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A review by waywardsky
Specimen by C. Quince
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
4.5
What an incredible debut! C. Quince has managed to create a book that's not only unique, action-packed, sweet, snarky, incredibly well-researched, and thrilling, but one that's also BRIMMING with diversity. That last one is a feature that's so needed yet so impressively done here that I just want to talk about it for a minute.
Specimen is a beautiful book for its wealth of representation alone. Besides the variety of identities, from the main characters being bisexual and gay respectively (and a non-binary side character), there are also a cast of men and women of a multitude of skin colors and sizes, and a wildly eclectic mix of nationalities, from Mexican and American to Iranian, Arabic, Korean, Indian, Scottish, a mix of East Asian, English, and more, and they all fit; there's plenty of space for them here, all living their own lives but sharing their culture with these characters. They're each introduced with a level of ease, respect, and authenticity that I've just never seen done even SIMILARLY well to such a degree before. It's a gratifying experience that I WISH I saw more of in literature. Other writers need to take note!
What's great about Specimen, though, is that while when I say "authenticity" I mean every single nationality is treated with the utmost diligence, that's not the only thing AUTHENTICALLY represented. From tools and weapons used by the main characters and the practices of the government agencies they come in contact with, to geography, landmarks, and infrastructure, Specimen carefully, yet painlessly details, adding depth and VIVIDNESS to the story. There are even some historical figures and ancient orders/customs mentioned briefly but with enough specifics for me to curiously fact check, and all the information included here was correct! It feels obvious to me that the author not only loves history but also CULTURE and everything that makes a people unique, and he inscribed his book with that love in a rich yet concise way that added DEEPLY to the story without ever slowing the pace.
Honestly, this book moves along at such a clip, there's never a chance for it to drag. Even when they're sightseeing or sharing their pasts. In fact, those were some of my favorite moments! Despite the series of successive missions, touching on the supernatural, fueled with tension and danger, there's still somehow plenty of time for quiet moments, for snark, for conversation, and for deep dives into character histories and how David and Sonny came to be where they are today.
David and Sonny, the heart of this story, two soldiers who signed up for more than they bargained for but finally finding a connection in one another. Their relationship is quick but intentional and doesn't feel rushed. They click so quickly and bond just as fast, their banter fitting together like a comfortable handshake. I really enjoyed their snark and quit wit, and all the mysteries surrounding their alien counterparts just added another layer of INTEREST to them. They and the cast of characters with them were all really well done.
Overall, this book pulls from familiar topics yet delivers them in an unfamiliar way with a fascinating *twist* on enhanced soldiers. Injected with alien DNA, hosts to things even the scientists don't understand. I continue to find this premise FASCINATING, and while I wanted to know more, I got juuust enough to scratch that itch, and I feel it's one subject that'll get even more screentime in future books. Something I dearly look forward to! In the meantime, I'll just say I found myself really enjoying Specimen early on, and that feeling never let up. It's fast-paced while being culturally and historically rich - an exhilarating DEI queer romance that deserves a vast amount of attention and respect, and I can only hope it gets all that it deserves! Will be following this author and looking forward to more books from him in the future!
What an incredible debut! C. Quince has managed to create a book that's not only unique, action-packed, sweet, snarky, incredibly well-researched, and thrilling, but one that's also BRIMMING with diversity. That last one is a feature that's so needed yet so impressively done here that I just want to talk about it for a minute.
Specimen is a beautiful book for its wealth of representation alone. Besides the variety of identities, from the main characters being bisexual and gay respectively (and a non-binary side character), there are also a cast of men and women of a multitude of skin colors and sizes, and a wildly eclectic mix of nationalities, from Mexican and American to Iranian, Arabic, Korean, Indian, Scottish, a mix of East Asian, English, and more, and they all fit; there's plenty of space for them here, all living their own lives but sharing their culture with these characters. They're each introduced with a level of ease, respect, and authenticity that I've just never seen done even SIMILARLY well to such a degree before. It's a gratifying experience that I WISH I saw more of in literature. Other writers need to take note!
What's great about Specimen, though, is that while when I say "authenticity" I mean every single nationality is treated with the utmost diligence, that's not the only thing AUTHENTICALLY represented. From tools and weapons used by the main characters and the practices of the government agencies they come in contact with, to geography, landmarks, and infrastructure, Specimen carefully, yet painlessly details, adding depth and VIVIDNESS to the story. There are even some historical figures and ancient orders/customs mentioned briefly but with enough specifics for me to curiously fact check, and all the information included here was correct! It feels obvious to me that the author not only loves history but also CULTURE and everything that makes a people unique, and he inscribed his book with that love in a rich yet concise way that added DEEPLY to the story without ever slowing the pace.
Honestly, this book moves along at such a clip, there's never a chance for it to drag. Even when they're sightseeing or sharing their pasts. In fact, those were some of my favorite moments! Despite the series of successive missions, touching on the supernatural, fueled with tension and danger, there's still somehow plenty of time for quiet moments, for snark, for conversation, and for deep dives into character histories and how David and Sonny came to be where they are today.
David and Sonny, the heart of this story, two soldiers who signed up for more than they bargained for but finally finding a connection in one another. Their relationship is quick but intentional and doesn't feel rushed. They click so quickly and bond just as fast, their banter fitting together like a comfortable handshake. I really enjoyed their snark and quit wit, and all the mysteries surrounding their alien counterparts just added another layer of INTEREST to them. They and the cast of characters with them were all really well done.
Overall, this book pulls from familiar topics yet delivers them in an unfamiliar way with a fascinating *twist* on enhanced soldiers. Injected with alien DNA, hosts to things even the scientists don't understand. I continue to find this premise FASCINATING, and while I wanted to know more, I got juuust enough to scratch that itch, and I feel it's one subject that'll get even more screentime in future books. Something I dearly look forward to! In the meantime, I'll just say I found myself really enjoying Specimen early on, and that feeling never let up. It's fast-paced while being culturally and historically rich - an exhilarating DEI queer romance that deserves a vast amount of attention and respect, and I can only hope it gets all that it deserves! Will be following this author and looking forward to more books from him in the future!