Book – Darwin's Selection

Darwin’s Selection- Volume 1: A Whole New World by Christopher Slater (The Story Plant – 2017) – Darwin Woodman is a brand new college student when things begin to get weird.  It starts with a dog.  A really big dog that seems to follow her around.  Soon she is confronted with a disturbing reality.  Not all of her fellow students are human.

One of the great things about science fiction is the “what if” question.  In the case of this new series, “what if the figures of mythology were actually aliens from elsewhere in the multiverse?”  Christopher Slater jumps us right into that idea with an analytical young woman who is one of the rare humans who can see the “Intruders”.  What you get is a story that is part “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and part “The Brothers Grimm”.  Who, as it turns out, could see them too.

He does a wonderful job of capturing the headlong, breathless storytelling style of a sheltered teenage girl.  The narrative all but stumbles over its own feet trying to tell you all the things that happen.  Kudos to the author for making sure that it never quite happens.

While I love the concept, that same first person narrative hampers the story for me.  Slater teaches Middle School students, and I think they will love this book.  The problem is that since we never expand beyond young Miss Woodman’s point of view, there’s not a lot of meat there for an adult reader.  While not listed as a juvenile book, the lack of development of a truly rich concept is going to limit any potential older readership.

At the same time, it IS a really intriguing concept.  A really nice addition to the fantasy for young readers category.  Could be the perfect entry point for readers looking to explore something new.

Why You Will Like It – A really engaging heroine and sidekick, and a great concept.

Rating – *** Worth A Look

Available starting January 1, 2017

This review was done in accordance with our Review Policy.  I received an ARC of the book for review.