Review: Second Nature by Thomas Drago

A gritty, dread-inducing drama that explores lingering extraterrestrial trauma in small-town New York, Second Nature by Thomas Drago is a character-driven gem of science fiction.

When an alien force snatches nearly a dozen people from their homes, only to return them the next night to a hallowed stretch of indigenous land, it shakes the foundation of reality for the fictional town of Warrington. Eighteen months on, normalcy has yet to return, and the survivors remain haunted by the memories of their indescribable abuse aboard the alien craft. Some authorities explain away the mystery as a mass hysteria event, leaving the locals painfully divided between survivors, supporters, and scoffing non-believers.

Loretta Jans teeters on the edge of sanity and homicidal impulses, mercilessly tormented by her experience and the cruel mockery of her neighbors. Caden Rose dreams of playing baseball at a D1 college, but his overprotective mother and relentless nosebleeds since he was returned may crush those dreams. Twilight Van Dyk is a devoted mother of three, but feelings of failure about letting her ancestral lands be desecrated threaten to overwhelm her peace.

Before the abductees were taken, each developed different but seemingly innocuous symptoms – shaky hands, seizures, skin rashes, and more. These inexplicable signs were enough to disrupt their lives, but certainly didn’t hint at an imminent overnight abduction. Now, nearly two years later, the symptoms are returning, just as the deluxe event center erected on the sacred ground of Ellicott Farms is preparing for its grand opening. Protests against this contentious construction persist as earthquakes and power surges rock the already unsettled town, while murders of vicious crows swoop and swarm, like knowing harbingers of the Sky People’s inevitable return.

Set in the very near future – late spring of 2026 – the writing is laced with cutting-edge contemporary references and jargon, making the experience both immersive and insightful. As the story rotates through the characters whose lives have been upended by their abduction, the narrative voice shifts subtly to match their respective personalities. The interplay of these characters’ lives creates a tangled narrative web and an unpredictable plot, coupled with thematic knots of faith, mental health, corporate greed, time travel, vaccines, and the power of community.

Adding such meticulous nuance elevates this book above many others in the genre, artfully displaying a range of trauma responses, from self-isolation and violent outbursts to manic episodes and dangerous compartmentalization. When the afflicted begin putting the pieces together, aided by revelations from an alien operating in their midst, the true experimental purpose of the abductions becomes clear, echoing contemporary conspiracy theories and real-world crises, for another layer of insight into human behavior.

The prose is addictively ominous throughout, and while the first quarter of the book patiently focuses on setting a complex stage, the action quickly ramps up when monsters begin terrorizing terra firma, shattering any illusions of collective fraud or hysterical paranoia. Despite the otherworldly premise of the story, the exceptional character development grounds the novel in visceral relationships and realistic conflict, blurring the edge of fiction with relatable emotion.

On a technical level, the writing is polished and powerful, the dialogue rips with authenticity, and the storytelling tone is consistent – grim and gripping. Though there are some scenes and sections that slow the pace, this story hits hard on myriad levels, resulting in a satisfying and surprising sci-fi thriller.