things, but with bigger ideas, it felt like it was more of a broad stroke, leaving me wanting more. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I felt like I just wanted more.
I look forward to what Genna puts out in the future
I know I’m enjoying a book when I wake up early so I can finish before class.
Genna wrote something special here. From the beginning, I was hooked. The story follows Stella and Andrew through a ‘first contact with aliens’ type of scenario. This book dealt with it in a way I’ve never seen before. It was light, fast-paced, and very easy to get through. At the end, I wanted to keep reading. I really grew fond of the cast. This was an absolute win and I’m so glad I was able to read it.
This is a really fun read! My mom and I both read it and loved it. The story is captivating and clever. I have never read sci-fi before and wasn't sure what to expect, but I am glad I gave it a try. Hoping for a sequel!