This is a hard, hard science fiction. The four stories are written as scientific reports, detailing the discovery and the investigation of strange plants and animals. The first is a story about a mouse with wings, bloody tears, and that glows in the dark. The second story is an about the investigation of a very much alive woman with white hair, complexion and body temperature that would indicate she is dead. Up third is a story about a plant requiring radiation and human blood to grow. With the fourth following a more conventional story telling form about the investigation of a marine creature that has cancer curing abilities. Each investigation is mysterious and very strange, but incredibly detailed. The drama is in the science and the endeavor to investigate these very strange creatures. It is an oddly compelling read. ( )

On top of being dry, relentlessly procedural, riddled with medical jargon these stories are, overall, unbelievably bleak. This book isn't fun,- it is studies of four fictional extinctions, which, through the academic tone, don't really feel like fiction - however, the overall abrasiveness of the stories allows the reader a harsh view of mortality, desire, scarcity, ethics, faith and redemption in subtle and unexpected ways. This book will only work for you as hard as you're willing to work for it. ( )