The Road to Roswell

Starred review from March 27, 2023
Multiple Hugo and Nebula Award winner Willis (Blackout/All Clear) returns with a delightful, intergalactic twist on the romantic comedy. Francie only agrees to show up for her college roommate’s doomed wedding in Roswell, N.Mex., because she hopes her presence will make the bride-to-be realize she’s making a mistake. That, and she’s the maid of honor. The wedding and the town’s annual UFO Festival are not falling on the same weekend by coincidence; the groom is a true believer. Meanwhile, skeptical Francie can barely stand every moment she has to spend hearing about sightings, theories, and abductions. Then she herself is abducted by an alien who needs her help navigating the New Mexican desert. Her abductor, nicknamed Indy, is described as looking like a “animate tumbleweed,” with dozens of quick, strong tentacles that it has no issue using to keep Francie acting as its chauffeur. A chance encounter with a friendly and handsome hitchhiker, Wade, a con man, adds one more to the madcap road trip, and each subsequent stop continues to grow the wacky crew. For Francie, terror turns to acceptance that turns to curiosity that turns to care as she comes to believe that Indy is just trying to get home. Willis makes Francie’s journey to, from, and around Roswell an absolute blast with abundant humor, copious references to old westerns, and sweet budding love between Francie and Wade. Readers will not be disappointed.

Starred review from September 1, 2023

Francie, an alien skeptic, is in Roswell, NM, for her best friend's UFO-themed wedding when she is abducted by a tumbleweed-shaped alien. The alien can only communicate by gesturing with his tentacles, but he clearly wants her to take him somewhere outside of Roswell. Along the way, they pick up additional abductees: handsome con man Wade, increasingly unhinged UFO conspiracy theorist Lyle, card shark Eula Mae, and Western movie--loving Joseph. Francie quickly begins to care for the alien, whom she and Wade nickname "Indy" for the way he uses his tentacles like whips (a reference to Indiana Jones). Jesse Vilinsky skillfully narrates Willis's novel, offering an animated, brisk performance and giving each character a unique, easily distinguishable voice. Her narration of Indy's gestures perfectly brings out his lively and endearing personality. Vilinsky's comedic delivery is exquisitely timed, and she also communicates the sensitive side of this engaging story, imbuing the characters' relationships with depth and charm. VERDICT Listeners will be over the moon with Hugo and Nebula Award winner Willis's (Crosstalk) latest comedic gem, narrated by a voice actor at the top of her game.--B. Allison Gray

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