A tale of two civilizations in 1928 Los Angeles
In 1928, ten years after global war and global pandemic, humankind was just beginning to unravel the secrets of the universe and the mysteries of our origins. Set against this historic backdrop, Native Species is a story of loss and friendship, betrayal and redemption, and the search for self-worth and validation.
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’s been told 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.
Photo used with permission of the Biltmore Los Angeles.
Available in March 2026
Table of contents
Get a look at the chapter titles
Chapters
1
The Scientist
2
A Sudden Sabbatical
3
In the Company of the King
4
A Calling
5
The Enemy
6
A Change of Seasons
About the author
Michael Albergo
A professional engineer and graduate of MIT (engineering and humanities), Michael Albergo writes character-driven speculative fiction rooted in real-life early 20th century locales, people, and events. He teaches at New York University and is an avid player of board games and role-playing games. Native Species is his first novel.
The Author’s Words
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Book Signing!
Join us 7pm Thursday, March 19 at The Next Chapter bookstore in Huntington, NY, where I’ll be giving a brief talk about my debut novel, Native Species. Buy your book… [READ MORE]
