What do you think?
Rate this book
Human Nature
Oppressors become revolutionaries, mothers become monsters and friends become something more...
Phylum is a brilliant young biologist born to lead the last of humanity, but his status comes with certain expectations. In a rare act of defiance, Phylum secretly joins a new scientific expedition up to the surface where mutation has infected everything. However, when his ambition almost costs him his life, he finds something extraordinary:
A human girl living on the surface.
Despite her animalistic traits, Canopy is remarkably intelligent, compassionate and even charming. She offers to help him, but as they explore the vibrant paradise above, Phylum can’t help but question the disturbing nature of his home and the role he plays in it...
Phylum is a brilliant young biologist born to lead the last of humanity, but his status comes with certain expectations. In a rare act of defiance, Phylum secretly joins a new scientific expedition up to the surface where mutation has infected everything. However, when his ambition almost costs him his life, he finds something extraordinary:
A human girl living on the surface.
Despite her animalistic traits, Canopy is remarkably intelligent, compassionate and even charming. She offers to help him, but as they explore the vibrant paradise above, Phylum can’t help but question the disturbing nature of his home and the role he plays in it...
- GenresRomance
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 8, 2025
This is a VERY interesting take on a dystopian world.
Forced underground to protect all future bloodlines, the world within these underground locations are separated by brutal class systems--so totally dystopian and I.ATE.IT.UP.
Phylum, one our MCs, is a part of a research team on the surface and he encounters something he never thought possible. While studying the surface, he finds a human girl with animalistic qualities.
A slow burn begins all surrounded by mystery, betrayals and a whole lot of cool sci-fi atmospheric moments.
I really enjoyed this, while some of the plot feels tried and true to the romantasy genre, throwing in the biology, science and mystery really made this VERY unique.
That cliffhanger though- oh pure torture, and I am in need of the next one ASAP!!
Thank you to the author for sharing a copy with me!
Forced underground to protect all future bloodlines, the world within these underground locations are separated by brutal class systems--so totally dystopian and I.ATE.IT.UP.
Phylum, one our MCs, is a part of a research team on the surface and he encounters something he never thought possible. While studying the surface, he finds a human girl with animalistic qualities.
A slow burn begins all surrounded by mystery, betrayals and a whole lot of cool sci-fi atmospheric moments.
I really enjoyed this, while some of the plot feels tried and true to the romantasy genre, throwing in the biology, science and mystery really made this VERY unique.
That cliffhanger though- oh pure torture, and I am in need of the next one ASAP!!
Thank you to the author for sharing a copy with me!
September 26, 2025
ARC REVIEW
5🌟
Oh my gosh, where do I even start? I never thought I'd like a fantasy/sci-fi romance this much, but God did this book have me hooked.
Phylum, the main character was genuinely really likeable and someone I loved rooting for. The same could be said for Canopy, the FMC, a manic pixie girl who was essentially the polar opposite of our MMC.
I also found the book to be extremely well-written, with a very polished writing style.
Genuinely, I have zero complaints when it comes to this book. It was *the* perfect sci-fi romance!!
Overall though, I definitely enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi romances! Looking forward to new releases from the author :)
5🌟
Oh my gosh, where do I even start? I never thought I'd like a fantasy/sci-fi romance this much, but God did this book have me hooked.
Phylum, the main character was genuinely really likeable and someone I loved rooting for. The same could be said for Canopy, the FMC, a manic pixie girl who was essentially the polar opposite of our MMC.
I also found the book to be extremely well-written, with a very polished writing style.
Genuinely, I have zero complaints when it comes to this book. It was *the* perfect sci-fi romance!!
Overall though, I definitely enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi romances! Looking forward to new releases from the author :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
I’m such a sucker for dystopian future stories, probably because I grew up reading so many of them, but Human Nature by Bonnibelle Angelica does the genre so well. This book really leans into what it means to be human, and honestly, you have to read it yourself to fully understand the layers the author builds into that question.
I loved the subtle blend of science fiction woven through the story. You don’t get many dystopians lately that lean back into those classic sci-fi roots, and it gave this book such a fresh, nostalgic feel. The world building was thoughtful and immersive, making me question the choices, motives, and flaws in human nature right along with the characters.
And yes, there’s romance, too. A perfectly placed thread that adds heart without overshadowing the bigger themes.
A compelling world, a dash of romance, and a story that sticks with you. Definitely worth the read.
QOTD:
✨ If you lived in a dystopian future, what’s one trait of human nature you hope people never lose?
#BookReview #HumanNature #BonnieJones #DystopianReads #SciFiBooks #BookishThoughts #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #BookishLove #DystopianFiction #RomanceReaders #FuturisticFiction #BookRecommendation
I’m such a sucker for dystopian future stories, probably because I grew up reading so many of them, but Human Nature by Bonnibelle Angelica does the genre so well. This book really leans into what it means to be human, and honestly, you have to read it yourself to fully understand the layers the author builds into that question.
I loved the subtle blend of science fiction woven through the story. You don’t get many dystopians lately that lean back into those classic sci-fi roots, and it gave this book such a fresh, nostalgic feel. The world building was thoughtful and immersive, making me question the choices, motives, and flaws in human nature right along with the characters.
And yes, there’s romance, too. A perfectly placed thread that adds heart without overshadowing the bigger themes.
A compelling world, a dash of romance, and a story that sticks with you. Definitely worth the read.
QOTD:
✨ If you lived in a dystopian future, what’s one trait of human nature you hope people never lose?
#BookReview #HumanNature #BonnieJones #DystopianReads #SciFiBooks #BookishThoughts #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #BookishLove #DystopianFiction #RomanceReaders #FuturisticFiction #BookRecommendation
September 16, 2025
Thank you to Bonnibelle Angelica for the opportunity to read the e-ARC of Human Nature: The Status Quo Saga book 1.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.25 rating)
I really enjoyed this highly anticipated read, we met some fantastic characters such as: Phylum Aberro, Canopy, Ash, Elmer and Mycelia.
We also had the pleasure of meeting some truly villainous characters too!
The world building was phenomenal where we go from a civilization of people living in an underground bunker for 200 years, to venturing back to Earth - a dystopian landscape to see what changes have been made through Catalyst. It had me hooked.
Phylum Aberro is part of a crew who are all scientists, they are sent up to earth for a week once a month to re-explore earth and its many changes (turtles the size of small hills, goldfish that can grow to swallow humans whole, massive luminescent spiders); here, Phylum meets Canopy, a human girl with cat like qualities (and with a majestic tail!) who helps him record all the changes. Their relationship must be kept secret which enters into forbidden love territory.
Besides learning the changes that have been made to earth; it was great to learn of what happens to humans and their empathy when living in a society that is solely based on tiers and rules that is run by a totalitarian government where perfection is the goal and only those with top genetics are to procreate.
The two things that lowered my rating was that:
1): Sometimes the conversations between the characters felt like they went around in circles and felt like they lacked real emotional depth - barely scratching the surface of conversation at times. A lot of focus is placed on the physicality and not so much the emotional aspect.
But, in saying that, it could have been deliberate as you learn that not many people like Phylum due to his status as a Noble. You do get the information that he is low on friends so does not really know how to talk to people and finds solace in his research. Nor was Phylum raised in a loving home environment - Phylum was raised in an abusive environment - At the hands of his mother (not in a physical sense, but the type of abuse that leaves psychological wounds). He learns to navigate and unpack that trauma through his relationship with Canopy.
He does learn how to communicate with Canopy and through his guardianship with Ash, a young Albino girl.
2): The middle part of the story does lose traction, I was anticipating more drama and sitting on the edge of the seat, I was constantly waiting for something big to happen within the story - but it does pick up again in the last 10 or so chapters which did have me hooked again.
Bonnibelle does a great job at bridging the two worlds, the descriptions that she painted of the worlds really transport you as a reader.
And the cliffhanger at the end make me very excited for book 2! 👏🏼
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.25 rating)
I really enjoyed this highly anticipated read, we met some fantastic characters such as: Phylum Aberro, Canopy, Ash, Elmer and Mycelia.
We also had the pleasure of meeting some truly villainous characters too!
The world building was phenomenal where we go from a civilization of people living in an underground bunker for 200 years, to venturing back to Earth - a dystopian landscape to see what changes have been made through Catalyst. It had me hooked.
Phylum Aberro is part of a crew who are all scientists, they are sent up to earth for a week once a month to re-explore earth and its many changes (turtles the size of small hills, goldfish that can grow to swallow humans whole, massive luminescent spiders); here, Phylum meets Canopy, a human girl with cat like qualities (and with a majestic tail!) who helps him record all the changes. Their relationship must be kept secret which enters into forbidden love territory.
Besides learning the changes that have been made to earth; it was great to learn of what happens to humans and their empathy when living in a society that is solely based on tiers and rules that is run by a totalitarian government where perfection is the goal and only those with top genetics are to procreate.
The two things that lowered my rating was that:
1): Sometimes the conversations between the characters felt like they went around in circles and felt like they lacked real emotional depth - barely scratching the surface of conversation at times. A lot of focus is placed on the physicality and not so much the emotional aspect.
But, in saying that, it could have been deliberate as you learn that not many people like Phylum due to his status as a Noble. You do get the information that he is low on friends so does not really know how to talk to people and finds solace in his research. Nor was Phylum raised in a loving home environment - Phylum was raised in an abusive environment - At the hands of his mother (not in a physical sense, but the type of abuse that leaves psychological wounds). He learns to navigate and unpack that trauma through his relationship with Canopy.
He does learn how to communicate with Canopy and through his guardianship with Ash, a young Albino girl.
2): The middle part of the story does lose traction, I was anticipating more drama and sitting on the edge of the seat, I was constantly waiting for something big to happen within the story - but it does pick up again in the last 10 or so chapters which did have me hooked again.
Bonnibelle does a great job at bridging the two worlds, the descriptions that she painted of the worlds really transport you as a reader.
And the cliffhanger at the end make me very excited for book 2! 👏🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Dystopian dream... a underground community that goes to the surface 200+ years after a catastrophic event to do research. Phylum meets Canopy, and friends become lovers in a slooow burn (bc hes a dumb boy) way! Many secrets are unraveled, trust is broken... hearts shattered. There is much growth, and the descriptionts are amazing. At the end? Of course a cliff hanger worthy to drop you to your knees!
September 29, 2025
3.75/5 stars
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy.
Where do I begin?
I'm not really a Sci-Fi reader so this was new to me. It was hard to get into it at first but once I hit around 30% I was hooked.
This was just something totally different and so intriguing.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author.
For someone who has almost never understood science I struggled at points to understand fully the scenery and everything the author was writing about, but I’m sure I will have answers with next book in the series.
Characters were well written and enjoyable.
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy.
Where do I begin?
I'm not really a Sci-Fi reader so this was new to me. It was hard to get into it at first but once I hit around 30% I was hooked.
This was just something totally different and so intriguing.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author.
For someone who has almost never understood science I struggled at points to understand fully the scenery and everything the author was writing about, but I’m sure I will have answers with next book in the series.
Characters were well written and enjoyable.
October 7, 2025
I really had no idea what to expect going into this book, and in many ways I'm still figuring out what I got. There was a lot that I liked, a lot that I felt needed work, and a lot that might just be a "me" issue. My experience reading this novel was confusing but also fairly light in terms of the mental/emotional reactions it triggered in me.
But enough preamble. Let's get into it.
First and always, the good. Above all else, I found the cast terribly engaging. From Mycelia's repressed instincts as a mother and her challenges navigating the strictures of home and status, to Elmer's flippant but firm friendship, to Ash's precocious energy and childish enthusiasm, there was so much light and charm to everyone here. I even enjoyed the ice-queen demeanor of Phylum's horrible mother. She felt like an almost inevitable product of the society the characters inhabit, so I appreciated having her as a contrast to the main cast, most of whom are more willing to question their circumstances. While I was largely lukewarm on Phylum — neither enamored with him nor annoyed, as I generally found him to be an acceptable set of eyes to share the story through — I did love Canopy. Problematic or not, I remain a sucker for a manic pixie dream girl. On a personal level, I doubt the depressed kid in me will ever get over the appeal of a sunshine Love Interest who always takes care of you no matter how rotten you get.
The author's passion, both for the project itself and the science that forms its core, radiated through every scene and every line. With so much love on the page, it was hard not to be swept up in it, and I found myself content to go along with that joy.
On that note, the dour tragedy that populates so much YA fare these days is naught to be found here, nor does the book dwell much on all the pain the characters go through during the story. So when a moment does have severe negative impacts, the amount of time spent digging into that pain feels earned instead of like another nail driven into the reader, demanding that they feel something. At times, the losses suffered are almost understated, and those moments hit me unexpectedly hard and in ways I found deeply refreshing.
Also, there is a rat. More rat rep please. Every single one is a perfect little cinnamon roll, too good for this world, too pure.
In terms of negatives, a big one for me was the pacing. I was roughly 30% of the way through by the time the story really started to click with me, and the beginning in particular struggles to root the reader in the reality of the story's world. I didn't understand the odd way Phylum's peers treated him, and while I could guess at the meanings of terms like "Pillar" and "Noble," it would have been helpful to get a more concrete understanding of them earlier in the story. What might have worked better, at least for me, is if the story had spent more time with Phylum underground and trapped in the circumstances of social expectations and his mother's cruelty, so that by the time he leaves the bunker we have a full understanding of why he's so desperate to do so. This might also have granted more impact to the light hazing he goes through during his first assignments on the surface, the weird looks from people who know his social class, the kid gloves Mycelia wears during their early interactions. And we could have also spent more time building dread around the dangers of the surface world (yes, I was thinking of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts the entire time I read this) and a sense of how unlikely human life up there is, so that the initial appearance of Canopy can hit the readers as hard as it hits Phylum. We get to her so quickly, though, that it's hard to buy into other characters' certainty that the surface is completely hostile to human life.
I also felt that parts of the book could have used another round of editing. While some lines and moments really sing — "My mother's heels clicked up my spine," the vividness of Elmer's party and Phylum's emotions there, that funeral and the tenderness shared between two people whose only connection is grief (IYKYK) — others felt almost rushed through. Most of the early chapters felt like they had been added in hindsight or perhaps rewritten shortly before publication, not to mention the typos and misused words. I was particularly distracted by the abundance of transitive verbs used without an object (ex. "My eyes averted" — but averted what, exactly?). There were also some layout issues in my copy, but maybe this was a byproduct of reading the book on a mobile device. At any rate, I would highly encourage the author to hire another editor for the sequel(s), and maybe a proofreader as well for that final pre-publication once-over.
In terms of purely personal preferences, I just... could not handle Canopy's nose. I never felt like I had a clear image of what a cat's nose looks like on a person's face. Sometimes her behavior went too fully into "cat girl" territory, as well, even though my understanding from the novel was that she only developed the tail/ears/eyes as adaptive responses to her external world. I get growing a tail for balance, but how are "kneading" and purring evolutionary for a human being? I kept expecting a reveal where she was raised by leopards or something, but it never came. Just cat girl for the sake of cat girl.
I also struggled to place the age range of this book's intended audience. A lot of it felt like YA, especially with the characters being 18, but then there's all the swearing, plus a long sequence of sexual encounters that made it feel much more adult. And again, this is purely personal, but as a woman in her 30s I always feel weird reading about the sexual ideations of children. I know they happen, I'm open to a debate on their presence in YA literature, but speaking exclusively for myself, I would prefer not to read it in anything more than hints and fade-to-blacks. Frankly, I increasingly prefer a closed-door romance in literature for any age range. Let the characters have some privacy. Aren't they perceived enough already?
For one specific reason, I understand why this author has opted to forgo traditional publishing on this project. That's ultimately neither here nor there for the average reader, but as I query my own novel, these kinds of decisions are interesting to think about.
In the end, I had a good time reading this despite my qualms over certain sections or writing quirks, and I would definitely recommend it to the new adult reader in search of something unexpected — especially if they're a fan of Kipo.
But enough preamble. Let's get into it.
First and always, the good. Above all else, I found the cast terribly engaging. From Mycelia's repressed instincts as a mother and her challenges navigating the strictures of home and status, to Elmer's flippant but firm friendship, to Ash's precocious energy and childish enthusiasm, there was so much light and charm to everyone here. I even enjoyed the ice-queen demeanor of Phylum's horrible mother. She felt like an almost inevitable product of the society the characters inhabit, so I appreciated having her as a contrast to the main cast, most of whom are more willing to question their circumstances. While I was largely lukewarm on Phylum — neither enamored with him nor annoyed, as I generally found him to be an acceptable set of eyes to share the story through — I did love Canopy. Problematic or not, I remain a sucker for a manic pixie dream girl. On a personal level, I doubt the depressed kid in me will ever get over the appeal of a sunshine Love Interest who always takes care of you no matter how rotten you get.
The author's passion, both for the project itself and the science that forms its core, radiated through every scene and every line. With so much love on the page, it was hard not to be swept up in it, and I found myself content to go along with that joy.
On that note, the dour tragedy that populates so much YA fare these days is naught to be found here, nor does the book dwell much on all the pain the characters go through during the story. So when a moment does have severe negative impacts, the amount of time spent digging into that pain feels earned instead of like another nail driven into the reader, demanding that they feel something. At times, the losses suffered are almost understated, and those moments hit me unexpectedly hard and in ways I found deeply refreshing.
Also, there is a rat. More rat rep please. Every single one is a perfect little cinnamon roll, too good for this world, too pure.
In terms of negatives, a big one for me was the pacing. I was roughly 30% of the way through by the time the story really started to click with me, and the beginning in particular struggles to root the reader in the reality of the story's world. I didn't understand the odd way Phylum's peers treated him, and while I could guess at the meanings of terms like "Pillar" and "Noble," it would have been helpful to get a more concrete understanding of them earlier in the story. What might have worked better, at least for me, is if the story had spent more time with Phylum underground and trapped in the circumstances of social expectations and his mother's cruelty, so that by the time he leaves the bunker we have a full understanding of why he's so desperate to do so. This might also have granted more impact to the light hazing he goes through during his first assignments on the surface, the weird looks from people who know his social class, the kid gloves Mycelia wears during their early interactions. And we could have also spent more time building dread around the dangers of the surface world (yes, I was thinking of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts the entire time I read this) and a sense of how unlikely human life up there is, so that the initial appearance of Canopy can hit the readers as hard as it hits Phylum. We get to her so quickly, though, that it's hard to buy into other characters' certainty that the surface is completely hostile to human life.
I also felt that parts of the book could have used another round of editing. While some lines and moments really sing — "My mother's heels clicked up my spine," the vividness of Elmer's party and Phylum's emotions there, that funeral and the tenderness shared between two people whose only connection is grief (IYKYK) — others felt almost rushed through. Most of the early chapters felt like they had been added in hindsight or perhaps rewritten shortly before publication, not to mention the typos and misused words. I was particularly distracted by the abundance of transitive verbs used without an object (ex. "My eyes averted" — but averted what, exactly?). There were also some layout issues in my copy, but maybe this was a byproduct of reading the book on a mobile device. At any rate, I would highly encourage the author to hire another editor for the sequel(s), and maybe a proofreader as well for that final pre-publication once-over.
In terms of purely personal preferences, I just... could not handle Canopy's nose. I never felt like I had a clear image of what a cat's nose looks like on a person's face. Sometimes her behavior went too fully into "cat girl" territory, as well, even though my understanding from the novel was that she only developed the tail/ears/eyes as adaptive responses to her external world. I get growing a tail for balance, but how are "kneading" and purring evolutionary for a human being? I kept expecting a reveal where she was raised by leopards or something, but it never came. Just cat girl for the sake of cat girl.
I also struggled to place the age range of this book's intended audience. A lot of it felt like YA, especially with the characters being 18, but then there's all the swearing, plus a long sequence of sexual encounters that made it feel much more adult. And again, this is purely personal, but as a woman in her 30s I always feel weird reading about the sexual ideations of children. I know they happen, I'm open to a debate on their presence in YA literature, but speaking exclusively for myself, I would prefer not to read it in anything more than hints and fade-to-blacks. Frankly, I increasingly prefer a closed-door romance in literature for any age range. Let the characters have some privacy. Aren't they perceived enough already?
For one specific reason, I understand why this author has opted to forgo traditional publishing on this project. That's ultimately neither here nor there for the average reader, but as I query my own novel, these kinds of decisions are interesting to think about.
In the end, I had a good time reading this despite my qualms over certain sections or writing quirks, and I would definitely recommend it to the new adult reader in search of something unexpected — especially if they're a fan of Kipo.
September 10, 2025
Magical, science, and romance collide in this dystopian novel of Bonnibelle Angelica.
Human Nature follows the nerdy, science-loving guy Phylum. The heir of a noble family from a society living under the ground due to a mutation on Earth. Only a group of researchers are allowed to study the uppergrounds, and as someone with a fond interest in the mutation's consequences (and as someone with high expectations), Phylum is eager to join the group even though they are below his class. How scandalous! Despite the gruelling stories being told about Earth, Phylum discovers anything but. This only reinforces his doubts about the fixed beliefs he grew up with.
Phylum and Canopy
It was fascinating to read through Phylum's perspective. Though coming from the 'high class', he has always been a bit different. He's extremely pure and the so-called golden son. He isn't snobby like most of his peers. Particularly, his mother shapes and controls his life, making him feel like an outcast. I suppose many can relate to him. He makes many mistakes, as if he really is a newborn discovering the world. Nonetheless, this is what makes him human. He learns and grows, which makes you respect him even more when considering the conservative notions in which he grew up.
Canopy is the forest girl Phylum encounters on the surface. She's an enthusiastic force to reckon with. She's full of enthusiasm and curiosity. A bit sassy and loves to tease Phylum. I only wish we had learned more about her heritage. It felt like there was a whole world to be explored! She teaches Phylum that, despite his beliefs, she is just a normal creature, just as human as Phylum.
They gave me kinda Tarzan and Jane vibes, but as star-crossed lovers. At the beginning, their relationship felt innocent, child-like. As the story progresses, so do the spicy levels. Things get more heated, but the ending was just an emotional rollercoaster!
Diversity and Representation
Okay, one of the main things I love about this book is the diversity of characters and the representation. It deals with class struggle, trauma, cultural differences, undermining stereotypes, mental health, and more.
The Story
The story itself is half predictable, half surprising. The pacing felt a bit off at times, but overall it made sense. The author knows what she's writing about. For those unfamiliar with the more scientific stuff or biology (like me), you might find some jargon. But it's just a few words, and in the context of the whole, it won't disrupt your understanding of the story.
Conclusion
Firstly, I want to thank Bonnibelle Angelica for gifting me an e-Arc of Human Nature. Not only have the characters learn much about life and the world, but also me as a reader, and hopefully it will teach others as well. The world was a wonderful dystopia to imagine as the backdrop of this adventurous story.
Human Nature follows the nerdy, science-loving guy Phylum. The heir of a noble family from a society living under the ground due to a mutation on Earth. Only a group of researchers are allowed to study the uppergrounds, and as someone with a fond interest in the mutation's consequences (and as someone with high expectations), Phylum is eager to join the group even though they are below his class. How scandalous! Despite the gruelling stories being told about Earth, Phylum discovers anything but. This only reinforces his doubts about the fixed beliefs he grew up with.
Phylum and Canopy
It was fascinating to read through Phylum's perspective. Though coming from the 'high class', he has always been a bit different. He's extremely pure and the so-called golden son. He isn't snobby like most of his peers. Particularly, his mother shapes and controls his life, making him feel like an outcast. I suppose many can relate to him. He makes many mistakes, as if he really is a newborn discovering the world. Nonetheless, this is what makes him human. He learns and grows, which makes you respect him even more when considering the conservative notions in which he grew up.
Canopy is the forest girl Phylum encounters on the surface. She's an enthusiastic force to reckon with. She's full of enthusiasm and curiosity. A bit sassy and loves to tease Phylum. I only wish we had learned more about her heritage. It felt like there was a whole world to be explored! She teaches Phylum that, despite his beliefs, she is just a normal creature, just as human as Phylum.
They gave me kinda Tarzan and Jane vibes, but as star-crossed lovers. At the beginning, their relationship felt innocent, child-like. As the story progresses, so do the spicy levels. Things get more heated, but the ending was just an emotional rollercoaster!
Diversity and Representation
Okay, one of the main things I love about this book is the diversity of characters and the representation. It deals with class struggle, trauma, cultural differences, undermining stereotypes, mental health, and more.
The Story
The story itself is half predictable, half surprising. The pacing felt a bit off at times, but overall it made sense. The author knows what she's writing about. For those unfamiliar with the more scientific stuff or biology (like me), you might find some jargon. But it's just a few words, and in the context of the whole, it won't disrupt your understanding of the story.
Conclusion
Firstly, I want to thank Bonnibelle Angelica for gifting me an e-Arc of Human Nature. Not only have the characters learn much about life and the world, but also me as a reader, and hopefully it will teach others as well. The world was a wonderful dystopia to imagine as the backdrop of this adventurous story.
September 20, 2025
This author really place me in this magical world above the bunker . Being in the new world Phylum realised that the truths of their existence and all that he had been taught may not be the truth and something darker had been hidden .
Phylum , a clever biologist had the opportunity to leave the bunker with a team to research the land that was destroyed above. This is where he met Canopy , a carefree human girl living above the surface . A world filled with mystery , mutation and secrets . A world that according to their history was destroyed but Phylum soon found discrepancies in those theories .
Canopy and Phylum’s relationship was sweet and had build up naturally. They were complete opposites , her being wild , reckless and full of expressions and colour while he was closed , guarded and serious . But his life in the bunker was that of military operations where he wasn’t able to be free. He was soon shown what happiness and joy felt like .. But that comes with a cost . Right person , wrong time - I need them to have their happily ever after . They have each endured enough pain and heartache
The mystery of secrets slowly being unraveled and the painful slow burn gave that perfect tension to their story . This book was torture , the author gave enough but not enough at the same time , which made me crave more ! I definitely got nervous towards the end and I can’t wait for the second book in the series !
The character development was unreal ! The plot and story deserves every ounce of credit ! I have so many questions ! I need the answers asap! I went into this book blind and I honestly enjoyed it . Very different from my usual reads but one I can definitely recommend !!
✨ Thank you for this arc in return for an honest review ✨
Phylum , a clever biologist had the opportunity to leave the bunker with a team to research the land that was destroyed above. This is where he met Canopy , a carefree human girl living above the surface . A world filled with mystery , mutation and secrets . A world that according to their history was destroyed but Phylum soon found discrepancies in those theories .
Canopy and Phylum’s relationship was sweet and had build up naturally. They were complete opposites , her being wild , reckless and full of expressions and colour while he was closed , guarded and serious . But his life in the bunker was that of military operations where he wasn’t able to be free. He was soon shown what happiness and joy felt like .. But that comes with a cost . Right person , wrong time - I need them to have their happily ever after . They have each endured enough pain and heartache
The mystery of secrets slowly being unraveled and the painful slow burn gave that perfect tension to their story . This book was torture , the author gave enough but not enough at the same time , which made me crave more ! I definitely got nervous towards the end and I can’t wait for the second book in the series !
The character development was unreal ! The plot and story deserves every ounce of credit ! I have so many questions ! I need the answers asap! I went into this book blind and I honestly enjoyed it . Very different from my usual reads but one I can definitely recommend !!
✨ Thank you for this arc in return for an honest review ✨
September 16, 2025
Human Nature follows Phylum, a human living underground in a facility to protect the surviving population centuries after a mutation infected everything. Phylum is a part of a research team on the surface and he encounters something he never thought possible. A human girl with animalistic qualities. As the two fall for each other, Phylum has to figure out what’s truly important before he loses everything.
This was such a fun dystopian romance! It was very unique and I loved the concept of the world. Everything was described so lovely and it was incredibly atmospheric. I really enjoyed the science discussions—I’m in no way a science person, but I found it easy and entertaining to follow. There’s so much amazing diversity in this novel. As well as very important themes and discussions of class, cultures, mental health, and more. It was very fast-paced and kept me entertained all throughout!
I really enjoyed Phylum as our main character. He goes through a lot of growth and I really enjoyed seeing that. His relationship with Ashen was so precious and I was so in awe of his love for her. It was so sweet! Canopy was an amazing love interest. She’s so amusing and spunky. The romance between Phylum and Canopy was really well developed. It’s more of a slow burn—which I love—and when they finally have a moment its soooo satisfying and lovely! I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
Overall, if you love dystopian romances, I’d highly recommend this one!
Thank you to the author for an arc!
This was such a fun dystopian romance! It was very unique and I loved the concept of the world. Everything was described so lovely and it was incredibly atmospheric. I really enjoyed the science discussions—I’m in no way a science person, but I found it easy and entertaining to follow. There’s so much amazing diversity in this novel. As well as very important themes and discussions of class, cultures, mental health, and more. It was very fast-paced and kept me entertained all throughout!
I really enjoyed Phylum as our main character. He goes through a lot of growth and I really enjoyed seeing that. His relationship with Ashen was so precious and I was so in awe of his love for her. It was so sweet! Canopy was an amazing love interest. She’s so amusing and spunky. The romance between Phylum and Canopy was really well developed. It’s more of a slow burn—which I love—and when they finally have a moment its soooo satisfying and lovely! I can’t wait to see what this author does next!
Overall, if you love dystopian romances, I’d highly recommend this one!
Thank you to the author for an arc!
October 4, 2025
Thanks to Bonnibelle Angelica for the eARC
Human Nature by Bonnibelle Angelica
I reached out to the author when she posted saying a couple of ARC opportunities had come available & I'm so glad I did! This book is so so good 😊
The story is a mix of dystopian and sci-fi, with the population moving into a bunker after the earth is infected. Phylum is part of a surface expedition investigating if the surface is inhabitable again and reviewing mutations that have occurred to the surface creatures. I loved the mutations some of them were very amusing and all of them very clever.
The relationship between Phylum & Canopy is lovely and I really enjoyed their time together 😊 Ashen is great & made me laugh so much.
There's a comment thrown in every so often that starts to twist the tension, leaving you worried for what is going to happen 🫣
I'm eagerly waiting for the next book in the series & will definitely be getting a shelf trophy.
The artwork is stunning, check out @author.bonnibelle.angelica's Instagram to check out the progression of the characters & front cover 😊
Human Nature by Bonnibelle Angelica
I reached out to the author when she posted saying a couple of ARC opportunities had come available & I'm so glad I did! This book is so so good 😊
The story is a mix of dystopian and sci-fi, with the population moving into a bunker after the earth is infected. Phylum is part of a surface expedition investigating if the surface is inhabitable again and reviewing mutations that have occurred to the surface creatures. I loved the mutations some of them were very amusing and all of them very clever.
The relationship between Phylum & Canopy is lovely and I really enjoyed their time together 😊 Ashen is great & made me laugh so much.
There's a comment thrown in every so often that starts to twist the tension, leaving you worried for what is going to happen 🫣
I'm eagerly waiting for the next book in the series & will definitely be getting a shelf trophy.
The artwork is stunning, check out @author.bonnibelle.angelica's Instagram to check out the progression of the characters & front cover 😊
October 11, 2025
This book was given to me as an ARC! Thank you so much Bonnibelle!
I was glued to this book! The dystopia, the forbidden romance, this beautiful sci-fi world! I was obsessed! And I absolutely adored Canopy! I highly recommend this amazing read!
Phylum Aberro goes to the surface for the first time, expecting to finally be able to study his love for evolutionary biology after the Catalyst has rendered Earth uninhabitable. However, things don't go quite as planned when an adorable girl with a tail rescues him.
As Canopy and Phylum's relationship blooms, he gains friends he never expected to find. He also unravels secrets about the "perfect" society he lives in underground, and the existence of a whole other world he never knew existed just above his head.
Will this forbidden romance win in the face of a hierarchical society bent on keeping their beloved gene pool clean? Or will it break to keep the peace?
I was glued to this book! The dystopia, the forbidden romance, this beautiful sci-fi world! I was obsessed! And I absolutely adored Canopy! I highly recommend this amazing read!
Phylum Aberro goes to the surface for the first time, expecting to finally be able to study his love for evolutionary biology after the Catalyst has rendered Earth uninhabitable. However, things don't go quite as planned when an adorable girl with a tail rescues him.
As Canopy and Phylum's relationship blooms, he gains friends he never expected to find. He also unravels secrets about the "perfect" society he lives in underground, and the existence of a whole other world he never knew existed just above his head.
Will this forbidden romance win in the face of a hierarchical society bent on keeping their beloved gene pool clean? Or will it break to keep the peace?
September 20, 2025
Enjoyed it a lot! The story went really easy since the first chapter and you get thrown right in the story, curious for more! I had a lot on questions about this underground society since first introduced to them and most of them were answered through the story which wasn't rushed so the development was on a nice pace. The depth of the characters also got better through the story and the way the character conflict/development is portrayed (phylum and ash were so adorable especially) the romance was cute on a slower side (I'll always love friends to lovers sorry) and I also like when characters especially the mc realize deeper problems in their society throughout the story along with the reader and the some parts really had me freaking out like how bad are they REALLY??😭
The ending also left off for SO much to unwrap and has even more potential + broader world building 👀
The ending also left off for SO much to unwrap and has even more potential + broader world building 👀
November 18, 2025
I always kinda have my guard up when I see a book about eugenics involving disability but when I found out the author is disabled too I had a lot more faith in it, and it paid off!! This was the best disability rep I've ever read in a book, I really saw myself in Phylum. Also not to throw shade but I saw a one star review on here criticising the book because a blind character could walk around her own room/home?? I'm not blind myself but I do have a bit more knowledge about disability than the average Joe due to my life circumstances, and I found Ash's blindness to be very realistic! She has realistic challenges and realistic capabilities, really well done! I LOVED this book, I think this series could really take off and I can't wait for the next one!!
October 8, 2025
I absolutely LOVED the whole idea of this book. Phylum being raised to be at the top in his underground community and having his eyes opened to the reality of the world he lives in and the struggles of people who aren't nobles was a different take than I am used to reading. I love Canopy, I related so hard to how she felt about Phylum's mom. Phylum had a kind heart despite his upbringing and it shown through in his friendships with Elmer and Ash. I'm glad to know the author has more books planned because I loved the world they created. I especially loved the bears! You'll have to read it to understand.
October 16, 2025
Human Nature is a dystopian romance that questions what humanity really is. Phylum is a young biologist raised underground in a world obsessed with genetic purity and control. He is a Noble, the elite of his world with all this brings, including a controlling mother. When he joins an expedition to the surface, he meets Canopy, a wild, compassionate girl who lives freely among the ruins of the old world, where nothing is as it was.
Their connection is instant but forbidden, forcing Phylum to question everything he's ever believed. The difference between his sterile, rule-bound society and Canopy's raw, natural world is hard for him to believe. The tension between them is both emotional and philosophical - love versus control, freedom versus safety.
Meanwhile during Phylum's returns below the surface, he meets Ash, an eight year old blind girl who is one of the Culls - those who are not the "perfect" human specimens.
Their relationship is so sweet and perfect.
This is a beautifully written, slow-burn story full of heart, danger, and defiance. Perfect for fans of forbidden love and dystopian rebellion. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Status Quo Saga.
Their connection is instant but forbidden, forcing Phylum to question everything he's ever believed. The difference between his sterile, rule-bound society and Canopy's raw, natural world is hard for him to believe. The tension between them is both emotional and philosophical - love versus control, freedom versus safety.
Meanwhile during Phylum's returns below the surface, he meets Ash, an eight year old blind girl who is one of the Culls - those who are not the "perfect" human specimens.
Their relationship is so sweet and perfect.
This is a beautifully written, slow-burn story full of heart, danger, and defiance. Perfect for fans of forbidden love and dystopian rebellion. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Status Quo Saga.
dnf
October 8, 2025I'm dropping all the books I've started last month because I'm busy with other stuff and none of them really kept my attention. Maybe I wouldn't dnf it if it wasn't the situation.
I read around 20% of this book before dropping it. I feel bad about not finishing it since I got an arc, but reading it felt a bit weird. There's not a lot of info about the world and the reason why some things happen like they do, so I was confused all the time. It had potential and if I read more things would make more sense, probably.
I read around 20% of this book before dropping it. I feel bad about not finishing it since I got an arc, but reading it felt a bit weird. There's not a lot of info about the world and the reason why some things happen like they do, so I was confused all the time. It had potential and if I read more things would make more sense, probably.
September 29, 2025
This is a 5 star read for me. I haven't read a book this detail and granded in science, yet keeps fictional story alive. You might actually start believing in biological makeup of a cat-sized bear. It is a great story. The characters are compelling. It is well writing.
And the end, you will never see it coming....What an unforgettable read for me!
Love it.
And the end, you will never see it coming....What an unforgettable read for me!
Love it.
October 1, 2025
I loved the integration of biology into this dystopian book. It’s not everyday you read about a scientist exploring earth 200 years after a catastrophic event and he’s even got his blind lab assistant with him! This book is definitely a roller coaster that ends on a cliffhanger.
October 4, 2025
This is my first dystopian sci-if book I read and it was so good!! Canopy and Phylum relationship was so cute and sweet and i could not get enough of this book but the cliffhanger OMG. I hope there is a sequel cause i have so many questions. Thank you Bonnibella for this ARC.
Read
December 30, 2025DNF due to personal reasons and life. mostly just couldn't get into it
October 4, 2025
Started it but had to DNF- it wasn’t well written at all. The story is all over the place, lots of editing mistakes as well.
October 6, 2025
True rating: 4.5
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
'Human Nature' is a debut novel from author Bonnibelle Angelica and what a successful debut it is! 'Human Nature' follows Phylum Aberro, our male main character and protagonist, who is living in an underground society following a devastating natural disaster 200 years prior to the setting of the novel, that left the surface of the Earth uninhabitable. Phylum is part of a crew of scientific scholars who are the first to venture out of the hatch and explore the surface. And what he finds is something beyond his wildest imagination. Nature and the remaining living organisms have all been mutated by a substance called Catalyst, a byproduct of the Great Contamination, which has made things a little different from how they were remembered in the textbooks.
While on the surface, Phylum encounters a 'human' girl by the name of Canopy, who goes out of her way to show Phylum the surface world and help him with his research leading to a complicated relationship between the two, as they learn more about each other and the different worlds that they come from.
Without giving more of the plot away, I will say that I really enjoyed the complex social classes that exist within the bunker and the internal turmoil that Phylum feels as he is forced to face the reality of the system that serves him so well while threatening the safety and lives of so many others. Watching him grow into his potential and use his social influence for good was a very rewarding experience. The author also does an incredible job of creating characters that you care for, as beyond the main characters I still felt truly invested in the stories and outcomes of the side characters.
The novel is extremely atmospheric in its setting and the descriptions and world building utilised serves to truly immerse the reader in the novel.
The only part I struggled with was the last few chapters, as there is a bit of a time jump that left me feeling a bit disorientated, but I was still interested in the story despite this. The ending left me yearning for the next book to find out more.
Cannot recommend this enough for fans of dystopian novels with otherworldly elements and just a tasteful amount of romance, if you enjoyed movies and shows like 'Avatar' or 'The 100' then this is a must read for you!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
'Human Nature' is a debut novel from author Bonnibelle Angelica and what a successful debut it is! 'Human Nature' follows Phylum Aberro, our male main character and protagonist, who is living in an underground society following a devastating natural disaster 200 years prior to the setting of the novel, that left the surface of the Earth uninhabitable. Phylum is part of a crew of scientific scholars who are the first to venture out of the hatch and explore the surface. And what he finds is something beyond his wildest imagination. Nature and the remaining living organisms have all been mutated by a substance called Catalyst, a byproduct of the Great Contamination, which has made things a little different from how they were remembered in the textbooks.
While on the surface, Phylum encounters a 'human' girl by the name of Canopy, who goes out of her way to show Phylum the surface world and help him with his research leading to a complicated relationship between the two, as they learn more about each other and the different worlds that they come from.
Without giving more of the plot away, I will say that I really enjoyed the complex social classes that exist within the bunker and the internal turmoil that Phylum feels as he is forced to face the reality of the system that serves him so well while threatening the safety and lives of so many others. Watching him grow into his potential and use his social influence for good was a very rewarding experience. The author also does an incredible job of creating characters that you care for, as beyond the main characters I still felt truly invested in the stories and outcomes of the side characters.
The novel is extremely atmospheric in its setting and the descriptions and world building utilised serves to truly immerse the reader in the novel.
The only part I struggled with was the last few chapters, as there is a bit of a time jump that left me feeling a bit disorientated, but I was still interested in the story despite this. The ending left me yearning for the next book to find out more.
Cannot recommend this enough for fans of dystopian novels with otherworldly elements and just a tasteful amount of romance, if you enjoyed movies and shows like 'Avatar' or 'The 100' then this is a must read for you!
October 5, 2025
This book was excellent! It had be gripped from the first chapter. I love a dystopian premise so I knew I was going to enjoy this. Sweet little nerdy Phylum is just the absolute CUTEST MMC I’ve ever read. He is so wholesome and I loved witnessing his development throughout the book and how began to challenge the foundations of the “underground” world he was living in. I loved his dedication to Ashen and ensuring he created a future for her.
Canopy was SO pure and I was obsessed with how witty, smart and talented she was. It was a match made in heaven for Phylum and the slow burn was worth it. They both had such a great story to tell to each other and I CANNOT wait for book two. It ended on such a cliff hanger and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it!
Canopy was SO pure and I was obsessed with how witty, smart and talented she was. It was a match made in heaven for Phylum and the slow burn was worth it. They both had such a great story to tell to each other and I CANNOT wait for book two. It ended on such a cliff hanger and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it!
October 31, 2025
I received an eArc of this book from the author, and I would like to take the time to thank them for this chance.
When I first looked at the Synopsis for this Dystopian Novel/series, I was certainly intrigued, since I have enjoyed Dystopian/Scifi such as The 100, Wayward Pines, The Rain and so on. Thats unfortunately where my interest ends.
This book suffered from lack of description, I honestly couldn't tell you what anyone looked like, what the lab looked like, and even the surface. I found this information on the authors insta page rather than on the actual pages I was reading. The writing felt juvenile for example:
She was just oh-so-threatening with her kitten nose and un-shoed feet. - I'm supposed to believe that the best of society, was put in a bunker, but he doesn't know what BAREFEET/BAREFOOT means?
"STOP! If you touch that you’ll die! Okay... nice meeting you!" - this is the first time our MC meets this cat girl in the forrest. Are we 12?
It was difficult to even understand Ash's story, who is our blind side character. Who some how gets around with no aide? She can't see anything, but knows what a pattern is on clothing on another page? It was a mess.
The romance sub-plot was non existent. The death of characters, was a non event. I was given no time to like them or get to know them, so when they did die it made no difference to me or the story IMO.
I stopped reading at the halfway point because it became unreadable. I was hoping the bunker would re-seal and leave them all down there to die, but that didn't look like that was going to happen so I bounced.
When I first looked at the Synopsis for this Dystopian Novel/series, I was certainly intrigued, since I have enjoyed Dystopian/Scifi such as The 100, Wayward Pines, The Rain and so on. Thats unfortunately where my interest ends.
This book suffered from lack of description, I honestly couldn't tell you what anyone looked like, what the lab looked like, and even the surface. I found this information on the authors insta page rather than on the actual pages I was reading. The writing felt juvenile for example:
She was just oh-so-threatening with her kitten nose and un-shoed feet. - I'm supposed to believe that the best of society, was put in a bunker, but he doesn't know what BAREFEET/BAREFOOT means?
"STOP! If you touch that you’ll die! Okay... nice meeting you!" - this is the first time our MC meets this cat girl in the forrest. Are we 12?
It was difficult to even understand Ash's story, who is our blind side character. Who some how gets around with no aide? She can't see anything, but knows what a pattern is on clothing on another page? It was a mess.
The romance sub-plot was non existent. The death of characters, was a non event. I was given no time to like them or get to know them, so when they did die it made no difference to me or the story IMO.
I stopped reading at the halfway point because it became unreadable. I was hoping the bunker would re-seal and leave them all down there to die, but that didn't look like that was going to happen so I bounced.
October 4, 2025
Many thanks to Bonnibelle Angelica for the chance to read an arc of this book. Those opinions are still my own.
This book follows Phylum, a young adult living underground after a cataclysm plagued Earth 200+ years ago. When he takes a chance to go to the surface, he will make several encounters that will rock his world and the foundation of the society he lives in.
I loved how science was brought and it was really fun imagining the mutations described.
Phylum was a really interesting character. I really loved his growth. He started full of prejudices about the world due to his upbringing, and he grew to a character wanting to do the right thing.
Canopy was really fun to meet and I hope we can have her POV in the next book.
Their relationship was slow to build but that made it that much sweeter. I found myself giggling and kicking my feet at their interactions.
I also really liked the side characters. Elmer was amazing, Ash was the sweetest, Mycelia was intriguing and Pylum's mother was the perfect character to hate with everything I had.
This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, smiled fondly, gasped and cried more than once.
Be careful, this ends on a cliffhanger and I have no idea how I am supposed to go on with my life without knowing what happens next! I cannot wait for book 2!!
This book follows Phylum, a young adult living underground after a cataclysm plagued Earth 200+ years ago. When he takes a chance to go to the surface, he will make several encounters that will rock his world and the foundation of the society he lives in.
I loved how science was brought and it was really fun imagining the mutations described.
Phylum was a really interesting character. I really loved his growth. He started full of prejudices about the world due to his upbringing, and he grew to a character wanting to do the right thing.
Canopy was really fun to meet and I hope we can have her POV in the next book.
Their relationship was slow to build but that made it that much sweeter. I found myself giggling and kicking my feet at their interactions.
I also really liked the side characters. Elmer was amazing, Ash was the sweetest, Mycelia was intriguing and Pylum's mother was the perfect character to hate with everything I had.
This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, smiled fondly, gasped and cried more than once.
Be careful, this ends on a cliffhanger and I have no idea how I am supposed to go on with my life without knowing what happens next! I cannot wait for book 2!!
October 9, 2025
ARC review - 4.5 ⭐️
This was such a cute and cosy, sci-fi/dystopian romance book! The characters, the plot and the world were all so well written that it made you feel like you were there with them.
I really enjoyed learning about the world through Phylum’s perspective. It was interesting to see how the world had changed after the mutation event whilst on their adventures to the surface. His character development was amazing - seeing him understand how different life could be with equality and that happiness and freedom exist. Canopy is such a loveable, carefree person - I feel like I can relate to her jumping between interesting biological species before finishing documentation. Everything on the surface seems so exciting! I appreciated that the romance was slow and blended into the storyline allowing me time to feel how the world had changed in the book from the world we know today. I love sci-fi so this part was super fun for me!
Ash has to be my favourite character, so cute and incredibly intelligent. I wish I could be her friend! She has been through so much at such a young age but has still come out the other side with an optimistic outlook on life, always looking to brighten people’s day. I hope we continue to see more of her in the next book!
This was such a cute and cosy, sci-fi/dystopian romance book! The characters, the plot and the world were all so well written that it made you feel like you were there with them.
I really enjoyed learning about the world through Phylum’s perspective. It was interesting to see how the world had changed after the mutation event whilst on their adventures to the surface. His character development was amazing - seeing him understand how different life could be with equality and that happiness and freedom exist. Canopy is such a loveable, carefree person - I feel like I can relate to her jumping between interesting biological species before finishing documentation. Everything on the surface seems so exciting! I appreciated that the romance was slow and blended into the storyline allowing me time to feel how the world had changed in the book from the world we know today. I love sci-fi so this part was super fun for me!
Ash has to be my favourite character, so cute and incredibly intelligent. I wish I could be her friend! She has been through so much at such a young age but has still come out the other side with an optimistic outlook on life, always looking to brighten people’s day. I hope we continue to see more of her in the next book!
October 3, 2025
✨️ ARC Review ✨️
“𝑩𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝑰’𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒏𝒂ï𝒗𝒆”
* Possible spoilers *
•••
This story was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. While I was hesitant to start reading sci-fi at first because I haven't read dystopian since my teen Hunger Games phase, the book eased into the world-buillding without feeling overwhelming and kept me hooked throughout.
The descriptions of the surface world and the mutated creatures had an air of magic about them, and the two main characters, Phylum and Canopy, reminded me of Milo and Princess Kida from Disney's Atlantis. How can you not root for them?
When Phylum comes to understand his reality in the bunker is not what it seems after experiencing life on the surface, it is very reminiscent of the Parable of the Cave, offering a thought-provoking commentary on society.
To say I was emotionally involved and gut-wrenched in the last third of the book is an understatement. So if you like feeling your feelings, this book is for you!
Recommended for fans of Divergent and the film Snowpiercer.
“𝑩𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝑰’𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒏𝒂ï𝒗𝒆”
* Possible spoilers *
•••
This story was an absolute emotional rollercoaster. While I was hesitant to start reading sci-fi at first because I haven't read dystopian since my teen Hunger Games phase, the book eased into the world-buillding without feeling overwhelming and kept me hooked throughout.
The descriptions of the surface world and the mutated creatures had an air of magic about them, and the two main characters, Phylum and Canopy, reminded me of Milo and Princess Kida from Disney's Atlantis. How can you not root for them?
When Phylum comes to understand his reality in the bunker is not what it seems after experiencing life on the surface, it is very reminiscent of the Parable of the Cave, offering a thought-provoking commentary on society.
To say I was emotionally involved and gut-wrenched in the last third of the book is an understatement. So if you like feeling your feelings, this book is for you!
Recommended for fans of Divergent and the film Snowpiercer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Human Nature is a dystopian sci-fi that had me completely absorbed and left me wanting more.
Phylum, a young biologist from a privileged lineage in this underground world, makes choices that place him at odds with expectations. His path takes him towards the surface, where the story begins to open into questions of survival, belonging, connection, and love.
As the title suggests, this really is a story about human nature. Even when humanity has gone underground to protect itself, the familiar complexities of greed, hierarchy, prejudice, and resilience remain. Phylum stands out as someone determined to carve his own way, even when the cost is uncertain.
I was swept along by themes of discovery, connection, love, desire, found family, and a powerful yearning for freedom and change. The ending left me stunned, aching for more, shaken by an unexpected twist, and immediately needing book two to know what comes next.
I received this book as an ARC; however, all thoughts and opinions are mine and shared voluntarily.
Phylum, a young biologist from a privileged lineage in this underground world, makes choices that place him at odds with expectations. His path takes him towards the surface, where the story begins to open into questions of survival, belonging, connection, and love.
As the title suggests, this really is a story about human nature. Even when humanity has gone underground to protect itself, the familiar complexities of greed, hierarchy, prejudice, and resilience remain. Phylum stands out as someone determined to carve his own way, even when the cost is uncertain.
I was swept along by themes of discovery, connection, love, desire, found family, and a powerful yearning for freedom and change. The ending left me stunned, aching for more, shaken by an unexpected twist, and immediately needing book two to know what comes next.
I received this book as an ARC; however, all thoughts and opinions are mine and shared voluntarily.
September 29, 2025
I received this book as an ARC, and although it’s not my usual genre, I quickly found myself drawn in. At first it took me a moment to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down.
This book made me cry, and the ending left me completely stunned—how can you end a story like that? It reminded me in such a powerful way that there will always be people who believe they are above others simply because of the circumstances they were born into.
I truly hope the author has a sequel planned, because this story cannot end on a cliffhanger like that.
This book made me cry, and the ending left me completely stunned—how can you end a story like that? It reminded me in such a powerful way that there will always be people who believe they are above others simply because of the circumstances they were born into.
I truly hope the author has a sequel planned, because this story cannot end on a cliffhanger like that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews