Heather’s Bookshelf: Beasts of Sonara
Author: Shawn C. Butler
Released: 11/12/21
Genre: Sci-Fi/Magical Realism
“He had never envied humans. They were powerful and had language he could never repeat, but they were lonely and petty things. He didn’t understand why they did what they did, or care until it affected him. But he wished he could cry. It seemed to help them, as if pain passed out through their eyes and washed away, one salty drop at a time. For him, the grief had nowhere to go. His pain was a living thing that pushed against his lungs until he couldn’t breath, until his heart pressed against his ribs and his mind turned hard and emptied of anything else. He looked down at his son, up at the sky, inhaled, exhaled, but there was no calm.”
“Beasts of Sonara” introduces Raymond Molina, a man trying to get his life together after his wife passes away. He’s written a book about an accident he had while climbing Mount Everest, has a new successful and beautiful girlfriend, and has picked up surfing in Costa Rica. On an exceptionally dangerous day, he decides to risk it in search of the perfect wave but gets way more than he bargained for—a sighting of the biggest shark he has ever seen and a severed head.
To make matters more strange, a giant howler monkey shows up and steals the severed head- found to belong to a young promising woman with a health issue. Ray sets out to find the truth about what happened to her and learns much more than he could ever imagine.
The history of Sonara intertwines with the history of Ray’s family and changes all of those around them. The mystery of the place and those living on it are slowly revealed to Ray who must decide if he is going to accept his seemingly destined role in order to keep everything he has come to know and love safe.
Trigger Warning: death, cancer, sexual situations, adult language, animal violence
Overall, I found this story really intriguing. The main character of Ray is complex but likable. This theme was consistent throughout with most of the ancillary characters and relationships flawed but relatable. The scenery of Sonara is well developed and I felt as though I could almost draw a little map of the town by the end of the tale. Alejandro was hands down the most complex and heart wrenching character for me in a story filled with self-prophesized tragedy. The way the author reveals the secrets of Sonara is well done, incorporating the protective lies people would tell and giving it an organic feel. I did feel parts of the story a little redundant in Ray informing certain characters of what had already been witnessed and had a hard time following some of the other points of view or flashbacks. Overall, I found Ray to be an entertaining and clear narrator. There’s a lot of levels to this story including historical references and genetics, but it all really boils down to the relationships between EVERYONE living in Sonara. The ending was satisfying: wrapping everything up for each of the main characters and storylines. Oh, and don’t forget the enormous shark…right in time for beach season.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A creative and intriguing sci-fi that unveils a mystery wrapped in memorable characters.
Want to learn more about the author?
Check out my interview with Shawn C. Butler
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or on Kindle Unlimited
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