Book Review: Alien Nation

Reviewed by Kathy L. Brown

Armed rebellion and societal visions clash in this deeply immersive dystopia.

The theme of this startlingly creative book is hidden in plain sight, right there in the title: “Alien Nation” —“alienation.” Here, author RaymondKingimmerses the reader in this utopia-gone-wrong cautionary tale, where an individual’s place in society stands against their responsibilities to themselves and others. 

As the book opens, the two main characters lead very different lives. Jason is a poor android, designed to serve. But he is isolated, awkward, and self-conscious. As we first meet him at his counselor’s office, he is undergoing an important rite of passage that will change his life. “This is the story of my life. If someone tells you that things get better with hard work, they’re either stupid or lying to you. Things don’t get better with hard work. The only thing that benefits from hard work is the system.”

Prince Marcus Kane is also ill-at-ease with his situation, chaffing under the expectations of his father, the king, as well as being hopelessly in love with an inappropriate girl. His opinion of his own social caste is cynical. After a Peace Day assassination attempt is thwarted, Marcus shares, “You could hear the dignitaries letting out a sigh of relief. It was both relief and excitement. These were monarchs, after all. Life has a tendency to get boring for people who have everything, though we learned to enjoy the suggestion of danger every now and then.” 

The young men’s paths cross in an unexpected and violent way, upending both their lives. This turnabout in circumstances finds Marcus scrabbling for survival and revenge, while Jason gains some measure of respect and responsibility. Or perhaps both young men are just being used by the manipulative power brokers around them. 

Alien Nation places great trust in the reader to explore and parse out the nuances of its imaginative and immersive world: A utopian (for some) theocracy, ripe for rebellion. Foregoing summary backstory not only empowers the reader to experience the world and draw conclusions, but also keeps us a bit disoriented and, perhaps, alienated. Intriguing little questions lurk around every corner, but we find the breadcrumbs when we need them.

The story is told in a first person point of view, switching between the two main characters. The voice for each young man is expressive and distinct. The wordsmithing is top notch: evocative and always hitting the right notes to enhance the scene. 

Claudia, a servant in the monarch’s house, is Marcus’s love interest. I would have appreciated a deeper look into her character and motivations though. She has an important role in motivating and guiding Marcus, but she is somewhat lacking in agency. Claudia’s perspective on Anthem’s truly messed up society could be illuminating.

Alien Nation raises themes common in young adult fiction: What comprises an individual’s identity? How does maturation into adulthood change the child-parent relationship? What will one’s life work and role in society be? Other themes are here as well: Do individuals have duties beyond their own self-interest? When does freedom become anarchy? All these issues are explored through people’s decisions and actions in a thoughtful and insightful way. I was put in mind of the science fiction stories of Kazuo Ishiguro (such as Klara and the Sun and Never Let Me Go.)

I highly recommend Alien Nation for lovers of secondary-world, character-driven science fiction. 

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