The Only Human

by Rick Mofina

With THE ONLY HUMAN, internationally acclaimed bestselling author Rick Mofina takes young readers on a white-knuckled, heart-pounding thrill ride across New York City. Thirteen-year-old Tyler Price is struggling with his parents’ divorce as he pinballs between their apartments in Manhattan. One day after school a troubled old man sits next to him on a city bus. His voice filled with fear, the man says, “the awakening” has begun, and reveals that Tyler is the only person who can stop it. The man thrusts a satchel at Tyler, telling him to never let it go, minutes before he is killed in a traffic accident while fleeing police. Against the backdrop of a series of strange happenings in New York City – the disappearance of a packed tour bus – Tyler and his school friend, Ella Shaw, become fugitives hunted by police who want the satchel. The worn leather bag contains a notebook with passages in an ancient language and a pair of old goggles similar to those worn by stone cutters who carved the city's gargoyles. As Tyler and Ella work to unravel the mystery behind the old man's foretelling, they determine that Tyler is a descendant of a stone cutter who’d worked on most of New York's buildings. Tyler's ancestor had opposed a stone cutter who practiced the Black Arts and put an apocalyptic curse on the city and the world. With powerful forces pursuing them, Tyler and Ella battle time before the curse, which encompasses the human race, is complete. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR New York City is a majestic metropolis rich with myths, legends and lore. On a recent trip there, I discovered some true and disturbing facts about the city’s history. Those facts not only served as the inspiration, they also appear in key scenes of THE ONLY HUMAN. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rick Mofina is a former crime reporter and the award-winning author of several acclaimed thrillers. He has interviewed murderers face-to-face on death row; flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled near the Arctic with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He's reported from the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Qatar and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true crime articles have appeared in The New York Times, Marie Claire, Reader’s Digest and Penthouse. New York Times Bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen, "Rick Mofina's tense taut writing makes every thriller he writes an adrenaline-packed ride." The International Thriller Writers, The Private Eye Writers of America and The Crime Writers of Canada have Rick Mofina's books as being among the best in the world. His titles have been published in some 20 countries and have been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper. For more information please visit www.rickmofina.com.

Genres: Science Fiction

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2014

About the author

Rick Mofina is a USA Today, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star bestselling author of more than 36 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries. A former journalist, he has interviewed murderers on death row, flown over Los Angeles with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He has also reported from the Caribbean, Africa, Kuwait and Qatar.

The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. He is a two-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Excellence Award, a winner of the Barry Award winner, and a multiple finalist for the International Thriller Award and Shamus Award.

Library Journal calls him “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
The Crime Writers of Canada named him recipient of the 2026 Grand Master Award.

Rick Mofina’s work has been praised by such authors as James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Shari Lapena, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Lisa Gardner, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Freida McFadden, Heather Gudenkauf, Alafair Burke, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.

Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others

Reviews

[Tracy Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one!

This was definitely a different type of story out of his normal realm… but it was very good. As with all of his other stories they’re very easy to read and I couldn’t put it down until I figured out what happened at the end. If you’re a fan of his other novels I highly recommend this one!

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fantasy adventure

Although this story was aimed at young readers, I found this story engaging and enjoyable. And, I’m not a young reader by any means. I’ve read a few other books by Rick Mofina and I’m quickly becoming a real fan of his.

[Bette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not realize that this was a kids book. Gave up at 50%

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a difficult time deciding how to rate this book.

I am a big fan of books written by Rick Mofina, but this was very unlike his usual books. The subject matter is very fantastical. Sadly some of the cruelty depicted in the book has occurred in human history. In history, our monsters appear human on their exterior; the cruelty is within them. In this book, gargoyles and grotesques come alive. All but one person sees them in human form.

I am not a big fan of such fantastical stories, but the book kept me reading. I started to think that this was written for a younger audience than am I. When I reached the end of the book I read the author's note to readers. Mofina stated that "It may be a story aimed at young readers...". This made sense to me. I tried to imagine myself having read this from the perspective of a young teen. Then, I factored in the fact that I did get engrossed in the book. Given these thoughts, I felt the book deserved the rating I chose to give it.

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Could not put this one down. Talk about an adrenaline rush! Be prepared to read it in one sitting. I'm so glad I already have other books by this author that I haven't read. I'm a little confused, though: my book shows the author to be Rick Mofina, Goodreads shows Orion Wells. Could this be a pen name?

[Helen Lancaster Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific!!!

When I first started this book I did think it was for young readers but as I read on I changed my mind. It was thrilling and non stop action all the way through. I have read quite a few of your books and they never let me down. Well done Rick for another great read. I'd recommend it.

[Susan Clark Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is Young Adult, it was a great read. I will never look at the statues at the top of some buildings in the same way.
Just a side note, this book was written by Rick Mofina; Orion Wells is a pseudonym, which he stopped using.
I have read many books by Rick Mofina, and he has never disappointed. Although, his books are mainly crime novels, this story was just as exciting.

[Nicole B · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had a fantastic plot line but felt a little rushed. The ending was sweet but the climax of the book was really abrupt to me. The ideas were really original, it just needed a bit more time and love poured into it.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ty

This is definitely a young readers novel but a very good tale! Rick Mofina is a wonderful story teller and this is no exception! Enjoy

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very unlike Rick Mofina books. More like a YA fantasy story.

[Bette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good start but got weird

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy discovers his gifts and strengths to save his world and restore order.