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The Radiant Dark: A Novel
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Expected 28 Apr 26Arrival meets Wild Dark Shore in this captivating novel that follows a family over fifty years—a bold and compassionate exploration of the universe around us and what it truly means to be human.
“The Radiant Dark is incandescent.” —Sarah Jessica Parker
It’s March 1980, and Carol Girard and her husband are living an ordinary life in a small town in the Adirondacks. They have just had their first child, and though Carol is struggling with the challenges of new motherhood, her future seems clear. Until something extraordinary an inexplicable flickering of light in the sky, which is ultimately determined to be communication from intelligent life on another planet. But these beings are eleven light-years away, and nothing is known about them other than the fact that they seem to know we exist too. And so begins a decades-long exchange of messages with this mysterious, faraway civilization.
As humanity reels from a shifting understanding of its place in the universe, we follow the stories of the Girard Carol, whose fascination with this other life sparks a desperate search for spiritual meaning; Michael, her loyal son, who finds solace not in the stars above his head but in the ground beneath his feet; and Ro, Carol’s bright and ambitious daughter, whose childhood goal to work in interstellar communication will evolve into something far grander.
Tracing five decades of love, loss, ambition, and self-discovery, The Radiant Dark is a stunning examination of a family navigating their lives with the knowledge that we are not alone.
“The Radiant Dark is incandescent.” —Sarah Jessica Parker
It’s March 1980, and Carol Girard and her husband are living an ordinary life in a small town in the Adirondacks. They have just had their first child, and though Carol is struggling with the challenges of new motherhood, her future seems clear. Until something extraordinary an inexplicable flickering of light in the sky, which is ultimately determined to be communication from intelligent life on another planet. But these beings are eleven light-years away, and nothing is known about them other than the fact that they seem to know we exist too. And so begins a decades-long exchange of messages with this mysterious, faraway civilization.
As humanity reels from a shifting understanding of its place in the universe, we follow the stories of the Girard Carol, whose fascination with this other life sparks a desperate search for spiritual meaning; Michael, her loyal son, who finds solace not in the stars above his head but in the ground beneath his feet; and Ro, Carol’s bright and ambitious daughter, whose childhood goal to work in interstellar communication will evolve into something far grander.
Tracing five decades of love, loss, ambition, and self-discovery, The Radiant Dark is a stunning examination of a family navigating their lives with the knowledge that we are not alone.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 28, 2026
12 people are currently reading
26911 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Oliva
4 books499 followersAlexandra Oliva is the author of The Radiant Dark, Forget Me Not, and The Last One. She grew up in a small town in New York's Adirondack Mountains. A first-generation college graduate, she has a BA from Yale University and an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School University. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.
Though she is not active on Goodreads, Alexandra can be reached via Instagram (ali.oliva) and her website.
Though she is not active on Goodreads, Alexandra can be reached via Instagram (ali.oliva) and her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐.5
I don’t even know where to start with this 🤩
So many layers, so much depth, so much emotion 🏆
An epic tale of space, intelligent life, spirituality, trauma, belief systems, motherhood, family relationships, cults…. And all told with an authenticity that makes all of it SO real. I couldn’t put this book down 🥇
This is my first read by Alexandra and I will certainly be reading more by her!
What an amazing read ✨
I am so grateful for being approved to read this ARC via @NetGalley
This is released on April 28th 2026- save the date! 🙏🏼
I don’t even know where to start with this 🤩
So many layers, so much depth, so much emotion 🏆
An epic tale of space, intelligent life, spirituality, trauma, belief systems, motherhood, family relationships, cults…. And all told with an authenticity that makes all of it SO real. I couldn’t put this book down 🥇
This is my first read by Alexandra and I will certainly be reading more by her!
What an amazing read ✨
I am so grateful for being approved to read this ARC via @NetGalley
This is released on April 28th 2026- save the date! 🙏🏼
November 11, 2025
I couldn’t wait to finish this book. Something pushed me to finish reading it, I think I was hopeful for an interesting conclusion. The payoff was just okay. Comparing this to Arrival and Wild Dark Shore (one of my favorite books) is really just a marketing trick. This book was about a very selfish and toxic mother and her relationship with her kids. I’m so glad it’s over and everyone escaped relatively unscathed.
December 6, 2025
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. It explored so many different concepts like the possibility of other planets, generational trauma, what makes a good mother, cults, etc. I was attached to some of the characters and couldn’t stand some of the others. A one of a kind read.
Thank you, NetGalley!
Thank you, NetGalley!
October 26, 2025
This book. I hope this one wins all the awards next year. A classic example of a book that is both heartbreaking and deeply hopeful. The heartbreak and the hope centers around a mother in the 80s in upstate New York who is a survivor of abuse without understanding it, fully typical of that time. She gives birth to and nurtures two exceptional children right after first contact, one of.of whom will look to the universe and the other of whom will protect everyone he knows on the planet. But she is completely alone and cannot heal herself. This family dynamic is deeply explored from all perspectives in excruciating detail. I think everyone will recognize themselves in some part of this family. The hope comes from the ultimate gift these children become to the world and the constraints that they are able to cast off without really understanding the gift their mother gave them. On top of it is a story of first contact and how this changes everyone on earth. Again, it is a story both heartbreaking and beautiful. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this novel.
December 28, 2025
The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Olivia is a beautifully layered and thought-provoking novel that takes a fresh and gripping approach to the classic first-contact scenario. From the very first page, I was pulled into a world teetering on the edge of change, as humanity grapples with the sudden and undeniable knowledge that we are not alone in the universe.
What really stood out to me was how Olivia chose to tell this story through a wide range of perspectives. Instead of focusing on a single character or a small team of scientists or government officials, we’re introduced to a rich cast of characters from different walks of life, belief systems, and emotional backgrounds. Each character’s chapter adds another piece to the puzzle, showing how news of alien life impacts people in vastly different ways; some are filled with hope and awe, others with fear, suspicion, or even existential dread. These reactions felt incredibly human and grounded the story in a very real emotional landscape.
The alien species themselves are shrouded in mystery, and I appreciated that Olivia didn’t go the route of over-explaining their biology, culture, or purpose right away. Instead, the novel explores the ripple effects of the aliens’ presence politically, socially, emotionally, and even spiritually. That ambiguity kept the tension high and made for a more immersive and unsettling experience.
Olivia’s writing is lyrical yet accessible, and the pacing is spot-on. Even with the rotating viewpoints, the transitions felt smooth and purposeful, never jarring. There were moments of quiet introspection, bursts of action, and incredibly emotional beats that hit hard. There was always a sense that we were witnessing something truly monumental unfold, yet the story never lost its intimacy.
What I found most compelling was how deeply the book delves into what it means to be human in the face of something incomprehensible. It raises thoughtful questions without hitting you over the head with them. How do we define identity, meaning, and belonging when our place in the universe is called into question? Do we rise to the challenge, or fall into chaos?
The Radiant Dark is one of those rare science fiction novels that balances big, bold ideas with quiet, personal truths. It’s emotionally resonant, intellectually stimulating, and deeply affecting. Alexandra Olivia has written something truly special, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for what she writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Zando, and Alexandra Olivia for granting me access to a digital ARC of this title.
What really stood out to me was how Olivia chose to tell this story through a wide range of perspectives. Instead of focusing on a single character or a small team of scientists or government officials, we’re introduced to a rich cast of characters from different walks of life, belief systems, and emotional backgrounds. Each character’s chapter adds another piece to the puzzle, showing how news of alien life impacts people in vastly different ways; some are filled with hope and awe, others with fear, suspicion, or even existential dread. These reactions felt incredibly human and grounded the story in a very real emotional landscape.
The alien species themselves are shrouded in mystery, and I appreciated that Olivia didn’t go the route of over-explaining their biology, culture, or purpose right away. Instead, the novel explores the ripple effects of the aliens’ presence politically, socially, emotionally, and even spiritually. That ambiguity kept the tension high and made for a more immersive and unsettling experience.
Olivia’s writing is lyrical yet accessible, and the pacing is spot-on. Even with the rotating viewpoints, the transitions felt smooth and purposeful, never jarring. There were moments of quiet introspection, bursts of action, and incredibly emotional beats that hit hard. There was always a sense that we were witnessing something truly monumental unfold, yet the story never lost its intimacy.
What I found most compelling was how deeply the book delves into what it means to be human in the face of something incomprehensible. It raises thoughtful questions without hitting you over the head with them. How do we define identity, meaning, and belonging when our place in the universe is called into question? Do we rise to the challenge, or fall into chaos?
The Radiant Dark is one of those rare science fiction novels that balances big, bold ideas with quiet, personal truths. It’s emotionally resonant, intellectually stimulating, and deeply affecting. Alexandra Olivia has written something truly special, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for what she writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Zando, and Alexandra Olivia for granting me access to a digital ARC of this title.
February 25, 2026
4ish ⭐️
This was a slow start for me but I didn’t want to put it down towards the end.
This book is a sweeping generational saga. We meet Carol and follow her lineage while proof of an alien existence creates a cultural shift for humanity. I’d say aliens provide the context while the family provides the drama.
This was unlike any book I’ve read before. It feels hard to describe it without potential spoilers.
The marketing uses “Arrival” x “Wild Dark Shores” to describe Radiant Dark. I can see the comparison. I’d take it a step further and compare it to “Arrival” x “The Covenant of Water”.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
This book will be published 4/28/2026.
This was a slow start for me but I didn’t want to put it down towards the end.
This book is a sweeping generational saga. We meet Carol and follow her lineage while proof of an alien existence creates a cultural shift for humanity. I’d say aliens provide the context while the family provides the drama.
This was unlike any book I’ve read before. It feels hard to describe it without potential spoilers.
The marketing uses “Arrival” x “Wild Dark Shores” to describe Radiant Dark. I can see the comparison. I’d take it a step further and compare it to “Arrival” x “The Covenant of Water”.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
This book will be published 4/28/2026.
March 4, 2026
A fantastic study of mother daughter relationships set against the background of alien contact. The transitions between years and references to real events throughout made it that much more special as an alternate history
January 20, 2026
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review💕
A story about discovering that aliens are real is certainly not new. First contact stories have been explored in countless ways in many different forms throughout (arguably) nearly all of human history. We all want to know the answer to the question of what our world, our lives, would look like if we were not the only 'intelligent' species we know of, if Earth was not the only planet to sustain human life, and space travel was possible.
The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva offers a pretty different answer. What if, nothing really changed at all? If you're a stay at home mom (in the 80s!) struggling with post partum issues and have virtually no support system, does learning about the existence of aliens change your day to day? This is how our story begins, with Carol Girard, along with the rest of the world, learning that there is extraterrestrial life and that they have initiatied contact with Earth. While she is absolutely fascinated with this and it follows her for the rest of her life, her struggles do not go away just because of this incredible historic event.
We are with the Girard family for many decades throughout this book, and each member is extremely real, extremely flawed, and dealing with issues far beyond the celestial. Things get messy, issues are not always cleanly (or sometimes even ever) resolved, and people don't forget their differences just because there is something 'greater than themselves' out there.
Ultimately, what I took away from this incredibly story is that life continues to go on even in the midst of unpredecented circumstances (see 2020!), and real change takes time - so much in fact, that we may not even live to see it.
A story about discovering that aliens are real is certainly not new. First contact stories have been explored in countless ways in many different forms throughout (arguably) nearly all of human history. We all want to know the answer to the question of what our world, our lives, would look like if we were not the only 'intelligent' species we know of, if Earth was not the only planet to sustain human life, and space travel was possible.
The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva offers a pretty different answer. What if, nothing really changed at all? If you're a stay at home mom (in the 80s!) struggling with post partum issues and have virtually no support system, does learning about the existence of aliens change your day to day? This is how our story begins, with Carol Girard, along with the rest of the world, learning that there is extraterrestrial life and that they have initiatied contact with Earth. While she is absolutely fascinated with this and it follows her for the rest of her life, her struggles do not go away just because of this incredible historic event.
We are with the Girard family for many decades throughout this book, and each member is extremely real, extremely flawed, and dealing with issues far beyond the celestial. Things get messy, issues are not always cleanly (or sometimes even ever) resolved, and people don't forget their differences just because there is something 'greater than themselves' out there.
Ultimately, what I took away from this incredibly story is that life continues to go on even in the midst of unpredecented circumstances (see 2020!), and real change takes time - so much in fact, that we may not even live to see it.
September 24, 2025
This book somehow feels like both a celebration of, and a warning for, humanity. The characters were given just as much careful attention as the plot, which could have easily gotten messy and confusing due to ongoing timeline shifts but avoided common pitfalls with clever writing and development. I'd consider this a must-read work of fiction for anyone who enjoys pondering the "why" of our place in the universe and in history. Absolutely loved it!
November 18, 2025
I loved Oliva's debut novel and liked her follow-up quite a lot too. So, this was an automatic click request from Netgalley for me, although I was concerned about the "women's fiction" tag on the book.
And sure enough ... yes, it is. Mind you, Oliva h's previous two novels also feature female protagonists. In fact, one of her greatest strengths is that she can write compelling, non-clichéd women. But with this book, she has obviously slipped into the not-so-radiant dark side of "mommy fiction."
Which is to say that despite this book's beautiful writing, despite it's fascinating First Contact premise, despite how cleverly it speaks to the very nature of connection and communication between
your own and other species, etc., at its base this is the story of mothers and daughters ... and a rather tedious one at that.
Maybe because it starts off with Carol, who isn't just a bad mother but a bad person and much too dumb to change her ways, maybe it's because it gives Carol so much page time, maybe it's because her own daughter, who is by contrast very smart, takes so long to realize and address the toxicity of their relationship. Maybe it's because the men of this book, although almost uniformly nicer and kinder, get permanently shifted into such secondary roles, as to say, "Screw equality, we know that it's mostly women who buy books, so this is for the ladies." Maybe it's because the book won't shut up about post-partum. Maybe because the message here is so tragically unoriginal: "Motherhood is tough, but it's so worth it." Maybe because the novel makes so many conscious choices to veer away from what's interesting (alien species sending signals to Earth!) and focus on what isn't: "diapers, etc."
Maybe it's because of all these things, that I found this an annoyingly disappointing read, full of wasted potential.
Reading Oliva's biography, it's easy to see how this book might be deeply personal, and how much she might be like her scientist protagonist. But that isn't enough either.
For a writer who can clearly do so much more, this feels kind of like pandering. And yet, her writing is so freaking good that I can't help but uprate the book to four stars.
Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
And sure enough ... yes, it is. Mind you, Oliva h's previous two novels also feature female protagonists. In fact, one of her greatest strengths is that she can write compelling, non-clichéd women. But with this book, she has obviously slipped into the not-so-radiant dark side of "mommy fiction."
Which is to say that despite this book's beautiful writing, despite it's fascinating First Contact premise, despite how cleverly it speaks to the very nature of connection and communication between
your own and other species, etc., at its base this is the story of mothers and daughters ... and a rather tedious one at that.
Maybe because it starts off with Carol, who isn't just a bad mother but a bad person and much too dumb to change her ways, maybe it's because it gives Carol so much page time, maybe it's because her own daughter, who is by contrast very smart, takes so long to realize and address the toxicity of their relationship. Maybe it's because the men of this book, although almost uniformly nicer and kinder, get permanently shifted into such secondary roles, as to say, "Screw equality, we know that it's mostly women who buy books, so this is for the ladies." Maybe it's because the book won't shut up about post-partum. Maybe because the message here is so tragically unoriginal: "Motherhood is tough, but it's so worth it." Maybe because the novel makes so many conscious choices to veer away from what's interesting (alien species sending signals to Earth!) and focus on what isn't: "diapers, etc."
Maybe it's because of all these things, that I found this an annoyingly disappointing read, full of wasted potential.
Reading Oliva's biography, it's easy to see how this book might be deeply personal, and how much she might be like her scientist protagonist. But that isn't enough either.
For a writer who can clearly do so much more, this feels kind of like pandering. And yet, her writing is so freaking good that I can't help but uprate the book to four stars.
Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(4.5 stars) Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC of The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Olivia. I’m so grateful I had the chance to read this early, it ended up surprising me in the best way.
At its core, this is a story about humanity learning we are not alone. But the aliens are almost the backdrop. The real focus is on people, families, mothers and daughters, belief systems, generational trauma, and how news this big shakes the foundation of everything we think we know.
The story is told through multiple perspectives across timelines, and I thought that was one of its biggest strengths. Instead of just seeing scientists or government leaders react, we see regular people. Some feel hope. Some feel fear. Some cling harder to their faith. Some spiral. Those reactions felt real and honest. I loved how human it all felt.
The emotional depth really stood out to me. This book explores motherhood in a way that felt raw and complicated. It also dives into cult-like thinking, spirituality, and the need to belong. There were characters I deeply connected with, and others who frustrated me, but that just made the story feel more authentic.
It did start a little slow for me, and I needed a bit to settle into the shifting timelines. But once everything started coming together, I couldn’t put it down. The writing is thoughtful and layered without being hard to understand. It asks big questions about identity, history, and our place in the universe, but it never feels preachy.
This is one of those rare sci-fi books that feels both epic and intimate at the same time. It’s about aliens, yes — but it’s even more about what makes us human.
I’ll definitely be reading more from Alexandra Olivia in the future.
At its core, this is a story about humanity learning we are not alone. But the aliens are almost the backdrop. The real focus is on people, families, mothers and daughters, belief systems, generational trauma, and how news this big shakes the foundation of everything we think we know.
The story is told through multiple perspectives across timelines, and I thought that was one of its biggest strengths. Instead of just seeing scientists or government leaders react, we see regular people. Some feel hope. Some feel fear. Some cling harder to their faith. Some spiral. Those reactions felt real and honest. I loved how human it all felt.
The emotional depth really stood out to me. This book explores motherhood in a way that felt raw and complicated. It also dives into cult-like thinking, spirituality, and the need to belong. There were characters I deeply connected with, and others who frustrated me, but that just made the story feel more authentic.
It did start a little slow for me, and I needed a bit to settle into the shifting timelines. But once everything started coming together, I couldn’t put it down. The writing is thoughtful and layered without being hard to understand. It asks big questions about identity, history, and our place in the universe, but it never feels preachy.
This is one of those rare sci-fi books that feels both epic and intimate at the same time. It’s about aliens, yes — but it’s even more about what makes us human.
I’ll definitely be reading more from Alexandra Olivia in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*A gripping, layered story with complicated characters*
Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva is a compelling blend of grief, loss, and the unsettling pull of a cult, al wrapped around a family that never quite learned how to love each other well. Alexandra Oliva builds tension slowly but effectively, and the emotional weight of the story lingers long after the final chapter.
Carol, the mother, stood out to me - not in a great way, but how sharply she's written. She comes across as deeply selfish and self-centered, someone who is more invested in her own needs than in truly loving or supporting her children. The things that would come out of her mouth were vile and unbelievable thoughts as a mother. Jake, on the other hand, is a good dad at heart, but one who never really understood how to take care of a home or be fully present. His shortcomings are not malicious and more rooted in helplessness.
What makes the story resonate is how the children navigate life despite both parents falling short. They do their best to succeed, to build something stable out of instability, and their resilience becomes one of the strongest punches in the book.
At its core, this novel is about the long shadows cast by loss, the danger of belonging to the wrong people, and the damage a selfish parent can leave behind. It's dark, tense, and emotionally complex-an engaging read that is a solid 4 stars for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Zando Projects for the ARC.
Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva is a compelling blend of grief, loss, and the unsettling pull of a cult, al wrapped around a family that never quite learned how to love each other well. Alexandra Oliva builds tension slowly but effectively, and the emotional weight of the story lingers long after the final chapter.
Carol, the mother, stood out to me - not in a great way, but how sharply she's written. She comes across as deeply selfish and self-centered, someone who is more invested in her own needs than in truly loving or supporting her children. The things that would come out of her mouth were vile and unbelievable thoughts as a mother. Jake, on the other hand, is a good dad at heart, but one who never really understood how to take care of a home or be fully present. His shortcomings are not malicious and more rooted in helplessness.
What makes the story resonate is how the children navigate life despite both parents falling short. They do their best to succeed, to build something stable out of instability, and their resilience becomes one of the strongest punches in the book.
At its core, this novel is about the long shadows cast by loss, the danger of belonging to the wrong people, and the damage a selfish parent can leave behind. It's dark, tense, and emotionally complex-an engaging read that is a solid 4 stars for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Zando Projects for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Alexandra Oliva only releases a book every few years. And when she does, you should put it on your list because it's going to be a great story full of wonderful characters. The Radiant Dark is her newest book, coming in April.
"It's 1980 - A flickering of light turns out to be a communication from intelligent life on another planet. What does that mean for humanity knowing that we're not alone? Carol, a new mother, searches for spiritual meaning. Her son, Michael, is drawn to the environment. And daughter, Ro, wants to work in intestellar communication. For five decades, the family chases their dreams."
Wow! This book has a slow start and then 40% in I could not put it down. Oliva writes these great characters. Carol - that I shook my head at a lot - gets involved in a cult and has some interesting conversations with herself. And has the ability to rationalize abandoning her children. Michael - who is always searching. And wonderful Ro - who lives with the death of a friend and has an unending desire to see what's out there.
Oliva moves the story by big time jumps. We go from 1980 to 2034 - 50 years of life for this family. There are some terrifying moments - a little redemption - lots of hope - and a search for life, here and there.
I loved the ending. I think it will surprise some.
Do not miss this story from Alexandra Oliva.
"It's 1980 - A flickering of light turns out to be a communication from intelligent life on another planet. What does that mean for humanity knowing that we're not alone? Carol, a new mother, searches for spiritual meaning. Her son, Michael, is drawn to the environment. And daughter, Ro, wants to work in intestellar communication. For five decades, the family chases their dreams."
Wow! This book has a slow start and then 40% in I could not put it down. Oliva writes these great characters. Carol - that I shook my head at a lot - gets involved in a cult and has some interesting conversations with herself. And has the ability to rationalize abandoning her children. Michael - who is always searching. And wonderful Ro - who lives with the death of a friend and has an unending desire to see what's out there.
Oliva moves the story by big time jumps. We go from 1980 to 2034 - 50 years of life for this family. There are some terrifying moments - a little redemption - lots of hope - and a search for life, here and there.
I loved the ending. I think it will surprise some.
Do not miss this story from Alexandra Oliva.
February 16, 2026
3.5⭐️ I really struggled with the first half of this book but ended up enjoying it. I was drawn in by the description of it being a cross between Arrival and Wild Dark Shore - the themes of alien communication and family saga drama are definitely there, but it didn’t quite capture the same moody/ethereal atmosphere and tension I loved in those works.
Up to the halfway point, it felt like a nuclear suburban family drama with only distant mentions of aliens, and nothing about it felt particularly fresh. In the second half, a lot of new elements were introduced which had
me worried about too much going on: teens coming of age, processing grief, environmentalism, big tech, cults, fraught mother-daughter relationships in adulthood, and the science side of science fiction, including space. Writing it out, it does sound like a lot, but it ultimately came together and made for an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley, Zando, and SJP for the preview edition.
Up to the halfway point, it felt like a nuclear suburban family drama with only distant mentions of aliens, and nothing about it felt particularly fresh. In the second half, a lot of new elements were introduced which had
me worried about too much going on: teens coming of age, processing grief, environmentalism, big tech, cults, fraught mother-daughter relationships in adulthood, and the science side of science fiction, including space. Writing it out, it does sound like a lot, but it ultimately came together and made for an enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley, Zando, and SJP for the preview edition.
February 22, 2026
Received the ARC from Net Galley through Book Huddle:
This book was so good! I love a space/alien/science book but it can be really easy for those stories to become too crazy or to not really contribute to enough of a plot. The Radiant Dark was a perfect in between. Learning about a family on Earth and how each they lived their lives in such different ways as a result of First Contact was so interesting to think about. I loved that the timeline of the book kept the plot from dragging and I was able to experience such a long range of years without it being overwhelming or boring. I wish I lived in this version of Earth to have the experience of learning so much like these characters did. Featuring stories about family dynamics, motherhood, cults, academia, conservation, and somehow also aliens in such a beautiful way, this book is great for sci-fi lovers that also like to think about normal world problems.
This book was so good! I love a space/alien/science book but it can be really easy for those stories to become too crazy or to not really contribute to enough of a plot. The Radiant Dark was a perfect in between. Learning about a family on Earth and how each they lived their lives in such different ways as a result of First Contact was so interesting to think about. I loved that the timeline of the book kept the plot from dragging and I was able to experience such a long range of years without it being overwhelming or boring. I wish I lived in this version of Earth to have the experience of learning so much like these characters did. Featuring stories about family dynamics, motherhood, cults, academia, conservation, and somehow also aliens in such a beautiful way, this book is great for sci-fi lovers that also like to think about normal world problems.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A generation ship of a novel. A family history across fifty years with the added flavor of an alternate history where humanity makes first contact in the 1980s and all the changes that would make to everything that came after. From slang, to attention given to scientific exploration, meanwhile family life remains normal (enough) amid all the insanity. It was a very authentic blending of the two. The "Rossian" angle colored a lot of their lives, naturally, but life was still life, family was still family. Plus there's a lot of scientific information that, at least to me (a science dummy), felt authentic. It felt like how first contact would really happen, with all the questions, uncertainty, and frustration that comes with it.
I really enjoyed this book, grateful to have gotten it early from Netgalley.
I really enjoyed this book, grateful to have gotten it early from Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thanks to Zando for the early giveaway copy!
Not only will this easily be one of my favorite reads of 2026, it's one of the best books I've read in the last several years. I absolutely loved it. I normally glance at page numbers as I'm reading, but I was so caught up in The Radiant Dark I'd read dozens without realizing how many pages had passed.
This was a wildly original and gentle first contact story. The plot: thoughtful and surprising. The characters: real. The themes: relevant without veering into preachy or sentimental territory. I don't want to say too much and want to keep this review free of spoilers, so if you're a fan of literary fiction, speculative fiction, multigenerational family sagas, or if you just want to be swept away by a masterfully written, hopeful journey, read this book.
Not only will this easily be one of my favorite reads of 2026, it's one of the best books I've read in the last several years. I absolutely loved it. I normally glance at page numbers as I'm reading, but I was so caught up in The Radiant Dark I'd read dozens without realizing how many pages had passed.
This was a wildly original and gentle first contact story. The plot: thoughtful and surprising. The characters: real. The themes: relevant without veering into preachy or sentimental territory. I don't want to say too much and want to keep this review free of spoilers, so if you're a fan of literary fiction, speculative fiction, multigenerational family sagas, or if you just want to be swept away by a masterfully written, hopeful journey, read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
All things considered this novel is an impressive achievement - rich & ambitious in scale and scope yet always grounded in the fears, desires and relationships of the characters. It’s clear the author has done a lot of research into, and given a lot of thought to, her hypothetical future scenario, considering it from many different angles as well as thinking about humanity’s role on Earth. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a family drama, especially if you like your fiction with a speculative twist. I’ll definitely be picking up more books from this author.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Radiant Dark is absolutely gorgeous, exploring what it means to be human with the knowledge that we are not alone. Deeply moving and beautifully written, I couldn't put this book down and yet wanted to read slower so I could savor it for longer. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished, and I will absolutely be adding the hardcover to my shelves upon release. Highly, highly recommend.
December 21, 2025
I loved the book's premise, and the writing is excellent. I started very interested in Carol, her marriage, and family, and I read the first part of the book without stopping. However, midway through, it became difficult to care about any of the characters, except for Carol's kids. I went into this thinking it was sci-fi fiction, when it was really more about unhappy/toxic mothers, and the way they traumatize and fail their children. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Five stars- This book was nothing that I expected. It is not a sci-fi thriller or a fast paced mystery. It is a beautifuly written novel detailing multiple generations of relatable characters with complicated family relationships and dynamics. All of this while knowing there is other life out there. This is not a book I would normally read, but I am really happy I did. Thank you Penguin Random House for the ARC!
Want to read
March 10, 2026Hey!
I just read your story, and I’m completely hooked! Your writing is amazing, and I kept picturing how incredible it would look as a comic.
I’m a professional commissioned artist, and I’d be so excited to collaborate with you on turning it into one. if you’re up for it, of course! I think it would be a perfect fit.
If you’re interested, message me on Discord (Laurendoesitall). Let me know what you think!
Best,
Lauren
I just read your story, and I’m completely hooked! Your writing is amazing, and I kept picturing how incredible it would look as a comic.
I’m a professional commissioned artist, and I’d be so excited to collaborate with you on turning it into one. if you’re up for it, of course! I think it would be a perfect fit.
If you’re interested, message me on Discord (Laurendoesitall). Let me know what you think!
Best,
Lauren
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A novel covering a number of generations from an assumed first contact from other beings, set from late 1900s and moves through to the future. Whilst there are sci-fi elements the main content focuses on family and other relationships. A good read, thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Came for the aliens, stayed for the generational trauma.
I was very impressed with The Radiant Dark. Beautifully written and engaging, while being heartbreakingly real. This is definitely a book I will want to revisit again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this E-ARC, all opinions are my own
I was very impressed with The Radiant Dark. Beautifully written and engaging, while being heartbreakingly real. This is definitely a book I will want to revisit again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this E-ARC, all opinions are my own
Want to read
February 18, 20261980, a family in a small town of Adirondacks begins a decades-long exchange of messages with a mysterious, faraway civilization.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Zando Projects and the author, Alexandra Oliva for an early copy.
Publication date: April 28, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Zando Projects and the author, Alexandra Oliva for an early copy.
Publication date: April 28, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow. I will definitely be thinking about this book for a long time.
It felt like "In Ascension" meets "Cloud Cuckoo Land" with a sprinkling of "The Mad Wife." Epic in scope, yet so human.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a Zando Preview Edition.
It felt like "In Ascension" meets "Cloud Cuckoo Land" with a sprinkling of "The Mad Wife." Epic in scope, yet so human.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a Zando Preview Edition.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I went into this book expecting more sci-fi and maybe even an apocalyptic vibes because of the alien communication and the whole 'we are not alone' concept. But the book is actually much more about family drama, especially the complicated and toxic relationship between the mother and daughter. Very different from what I expected. If you're looking for sci-fi, this might not fully satisfy you.
March 11, 2026
Such a great story! Makes me feel hope for our future, which we desperately need now.
February 13, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I really loved this book. It took a bit for me to really get into it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. This story follows a family over multiple generations and is heartwarming, heartbreaking, frustrating, and inspiring all at once. I love the way this author covered different reactions to events in this family and how whether I agreed with the character's actions or not, I was able to see why they were doing/thinking certain things. Nothing was ever one dimensional, as is life. I found myself so connected to this family by the end of the book, which I absolutely loved. I will say the reason I picked this book was for the ADK setting, as I live in Central NY and spend a lot of time in the ADKs, but most of the book did not take place there. Nothing that effected my enjoyment of the book, just a heads up! 4.5 stars rounded up.
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