By David Robertson
I thought Hecula would be one of those typical “science gone wrong” horror stories where mutants run amok and cause chaos. But Hecula turns out to be much more than that. It does have a giant, ruthless corporation doing terrible things that will inevitably get out of control, but it also has drug dealers, scientists, mercenaries, cancer-curing plants, and tribal mythology. The characters are fairly well-developed, with their own motivations and backstories. Their storylines are a little predictable at times, but there are enough twists and turns to keep things fresh. And just like real people, the characters sometimes don’t act exactly as you expect.
The author has obviously done a lot of research into the Amazon jungle where most of the story takes place. He has cleverly incorporated many elements such as the medicinal properties of rainforest plants, legendary tribal spirituality, and armed guerrillas. These are all real things that exist in the Amazon forest today, but in Hekura, the author has woven them into the story seamlessly. The story unfolds at a good pace, and these elements make the book more substantial and real without being obvious or clunky. The main story is intertwined with a few subplots. It constantly reminds us that each character is an individual with their own motivations and needs. However, the author once again does a good job of keeping the story flowing and moving forward. The main story is never confusing, nor does it get bogged down in digressions. The author gives us just enough backstory to flesh out the characters, and then we get back to the point.
Hercula is full of intrigue, betrayal, and corruption. Yes, there are hungry, strange mutant creatures stalking our protagonists through the forest, but Hercula is primarily about people and the choices they make. Good and evil aren’t black and white, they’re gray areas, and everyone has to draw the line, make their own choices, and deal with their own consequences. It’s a fun process for the reader.
Hekura is a multi-layered story. The author does a good job of tying everything together into a cohesive, well-paced adventure story. There are some predictable elements to the story, but there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader turning pages. If you’re looking for a creepy, unsettling horror story, Hekura isn’t for you. However, the book is a fairly quick, easy read that is well-structured and enjoyable.
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score:4/5
