Reviewed by Anabela
TITLE: Granola Bars and Spaceships
SERIES: Iska Universe #1
AUTHOR: Geneva Vand
PUBLISHER: Self-published
RELEASE DATE: September 2, 2019
LENGTH: 222 pages
BLURB:
In the middle of a training trip, Keeska’s shuttle navigation fails and strands Keeska on Earth—alone, no way to contact home, and with no chance of help from the locals…until one does.
When Eric starts leaving food in front of an abandoned storefront in the crappy strip mall by his house, he thought he was helping a dog or a homeless kid. He gets the shock of his life when he discovers an alien instead. Not sure what else to do, especially with the alien bleeding and in shock, Eric realizes he’s about to have an unusual houseguest.
But as Keeska’s health improves, they both forget that Keeska should probably be finding a way home. As they grow increasingly close, they are forced to figure out the answers to questions they never thought would have to be asked…
This is a 2nd edition. No significant changes have been made from the original release.
REVIEW:
After reading this book I’m going to start paying more attention to abandoned storefronts. Who knows, maybe I can snatch myself a cute alien, too, and be whisked away to the stars and beyond. But, seeing that it’s never going to happen to me, I have to contend myself with living the experience through Eric.
Admittedly, I would of had a different reaction to seeing that who I’ve been feeding for a few weeks was an alien, not a homeless person, no matter how adorable said alien was. I mean, it would of been a major freaked out show, people. But, Eric has been definitely a lot more sedated in his reactions to finding the banged up creature and I liked that it was a no brainer for him whether or not to take it home.
Their cohabitation was, as expected, awkward at the beginning. They were, after all, alien to each other, and understandably distrustful. It’s been sweet to see them slowly become more and more comfortable around one another, trying to communicate and to get to know each other. Keeska already knew plenty about our planet and human kind, and I appreciated that the author offered a detailed description of his own species, the Iska. They were asexual, nonbinary people and Keeska feared that, as such, it would preclude the development of any sentimental relationship between him and Eric. He shouldn’t have feared though, because through the weeks, their feelings for each other have only grown exponentially in strength and intensity. So much so, in fact, that when someone came to take Keeska back home and they asked Eric to come, too, he wholeheartedly said yes. In love with an alien, and given the possibility to have an adventure in space? Of course he agreed.
Taking off to an unknown destination to live among an alien species was scary and exciting for Eric. Realistic? Not so much, it’s true. But then, this story wasn’t supposed to be realistic. I think it was meant to be a heart-warming, sweet meeting of two souls that connected despite belonging to different species, and barriers like language and sexuality(or lack of it, as it were). And I’ve got to say, it managed to be all of those things and more. I enjoyed reading it and I recommend it to anyone looking for a cute, different book.
*I apologize in advance for any misplaced usage of pronouns
RATING: 
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