I had Square³ by Mira Grant in my TBR pile, but jumped at the chance to listen to the novella narrated by Rachel F. Hirsch. Grant shares a science fiction tale that will grab you from the first chapter.
by Mira Grant
Narrator: Rachel F. Hirsch
Length: 3 hours and 25 mins
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.4x
We think we understand the laws of physics.
We think a lot of things. It was perhaps inevitable that some of them would turn out to be wrong.
When the great incursion occurred, no one was prepared. Of all the things physicists had predicted, "the fabric of reality might rip open and giant monsters could come pouring through" had not made the list. But somehow, that was precisely what happened.
For sisters Susan and Katharine Black, the day of the incursion was the day they lost everything. Their home, their parents, their sense of normalcy . . . and each other, because when the rift opened, each sister was stranded in a separate form of reality. For Susan, it was science and study and the struggle to solve the mystery of the altered physics inside the zones transformed by the incursion. For Katharine, it was monsters and mayhem and the fight to stay alive in a world unlike the world of her birth.
The world has changed. The laws of physics have changed. The girls have changed. And the one universal truth of all states of changed matter is that nothing can be completely restored to what it was originally, no matter how much you might wish it could be.
Nothing goes back.
A great incursion occurred, ripping the fabric of our existence. From those rips monsters broke through. Now the areas are quarantined and heavily guarded. Anything that comes out dies, as does anything that goes in. When the incursion occurred, Susan and Katharine Black were separated. Susan made it out, but their home & parents did not. Now Susan works for the government, studying the altered physics of these zones. Humans live within the zone, but are also altered. Susan has never given up hope that her sister, Katherine is among them.
The tale that unfolds held me captive from the beginning. Grant is a master at world-building and creating a reality that feels grounded in science. When a camera picks up a signal, Susan races to the containment area and what she discovers will forever change her. I found myself invested in the characters, and curious for more of this world.
Of course mankind tries to use this incurion to their advantage against world powers. Will we ever learn? I did not want the story to end and image there are more stories to be told. In truth, I would have enjoyed a full-length version of this tale.
An exciting and riveting tale, perfect for a snowy weekend or day trip. Rachel F. Hirsch did a wonderful job setting the tone and bringing the characters to life.
About Mira Grant
Born and raised in Northern California, Mira Grant has made a lifelong study of horror movies, horrible viruses, and the inevitable threat of the living dead. In college, she was voted Most Likely to Summon Something Horrible in the Cornfield, and was a founding member of the Horror Movie Sleep-Away Survival Camp, where her record for time survived in the Swamp Cannibals scenario remains unchallenged. Mira lives in a crumbling farmhouse with an assortment of cats, horror movies, comics, and books about horrible diseases. When not writing, she splits her time between travel, auditing college virology courses, and watching more horror movies than is strictly good for you. Favorite vacation spots include Seattle, London, and a large haunted corn maze just outside of Huntsville, Alabama. Mira sleeps with a machete under her bed, and highly suggests that you do the same. Mira also writes as Seanan McGuire.
About Rachel F. Hirsch
Rachel F. Hirsch is a voice-over artist, theater actor, and musician. She is known for her youthful sound, ability to bring truth and playfulness to every character she portrays, and facility with accents, dialects, and character voices. Her audiobook credits include numerous New York Times bestsellers for top publishing houses and production companies such as Harper Audio, Audible Studios, Macmillan, and Podium Audio. As a theater performer, most of her career has been focused on the development of new works. She is a cofounder and producer of the Play Incubation Collective, where she helps facilitate and build relationships between playwrights, actors, and other theater artists in the New England area. Rachel is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. She currently lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, two young kiddos, a dog, a turtle, and five chickens.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
This is an author I keep telling myself I NEED to read. Then I don’t get around to it. Maybe I’ll try to get an audiobook fit in when I can. Great review!
Kimberly
I love Grant/McGuire and hope you do.
Debbie Haupt
oh this is definitely going on my list. Thanks Kim
Kimberly
Thanks Debbie.
Berls
Oh this does sound good. I finally read Mira Grant this summer and she’s definitely one I will pick up without hesitation now. Like you said she’s great at the science fiction world building, so I’d be interested to read this one! Great review!
Kimberly
YES! I am so glad to hear this.
Nadene
Sounds good!
Kimberly
Thanks Nadene.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Sounds fascinating!
Kimberly
I love Grant. Have you read her at all?
Anne - Books of My Heart
yes but only Kingdom of Needle and Bone, which I really enjoyed.
Wendy
I like the sound of this short story. Wonderful review, Kimberly
Kimberly
Thank you Wendy. One of my favorite authors