In July I did a post asking for help with choosing the next books I should review. To view it you can go here: http://wp.me/p27ipo-cL . A Human Element was one of the books chosen for me to review next. The author kindly provided me with a copy of her book and I am so happy to tell you about it.
A Human Element
by Donna Galanti
Doesn’t this cover just grab you?
In my review of the first book on the list, I mentioned that I had received two books in the mail on the same day and thought I was reading the one about aliens. Nope, I was wrong. It turns out A Human Element was the book with aliens.
Before I start my review, I wanted to tell you that Donna has kindly offered 3 e-book copies for a giveaway. The details to enter will be after my review.
My Review of A Human Element by Donna Galanti
Ben is hiding from his parents on the shore of Coopersville Lake when it happens.
A meteorite crashes. What was once the sight of a dozen or so cabins, one of them containing his parents, is now only a huge crater of steam and fire. In one bright green flash, Ben’s life is forever changed and for another, it has just begun.
No one could know the long-reaching consequences of that fateful night. Or of the horrors to come.
9 months later.
A young girl struggles to bring her child into the world. She came to the doctor in secret. Not even the Armstrong’s, the kindly couple who took her in, know where she is. The doctor doesn’t know why the mysterious man waiting outside wants the baby, he just wants to get paid.
In a rush, the baby enters the world. Sadly, the young mother does not survive the delivery. But wait, another baby is fighting to be born, a twin, a beautiful baby girl.
An exchange is made. The mysterious man leaves with the thing, the baby boy, but the doctor doesn’t mention the girl. He will give her to the Armstrong’s to raise.
Many years later, the baby girl, Laura, is all grown up and back home to find out why the people closest to her are being slaughtered. The answer lies here. Laura has always had the headaches and nightmares and she knows things are coming together now – the monster chasing her in her nightmares, the mysterious man in black, who has always been on the periphery of her life, and whatever happened on the night of the meteorite. It is all connected.
Laura and Ben are thrown together as death races towards them. Both need answers about the night of the meteorite if they are to survive what is coming.
I want to keep telling you more. I’ve only scratched the surface of this story.
Two babies were born that night, Laura and the boy child called X-10. One looks human in every way and the other looks like a monster.
The many secondary characters made this story real for me.
Everybody should have a friend like Jim, a grumpy curmudgeon with a gentle soul and a fierce love and loyalty to Laura.
The Armstrong’s, Laura’s adoptive parents, who though they knew she was different, had special talents, loved her as their own.
The mysterious man in black, who has always been around, lurking in the shadows.
The cruel and sadistic Dr. Bjord, who thrills in tormenting X-10, his failed experiment.
And X-10, the monstrosity who’s only thought is getting out, finding Laura, and tearing her to pieces.
From the first page to the bitter-sweet end, I was totally immersed in this book. A story of wonder, love, humanity and absolute evil.
Donna Galanti’s debut novel has, at its core, an energy, an essence, that gives it life.
Superb writing and a thrilling all-out race to the end, A Human Element is an excellent read.
5 STARS
A bonus from Donna Galanti!
A Hidden Element (Book II)
When one family’s son is taken, they learn its by the same unearthly evil that brutalized them fifteen years ago. In a race to find her son’s kidnapper, they discover his horrifying mission that binds them all together. But the killer’s desire to own them – or destroy them – leads to a survival showdown that puts their son’s future, and their lives, at stake. They must sacrifice all again to defeat a new terrifying enemy – an enemy that wants to rule the world, with their son as his heir.
Tentative release date spring 2013.
Sounds like more thrilling reading from Donna Galanti.
The Giveaway 
I have 3 e-book copies Of A human Element to give away to 3 lucky winners. To enter is easy. Just leave a comment with your email address and please click on that tweet button. That’s it.
While it isn’t required, it would be much appreciated if you would follow my blog. Also show some appreciation to Donna for this awesome giveaway. Her links are provided below.
This giveaway ends on August 18th.
Good luck everyone!
For more about the author:
Her blog: http://blog.donnagalanti.com/wp/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiAuthor?-ref+hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaGalanti
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5767306Donna_Galanti
A Human Element:
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/dg-the-Kindle
B&N: http://tinyurl.com/dg-he-Nook
Donna Galanti writes suspense and middle grade fiction. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Horror Writers Association, The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, and Pennwriters. If she couldn’t write she would bike, hike, and kayak every day. She’s lived from England to Hawaii, including owning a campground in New Hampshire and as a photographer in the U.S. Navy. She operated a resume writing service for years until she closed up shop to write novels. Donna dreamed of being a writer at seven years old when she fell in love with Narnia and Roald Dahl. She lived in England at the time, attending school in a magical castle where her imagination ran wild in an itchy uniform. (bowling hat and tie included). She now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, son, and two crazy cats in an old farmhouse. It has lots of writing nooks, fireplaces, and stink bugs, but she’s still wishing for a castle again.
Thank you Donna for a thrilling and touching story and for allowing me to offer this giveaway. Keep wishing:)
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