The story of “Neptune’s Tears,” set in the year 2218, dives into what makes people truly human. Is it their sympathy for others, their appreciation for life, or something else entirely?
NEPTUNE’S TEARS RECAP AND REVIEW – SPOILERS
Zee is a teenage empath living in London and on track for a promising future in healthcare. Empaths use surrounding energy to form psychic connections with patients, helping them heal. Zee, originally from America, is an intern who can’t picture doing anything else.
Although empaths are advised against getting too close to patients, Zee forms a strong bond with Mrs. Hart, an older ex-pat and former designer who created Neptune’s Tears using diamonds from Neptune. This name stems from the Neptune program’s tragic history—robots sent to Neptune became sentient, formed bonds, and understood pain and loss. However, conspiracies arose, and the program was marred by propaganda distinguishing robots from humans. When the robots sent their last batch of diamonds, communication with Earth ceased.
In Zee’s advanced yet imperfect world, technology has made significant strides but hasn’t cured all ailments. During one session, Zee learns that Mrs. Hart has cancer. Another patient, David, however, captures Zee’s attention. David, in the hospital for a head wound, is assigned to Zee last minute, and there’s an immediate spark between them that makes Zee uneasy about her professional focus.
Throughout their interaction, Zee senses something unusual about David. Resistant to hospital orders, he eventually reveals he is an alien. These aliens, having arrived peacefully years prior, are slightly taller than humans and wish to experience human life beyond mere survival. Despite their peaceful nature, distrust persists. While Zee’s parents support human-alien interactions, Zee remains cautious.
Shaken by David’s revelation, Zee distances herself but can’t ignore their connection. When a terrorist shock bomb attack happens days later, David resurfaces to help manage the hospital chaos. The silent, deadly bomb causes severe internal damage, filling the hospital with victims. David assists with the overflow, especially children, and after the hectic day, Zee and David agree to meet outside work. They enjoy an outing but Zee is left puzzled when David, after kissing her, insists they can’t be too close. She also notices a mysterious girl nearby, raising further questions.
Another shock bomb explodes soon after, knocking Zee unconscious. Her empathic nature makes her highly sensitive to the emotional waves of others, overwhelming her. Though determined to continue as an empath, Zee is advised she can learn to control these effects, potentially even foreseeing attacks.
As more attacks unfold, Zee and David grow closer, with David supporting Zee’s efforts to manage her empathic abilities. Despite their bond, David continually distances himself, insisting they can’t truly be together. This tension peaks during a mugging on Zee’s birthday, leading to David revealing his truth: on his home planet, Omura, everyone joins a reproduction program at twenty-one. Though David must soon return to Omura with his partner, Mia, Zee cannot join him due to her human nature. Heartbroken, Zee urges David to find an alternative, but he leaves.
Struggling with David’s departure, ongoing attacks, natural disasters, and Mrs. Hart’s declining health, Zee remains busy. David is ever in her thoughts, and when Mia offers a chance to find David, Zee seizes it. They reunite but face new turmoil when Zee volunteers for a plan to trap the anarchist behind the bombings. Though the mission succeeds, David must again leave. Determined, Zee chooses to join him on another planet rather than live without him. However, David reveals one last secret: he’s a time-traveler from a future Earth, not an alien. A meteor threatens Zee’s Earth, and strict rules govern who can transition to the future. Zee is on the “Essentials” list for post-meteor rebuilding but cannot join David.
Despite this, Zee insists they’ll find a way to stay together as their story continues in “Starlight’s Edge.”
Though I love sci-fi, “Neptune’s Tears” felt overly compressed with its rich plot squeezed into a short novel, leaving backstories and relationships underdeveloped. David’s final reveal, though dramatic, is predictable and right at the book’s end. The tech in Zee’s world feels accessible but Zee’s character occasionally falls into the “pining-for-her-boyfriend” trope.
“Neptune’s Tears” is a quick read, ideal for those new to YA sci-fi. Transitioning this story to film could visually showcase Zee’s empath abilities, with suitable casting enhancing its appeal.
