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When We Were Real
From multiple award-winning author Daryl Gregory comes a madcap adventure following two friends on a cross-country bus tour through the mind-boggling glitches in their simulated world as they grapple with love, family, secrets, and the very nature of reality in a simulation.
JP and Dulin have been the best of friends for decades. When JP finds out his cancer has aggressively returned, Dulin decides it’s the perfect time for one last a week-long bus tour of North America’s Impossibles, the physics-defying glitches and geographic miracles that started cropping up seven years earlier—right after the Announcement that revealed our world to be merely a digital simulacrum. The outing, courtesy of Canterbury Trails Tours, promises the trip of a (not completely real) lifetime in a (not completely deluxe) coach.
Their fellow passengers are 21st-century pilgrims, each of them on the tour for their own reasons. There’s a nun hunting for an absent God, a pregnant influencer determined to make her child too famous to be deleted, a crew of horny octogenarians living each day like it’s their last, and a professor on the run from leather-clad sociopaths who take The Matrix as scripture. Each stop on this trip is stranger than the last—a Tunnel outside of time, a zero gravity Geyser, the compound of motivational-speaking avatar—with everyone barreling toward the tour’s iconic final stop Ghost City, where unbeknownst to our travelers the answer to who is running the simulation may await.
When We Were Real is a tour-de-force and exploration of what really matters, even in an artificial world.
JP and Dulin have been the best of friends for decades. When JP finds out his cancer has aggressively returned, Dulin decides it’s the perfect time for one last a week-long bus tour of North America’s Impossibles, the physics-defying glitches and geographic miracles that started cropping up seven years earlier—right after the Announcement that revealed our world to be merely a digital simulacrum. The outing, courtesy of Canterbury Trails Tours, promises the trip of a (not completely real) lifetime in a (not completely deluxe) coach.
Their fellow passengers are 21st-century pilgrims, each of them on the tour for their own reasons. There’s a nun hunting for an absent God, a pregnant influencer determined to make her child too famous to be deleted, a crew of horny octogenarians living each day like it’s their last, and a professor on the run from leather-clad sociopaths who take The Matrix as scripture. Each stop on this trip is stranger than the last—a Tunnel outside of time, a zero gravity Geyser, the compound of motivational-speaking avatar—with everyone barreling toward the tour’s iconic final stop Ghost City, where unbeknownst to our travelers the answer to who is running the simulation may await.
When We Were Real is a tour-de-force and exploration of what really matters, even in an artificial world.
447 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2025
148 people are currently reading
10757 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Gregory
149 books1,443 followersAward-winning author of Revelator, The Album of Dr. Moreau, Spoonbenders, We Are All Completely Fine, and others. Some of his short fiction has been collected in Unpossible and Other Stories.
He's won the World Fantasy Award, as well as the Shirley Jackson, Crawford, Asimov Readers, and Geffen awards, and his work has been short-listed for many other awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon awards . His books have been translated in over a dozen languages, and have been named to best-of-the-year lists from NPR Books, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Library Journal.
He is also the writer of Flatline an interactive fiction game from 3 Minute Games, and comics such as Planet of the Apes.
He's a frequent teacher of writing and is a regular instructor at the Viable Paradise Writing Workshop.
He's won the World Fantasy Award, as well as the Shirley Jackson, Crawford, Asimov Readers, and Geffen awards, and his work has been short-listed for many other awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Sturgeon awards . His books have been translated in over a dozen languages, and have been named to best-of-the-year lists from NPR Books, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Library Journal.
He is also the writer of Flatline an interactive fiction game from 3 Minute Games, and comics such as Planet of the Apes.
He's a frequent teacher of writing and is a regular instructor at the Viable Paradise Writing Workshop.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
April 20, 2025
I've been thinking that it was time for a Gregory when I heard about his upcoming release. He's on my shortlist of favorite authors, but the interesting thing about that is how generally reluctant I am to re-read his books. Though he is particularly good at bringing characters to life in emotional ways, they often go through a hard path to the moment of catharsis. For me his works are theoretically re-readable due to quality and complexity, but in real life, I've only re read Afterparty and We Are All Completely Fine. Thankfully, he's been a slow but steady publisher so I can enjoy his style in new stories.
Gregory, you say. Who is he? Oh, you know, one of those wildly undervalued authors--at least commercially--who has had his works nominated for Nebula, Locus, World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson Awards, so clearly people in the know are paying attention. He's readable, with a tone that feels almost humorous at times, until the character has his heart wrenched out. He writes, in an interesting way, about the now, and I've come to think of him as a zeitgeist author. Not in a bad, topical surface way, with works that won't make much sense in a decade, let alone this year, but in an 'understand the moment' kind of way. He's done that again with When We Were Real. You should probably read it if you like to think about online life and what makes us human.
I hesitate to say much about the story, because I think it's deliciousness is in the unfolding. Save to say that, of course, the blurb gets it partially wrong. If you know anything about The Canterbury Tales--and I didn't know much, but Wikipedia helped me along--is that it is a story of a journey, both real and philosophical, told from multiple points of view. Gregory bows to convention enough to tie them together with a head-scratching plot. But much like The Last Policeman, the story is in how the individual is choosing to cope with The Event as manifested by the plot. Oh, The Event, you say? That we're living in The Matrix. As I said, a zeitgeist author.
I love the tongue-in-cheek tone, just wry enough to make me smile, and sometimes wince:
About JP, one of our travelers: "A year ago he had a bout with brain cancer, and took early retirement in the same way a boxer takes an unguarded uppercut. Out by TKO."
About the nurse on the trip: "This one is divorced with no children, a crime punishable, evidently, with a lifetime sentence of unpaid chaperoning." Ouch. Stop seeing me.
And just to make sure the reader understands their own role: "A person we'll call THE READER is sitting quietly, turning the pages of their book... they're here now, and happy to ignore the other passengers, as if everything they need to know is encoded in the sentences on the page."
Yep. Pretty brilliant. In my own thoughts, I think it got a little bananas at the end, and then he had the nerve to go and make me sad. Still, super-creative--particularly the North American Impossibles, the local attractions that prove the Simulation. Highly recommended, and highly re-readable. But first, I'm going to go re-read We Are All Completely Fine.
Four and a half sheep, rounding up.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Saga Press for the advance reader copy. All opinions my own. Quotes subject to change in final publication.
Gregory, you say. Who is he? Oh, you know, one of those wildly undervalued authors--at least commercially--who has had his works nominated for Nebula, Locus, World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson Awards, so clearly people in the know are paying attention. He's readable, with a tone that feels almost humorous at times, until the character has his heart wrenched out. He writes, in an interesting way, about the now, and I've come to think of him as a zeitgeist author. Not in a bad, topical surface way, with works that won't make much sense in a decade, let alone this year, but in an 'understand the moment' kind of way. He's done that again with When We Were Real. You should probably read it if you like to think about online life and what makes us human.
I hesitate to say much about the story, because I think it's deliciousness is in the unfolding. Save to say that, of course, the blurb gets it partially wrong. If you know anything about The Canterbury Tales--and I didn't know much, but Wikipedia helped me along--is that it is a story of a journey, both real and philosophical, told from multiple points of view. Gregory bows to convention enough to tie them together with a head-scratching plot. But much like The Last Policeman, the story is in how the individual is choosing to cope with The Event as manifested by the plot. Oh, The Event, you say? That we're living in The Matrix. As I said, a zeitgeist author.
I love the tongue-in-cheek tone, just wry enough to make me smile, and sometimes wince:
About JP, one of our travelers: "A year ago he had a bout with brain cancer, and took early retirement in the same way a boxer takes an unguarded uppercut. Out by TKO."
About the nurse on the trip: "This one is divorced with no children, a crime punishable, evidently, with a lifetime sentence of unpaid chaperoning." Ouch. Stop seeing me.
And just to make sure the reader understands their own role: "A person we'll call THE READER is sitting quietly, turning the pages of their book... they're here now, and happy to ignore the other passengers, as if everything they need to know is encoded in the sentences on the page."
Yep. Pretty brilliant. In my own thoughts, I think it got a little bananas at the end, and then he had the nerve to go and make me sad. Still, super-creative--particularly the North American Impossibles, the local attractions that prove the Simulation. Highly recommended, and highly re-readable. But first, I'm going to go re-read We Are All Completely Fine.
Four and a half sheep, rounding up.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Saga Press for the advance reader copy. All opinions my own. Quotes subject to change in final publication.
April 12, 2025
Overall, it was a smart and funny story about a group of people on a bus tour to see glitches (North America’s “Impossibles”) after it was announced that we were living in a simulation.
Once I got through the first chapter—where majority of the characters were introduced all at once—it became a fun read. At times, my mind wandered due to the number of characters and storylines, which made it a bit hard to follow.
Once I got through the first chapter—where majority of the characters were introduced all at once—it became a fun read. At times, my mind wandered due to the number of characters and storylines, which made it a bit hard to follow.
June 19, 2025
I really must stop trying to like or even grasp a book when I'm clearly not into it, just because it seems everyone else likes it and I am curious as to why. This book was everything I hate about science fiction - too complicated, too many characters, too many scenarios, etc. It's a shame, because the basis of the book was very good and current. It had great potential, but I kept losing the thread, losing interest, and losing the will to keep on going. At some point, it became a challenge to my character. So I kept at it, and I even subjected myself to it a second time to try, really, really try to understand what the big deal is. I feel utterly defeated. I surrender! I should've kept on packing instead of taking as many breaks as I did to try to stay awake (wasn't effective!) and procrastinating (too effective).
March 20, 2025
What would you do if, tomorrow, it was announced that we were living in a simulation? That everything around you wasn’t actually real, but just code—made up of zeros and ones…
This story picks up seven years after a similar announcement. We meet a group of quirky individuals grappling with life in the aftermath, who decide to embark on a cross-country bus tour to witness glitches and geographic wonders known as “Impossibles.” Tour bus drama unfolds, along with plenty of introspection on the meaning of life.
This book was such a delightful surprise. I can’t remember the last time I read a true sci-fi novel, and this one did not disappoint. It was everything I hoped a book on this topic would be—thought-provoking, humorous, and full of heart. Each character was so well-developed—flaws and all. I loved how their individual journeys intertwined seamlessly with the overall story. The ending to me, was a bit bittersweet. I would have loved more details on a few things, but I can’t say much without spoiling it. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. A solid four-star read.
On a side note, I also loved how the author compared a woman’s period to a 40-year home loan. I’ve never read a truer, more brilliant comparison.
Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story picks up seven years after a similar announcement. We meet a group of quirky individuals grappling with life in the aftermath, who decide to embark on a cross-country bus tour to witness glitches and geographic wonders known as “Impossibles.” Tour bus drama unfolds, along with plenty of introspection on the meaning of life.
This book was such a delightful surprise. I can’t remember the last time I read a true sci-fi novel, and this one did not disappoint. It was everything I hoped a book on this topic would be—thought-provoking, humorous, and full of heart. Each character was so well-developed—flaws and all. I loved how their individual journeys intertwined seamlessly with the overall story. The ending to me, was a bit bittersweet. I would have loved more details on a few things, but I can’t say much without spoiling it. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. A solid four-star read.
On a side note, I also loved how the author compared a woman’s period to a 40-year home loan. I’ve never read a truer, more brilliant comparison.
Thank you Saga Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2025
Book Review 🌪️📖🎧
Thank you partner @sagapressbooks @simon.audio for the gifted ARC & audiobook! #sagasayscrew #freegift
When We Were Real
by Daryl Gregory
Narrated by Ari Fliakos
About the book 👇🏽
JP and Dulin have been the best of friends for decades. When JP finds out his cancer has aggressively returned, Dulin decides it’s the perfect time for one last adventure: a week-long bus tour of North America’s Impossibles, the physics-defying glitches and geographic miracles that started cropping up seven years earlier—right after the Announcement that revealed our world to be merely a digital simulacrum. The outing, courtesy of Canterbury Trails Tours, promises the trip of a (not completely real) lifetime in a (not completely deluxe) coach.
Their fellow passengers are 21st-century pilgrims, each of them on the tour for their own reasons. Each stop on this trip is stranger than the last—a Tunnel outside of time, a zero gravity Geyser, the compound of motivational-speaking avatar—with everyone barreling toward the tour’s iconic final stop Ghost City, where unbeknownst to our travelers the answer to who is running the simulation may await.
🌪️ My thoughts:
This was so fun and bingeable!! As soon as I finished it, I started recommending it to everyone. I split the read between physical read and audiobook listen and I can’t pick a favorite! Both were amazing and engaging throughout the entire story. Ari Fliakos was a wonderful narrator for this story and I did make sure to recommend the audiobook to my audiobook listening friends IMMEDIATELY after finishing it. Surprisingly I didn’t even realize the book was 439 pages. It’s quirky and thought provoking in the most masterful way. The concept was a good one, the characters were all their own, and dammit is it a page turner. I definitely plan on getting myself a finished copy to keep on my shelves with my ARC forever. I highly recommend giving this one a read or listen this year, you won’t regret it! When We Were Real is out now!
Happy reading 📖🎧🌪️
Thank you partner @sagapressbooks @simon.audio for the gifted ARC & audiobook! #sagasayscrew #freegift
When We Were Real
by Daryl Gregory
Narrated by Ari Fliakos
About the book 👇🏽
JP and Dulin have been the best of friends for decades. When JP finds out his cancer has aggressively returned, Dulin decides it’s the perfect time for one last adventure: a week-long bus tour of North America’s Impossibles, the physics-defying glitches and geographic miracles that started cropping up seven years earlier—right after the Announcement that revealed our world to be merely a digital simulacrum. The outing, courtesy of Canterbury Trails Tours, promises the trip of a (not completely real) lifetime in a (not completely deluxe) coach.
Their fellow passengers are 21st-century pilgrims, each of them on the tour for their own reasons. Each stop on this trip is stranger than the last—a Tunnel outside of time, a zero gravity Geyser, the compound of motivational-speaking avatar—with everyone barreling toward the tour’s iconic final stop Ghost City, where unbeknownst to our travelers the answer to who is running the simulation may await.
🌪️ My thoughts:
This was so fun and bingeable!! As soon as I finished it, I started recommending it to everyone. I split the read between physical read and audiobook listen and I can’t pick a favorite! Both were amazing and engaging throughout the entire story. Ari Fliakos was a wonderful narrator for this story and I did make sure to recommend the audiobook to my audiobook listening friends IMMEDIATELY after finishing it. Surprisingly I didn’t even realize the book was 439 pages. It’s quirky and thought provoking in the most masterful way. The concept was a good one, the characters were all their own, and dammit is it a page turner. I definitely plan on getting myself a finished copy to keep on my shelves with my ARC forever. I highly recommend giving this one a read or listen this year, you won’t regret it! When We Were Real is out now!
Happy reading 📖🎧🌪️
April 4, 2025
Is gonzo science fiction having a moment?
I recently read John Scalzi's latest book 'When the Moon Hits Your Eye', in which the moon has turned to cheese (see my review), and now we have Daryl Gregory's book where it's been revealed that our world is a simulation, and people have had seven years to adjust to that fact. To prove it, the Simulators have populated the world with a variety of 'Impossibles', objects which defy all normal laws of physics.
Of course, when there is a sudden influx of strange, uncanny objects scattered across the US, that means only one thing: Road trip!
We board a tour bus run by the service called Canterbury Trails (and yes, it's a model for the plot) and follow the random group of pilgrims on a cross-country journey. Each person has their own reason for being on the trip, and Gregory uses the Chaucer model to alternate through their points of view to gradually reveal their reasons for being there, and their secrets.
The most mysterious person joined the trip late and has Shadowy Government Forces looking for her. And off we go!
Part of the fun, of course, is seeing how many different kinds of oddities Gregory comes up with: The Frozen Tornado, the Zipper, the Hollow Flock, the Geysers of Mystery, Ghost City. They are fun, and funny in how people react to them.
However, every Daryl Gregory book is really about the characters. He brings such a warmth to his depictions of character that despite the gonzo premise and wisecracking dialogue (and he's great at that), we come to care about each one of these people, even (or even especially) the prickly ones.
Gregory seems to specialize in taking a standard genre premise (like zombies in 'Raising Stony Mayhall', and now 'The Matrix'-like simulation premise in this) and flipping it in a gonzo fashion, with snappy dialogue, sharply drawn characters and ultimately an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Well done.
I recently read John Scalzi's latest book 'When the Moon Hits Your Eye', in which the moon has turned to cheese (see my review), and now we have Daryl Gregory's book where it's been revealed that our world is a simulation, and people have had seven years to adjust to that fact. To prove it, the Simulators have populated the world with a variety of 'Impossibles', objects which defy all normal laws of physics.
Of course, when there is a sudden influx of strange, uncanny objects scattered across the US, that means only one thing: Road trip!
We board a tour bus run by the service called Canterbury Trails (and yes, it's a model for the plot) and follow the random group of pilgrims on a cross-country journey. Each person has their own reason for being on the trip, and Gregory uses the Chaucer model to alternate through their points of view to gradually reveal their reasons for being there, and their secrets.
The most mysterious person joined the trip late and has Shadowy Government Forces looking for her. And off we go!
Part of the fun, of course, is seeing how many different kinds of oddities Gregory comes up with: The Frozen Tornado, the Zipper, the Hollow Flock, the Geysers of Mystery, Ghost City. They are fun, and funny in how people react to them.
However, every Daryl Gregory book is really about the characters. He brings such a warmth to his depictions of character that despite the gonzo premise and wisecracking dialogue (and he's great at that), we come to care about each one of these people, even (or even especially) the prickly ones.
Gregory seems to specialize in taking a standard genre premise (like zombies in 'Raising Stony Mayhall', and now 'The Matrix'-like simulation premise in this) and flipping it in a gonzo fashion, with snappy dialogue, sharply drawn characters and ultimately an emotionally satisfying conclusion. Well done.
October 29, 2025
This is a book written by a man with care and it was wonderful and a balm to my heart.
Some more context, to better contextualized the above: this year, I have been shaking my fist at a few books I unfortunately picked up for being so very careless, for stomping around with abysmal lack of empathy in their dumb attempt at humour. Those were all books written by 'the dudes' and for 'the dudes' - if you don't know what that means, within the SFF genre, then either I am extremely glad for you, or you are unfortunately one of 'the dudes'. This book here is how it's done with care and actual wit.
First, the character work:
Everyone is introduced at once in the first chapter, and I was happy for the "map" (bus seating chart, with names) at the beginning of the book... but it merely takes a few pages to stop having to refer to it entirely. All the characters are so vividly drawn, and with such care (!), that it was not hard to keep track. In fact I was eager to see what they would do next. Some I genuinely loved, some I got annoyed with, but all of them got enough attention and page time to feel so very human, flawed of course, but also why and how and what it meant. Regardless of whether I personally liked them or not, I loved them all.
There's a parallel made between the reader of this book and the simulators watching what their creations would do, and this is another example of a book where the writing not only serves but even enhances the narrative style. The author puts us in the spot of the benevolent watcher. It's subtle, but it helps the story hit harder.
Second, the world:
I have not spent a lot of time thinking about simulation theories, but as I was reading this, I did some Wikipedia diving, and reddit surfing too, and this is a pretty interesting subject. I won't pretend to have much experience with it, so maybe this won't feel as novel to others, but I really appreciated the care (!!) the author put in creating this world, in thinking through what it would do to societies and individuals, in big geopolitical ways, in small mundane, every-day-life ways and in psychological ways too, of course.
Finally, the blurring of the lines:
I mentioned above that we are invited to draw a parallel between the simulators and ourselves as a reader. After all, here we are, looking at those people we think of as characters, their lives as a story, we watch. Caring(!!!), benevolent even, wishing them the best, but distant. In the way often attributed to gods and creators.
Are the simulators the reader then? Or maybe , an agent of the sidelines, wishing they had gotten to interact more, to live in this world more, instead of staying on the sidelines?
Are the simulators the author? Being in astorysimulation doesn't mean the characters don't have free will, and here they seem to lead their stories... as I am told they often do, under good authors' pens.
Or maybe simulators are the editors of this tale, going through iterative drafts until a solution emerges.
I don't re-read books a lot, but this is one that might grow on a second read, as I am sure there was more said on this than I caught the first time.
Finally, I liked the references to the story of Gilgamesh that peppered Margaret's own life/tale, echoing the nature of her own journey: . The story itself shares some of the themes found in the Epic of Gilgamesh: we get to ponder what is the place of humans and their lives in the universe, how short our individual existences are, how fragile and small we are, what it all may mean, especially in the face of powerful, god-like entities who rule the world as we know it.
But I'll leave this review by praising a smaller theme of the book: the male friendship between JP and Dulin, which was so dear and touching. I smiled like an idiot at their interactions and I loved the vulnerability and openness they shared and cultivated. Those two were so heartwarming and I wish friendships like this one on every man (on everyone really, but I feel those are a rarer occurrence, at least in fiction, when it comes to men).
Favorite quotes:
At an one of the "Impossibles":
Some more context, to better contextualized the above: this year, I have been shaking my fist at a few books I unfortunately picked up for being so very careless, for stomping around with abysmal lack of empathy in their dumb attempt at humour. Those were all books written by 'the dudes' and for 'the dudes' - if you don't know what that means, within the SFF genre, then either I am extremely glad for you, or you are unfortunately one of 'the dudes'. This book here is how it's done with care and actual wit.
First, the character work:
Everyone is introduced at once in the first chapter, and I was happy for the "map" (bus seating chart, with names) at the beginning of the book... but it merely takes a few pages to stop having to refer to it entirely. All the characters are so vividly drawn, and with such care (!), that it was not hard to keep track. In fact I was eager to see what they would do next. Some I genuinely loved, some I got annoyed with, but all of them got enough attention and page time to feel so very human, flawed of course, but also why and how and what it meant. Regardless of whether I personally liked them or not, I loved them all.
There's a parallel made between the reader of this book and the simulators watching what their creations would do, and this is another example of a book where the writing not only serves but even enhances the narrative style. The author puts us in the spot of the benevolent watcher. It's subtle, but it helps the story hit harder.
Second, the world:
I have not spent a lot of time thinking about simulation theories, but as I was reading this, I did some Wikipedia diving, and reddit surfing too, and this is a pretty interesting subject. I won't pretend to have much experience with it, so maybe this won't feel as novel to others, but I really appreciated the care (!!) the author put in creating this world, in thinking through what it would do to societies and individuals, in big geopolitical ways, in small mundane, every-day-life ways and in psychological ways too, of course.
Finally, the blurring of the lines:
I mentioned above that we are invited to draw a parallel between the simulators and ourselves as a reader. After all, here we are, looking at those people we think of as characters, their lives as a story, we watch. Caring(!!!), benevolent even, wishing them the best, but distant. In the way often attributed to gods and creators.
Are the simulators the reader then? Or maybe , an agent of the sidelines, wishing they had gotten to interact more, to live in this world more, instead of staying on the sidelines?
Are the simulators the author? Being in a
Or maybe simulators are the editors of this tale, going through iterative drafts until a solution emerges.
I don't re-read books a lot, but this is one that might grow on a second read, as I am sure there was more said on this than I caught the first time.
Finally, I liked the references to the story of Gilgamesh that peppered Margaret's own life/tale, echoing the nature of her own journey: . The story itself shares some of the themes found in the Epic of Gilgamesh: we get to ponder what is the place of humans and their lives in the universe, how short our individual existences are, how fragile and small we are, what it all may mean, especially in the face of powerful, god-like entities who rule the world as we know it.
But I'll leave this review by praising a smaller theme of the book: the male friendship between JP and Dulin, which was so dear and touching. I smiled like an idiot at their interactions and I loved the vulnerability and openness they shared and cultivated. Those two were so heartwarming and I wish friendships like this one on every man (on everyone really, but I feel those are a rarer occurrence, at least in fiction, when it comes to men).
Favorite quotes:
At an one of the "Impossibles":
The Engineer adjusts his glasses. "It's odd, isn't it? Putting a solid object in front of your eyes so you can see another world."
"Like a book," the father says.
"Huh," the Engineer replies. "I suppose so."
It was [her] nightmare. She didn't fear AI. She feared what humans would do to one.
April 7, 2025
The nitty-gritty: A kooky, feel-good road trip story set in a Matrix-like world, When We Were Real explores the meaning of life in a humorous, heartfelt way.
Not only does Daryl Gregory have one of those incredible imaginations you find now and then in speculative fiction, but he’s able to write successfully in many different genres. This time he takes on the digital world and computer simulations in When We Were Real, a quirky, weird and sometimes confusing story about what it means to be “real.” I enjoyed this a lot, although it didn’t completely work for me at times, mostly due to the length and the very long roster of characters. But overall I would recommend it to readers who like deep dives into philosophical questions about life and death. It’s also full of Gregory’s brand of witty, biting humor and lots of emotional moments as well.
It’s been seven years since the Announcement, when everyone on Earth learned that they were actually living in a simulation, leading fake, digital lives created by beings known as the Simulators. After a year of the Freak Out, as people tried to wrap their heads around their new reality, most people eventually just continued on with their lives, which to be honest didn’t change that much. The oddest things to come out of the Announcement were a bunch of glitches or anomalies in the system called Impossibles. Impossibles popped up all over the world, strange, “impossible” attractions that can be viewed via tour buses. In this story, we follow one such tour company called Canterbury Trails and the odd assortment of people on the tour.
Each person on the bus (or should I say “character”) is given a label as well as a name, which reinforces that “digital persona” idea. For example, we meet THE ENGINEER, a man named JP whose brain cancer was in remission but has just returned. JP is traveling with his best friend Dulin, THE COMIC BOOK WRITER. Aneeta is THE TOUR GUIDE and it’s her first solo job. Not only is she struggling to make sense of her instruction binder, but she’s quickly losing control of her tour group. Lisa Marie is THE INFLUENCER, a young pregnant woman determined to increase her followers with a blow-by-blow accounting of the tour, culminating in (if her plan goes right) the birth of her baby at the last stop.
THE REALIST is a podcaster hoping to expose the truth of what the Simulators are up to, and THE REALIST'S SON Christopher is reluctantly recording his father’s antics. THE DRIVER is Agnes, who is concerned about the regular tour guide Peter and why he didn’t show up for this tour. We also meet a mysterious woman named Gillian (real name Margaret Schell) who appears to be on the run from someone and is anxious to get to Ghost City in order to complete a “hand off” of some kind. THE READER is an inconspicuous non binary person named Xing-Xing who does nothing but read the entire time—although they have some surprises in store for the reader later in the story.
There are even more characters on the tour, but I won’t go into details about the others. We get a multi-perspective story as the chapters shift among all the characters and we learn why they decided to join the tour and what their individual struggles are. When We Were Real is basically a road trip story, as the bus goes from Impossible to Impossible over the course of a week. Each character is nicely developed (even the ones I haven’t mentioned), and each one has slightly different beliefs about the digital world they’re living in, like whether or not death has meaning anymore (if the Simulators can reboot the system and start the simulation over, is death even a thing?)
We also get an intriguing thriller element in the form of Gillian/Margaret, who is on the run from a group called the Protagonists. Margaret is determined to keep her daughter and husband safe and must deliver something called a “tool box” to the right people. While I found Margaret’s story exciting and fast-paced, it was also confusing because her backstory is revealed in bits and pieces that were hard to make sense of as a whole.
Gregory’s humor is on point and was one of my favorite elements in the story. I especially loved the friendship between JP and Dulin, who have had decades to learn each other’s quirks and jokes, and they are so in tune with each other that they practically finish the other’s sentences. I also loved the references to modern literature that are sprinkled throughout the story. I spotted mentions of The Velveteen Rabbit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Atlas Shrugged and more.
The author also gives readers lots to think about. If this is a simulation, how could Lisa Marie become pregnant? And even stranger, why is her labor so painful? And what about JP’s cancer? Why would the Simulators create a world where cancer exists? Is it even worth it to continue on, knowing that nothing is “real”?
And I have to give a brief mention to the Impossibles, the odd pit stops along the way that really do seem impossible! There’s the Antipode, a floating disc that is actually a window into the opposite side of the planet; the Tunnel, a mysterious black hole that goes from Kentucky to Utah in the blink of an eye. You can stay as long as you want in the Tunnel, but no time passes on the outside, so it’s as if you were only there for seconds. And my favorite was the flock of Hollow Sheep, impossibly soft but empty creatures who wander around but don’t really do anything. Maybe there’s an important metaphor there!
As for negatives, I found the 464 page book to be unnecessarily long. In addition, there are lots of tangents and side stories that slow down the pacing. I could have done without some of the characters as well, since twenty is a lot to keep track of. Finally, I was also hoping for more of an impactful ending that explained everything, but instead it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
Still, as a huge fan of the author, I’m so glad I read this book. When We Were Real is one of the most original science fiction books I’ve read so far this year.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Not only does Daryl Gregory have one of those incredible imaginations you find now and then in speculative fiction, but he’s able to write successfully in many different genres. This time he takes on the digital world and computer simulations in When We Were Real, a quirky, weird and sometimes confusing story about what it means to be “real.” I enjoyed this a lot, although it didn’t completely work for me at times, mostly due to the length and the very long roster of characters. But overall I would recommend it to readers who like deep dives into philosophical questions about life and death. It’s also full of Gregory’s brand of witty, biting humor and lots of emotional moments as well.
It’s been seven years since the Announcement, when everyone on Earth learned that they were actually living in a simulation, leading fake, digital lives created by beings known as the Simulators. After a year of the Freak Out, as people tried to wrap their heads around their new reality, most people eventually just continued on with their lives, which to be honest didn’t change that much. The oddest things to come out of the Announcement were a bunch of glitches or anomalies in the system called Impossibles. Impossibles popped up all over the world, strange, “impossible” attractions that can be viewed via tour buses. In this story, we follow one such tour company called Canterbury Trails and the odd assortment of people on the tour.
Each person on the bus (or should I say “character”) is given a label as well as a name, which reinforces that “digital persona” idea. For example, we meet THE ENGINEER, a man named JP whose brain cancer was in remission but has just returned. JP is traveling with his best friend Dulin, THE COMIC BOOK WRITER. Aneeta is THE TOUR GUIDE and it’s her first solo job. Not only is she struggling to make sense of her instruction binder, but she’s quickly losing control of her tour group. Lisa Marie is THE INFLUENCER, a young pregnant woman determined to increase her followers with a blow-by-blow accounting of the tour, culminating in (if her plan goes right) the birth of her baby at the last stop.
THE REALIST is a podcaster hoping to expose the truth of what the Simulators are up to, and THE REALIST'S SON Christopher is reluctantly recording his father’s antics. THE DRIVER is Agnes, who is concerned about the regular tour guide Peter and why he didn’t show up for this tour. We also meet a mysterious woman named Gillian (real name Margaret Schell) who appears to be on the run from someone and is anxious to get to Ghost City in order to complete a “hand off” of some kind. THE READER is an inconspicuous non binary person named Xing-Xing who does nothing but read the entire time—although they have some surprises in store for the reader later in the story.
There are even more characters on the tour, but I won’t go into details about the others. We get a multi-perspective story as the chapters shift among all the characters and we learn why they decided to join the tour and what their individual struggles are. When We Were Real is basically a road trip story, as the bus goes from Impossible to Impossible over the course of a week. Each character is nicely developed (even the ones I haven’t mentioned), and each one has slightly different beliefs about the digital world they’re living in, like whether or not death has meaning anymore (if the Simulators can reboot the system and start the simulation over, is death even a thing?)
We also get an intriguing thriller element in the form of Gillian/Margaret, who is on the run from a group called the Protagonists. Margaret is determined to keep her daughter and husband safe and must deliver something called a “tool box” to the right people. While I found Margaret’s story exciting and fast-paced, it was also confusing because her backstory is revealed in bits and pieces that were hard to make sense of as a whole.
Gregory’s humor is on point and was one of my favorite elements in the story. I especially loved the friendship between JP and Dulin, who have had decades to learn each other’s quirks and jokes, and they are so in tune with each other that they practically finish the other’s sentences. I also loved the references to modern literature that are sprinkled throughout the story. I spotted mentions of The Velveteen Rabbit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Atlas Shrugged and more.
The author also gives readers lots to think about. If this is a simulation, how could Lisa Marie become pregnant? And even stranger, why is her labor so painful? And what about JP’s cancer? Why would the Simulators create a world where cancer exists? Is it even worth it to continue on, knowing that nothing is “real”?
And I have to give a brief mention to the Impossibles, the odd pit stops along the way that really do seem impossible! There’s the Antipode, a floating disc that is actually a window into the opposite side of the planet; the Tunnel, a mysterious black hole that goes from Kentucky to Utah in the blink of an eye. You can stay as long as you want in the Tunnel, but no time passes on the outside, so it’s as if you were only there for seconds. And my favorite was the flock of Hollow Sheep, impossibly soft but empty creatures who wander around but don’t really do anything. Maybe there’s an important metaphor there!
As for negatives, I found the 464 page book to be unnecessarily long. In addition, there are lots of tangents and side stories that slow down the pacing. I could have done without some of the characters as well, since twenty is a lot to keep track of. Finally, I was also hoping for more of an impactful ending that explained everything, but instead it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
Still, as a huge fan of the author, I’m so glad I read this book. When We Were Real is one of the most original science fiction books I’ve read so far this year.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
May 5, 2025
I struggled a bit to express my thoughts on this novel, as I’ve never read a book quite like When We Were Real before. (It seems only fair to mention that I’ve got no real experience reading in this subgenre of speculative fiction, so keep that in mind as you continue reading this review!) I picked this one up because of the interesting pitch I’d heard: two best friends on a road trip across the US visiting the glitches in their simulated world. When We Were Real did start off well – the tone was lighthearted, tongue-in-check and inviting; the cast were an eclectic bunch of personalities; and the plot matched what had been promised to us readers. I was speeding steadily through the chapters, content to let this story take me where it would… at least for a time.
Partway through the novel, I realized I wasn’t feeling as invested as I had been at the start. It was just a confluence of elements that made me feel this way: the tone had started feeling too contrived; the characters felt more like caricatures than individuals I could connect with; the plot started leaning in a more overly dramatic direction. All these things, as well as the shift to a more serious tone, contributed to my growing distance from this story and my level of interest in the outcome. You may be wondering why I continued reading, and the answer is quite simple: the themes being touched upon still tugged on my interest, especially as pertains to reality versus simulation, and the way individuals and interpersonal relationships can affect (or be affected by) environment and emotions. The story still gave me some food for thought in this aspect, and so I persisted in finishing the book. (Buddy reading this with a friend helped in that regard as well!)
I’m always open to trying out books that wouldn’t be my typical reading fare, so I’m glad that I gave When We Were Real a shot even though it ended up not being my cup of tea in the end.
Partway through the novel, I realized I wasn’t feeling as invested as I had been at the start. It was just a confluence of elements that made me feel this way: the tone had started feeling too contrived; the characters felt more like caricatures than individuals I could connect with; the plot started leaning in a more overly dramatic direction. All these things, as well as the shift to a more serious tone, contributed to my growing distance from this story and my level of interest in the outcome. You may be wondering why I continued reading, and the answer is quite simple: the themes being touched upon still tugged on my interest, especially as pertains to reality versus simulation, and the way individuals and interpersonal relationships can affect (or be affected by) environment and emotions. The story still gave me some food for thought in this aspect, and so I persisted in finishing the book. (Buddy reading this with a friend helped in that regard as well!)
I’m always open to trying out books that wouldn’t be my typical reading fare, so I’m glad that I gave When We Were Real a shot even though it ended up not being my cup of tea in the end.
August 2, 2025
I have been trying to expand my reading into genres that aren't my usual lately, and this one grabbed my attention. It's a Sci-fi, speculative fiction. This was very thought provoking read and it did grab me, although it was so out of my comfort zone. Two best friends go on a “trip” across the US together, to visit “The Impossibles’ which is basically glitches in the world that is not “real ‘, but simulated. There is a cast of characters along for the ride with them, and I found them to be complex and well developed. This was definitely a creative story and it had some humor as well. In the end, it wasn't my favorite book, but Im happy that I gave it a try. Very unique read and I think if you're sci-fi aficionado, you should definitely give this a try.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
May 28, 2025
The plot of the book was decent and it was a unique spin on simulation theory. I am having a hard time explaining why I didn’t love it.
It was hard to pick up. I guess I was kind of bored with the story. It had so much potential, the characters were all really interesting… maybe it was just poorly written? Poorly executed? I dk. It just left me feeling meh.
It was hard to pick up. I guess I was kind of bored with the story. It had so much potential, the characters were all really interesting… maybe it was just poorly written? Poorly executed? I dk. It just left me feeling meh.
February 7, 2025
When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory. Thanks to @sagapress #sagasayscrew for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seven years ago it was announced that our world is merely a digital stimulation. That same day, physics defying glitches “the Impossibles” appeared. A group is now together going on a tour of the Impossibles.
I loved the concept of this and all the Impossibles. It was so creative. I enjoyed reading about each one and wish that was even more heavily weighed on. At first I was put off by all the characters, but I quickly got to know them and they were all different; a few very hateable. It was slightly longer than it needed to be but it was a fun read.
“Why was anyone shocked that the world was not in our control, and that nothing we did mattered? The simulators could hit reset at any time, or climate change would kill ya. Same difference.”
When We Were Real comes out 4/1.
Seven years ago it was announced that our world is merely a digital stimulation. That same day, physics defying glitches “the Impossibles” appeared. A group is now together going on a tour of the Impossibles.
I loved the concept of this and all the Impossibles. It was so creative. I enjoyed reading about each one and wish that was even more heavily weighed on. At first I was put off by all the characters, but I quickly got to know them and they were all different; a few very hateable. It was slightly longer than it needed to be but it was a fun read.
“Why was anyone shocked that the world was not in our control, and that nothing we did mattered? The simulators could hit reset at any time, or climate change would kill ya. Same difference.”
When We Were Real comes out 4/1.
January 5, 2025
The concept of this story drew me in as it follows a broad cast of characters living in a simulation as they go on a bus tour to see strange anomalies that are essentially glitches in the matrix. The characters are fully aware that they live in a sim which felt like a unique choice as it took away the classic "what is reality" trope stories like this tend to lean on. Instead, the author centers the novel around vivid descriptions of the setting, which gives the reader a better understanding of the simulation but also immerses us in the bus tour with the characters.
As the story changes POV to each of the main cast of characters on the bus, its clear that the author put a lot of care into making them well-rounded and memorable. I will say at times it was hard to keep up with all of them and some characters had more compelling motivations while others seemed to just be along for the journey.
ARC received through NetGalley
As the story changes POV to each of the main cast of characters on the bus, its clear that the author put a lot of care into making them well-rounded and memorable. I will say at times it was hard to keep up with all of them and some characters had more compelling motivations while others seemed to just be along for the journey.
ARC received through NetGalley
April 5, 2025
Killer concept. Doesn’t do a lot with it. Aspires to some depth but falls flat in the process. Some attempts at humor that don’t land on the page but would make for hilarious gags in a film or movie.
July 25, 2025
Audiobook (13 hours) narrated by Ari Fliakos
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Although Ari is an award winning narrator, specifically for paranormal audiobooks, this narration is lazy.
Granted, the group conversations are written more like a script than a conversation, with a lot of identifiers and prompts, but it could be read using the prompts instead of saying them, as most narrators do. For example (not taken from the book but on a similar level of what I was hearing over and over again) the sentences would be something like:
Sally giggled as she said, "Oh I'm sure you'd like that!"
Dan gruffly laughed and puffed out his chest and said, "Uh. Yeah, I would."
Dean chimed in. "You know it!" with a mocking laugh and gesture as Susan quietly said, "Children. I'm dealing with children." under her breath.
Ari read every single word. He did not laugh, he did not speak mockingly or with an ego, he didn't even whisper. What the hell is that?
The only reason that I made it through half of the book is because I was busy doing something and away from the app, so I couldn't easily change it.
The audio is flawless though, so there's that.
The book. The book is getting a lot of love and maybe if it were to be narrated better I could overlook some of the simplistic writing and really bad conversational wording, as if this is written by someone who doesn't get out much... because people don't speak like this, even young people. Maybe some of the words, but not all compiled together. It just reads as someone learning to write and learning how to create characteristics through conversation.
One of the telling things for me about this being rudimentary, is that the characters get identifiers instead of personalities. One character is either called 'the one with the glasses' or 'Harry Potter' almost every time he speaks, because he apparently wears Harry Potter like glasses. This isn't something his friends are calling him, this is the authors identification of the character, Harry Potter said, the one with the glasses said, said Harry Potter.
Every line also says said. She said, he said, even when there's more going on.. Sally said with a smile, James said as he made a menacing look. I just can't
The outline of the story is great! It's creative. It's inviting. I want to walk into this world, breath it in and enjoy the heck out of it but I am so fucking annoyed I am moving on.
If you try this book, try the print version, perhaps the brain can weed out the multiple says and poor conversational writing that the narrator couldn't or was told not too, or I mean if you are into self punishment, have at it.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Although Ari is an award winning narrator, specifically for paranormal audiobooks, this narration is lazy.
Granted, the group conversations are written more like a script than a conversation, with a lot of identifiers and prompts, but it could be read using the prompts instead of saying them, as most narrators do. For example (not taken from the book but on a similar level of what I was hearing over and over again) the sentences would be something like:
Sally giggled as she said, "Oh I'm sure you'd like that!"
Dan gruffly laughed and puffed out his chest and said, "Uh. Yeah, I would."
Dean chimed in. "You know it!" with a mocking laugh and gesture as Susan quietly said, "Children. I'm dealing with children." under her breath.
Ari read every single word. He did not laugh, he did not speak mockingly or with an ego, he didn't even whisper. What the hell is that?
The only reason that I made it through half of the book is because I was busy doing something and away from the app, so I couldn't easily change it.
The audio is flawless though, so there's that.
The book. The book is getting a lot of love and maybe if it were to be narrated better I could overlook some of the simplistic writing and really bad conversational wording, as if this is written by someone who doesn't get out much... because people don't speak like this, even young people. Maybe some of the words, but not all compiled together. It just reads as someone learning to write and learning how to create characteristics through conversation.
One of the telling things for me about this being rudimentary, is that the characters get identifiers instead of personalities. One character is either called 'the one with the glasses' or 'Harry Potter' almost every time he speaks, because he apparently wears Harry Potter like glasses. This isn't something his friends are calling him, this is the authors identification of the character, Harry Potter said, the one with the glasses said, said Harry Potter.
Every line also says said. She said, he said, even when there's more going on.. Sally said with a smile, James said as he made a menacing look. I just can't
The outline of the story is great! It's creative. It's inviting. I want to walk into this world, breath it in and enjoy the heck out of it but I am so fucking annoyed I am moving on.
If you try this book, try the print version, perhaps the brain can weed out the multiple says and poor conversational writing that the narrator couldn't or was told not too, or I mean if you are into self punishment, have at it.
January 14, 2025
Wow, I really liked this one. It had so many layers that I wasn't expecting, especially as I got closer to the end.
When I started the story, something about it made me think of Tom Robbins... I think maybe it was the way the narration began by defining each character's role. Or maybe it was the irreverent tone? Or the absurdist streak defining the events taking place? Either way, I suspected I was in for a treat.
It felt like there were a lot of characters to keep track of in the beginning, but they were well drawn so that helped. Although not everyone was given proper names, no one was extraneous and even the smaller characters had an arc.
I always love imaginative stories and the way the plot unfolded was so creative and fun. The book blurb came across as a bit silly but the stakes felt real as we got to know these strangers and their backstories. I appreciated the new philosophies that had evolved as the characters has adjusted to their "new" circumstances... and just how much stayed the same. The major questions are all still unanswered: Who's in charge? What happens next? Does free will exist?
Nit-Picks: I found some of the settings to be confusing, especially the physics of the Zipper. Every time the author described where something was located within the Zipper, I couldn't picture it and I finally gave up trying. I also found myself pulled out of the story when it came to Lisa Marie. A 9-month-pregnant lady can't lay on her back because the baby is too heavy... and a baby can't be manually held in the mother's body when it's trying to be born. It will go into fetal distress and die in a very short time, which is why emergency c-sections are done quickly and urgently. I know this will not be a big deal for the vast majority of the audience but I found it to be super distracting.
Beyond that, I was a huge fan of this story. I LOVED the final chapter in Ghost City. I plan to read the whole thing again and see what I discover this time around. I suspect it will be as one of the Octos says, the book seems to change every time you read it.
I'm so glad I was able to read this ahead of publication and I look forward to buying a hard copy once it's available.
When I started the story, something about it made me think of Tom Robbins... I think maybe it was the way the narration began by defining each character's role. Or maybe it was the irreverent tone? Or the absurdist streak defining the events taking place? Either way, I suspected I was in for a treat.
It felt like there were a lot of characters to keep track of in the beginning, but they were well drawn so that helped. Although not everyone was given proper names, no one was extraneous and even the smaller characters had an arc.
I always love imaginative stories and the way the plot unfolded was so creative and fun. The book blurb came across as a bit silly but the stakes felt real as we got to know these strangers and their backstories. I appreciated the new philosophies that had evolved as the characters has adjusted to their "new" circumstances... and just how much stayed the same. The major questions are all still unanswered: Who's in charge? What happens next? Does free will exist?
Nit-Picks: I found some of the settings to be confusing, especially the physics of the Zipper. Every time the author described where something was located within the Zipper, I couldn't picture it and I finally gave up trying. I also found myself pulled out of the story when it came to Lisa Marie. A 9-month-pregnant lady can't lay on her back because the baby is too heavy... and a baby can't be manually held in the mother's body when it's trying to be born. It will go into fetal distress and die in a very short time, which is why emergency c-sections are done quickly and urgently. I know this will not be a big deal for the vast majority of the audience but I found it to be super distracting.
Beyond that, I was a huge fan of this story. I LOVED the final chapter in Ghost City. I plan to read the whole thing again and see what I discover this time around. I suspect it will be as one of the Octos says, the book seems to change every time you read it.
I'm so glad I was able to read this ahead of publication and I look forward to buying a hard copy once it's available.
April 10, 2025
4.5*
This was a trip- literally and figuratively. We meet a group of folks who are heading out to visit... well, it's sort of like the Seven Wonders of the World, but more like The Weirdest Junk in the Simulated World. Basically, these are glitches that make no sense, but are proof that the world is no longer "real". And so, there are tour companies making bank taking folks on tours there, because of course there are.
We follow a very motley crew on this bus trip- two nuns and a rabbi (the jokes practically write themselves), two middle-aged male besties, a pregnant teen influencer, a podcaster and his reluctant son, a loner, and a group of randy octogenarians. They all have reasons for being on this trip, which is lead by a tour guide who has never guided, and a bus driver who is just... over it. And then someone else joins the band, and the whole thing goes from strange to bonkers.
This is a really fun journey, getting to know all these passengers. They are all grappling with the whole "world being fake" thing, which is entertaining, and also a lot of very heavy life stuff, which is less fun but also very poignant. There are also a lot of exciting moments on the journey too, lest you think it is too slow. Overall, it was a really fun adventure!
Bottom Line: A quirky, entertaining road trip with some very cool twists and incredible characters!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
This was a trip- literally and figuratively. We meet a group of folks who are heading out to visit... well, it's sort of like the Seven Wonders of the World, but more like The Weirdest Junk in the Simulated World. Basically, these are glitches that make no sense, but are proof that the world is no longer "real". And so, there are tour companies making bank taking folks on tours there, because of course there are.
We follow a very motley crew on this bus trip- two nuns and a rabbi (the jokes practically write themselves), two middle-aged male besties, a pregnant teen influencer, a podcaster and his reluctant son, a loner, and a group of randy octogenarians. They all have reasons for being on this trip, which is lead by a tour guide who has never guided, and a bus driver who is just... over it. And then someone else joins the band, and the whole thing goes from strange to bonkers.
This is a really fun journey, getting to know all these passengers. They are all grappling with the whole "world being fake" thing, which is entertaining, and also a lot of very heavy life stuff, which is less fun but also very poignant. There are also a lot of exciting moments on the journey too, lest you think it is too slow. Overall, it was a really fun adventure!
Bottom Line: A quirky, entertaining road trip with some very cool twists and incredible characters!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Read
May 2, 20252 stars
This book is not for me. Based on the ratings, there are lots of people that really enjoyed it. I DNF’d at 45%. Since I didn’t finish it, I’m not giving it a star rating on here.
I thought this book was going to be plot heavy based on the synopsis, but it’s very character heavy - & there are about 10 characters.
This novel is also very vulgar. It felt unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the story.
Read if you enjoy:
🎥 The Matrix movie
🤳 Influencers/Social Media
🤬 Adults behaving badly
🌏 The search for the purpose of life (in a sense)
This one is out now. Thank you to NetGalley & Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram!
This book is not for me. Based on the ratings, there are lots of people that really enjoyed it. I DNF’d at 45%. Since I didn’t finish it, I’m not giving it a star rating on here.
I thought this book was going to be plot heavy based on the synopsis, but it’s very character heavy - & there are about 10 characters.
This novel is also very vulgar. It felt unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the story.
Read if you enjoy:
🎥 The Matrix movie
🤳 Influencers/Social Media
🤬 Adults behaving badly
🌏 The search for the purpose of life (in a sense)
This one is out now. Thank you to NetGalley & Saga Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram!
September 30, 2024
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. What a wild and strange ride. As someone married to a conspiracy lover, this book checked all the boxes. Creepy in all the best ways, definitely makes you wonder.
April 17, 2025
tbh I had to skim the last 100 pages, it was just getting too long and annoying
May 22, 2025
DNF. Love the premise, but just can't get into it.
May 30, 2025
3.75 - Thank you so much to Saga Press for the complimentary copy of this book!
This book is out now!
I am trying to broaden my reading this year and being a part of the Saga Says Crew is going to ensure that I do just that. I thought this book sounded interesting and enough for my wittle brain to handled. And well I was able to follow for the most part but towards the end I was a little confused as things started to unravel towards the end.
This book had a cast of characters! You meet a whole slew of folks who are on this cross country trip to see all these "Impossibles" which essentially were glitches in this simulated world that appeared 7 years ago. I would compare the Impossibles to the 7 wonders of the world except that they are all in the US. The characters were all so different and yet they are forced to be together on this long journey across the US.
I do wish I tracked who was who when I was reading just because I was not listening consistently and I kept forgetting who was doing what with whom. But when I would do bigger chunks, I didn't have any issues with following. I thought the whole idea of living in a simulation was fascinating! Especially with the way technology is vastly approaching to take over everyday life.
I read this one primarily via audiobook which occasionally I would read the physical copy that I had. The narrator was a new name to me, Ari Fliakos, who did an absolutely phenomenal job! I wish he could narrate all the books I read that has multiple point of views. He really nailed the voices and I especially loved his voice for Dulin. Highly recommend listening if you read this!
This is only my 2nd Sci Fi book and I enjoyed it way more than the other book that I have read. I am happy that I read it and I would read this author again.
If you are looking to go outside your comfort zone or enjoy Sci Fi books, give this one a try!
This book is out now!
I am trying to broaden my reading this year and being a part of the Saga Says Crew is going to ensure that I do just that. I thought this book sounded interesting and enough for my wittle brain to handled. And well I was able to follow for the most part but towards the end I was a little confused as things started to unravel towards the end.
This book had a cast of characters! You meet a whole slew of folks who are on this cross country trip to see all these "Impossibles" which essentially were glitches in this simulated world that appeared 7 years ago. I would compare the Impossibles to the 7 wonders of the world except that they are all in the US. The characters were all so different and yet they are forced to be together on this long journey across the US.
I do wish I tracked who was who when I was reading just because I was not listening consistently and I kept forgetting who was doing what with whom. But when I would do bigger chunks, I didn't have any issues with following. I thought the whole idea of living in a simulation was fascinating! Especially with the way technology is vastly approaching to take over everyday life.
I read this one primarily via audiobook which occasionally I would read the physical copy that I had. The narrator was a new name to me, Ari Fliakos, who did an absolutely phenomenal job! I wish he could narrate all the books I read that has multiple point of views. He really nailed the voices and I especially loved his voice for Dulin. Highly recommend listening if you read this!
This is only my 2nd Sci Fi book and I enjoyed it way more than the other book that I have read. I am happy that I read it and I would read this author again.
If you are looking to go outside your comfort zone or enjoy Sci Fi books, give this one a try!
April 1, 2025
When We Were Real is a sci-fi novel about a bus full of people going on a cross-country road trip a few years after it is announced that humanity has been living in a simulation.
This novel features a diverse cast of characters who all have their own motivations for being on the bus trip, Canterbury Trails, which explores various “Impossibles”, anomalies that are placed throughout the U.S. by the Simmers to show everyone that it truly is a simulation.
Gregory employs multiple POVs from just about all the characters and he does a fantastic job at tying each character to a role and introducing them in a way that they are super memorable. I was never once confused by who is who.
The main characters we follow include JP (the Engineer who is battling brain cancer) and his friend Dulin (a comic book writer known for his witty banter). In addition, there is a pregnant social media influencer, two nuns, a rabbi, a “realist”, a reader, a scientist, a nurse, a few old folks, and more.
The plot is propulsive while allowing for plenty of time for introspection and philosophizing and science talk that never bogs down the plot in any way. This book moves quickly for being over 400 pages.
When We Were Real poses several questions of what it means to be human, how we grapple with the world around us and its many anomalies, our relationships with others, and our faith (presence or lack thereof) in a higher being. It’s a fascinating novel that will entertain you and keep you thinking long after you turn the last page.
This was my second book by Daryl Gregory that I’ve read (Revelator is the other) and so far he is two-for-two with bangers for me (both being so different makes it even more impressive). Check it out! It’s out today.
Huge thank you to Saga Press for providing with a free ARC. I also read a portion of this as an eARC on NetGalley.
This novel features a diverse cast of characters who all have their own motivations for being on the bus trip, Canterbury Trails, which explores various “Impossibles”, anomalies that are placed throughout the U.S. by the Simmers to show everyone that it truly is a simulation.
Gregory employs multiple POVs from just about all the characters and he does a fantastic job at tying each character to a role and introducing them in a way that they are super memorable. I was never once confused by who is who.
The main characters we follow include JP (the Engineer who is battling brain cancer) and his friend Dulin (a comic book writer known for his witty banter). In addition, there is a pregnant social media influencer, two nuns, a rabbi, a “realist”, a reader, a scientist, a nurse, a few old folks, and more.
The plot is propulsive while allowing for plenty of time for introspection and philosophizing and science talk that never bogs down the plot in any way. This book moves quickly for being over 400 pages.
When We Were Real poses several questions of what it means to be human, how we grapple with the world around us and its many anomalies, our relationships with others, and our faith (presence or lack thereof) in a higher being. It’s a fascinating novel that will entertain you and keep you thinking long after you turn the last page.
This was my second book by Daryl Gregory that I’ve read (Revelator is the other) and so far he is two-for-two with bangers for me (both being so different makes it even more impressive). Check it out! It’s out today.
Huge thank you to Saga Press for providing with a free ARC. I also read a portion of this as an eARC on NetGalley.
March 11, 2025
This cross country tour bus is full of wacky characters, confusing architecture, and the occasional heart-felt moment. Also super weird, indestructible sheep. We follow a variety of characters: a man with cancer, a pregnant influencer, a truth-busting podcaster, a rabbi and two nuns, a tour guide on her first day at work. The best part of this is watching everybody grow into (mostly) better versions of themselves, interspersed with absolutely absurd attractions.
Things I liked:
The weird amalgamation of characters, the cool simulated experiences (simperiences?) and the character growth.
Issues I had:
It got a liiiiitle long, but that's my only complaint.
For fans of:
Thank you Saga Press for the arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Things I liked:
The weird amalgamation of characters, the cool simulated experiences (simperiences?) and the character growth.
Issues I had:
It got a liiiiitle long, but that's my only complaint.
For fans of:
Thank you Saga Press for the arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 29, 2025
This is the kind of book you want to read at sunset. It calls to mind of one of my favorite words: elegiac, which Merriam Webster partially defines as "expressing sorrow often for something now past." But it's also hilarious, smart, heart-warming, thoughtful, and has characters who make you want to rip your hair out or buy a beer for. If you like Canterbury Tales, thought experiments, or just buddy road trips, there's something in this for you. Can't recommend enough.
April 6, 2025
So delightfully trippy and thought-provoking. It just made my favorite of the year so far!
April 14, 2025
could not vibe with this to save my life.
March 28, 2025
Thanks to the publisher for the advance galley of this book. All thoughts are my own.
I was intrigued by the summary of this one, and I have to say, it lived up to all of my expectations. I found it to be a creative blend of road trip comedy, existential sci-fi, and a heartfelt character study that will have you questioning what is real and what isn't. The book is over 400 pages long, but it moves quickly and never feels bloated.
Imagine if, one day, we woke up and learned that we are basically living in a storyline straight out of "The Sims" - except we're not controlling the game - we are the Sims. That's exactly what happens in this book. One day, every person on Earth receives a message confirming that their reality is artificial. When this happens, people are left reeling. Some commit suicide, some go crazy with conspiracy theories, and others get deeply introspective and philosophical. Soon, glitches begin appearing across the globe - geographic impossibilities that defy physics, like gravity-reversing geysers, upside-down tornadoes, and time-warping tunnels. These anomalies become the new "must-see" stops on sightseeing tours, and that is where we meet our cast of quirky characters.
We spend most of our time with JP and Dulin, lifelong best friends. JP has just learned that his cancer has returned, and this time, he's not going through more surgery or treatment. Dulin, unwilling to let JP slip quietly away, insists they take a once-in-a-lifetime tour across North America with Canterbury Trails Tours. The two men and several other travelers board a slightly ramshackle bus headed toward Ghost City - the supposed glitch that may hold the answer to who, or what, is running the simulation.
The cast of characters on this tour are all absolutely wonderful. There are a couple of nuns - one seasoned searching for God and a newer nun in training who can't believe the older one even doubts God's existence (despite knowing they're in a simulation). There's also a rabbi, a heavily pregnant influencer hellbent on making her unborn child famous, a newly married gay couple from Amsterdam on their honeymoon, a "truther" and his son who are starting a podcast with the intent to "prove" the government is lying about the whole simulation thing, and a foursome of horny octogenarians embracing the YOLO spirit of a world that's no longer pretending to make sense. There's even a professor on the run from a cult that worships The Matrix as gospel. The variety of characters adds richness and levity, and while I occasionally wished some of them - like the aforementioned elderly crew or the gay couple - got a little more page time, every character felt distinct and memorable.
I mentioned "The Sims" earlier, and it's easy to draw a parallel here to playing that game. Anyone who's spent as many hours crafting their own simulated worlds as I have, only to abandon them on a whim or burn them down in a fit of boredom, will recognize the terrifying freedom of the creator - and the vulnerability of the created. What if we are merely a simulation living inside a simulation? Lots of questions come up while reading this book, and for someone like me who often wonders about this stuff, I spent much time thinking about these things even after setting the book down. Many of my thoughts and questions mirrored the characters' thoughts: If it is a simulation, why do we still age? Why do we get sick or die? If this is a simulation, what's the point of suffering? And if we/they aren't "real," does that make our experiences meaningless?
I need to be clear that I never found the novel to be nihilistic. On the contrary, it's deeply invested in exploring what it means to be human - simulated or not. The story argues that our connections, our feelings, and our decisions still matter. In the book's artificial world, the search for meaning feels even more urgent. Whether it's love, friendship, God, fame, or simply a sense of closure - each character on that bus is chasing something real. And by the end of the book, you might find yourself believing, as they do, that reality is less about what's true and more about what we choose to hold onto.
Overall, I found this book to be funny, strange, emotionally resonant, and wildly creative. I had a really good time reading it and will likely revisit it in the future. It's a love letter to friendship, to stories, and to the idea that even if we're just code in a machine, we still need to live like we matter. It'll also make you think twice about neglecting your sims or treating them poorly the next time you play the game.
I was intrigued by the summary of this one, and I have to say, it lived up to all of my expectations. I found it to be a creative blend of road trip comedy, existential sci-fi, and a heartfelt character study that will have you questioning what is real and what isn't. The book is over 400 pages long, but it moves quickly and never feels bloated.
Imagine if, one day, we woke up and learned that we are basically living in a storyline straight out of "The Sims" - except we're not controlling the game - we are the Sims. That's exactly what happens in this book. One day, every person on Earth receives a message confirming that their reality is artificial. When this happens, people are left reeling. Some commit suicide, some go crazy with conspiracy theories, and others get deeply introspective and philosophical. Soon, glitches begin appearing across the globe - geographic impossibilities that defy physics, like gravity-reversing geysers, upside-down tornadoes, and time-warping tunnels. These anomalies become the new "must-see" stops on sightseeing tours, and that is where we meet our cast of quirky characters.
We spend most of our time with JP and Dulin, lifelong best friends. JP has just learned that his cancer has returned, and this time, he's not going through more surgery or treatment. Dulin, unwilling to let JP slip quietly away, insists they take a once-in-a-lifetime tour across North America with Canterbury Trails Tours. The two men and several other travelers board a slightly ramshackle bus headed toward Ghost City - the supposed glitch that may hold the answer to who, or what, is running the simulation.
The cast of characters on this tour are all absolutely wonderful. There are a couple of nuns - one seasoned searching for God and a newer nun in training who can't believe the older one even doubts God's existence (despite knowing they're in a simulation). There's also a rabbi, a heavily pregnant influencer hellbent on making her unborn child famous, a newly married gay couple from Amsterdam on their honeymoon, a "truther" and his son who are starting a podcast with the intent to "prove" the government is lying about the whole simulation thing, and a foursome of horny octogenarians embracing the YOLO spirit of a world that's no longer pretending to make sense. There's even a professor on the run from a cult that worships The Matrix as gospel. The variety of characters adds richness and levity, and while I occasionally wished some of them - like the aforementioned elderly crew or the gay couple - got a little more page time, every character felt distinct and memorable.
I mentioned "The Sims" earlier, and it's easy to draw a parallel here to playing that game. Anyone who's spent as many hours crafting their own simulated worlds as I have, only to abandon them on a whim or burn them down in a fit of boredom, will recognize the terrifying freedom of the creator - and the vulnerability of the created. What if we are merely a simulation living inside a simulation? Lots of questions come up while reading this book, and for someone like me who often wonders about this stuff, I spent much time thinking about these things even after setting the book down. Many of my thoughts and questions mirrored the characters' thoughts: If it is a simulation, why do we still age? Why do we get sick or die? If this is a simulation, what's the point of suffering? And if we/they aren't "real," does that make our experiences meaningless?
I need to be clear that I never found the novel to be nihilistic. On the contrary, it's deeply invested in exploring what it means to be human - simulated or not. The story argues that our connections, our feelings, and our decisions still matter. In the book's artificial world, the search for meaning feels even more urgent. Whether it's love, friendship, God, fame, or simply a sense of closure - each character on that bus is chasing something real. And by the end of the book, you might find yourself believing, as they do, that reality is less about what's true and more about what we choose to hold onto.
Overall, I found this book to be funny, strange, emotionally resonant, and wildly creative. I had a really good time reading it and will likely revisit it in the future. It's a love letter to friendship, to stories, and to the idea that even if we're just code in a machine, we still need to live like we matter. It'll also make you think twice about neglecting your sims or treating them poorly the next time you play the game.
May 27, 2025
I’ve been spending a fair bit of time this year with authors that I have read before. Daryl Gregory’s When We Were Real was no exception. There is something comforting about going back to a known commodity. This author has worked for you in the past, why wouldn’t they again this time.
When We Were Real has all of the quirk factor that I love in a good book. Give me something different with a plot that is completely out there. Well, the characters in this one are living in a simulation. I’m sure we have all had this conversation at one time or another. What if this life isn’t real? What if it is only a dream? There is even a whole psychological disorder of depersonalization or derealization. Who knew? But Gregory has taken this to a whole new level. A full-on four hundred plus page fictional account of that simulated world.
I love how Gregory presented his characters; the names don’t matter; each one is known by their role. This is so much easier, it is a much faster way to identify the characters. I don’t have to remember that Jorah Mormont’s dad is the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and his cousin, Lyanna, is now fighting spores with Oberyn Martell. He is just the disgraced knight with the Dragon Queen; that is so much easier. Everyone knows who that is. And he did this while still creating strong, unique characters that were easy to connect with.
The great thing about a quirky book is that you can cover some serious stuff while still keeping things light. Gregory has put together a fantastic story that kept me entertained while still asking some great questions about life, God, and the meaning of life. Everything came together and it was time well spent.
When We Were Real has all of the quirk factor that I love in a good book. Give me something different with a plot that is completely out there. Well, the characters in this one are living in a simulation. I’m sure we have all had this conversation at one time or another. What if this life isn’t real? What if it is only a dream? There is even a whole psychological disorder of depersonalization or derealization. Who knew? But Gregory has taken this to a whole new level. A full-on four hundred plus page fictional account of that simulated world.
I love how Gregory presented his characters; the names don’t matter; each one is known by their role. This is so much easier, it is a much faster way to identify the characters. I don’t have to remember that Jorah Mormont’s dad is the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and his cousin, Lyanna, is now fighting spores with Oberyn Martell. He is just the disgraced knight with the Dragon Queen; that is so much easier. Everyone knows who that is. And he did this while still creating strong, unique characters that were easy to connect with.
The great thing about a quirky book is that you can cover some serious stuff while still keeping things light. Gregory has put together a fantastic story that kept me entertained while still asking some great questions about life, God, and the meaning of life. Everything came together and it was time well spent.
May 9, 2025
Thank you to Saga Press Books/Simon & Schuster for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of When We Were Real through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Seven years after The Announcement that the world they are living in is a simulation, best friends JP and Duelin take a week-long bus tour to see all of North America's Impossibles. The Impossibles are a mix of physics-defying glitches and geographic anomalies that started showing up after The Announcement. JP and Duelin set off on The Canterbury Trails tour with their fellow passengers, a mix of 21st century pilgrims. All of them have their own reasons for joining the tour and they will have to face their own struggles along the way, as well as survive the threat of a group of sociopaths that take The Matrix as scripture, as they travel to their final destination, Ghost City.
When We Were Real is definitely an intriguing sci-fi story, with a variety of quirky, weird characters, and I loved it! Gregory explores the questions of science, faith, and messy human relationships. There is also a great level of suspense in the book, with The Professor's character, and the work she has been a part of and how she is trying to make things better for the future.
I found that I enjoyed the different stories, for each of the characters, the most. It was interesting to see all of their different personalities and individual struggles, and how they navigated relationships with their fellow passengers. The Impossibles were also a fun element in the story, as a kind of parallel to the Seven Wonders of the World. My favorite Impossible stop on the tour, was definitely the Hollow Flock.
The book also deals with heavy topics such as free will, the future of AI, the meaning of life, and creation. There is definitely a lot of thought-provoking questions and scenarios throughout the story.
I did find some parts or references in the story to be a bit confusing. And I also found myself wishing for a bit more information/resolution for all of the characters at the end of the book. After spending so much time with each of them, I was looking for a bit more of a conclusion to some of their storylines.
Overall, When We Were Real is a fascinating sci-fi story, that I definitely recommend if you love quirky characters, humor mixed with heavy hitting moments, and what it means to be human.
Seven years after The Announcement that the world they are living in is a simulation, best friends JP and Duelin take a week-long bus tour to see all of North America's Impossibles. The Impossibles are a mix of physics-defying glitches and geographic anomalies that started showing up after The Announcement. JP and Duelin set off on The Canterbury Trails tour with their fellow passengers, a mix of 21st century pilgrims. All of them have their own reasons for joining the tour and they will have to face their own struggles along the way, as well as survive the threat of a group of sociopaths that take The Matrix as scripture, as they travel to their final destination, Ghost City.
When We Were Real is definitely an intriguing sci-fi story, with a variety of quirky, weird characters, and I loved it! Gregory explores the questions of science, faith, and messy human relationships. There is also a great level of suspense in the book, with The Professor's character, and the work she has been a part of and how she is trying to make things better for the future.
I found that I enjoyed the different stories, for each of the characters, the most. It was interesting to see all of their different personalities and individual struggles, and how they navigated relationships with their fellow passengers. The Impossibles were also a fun element in the story, as a kind of parallel to the Seven Wonders of the World. My favorite Impossible stop on the tour, was definitely the Hollow Flock.
The book also deals with heavy topics such as free will, the future of AI, the meaning of life, and creation. There is definitely a lot of thought-provoking questions and scenarios throughout the story.
I did find some parts or references in the story to be a bit confusing. And I also found myself wishing for a bit more information/resolution for all of the characters at the end of the book. After spending so much time with each of them, I was looking for a bit more of a conclusion to some of their storylines.
Overall, When We Were Real is a fascinating sci-fi story, that I definitely recommend if you love quirky characters, humor mixed with heavy hitting moments, and what it means to be human.
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