Review: Native Species: A Tale of Two Civilizations in 1928 Los Angeles by Michael Albergo

To save both worlds, she may have to betray them both.

In this review of Native Species by Michael Albergo, I share my thoughts on the story, characters, and what readers can expect from this Fantasy/Cosmic Horror novel.

About Native Species by Michael Albergo

Native Species: A Tale of Two Civilizations in 1928 Los Angeles
By Michael Albergo
Published by Electric Torch Press on March 23, 2026
Genres: Fantasy
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 274

It is 1928, and the future is unwritten.

When widowed Professor Horace Jennings reluctantly volunteers to search for a missing student, he trades Rhode Island for the West Coast. This isn’t Providence; this is Los Angeles. And as his hired detective warns him, bootleggers, museum thieves, and crooked cops are no company for a sherry-sipping professor and his precocious protégé, Helen Parker.

But the truly dangerous characters aren’t criminals. In fact, they aren’t even human.

Shila Ghiss, a scientist from a subterranean race, desires only to experience daylight. One day, she gets her chance—if she is willing to help reclaim the surface from humanity. She’ll need to become human, to learn about powerplants, facial expressions, and hair care. She’ll need to do something awful. But her rival and his followers are planning to do something far worse—something apocalyptic.

To save both species, she’ll have to work closely with these bizarre, unpredictable humans and become both traitor and savior. She’ll have to decide who she is, and which native species will write the future.

Source: ARC

Reader resources:

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Review at a Glance

Genre	Fantasy (cosmic horror blend)
Setting	1928 Los Angeles
Length	240 pages
Content Rating	PG-13
My Rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here are a few of my thoughts and where I think Native Species really shines.

My Thoughts

Native Species by Michael Albergo is a debut novel that truly deserves to be discovered. Blending sci-fi, fantasy, and cosmic horror, this is the kind of story that can pull in readers across genres.

Set in 1928 California-a world of bootleggers, thieves, and crooked cops-the story quickly builds into something much larger. Beneath the surface, a hidden subterranean species is preparing to challenge humanity itself, raising the stakes far beyond the expected historical setting.

The dual perspectives work especially well here. Professor Horace Jennings and Dr. Shila Ghiss serve as wonderfully opposing protagonists, each bringing their own motivations, limitations, and worldview to the story. Their contrast adds both tension and depth, especially as the lines between ally and enemy begin to blur.

The historical detail is another standout. The 1920s setting feels thoughtfully researched and vividly brought to life, grounding even the more speculative elements in a believable world.

This is a fast-paced read-I found myself flying through the pages (or swiping the screen). At the same time, the story doesn't sacrifice substance for speed. The exploration of cultural differences between the two species is handled in a way that feels surprisingly relatable.

What lingers most, though, are the ideas. Native Species offers intriguing concepts that can be enjoyed purely as entertainment-or taken a step further, inviting readers to pause and reflect.

Personally, I like to stay immersed in a story like this while reading, then sit with it afterward-usually over coffee-for a few days. This is exactly that kind of book. The kind that stays with you.

If you enjoy historical settings with a strong sense of atmosphere and character, you might also enjoy my review of The Witch of Breton Woods by Jennifer Ivy Walker.

In Conclusion

Native Species is a strong and thoughtful debut that blends historical detail with imaginative storytelling in a way that feels both engaging and meaningful. With its dual perspectives, fast pace, and deeper themes, it offers something for readers who enjoy both immersive plots and stories that linger beyond the final page.

If you're drawn to historical fantasy with a touch of mystery and cosmic horror-and especially if you enjoy stories that invite reflection-this is one worth adding to your reading list.

Guest Post

I always enjoy seeing what inspires an author-and this guest post offers a thoughtful look at the deeper themes behind Native Species. Michael Albergo explores the idea of the "prisons" we create for ourselves… and how his characters must confront them.

Prisoners of What They Cannot See

Guest Post by Michael Albergo

In "Life is Sweet", Natalie Merchant sang:

"My mother, the long and suffering:
Prisoner of what she cannot see."

We learn that it is her own bitterness and resignation that imprison her, distorting her view of life as "misery from the start." Merchant, the narrator and daughter, defies this vision. "Life is sweet," she sings as the song concludes. "Life is also very short."

The primary characters of Native Species, Horace, Shila, and Sesh, are similarly imprisoned-by their pride and need for validation (Horace), their commitments (Shila), or their arrogance (Sesh).

As I reflect on the completed novel, I am surprised to discover these prisons. I am very much a "pantser", meaning that my stories are character-driven, often leading me on a seat-of-the-pants rollercoaster (and a lot of rewriting). Surprise and discovery are part of my process.

But I am also fascinated by these prisons because they so typify the human condition: the trees of our circumstances prevent us from seeing the larger forest of our world and the meaning of our lives within it-often, until it is too late. I recognize this in so many people that I know, including myself. And yet we go on, we humans, stumbling through this short life. Some of us do escape our prison; some of us at least test its boundaries; and some of us are content to remain within.

I'm reminded of another debut novel I recently read, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. The protagonists of that novel, Marcellus, Tova, and Cameron, are similarly imprisoned. Like my novel, it is a simple story in which imprisonment-literally and figuratively-plays an important role. (Unlike my debut novel, it was published traditionally and destined to become a New York Times bestseller.)

As for the characters in Native Species: Some will escape in time to find that life is, indeed, sweet. Others will find that life is, indeed, very short.

It's a compelling perspective-and one that adds even more depth to the story.

Meet the Author

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Where to Find

If this sounds like your kind of read, you can explore purchase options below.

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Tour dates: March 23 - April 10, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
iREad Book Tours - Native Species Tour Page.

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