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Of Things Man Made #1
Unearthed
13931 was born a slave. Now he’s humanity’s last chance.
Five hundred years after Earth fell to the reptilian Rotundran Empire, humans are nothing more than livestock—branded, bred, and broken. Known only as 13931, one digger’s life changes forever when his shovel strikes something buried deep beneath the sand… something the Rotundra were desperate to find and destroy.
Hunted through underground tunnels by monstrous reptilian monsters, 13931 finds an unexpected Glenn, a cryogenically preserved human warrior from before the fall. As the two uncover the truth about what was lost—and what still lies dormant—13931 must confront a question no slave was ever meant to
What does it mean to be human?
In a world ruled by beasts, he’ll have to rediscover his identity, awaken a power locked deep within, and decide if survival is worth risking everything.
Perfect for fans of Wool, Dune, and The Hunger Games, Unearthed blends ancient tech, buried secrets, and high-stakes rebellion in a dystopian future where humanity’s last hope may be buried beneath the sand.
Five hundred years after Earth fell to the reptilian Rotundran Empire, humans are nothing more than livestock—branded, bred, and broken. Known only as 13931, one digger’s life changes forever when his shovel strikes something buried deep beneath the sand… something the Rotundra were desperate to find and destroy.
Hunted through underground tunnels by monstrous reptilian monsters, 13931 finds an unexpected Glenn, a cryogenically preserved human warrior from before the fall. As the two uncover the truth about what was lost—and what still lies dormant—13931 must confront a question no slave was ever meant to
What does it mean to be human?
In a world ruled by beasts, he’ll have to rediscover his identity, awaken a power locked deep within, and decide if survival is worth risking everything.
Perfect for fans of Wool, Dune, and The Hunger Games, Unearthed blends ancient tech, buried secrets, and high-stakes rebellion in a dystopian future where humanity’s last hope may be buried beneath the sand.
- GenresAmazon
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
31 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 15, 2025
First time reader of this author. Received as an ARC with no anticipation of a positive review.
This genre is not my usual read, but I was thoroughly impressed by the author and his writing. He kept my interest throughout the book. I really wanted to know what was going to happen to the main character.
I intend to read the continued adventures.
This genre is not my usual read, but I was thoroughly impressed by the author and his writing. He kept my interest throughout the book. I really wanted to know what was going to happen to the main character.
I intend to read the continued adventures.
June 27, 2025
I had the pleasure to be an ARC reader for Of Things Manmade: Unearthed. Wow! It is like Dune merged with Hunger Games or The 100 (TV Series).
Humans ruined their environment, and they are fighting for survival against lizards, specifically the Rotundran Empire. Humankind decided it would be better to let animals kill themselves and restart humankind. So, the government permitted its leaders and chosen scientists to join its ordered soldiers into stasis pods. A few lucky humans would win their slots from a lottery system. The pods were set to open 500 years later.
Lizards didn’t die off; rather, the Lizards continued to evolve. The Rotundran became the superior race and held human males as slaves or as live food. The "lucky" males would become members of digger units.
One digger unit discovered a stasis pod. All but 3 diggers were sent back to their compound. Two diggers die. One digger activates the status pod and releases a man who has been asleep for 450 years.
Will the digger align with this lone human? Will the digger kill the human and return to the compound?
I hope you read this story and find out. It releases tomorrow, June 27, 2025. You can purchase on Amazon for 99 cents or free on KU. I hope you follow #JohnathanHoward and #OfThingsManMadeUnearthed.
The only unresolved question I have about this story is where are the human females who would be needed to keep producing male slaves?
Humans ruined their environment, and they are fighting for survival against lizards, specifically the Rotundran Empire. Humankind decided it would be better to let animals kill themselves and restart humankind. So, the government permitted its leaders and chosen scientists to join its ordered soldiers into stasis pods. A few lucky humans would win their slots from a lottery system. The pods were set to open 500 years later.
Lizards didn’t die off; rather, the Lizards continued to evolve. The Rotundran became the superior race and held human males as slaves or as live food. The "lucky" males would become members of digger units.
One digger unit discovered a stasis pod. All but 3 diggers were sent back to their compound. Two diggers die. One digger activates the status pod and releases a man who has been asleep for 450 years.
Will the digger align with this lone human? Will the digger kill the human and return to the compound?
I hope you read this story and find out. It releases tomorrow, June 27, 2025. You can purchase on Amazon for 99 cents or free on KU. I hope you follow #JohnathanHoward and #OfThingsManMadeUnearthed.
The only unresolved question I have about this story is where are the human females who would be needed to keep producing male slaves?
February 4, 2026
Of Things Man Made is a bit different in the end of the world scenarios. It's a unique spin I haven't seen very often. Humans go into hybernation, hoping to outlast a terrible plague of beasts, hoping that when they wake up again, such animals will be dead and gone. Only thing that they didn't count on is that the beasts only didn't die out, but also that they have become way more intelligent in the intervining years. Humans are now enslaved, and are actively hunting for sleeping humans.
It's not the best end of the world story I've read, but it certainly isn't the worst by far. Still, it really wasn't my cup of tea, I don't think I'll be continuing with this series. Still, if you like these kinds of stories, it's definitely one to add to your to read shelf.
It's not the best end of the world story I've read, but it certainly isn't the worst by far. Still, it really wasn't my cup of tea, I don't think I'll be continuing with this series. Still, if you like these kinds of stories, it's definitely one to add to your to read shelf.
August 5, 2025
An interesting premise ... Earth is being overrun by intelligent reptiles. As a last-ditch attempt, humanity puts people into hibernation for 500 years, hoping to awake to a better world. Instead, humanity has been enslaved by these reptiles and are used as labour - or food! The reptiles have found out about the hibernating humans and are trying to find them. A few are found, and awakened. A human slave helps them - his eyes are opened to what life could be like, and hope is awakened. He also, surprisingly, finds some reptile allies. Can he free his fellow slaves? What is the mysterious plan B that the other humans allude to? And exactly how has humanity changed during their 500 years of slavery? I’m looking forward to finding out, in book two. Note that there is some swearing. - not a lot. I received a free copy of this book, with no obligation.
February 11, 2026
Great character development
Usually I struggle with inner dialogue; too long, repetitive, and a waste of the reader's time. However, this is the best balance between inner thoughts, dialogue, and show do not tell. Enjoyed the plot, action, and Adam.
Usually I struggle with inner dialogue; too long, repetitive, and a waste of the reader's time. However, this is the best balance between inner thoughts, dialogue, and show do not tell. Enjoyed the plot, action, and Adam.
September 16, 2025
Reptilian alien invasion ensales humans.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews