Book review: Specimen 0 by Jeffrey Waters

Todd saves lives. All of them. The TOMA mission is to stop existential threats to the human race, and he is the mission. His team will stop the threat no matter what it takes, and no one on Earth has the authority to stand in his way.

This time the threat comes from space: a meteor that may be much more, a woman who may no longer be human, and a terrifying secret that has been kept since ancient China. Add to that an Indian billionaire techie with a violent past and a crooked American senator with his eyes on the White House, and things could really get out of control fast.

Todd has a strong team with the best scientists in the world, but will it be enough? Will they figure out what Specimen 0 is doing on Earth, or will this be TOMA’s final case?

From Amazon description.

Jeffrey Waters’ Specimen 0 presents a thrilling and well-structured science fiction horror novel. Blending elements of biological experimentation, dystopian intrigue, and deep psychological suspense, the novel creates an atmosphere of relentless dread. Waters excels in pacing and mood, and the narrative structure reads almost like a science fiction movie.

Specimen 0 follows the leader of an elite group of scientists and former military leaders tasked with addressing major issues facing mankind, particularly those originating from beyond Earth. In this case, it’s an asteroid that crashed on Earth, releasing a creature that devours anything in its path and converts it into energy that continues to cause the creature to grow. Stopping its growth seems impossible. Other nefarious organizations desire the creature for genetic and biological research, while elected government officials have varying and competing interests in either destroying, capturing, or utilizing the creature for their own agendas.

Amidst this, there’s also a human development. The creature has somehow connected with a human who was devoured by the creature but still alive inside. The question remains: what is the connection? Does the creature control human minds? Was the human actually an alien?

The team of scientists and military experts, led by the protagonist, Todd, attempts to understand the creature and either neutralize or destroy it. New revelations in their research, coupled with the activities of competing individuals and groups, continually emerge, driving the plot and keeping the reader engaged.

The novel’s pacing is impeccable. Waters meticulously crafts a relentless tension where the suspense gradually builds. Each event and character is unveiled gradually, keeping  readers engaged and occasionally surprising them. Waters effectively captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of a laboratory setting, where the boundaries between science and monstrosity blur. His descriptions of the Specimen’s growth and connection with humans are particularly vivid and unsettling. As the plot unfolds, Waters skillfully exploits the reader’s sense of paranoia, as every character seems to be concealing something. This constant uncertainty heightens the horror elements effectively.

Waters occasionally shifts the focus to another character involved in the plot, usually outside the main group, providing us with additional insight into the motivations and actions of these antagonists or co-protagonists. Consequently, the reader sometimes gains more information than the protagonist, skillfully heightening the tension for the reader.

The main character is well-developed, as more of his background, personality, and personal issues revealed as the narrative progresses. His romantic relationships are handled with sensitivity, showcasing both tender connections and conflicts. The moral dilemmas faced by the team members are effectively explored, and Waters provides enough context to understand each person’s perspective. However, some character backstories and personalities feel underdeveloped, lacking emotional depth and resorting to stereotypes, such as the brilliant but quirky teenager and the tough-as-nails general. While these issues don’t detract from the plot or narrative quality, they serve as an observation.

The themes explored in the novel are typical of this genre, including scientific ethics, government corruption, biotech corporate greed, and the struggle to save the Earth from an alien threat. However, the unique setting and narrative bring fresh ideas to the genre, presenting a group of experts grappling with internal conflicts while attempting to save humanity from an extraterrestrial force.

In terms of prose, Waters writes in a clear and straightforward style, which serves the fast-paced narrative well. The dialogue is generally genuine and well-crafted, though it occasionally veers into campy territory. Some critics have noted that the dialogue can feel stilted at times, with characters often delivering expository information rather than engaging in natural conversations. However, I personally didn’t encounter this issue. The expository elements are handled effectively, both in prose and dialogue, and I didn’t have any problems with them. There are a few typos (which are common in any book), but they’re minimal, except for the peculiar way of spelling “pier” as “peer” in multiple instances and the incorrect spelling of the Scottish whisky as “Jim Bean” instead of “Jim Beam” in two places.

In conclusion, Specimen 0 is an enjoyable and fast-paced read for fans of sci-fi horror, especially those who appreciate a tense and high-stakes plot. Waters excels at creating an atmosphere of dread, and the novel’s central premise is compelling. I found myself unable to put the book down each day as I read for my review—a rare occurrence for books that I’m sent to review.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy this genre and seek a well-written and engaging plot that offers a cinematic experience.