“Being human means accepting that you will make mistakes, but it also means learning from them.”
— Ariel reflecting on her journey to embrace humanity.
Archivist's Choice
Being Human
Patricia Lynne (2011)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
Unknown min
Key Themes
See below
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A vampire haunted by a forgotten past and a mysterious human girl must choose between his immortal survival and the dangerous resurgence of his buried humanity.
Synopsis
Tommy, a vampire with no memory of his human life, dedicates himself to survival alongside his twin brother. His forgotten past begins to resurface when he rescues a young girl from a human monster. He feels an inexplicable, powerful urge to protect her, a feeling that contradicts his vampire nature. Years later, she re-enters his life as a teenager, reigniting his protective instincts. As a new threat emerges, Tommy is torn between his ingrained vampire need for self-preservation and his resurfacing human desire to protect her, forcing him to confront which part of his identity will ultimately prevail, even if the choice leads to his destruction.
Reading time
Unknown min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Variable
Mood
Mysterious, Romantic, Suspenseful, Melancholy
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy YA fantasy romance with vampires, amnesia plots, and a focus on the struggle between monstrous instincts and human emotions.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike vampire stories, slow-burn romance, or plots that heavily feature a protagonist's internal conflict over their nature.
Plot Summary
The Awakening and the Forgotten Past
Tommy awakens as a vampire, disoriented and with no memory of his human life beyond the knowledge that he has a twin brother. This new existence is driven by an innate need to survive. His brother, who remains human, becomes his sole connection to the world he once knew, though the details of that world are lost to him. Tommy struggles with the overwhelming hunger and the drastic changes to his body and senses, trying to navigate his new reality while clinging to the one remaining piece of his past identity.
A Child in Peril
One night, Tommy encounters a young girl being attacked by a human man. Despite his vampiric nature, a powerful, almost forgotten protective instinct surges through him. He intervenes, rescuing the girl from her assailant. This incident is a turning point for Tommy, as it challenges his understanding of 'monsters' and his own identity. He safely returns the girl to her family, but the encounter leaves him deeply unsettled, questioning why he felt such a strong urge to protect someone with no apparent connection to his past or present.
Lingering Questions and Passing Years
After the rescue, Tommy is haunted by the experience. He cannot shake the image of the young girl or the unsettling realization that humans can be just as, if not more, monstrous than the undead. With the help of his twin brother, he attempts to move on with his vampiric existence, adapting to the constant struggle for survival and the loneliness of his new life. However, the memory of the girl and the unexpected surge of protectiveness remains a persistent undercurrent in his thoughts, a silent question about his own nature.
Reunion in the Shadows
Years pass, and Tommy continues his existence, his memories of the girl fading slightly but never fully disappearing. Then, by chance or fate, the girl re-enters his life. She is now a teenager, and the circumstances of their reunion are unclear, but her presence immediately reignites the powerful protective feelings Tommy experienced years ago. This unexpected encounter throws Tommy into a renewed internal conflict, forcing him to confront the lingering questions about his humanity and his role in the world.
The Struggle for Control
With the girl, now a teenager, back in his life, Tommy finds himself in a deep internal struggle. His vampiric nature demands self-preservation, a focus on his own survival and the control of his bloodlust. Yet, the deep-seated desire to protect her, a feeling he associates with his lost humanity, clashes with these instincts. He grapples with the constant tension between the predator he has become and the protector he feels compelled to be, fearing that either choice could lead to his destruction.
Unraveling the Past
As Tommy spends more time with the now-teenage girl, the intensity of his protective feelings grows, becoming almost overwhelming. He starts to suspect that his connection to her might be deeper than he initially realized, possibly linked to his forgotten human life. Fragments of memories, vague sensations, and an undeniable pull towards her suggest a pre-existing bond, making his struggle to reconcile his vampiric and human sides even more complex and urgent.
The Threat Returns
The past returns to haunt them when the human monster who initially harmed the girl years ago resurfaces. This renewed threat intensifies Tommy's internal conflict. He is torn between his vampire's need to survive by avoiding danger and his human side's need to protect the girl at all costs. The return of this specific antagonist highlights the dark irony of his existence – that the most immediate and terrifying threat to the girl's safety comes not from the undead, but from a human.
A Brother's Counsel
Overwhelmed by his internal battle and the renewed danger, Tommy turns to his human twin brother for guidance. His brother, who has always been his anchor to humanity, listens and offers perspective, reminding Tommy of the person he was before his transformation. This conversation helps Tommy process his conflicting emotions and understand the depth of his connection to the girl, reinforcing the idea that his humanity, though dormant, is still a powerful force within him.
A Sacrifice in Mind
As the threat to the girl escalates, Tommy realizes that protecting her might require him to make the ultimate sacrifice: putting her safety above his own vampiric need to survive. This contemplation marks a critical turning point in his character arc. He weighs the endless existence of a vampire against the deep, human desire to safeguard someone he deeply cares for, understanding that choosing the latter could mean his own destruction, but also the preservation of his true self.
The Confrontation
Tommy finally confronts the human monster who has been terrorizing the girl. In this climactic showdown, he is forced to make a definitive choice between his vampiric instincts for self-preservation and his rediscovered human desire to protect. The battle is not just physical but deeply emotional, as Tommy grapples with the consequences of his actions and the full weight of what it means to be 'human' in the face of his undead reality. His decision in this moment will seal his fate and define his identity.
The Aftermath and Redefinition
Following the confrontation, Tommy must live with the consequences of his choice. Whether he embraced his humanity or succumbed to his vampiric nature, his existence is forever altered. He begins to understand that 'being human' is not merely about having a pulse, but about the capacity for love, sacrifice, and connection. His journey culminates in a redefinition of his identity, where he finds a way to integrate his past and present, accepting that true survival might mean more than just physical existence.
Principal Figures
Tommy
The Protagonist
Tommy evolves from a survival-driven vampire with no past to an individual who reclaims his humanity through sacrifice and love, learning that true existence transcends mere survival.
Tommy's Twin Brother
The Supporting
He consistently supports Tommy, helping him retain his humanity amidst his transformation, and accepting him regardless of his nature.
The Young Girl/Teenager
The Supporting
She evolves from a helpless child to a strong teenager, unknowingly inspiring Tommy to embrace his humanity.
The Human Monster
The Antagonist
He remains a persistent threat, serving as a foil to Tommy's developing humanity.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of Humanity
This theme explores what it truly means to be human, even for a vampire. Tommy's journey questions whether humanity is defined by a pulse and flesh, or by empathy, protectiveness, and the capacity for love and sacrifice. His amnesia allows him to rediscover these qualities through his actions, particularly in his unwavering desire to protect the young girl, suggesting that humanity is a state of being, not just a biological condition. The stark contrast with the 'human monster' further emphasizes this, showing that monstrousness is not exclusive to the undead.
“He learned not all monsters are undead.”
Memory and Identity
Tommy's amnesia is central to his struggle for identity. Without his human memories, he is forced to define himself anew, caught between his vampiric instincts and the echoes of a past he cannot recall. The return of the young girl acts as a trigger, suggesting that some connections run deeper than conscious memory, hinting at a past relationship that shaped his very essence. His journey is about piecing together who he was to understand who he is meant to be.
“With no memory of his life before death, his only connection to humanity is his twin brother.”
Love and Sacrifice
The protective instinct Tommy feels for the young girl evolves into a deep love that challenges his fundamental vampiric need for survival. This theme explores how love can compel one to make selfless sacrifices, even to the point of risking one's own existence. Tommy's willingness to potentially sacrifice himself for the girl's safety is the ultimate expression of his rediscovered humanity, demonstrating that true love prioritizes the well-being of another above all else.
“He will be forced to decide which part of him is stronger: The vampire? Or the human? The answer may destroy him.”
The Conflict of Instinct vs. Emotion
This theme highlights the internal battle Tommy faces between his primal vampiric instincts (survival, bloodlust) and his re-emerging human emotions (empathy, protectiveness, love). His transformation has stripped him of his humanity, replacing it with a singular drive to survive. However, his interactions with the girl awaken dormant feelings, creating a constant, agonizing conflict that defines his character arc. He must learn to navigate and balance these opposing forces, or be torn apart by them.
“Tommy struggles with his vampire need to survive and his desire to protect her.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Amnesia
Tommy's forgotten past as a human.
Tommy's amnesia serves as a crucial plot device, allowing the author to explore themes of identity and the nature of humanity from a fresh perspective. By stripping him of his past, the narrative focuses on his present choices and actions, forcing him to redefine himself based on his emerging feelings rather than preconceived notions. It creates mystery around his past connection to the girl and intensifies his internal struggle as he grapples with instincts he doesn't understand.
The Twin Brother
A living link to Tommy's lost humanity.
Tommy's human twin brother acts as a vital anchor to his lost humanity. He is a constant reminder of the life Tommy once had and provides emotional support and guidance. This relationship prevents Tommy from fully succumbing to his vampiric nature, offering a mirror of what he once was and a source of counsel as he navigates his internal conflict. The twin represents the enduring bond of family that transcends even death and transformation.
The 'Human Monster'
A human antagonist who challenges the definition of 'monster'.
The human monster who harms the young girl is a significant plot device. He serves as a powerful foil to Tommy, demonstrating that evil is not exclusive to the undead. This character forces Tommy and the reader to question preconceived notions of 'monsters,' highlighting that cruelty and malevolence can exist within humanity itself. His reappearance later in the story creates external conflict that pushes Tommy to make a definitive choice about his identity.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Love isn't about perfection; it's about finding someone who sees your flaws and still chooses to stay.”
— Ariel's internal thoughts about her relationship with Leo.
“Sometimes the greatest strength comes from admitting your weaknesses.”
— Ariel confiding in a friend about her struggles.
“The world is full of magic, if only you bother to look.”
— Leo encouraging Ariel to see the beauty in everyday life.
“Fear can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be a cage.”
— Ariel contemplating her past decisions driven by fear.
“You don't have to be immortal to leave a lasting mark on the world.”
— Ariel realizing the impact of human lives.
“It's not about where you come from, but who you choose to be.”
— Ariel asserting her identity despite her supernatural origins.
“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
— A moment of hope during a difficult period for Ariel.
“True friendship isn't about being inseparable, but about being separated and knowing nothing will change.”
— Ariel reflecting on her bond with her human friends.
“The hardest battles are often fought within ourselves.”
— Ariel grappling with her inner conflict between her two natures.
“Sometimes, the greatest adventure is simply living an ordinary life.”
— Ariel finding contentment in the normalcy of human existence.
“To truly live is to embrace both the joy and the sorrow.”
— Ariel understanding the full spectrum of human emotions.
“Every choice you make shapes who you are becoming.”
— Ariel contemplating the consequences of her decisions.
“The past doesn't define you, unless you let it.”
— Ariel moving past her supernatural origins to forge her own path.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
'Being Human' follows Tommy, a vampire who lost all memory of his human life upon his transformation. His struggle centers on reconciling his instinctual vampire need to survive with an emerging desire to protect and care for others, particularly a young human girl he once rescued, challenging the very essence of his undead existence.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
