by Donna Galanti
Format: MOBI
Book Description:
One by one, Laura Armstrong’s friends and adoptive family members are being murdered, and despite her unique healing powers, she can do nothing to stop it. The savage killer haunts her dreams, tormenting her with the promise that she is next.
Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite–her hometown. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, who seeks answers about his parents’ death the night the meteorite struck. In a race to stop a mad man, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together. But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s emotional relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test. With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his and she has two choices–redeem him or kill him.
Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite–her hometown. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, who seeks answers about his parents’ death the night the meteorite struck. In a race to stop a mad man, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together. But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s emotional relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test. With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his and she has two choices–redeem him or kill him.
Review:
Rate: 3.5
Here we go…
I am not an avid fan of sci-fi. Although I have read a couple of books that I can count on my ten fingers since I started reading. However, Human Element had me hooked. It was as if I was running hard on the field – eager to find what is waiting for me on the finish line. It was exhilarating ride from start to finish.
The story started in Coopersville Lake in the summer of 1979, where Ben who was then 9 years old and his parents were enjoying their summer vacation. Ben ran away from their cottage and went into the lake, leaving his parents to worry for him. He didn’t like to learn a musical instrument and was ‘teaching’ his parents a lesson. Then suddenly, a blast of green hit the area and young Ben lost everything. The following year (1980), a virgin gave birth to twins: a boy who was way larger and way far from normal and a girl who was so small and almost perfect. The two events strangely related to each other changed the lives of those who are involved. Ben’s world had ended; the twins were separated and grow up in two different worlds.
The Characters
Ben was first introduced as a young boy who hated musical instruments as much as his parents loved it. The green blast took both his parents and made him an orphan. He was transferred from one foster home to another until he was finally old enough and has saved enough to run away from home. His experience with foster homes made him hate everything around him. He joined the navy, met Andy who became a good friend and once again found himself in danger of dying – but this time someone saved his life. It was a very mysterious man in black. I think Ben is a lost soul who is constantly moving from one place to another, afraid to stay and engage his feelings to anyone. Until he met Laura, a girl he saw in his dreams.
Laura’s sunny disposition is a breather in this sort-of-heavy novel. I like the way she view life, her kindness, and the love that she willingly give to anyone who comes her way. Even as a child, she just knew that she was different from anyone. Then, tragedy started to happen: deaths of her loved ones, headaches, accidents that were surreal. The only one who remained was Mr. B – the solitudinarian she met when she was a child, and the mysterious person in black who seemed to show himself every now and then. I find her sweet, but a little bit dramatic for my taste.
Mr. B is not a hermit but a solutudinarian. After his wife died, he lived alone in his cottage near the lake with his dog. He met Laura, and everything changed. She was the daughter than she never had. I love him, and I love the care and devotion he gave to Laura. The way he was willing to risk her life to save her was admirable. It was clear that she was the light of his life when he lost everything around him. I love their playful banters and word play – yes, both of them were word whores that love to get their hands on thesaurus.
Here we go…
I am not an avid fan of sci-fi. Although I have read a couple of books that I can count on my ten fingers since I started reading. However, Human Element had me hooked. It was as if I was running hard on the field – eager to find what is waiting for me on the finish line. It was exhilarating ride from start to finish.
The story started in Coopersville Lake in the summer of 1979, where Ben who was then 9 years old and his parents were enjoying their summer vacation. Ben ran away from their cottage and went into the lake, leaving his parents to worry for him. He didn’t like to learn a musical instrument and was ‘teaching’ his parents a lesson. Then suddenly, a blast of green hit the area and young Ben lost everything. The following year (1980), a virgin gave birth to twins: a boy who was way larger and way far from normal and a girl who was so small and almost perfect. The two events strangely related to each other changed the lives of those who are involved. Ben’s world had ended; the twins were separated and grow up in two different worlds.
The Characters
Ben was first introduced as a young boy who hated musical instruments as much as his parents loved it. The green blast took both his parents and made him an orphan. He was transferred from one foster home to another until he was finally old enough and has saved enough to run away from home. His experience with foster homes made him hate everything around him. He joined the navy, met Andy who became a good friend and once again found himself in danger of dying – but this time someone saved his life. It was a very mysterious man in black. I think Ben is a lost soul who is constantly moving from one place to another, afraid to stay and engage his feelings to anyone. Until he met Laura, a girl he saw in his dreams.
Laura’s sunny disposition is a breather in this sort-of-heavy novel. I like the way she view life, her kindness, and the love that she willingly give to anyone who comes her way. Even as a child, she just knew that she was different from anyone. Then, tragedy started to happen: deaths of her loved ones, headaches, accidents that were surreal. The only one who remained was Mr. B – the solitudinarian she met when she was a child, and the mysterious person in black who seemed to show himself every now and then. I find her sweet, but a little bit dramatic for my taste.
Mr. B is not a hermit but a solutudinarian. After his wife died, he lived alone in his cottage near the lake with his dog. He met Laura, and everything changed. She was the daughter than she never had. I love him, and I love the care and devotion he gave to Laura. The way he was willing to risk her life to save her was admirable. It was clear that she was the light of his life when he lost everything around him. I love their playful banters and word play – yes, both of them were word whores that love to get their hands on thesaurus.
X-10’s intense passion on violence and revenge was overwhelming that you can feel it palpating in the pages of the books. Unlike his twin, Laura – he didn’t grow up in a normal environment. Instead, he was caged like an animal and was a guinea pig for science experiments of the government. This pushed him to haunt Laura and seek revenge for everything she has and everything he didn’t. Yes, he was scary and he’s the type of character that can give you nightmares.
The Man in Black is the mysterious guy who seemed to be everywhere. Who is he? Is he one of those people that save the world from aliens? Is he a friend or enemy? This question hunted me for some time while reading A Human Element . His character is vague at first that you’d want to learn more about him and what is going on inside his mind – and boy, I was in for a big surprise with the sudden twist in the story.
The Plot
This story is more of a sci-fi rather than romance – for those who are expecting a great love story, then you will be in for a disappointment. But for those who are in for adrenaline rush pumping – I’d have you read this one. Only thatthere are times I couldn’t keep up with the time pacing. Especially when I stopped on the previous chapter and the next chapter holds a different year. I wish there was a year below each chapter title. It would have made my life a little easier. Nevertheless – I didn’t regret I went out of my usual genre to read this one.
Disclaimer: Book reviewed was sent to me by the author and I have received no compensation of any kind for the review whether it is positive.
Thanks for reading and reviewing A HUMAN ELEMENT! Love your indepth review and the MIB pic!
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