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A bear, known only as Caver, recounts when his planet was covered in nature and not yet tainted by human touch. Since then, humans have branched out from another world and enveloped his planet. The differences between the two species result in an atmosphere of fear which rips apart the old way of life and enforces the creation of an apparently more civilised one. However, how much will be lost in the process?
35 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 23, 2020
A lesson about the ugly side of humanity? ARRIVAL by Henry Bassett has all the potential in the world to be an excellent novel of awareness and acceptance. I really DO wish there were more to this tale to give it more dimension, to give us background into WHY things are as they have become.
I think there is a wonderful story waiting to come out that would be perfect for young adult/middlegrade readers.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Henry Bassett! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Black Bear Brotherhood - Book 1
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Publisher: Henry Bassett
Genre: Dystopian Short
Print Length: 35 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
I think there is a wonderful story waiting to come out that would be perfect for young adult/middlegrade readers.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Henry Bassett! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: The Black Bear Brotherhood - Book 1
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Publisher: Henry Bassett
Genre: Dystopian Short
Print Length: 35 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 27, 2021
This is a story like no other. It's from the POV of a bear; quite unique!
I think this story fits the world we live in now. The earth is not in it's best state and a lot of nature and wildlife is destroyed and killed by humans. I think this book totally fits that topic.
Review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
Some things were unclear to me, because they are written in the voice of the bear. He would also not know what some things are. It would've been nice if I were able to picture some things better in my head. The choice of words was also quite repetitive.
It was a sad story, a dark story. A story that kinda made me mad, because in this book bears are oppressed by humans. I'm not quite sure if I liked the story. But I also feel like this story wasn't written to be liked and enjoyed.
I think this story fits the world we live in now. The earth is not in it's best state and a lot of nature and wildlife is destroyed and killed by humans. I think this book totally fits that topic.
Review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
Some things were unclear to me, because they are written in the voice of the bear. He would also not know what some things are. It would've been nice if I were able to picture some things better in my head. The choice of words was also quite repetitive.
It was a sad story, a dark story. A story that kinda made me mad, because in this book bears are oppressed by humans. I'm not quite sure if I liked the story. But I also feel like this story wasn't written to be liked and enjoyed.
May 10, 2020
I’m not entirely sure what this book was about, but I do know one thing and that is it has so much potential to be a great read.
I personally felt the book was a little too short with only 35 pages. Although I like what I read I thought the story needed a bit more detail. It needs a bit more background information especially at the beginning as I was quite confused as to what was happening exactly when it started. I feel being the first book in the series it’s important to know a little more background information.
However, I have to say I did like the uniqueness of this short story. It felt simple yet interesting. The descriptions were really well done but there just weren’t enough of them for me.
As I said before this book has so much potential and because of this I’m giving this book A solid 3. I also look forward to reading the other books in the series to see how the story develops and may it may reveal more information as to what is going on.
I personally felt the book was a little too short with only 35 pages. Although I like what I read I thought the story needed a bit more detail. It needs a bit more background information especially at the beginning as I was quite confused as to what was happening exactly when it started. I feel being the first book in the series it’s important to know a little more background information.
However, I have to say I did like the uniqueness of this short story. It felt simple yet interesting. The descriptions were really well done but there just weren’t enough of them for me.
As I said before this book has so much potential and because of this I’m giving this book A solid 3. I also look forward to reading the other books in the series to see how the story develops and may it may reveal more information as to what is going on.
November 13, 2020
This book is my third Henry Bassett read, and I felt like I’d definitely saved the best until last! I felt like this was completely different to the other books I’ve read by this author, but it still possessed the same captivating language and description that drew me into the other books. What’s particularly unusual about this book however, is that it is told from the perspective of a bear rather than a human being, but bears in this story seem to have certain similarities to humans. I have to admit, the first paragraph or two had me feeling dubious, but the more I read, the more this story just seemed to work. I don’t know what it was, but it soon had me addicted once again!
Humans become characters we learn to be cautious of and I found myself really thinking of so many possibilities with this book. It soon becomes a struggle for these bears to stay safe, and their journey to save themselves makes quite an enthralling read. There’s danger and excitement at every turn and this really gripped me from beginning to end. Characters look out for one another too, and the story spreads a message of hope to some degree. I found the whole thing such a great read, with an ending that makes you mull over what the future holds – if you’re looking for something a little bit different or unusual, try this short story and let me know what you think!
You can read my full review over on my blog: https://aquintillionwords.com/2020/11...
Humans become characters we learn to be cautious of and I found myself really thinking of so many possibilities with this book. It soon becomes a struggle for these bears to stay safe, and their journey to save themselves makes quite an enthralling read. There’s danger and excitement at every turn and this really gripped me from beginning to end. Characters look out for one another too, and the story spreads a message of hope to some degree. I found the whole thing such a great read, with an ending that makes you mull over what the future holds – if you’re looking for something a little bit different or unusual, try this short story and let me know what you think!
You can read my full review over on my blog: https://aquintillionwords.com/2020/11...
January 23, 2021
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Arrival is the first story in the series The Black Bear Brotherhood. Although it’s short, it’s interesting. Caver is a bear whose planet is invaded by humans. As he works as their slave, he remembers when they first arrived. Both in the past and currently, some of what Caver sees is confusing, but it’s realistic since it’s from his point of view, and he can’t understand what he calls are our “screeches.”
This is a sad but true look at the way we would probably be perceived if we arrived on a planet. Arrival was too short and left me wanting more. I’m getting ready to read the next installment which is thankfully a little longer.
Arrival is the first story in the series The Black Bear Brotherhood. Although it’s short, it’s interesting. Caver is a bear whose planet is invaded by humans. As he works as their slave, he remembers when they first arrived. Both in the past and currently, some of what Caver sees is confusing, but it’s realistic since it’s from his point of view, and he can’t understand what he calls are our “screeches.”
This is a sad but true look at the way we would probably be perceived if we arrived on a planet. Arrival was too short and left me wanting more. I’m getting ready to read the next installment which is thankfully a little longer.
January 18, 2022
This book confused me at the beginning, but I started to understand what was going on as I got through it. It was super short, but told a good amount of what happened to Caver and his planet. I understood that humans had arrived on his planet and took over the bears. I think it is a great story about losing one's home and everything they know to work for someone that does not appreciate them. I found it strange that the humans made the bears stand on their hind legs, but I guess it was to make them look more like humans. Some of the descriptions were confusing and I could not tell what certain objects were, but it is from the perspective of a bear so I guess it makes sense. I don't know if I am going to continue with this series. The first book just was not that memorable to me.
August 18, 2020
Arrival is a short story that follows a bear known as Caver. The arrival of humans on Caver’s planet brings destruction and slavery of the bears to Caver’s world.
I was excited to read a longer story from Henry. I found the storyline to be imaginative and thought provoking. However, I did feel it was lacking something. Despite it being a short story it could have done with a little more depth. Though this is the first book in the series, I found the ending fell short as it seemed unfinished. I love the book cover and feel it reflects the story inside. I look forward to reading more from Henry Basset.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read a longer story from Henry. I found the storyline to be imaginative and thought provoking. However, I did feel it was lacking something. Despite it being a short story it could have done with a little more depth. Though this is the first book in the series, I found the ending fell short as it seemed unfinished. I love the book cover and feel it reflects the story inside. I look forward to reading more from Henry Basset.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2020
Arrival is a chilling story of humanity and colonization. Human's have taken over and dominated and destroyed the local wildlife and natural resources. Something humans have done for centuries as they explore, this brings a new point of view, one that could easily be translated to colonization here on earth throughout history. But is it really more civilized?
August 22, 2020
Arrival by henry Bassett is a nine-chapter novella about a world of bears that gets invaded by humans.
Arrival is narrated from the first person perspective of Caver, a bear in a world inhabited by bears only – or at least that is what it appears to be because we don't see other animals except the fish that bears hunt and eat.
"I no longer remember my original name; Caver is what they call me and it's one of the few words of theirs that I can process."
The book has many strong aspects that make the reader think. However, there are some downsides as well.
It's interesting to see how bears would look at the sounds people make, their voice, what they carry and what they are doing.
Bassett shows human voices as "screeching" from a bear's perspective. That said, I felt the word "screech" was over used in Arrival.
Once the humans invade the bear planet, they force the bears into slavery and take over their resources, laying waste to their forests.
"Polar bears, in flying eggs, who have deformed and thinned bodies?"
Arrival somehow reminded me of George Orwell's Animal Farm, though on a much smaller and different scale.
As Caver is given an axe and forced to chop off trees, he picks a tree and is surprised by this idea of "choice."
"I chose this tree, it was my choice; what a strange term for this forced and designated activity."
The "big brother" or rather "watchful government eyes" theme is particularly present in Bassett's Arrival. There are different groups of humans and we see everything from Caver's eyes.
"It's the uncertainty that prevents me from being truly at ease with the situation."
Arrival alternates between the present state of bear enslavement and some flashbacks for when the humans first arrived.
Overall, I think Arrival has great potential. The ending isn't amazing but the novella can go much farther.
Overall rating: 2.5 stars
Note: I received a free copy of Arrival from its author Henry Basset in exchange for an honest review. This did not, in any way, influence my review.
Arrival is narrated from the first person perspective of Caver, a bear in a world inhabited by bears only – or at least that is what it appears to be because we don't see other animals except the fish that bears hunt and eat.
"I no longer remember my original name; Caver is what they call me and it's one of the few words of theirs that I can process."
The book has many strong aspects that make the reader think. However, there are some downsides as well.
It's interesting to see how bears would look at the sounds people make, their voice, what they carry and what they are doing.
Bassett shows human voices as "screeching" from a bear's perspective. That said, I felt the word "screech" was over used in Arrival.
Once the humans invade the bear planet, they force the bears into slavery and take over their resources, laying waste to their forests.
"Polar bears, in flying eggs, who have deformed and thinned bodies?"
Arrival somehow reminded me of George Orwell's Animal Farm, though on a much smaller and different scale.
As Caver is given an axe and forced to chop off trees, he picks a tree and is surprised by this idea of "choice."
"I chose this tree, it was my choice; what a strange term for this forced and designated activity."
The "big brother" or rather "watchful government eyes" theme is particularly present in Bassett's Arrival. There are different groups of humans and we see everything from Caver's eyes.
"It's the uncertainty that prevents me from being truly at ease with the situation."
Arrival alternates between the present state of bear enslavement and some flashbacks for when the humans first arrived.
Overall, I think Arrival has great potential. The ending isn't amazing but the novella can go much farther.
Overall rating: 2.5 stars
Note: I received a free copy of Arrival from its author Henry Basset in exchange for an honest review. This did not, in any way, influence my review.
June 5, 2021
I enjoyed the idea of this book, humans taking over animal territory for their own benefit. I did get a bit lost with the characters and their journey. I liked Caver, the main character, and I felt we got to understand his worries of the nature world being destroyed.
This book as very short, if it was longer, we would have got to have seen some background knowledge of the bears and their currently situation in nature. However, I like the idea of this series being about bears and it is very unique.
Being such a short book it was a very quick read and I think the author got their message across to the reader. It was a good start to the book and I am excited to see where the author takes it in the next.
This book as very short, if it was longer, we would have got to have seen some background knowledge of the bears and their currently situation in nature. However, I like the idea of this series being about bears and it is very unique.
Being such a short book it was a very quick read and I think the author got their message across to the reader. It was a good start to the book and I am excited to see where the author takes it in the next.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews