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The Colonists #1
Now We Are Animals
What would you do if the human race suddenly got deposed by a higher species who set about colonising our planet, eradicating all semblance of our culture, and farming us like cattle?
Set in a dystopian near-future Now We Are Animals takes the form of a pair of journals written by Cara contrasting her isolated existence as a pet, with her traumatic experiences from a year earlier, when the normality of her life as an A Level English student was swept away by the arrival of the Colonists.
The journals capture how Cara’s feelings of resignation turn first to resentment and then to resistance, the very act of writing awakening in her the human creativity that the Colonists have sought to suppress. Cara herself is no natural rebel, just a normal teenager with all that that entails, but in her exciting, funny and at times moving commentary on her plight, we are reminded why humanity might just be worth saving...
A brilliant new novel from the author of The Collaborators and The Second Best Man which will change the way you think about animals – and each other – forever.
Set in a dystopian near-future Now We Are Animals takes the form of a pair of journals written by Cara contrasting her isolated existence as a pet, with her traumatic experiences from a year earlier, when the normality of her life as an A Level English student was swept away by the arrival of the Colonists.
The journals capture how Cara’s feelings of resignation turn first to resentment and then to resistance, the very act of writing awakening in her the human creativity that the Colonists have sought to suppress. Cara herself is no natural rebel, just a normal teenager with all that that entails, but in her exciting, funny and at times moving commentary on her plight, we are reminded why humanity might just be worth saving...
A brilliant new novel from the author of The Collaborators and The Second Best Man which will change the way you think about animals – and each other – forever.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2021
326 people are currently reading
943 people want to read
About the author
R.P. Nathan
6 books31 followersR P Nathan is an author and astronomer who has been writing fiction for all ages for over 30 years. He is best known for ground-breaking YA novel "Now We Are Animals"; historical mystery "A Richer Dust Concealed"; exquisite literary thriller "The Collaborators"; and hilarious romantic comedy "The Second Best Man".
You can read more about these books and more at his website, rpnathan.com
You can read more about these books and more at his website, rpnathan.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 15, 2022
I was just a typical sixteen-year-old from North London, when The Colonists arrived and turned our world upside down. They were so beautiful to look at, but They killed all the adults and most of the boys, and farmed us girls like cattle. A year on, I’m being kept as a pet by my teenage Colonist owner, Aggie. I’m safe for the moment, but I’ve been torn from my friends and family and had horrific experiences along the way…
It’s enough to get anyone down. But even though I’m locked in a cage and treated like an animal, They haven’t broken me. Somehow, I’ll escape and turn this around: not just for me, but for all of us.
My name’s Carabel Caffarelli from Highbury in England. And I’m about to show The Colonists what being human is all about.
I fricking loved this!!!! Now… I am not one for dystopian/sci-fi novels, but this one was done in such a unique and imaginative way that I couldn’t put it down.
Told from the perspective of Carabel (a colonised human) the story unfolds in an almost epistolary style jumping between the timelines of Carabel’s current life and ‘before’ all the while unfolding the mystery of the ‘Colonists’ and the horror of their enslavement of the human race on Earth.
The story is filled with danger and emotion and touches on topics of the meat industry, friendship, colonisation, slavery and the environment not only making this story a great read but also topical and educational as throughout its narrative it challenges its readers to contemplate and rethink their world views.
I really enjoyed this book and I am glad it’s the start of a series because I am hungry for more!
It’s enough to get anyone down. But even though I’m locked in a cage and treated like an animal, They haven’t broken me. Somehow, I’ll escape and turn this around: not just for me, but for all of us.
My name’s Carabel Caffarelli from Highbury in England. And I’m about to show The Colonists what being human is all about.
I fricking loved this!!!! Now… I am not one for dystopian/sci-fi novels, but this one was done in such a unique and imaginative way that I couldn’t put it down.
Told from the perspective of Carabel (a colonised human) the story unfolds in an almost epistolary style jumping between the timelines of Carabel’s current life and ‘before’ all the while unfolding the mystery of the ‘Colonists’ and the horror of their enslavement of the human race on Earth.
The story is filled with danger and emotion and touches on topics of the meat industry, friendship, colonisation, slavery and the environment not only making this story a great read but also topical and educational as throughout its narrative it challenges its readers to contemplate and rethink their world views.
I really enjoyed this book and I am glad it’s the start of a series because I am hungry for more!
December 26, 2021
An enjoyable narrative that I think secondary students will warm to easily. The protagonist is relatable for teenagers with common traits for most. Very much a YA Brave New World x The Handmaid’s Tale with many literary references that will hopefully encourage the younger generation to pick up a classic. I think they’d look forward to a sequel and to read more about the future of Cara and what survival might look like. A little obvious at times but in a reassuring way.
Read via NetGalley.
Read via NetGalley.
May 5, 2023
Very much enjoyed this novel, it was easy to read enough that it got me out of my slight reading slump, but it was also so interesting that I kept wanting to pick it up.
I really enjoyed the way the novel was written, as 2 separate journals written by a human, Cara, 1 secret and 1 that she shares with her owner (one of the colonists).
I can't tell if this novel is trying to make a case for veganism, but if it is I don't think it's very effective... Saying that as a vegan.
Overall the main character was very relatable and likable. I wish there was more writing near the end though, the buildup was very very very long and then suddenly the pace was so fast. Wanted a much longer epilogue.
brb reading everything else R.P. Nathan has ever written!!
I really enjoyed the way the novel was written, as 2 separate journals written by a human, Cara, 1 secret and 1 that she shares with her owner (one of the colonists).
I can't tell if this novel is trying to make a case for veganism, but if it is I don't think it's very effective... Saying that as a vegan.
Overall the main character was very relatable and likable. I wish there was more writing near the end though, the buildup was very very very long and then suddenly the pace was so fast. Wanted a much longer epilogue.
brb reading everything else R.P. Nathan has ever written!!
August 26, 2023
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my review.
In an unspecified time that feels similar to our 2021, aliens invade Earth. Some humans are kept for amusement and others are mysteriously whisked away. .
The book begins and ends in a frame. The beginning seems in medius rex with a section about Carabel Caffarelli, an English school girl, being soothed by her alien “owner.” Carabel had just awakened from a nightmare where her best friend from school was being lead to the slaughterhouse. Within the book, it’s uncertain exactly when this episode occurs or if it’s a type of hallucination.
But by means of a court document (set in courier type), it immediately becomes clear that this book will be the presentation of evidence for a trial. The evidence is comprised of two journals that Carabel has filled up while under the ownership of a strangely fawning alien girl.
This novel may be read as a parable about the historical colonization and subjugation of native populations or as a literal entreaty on the behalf of animals and veganism or even a metaphor about the blind eye of othering. And for those who like puzzles, there are lots of brief allusions to literary figures and even a numbers puzzle for the mathematically mind.
On the other hand, the book is a bit awkward. There are incongruities like the aliens having left a sloppy plastic bag of trash, untied, in the open. Plastic trash bags? Land fill fodder? And this is after they have tidily solved our global warming and plastics crisis in months—even while while taking over our houses and throwing out everything. They’re fairly neat and minimalistic. That “sluicy” bag of trash doesn’t belong.
The aliens seemed a strangely elaborate construct with features that don’t fit in the story. (Chekhov’s gun?) Their behavior is inconsistent and unbelievable, as well as their allergy to lies and cognitive dissonance. I liked the brainwashing mantra, but I think terms and ideas regarding thinking, imagination, and creativity get muddled.
Even though the book’s little uneven and obvious, I cared about the characters and I was interested in the message the author was aiming for, and I’d like to read the sequel. I’d also like to read those earlier books by the author featuring interactions between people and maybe some nonfiction, too—but no more aliens, please.
In an unspecified time that feels similar to our 2021, aliens invade Earth. Some humans are kept for amusement and others are mysteriously whisked away. .
The book begins and ends in a frame. The beginning seems in medius rex with a section about Carabel Caffarelli, an English school girl, being soothed by her alien “owner.” Carabel had just awakened from a nightmare where her best friend from school was being lead to the slaughterhouse. Within the book, it’s uncertain exactly when this episode occurs or if it’s a type of hallucination.
But by means of a court document (set in courier type), it immediately becomes clear that this book will be the presentation of evidence for a trial. The evidence is comprised of two journals that Carabel has filled up while under the ownership of a strangely fawning alien girl.
This novel may be read as a parable about the historical colonization and subjugation of native populations or as a literal entreaty on the behalf of animals and veganism or even a metaphor about the blind eye of othering. And for those who like puzzles, there are lots of brief allusions to literary figures and even a numbers puzzle for the mathematically mind.
On the other hand, the book is a bit awkward. There are incongruities like the aliens having left a sloppy plastic bag of trash, untied, in the open. Plastic trash bags? Land fill fodder? And this is after they have tidily solved our global warming and plastics crisis in months—even while while taking over our houses and throwing out everything. They’re fairly neat and minimalistic. That “sluicy” bag of trash doesn’t belong.
The aliens seemed a strangely elaborate construct with features that don’t fit in the story. (Chekhov’s gun?) Their behavior is inconsistent and unbelievable, as well as their allergy to lies and cognitive dissonance. I liked the brainwashing mantra, but I think terms and ideas regarding thinking, imagination, and creativity get muddled.
Even though the book’s little uneven and obvious, I cared about the characters and I was interested in the message the author was aiming for, and I’d like to read the sequel. I’d also like to read those earlier books by the author featuring interactions between people and maybe some nonfiction, too—but no more aliens, please.
June 20, 2024
Interesting YA dystopia story! Really thought-provoking read!
February 3, 2024
In the description, it says that this book is the 1st in the series, and I am so happy I read this for the first time in 2024, the year the second book is due to come out.
This was so unbelievably well-developed in all aspects. The world building, character development, dialogue, and format of the book was superb.
I think all adults who read are in some part trying to chase the high and nostalgia of discovering books at a young age. Becoming all-consumed with a story and not wanting to put it down because it has truly transported your mind to that place. This did just that and I am so excited to not only read the second, but also re-read the first to analyze the novel from the perspective that the ending provides.
Five stars!!!
This was so unbelievably well-developed in all aspects. The world building, character development, dialogue, and format of the book was superb.
I think all adults who read are in some part trying to chase the high and nostalgia of discovering books at a young age. Becoming all-consumed with a story and not wanting to put it down because it has truly transported your mind to that place. This did just that and I am so excited to not only read the second, but also re-read the first to analyze the novel from the perspective that the ending provides.
Five stars!!!
January 21, 2022
Overall an entertaining story. I liked the plot and the comparison to farm animals, but I wasn't too fond of the characters and at times the pacing was a tad slow.
August 29, 2022
Now We Are Animals is an intriguing exploration into the power dynamics of the human species with the world around them, and poses the age-old question “How would you feel if it happened to you?” in a highly original and cleverly-executed way.
It delves into existential ideas of what, if anything, makes us human, and through a dystopian world lays bare humankind’s hypocrisies with regard to its treatment of fellow animals. It pays direct homage to classic works of literature, while the teenage narration means it is consistently accessible for its target readership.
Its diverse and inclusive cast of characters gives it an irrefutably modern feel, while the story itself will surely resonate for future generations of teenagers as well, especially as society grows increasingly aware of its fragile and volatile position in the natural world.
The challenge of deciphering the numbering system used by the alien species is an added bonus!
It delves into existential ideas of what, if anything, makes us human, and through a dystopian world lays bare humankind’s hypocrisies with regard to its treatment of fellow animals. It pays direct homage to classic works of literature, while the teenage narration means it is consistently accessible for its target readership.
Its diverse and inclusive cast of characters gives it an irrefutably modern feel, while the story itself will surely resonate for future generations of teenagers as well, especially as society grows increasingly aware of its fragile and volatile position in the natural world.
The challenge of deciphering the numbering system used by the alien species is an added bonus!
January 27, 2022
Now we are animals is a sci-fi novel telling the story of an alien invasion. Told like this, it seems classical but it was actually more complex than that.
Without the 'alien' bit, I would say that the book is actually a dystopia dealing with human responsibility.
The story was masterfully told and built. There was this tension that stays with you as you keep reading the story of the main characters. It had a "Handmaid's tale" feel as well, with the diary-like narrative.
I strongly recommend this novel to all lovers of the genre. It is disturbing enough to make you think and reconsider a lot of things.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Without the 'alien' bit, I would say that the book is actually a dystopia dealing with human responsibility.
The story was masterfully told and built. There was this tension that stays with you as you keep reading the story of the main characters. It had a "Handmaid's tale" feel as well, with the diary-like narrative.
I strongly recommend this novel to all lovers of the genre. It is disturbing enough to make you think and reconsider a lot of things.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 20, 2023
Nearly two years ago, I became a vegan overnight. Rather than slowly change my eating habits, I watched a documentary and that was it. My health was the largest reason but the longer I've stayed a vegan, the more the other reasons also resonate with me: environmental and for the animals. The author put into words what I have struggled to convey in conversations with family/friends who are not vegan. "When we used to treat a bunch of animals like a crop, like food, that's when we chose to see them as inferior". I almost wished this dystopian book was a reality. When will the tables turn and will we as a human species be proud of the way we have lived our lives thus far? I'm so looking forward to the next book, due later this year!
February 19, 2025
4.5
Gripping, well written and thought provoking! Such a different book to what I would usually read but I enjoyed it. Reminded me of both ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Vox’ in different ways. A proper dystopian read with twists and turns. My only negatives were the lack of some character development (too many characters?) and sometimes it felt slightly “preaching” when it came to eating meat/treatment of animals. That being said, an excellent read and I would read the next one to see what happens next!
Gripping, well written and thought provoking! Such a different book to what I would usually read but I enjoyed it. Reminded me of both ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Vox’ in different ways. A proper dystopian read with twists and turns. My only negatives were the lack of some character development (too many characters?) and sometimes it felt slightly “preaching” when it came to eating meat/treatment of animals. That being said, an excellent read and I would read the next one to see what happens next!
December 2, 2025
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!! I have not tore through a book that fast since I was 12 reading the Hunger Games. Now 26, and even though I am nowhere near the age of our protagonist I still found so much connection. I LOVED picking out the literary references. The book is fast paced - perfect for someone with limited attention span (like myself). This book needs more recognition. I cannot wait to read the second one.
February 13, 2022
Thank you to @NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Cassiopeia Contemporary for this review copy
‘The Mantra is:
Colonists are intelligent,
Colonists are creative,
I am not a Colonist.
Animals are not intelligent,
Animals are not creative,
I am just an animal.’
P. R. Nathan is known for writing a variety of genres, from historical mystery thrillers to romantic comedy, Nathan dips his pen into different realms with some evident success. His latest novel, Now We Are Animals, is a dystopian Young Adult Fiction novel, exploring concepts of humanism and constructed social hierarchies whilst confronting human treatment of animals in a disturbing, unique, and creative way. Nathan’s writing is comfortable and familiar, to help the reader connect with the narrative voice and get into the mind set of Carabel Caffarelli. Promptly you find yourself in Cara’s day to day life, seeing what she sees and feeling how to she feels about They.
‘But that was me safely in the apartment with my new family. With my new owners.’
Cara is a seventeen-year-old Italian girl who lives in London. The story begins with her writing in her journal. At first this feels like an ordinary and perhaps stereotypical trope of Young Adult Fiction, until your expectations are promptly disrupted as you realise Cara is captive to someone who is described in human terms… but we quickly realise They might not be.
‘The Mantra is:
Colonists are intelligent,
Colonists are creative,
I am not a Colonist.
Animals are not intelligent,
Animals are not creative,
I am just an animal.’
P. R. Nathan is known for writing a variety of genres, from historical mystery thrillers to romantic comedy, Nathan dips his pen into different realms with some evident success. His latest novel, Now We Are Animals, is a dystopian Young Adult Fiction novel, exploring concepts of humanism and constructed social hierarchies whilst confronting human treatment of animals in a disturbing, unique, and creative way. Nathan’s writing is comfortable and familiar, to help the reader connect with the narrative voice and get into the mind set of Carabel Caffarelli. Promptly you find yourself in Cara’s day to day life, seeing what she sees and feeling how to she feels about They.
‘But that was me safely in the apartment with my new family. With my new owners.’
Cara is a seventeen-year-old Italian girl who lives in London. The story begins with her writing in her journal. At first this feels like an ordinary and perhaps stereotypical trope of Young Adult Fiction, until your expectations are promptly disrupted as you realise Cara is captive to someone who is described in human terms… but we quickly realise They might not be.
July 15, 2024
Very enjoyable read.. as a vegan I found this book extremely interesting… I’ll definitely be recommending to carnist friends! Not just YA, easily appeals to older generation too
May 2, 2022
Fabulous Young Adult Read
I am a sixth grade English teacher and loved this novel. Just a touch controversial!! Modern literature at it’s finest.
I am a sixth grade English teacher and loved this novel. Just a touch controversial!! Modern literature at it’s finest.
May 4, 2023
The book is well written and an engaging, fast read. It's even entertaining.
But there are definite flaws.
The author attempts to draw a moral equivalence between how we humans treat animals and pets and the way his "Colonists" treat us when they arrive (No Spoilers), and to be perfectly honest, there's an awful lot of moralizing in this book... one might call it "preaching". It makes certain parts of the book.shall we say, annoying if you don't agree with his premise.
But to be blunt, his Colonists engage in what to me, assuming they actually *are* superior creatures, some pretty severe Cognitive Dissonance in order to justify how they treat humans. One Colonist (admittedly a juvenile, but one can draw inference from the story that this is what the young are taught) draws that exact parallel. "We are justified in treating you humans like animals because we are superior, and X is how you treat *your* inferior animals."
The Colonists go so far as to deny that humans have any creativity of their own, i.e., incapable of creating art, literature, etc., going so far as to insist we "stole" it because we "are just animals, and animals are not creative." But when they arrived they *literally gathered up and burned* all evidence of human art and literature. When presented with , for example, a human-written poem, they preform the equivalent of a child sticking their fingers in their ears and screaming so they can't hear, and become enraged. They call all our books mere "recordings of fact", but ignore all *recorded* progress that has been made over centuries toward becoming better as a people.
It begs the question as to whether the Colonists are really any kind of Superior beings, or whether they just have certain abilities we don't.
In any event, I wonder if the author *really* thinks humanity would, on discovering a non-human species that can literally *talk* to us (literal two-way communication) as a source of the resources the Colonists use us for in the book. And if he thinks that we would go to such cognitive lengths to convince ourselves it was "okay" to use them in that way.
But there are definite flaws.
The author attempts to draw a moral equivalence between how we humans treat animals and pets and the way his "Colonists" treat us when they arrive (No Spoilers), and to be perfectly honest, there's an awful lot of moralizing in this book... one might call it "preaching". It makes certain parts of the book.shall we say, annoying if you don't agree with his premise.
But to be blunt, his Colonists engage in what to me, assuming they actually *are* superior creatures, some pretty severe Cognitive Dissonance in order to justify how they treat humans. One Colonist (admittedly a juvenile, but one can draw inference from the story that this is what the young are taught) draws that exact parallel. "We are justified in treating you humans like animals because we are superior, and X is how you treat *your* inferior animals."
The Colonists go so far as to deny that humans have any creativity of their own, i.e., incapable of creating art, literature, etc., going so far as to insist we "stole" it because we "are just animals, and animals are not creative." But when they arrived they *literally gathered up and burned* all evidence of human art and literature. When presented with , for example, a human-written poem, they preform the equivalent of a child sticking their fingers in their ears and screaming so they can't hear, and become enraged. They call all our books mere "recordings of fact", but ignore all *recorded* progress that has been made over centuries toward becoming better as a people.
It begs the question as to whether the Colonists are really any kind of Superior beings, or whether they just have certain abilities we don't.
In any event, I wonder if the author *really* thinks humanity would, on discovering a non-human species that can literally *talk* to us (literal two-way communication) as a source of the resources the Colonists use us for in the book. And if he thinks that we would go to such cognitive lengths to convince ourselves it was "okay" to use them in that way.
December 8, 2023
I'm not a young adult,not by any stretch of the imagination, and while this book is labeled young adult, can honestly say it's for anybody, and it was certainly a book for me. I was instantly enthralled with with the tale, and when I finished, I was heartbroken to find out that there wasn't a sequel. There are a lot of good dystopian stories out there, and there are some great ones. For me, Now We Are Animals is one of the great ones.
September 13, 2023
Woke crap.
October 24, 2024
Very thought provoking, and tense throughout!
January 3, 2023
[On this and subsequent pages certain words were blacked out due to their neurohazardous nature.]
Hm. Not what I expected. Not from the promo blurbs and not from the reviews I read either. And to be blunt, I feel like my rating is extremely generous. It certainly has done nothing to bring me back to picking out YA books along with my other selections. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Seeing things from a human perspective is fascinating.
Look, the concept for "Now We Are Animals" is not bad but there is very little to latch on to beyond that. You will have to appreciate and accept that there is hardly any action and hardly any growth of the main characters (either in current time or during flashbacks). We spend most of our time either reflecting back to the first days They arrived (ye gods, the capitalized pronouns got annoying as heck!) or stuck in young Cara's mind. Though I will confess, it did speak to my scifi likes as being a much more realistic alien invasion story-line than a lot of them out there. But only just.
Who were They? What did They want?
I even kept thinking 'hey, this would have made a good Star Trek episode' but with the caveat that it was the original series and the time allotted would definitely need to include commercials as well. Oh and Kirk would have to worry about make-up and having a crush on boys for a change. I mean, don't get me wrong: I think there is a HUGE target audience for a book like this and the book itself is not poorly written. But at the same time, I can't help but honestly confess it became tedious and often outright boring in stretches. Even when more and more details are shared about the Colonists, and most of those well into the book, I found myself no longer fully invested, waiting for the inevitable to hurry up and just happen.
The blond man, impossibly well sculpted, was still coming towards me like some bizarrely attractive zombie.
Sure, I did my best to recognize the nods to George Orwell's "Animal Farm" or even if you prefer Pink Floyd's classic album "Animals" (you'd have to be unconscious not to notice same), but even the requisite bullies-slash-pigs felt clichéd at best. And yes, an appreciation for what man has done to man - or beasts or the environment or … - throughout the ages must be acknowledged and deeply felt as well. However, there were so so SO!!! many short choppy chapters - almost ridiculously so - reflecting the young mind telling us this story as her thoughts flit around like a hungry bird or playful kitten that a lot of the "seriousness" of the situation is diluted at best. Honestly, a lot of it didn't even strike me as being sophisticated enough to be considered fully Young Adult - certainly nothing close to the level of a V.E.Schwab or Mira Grant (yes, I know who she is!) - and more than a little of the prose was in my eyes what an even younger audience without adding the adult qualifier after that would prefer.
Fascinating. It actually believes it is intelligent.
And let's face it: this is really a book about girls for girls. And vegans. Or maybe vegetarians is good enough, I don't know how those are exactly divided up to be honest. Nothing wrong of course if you want to read something like that, but for a nearly 60-year old man who prefers a bit of gun/laser-play to pining for boys and/or girls and decent shampoo products, well… Plus, if you're curious, there's also a small amount of LBGT+ focus but this felt at best forced, with little to nothing gained by having any characters identify as such or even 'come out' along the way. I don't mind this inclusion at all - goodness knows TJ.Klune has grown to be one of my favorite authors the past few years - but when it feels like it's added to be added to ONLY satisfy and gain specific readers, well… A minor point but still.
You can’t suppress us. Because we are human. We are inventive. We are wonderful.
Look, this book was not MY taste, fine. Again, it's not badly written but it wasn't a style I like, which is again, fine. I read it to see if it would recharge my own interest in the YA genre and it didn't. No biggie. But you? Gosh, you might enjoy the hell out of this and yes, I could even see it being optioned for a streaming series some day. Like Hannah Montana crossed with Falling Skies (or whatever they watch in Great Britain). Neither necessarily classics but to be fair they held their own for more than a few seasons (and goodness knows we bought enough HM merchandise for our daughter!) in their respective demographics. That's what I'll wind up taking away from "Now We Are Animals"!
Singing is fine. Birds sing. It’s an animal thing so there’s no reason why humans can’t. But you’re no more capable of proper music than you are poetry.
I hope you enjoy it! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm craving a double bacon cheeseburger, ya filthy animals… hee hee…
Hm. Not what I expected. Not from the promo blurbs and not from the reviews I read either. And to be blunt, I feel like my rating is extremely generous. It certainly has done nothing to bring me back to picking out YA books along with my other selections. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Seeing things from a human perspective is fascinating.
Look, the concept for "Now We Are Animals" is not bad but there is very little to latch on to beyond that. You will have to appreciate and accept that there is hardly any action and hardly any growth of the main characters (either in current time or during flashbacks). We spend most of our time either reflecting back to the first days They arrived (ye gods, the capitalized pronouns got annoying as heck!) or stuck in young Cara's mind. Though I will confess, it did speak to my scifi likes as being a much more realistic alien invasion story-line than a lot of them out there. But only just.
Who were They? What did They want?
I even kept thinking 'hey, this would have made a good Star Trek episode' but with the caveat that it was the original series and the time allotted would definitely need to include commercials as well. Oh and Kirk would have to worry about make-up and having a crush on boys for a change. I mean, don't get me wrong: I think there is a HUGE target audience for a book like this and the book itself is not poorly written. But at the same time, I can't help but honestly confess it became tedious and often outright boring in stretches. Even when more and more details are shared about the Colonists, and most of those well into the book, I found myself no longer fully invested, waiting for the inevitable to hurry up and just happen.
The blond man, impossibly well sculpted, was still coming towards me like some bizarrely attractive zombie.
Sure, I did my best to recognize the nods to George Orwell's "Animal Farm" or even if you prefer Pink Floyd's classic album "Animals" (you'd have to be unconscious not to notice same), but even the requisite bullies-slash-pigs felt clichéd at best. And yes, an appreciation for what man has done to man - or beasts or the environment or … - throughout the ages must be acknowledged and deeply felt as well. However, there were so so SO!!! many short choppy chapters - almost ridiculously so - reflecting the young mind telling us this story as her thoughts flit around like a hungry bird or playful kitten that a lot of the "seriousness" of the situation is diluted at best. Honestly, a lot of it didn't even strike me as being sophisticated enough to be considered fully Young Adult - certainly nothing close to the level of a V.E.Schwab or Mira Grant (yes, I know who she is!) - and more than a little of the prose was in my eyes what an even younger audience without adding the adult qualifier after that would prefer.
Fascinating. It actually believes it is intelligent.
And let's face it: this is really a book about girls for girls. And vegans. Or maybe vegetarians is good enough, I don't know how those are exactly divided up to be honest. Nothing wrong of course if you want to read something like that, but for a nearly 60-year old man who prefers a bit of gun/laser-play to pining for boys and/or girls and decent shampoo products, well… Plus, if you're curious, there's also a small amount of LBGT+ focus but this felt at best forced, with little to nothing gained by having any characters identify as such or even 'come out' along the way. I don't mind this inclusion at all - goodness knows TJ.Klune has grown to be one of my favorite authors the past few years - but when it feels like it's added to be added to ONLY satisfy and gain specific readers, well… A minor point but still.
You can’t suppress us. Because we are human. We are inventive. We are wonderful.
Look, this book was not MY taste, fine. Again, it's not badly written but it wasn't a style I like, which is again, fine. I read it to see if it would recharge my own interest in the YA genre and it didn't. No biggie. But you? Gosh, you might enjoy the hell out of this and yes, I could even see it being optioned for a streaming series some day. Like Hannah Montana crossed with Falling Skies (or whatever they watch in Great Britain). Neither necessarily classics but to be fair they held their own for more than a few seasons (and goodness knows we bought enough HM merchandise for our daughter!) in their respective demographics. That's what I'll wind up taking away from "Now We Are Animals"!
Singing is fine. Birds sing. It’s an animal thing so there’s no reason why humans can’t. But you’re no more capable of proper music than you are poetry.
I hope you enjoy it! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm craving a double bacon cheeseburger, ya filthy animals… hee hee…
December 20, 2025
The Vegan Teacher would love this book, and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. It made me a little bit more glad I’m a vegetarian, although I think it lost a little bit of the punch in maintaining a rather positive, warm tone and only barely touching on the surface of basically every horrific part of the industrial farming system.
Ultimately, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and I have a feeling that I will be disappointed if I continue the series, so I will leave it here.
** spoilers below **
Ultimately, I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and I have a feeling that I will be disappointed if I continue the series, so I will leave it here.
** spoilers below **
January 24, 2022
Cara has plans to go with her girlfriends to go shopping after school. Cara and her friends don’t make it, they are prisoners of aliens from outer space. The boys and the girls are separated in two groups. The boys appeared to be killed as they have all fallen and are not getting up. The girls are told to keep walking. The girls are separated and put in buildings to sleep in. There is no furniture, only wooden pens awith straw on the floor to sleep on. They are told that they are to use their pens as their quarters including their “toilets.” As time slowly passes, individual girls are taken and don’t come back. What has happened to them? Cara has an opportunity to escape which she does but doesn’t know where to go. She is then found by an alien girl and her parents. They take her to their home due to their daughter’s pleading. They let their daughter keep Cara as a pet. Cara can’t believe that she is a pet. What will Cara do? Will she survive as a pet? Will she escape?
In this science fiction novel, I was amazed to see such an easily invasion of aliens unknown by earth’s population. It was amazing how the aliens treated the humans. Cara keeps a secret diary with her dangerous thoughts. The aliens have complete control over the nation under a totalitarian state. The world falls under the control of the aliens. Cara’s life has become a twisted, cruel world where every movement, word and breath is scrutinised by an omnipotent, omnipresent power that no one can stop, or even oppose without the fear of death. I think the book highlights the importance of resisting mass control and oppression.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
In this science fiction novel, I was amazed to see such an easily invasion of aliens unknown by earth’s population. It was amazing how the aliens treated the humans. Cara keeps a secret diary with her dangerous thoughts. The aliens have complete control over the nation under a totalitarian state. The world falls under the control of the aliens. Cara’s life has become a twisted, cruel world where every movement, word and breath is scrutinised by an omnipotent, omnipresent power that no one can stop, or even oppose without the fear of death. I think the book highlights the importance of resisting mass control and oppression.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
March 18, 2024
While I applaud the author’s recognition and questioning of anthropocentrism, I was exceptionally disappointed in the book’s redundancy, lack of in-depth character development, and overall desperate need for editing.
Good Reads only provides a five star rating system; however, in order to provide an accurate score, decimals are absolutely necessary. Sadly, I would have to give the writing of this book two stars or 2.5 at best. This saddens me as many of the messages are exceptionally important, especially for a young adult or young reader (actually, for any age reader), and so for that reason alone, I wanted to give the book a higher score—more like a 3.75.
I wish we could provide more accurate individual scores such as for style, vocabulary, etc. (And, if wishes were horses…). Alas, with the current rating system in mind, and with a bit of regret, I’m giving the overall text three stars.
Nathan’s comparison of humans to animals—as envisaged by the main character through her own treatment as “animal” by her “superior “ captors— is slowly unraveled in order to prove one of the main themes of the text which is that the commodification of sentient beings, whether animal or human, is NEVER acceptable. While this theme of animals as sentient beings deserving of rights is of the utmost importance, ESPECIALLY to me, the book as a whole was heavy-handed, redundant, and disappointing.
I tend to read books in 2-3 days—sometimes a few more if I’m having a rough work week and I’m exhausted.
I finished FOUR other books while trying to plow through some of this text’s tediousness.
This author may be someone to watch; unfortunately, at this juncture, RP Nathan desperately needs to find an exceptional editor to help him to unleash his true potential.
Good Reads only provides a five star rating system; however, in order to provide an accurate score, decimals are absolutely necessary. Sadly, I would have to give the writing of this book two stars or 2.5 at best. This saddens me as many of the messages are exceptionally important, especially for a young adult or young reader (actually, for any age reader), and so for that reason alone, I wanted to give the book a higher score—more like a 3.75.
I wish we could provide more accurate individual scores such as for style, vocabulary, etc. (And, if wishes were horses…). Alas, with the current rating system in mind, and with a bit of regret, I’m giving the overall text three stars.
Nathan’s comparison of humans to animals—as envisaged by the main character through her own treatment as “animal” by her “superior “ captors— is slowly unraveled in order to prove one of the main themes of the text which is that the commodification of sentient beings, whether animal or human, is NEVER acceptable. While this theme of animals as sentient beings deserving of rights is of the utmost importance, ESPECIALLY to me, the book as a whole was heavy-handed, redundant, and disappointing.
I tend to read books in 2-3 days—sometimes a few more if I’m having a rough work week and I’m exhausted.
I finished FOUR other books while trying to plow through some of this text’s tediousness.
This author may be someone to watch; unfortunately, at this juncture, RP Nathan desperately needs to find an exceptional editor to help him to unleash his true potential.
April 15, 2022
Honestly i had many opportunities before, of reading this book, but the cover and tittle kind of put me off, I didn’t like the cover, and the tittle was a bit crude, and you know what, saw it on several review sites, and always put if off to start reading, that is until 5 days ago, when I got on my email a book suggestion, and “now we are animals” was the main dystopic suggestion, and the book description caught my eye. OK, I went back and searched where could I find it to read, and luckily it was on Book Siren, and you know what! Its a great book, is told in a kind of diary format (that I really love, because I love feeling like I am inside the main character head), honestly I really regret taking this long to start reading, maybe you’re like me, you took one look to the cover and thought, ah its not for me, but listen, in here you have an alien invasion, people stop being treated as the dominant species to be treated as a farm animal, and we get to know all about this through the eyes of this teen named Cara, so its alien invasion, dystopic and YA… yeah… try it, I believe you’ll love it.
I thank book Sirens for the Free ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thank book Sirens for the Free ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 9, 2023
An alien species has taken over the earth in this YA apocalyptic tale told from the POV of Cara, a high school student. Because the aliens studied humans before coming to our planet, they treated the less-intelligent humans just as we humans treat animals currently. 5 stars for the content, 3 stars for the writing. There were lots of quotes which resonated with me:
•It's what human colonisers did to indigenous peoples: suppress their existing culture. And we used to do it to animals too. We treated them like they were inferior.
•When it suited us, animals were properly sentient. And when it didn't, they were just a commodity.
•But it's human rights too. Because when we chose to, we would make people animals too: Black and Jewish and LGBTQ people. Women generally. Any minority we wanted to oppress in fact. And we'd use the way we treated animals as a playbook for cruelty to human beings: cattle trucks to concentration camps, branding slaves, using women as baby-machines.
•Insects are cool. Cows, pigs, rabbits, birds, fish: they're all awesome. They're as good as us. I understand that properly now.
•It's what human colonisers did to indigenous peoples: suppress their existing culture. And we used to do it to animals too. We treated them like they were inferior.
•When it suited us, animals were properly sentient. And when it didn't, they were just a commodity.
•But it's human rights too. Because when we chose to, we would make people animals too: Black and Jewish and LGBTQ people. Women generally. Any minority we wanted to oppress in fact. And we'd use the way we treated animals as a playbook for cruelty to human beings: cattle trucks to concentration camps, branding slaves, using women as baby-machines.
•Insects are cool. Cows, pigs, rabbits, birds, fish: they're all awesome. They're as good as us. I understand that properly now.
January 27, 2022
Interesting
What happens when the Alien Invasion happens, but they don't kill us all right away? Rather we become human cattle for them to be farmed and harvested once we turn a certain age. This is what happens to Cassandra and she Chronicles her life as a human pet. The story follows her along in her efforts to sabotage the aliens hive and her subsequent Escape. However the story is far from done will she be able to stay on the Run for her efforts successful how much will she have to give up in her fight? This is a great introduction to the science fiction genre of alien and Visions for young adults there's a lot here to unpack, there's a lot of references that possibly help the reader to go off and find other books along the same vein. So in that sense I think the author did a great job of creating this world and showcasing the Dynamics between a different people and humans and aliens and how we may very well react in such a situation.
What happens when the Alien Invasion happens, but they don't kill us all right away? Rather we become human cattle for them to be farmed and harvested once we turn a certain age. This is what happens to Cassandra and she Chronicles her life as a human pet. The story follows her along in her efforts to sabotage the aliens hive and her subsequent Escape. However the story is far from done will she be able to stay on the Run for her efforts successful how much will she have to give up in her fight? This is a great introduction to the science fiction genre of alien and Visions for young adults there's a lot here to unpack, there's a lot of references that possibly help the reader to go off and find other books along the same vein. So in that sense I think the author did a great job of creating this world and showcasing the Dynamics between a different people and humans and aliens and how we may very well react in such a situation.
January 22, 2022
Wow this was such an interesting book! I was initially drawn in by the premise of a world where the world's are reversed and we are treated the way we have treated animals. However I wasn't prepared for the awful emotions that came along with it.
This story was so hard hitting, it made me question all the ways we treat other living creatures. The colonists were terrifying but also fair in their judgements, they saw how humans treated those they judged as lesser beings and assumed it was fair to treat humans in the same way. It made total sense in a creepy way. It was a scary prospect and I found it enthralling and terrifying in equal measure.
I am excited to see where the story goes in the next instalments!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story was so hard hitting, it made me question all the ways we treat other living creatures. The colonists were terrifying but also fair in their judgements, they saw how humans treated those they judged as lesser beings and assumed it was fair to treat humans in the same way. It made total sense in a creepy way. It was a scary prospect and I found it enthralling and terrifying in equal measure.
I am excited to see where the story goes in the next instalments!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up!
Now We Are Animals offers an original dystopian concept. It follows the main protagonist, Cara, as she grapples with captivity as a “pet” of Aggie of of the “THEY” that have recently invaded Earth. The story is told through Cara’s two diaries, and offers a story of young adult survival which reminds me of a mix of the Handmaid’s Tale or Animal Farm.
I look forward to the second book in this series. While this first book offered a lot of background and build up, the last quarter had me hooked and excited to read on, and the cliff hanger left me wishing I could pick up the next book.
As an added bonus I really enjoyed the literary Easter eggs that were sprinkled throughout the book. I think that this book would be well received by teens and young adults, and teen readers will find the protagonist Cara to be relatable.
Overall a unique and interesting read! Thank you to RP Nathan and Book Sirens for this advanced reader review copy.
Now We Are Animals offers an original dystopian concept. It follows the main protagonist, Cara, as she grapples with captivity as a “pet” of Aggie of of the “THEY” that have recently invaded Earth. The story is told through Cara’s two diaries, and offers a story of young adult survival which reminds me of a mix of the Handmaid’s Tale or Animal Farm.
I look forward to the second book in this series. While this first book offered a lot of background and build up, the last quarter had me hooked and excited to read on, and the cliff hanger left me wishing I could pick up the next book.
As an added bonus I really enjoyed the literary Easter eggs that were sprinkled throughout the book. I think that this book would be well received by teens and young adults, and teen readers will find the protagonist Cara to be relatable.
Overall a unique and interesting read! Thank you to RP Nathan and Book Sirens for this advanced reader review copy.
November 15, 2022
This was a really cool concept for the book and the way the story was told through 2 different journals of the main character, Cara. It gave a really interesting perspective and the contrast between the 2 journals really peaked my interest. I really liked how quickly it read as well. It did take me a little bit to get into the book and interested in what was going to happen, but once I was hooked I read it really quickly. Aggie was also written in a way that me as a reader would go back and forth feeling sorry for the character and then angry with what the character is doing. I will definitely be reading other books this author puts out as I found the book easy to read and and interesting structure. Thank you Netgalley and Cassiopeia Contemporary for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2023
I loved this book from start to finish. The journal style with the 2 journals was really engaging and really allows you to get a true picture of Cara and the world that she lives in.
It feels like a modern day Animal Farm but is almost more shocking as it is told from the point of view of humans instead offer animals.
I found it really easy to visualise all the characters and settings. There is a description of the Colonists appearance but it gives your mind room to wander and imagine the smaller details yourself. Every so ofter I would think "I need to watch the next episode of Now We Are Animals" before remembering it was book!!
The ending was incredibly clever and my jaw just hit the floor, but with a hint of a smile.
Long story short, I loved it. It makes you think and you don't want to put it down!
It feels like a modern day Animal Farm but is almost more shocking as it is told from the point of view of humans instead offer animals.
I found it really easy to visualise all the characters and settings. There is a description of the Colonists appearance but it gives your mind room to wander and imagine the smaller details yourself. Every so ofter I would think "I need to watch the next episode of Now We Are Animals" before remembering it was book!!
The ending was incredibly clever and my jaw just hit the floor, but with a hint of a smile.
Long story short, I loved it. It makes you think and you don't want to put it down!
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