Metamorphosis

"He built his life around logic. She built hers around healing. Can they find common
ground in the heart?" These words set the stage for a story that feels real, even though
the author early on reminds the reader it's all imagination. Metamorphosis: Asleep-
Aware-Awake-Alive by Ted Hood takes something as simple as two people meeting
again after years apart and turns it into a deep look at how we deal with love, memory,
and emotions we'd rather not face.
The story follows Ronald Duncan, a successful New York lawyer and Melina Stanford,
a life coach who basically lives and breathes empathy. They knew each other back in
college, but things ended badly with misunderstandings and accusations. Many years
later, they bump into each other in Arizona. Ronald has his son Daniel with him, a
smart but emotionally guarded child, who copies his dad's way of living - quiet, logical,
and kind of shut off from feelings. However, he begins to warm up to Melina almost
instantly, which Ronald quickly notices. The latter does not normally care much for
people and his son's "transformation" deeply unsettles him. It also sends him down an
unfamiliar path, where he must deal with feelings that he has been avoiding for years.
I loved how real the characters felt. Ronald comes out as a frustrating character, so rigid
and so locked in his head while Melina is the complete opposite. I couldn't believe my
eyes at how quickly she and Daniel bonded. It's the kind of connection you wish every
child had. Readers will find themselves laughing at the awkward moments, sighing at
the heavy ones, and probably shaking their heads at Ronald when he just doesn't "get it."
The writing is clear and easy to follow. There are no fancy words to trip over, but there
are enough details to paint the scene in your mind. The back and forth between Ronald's
side of the story and Melina's makes things flow in a fun way, and one is able to get both
angles of the same events. I really liked this because it reminded me that in real life, two
people can see the same moment in completely different ways.
The pacing is steady, never too slow, but not rushed either. One of the outstanding themes
in this book is emotional intelligence which basically is the idea that being smart isn't
enough if you don't know how to connect with people. Forgiveness and second chances
are right up there too, as is change and turning into a better version of yourself even
if it takes time and some hard lessons. I loved how the book redefines success as well
as its stand on the power of love, kindness, and having relationships that really matter.
Metamorphosis: Asleep-Aware-Awake-Alive is a book that can be enjoyed by teens,
parents or even people who just want a good love-and-life story with a twist of drama.
It is one of those unique offerings to humanity which feels like a reminder that it's never
too late to change, and being alive is more than just breathing.
-Pacific Book Review