Eva Barber’s Unborn tells a tale that feels like a dreamy collision of family bonds, mystery, and the tug of destiny. It opens with the discovery of a mysterious infant in the forest, devoid of a belly button, by a couple in rural Russia. Sasha and Lev, battling their own heartbreak over childlessness, decide to keep the child despite its otherworldly origins. What unfolds is an exploration of the girl Olesya’s extraordinary nature, her struggles with identity, and the looming forces seeking to claim her.

Barber sets the scene vividly in the opening chapters. The forest is not just a backdrop but a character itself, ancient and whispering secrets. The moment Sasha discovers Olesya is pure magic and it pulls you right into the story. But as the narrative progresses, some passages lean heavily on exposition.

What really works for me is Barber’s exploration of the emotional ties between Olesya and her adoptive parents. Sasha’s maternal instinct feels raw and real, especially in scenes where she defends Olesya fiercely against a world that might see her as an oddity. When she performs the makeshift surgery to create a navel for her daughter, I felt her desperation to make Olesya fit into a world she might not belong to. These moments, packed with tension and love, kept me invested.

Olesya herself is an enigma, and her journey to find her place in a world both mundane and mysterious is fascinating. Her struggles with bullies at school, her social awkwardness, and her scientific brilliance make her relatable despite her supernatural origins. I especially loved her conversation with her teacher about atoms, she’s bright but understated, a quiet force. Her supernatural abilities, like the incident with the boy in class, add a layer of danger that I wished the author had explored more deeply early on.

The plot raises intriguing questions about destiny and choice. There’s a constant push and pull between safety and discovery. Lev’s interaction with his cousin Lech, leading to their plan to flee to the United States, adds a touch of thriller energy. The stakes feel personal yet far-reaching, and I couldn’t help but wonder what secrets about Olesya’s origins might unfold next.

While many scenes are rich with detail and emotion, a few moments linger a little longer than necessary, while others, like the shadowy men in the forest or Olesya’s recurring nightmares, could benefit from a bit more attention to fully capture their significance. That said, Barber’s gift for crafting compelling characters and emotional depth shines through.

Unborn is an atmospheric and thought-provoking read for anyone who enjoys stories about family, identity, and the intersection of science and the fantastical. Fans of speculative fiction with a strong emotional core, think The Midnight Library meets The Giver, will find much to love here. It’s a slow burn, but one worth savoring.

Pages: 435 | ASIN : B0DPYGM68C