The concept of human characters merging with aliens
fascinates me. Versions of it include alien bonding (humans becoming hosts to
alien entities) and human-to-alien or partial alien transformations. The latter
often results from an alien infection, a physical appropriation of
some kind, or genetic engineering. The process is intriguing and disturbing at
the same time, especially when it gets kind of messy or involves bizarre alien
appendages.
I don't recall my first exposure to this trope in
books since my SF reading goes way back, but in film it probably began with
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978). I'm also a fan of films like THE THING,
ALIEN, DISTRICT 9, and THEY LIVE.
When the element is employed in SF, the results are
frequently tragic and/or horrific. Humans the world over are pumped full of
alien DNA and enslaved, the end. When extraordinary abilities develop as a
result of the merge, the trope can fall under the category of superhuman SF.
Many stories use alien bonding to explore various social and psychological
themes.
When authors incorporate the alien bonding element
into science fiction romance, sometimes there's a tragic element involved, but more
often than not the idea of alien bonding is transformed into something with
more hopeful and varied outcomes.
Falling in love with someone who is part alien has strong
emotional aspects. One's romantic partner now looks different and/or has
unusual abilities. It's interesting to read interpretations about how such
changes impact--or enhance--a couple's sex life. Post-change, both partners must
decide if they're ready to navigate an otherworldly relationship (and sometimes
the human character is seen as the alien!). Needless to say, there's a lot of
adjustment involved.
Science fiction romance has delved into the alien
bonding arena, but I'm surprised I haven't come across more stories in this
vein. Maybe this concept is considered too strange, disturbing, or icky? Or
maybe all three. Personally, I'm a fan, but I can see how even a partial alien
transformation might make some readers squeamish.
It depends on the alien, though. Conceiving of
aliens in terms of bugs, lizards, and tentacles can be limiting and also kind
of throwbacky to pulpy SF, where such aliens are often menacing
in nature. Alternates could include energy aliens, sentient plant-based aliens,
or carbon-based life forms that aren't zoomorphic in nature. I'm open to
anything, so hit me up!
Here are a few books that feature heroes or heroines
who've been transformed by alien DNA/consciousness in some way. I won't go into
details to avoid spoilers, but the books feature some kind of alien-human
merging.
I've read most of them and one of the titles is on
my to-read list. (Apologies in advance if I've forgotten an important title or
two.)
THE TROUBLE WITH MEMORIES - Eva LeFoy
BONE RIDER - J. Fally
THE HOST - Stephenie Meyer
REFUGEES ON URLOON - Melisse Aires
FORTUNE'S PAWN - Rachel Bach
The
Felig Chronicles series - P.J. Dean
GROUND MISSION (All
Wrapped Up anthology) - Laylah Hunter
GHOST PLANET - Sharon Lynn Fisher
Have you encountered other sci-fi romance titles in this category?
Joyfully yours,
Heather