Lisa Muñoz - Humebeasts: Lizard Ambition - REVIEW
The genres of science fiction and fantasy have allowed writers to combine the impossible with cold hard reality, meaning that stories can be told with a substantial and relatable edge whilst also tapping into the imagination of readers. It’s no surprise then that for many people, their most enjoyable and memorable reading experiences are books containing fantastical elements. Even if these elements are subtle, their inclusion in the narrative creates newfound depth in literature and renders the process of writers communicating their stories to audiences that much more organic.
Lisa Muñoz is one such writer who has struck a perfect balance between creativity and emotional content, in her debut novel, Humebeasts: Lizard Ambition. The book is part dystopian urban fantasy, part hard-hitting coming-of-age drama, where ambition and resilience take centre stage, and every character has their own turbulent backstory. Readers can expect an intense journey that mixes humour, tragedy and action with a fair quantity of surprises along the way. At the core of Humebeasts: Lizard Ambition is a fascinating science fiction concept, which is integral to the plot, but with so many fleshed-out characters to experience along the way, the fantasy component is really just the tip of the iceberg.
It has been 49 years since the man-made chimaera virus swept across humanity with devastating effects, and society has been drastically altered since. Those affected with chimaera have had their DNA interspersed with that of various animals, meaning they are still upright human mammals, but now display certain physical appearances of creatures from the natural world. This has led to hardships and inabilities for those affected but has also incurred bigotry, discrimination and misrepresentation by the general masses of unaffected purebred humans. In short, Humbeasts are treated as second-class citizens in just about every facet of the living world.
Ziggy is a young male Humebeast who is tired of being told that his only future lies in being a fighter of some description. He is at odds with his classmates and teachers, and his welfare-dependent alcoholic father does little else besides bully and discourage him. The only thing that gives Ziggy true purpose is the dream of becoming a singer in a band, an ambition which appears way above his station. However, things grow hopeful when he meets a group of equally frustrated and downtrodden young male Humebeast musicians, who also aspire to success and stardom. So begins a journey of brotherhood, reconciliation, and no shortage of danger.
Alongside his faithful bandmates Dominic, Rick, and his loving mentor Sam, Ziggy also finds friendship in Frankie, an equally troubled soul with a haunted past. When Frankie is forced to reacquaint with a fanatical group of Humebeasts who have vengeance on their agenda, this newly formed group of friends face an untimely implosion. All the while they are forced to confront their own personal demons and also learn to understand and respect one another. Doing so in an increasingly hostile climate means their road to achievement is rocky to say the least.
There are several aspects to this story that Lisa Muñoz weaves in to make it believable and credible, and one of the most inspiring is the journey the characters take to form their band. Many of the trials and tribulations of making it big in the music industry are written candidly, including the often unsympathetic response from record company executives to the underhanded betrayal of musical figureheads, as well as the arduous task of musicians finding cohesiveness, playing their songs live under pressure and finding creative common ground with one another. Much of the book is filled with these moments alongside some wonderfully written poetic lyrics, custom-made for the world that these young Humebeasts occupy, making this a truly believable dive into the world of musical ambition.
A grittier edge to the narrative of Humbeasts: Lizard Ambition comes in the form of the tragic circumstances of each of the characters, all of whom have faced abuse and tragedy in some form. The novel draws some interesting parallels between those who find the strength to make peace with their pasts and pragmatically look to the future, and those consumed by hatred and a thirst for vengeance which will only serve to take them down the darkest of paths. All of these perspectives are written in a three-dimensional and non-judgmental way, which offers up the dilemma of how people respond to injustice through a variety of examples. Doing so means that readers have a deeper immersion into the lives of these truly relatable young subjects.
Humebeasts: Lizard Ambition, isn’t just a sci-fi concept, or the story of the formation of a band, but a bigger entity than the sum of its parts which promises to give readers a solid emotional experience. Every character has an engaging quality, and the fictional world they occupy is as grounded in reality as it is intriguing, meaning this book is a winning combination of traits. Add the steadily increasing tempo of action and suspense, the entertaining exploits of the protagonist, and you have a novel that's addictive and heartfelt and exciting in equal measure. Lisa Muñoz proves she knows all the ingredients to the creation of a quality novel, and those seeking a unique kind of fantasy drama are encouraged to check this out with no delay.
To learn more about Lisa Muñoz and to order your own copy of Humebeasts: Lizard Ambition, check out her website here.
