Upon release, Contact Harvest debuted at #3 on The New York Times Best Sellers list.[10] The novel also appeared on the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller's list at the same time.[11][12] Reviewers noted that despite being an unproven writer, Staten had succeeded in crafting an excellent novel;[13][14] complaints included the perceived overly descriptive prose and use of military jargon.[15] Will Tuttel of Gamespy.com said that the novel's success made sense because videogames are increasingly about the story.[7] A ten-CD audiobook was later released, featuring the voices of Holter Graham and Jen Taylor; Publishers Weekly enjoyed Graham's performance, but felt Taylor's over-emphasis and [sic]cheesy dialects detracted from the tension of the novel.[16]