Human Nature
Jason HalsteadErotic fiction
Available from Excessica
ISBN: 9781609824211
December 2010
| Before the world was invaded by malign aliens, Dawn was happy being a doctor and a fiancée. Her life changed when the world succumbed to despair and fear, making her shed her innocence in order to save lives. However, Dawn is in pain after having lost her fiancé to one of the hideous creatures trying to wipe out the human race, and afraid to reach out and connect with another human being. Angie is a reckless soldier and Dawn's best friend in their military base. Unknowingly in love with Dawn, Angie tries her best to draw her out of her shell and to make her believe in love and in humanity again. Before she's successful however, she gets captured and is believed to be dead. Dawn's ultimate fear of losing someone else close to her is what finally opens her eyes to the truth that's been in her heart all along. Will she be able to save Angie in time? Worse, will she be able to teach her group of survivors about the value of human life, and convince them it is worthwhile to risk it all for the sake of one?
Human Nature is a truly magnificent book. I am amazed at how much depth and complexity all the characters and the plot have. This isn't just a book about aliens invading the Earth. This is a story about how to be human in a world where humans aren't relevant anymore, and how to show humanity and compassion for a fellow human being in a world where everything is characterized by hardship and a mad need to just stay alive. Angie and Dawn are incredible characters, and it was really impressive to see them battle and cope with realistic and mundane issues in a world that's gone crazy with aliens who want to eat you alive around every corner. The most amazing aspect of this story is how such a fantastical and surreal plot can be so grounded and so real. That's possible due to Mr. Halstead's talent in portraying the important message that human nature is, in truth, a man's and a woman's need to connect with one another. No matter what circumstances humanity finds itself in, as long as we make sure we are not alone, the basic aspect that makes us human will never die. One small feature that could be improved is the narration's point of view. There are parts where the point of view does shift away from Dawn, and because of that I think the other characters deserved more individual attention, more personality, and a stronger voice than what they have. Even Angie, who is supposedly a major character, is somewhat flat when compared to Dawn, and that inequality doesn't make sense since their relationship is paramount to the book. Yet, this book is so well written that this minor lack of development and the minor technical errors I found do not detract from its quality in any way.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Athena |
