What do you think?
Rate this book
The Perfect Specimen
Dr. Derek Singh is sure that one of planet Victoria's millions of venomous insects holds the key to destroying cancerous tumors-and jumpstarting his stalled career. Unfortunately, the traps he sets each night capture nothing but dust, and his competitive colleagues don't share the venom they've collected. The clock is running down on his two-year grant and he's making no progress. When his young neighbor-one of the few native-born children-finds out he studies "bugs," she is eager to bring him all the specimens he needs. Derek worries she'll be bitten or stung, but soon discovers Mia is in danger from a far larger predator-the corporation that funds him.
- GenresScience Fiction
92 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2013
About the author
M. Luke McDonell
10 books27 followersM. Luke McDonell is a San Francisco-based writer and designer. Her near-future fiction explores the effects of technology on individuals and society, with particular focus on the growing power of corporations and the associated voluntary and involuntary loss of rights and privacy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 21, 2026
In the perfect specimen Dereck Singh is transported to Victoria to look for a cancer cure. Having no luck acquiring the deadly insect venom he needs for his research, he enlists his young neighbor Mia for the dangerous task of catching him specimens. Through their friendship Dereck realizes she’s in far greater danger from the large corporations who control things.
Overall I found this sci-fi/dystopia to be enjoyable and an easy read. I would have preferred for it to be a little longer, as it felt a bit rushed, but it appears to be a prequel to her novel Six. Fingers crossed Six will explore more of the themes presented here. This novella was acquired through the Goodreads giveaway.
Overall I found this sci-fi/dystopia to be enjoyable and an easy read. I would have preferred for it to be a little longer, as it felt a bit rushed, but it appears to be a prequel to her novel Six. Fingers crossed Six will explore more of the themes presented here. This novella was acquired through the Goodreads giveaway.
November 16, 2019
An interesting novella from an up-and-coming sci-fi/fantasy author. I really enjoyed this, and especially liked the way the story ended up quite different from where it started--it's great when a tale takes you on a trip with an unknown destination.
The book starts with a scientist who is working on another planet, catching local insects and trying to determine whether or not their venom might make an effective cancer treatment. Then McDonell introduces a dystopian component, some illegal activity, blackmail, and more. I think my only complain is that the book is too short, but seeing as this is the prequel to a full-length novel, I'm already looking forward to more.
Oh yeah, and it's just a 99-cent Kindle download, so you can't afford not to read this!
The book starts with a scientist who is working on another planet, catching local insects and trying to determine whether or not their venom might make an effective cancer treatment. Then McDonell introduces a dystopian component, some illegal activity, blackmail, and more. I think my only complain is that the book is too short, but seeing as this is the prequel to a full-length novel, I'm already looking forward to more.
Oh yeah, and it's just a 99-cent Kindle download, so you can't afford not to read this!
January 6, 2026
I want MORE of this story!
Reviews I read called this a sci-fi novella and that's typically a genre I don't enjoy. But this book? This book is wonderful! Character driven and so beautifully written that I didn't want to miss a word. "Anton is more or less of an idiot..." will make you grin when you read that sentence because you'll be thinking that very thing. You will like the likeable characters and want to slap the unlikable (Anton and Della). Mia will crawl into your heart and once it's revealed why she is who she is, you'll want her to stay there, rent-free.
Each successive chapter reveals more about the characters. Mia's dad and mom appear complicated but everyone who loves her loves her as fully as they're capable. Does Dr Singh develop the drug he wants to safeguard Mia's future? Does he develop the drug he needs to fulfill his grant and gain him tenure at UT? Read this book!
But my unanswered questions remain: how did Della react when the Dr arrives back on earth without fulfilling his contract? Who was the woman sitting next to Della in the car when she so abruptly ended the last call? I want more. I wasn't ready for this novella to end. And when you read it, you'll feel the same way. I can't wait to read more of M. Luke McDonell.
Reviews I read called this a sci-fi novella and that's typically a genre I don't enjoy. But this book? This book is wonderful! Character driven and so beautifully written that I didn't want to miss a word. "Anton is more or less of an idiot..." will make you grin when you read that sentence because you'll be thinking that very thing. You will like the likeable characters and want to slap the unlikable (Anton and Della). Mia will crawl into your heart and once it's revealed why she is who she is, you'll want her to stay there, rent-free.
Each successive chapter reveals more about the characters. Mia's dad and mom appear complicated but everyone who loves her loves her as fully as they're capable. Does Dr Singh develop the drug he wants to safeguard Mia's future? Does he develop the drug he needs to fulfill his grant and gain him tenure at UT? Read this book!
But my unanswered questions remain: how did Della react when the Dr arrives back on earth without fulfilling his contract? Who was the woman sitting next to Della in the car when she so abruptly ended the last call? I want more. I wasn't ready for this novella to end. And when you read it, you'll feel the same way. I can't wait to read more of M. Luke McDonell.
August 31, 2017
“The Perfect Specimen” by M Luke McDonell is a wonderful, tightly written sci-fi novella that had me hooked in fully by the end of chapter 2. Derek’s story unfolds at a well timed pace. At the beginning he’s dealing with the distance between his wife and son as he works to cure cancer on Victoria, a desolate planet far from Earth. His friendship with 9 year old neighbor, Mia, develops and changes the course of his work and eventually, his future. The ending left me satisfied and happy, and thinking of what happens next for Derek and for Mia and the other characters.
I think the best compliment I can give is I read every word. I read a lot of books – and at times if the story starts dragging I’ll start skimming sentences. With “The Perfect Specimen” I read it straight through in a couple hours, enjoying every minute. I’d love to point out multiple moments where I thought “wow! What a great …” but I’d spoil the story.
I think the best compliment I can give is I read every word. I read a lot of books – and at times if the story starts dragging I’ll start skimming sentences. With “The Perfect Specimen” I read it straight through in a couple hours, enjoying every minute. I’d love to point out multiple moments where I thought “wow! What a great …” but I’d spoil the story.
January 23, 2026
Terrific short story / novella, 4.5 stars for me. It’s a well executed light sci-fi / corporate greed & technology thriller. Great character development and setting (world building) for such a short story. The writing style is equal parts Asimov and Chrichton, suits me well.
July 1, 2017
A decent enough novella. Would have said 3.5 stars but for the ending seeming extremely rushed, with too much tell rather than show.
April 30, 2019
Very enjoyable. Can't wait for Six!
February 1, 2026
Not worth it as a short story
It really wasn’t that interesting as a short story to make me want to read a longer novel. Boring and not that engaging
It really wasn’t that interesting as a short story to make me want to read a longer novel. Boring and not that engaging
January 3, 2016
Questo racconto dell'esordiente McDonell è ottimo.
Si tratta di fantascienza, ed è ambientato su un pianeta lontanissimo da qui, un pianeta di proprietà di una enorme corporazione.Un pianeta popolato solo da impiegati e ricercatori universitari giunti lì vincendo dei concorsi.
Un pianeta alieno, con un intero ecosistema da studiare, scoprire, sfruttare per far progredire le ricerche.
Derek, il protagonista, è finito qui su Victoria per trovare una cura al cancro, vincendo inaspettatamente uno di questi concorsi. Inaspettatamente e sfortunatamente, dal suo punto di vista, visto che questo contratto di due anni gli ha fatto lasciare a terra la moglie -anche lei ricercatrice universitaria- e il figlio di due anni.
Ora che è qui da un po' di tempo però si ritrova impantanato, bloccato nelle sue ricerche, esasperato dagli eccessivi protocolli di sicurezza che impediscono a ogni tipo di informazione di filtrare verso l'esterno, in uno stato di paranoia totale da parte delle corporazioni nei confronti di fughe di notizie o di spie concorrenti.
Ma niente di tutto questo ha più importanza, mentre Derek passa le giornate ingannando il suo assistente Anton per lavorare invece su qualche nuova droga, con un obbiettivo ben preciso in mente: salvare la vita della piccola Mia, nove anni, figlia dei suoi vicini e sua amica.
Come si è arrivati a questo punto?
Perché Mia rischia la vita, cosa ha di speciale?
E a cosa servono le droghe che Derek sta sintetizzando?
In questo ambiente alieno niente è come sembra, e prima della fine Derek scoprirà la verità che si cela dietro il suo arrivo su Victoria.
Un racconto scritto perfettamente, una visione intrigante e spaventosamente possibile del futuro.
Sarebbe tutto perfetto, non fosse per la sottotrama della famiglia di Derek che rimane in sospeso (più che l'esito finale dei suoi piani).
Non so se il tutto verrà ripreso nel prossimo libro dell'autore, Six, o se verrà sfruttato semplicemente l'universo descritto nel racconto.
Comunque è di sicuro un racconto d'esordio sorprendente.
Si tratta di fantascienza, ed è ambientato su un pianeta lontanissimo da qui, un pianeta di proprietà di una enorme corporazione.Un pianeta popolato solo da impiegati e ricercatori universitari giunti lì vincendo dei concorsi.
Un pianeta alieno, con un intero ecosistema da studiare, scoprire, sfruttare per far progredire le ricerche.
Derek, il protagonista, è finito qui su Victoria per trovare una cura al cancro, vincendo inaspettatamente uno di questi concorsi. Inaspettatamente e sfortunatamente, dal suo punto di vista, visto che questo contratto di due anni gli ha fatto lasciare a terra la moglie -anche lei ricercatrice universitaria- e il figlio di due anni.
Ora che è qui da un po' di tempo però si ritrova impantanato, bloccato nelle sue ricerche, esasperato dagli eccessivi protocolli di sicurezza che impediscono a ogni tipo di informazione di filtrare verso l'esterno, in uno stato di paranoia totale da parte delle corporazioni nei confronti di fughe di notizie o di spie concorrenti.
Ma niente di tutto questo ha più importanza, mentre Derek passa le giornate ingannando il suo assistente Anton per lavorare invece su qualche nuova droga, con un obbiettivo ben preciso in mente: salvare la vita della piccola Mia, nove anni, figlia dei suoi vicini e sua amica.
Come si è arrivati a questo punto?
Perché Mia rischia la vita, cosa ha di speciale?
E a cosa servono le droghe che Derek sta sintetizzando?
In questo ambiente alieno niente è come sembra, e prima della fine Derek scoprirà la verità che si cela dietro il suo arrivo su Victoria.
Un racconto scritto perfettamente, una visione intrigante e spaventosamente possibile del futuro.
Sarebbe tutto perfetto, non fosse per la sottotrama della famiglia di Derek che rimane in sospeso (più che l'esito finale dei suoi piani).
Non so se il tutto verrà ripreso nel prossimo libro dell'autore, Six, o se verrà sfruttato semplicemente l'universo descritto nel racconto.
Comunque è di sicuro un racconto d'esordio sorprendente.
December 30, 2013
The best SF takes a supposition about the world ("What would happen if...?") and follows it to interesting conclusions. McDonell's setting holds together well, with a lot of details that seem like "obvious" extrapolations of present trends into the future, but she throws in some "aha!" moments as well. Just when you think you know who a character is, you discover they're not what you think... but when you consider it, who they really are follows perfectly from the setup. The pleasure of seeing interesting ideas fit together well combines with well-paced drama and relatable characters to make this a fun read.
December 11, 2013
A touch of clumsiness in the initial pages aside, possibly the most polished self-published work I've yet read. Imaginative and left me wanting more. A terrific speculative prequel novella to a novel I'm now really looking forward to reading.
August 1, 2014
Excellent story from a first time author. Very good science fiction (emphasis on science). Looking forward to the first book from this author, called Six. Hope they write more!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews