Xenofreak Nation, Book One: XBestia [Kindle Edition]

Melissa Conway (Author)

Book Description

In the future, bioengineered animals provide organs for human transplantation. Grafts of animal skin have replaced tattoos in popularity, which gives rise to a unique new demographic: xenofreaks. Bryn Vega's father is head of the Pure Human Society and when she's kidnapped by the Bestia Butcher, the most notorious of the criminal xenosurgeons, she assumes it's payback for her father's anti-xeno activities. Scott Harding is her taciturn jailer-called Cougar because of the claws replacing his fingers-but Scott is not who he seems. Deep under cover for the Xenofreak Intelligence Agency, he's been given unprecedented immunity to find the Bestia Butcher's lair and do whatever it takes to bring him to justice. When Bryn is forced to undergo a radical xenoalteration, she discovers a terrible secret: her father is using The Pure Human Society as a front for his own purposes. His willingness to sacrifice his daughter to accomplish them sends her running to Scott for protection, and into the hard-core underground subculture of the very xenofreak society she once despised.


WINNER, 2012 Global eBook Awards in the category of Speculative Fiction - Science Fiction.

Product Details

• File Size: 402 KB
• Print Length: 285 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0052TBS7S
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,934 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, It Really Is That Good October 10, 2011

By Michelle Scott

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

(Note: I honestly considered giving this book a four-star review so that potential readers don't think these reviews have been given by 'sock puppets'; however, I refuse to lessen this book's rightful stars ;)

Brynn Vega, a sheltered eighteen-year-old girl, understands two things very well. The first is that genetically modified humans (xenofreaks) are a blight on society. The second is that her father, a xenofreak-hating fanatic is always right.

Brynn is a dutiful daughter, doing whatever her father orders her to do. But when she's kidnapped by the XBestias, a ruthless gang of xenofreaks, she must learn to survive on her own. Even if that means earning the trust of a man who seems determined to put her in harm's way.

I found this book when it was highlighted on an indie book website, and I was immediately hooked by the premise: that the science of bioengineering had advanced enough to where humans could use animal features such as horns and skin to enhance their appearances. What I wasn't prepared for was the tense plot, the strong character of Brynn, and the wonderful love story.

The plot had a wonderful ability to keep the reader guessing. Yet, at the same time, it was never confusing or contrived. The main character, Brynn, may have led a sheltered life, but she was no pushover. Although she sometimes made foolish choices, most of the time she was clever and could find her way out of a tight situation. Also, she never lost her sweetness. Even at the end of the story, when she had to face up to some harsh realities, she didn't harden completely.

The love story, too, was sweet. Scott Harding, the XBestia gang member who was ordered to guard Brynn, had a good guy lurking underneath his hard exterior. The scenes between Scott and Brynn are filled with plenty of emotional and sexual tension (although the story remains a very mild PG-13).

Xenofreak Nation is an outstanding book. The plot moves swiftly, the character are well-rounded and interesting, the tension is marvelous, and the setting is interesting. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I NEVER give five stars, so pay attention August 23, 2011

By Marva Dasef

Format:Kindle Edition

I'm going to do something very rare for me. I'm giving this book 5 stars. I want you to know, if you aren't familiar with my reviews, that I rarely do this.

Even more surprising, this is an Indie (self-published) book. Ace, Tor, or other SF publishers missed out big time. If Ms. Conway tried for an agent and couldn't get their attention, then I'm sticking out my tongue at them and saying nyah nyah nyah.

Okay, that's out of my system.

I found this book browsing the You Gotta Read blogs. Not sure if it was for covers or trailers. The concept sounded very original so I squandered my hard-earned 99 cents on the book.

That's a buck I'm glad I spent.

Briefly, xenofreaks are people who have undergone a procedure which attaches some animal body parts to them. The animals are genetically raised to be compatible with humans. Originally, the idea was to grow organs for transplants, but the underground xenofreaks started using the bits and pieces for decoration. Why not have feathers instead of hair? How about cougar claws? A wolf's face?

Sounds pretty creepy. Anyway, the book opens with a protest by a group opposed to the xenofreaks' use of animals. I'm on their side. But as the plot progresses, we find out there are more sides to the story than you might guess.

Rapid pace, excellent writing, sympathetic main characters, pitch perfect POV changes.

I'd definitely buy more from Melissa Conway.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful, entertaining and thrilling read. July 5, 2011

By W. J. S. Kirton

Format:Kindle Edition

This is one of those books that's both a page-turning read and an intelligent depiction of serious subjects and issues of real importance which keep us thinking long after we've closed it. It's set in the relatively near future, with new subcultures and ethical factions creatively imagined and realised and yet reflecting contemporary preoccupations with the medical ethics of practices such as cloning, tissue cultures and harvesting organs for transplants. As one of its characters says `We're in an era capable of great medical advances but crippled by ethical debate'.

It's true that these are the book's concerns and yet the elements of its narrative - action, psychology, politics, investigations, medical research, conflict between warring factions - are so skilfully unified by the writer that, even as we're made to confront the ethical issues and question where our own sympathies lie, we're driven on by a plot whose tension never slackens. I'm making it sound as if it's dealing in abstractions - it isn't. It's the characters who drive it. They're powerfully realised and we care what happens to them, we're fascinated by the animal grafts some of them sport and the positions they occupy in this brave new world, and we're dragged along by the conflicts and resolutions, the shifting allegiances and, yes, even the love story that manages to emerge despite the excesses to which the central couple are subjected. The narrative threads are woven skilfully together at a pace which never lets up. It delivers a gripping story with a brilliantly sustained climax.

More About the Author

My ebooks are always just $.99! They are written for older teens to adults and are a mix of genres. The award-winning Xenofreak Nation series is a gritty Sci-fi Dystopian, The Gossamer Sphere series is a near-future Fantasy/Sci-fi, and SelfSame is a YA Paranormal/Historical/Romance.

About me:
I grew up in the California bay area until my family moved to northern Idaho when I was in high school. I went to college there, and then moved to sunny San Diego, where my heart remains even though we are now located in southeastern Washington state. Moving gave me the opportunity to leave my job as an executive-level secretary in order to write full time. My college background is in advertising art, so I dabble in the digital arts. I'm a big fan of genealogy, antiques, nutrition, and all things 3D animation.