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The Grey Area
Would you give your own life for humanity's second chance? Subject numbers two and three grapple with the lasting mental side effects and memory drain of human experimentation on the run. After escaping a lab with more than a few scars, they must try to figure themselves out, along with the world left around them.
Dr. Stintz, a cold, twisted sense of morality wrapped in human skin, needs them more than they know and will do whatever it takes to retrieve what he views as his property. He will spare no expense to tear apart the city—and his family—to finish what he thinks needs to be done.
A long game of cat and mouse, with stakes higher than either of them is willing to give up, pushes experiment number three to question what he is willing to give to stay alive.
Dr. Stintz, a cold, twisted sense of morality wrapped in human skin, needs them more than they know and will do whatever it takes to retrieve what he views as his property. He will spare no expense to tear apart the city—and his family—to finish what he thinks needs to be done.
A long game of cat and mouse, with stakes higher than either of them is willing to give up, pushes experiment number three to question what he is willing to give to stay alive.
297 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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July 18, 2026I liked the concept, and the moral questions behind everything were the strongest part.
For me, though, I never felt as connected to the characters as I wanted to, and I found myself more interested in the idea than the people. I wanted more from the worldbuilding because there was a lot I was curious about.
Overall, this was a solid read with a strong premise. I’m looking forward to book two and hopefully getting more of the world overall.
I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy dystopian stories, government conspiracies, ethical science, and survival.
For me, though, I never felt as connected to the characters as I wanted to, and I found myself more interested in the idea than the people. I wanted more from the worldbuilding because there was a lot I was curious about.
Overall, this was a solid read with a strong premise. I’m looking forward to book two and hopefully getting more of the world overall.
I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy dystopian stories, government conspiracies, ethical science, and survival.
March 14, 2025
Everything that a dystopian novel should be! Suspenseful, full of corruption, a sprinkle of romance, a pinch of horror, and a dash of subtle conspiracies thrown about. In The Grey Area, two subjects escape a lab where awful experimentation has been going on against their will. They learn society has fallen since fertility rates hit an all-time low because of the changing of crops influencing DNA et cetera, and... I don't want to say too much, but isn't the purpose of a dystopian novel to show caricatures of parallels to our real society? It's an incredible storyline.
"Don't let fear win. I know it's hard, one of the most difficult things you can do. But if you let it win, then we all lose." THIS QUOTE IS EVERYTHING.
Great debut novel. Can't wait for book two.
"Don't let fear win. I know it's hard, one of the most difficult things you can do. But if you let it win, then we all lose." THIS QUOTE IS EVERYTHING.
Great debut novel. Can't wait for book two.
December 21, 2025
Two human subjects referred to as subjects Three and Five escape from a secret laboratory where they were held and experimented on against their will. As they flee through a society fractured by catastrophic genetic and environmental collapse, they struggle with the lasting mental effects of the experiments and the loss of their memories. Dr. Stintz, a morally distorted scientist, relentlessly hunts them down, willing to destroy cities and even harm his own family to reclaim what he considers his property.
I’m not usually drawn to dystopian novels, but The Grey Area completely pulled me in! The world Gleason creates is terrifyingly plausible. Beyond the suspense and action, the book touches on a truly pressing issue: declining birth rates and infertility, making the stakes feel all the more real. I felt the beginning was a bit of a slow burn climb to action, but overall I enjoyed the story about Reed and Dahlia fighting to understand the truth and repair their memory.
Debut author Joseph Gleason does an incredible job of blending fiction with chillingly possible reality. The Grey Area weaves in elements of conspiracy and secret experiments in a way that feels both suspenseful and unsettling, making the world he creates feel disturbingly believable.
Trigger warnings: human experimentation, violence, abduction, psychological trauma, disturbing scientific practices, ethical abuse, memory manipulation
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I’m not usually drawn to dystopian novels, but The Grey Area completely pulled me in! The world Gleason creates is terrifyingly plausible. Beyond the suspense and action, the book touches on a truly pressing issue: declining birth rates and infertility, making the stakes feel all the more real. I felt the beginning was a bit of a slow burn climb to action, but overall I enjoyed the story about Reed and Dahlia fighting to understand the truth and repair their memory.
Debut author Joseph Gleason does an incredible job of blending fiction with chillingly possible reality. The Grey Area weaves in elements of conspiracy and secret experiments in a way that feels both suspenseful and unsettling, making the world he creates feel disturbingly believable.
Trigger warnings: human experimentation, violence, abduction, psychological trauma, disturbing scientific practices, ethical abuse, memory manipulation
🩷🩷🩷
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plottwistsa...
Follow me on Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/plottwistsandpurpose
Follow me on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
Follow me on Fable and join my bookclub!
https://fable.co/valerie-845011235983
June 23, 2026
If you’ve been searching for a dystopian read that will make you question everything, let me introduce you to The Grey Area by Joseph Gleason — a chilling, fast‑paced sci‑fi thriller that deserves way more attention.
This story pulled me straight into a fractured future where humanity is collapsing after DNA‑altered crops leave people infertile. The worldbuilding is sharp, eerie, and unsettling in the best way. I was hooked from page one.
The moment Subject One wakes up in a lab with no memory of his name, his past, or why he’s there… goosebumps. No answers. No mercy. Just cold walls, locked doors, and a growing sense that something is very, very wrong. When he escapes and meets Subject Two, the tension spikes — two strangers with no memories, forced to trust each other to survive.
From there, it becomes a relentless cat‑and‑mouse chase as the lab — and the chillingly brilliant Dr. Stintz — hunts them down. He wants them alive, and the reason why is even more disturbing than I expected. When the truth about who they are is finally revealed, I literally had to stop and breathe. It’s that good.
And the ending… Joseph Gleason did NOT hold back. The cliffhanger is brutal in the best way, and now I’m counting down until books two or three. This series has the potential to become a dystopian favorite.
If you love The Hunger Games, The Program, or Hungry by H.A. Swain, this belongs on your TBR immediately.
⭐ Tropes & Elements
Amnesia Protagonist
Dystopian Science Gone Wrong
Lab Escape
Cat and Mouse
Found Partnership
Evil Scientist
High‑Stakes Survival
Series‑Starting Cliffhanger
This story pulled me straight into a fractured future where humanity is collapsing after DNA‑altered crops leave people infertile. The worldbuilding is sharp, eerie, and unsettling in the best way. I was hooked from page one.
The moment Subject One wakes up in a lab with no memory of his name, his past, or why he’s there… goosebumps. No answers. No mercy. Just cold walls, locked doors, and a growing sense that something is very, very wrong. When he escapes and meets Subject Two, the tension spikes — two strangers with no memories, forced to trust each other to survive.
From there, it becomes a relentless cat‑and‑mouse chase as the lab — and the chillingly brilliant Dr. Stintz — hunts them down. He wants them alive, and the reason why is even more disturbing than I expected. When the truth about who they are is finally revealed, I literally had to stop and breathe. It’s that good.
And the ending… Joseph Gleason did NOT hold back. The cliffhanger is brutal in the best way, and now I’m counting down until books two or three. This series has the potential to become a dystopian favorite.
If you love The Hunger Games, The Program, or Hungry by H.A. Swain, this belongs on your TBR immediately.
⭐ Tropes & Elements
Amnesia Protagonist
Dystopian Science Gone Wrong
Lab Escape
Cat and Mouse
Found Partnership
Evil Scientist
High‑Stakes Survival
Series‑Starting Cliffhanger
January 7, 2026
The Grey Area is a grounded, unsettling dystopian that leans heavily into moral ambiguity, memory, and the lasting damage of human experimentation.... and it does so in a way that feels uncomfortably plausible.
The strongest part of this book is its atmosphere. From the very beginning, there’s a constant sense of tension and unease as the escaped subjects try to navigate a world that has moved on without them. The memory loss, psychological trauma, and identity fractures feel earned and handled with care, making the emotional stakes just as compelling as the physical danger.
Dr. Stintz is a chilling antagonist. His warped sense of morality and obsession with “ownership” elevates the story beyond a simple chase narrative. The cat-and-mouse dynamic works well, especially as the consequences of his actions ripple outward, affecting not just the protagonists but the city and his own family.
The pacing took a little time to settle for me. The opening is more of a slow burn before the story fully finds its rhythm, and there were moments where I wanted to feel more immersed in the characters’ internal experiences rather than being told about them. That said, once the plot gains momentum, it becomes difficult to put down.
Overall, this is a strong debut that explores ethical gray zones without offering easy answers. If you like dystopian sci-fi that’s character-focused, emotionally grounded, and rooted in disturbingly realistic fears about science and control, The Grey Area is well worth the read.
The strongest part of this book is its atmosphere. From the very beginning, there’s a constant sense of tension and unease as the escaped subjects try to navigate a world that has moved on without them. The memory loss, psychological trauma, and identity fractures feel earned and handled with care, making the emotional stakes just as compelling as the physical danger.
Dr. Stintz is a chilling antagonist. His warped sense of morality and obsession with “ownership” elevates the story beyond a simple chase narrative. The cat-and-mouse dynamic works well, especially as the consequences of his actions ripple outward, affecting not just the protagonists but the city and his own family.
The pacing took a little time to settle for me. The opening is more of a slow burn before the story fully finds its rhythm, and there were moments where I wanted to feel more immersed in the characters’ internal experiences rather than being told about them. That said, once the plot gains momentum, it becomes difficult to put down.
Overall, this is a strong debut that explores ethical gray zones without offering easy answers. If you like dystopian sci-fi that’s character-focused, emotionally grounded, and rooted in disturbingly realistic fears about science and control, The Grey Area is well worth the read.
March 15, 2026
I really wish Goodreads would have 1/2 stars, because I'd give this book a 4.5/5 stars!
This is a really good read from a first-time indie author and would definitely recommend!
The Grey Area is a fast-paced dystopian thriller that follows test subjects who escape from an experimental lab. The scene is set in a world where humans are unable to have children due to DNA changes in the crops that made people infertile. Seems realistic doesn't it? In this book you will go on an adventure as Dahlia and Reed (test subjects) try to find out what happened to them (and the world) as their memories have been wiped during the experimentation. You will learn to dislike Dr. Stintz and have an attachment to many characters such as Issac. My favorite quote/saying is on page 92 starting with "Don't let fear win".
I only didn't give it a 5-star review because I wanted to know more. I wanted more of a back story of what happened to the world in previous generations, how Dr. Stintz started what he was doing, and what happens next? But knowing that there will be another two books coming, I'm thinking that more will be discussed in the next books. Looking forward to it!
This is a really good read from a first-time indie author and would definitely recommend!
The Grey Area is a fast-paced dystopian thriller that follows test subjects who escape from an experimental lab. The scene is set in a world where humans are unable to have children due to DNA changes in the crops that made people infertile. Seems realistic doesn't it? In this book you will go on an adventure as Dahlia and Reed (test subjects) try to find out what happened to them (and the world) as their memories have been wiped during the experimentation. You will learn to dislike Dr. Stintz and have an attachment to many characters such as Issac. My favorite quote/saying is on page 92 starting with "Don't let fear win".
I only didn't give it a 5-star review because I wanted to know more. I wanted more of a back story of what happened to the world in previous generations, how Dr. Stintz started what he was doing, and what happens next? But knowing that there will be another two books coming, I'm thinking that more will be discussed in the next books. Looking forward to it!
August 3, 2026
The Grey Area Review (Spoiler Free) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Grey Area completely exceeded my expectations! At less than 300 pages, it’s a fast, action-packed read that I finished in just two sittings because I couldn’t put it down. From the very beginning, the story pulled me in and kept me intrigued, constantly making me wonder what would happen next.
The blend of sci-fi and suspense/thriller elements was done so well. It delivered plenty of suspense, nonstop action, and several twists that genuinely caught me off guard. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, it surprised me in the best way.
The characters were easy to connect with, which made me even more invested in their journey. On top of that, the writing was fantastic. Every scene was so vivid that I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing everything with them.
Knowing this is the author’s debut novel makes it even more impressive. What an incredible first book! I cannot wait to see where the story goes next, and I’ll definitely be picking up book two as soon as I can.
The Grey Area completely exceeded my expectations! At less than 300 pages, it’s a fast, action-packed read that I finished in just two sittings because I couldn’t put it down. From the very beginning, the story pulled me in and kept me intrigued, constantly making me wonder what would happen next.
The blend of sci-fi and suspense/thriller elements was done so well. It delivered plenty of suspense, nonstop action, and several twists that genuinely caught me off guard. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, it surprised me in the best way.
The characters were easy to connect with, which made me even more invested in their journey. On top of that, the writing was fantastic. Every scene was so vivid that I felt like I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing everything with them.
Knowing this is the author’s debut novel makes it even more impressive. What an incredible first book! I cannot wait to see where the story goes next, and I’ll definitely be picking up book two as soon as I can.
March 19, 2025
You don't find yourself waiting to get to the good part, it's a thrill the whole way through! It's a grounded sci-fi with characters who are easy to love. It's fast paced, thrilling, funny and sweet! There's a little something for everyone, and even if sci-fi isn't your thing, its very well grounded, more Hunger Games than Starwars. I couldn't put it down, and I know these characters are going to stick with me for a long time. The world he created is so vivid I could picture every aspect, every person (I personally think Christoph Waltz would make an incredible Dr.Stinz), and it really digs into the grey area of morals throughout the characters journey. Even if this isn't your genera, I know you'll love it!
July 2, 2025
This is an absolutely fantastic dystopian novel. Thrilling, action packed, yet full of heart despite the bleakness and desperation of the characters involved.
This is the story of science going wrong genetically modifying food to accommodate a growing population, but it leaves humans unable to reproduce and the race on the verge of extinction. Subject number 3 awakens in a lab unaware of anything that has happened in his life and fights for his escape, freeing subject number 5 along the way. The story ensues as the lead scientist Dr. Stintz and his team is in hot pursuit. Violence and desperation take over for all characters involved as the story questions what is moral/right/wrong when faced with life or death situations for both individuals or the entire population.
This is the story of science going wrong genetically modifying food to accommodate a growing population, but it leaves humans unable to reproduce and the race on the verge of extinction. Subject number 3 awakens in a lab unaware of anything that has happened in his life and fights for his escape, freeing subject number 5 along the way. The story ensues as the lead scientist Dr. Stintz and his team is in hot pursuit. Violence and desperation take over for all characters involved as the story questions what is moral/right/wrong when faced with life or death situations for both individuals or the entire population.
April 25, 2026
Wow.. this book was amazing! I typically dont read dystopian books but since this one was a thriller I wanted to give it a try. I am so glad I did!
Two subjects escape a lab were they are being used as a human experimentation. They find their chance to escape and run for it. Once away from the lab the encounter some traps along the way where they have to find more ways to escape. They come across a group of "outsiders" who point them towards a house they could potentially use for safety... while inside this home they find things that lead them wanting to go back to the lab.. but is it safe? Is it worth it? What will the outcome be if the decision they make?
A must read. I wish I found this book sooner.
Two subjects escape a lab were they are being used as a human experimentation. They find their chance to escape and run for it. Once away from the lab the encounter some traps along the way where they have to find more ways to escape. They come across a group of "outsiders" who point them towards a house they could potentially use for safety... while inside this home they find things that lead them wanting to go back to the lab.. but is it safe? Is it worth it? What will the outcome be if the decision they make?
A must read. I wish I found this book sooner.
July 30, 2026
Mr. Gleason…. I absolutely loved this book. It literally reminded me of survival of the fittest and some of that one tv show… the walking dead… and also the handmaiden tales. I mean honestly if you think about how the world is now… I feel we are headed in that exact direction. Then narrowly escaping and then getting caught and the picture they found of themselves and trying to regain their memories and fighting to not go back… and then… and then… you left me on a cliffhanger… because like I’m still wondering what is happening next!!!👀👀👀like I might have some theories and you got my mind wondering what is going on.!! Thank you so much for an awesome read!
June 29, 2026
4.5 stars!
Pulse-pounding from beginning to end, this book had me completely hooked. Every chapter was packed with action, suspense, and genuinely scary moments that kept me turning the pages. Blending sci-fi, thriller, and dystopian elements, it created an immersive and enthralling reading experience. I found myself deeply invested in the characters, rooting for them every step of the way, and it truly felt like I was right there in the story with them. I can’t wait to dive into book two and see what happens next!
Pulse-pounding from beginning to end, this book had me completely hooked. Every chapter was packed with action, suspense, and genuinely scary moments that kept me turning the pages. Blending sci-fi, thriller, and dystopian elements, it created an immersive and enthralling reading experience. I found myself deeply invested in the characters, rooting for them every step of the way, and it truly felt like I was right there in the story with them. I can’t wait to dive into book two and see what happens next!
August 1, 2026
Thank you Indie Author Insider and Joseph Gleason for the chance to read this book for free. This review is honest and voluntary.
I loved this book! A dystopian thriller with a heartbreaking ending. The main characters were easy to root for the dystopian society felt well thought out.
A story of sacrifice, survival, and love! I was so touched by the characters stories while also being horrified at what they may face. An amazingly done thriller and one I wish I could read again.
I loved this book! A dystopian thriller with a heartbreaking ending. The main characters were easy to root for the dystopian society felt well thought out.
A story of sacrifice, survival, and love! I was so touched by the characters stories while also being horrified at what they may face. An amazingly done thriller and one I wish I could read again.
April 6, 2025
This book was amazing and I was hooked the whole way through. The twists were shocking and I just couldn’t stop reading it. The dystopian story line was great and it was very well written. If you are looking for a fast paced thriller with great twists this is the book for you. I am hoping there’s another book because I would love to see what’s next!!
March 27, 2026
wow oh my goodness wow, I read this book as an arc which I am so ho bored I got to do, and I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, feeling all emotions!!!!! I was so engrossed in it that I read it within 2 in a half hours(had things to do within reading haha). but this book will be on my shelf!!
May 25, 2026
ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR RIGHT NOW! The Grey Area has such a unique concept! The atmosphere was dark and haunting; it was written so well! The story is fast-paced and jumps right into the action, which I loved. I was immersed immediately; there never was a dull moment. I adored both the main characters, Reed and Dahlia. Dr. Stinz's character was CHILLING; Joseph wrote such a good antagonist! The cliffhanger at the end was BRUTAL, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more after this strong debut. Thank you so much, Joseph Gleason, for reaching out and sending me a copy to review! I can't wait to read more from you!
May 14, 2026
This book was WILD fast paced action packed from beginning to end NEVER a dull slow moment Joseph HIE DARE YOU with the cliffhanger I need to know when the next book is coming out yall need to go read this……this book is EPIC
August 6, 2026
Wow!! This story was quite the ride!
Nonstop action right from the first chapter, I was glued!!! Futuristic dystopian that had a very real vibe to it! Excellent writing, the story was well told. This was just such a crazy world, I couldn't even imagine trying to survive in it!
Recommended!
Nonstop action right from the first chapter, I was glued!!! Futuristic dystopian that had a very real vibe to it! Excellent writing, the story was well told. This was just such a crazy world, I couldn't even imagine trying to survive in it!
Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews