Item: Primal Instinct
Rating: 5
Author: artisanb

Primal Instinct by Minerva Hart
Genres: ABR Book Excellence Award Winner
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Primal Instinct by Minerva Hart

First-place Winner of the ABR Book Excellence Award for Best Science Fiction and Urban Fantasy

A speculative dystopian fiction in a near future where the environmental assault of man has finally destroyed the planet, and those who have survived no longer have any of the benefits enjoyed during the time of the Dry World. America now has only two masters: the polluted, acidic muck of water that has invaded the land, scorching and killing, and the tycoons who have bought themselves modern-day fiefdoms of what remains, complete with entire populations reduced to slavery. Science has taken some weird turns and the splicing and dicing of DNA to cross mutate what’s left of man and what’s even less left of animal has created characters like Freddie: a mostly human, scaled anomaly who appears to be the only individual that a captured siren does not want to immediately shred and eat alive.

“It’s a terrifying, beautiful, heartbreaking, and uplifting story with all the electricity of an Electrophorus. Or at least one with the same type of tail. Very highly recommended.” — Readers’ Favorite

Artisan Book Review

In Minerva Hart’s exciting urban fantasy – science fiction novel, Primal Instinct, a bizarre encounter empowers a young man to confront the dystopian world he lives in; a world devastated by floods and where the tyrannical upper class enslaves the masses.

Dr. Martin Molloy was a transit. He had witnessed the government sell off American states part by part and seen millions drown when floods had devastated the planet. A new hierarchical system had been established which had left the people in the clutches of the elite. Molloy’s son, Freddie, had been born after the devastation had begun. Now, in the year 2099, Freddie feels disillusioned and angry at having to live under the control of the rich. His life changes when he encounters an entrancing mermaid.

Freddie’s interactions with the mermaid are fascinating and entertaining. Drawn to her by her spellbinding song, he soon realizes she is nothing like the mermaids from the fairy tales he read as a child. The creature before him is fierce with powerful fangs and claws that could rip apart his throat in an instant. To his horror, he is appointed as the mermaid’s handler. As Freddie interacts with her, another side of the mermaid starts to emerge.

For the first time in his life, Freddie finds someone else who believes in him besides his dad. Author Minerva Hart does a fantastic job of depicting Dr. Molloy and his son’s world. The ocean water has turned acidic and many species have been wiped out. The working class lives under the rules of the cruel elite who exploit the people in exchange for meager pay. The characters are complex and realistic, and the differences in their perspectives are evident. As a result of the destruction he witnessed in his youth, Martin Molloy appreciates the imperfect system in place. He is afraid of the elite and cowers in their presence. Freddie, on the other hand, is bolder but feels hopeless in a world that offers little to live for.

The story contains many intriguing twists, scenarios and surprising action scenes. Greed and ambition lead the ruling class to take advantage of other creatures and feed the elite’s undying desire for power. Still, Freddie believes that there is a better way and is willing to stand up to the upper class. His mission results in many tense and gripping scenes.

Primal Instinct is a creative and outstanding urban fantasy novel with a riveting storyline, original, well developed and interesting characters and an ending that will satisfy and have you begging for more from this talented author. Science fiction readers will love its multi-faceted characters and unpredictable plot.

Primal Instinct by Minerva Hart comes highly recommended by Artisan Book Reviews and is awarded first place in ABR Book Excellence Award for best Science Fiction and Urban Fantasy.