I must say that as I began to read Adopted Son by Dominic Peloso I was fearful that there was no way in the world I was going to enjoy it. Yet as I began to turn the pages-or tap the pages as the case may be- and become engrossed in what I feel is a body of work that although science fiction has important parallels to the world today, I was very pleased.
Adopted Son brings readers to a significant point in our future history where a monumental civil rights movement begins because of the existence and legal acceptance of a new group of individuals-aliens born to human parents-that are not necessarily accepted by the majority despite all else. In our past, groups of individuals have been treated as less than based solely on characteristics that are different than the dominating group such as women, blacks, homosexuals to name a few. Their struggles to be treated as equal-although unique to each group-are very similar and result in historical changes.
Although Peloso doesn’t waste precious pages delving too deeply into developing the plethora of characters that certainly make this story happen, you definitely learn enough to actually feel as though he has. I also found myself enjoying his way of telling the reader the time and location that a part of the story was taking place by a brief bold snip- it proceeding the section. In doing so the little details that might just be filler elements didn’t distract you or detract from the meat of the story like trimming the fat from a good piece of meat.
A possible alien invasion is not an uncommon theme among works of science fiction. However, aliens being born naturally to humans where the reproductive systems of both parents have been genetically altered in some way without their knowledge or the typical tales of being abducted by aliens and impregnated are an uncommon and unique take on things. Peloso does the concept proud, covering all possible directions it could go in. As I might have mentioned, I’m not a huge science fiction fan, but this book had me not wanting to put it down.
Although I hate to pick apart what I obviously enjoyed, it’s my job! Luckily in the case of Adopted Son there aren’t too many issues to discuss. For those more “sensitive” readers I can give this one a clean bill of health. Although reproduction is discussed many times, there aren’t any details of the actual copulation. There is talk of the impending battle that may occur but very minimal, if any, violence takes place. Adopted Son is acceptable for the young reader.
As I said, I’m not a big science fiction fan but strangely enough, Adopted Son left me feeling cozy. I’m certain to some that might be a strange description of how I felt but it is the most accurate. Suffice it to say I enjoyed reading this piece and I’d pick up Peloso’s work again. My one negative is that it needs to be edited or proofed more carefully.
So there goes it! You need to check this book out, even if you aren’t typically a sci-fi fan. The family friendly and hugely exciting Adopted Son is one you don’t want to miss out on. I really enjoyed it and the underlying themes that are extremely relevant even in today’s society.