Inhuman [Kindle Edition]

Cassia Tiponi is a twenty-year old student who needs to make some extra money to cover her tuition fees. She volunteers as a guinea pig and is subjected to a series of medical tests. She doesn't like it a lot, but she goes back several times as the pay is quite good.

One day, when she goes back, she is questioned and locked in a room as it turns out she has non-human DNA. As she was abandoned at birth she has no idea what her background is but she's being kept locked up as a criminal.

Unpleasant things happen to her and some good things too. Like the strong and handsome Keanu! Eventually Cassia learns more about her birth family.

The book was a quick and easy read. The writing was fluent but not very intricate. There was only the one storyline and chapters often ended with a bit of a weak "cliffhanger", which was totally unnecessary.

I felt like this book could be the first of a series as the ending had potential for a further story.

Wow.. I have read Inhuman last week and it still lingers with me. It is the kind of story that stays with you long after you have finished reading the book and put it back on the shelf. It is hard to find the words and do justice to the way Inhuman made me feel. Because isn't the ultimate goal of reading: to make us feel someway? Be it excitement, trepidation, thrill or joy, we read to experience these emotions. And Inhuman is certainly one novel which will take you on an extraordinary ride of emotional rollercoaster.

Inhuman is an emotionally unsettling, deep and moving novel. Danielle Lee's writing is exquisite. Through her narrator Cassia, the story flows freely and naturally, feeling more like a memoir with Cassia's honest and unguarded voice.

Cassia, Keanu and the other supporting characters are all interesting, well developed, flesh and blood characters. Cassia is a very sympathetic and reliable character the reader immediately identifies with her as she is such a typical, ordinary young girl. Her reactions and emotions are exactly as one would react were they in her shoes, and that is why the reader trusts Cassia's and her narration.

Though Inhuman is not a long novel, it is such a condensed, deep story that it packs more emotions and will elicit more reactions than most longer novels do.

The subtle philosophical/spiritual message is both unsettling and uplifting. Despite the gloomy and sad events in Inhuman, there is a beacon of hope that shines through and that elevates the novel from the dark despair it could fall down into.

Verdict: An extraordinary read that will definitely provoke some thoughts and reflections. Beware though that it is not an easy read, there are scenes/mentions of rape, torture, mental and emotional abuse. The reason I haven't given it 5 stars is only becase it is an emotionally draining story and can't be re-read too often.

Plot: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Cover: 7/10

Considerring the cover and that it was free (so my expectations weren't exactly high) I was hooked, I read the book start to finish in about four hours - please do NOT allow this to deter you, I'm very much a speed reader (cover to cover on the thickest of the Harry Potter novels in less than 20 hours and that was with meal times and other breaks included).

It was all over a little faster than I would've liked, in fact I was rather upset when the story ended but that was because it was EXTREMELY well written and I have since read in excess of 30 books yet can remember this one in detail - quite the accomplishment.

The detail, narrative, plot and characters were very detailed yet not overly so. I was hooked and should there be any other work from this author I will be HAPPY to pay for it.

The ONLY reason for the 4 stars instead of the 5 is that apart from an oddly misleading cover, it was shorter than I would've liked (this did not however detract from the story itself which in no way felt rushed) I reccommend it.