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A review by mad_about_books
Hellbender by Dana Cameron
5.0
Science, or more accurately, the sciences, try to neatly box up the area in which each group specializes. Fantasy is a messy agglomerate of many of those same concepts. If you read on Kindle, avail yourself of the built-in dictionary and find out what science says about a hellbender (yes, hellbender is a real thing). Dana Cameron knows that science and fantasy are but two sides of the same coin. Both science and fantasy require imagination and a willingness to tread upon unknown territory. The original "Star Trek" series was the official TV show of NASA back in the 60s… reflect on that in light of today's technology.
The Fangborn series explores a world that is both very familiar and extremely strange. There are literally worlds within worlds to explore. You will also find some very cool Easter eggs to pique your inner geek. This makes for a very contemporary and meaningful read. Dana Cameron has managed to defy tradition by giving her tropes a brand new lease on life. How do YOU think of werewolves? How do YOU think of vampires? No same old, same old here.
In the series, and perhaps even more so in HELLBENDER, the burning issues of the day seethe very close to the surface. You're different! You don't think, or act, like I do. You are 'other.' Anyone who is comfortable in their own skin feels how wrong those statements are. When you come to grips with who you are, everything else seems to fall into place. Zoe Miller, a truly strong female protagonist, has made her journey into self-awareness able to face whatever is thrown at her. I must confess, I like Zoe Miller. I would be proud to call her my friend.
Each book in the series can technically stand on its own. However, you would be doing yourself a grave disservice if you didn't start with the first book and read all three. I guess I could be happy if the story ended here, but there is so much more about the Fangborn that I want to know. Lucky for me, I checked, and there are three Fangborn stories that are calling my name.
The Fangborn series explores a world that is both very familiar and extremely strange. There are literally worlds within worlds to explore. You will also find some very cool Easter eggs to pique your inner geek. This makes for a very contemporary and meaningful read. Dana Cameron has managed to defy tradition by giving her tropes a brand new lease on life. How do YOU think of werewolves? How do YOU think of vampires? No same old, same old here.
In the series, and perhaps even more so in HELLBENDER, the burning issues of the day seethe very close to the surface. You're different! You don't think, or act, like I do. You are 'other.' Anyone who is comfortable in their own skin feels how wrong those statements are. When you come to grips with who you are, everything else seems to fall into place. Zoe Miller, a truly strong female protagonist, has made her journey into self-awareness able to face whatever is thrown at her. I must confess, I like Zoe Miller. I would be proud to call her my friend.
Each book in the series can technically stand on its own. However, you would be doing yourself a grave disservice if you didn't start with the first book and read all three. I guess I could be happy if the story ended here, but there is so much more about the Fangborn that I want to know. Lucky for me, I checked, and there are three Fangborn stories that are calling my name.