Species

by Yvonne Navarro

A genetically engineered creature that can assume any form, including human, and possesses a ruthless, deadly cunning, matches wits with the scientists who developed it as its seeks to both escape and eliminate its creators. Movie tie-in.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Thriller, Media Tie In, Indonesian Literature

279 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Yvonne Navarro is the author of Concrete Savior, Highborn, AfterAge, deadrush, Final Impact, Mirror Me and a bunch of other books, plus Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels and tie-in novels for Hellboy, Elektra, and others."

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelization of a screenplay by Dennis Feldman for the 1995 science fiction/horror film. It's a pretty good adaptation of the script, which, being primarily an action film, must have been a little on the skimpy side. Navarro narrated a lot of it from Sil's (the alien/human hybrid) perspective, which worked well. The descriptions are a bit overblown at times, but it's a pretty good version overall.

[Hafsa Sabira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scientists have long been trying to set up a communication with the creatures from the outer space (if there is any) and their excitement knows no bound when they receive a DNA code in a signal. Soon, they start working on building a superhuman-like creature which has rapid growth, massive strength and can shape-shift any time. After realizing the danger, the scientists decide to destroy it, but Sil, the genetically engineered creature manages to escape while leaving behind piles of dead bodies. As Sil turns into a woman from a child in a 24-hour time span, she can't wait to mate and bring a new creature on earth. A group of specialists from different job sectors are gathered to stop Sil. While humankind is in utter danger, they must stop Sil at any cost, even if that means bloodshed.

[Leo Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an breathing novelization of the film. I was a huge fan of the story within the film, (watched it at a pretty young age), then some years later I saw it on a bookshelf.
I absolutely adored the writing that was done.
I loved this.

[Elijah Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Just a great, simple story. Yes there's bits where you go "why did they do that" or "Just do this and you'll be fine" but if you just surrender to the story it's fine. The ending was a bit meh but didn't ruin the book. The changing perspectives and storylines between the hunters and Sil was awesome and kept you engaged. Overall a good, classic 90's Sci-fi book. Off to watch the movie!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent movie tie in for the old sci fi film Species. I enjoyed the philosophical discussion about the motivations of the alien hybrid Sil. Remember she was half human DNA, and the question is raised as to whether her nasty side was the Alien DNA or the Human. It makes you stop and think for a second. Sometimes deep issues are found in trivial fiction.

[Jina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book adaptions of movies/games/tv series etc are always a bit of a hit or miss. In this case, the book was alright, although there were some changes in plot details from what I remember of the movie. It was interesting to get into Sil's head, but I feel like more could have been done to add to the story. Overall, I have the same feeling I typically get when I read one a cheesey 80s teen novel.

[Natasja Volckaerts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't seen the movie, but I feel like this is a case where the movie is probably better than the book? I had a hard time imagening the alien side of Sil. Tentacles, see through skin, shark teeth? Also, I'm not a scientist, so I had to read the part about the DNA stuff three times before it made kinda sense? But towards the end it became a page turner.

[Tardisgirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Dutch translation was soooo bad. I can't say if the writing in general was bad, or just the translation. Typos, weird sentences, odd choices for certain words in the translation,.. etc.
It also really read like the book it is ; a book based on a 90s movie script.
I haven't seen the movie yet. But I can only imagine that it'll be better than the book.

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a novelisation of the movie, it can really only be as good as the movie at best. Thankfully, it is. Just a shame the movie wasn't all that great.
This fleshes out the characters and settings nicely and gives a more coherent story as a whole.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

what’s fun about this novelization is that ALL the details are different

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

the scientists were exceptionally stupid to the point it pissed me off

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is a bit hard to follow, and the plot is kind of boiler plate. It can be a fun read once you get into it though.

[আহসানুল শোভন · Rating 2 out of 5]

গোপন ল্যাবরেটরিতে জেনেটিক্যাল ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিঙের মাধ্যমে একটা প্রাণী তৈরি করা হয়েছে, যেটা ইচ্ছে করলে কোন আকৃতি নিতে পারে। এমনকি মানুষের মতও। গবেষণাগারের কঠিন ব্যূহ ভেদ করে সে পালায়। তাকে ধরতে ডেকে পাঠানো হয় দেশের বিভিন্ন প্রান্ত থেকে এক্সপার্টদের। প্রাণীটা একটা সুন্দরী মেয়ের আকার নিয়ে পালিয়ে বেড়াচ্ছে। সে এখন তার বংশ বৃদ্ধি করতে চায়।

অতটা ভাল লাগেনি। তাছাড়া বইটা পড়ার আগেই মুভিটা দেখে ফেলায় পড়ার মজা নষ্ট হয়ে গেছে। তবে পুরো বইতেই টান টান উত্তেজনা বিরাজ করছিল। মুভিটা যারা দেখেননি, তারা বইটা পড়ে মজা পাবেন।

[Anna Vy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book received a rating of 3.5.
This novel was pretty decent. Very descriptive and entertaining. It's a new kind of book I've read this year. There aren't much character development though. There was plenty of adventure, action, and gruesome crime scenes. Worth the read. It was pretty easy to get through.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if the movie was based on this book, or the other way around, but the writing was not great. A lot of the book was in the head of the alien, which was kind of bizarre (hearing about her needs to mate as a two-day-old creature, etc).

[Ernesto I. Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it more than the movie, both because you got Sil's perspective so you know more of what she is thinking, feeling and what is happening around her, but also because you get a better feeling on the characters than the movie would ever be able to do.

[Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really just a dry and humdrum of a novelization much like the movie. It's also just not all that incredibly well written either. I think the most prolific part as showing ability to write is when Fitch gets it.

[Kim]

Can't wait to read the next one. Really enjoyed the book!