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Alfom
Neuen
Neuen is a planet of extremes, thanks to a crawling rotation rate. Nights of bitter cold. Days of searing heat. For Levi Zetmer and the other Reisende, survival means a nomadic existence chasing the ever-shifting twilight. Exiled from the polar cities for their “flawed” genetics, they live under constant surveillance, forced to cleanse their bloodlines birth by birth.
It’s Lyn’s job to keep them on track. A polar city denizen, she travels from Reisender settlement to settlement and monitors the genomes of the newborns. The work is lonely and tedious until all the inhabitants of a neighboring settlement mysteriously die, and Lyn is tasked with uncovering the cause of the deaths.
For the journey, she needs help from Reisende knowledgeable in plagues and blights. Levi’s expertise in the latter earns him a place in her expedition. But all their efforts yield only questions, and whatever killed the others seems poised to wipe out Levi’s settlement next.
Lyn is determined to find a solution. Levi is dead set on learning the truth. Together they just might be able to unravel the mystery. Will what they learn finally free the Reisende from their age-old shackles? Or will the truth break them?
Neuen is a science fiction mystery with aspects of genetic engineering and botany. It is the second novel in the Alfom shared universe but is also a standalone read.
It’s Lyn’s job to keep them on track. A polar city denizen, she travels from Reisender settlement to settlement and monitors the genomes of the newborns. The work is lonely and tedious until all the inhabitants of a neighboring settlement mysteriously die, and Lyn is tasked with uncovering the cause of the deaths.
For the journey, she needs help from Reisende knowledgeable in plagues and blights. Levi’s expertise in the latter earns him a place in her expedition. But all their efforts yield only questions, and whatever killed the others seems poised to wipe out Levi’s settlement next.
Lyn is determined to find a solution. Levi is dead set on learning the truth. Together they just might be able to unravel the mystery. Will what they learn finally free the Reisende from their age-old shackles? Or will the truth break them?
Neuen is a science fiction mystery with aspects of genetic engineering and botany. It is the second novel in the Alfom shared universe but is also a standalone read.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2025
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Sheri Singerling
9 books22 followersSHERI SINGERLING spends her days staring at rocks and dust from space and her nights crafting worlds via the written word. She is a US native living in Germany, where she works as a laboratory manager, lecturer, and research scientist. To learn more, visit her website at sherisingerling.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 23, 2025
Thank you to HypIn Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Neuen!
Neuen is a gripping, thoughtful sci-fi mystery with depth and heart, ideal for readers who appreciate substance over speed. It unfolds on a slow-turning planet where extremes of heat and cold dictate not only how people live, but who gets to survive.
Singerling constructs a society in which genetic “GLEtch” determines exile. The privileged remain in climate-controlled cities; the rest are forced into nomadic life as Reisende, wandering the margins of habitable space. It’s a brutal, slow-moving system of segregation that doesn’t need violence to sustain itself, just silence and routine compliance.
The world-building is rich with subtlety. Rather than sweeping exposition, Singerling allows the landscape, the climate, and the unspoken rules to tell us everything we need to know.
Lyn and Levi, the two central characters, reflect the novel’s deeper tensions. Lyn is a monitor of genetic compliance, sent to investigate a settlement that’s begun to fail. Levi, a Reisende and plant pathologist, is both a guide and skeptic; of Lyn's mission, her institution, and everything she represents.
Their interactions are compelling but never romanticised. Where Lyn is analytical and distanced, Levi is grounded and wary. Their relationship feels like a negotiation between two worldviews, shaped by the environments that made them. However, at times, their individual arcs feel slightly underexplored, especially Levi’s, whose emotional depth deserves more attention than the plot sometimes grants him.
The science is well-integrated and engaging, especially for readers interested in genetics, plant pathology, and climate. But its integration into the mystery isn’t always seamless. There are moments when the pacing slows to accommodate dense commentary, which may frustrate readers looking for immediacy or action.
Still, Neuen succeeds in what it sets out to do: it asks uncomfortable questions and lets them breathe. For readers drawn to political undertones, quiet resistance, and speculative worlds that feel eerily plausible, this one will linger.
Neuen is a gripping, thoughtful sci-fi mystery with depth and heart, ideal for readers who appreciate substance over speed. It unfolds on a slow-turning planet where extremes of heat and cold dictate not only how people live, but who gets to survive.
Singerling constructs a society in which genetic “GLEtch” determines exile. The privileged remain in climate-controlled cities; the rest are forced into nomadic life as Reisende, wandering the margins of habitable space. It’s a brutal, slow-moving system of segregation that doesn’t need violence to sustain itself, just silence and routine compliance.
The world-building is rich with subtlety. Rather than sweeping exposition, Singerling allows the landscape, the climate, and the unspoken rules to tell us everything we need to know.
Lyn and Levi, the two central characters, reflect the novel’s deeper tensions. Lyn is a monitor of genetic compliance, sent to investigate a settlement that’s begun to fail. Levi, a Reisende and plant pathologist, is both a guide and skeptic; of Lyn's mission, her institution, and everything she represents.
Their interactions are compelling but never romanticised. Where Lyn is analytical and distanced, Levi is grounded and wary. Their relationship feels like a negotiation between two worldviews, shaped by the environments that made them. However, at times, their individual arcs feel slightly underexplored, especially Levi’s, whose emotional depth deserves more attention than the plot sometimes grants him.
The science is well-integrated and engaging, especially for readers interested in genetics, plant pathology, and climate. But its integration into the mystery isn’t always seamless. There are moments when the pacing slows to accommodate dense commentary, which may frustrate readers looking for immediacy or action.
Still, Neuen succeeds in what it sets out to do: it asks uncomfortable questions and lets them breathe. For readers drawn to political undertones, quiet resistance, and speculative worlds that feel eerily plausible, this one will linger.
July 13, 2025
I didn’t know this book was the second in a series when I picked up the ARC, but I think it’s well able to be read as a standalone. While I was dropped right into the story and expected to catch up, catching up wasn’t hard, and while there are quite a few words and phrases unique to this world and setting, they were easy to grok through context.
In this world, Levi and his people, the Reisende, are a people punished for the actions of their ancestors. Their genes are considered dirty, corrupted, impure, their genes filled with GLEtches; before two Reisende can become a couple, they have to have their genes checked. Their children must also have their genes checked as infants to decide if they’re worthy. They live on the fringes in a nomadic while the ‘pure’ humans — the ones whose ancestors didn’t tinker in genetic engineering — hold all the power.
Levi, though, turns out to not to be quite so impure as he’s supposed to be. Which means his father did something almost blasphemous and genetically engineered his son. The same thing that caused their generational suffering in the first place. Then there are the mutated plants — a hybrid between fungus and plant and which seem to have the skill to grow out of human flesh — which has lead to the death of a nearby Stamm.
There’s a lot here, and a lot I like. The thoughts on eugenics, on punishing an entire people for mistakes their ancestors made, whether any one group has the right to control another. Climate change ,genocide, soft powers, the chains that unchanging traditions wrap around people — when traditions don’t grow with the people needs — and how easy it is to give over control to someone who promises safety … without any thought for what that safety will mean one, three, or five generations down the line.
This is a very good science fiction story … but I think the ideas are better than the writing, and the writing is better than the characters. Honestly, the characters are just flat mouthpieces with neither energy nor emotion, and I found it very hard to want to keep reading, as I prefer a more character forward story. However, this is a book worth the read, but it will be up to individual readers whether they enjoy the flat, almost clinical writing style (which reminds me a lot of classic sci-fi from the 60s and 70s).
I don’t know that I’ll keep up with the series, but that’s just me. If you give this a try I do hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
In this world, Levi and his people, the Reisende, are a people punished for the actions of their ancestors. Their genes are considered dirty, corrupted, impure, their genes filled with GLEtches; before two Reisende can become a couple, they have to have their genes checked. Their children must also have their genes checked as infants to decide if they’re worthy. They live on the fringes in a nomadic while the ‘pure’ humans — the ones whose ancestors didn’t tinker in genetic engineering — hold all the power.
Levi, though, turns out to not to be quite so impure as he’s supposed to be. Which means his father did something almost blasphemous and genetically engineered his son. The same thing that caused their generational suffering in the first place. Then there are the mutated plants — a hybrid between fungus and plant and which seem to have the skill to grow out of human flesh — which has lead to the death of a nearby Stamm.
There’s a lot here, and a lot I like. The thoughts on eugenics, on punishing an entire people for mistakes their ancestors made, whether any one group has the right to control another. Climate change ,genocide, soft powers, the chains that unchanging traditions wrap around people — when traditions don’t grow with the people needs — and how easy it is to give over control to someone who promises safety … without any thought for what that safety will mean one, three, or five generations down the line.
This is a very good science fiction story … but I think the ideas are better than the writing, and the writing is better than the characters. Honestly, the characters are just flat mouthpieces with neither energy nor emotion, and I found it very hard to want to keep reading, as I prefer a more character forward story. However, this is a book worth the read, but it will be up to individual readers whether they enjoy the flat, almost clinical writing style (which reminds me a lot of classic sci-fi from the 60s and 70s).
I don’t know that I’ll keep up with the series, but that’s just me. If you give this a try I do hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 27, 2025
I first encountered Singerling’s work in Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 223, April 2025, with her excellent short story The Seed, which shares a universe and some thematic similarities with Neuen. I was excited to see what Singerling would do with a longer format and a very interesting and unique premise for the world.
I won’t repeat the plot summary (see other reviews), but I will say that Neuen is an engaging read, with an interesting and impeccably built world, some unexpected twists, and good characterization. At its core, Neuen will appeal to fans of well-constructed YA/NA mysteries who like a splash of hard-science and clever plotting. While there are few moments when the exposition is a bit heavy, overall Singerling’s writing is engaging and she presents a unique and compelling world full of complicated characters facing dilemmas that range from the interpersonal to the metaphysical.
Singerling explores some heavy themes in here, including segregation, systemic violence, eugenics, resistance, tradition, and freedom, but these themes are more a part of the world-building than the centerpiece of the novel. I think it works well this way, getting the reader to sit with some of these questions without demanding or providing clear answers.
I will say that I’m not a fan of how the book starts, the intro specifically, and I can imagine that others may feel the same way. I won't elaborate due to spoilers, but things click into place later, and once the storytelling settled into the dominant voices, my initial misgivings vanished immediately.
Generally I read closer to the literary fiction side of speculative fiction, but I quite enjoyed this - it was a fun read, I was compelled to finish it faster than I had thought I would, and I’m genuinely interested in what else happens in this universe. Looking forward to more!
I won’t repeat the plot summary (see other reviews), but I will say that Neuen is an engaging read, with an interesting and impeccably built world, some unexpected twists, and good characterization. At its core, Neuen will appeal to fans of well-constructed YA/NA mysteries who like a splash of hard-science and clever plotting. While there are few moments when the exposition is a bit heavy, overall Singerling’s writing is engaging and she presents a unique and compelling world full of complicated characters facing dilemmas that range from the interpersonal to the metaphysical.
Singerling explores some heavy themes in here, including segregation, systemic violence, eugenics, resistance, tradition, and freedom, but these themes are more a part of the world-building than the centerpiece of the novel. I think it works well this way, getting the reader to sit with some of these questions without demanding or providing clear answers.
I will say that I’m not a fan of how the book starts, the intro specifically, and I can imagine that others may feel the same way. I won't elaborate due to spoilers, but things click into place later, and once the storytelling settled into the dominant voices, my initial misgivings vanished immediately.
Generally I read closer to the literary fiction side of speculative fiction, but I quite enjoyed this - it was a fun read, I was compelled to finish it faster than I had thought I would, and I’m genuinely interested in what else happens in this universe. Looking forward to more!
June 12, 2025
After my brief introduction to Neuen (the planet) in Sheri’s short story “Rogue”, I was delighted to experience a longer visit as we follow many more people in their lives and their particular struggles on a planet that is unique in all my reading to date.
The extremely slow rotation of this planet that humans have colonized makes for a somewhat-limited and highly-mobile society unlike any I’ve read about before. The author does a brilliant job of explaining it, and the realism and sheer plausibility of how these humans manage to live on a largely inhospitable planet made this a perfectly relatable read.
The character development and introduction to new characters are masterful. One of the protagonists in particular shows a level of self-awareness that grows throughout the book and is amazing to behold. (The other is no slouch at self-examination, either.)
Some of the societal and technical concepts that are second nature to each of the protagonists (who often embody the old expression “same planet, different worlds”) are new to the reader, and their dialogue and inner thoughts as they each discuss what they know and learn from each other also enlightens the reader in a beautifully natural process. This is challenging to do in a lot of futuristic novels, and Sheri seems to be a master of this delivery already.
The pacing, the leading the reader to draw their own conclusions without “spoon-feeding”, and the understandings at the end of this novel for all concerned make an enjoyable ride with a satisfying conclusion. Neuen feels like a “meaty” novel, realistic like our own lives with a lot of people and layers, but it’s all easy to follow, and the author keeps the plot moving on every page. I loved taking it all in, and I couldn’t wait to pick it back up whenever I had to put it down.
The extremely slow rotation of this planet that humans have colonized makes for a somewhat-limited and highly-mobile society unlike any I’ve read about before. The author does a brilliant job of explaining it, and the realism and sheer plausibility of how these humans manage to live on a largely inhospitable planet made this a perfectly relatable read.
The character development and introduction to new characters are masterful. One of the protagonists in particular shows a level of self-awareness that grows throughout the book and is amazing to behold. (The other is no slouch at self-examination, either.)
Some of the societal and technical concepts that are second nature to each of the protagonists (who often embody the old expression “same planet, different worlds”) are new to the reader, and their dialogue and inner thoughts as they each discuss what they know and learn from each other also enlightens the reader in a beautifully natural process. This is challenging to do in a lot of futuristic novels, and Sheri seems to be a master of this delivery already.
The pacing, the leading the reader to draw their own conclusions without “spoon-feeding”, and the understandings at the end of this novel for all concerned make an enjoyable ride with a satisfying conclusion. Neuen feels like a “meaty” novel, realistic like our own lives with a lot of people and layers, but it’s all easy to follow, and the author keeps the plot moving on every page. I loved taking it all in, and I couldn’t wait to pick it back up whenever I had to put it down.
June 25, 2025
A haunting, elegant, and quietly devastating science fiction debut, Neuen explores identity, love, and exile on a dying world with a poetic, character-driven intimacy.
Sheri Singerling’s Neuen is a richly imagined science fiction novel set on a planet where survival depends on genetic purity, oxygen-farming plants, and a strict caste system.
The worldbuilding is meticulous, immersive, and deeply original. Neuen’s twilight-lit terrain, its oxygen crystal plants, and the slow, sorrowful migrations of the Reisende offer a setting that feels both mythic and ecological. The science is speculative but grounded; the tension comes not from space battles or alien threats but from the quiet cruelty of a society obsessed with genetic perfection. The story deftly explores the scars of past wars, the legacy of genetic engineering, and the systems that pretend to offer salvation while enforcing oppression.
Singerling’s prose is lyrical and introspective. What could have been a cold dystopian tale becomes, instead, a slow-burning study of intimacy and alienation. The emotional core is the connection between Levi and Lyn—two people who should be enemies, or at least indifferent, but who find in each other a reflection of their own buried fears and longings. Their chemistry is electric but understated, marked by mistrust and slow-building respect.
The novel is not without its flaws. Its pacing may feel slow to readers expecting a more traditional sci-fi adventure, and its focus on internal dialogue over external action might not suit every taste. But Neuen doesn’t try to be flashy—it’s deliberate, thought-provoking, and quietly subversive.
Neuen is a beautifully crafted and emotionally intelligent novel that reimagines what science fiction can be—introspective, romantic, and hauntingly relevant.
Sheri Singerling’s Neuen is a richly imagined science fiction novel set on a planet where survival depends on genetic purity, oxygen-farming plants, and a strict caste system.
The worldbuilding is meticulous, immersive, and deeply original. Neuen’s twilight-lit terrain, its oxygen crystal plants, and the slow, sorrowful migrations of the Reisende offer a setting that feels both mythic and ecological. The science is speculative but grounded; the tension comes not from space battles or alien threats but from the quiet cruelty of a society obsessed with genetic perfection. The story deftly explores the scars of past wars, the legacy of genetic engineering, and the systems that pretend to offer salvation while enforcing oppression.
Singerling’s prose is lyrical and introspective. What could have been a cold dystopian tale becomes, instead, a slow-burning study of intimacy and alienation. The emotional core is the connection between Levi and Lyn—two people who should be enemies, or at least indifferent, but who find in each other a reflection of their own buried fears and longings. Their chemistry is electric but understated, marked by mistrust and slow-building respect.
The novel is not without its flaws. Its pacing may feel slow to readers expecting a more traditional sci-fi adventure, and its focus on internal dialogue over external action might not suit every taste. But Neuen doesn’t try to be flashy—it’s deliberate, thought-provoking, and quietly subversive.
Neuen is a beautifully crafted and emotionally intelligent novel that reimagines what science fiction can be—introspective, romantic, and hauntingly relevant.
June 24, 2025
Neuen was a fun ride. There was a little bit of a learning curve to get into the world of this story, but after about the 5th chapter I had to read it all in one sitting. The mysteries were just too compelling.
This story is in the sweet spot of science fiction where the science is mostly hard, but not too hard. I would describe it as a Snicker's bar of science fiction. Allow me to explain. It has a bunch of hard science elements that are crunchy like peanuts, like an alien planet with super slow rotation that is almost an "eyeball" world but not quite, with a very strange but realistic climate.
Around the peanuts is a nougat layer where the science is not quite as hard, like a genetically engineered creature that is half panther and half scorpion. Does it really make sense to combine a creature with an exoskeleton with something with an internal skeleton? Of course it does! Only someone who hates fun would nitpick the science of that.
Then there is the chocolate layer. In this metaphor the chocolate is the human part of the story. The plot twists, the mysteries, the romance, and all that fun stuff. This is what really gets your attention and just tastes good.
Not every science fiction book has all the elements in the correct ratio, but Neuen does it well. I'm looking forward to more books by Sheri Singerling.
This story is in the sweet spot of science fiction where the science is mostly hard, but not too hard. I would describe it as a Snicker's bar of science fiction. Allow me to explain. It has a bunch of hard science elements that are crunchy like peanuts, like an alien planet with super slow rotation that is almost an "eyeball" world but not quite, with a very strange but realistic climate.
Around the peanuts is a nougat layer where the science is not quite as hard, like a genetically engineered creature that is half panther and half scorpion. Does it really make sense to combine a creature with an exoskeleton with something with an internal skeleton? Of course it does! Only someone who hates fun would nitpick the science of that.
Then there is the chocolate layer. In this metaphor the chocolate is the human part of the story. The plot twists, the mysteries, the romance, and all that fun stuff. This is what really gets your attention and just tastes good.
Not every science fiction book has all the elements in the correct ratio, but Neuen does it well. I'm looking forward to more books by Sheri Singerling.
July 1, 2025
Neuen by Sheri Singerling is one of the most creative sci-fi stories I’ve read. It blends mystery and science fiction in a clever way, with plenty of twists that kept me hooked to the end.
One thing that really makes this book stand out is the world. It’s set on a planet with extreme day and night cycles, and seeing how people have adapted to survive in that kind of environment was fascinating. The book does a great job describing the planet and environment, which added to the sense of danger and exploration. There’s an unsettling vibe throughout the story that makes everything feel unpredictable and creepy (which I loved).
The society on Neuen is also fascinating. The unique hierarchy on this world made me think about how life and power structures would work in such a strange environment, especially with the flawed genetics (the GLEtches) present throughout the society. It added another layer that made the story even more compelling.
I also appreciated how there were several mysteries running through the book, not just one. Every time I thought I was starting to figure things out, the story would take another unexpected turn. It felt original and required a kind of out-of-the-box thinking that’s rare to find.
Overall, I highly recommend Neuen, and I’m looking forward to reading what Sheri Singerling writes next.
One thing that really makes this book stand out is the world. It’s set on a planet with extreme day and night cycles, and seeing how people have adapted to survive in that kind of environment was fascinating. The book does a great job describing the planet and environment, which added to the sense of danger and exploration. There’s an unsettling vibe throughout the story that makes everything feel unpredictable and creepy (which I loved).
The society on Neuen is also fascinating. The unique hierarchy on this world made me think about how life and power structures would work in such a strange environment, especially with the flawed genetics (the GLEtches) present throughout the society. It added another layer that made the story even more compelling.
I also appreciated how there were several mysteries running through the book, not just one. Every time I thought I was starting to figure things out, the story would take another unexpected turn. It felt original and required a kind of out-of-the-box thinking that’s rare to find.
Overall, I highly recommend Neuen, and I’m looking forward to reading what Sheri Singerling writes next.
July 8, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed reading this novel by Sheri Singerling. I'd previously read her first installment in this universe, Nytho, and eagerly awaited this release. I was more than pleasantly surprised by this novel, Neuen. The character and world development were top-notch and didn't crawl at a slow pace. I was sucked into the book immediately and looked forward to how the story progressed, especially how it culminated in a rather surprising conclusion.
As a fan of hard sci-fi, I found this book to be an excellent addition to the genre. The science was well grounded without being overly technical, and certainly within a realistic framework. The blend of a technologically advanced culture with one of tradition was well developed, and somewhat reminded me of A Canticle for Liebowitz. The characters, their motivations and interactions, and the entire world created by Sheri Singerling was compelling and though provoking.
I found this novel to be a very fun read, one which kept my attention throughout and left me asking for more. I can't ask for a more enjoyable reading experience than that!
As a fan of hard sci-fi, I found this book to be an excellent addition to the genre. The science was well grounded without being overly technical, and certainly within a realistic framework. The blend of a technologically advanced culture with one of tradition was well developed, and somewhat reminded me of A Canticle for Liebowitz. The characters, their motivations and interactions, and the entire world created by Sheri Singerling was compelling and though provoking.
I found this novel to be a very fun read, one which kept my attention throughout and left me asking for more. I can't ask for a more enjoyable reading experience than that!
March 30, 2025
Neuen by Sheri Singerling
Received as an arc.
Botanist Levi is doing his job until a glider crashes with an Itinerate Lyn who is there to evaluate the Reisende where he rescues her.
He befriends her despite their differences and her position.
There are deaths elsewhere and Levi volunteers to travel with Lyn because he is qualified and his interest in her, but his brother Cade a protector volunteers as well as his coupled partner Ben’s to investigate.
The samples they find are startling of possible modifying of fungi. GenEn.
Then another startling result Levi asks Lyn to test brings about an assumed but highly unlikely one that questions what breaches of genetic laws had happened 25 years ago
They need to get to Nord which could be their demise
More shocking meeting on their way to all the secrets they never knew possible
4⭐️
Received as an arc.
Botanist Levi is doing his job until a glider crashes with an Itinerate Lyn who is there to evaluate the Reisende where he rescues her.
He befriends her despite their differences and her position.
There are deaths elsewhere and Levi volunteers to travel with Lyn because he is qualified and his interest in her, but his brother Cade a protector volunteers as well as his coupled partner Ben’s to investigate.
The samples they find are startling of possible modifying of fungi. GenEn.
Then another startling result Levi asks Lyn to test brings about an assumed but highly unlikely one that questions what breaches of genetic laws had happened 25 years ago
They need to get to Nord which could be their demise
More shocking meeting on their way to all the secrets they never knew possible
4⭐️
June 15, 2025
**ARC Review**
Neuen is like nothing I’ve ever read—and I mean that in the best, most mind-blown way possible.
The plot? Chef’s kiss. Complex and fresh, but not so tangled you need a decoder ring to get through it. Despite the brand-new world and terminology, everything just clicks into place. No info-dump headaches here!
Now let’s talk about Levi and Lyn—absolute standouts. They’re not your typical sci-fi leads, and that’s what makes them so damn compelling. Their growth, their grit, and the way their stories weave together had me glued to the page. I wasn’t just reading their journey—I was invested.
If you love sci-fi that’s bold, inventive, and emotionally rich, Neuen is calling your name. It’s truly a world of its own—and you’ll be glad you got lost in it.
Neuen is like nothing I’ve ever read—and I mean that in the best, most mind-blown way possible.
The plot? Chef’s kiss. Complex and fresh, but not so tangled you need a decoder ring to get through it. Despite the brand-new world and terminology, everything just clicks into place. No info-dump headaches here!
Now let’s talk about Levi and Lyn—absolute standouts. They’re not your typical sci-fi leads, and that’s what makes them so damn compelling. Their growth, their grit, and the way their stories weave together had me glued to the page. I wasn’t just reading their journey—I was invested.
If you love sci-fi that’s bold, inventive, and emotionally rich, Neuen is calling your name. It’s truly a world of its own—and you’ll be glad you got lost in it.
October 10, 2025
Rather than a plot synopsis, I will try to communicate my thoughts about Singerling’s work Neuen through how the images invoked in other works.
For instance, through certain sections of the work as they travel from one location to another, the feeling or ambience invoked scenes of “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind“ while the biotechnological scenes were reminiscent of Neo from “The Matrix” peering into the matrix.
The point of this was to convey the thought and care that went into the world building and premise of the novel.
While the some of the plot points felt a bit rocky, I did feel intellectually and emotionally engaged with the plights of the main characters and enjoyed reading this work!
For instance, through certain sections of the work as they travel from one location to another, the feeling or ambience invoked scenes of “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind“ while the biotechnological scenes were reminiscent of Neo from “The Matrix” peering into the matrix.
The point of this was to convey the thought and care that went into the world building and premise of the novel.
While the some of the plot points felt a bit rocky, I did feel intellectually and emotionally engaged with the plights of the main characters and enjoyed reading this work!
July 8, 2025
Once again Sheri Singerling's creative writing has drawn me into a new world and held me there, eager to see the story unfold. The unique environment of Neuen is an interesting backdrop for the characters and the descriptive writing brought the world to life in my mind. I was hooked as the depth of the characters continued to build through the story as I wanted to know more about how they got to where they were and what they would do next. As with her other works, the ending to the story was both a satisfying surprise and left me wanting to know what happens next in this world! I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys intrigue and science fiction!
April 7, 2025
I had to enjoyed the first book Nytho and was excited to read the next book in the world of Alfom. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the way the story was told. It had that dystopian element that I was looking for and thought the mystery element worked overall. Sheri Singerling has a strong writing style and am excited for more. I enjoyed the idea of the botany and how it was used in the genetic engineering.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 28, 2025
For some reason I had a bit of difficulty getting into this one. I think the combo of the german words for some things was a bit jarring to me initially.
However when I got past that I really got sucked into the story and very much enjoyed the book. I then got a bit let down by the ending, but I see how it ties this in with the other books in this universe.
So in the end this was a very engaging story and world.
However when I got past that I really got sucked into the story and very much enjoyed the book. I then got a bit let down by the ending, but I see how it ties this in with the other books in this universe.
So in the end this was a very engaging story and world.
July 1, 2025
I often find sci-fi clunky and unapproachable— but not Singerling’s series. Both Nytho and Neuen pull readers in their world with beautiful descriptions and approachable dialogue. The moral core of the Neuen and conflicts are grounded, universal and deeply human.
The pacing is spectacular as well!
I continue to watch to see what else Singerling shares with the world!
The pacing is spectacular as well!
I continue to watch to see what else Singerling shares with the world!
July 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. If you like science fiction you will really love this book. This has all the elements of great science fiction book; Genetic Engineering gone wrong, a far away planet, strange creatures, and lots of mysteries to solve. The best was the last 50 pages. There is a huge twist at the end that you will not see coming. This book was definitely worth the read.
August 15, 2025
Neuen weaves a beautiful story of love, exile and mystery. The amount of depth the author uses to describe Reisende is so beautiful that you can practically see the planet in your mind. Reading from the dual POV of Lyn and Levi shows how two different views of society can bring the most unlikely duos together. Thank you Sheri Singerling for this ARC copy!
July 5, 2025
"Neuen" is a fun and exciting ride complete with twists and turns to keep you interested.
I truly enjoyed reading "Neuen" and am really excited to read the future works of the author.
I truly enjoyed reading "Neuen" and am really excited to read the future works of the author.
July 27, 2025
An absolutely magnificent sci-fi novel .
Neuen is an incredibly well written and well thought out book. The premise made me think that this would be an interesting novel from the get go- but the reading experience totally blew me away: I rarely ever devour books this fast.
The story is set in a hostile planet named Neuen, our protagonist is a morally questionable young botanist named Levi who'd do anything to achieve his goal of freeing his people. I will say that I really liked the dynamics between the characters, especially Levi and Lyn, who's relationship and resolve really made me feel things (I cant spoil what things it made feel, you'll have to read that by yourself!).
Also a huge plus note on the lingo utilised: I'm still dipping my toes into this aspect of fantasy and sci-fi, and I felt that with Neuen following what the characters were talking about was a bit of a challenge, but it made the payoff more worth it.
If there is one thing that I'd criticise is the ending, especially the info-dump at the end. I wasn't against it in-and-of itself but (again, no spoilers) the tone really made the plot-twist fall a bit flat in my opinion.
With that said, I need to read this series. I will definitely be coming back to this author.
Overall, 100% worth reading
Final vote: 4.25/5
Neuen is an incredibly well written and well thought out book. The premise made me think that this would be an interesting novel from the get go- but the reading experience totally blew me away: I rarely ever devour books this fast.
The story is set in a hostile planet named Neuen, our protagonist is a morally questionable young botanist named Levi who'd do anything to achieve his goal of freeing his people. I will say that I really liked the dynamics between the characters, especially Levi and Lyn, who's relationship and resolve really made me feel things (I cant spoil what things it made feel, you'll have to read that by yourself!).
Also a huge plus note on the lingo utilised: I'm still dipping my toes into this aspect of fantasy and sci-fi, and I felt that with Neuen following what the characters were talking about was a bit of a challenge, but it made the payoff more worth it.
If there is one thing that I'd criticise is the ending, especially the info-dump at the end. I wasn't against it in-and-of itself but (again, no spoilers) the tone really made the plot-twist fall a bit flat in my opinion.
With that said, I need to read this series. I will definitely be coming back to this author.
Overall, 100% worth reading
Final vote: 4.25/5
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