After the Fall

by Edward Ashton

Part alien invasion story, part buddy comedy, and part workplace satire, After The Fall by Edward Ashton, author of Mickey7 (inspiration for the film Mickey 17 ) , asks an important would humans really make great pets?

Humans must be silent. Humans must be obedient. Humans must be good.

All his life, John has tried to live by those rules. Most days, it’s not too difficult. A hundred and twenty years after The Fall, and a hundred years after the grays swept in to pick the last dregs of humanity out of the wreckage of a ruined world, John has found himself bonded to Martok Barden nee Black Hand, one of the "good" grays. Sure, Martok is broke, homeless, and borderline manic, but he’s always treated John like an actual person, and sometimes like a friend. It’s a better deal than most humans get.

But when Martok puts John’s bond up as collateral against an abandoned house in the woods that he hopes to turn into a wilderness retreat for wealthy grays, John learns that there are limits to Martok’s friendship. Soon he finds himself caught between an underworld boss who thinks Martok is something that he very much is not, a girl who was raised by feral humans and has nothing but contempt for pets like John, and Martok himself, whose delusions of grandeur seem to be finally catching up with him.

Also, not for nothing, something in the woods has been killing people.

John has sixty days before Martok’s loan comes due to unravel the mystery of how humans wound up holding the wrong end of the domestication stick and find a way to turn Martok’s half-baked plans into profit enough to buy back his life, all while avoiding getting butchered by feral humans or having his head crushed by an angry gray. Easy peasy, right?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, Humor

Audible Audio

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Edward Ashton is the author of the novels Mickey7, Three Days in April and The End of Ordinary. His short fiction has appeared in venues ranging from the newsletter of an Italian sausage company to Escape Pod, Analog, and Fireside Fiction. He lives in upstate New York in a cabin in the woods (not that Cabin in the Woods) with his wife, a variable number of daughters, and an adorably mopey dog named Max, where he writes—mostly fiction, occasionally fact—under the watchful eyes of a giant woodpecker and a rotating cast of barred owls. In his free time, he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and whittling. You can find him online at edwardashton.com or on Twitter @edashtonwriting.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Fall is a highly entertaining dystopian sci-fi romp - satirical and farcical on the surface, yet laced with surprising depth, suspense, and emotional resonance. Ashton digs into the gray moral terrain of friendships forged between unequals, exploring how history, class, and circumstance can warp even the most well-intentioned bonds.

The pacing is brisk, the dialogue sharp and consistently funny. The audiobook narration is exceptional, capturing the pompous arrogance of the alien "grays" as well as the protagonist's blend of timidity and pluck.

Overall, it's a fast, clever, and surprisingly thoughtful, lighthearted adventure (with darker undertones) that's a joy to listen to. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a Digital Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for a honest review.

[MagretFume · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise was really interesting and I think the execution was great. 

It's a short read, but it still manages to builds a rich world, interesting characters and complex relationships. 

I had a great time. 

Thank you St. Martin's Press for this ARC. 

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

After The Fall is a Sci Fi standalone with a lot of strong world building and beloved characters. It is the perfect listen for a longer road trip with the kids- it is not YA, but is family friendly with little to no violence or adult content. The protagonist, John, is a human "employee" i.e. "pet" of Martok the gray. This takes place on earth many years from now, after an alien invasion that domesticated humans. There are feral humans that operate like wolves in a pack, and a government that has propaganda causing John to feel as though Martok is his friend. It is a unique theme about the ruling class and the working class, or about slavery and the way that history has been altered to make modern people think that slavery was something it was not.

Martok is optimistic to the point of nearly being delusional, and while he considers John to be his friend, he has offered John as bond on a loan for new land he wants to turn into a luxury resort for wealthier grays.

I was really impressed with the performance of John Pirhalla. His performance of Martok was absolutely perfect and captured the spirit of this lovable fool. His performance of John and Six were also excellent, I found it to be incredibly engaging and melodious. The story works really well on audio and is a lighthearted yet still deep Science Fiction story that will stay with me for some time.

Thanks to Macmillan audio for the ALC. Book to be published February 24, 2026.

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Ashton's After the Fall is a standalone science fiction novel that plunges readers into a tense and thought-provoking adventure, offering a refreshing break from the multi-volume sagas that often dominate the genre.

The novel quickly establishes an intensely close, albeit unlikely, relationship between its two protagonists. Their differences are stark: a powerful, alien being—evocative of the "superior" races found in works like Pierce Brown’s Red Rising—and an ordinary human from Earth. This chasm in race and societal status fuels the narrative. The story, narrated by the human, John, begins with his resentment of a business gamble that forces the pair into a perilous situation. What follows is a fast-paced, page-turning adventure where one protagonist faces the prospect of death, and the other, the loss of his only true "family."

As the adventure unfolds, the initial setup of an unwanted, adopted boy and his questionable paternal figure transforms into a deeper philosophical inquiry. Ashton masterfully uses the science fiction framework to peel back layers and address some profound societal questions: What happens when one race deems another undeserving of rights? What are the consequences when a technologically superior race genetically modifies and controls an inferior one? Can these stark races co-exist in a balanced way? If so, how? These are the big-picture ethical dilemmas at the heart of the book, giving sci-fi fans plenty of material to contemplate long after the final page.

For readers who appreciate a tight, complete narrative, After the Fall is a welcome read. It succeeds in capturing attention immediately and maintaining its grip without demanding the multi-book commitment typical of many modern sci-fi titles. This makes it an ideal pick for those who enjoy being able to dip into a high-quality science fiction story without getting entrenched in a new series.

After the Fall is a compelling and accessible novel that combines a thrilling plot with a potent exploration of prejudice, found family, and humanity's place in a complex, universe. It is a highly recommended read for any science fiction enthusiast looking for a quick, yet deeply satisfying, standalone experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Edward Ashton & St. Martin’s Press for providing a Digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for a honest review.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was telling people how much I loved this before I was even done. Edward Ashton is one of my favorite writers now, and I only started reading him because someone in one of my sci fi groups recommended Mal Goes to War, which is so odd and hilarious.
One of the things Ashton does really well is telling a story without using stereotypes. There aren't many characters in this, but they were so distinct and focused on survival. The themes were wild -- most of mankind has been killed and aliens have a relatively small number of human pets.
There was so much humor and heartbreak and feeling. Could humans survive without care and compassion?
The narrator was just amazing, this is so well done. I was disappointed when it was over but satisfied with the story.

[Kat in Stacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the Arc copy ***

Vastly different than the authors other works, yet not as bleak as Mickey 17. " After the Fall" still holds that wonder black comedy I have come to love from this author.

While the setup felt slow in the beginning, by page 50, I became curious and intrigued on how this story would pan out thanks to the grim and dark worldbuilding the author presented, I was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed the slice of life ending.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

John is a human "employee" or what we think of as a 'pet' to Martok the gray. Martok is one of the aliens that came down and domesticated humans after the fall of humanity over a hundred years ago. The bond that Martok and John have is quite unusual to what other gray's have with their pet. There has always been a sign of respect even when Martok gambles away all of their things, money and all, and puts a loan out on John. John feels like the respect has dwindled a bit, because why would Martok do such a thing. When Martok takes on Six, another employee, John wonders how in the world they're going to survive.

When Martok gets an idea to put together a lodging John crosses paths with the wild humans (they live like wolves do) and things get into a mess with promises and threats.

What to expect:
dystopian feel
found family
survival fiction

3.5 stars rounded up

[Sarah Harney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of After the Fall.

This was super unique with a surprising amount of world building for such a short book. I enjoyed the relationship between John and Martok and also the relationship between John and Six. I do wish there would have been more explanation about that caused The Fall and about how bondsman were created. Overall a fun, quick read.

3.5 stars rounded up.

[G Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

In different hands, this premise had the potential to be silly, fetishistic, or downright moronic, but in Ashton's capable hands it turned out to be an incredibly thought-provoking bit of sci-fi comedy that wrestles with the ephemeral nature of freedom, agency, and what the "natural order" really looks like.

Ashton accomplishes this by not shying away from the more difficult aspects of presenting humans as pets. Example: humans are not dogs; we are able to articulate very specifically the things we want, need, feel, we can think in the abstract and speak on abstract concepts, we can accomplish incredible feats of engineering and creativity. As a result, Ashton pushes past the notion of humans as dogs, and tries to imagine what keeping a human as a pet would ACTUALLY look like, rather than simply lobotomizing humanity to cast them in the role of "dog." The result is as shockingly nuanced as the relationship between humans and their pets. Some people love their pets, some abuse them, some think of them as status symbols or keep them for a task or purpose. And so it is with keeping humans, though we do lean a bit overmuch on how casually abusive the alien Greys can be.

With perhaps the exception of Six, the cast is very enjoyable, though even Six plays well off of John for the most part. Our protagonist, John, deftly walks the line between neurosis and insufferability, concern and whininess while Martok, his "employer," is played very sincere throughout. Against these two characters, Six - a child - can feel a bit overly whiny, petulant, and frankly, annoying. This is not entirely a bad thing: it is the role that she is meant to serve in the narrative. But, she becomes frustrating in certain scenes especially as her facade of worldliness and antipathy towards the Greys comes undone in the face of opposition. It is obviously very realistic for a child to cave when faced with actual adversity, but it doesn't make it easier to like such a smug and self-satisfied character that we should ostensibly have some sort of impulse to protect.

The strange (but wonderful) thing about such a thoughtful and philosophical piece is how it never loses its humorous tone. While there are definitely moments where things "get real," it never feels too maudlin or overwrought. However much death may be eternally present as a possibility, John's acceptance of that fact transfers over to the reader in a very matter-of-fact "if I die, I die" kind of way that is well-illustrated in one of his encounters with a wolf in the wild. That particular encounter is mirrored in the third act of the novel prompting one to wonder about the morality of everything you've red.

It's a thinker. Is Ashton saying keeping pets is immoral? Maybe. Is he saying that when we inevitably are kept as pets to higher life forms we will be in no worse position than the canines of our world and therefore there is a certain amount of acceptance and "life-goes-on" that we should embrace? That feels a bit bleak, but maybe. So often in books like this, the point is that the human spirit is unbreakable, that we can triumph over any evil and tyranny that challenges us. Ashton's vision is more of a world where humanity has lost. We presently live in such an anthropocentric universe that will probably last until we are extinct, but if we ever fall under the yoke of visitors from beyond, is this the kind of future that might await us? When we fail, and have no hope of overthrowing our new masters, do we accept a new order? Would that be so bad? Would it be what we deserve?

[Samantha H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought and thought and thought about how I would rate this book. At first I thought 3 stars, but that doesn't adequately tell how I felt about this book, then I thought 4 stars but again, I felt that by the ending of this book, it would be hard not to rate it 5 stars, at least for me.

This book is a dystopian sci fi {comedy} that is light hearted in nature but also requires the reader to read between the lines a little bit because there is absolutely a deeper meaning behind this story.

We follow Martok the Grey, John and Six, a male and female bondsmen (bondsmen are a class of domesticated humans). When Martok takes out a loan against John's bond to fund a ludicrous business venture, the group is thrown into a world that is precarious in nature but in the end turns out to be the very best thing that could have ever happened to them.

This story really dives into class structures and power imbalances. I really appreciate how the author conveyed that sometimes cages are of our own making. John thinks that Martok is his friend, but Martok owns John and John has been conditioned since he was a baby to believe that he is less than the greys. It was a really interesting social commentary on how people are divided. I really loved this book and I could never do it justice so I will say this, I think everyone should read this and though it is not technically YA, I think this is a story you could listen to on a car ride with your kids and they would enjoy it. It is very funny and there is little to no explicit violence and absolutely no 'spice'.

The narrator was absolutely phenomenal and I doubt that this book would have had the same effect on me had I read it versus listening to is. Kudos to the narrator for perfectly encapsulating the manic energy of Martok, the snark of Six, and the timidity of John. I could not have asked for a better narrator.

Thank you to Natgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.

ꕤ₊˚⊹♡⊹˚₊ꕤ booksta — @sammilikesbooks ꕤ₊˚⊹♡⊹˚₊ꕤ

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up for sheer creativity.

After the Fall is what I’m officially calling “direcozy.” It’s a dystopian world where humans have basically become pets after an alien takeover. It sounds bleak, but somehow this book ends up feeling cozy and weirdly sweet. While everything else crumbles around them, this little group of characters still manages to spark joy.

We follow John and Martok, over a hundred years after humanity fell. Martok, one of the alien Grays, has taken on this awkward dad role to John, a domesticated human. But when Martok gambles away literally every meager thing on a whim (because of course he does), John ends up crossing paths with a wild human and suddenly they have to fix the mess before things get worse.

This was my first book by this author and I ended up really loving the worldbuilding and the mysterious, slow reveal lore. It doesn’t dump info on you; you just sort of pick things up as you go, which I always prefer. The only downside is that the beginning dragged a bit for me before I fully tuned into the story.

The characters are the best part. Martok is hard to root for at first, but his impulsive naive energy grew on me fast. Still, it’s hard to ignore that he’s participating in this. John is an instant favorite. Their dynamic carries the story and the banter between John and Six is likewise delightful.

Despite the dystopian setting, the vibe is whimsy and found family fish. It’s sharp and so easy to binge because the book is compact and fast moving. It still manages to pack some sharp and important themes, though.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did such a great job. Martok’s voice was hilarious and spot on, but John’s depiction was my favorite. Definitely a solid audio experience.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the gifted advance audio — all opinions are my own.

[Janall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love science fiction because it allows us to explore complicated topics without the usual emotional baggage and preconceived notions.

In this story, we have a buddy comedy of sorts. Earth after humans have destroyed it and it’s been invaded by a species of “grays”. When the grays arrive they think of themselves as settlers in a destroyed world. They find a few humans which obviously cannot govern themselves, ( they destroyed their only planet) so they must be domesticated or killed. Those that are captured young enough to mold are called“ Bondsmen” where they are bred and raised to be docile pets, with just about as much rights as our pets: ared for or not, killed if they annoy their masters.

Our main characters are John, a specially bred human and his owner, Martok, a gray. Martok is a male full of airs and pomp and not a whole lot of substance. He reminded me of an out of work Shakespearean actor. However he has always been “good” to John. Here we get to explore what is freedom, and what slavery means even when we have “good slave owners” . The author also did a nice job of making Martok a relatable alien with unique cultural and physical differences.
On their way to Martoc’s latestst get rick quick scheme, they pick up a young teenage girl- she too was about to age out of the creche for not being adoptable. ( unadopted children are killed ). Why Martoc wants another bondsman when he can barely take care of himself and John is a mystery to both humans.

I really enjoyed the story- very original as well as the world building and social constructs. Very enjoyable book. I listed to an audio version and the narrator was also outstanding.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Stephen Reyes-Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty solid! Edward Ashton is one of the most consistent sci-fi authors writing today and the John Pirhalla narrations are always pretty good, too. I'm not crazy about the way he does female voices, but he's still pretty great. I think the only couple of things that I wasn't crazy about with this were first of all the almost constant talk of brutal child murder. I read almost exclusively horror, so I'm very ok with violence and gore, but things involving kids just always bothers me. Those parts weren't even especially gory of anything, it's just a personal taste thing. The other thing is that he never says what the grays actually look like, and it drove me crazy. There are just random descriptions thrown out here and there, but you never get a full picture. I know they're big, have 3 fingers and a crest. Then, like halfway through the book, he says they have tusks, so I guess that too. If he said what they looked like at any point, it was super brief and I totally missed it, but it did kind of mess with my immersion into the story a bit. Same thing with the spiders. Other than that, it was a really fun book! It's a really unique take on the alien invasion story. The planet's been occupied for over 100 years, so you never really find out exactly what happened to cause the end of the world since it's ancient history by this point, but the world that the book takes place in is super interesting. It's a kind of buddy comedy that takes place in an alien apocalypse, with a really great twist at the end. At this point, I'll read anything Ashton writes, so I'll be looking out for his next book for sure. Thanks for the ARC!

[Book Club of One · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earth is not what it was. The planet underwent a fall, where much of the surface was devastated by human born technology. Probably. It is very unlikely the alien race known as the Grays that rule the safe areas of settlement on the planet with docile humans as companions had anything to do with it. We follow the misadventures of John, a human 'bonded' to the supportive but disaster prone low caste drifter Martok and the addition of a new human 'bond,' Six a former feral human. Things are looking up at the start of After the Fall for Martok has come in to a favorable business opportunity, all that rests in the balance is John's freedom. Surely that is a low risk?

Edward Ashton is a scientist by day, writer by night and also makes his own maple syrup. All of his works could fall into the realm of black humor, here we see a humanity conquered by aliens with the survivors in a form of slavery killed on a whim or for breaking their codes of existence.

The new business opportunity is the running of a remote lodge, that thanks to John's inability to think through the consequences, is believed to be a place where problematic Grays can be sent for punishment. Not only that, but there might be something much more troubling in the woods.

Its a fun short read about survival in difficult circumstances and strategic political thinking.

Recommended to readers of black humor, survival fiction or future dystopias.

I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second book by Ashton and I think I'm getting a sense for his style. The two I've read have been shorter novels that remind me of old school SF: decent (male) main characters try to deal with aliens without losing their essential sense of self and humanity.

This one is a post-apocalyptic tale set on Earth where "Grays" are the dominant species, and humans are their pets. John, the main character, has just learned that Martok, his "employer," has concocted a great business plan... and put John's bond up as collateral. Now John has to figure out how to help Martok succeed, or end up owned by a Gray who has a reputation for brutality with his bondsmen.

John doesn't know exactly what happened for the Grays to take over the Earth, and his main concern is survival. The book does touch on some ethical quandaries: for example, treating a sentient species as a pet while calling them "employees"; control of knowledge creating an underclass; how marginalized people can mistreat other marginalized peoples to survive (or simply to feel better about their respective place in the hierarchy of marginalization).

Sometimes the world building doesn't make a ton of sense (why would Grays breed humans, anyway?) but the story is propulsive and you root for John the whole time.

The audio is an absolutely appropriate way to consume the book. I think it would have been fine to read with my eyes, so make your own decision on how you'd like to consume it!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this Advanced Review Copy.

4.25/5 Stars rounded down.

This book surprised me with its humuorous moments despite the mostly serious plot surrounding the characters. Martok and John’s relationship has to be the highlight of this novel for me as John slowly comes to terms with his role in life while slowly having the scope of the world in which he inhabits build up along with the reader. On that note, I enjoyed the world building in how it always had me questioning specific aspects before John really considered them, only coming to the forefront later on. I will say that there were many of my questions that were left unanswered at the end, but that is always to be expected—especially considering the amazing job this book did in building the world in such a short time.

The plot, as previously mentioned, is quite serious in nature, but continuously takes humuorous twists and turns throughout, which always had me wanting to turn the pages to see what happened next. In this regard, I may venture to say that this book leans a tad into the black humour side of things as I probably should not have been laughing at a lot of the moments that I was. The contrast between Martok’s consistent enthusiasm and John’s constant predicaments make this to be a great read as they unknowingly work together to create the fruitful wilderness retreat in the woods that clients will not soon forget.

[Sherry Moyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
After the fall of planet Earth, about 120 years ago, the Grays descended to populate what was left, to pull what remained of humanity from the brink of extinction.

However, the Grays treated humans like pets, dogs expected to be silent and obedient.

John is bonded to Martok, a kind Gray who has treated him like more like a friend than property. It’s more than most can expect.

Penniless and homeless, Martok, a fan of scheming, makes a plan to open a resort of sorts for Grays, and he’s put John’s life up as collateral. Along the way, Martok bonds Six, a young girl to help.

There’s an underworld boss, feral humans hiding in the woods, and sixty days to pay back the loan.

𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
Entertaining sci-fi dystopian novel that offers more depth and emotion than expected.

There’s exploration of the meaning of friendship when the two have an unequal power dynamic, commentary of class and politics, and quite a few laughs.

It’s fast paced and overall enjoyable, though I felt it skewed young.

𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
A buddy comedy between a pit bull and chihuahua.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢
Martok is a bit of a blustery fool and John Pirhalla captured his voice perfectly. This works well on audio as the world building isn’t complex.

𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
This won’t be for everyone but if you’re looking for something different, give it a shot. It’s solid storytelling.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦
@macmillan_audio provided an ALC. this one is coming 2/24/26.

[Coca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the audio version of the book, narrated by John Pirhalla.

4/5

Set in the (not so distant?) future, in a time after humanity has brought itself to the edge of destruction and the arrival of the aliens, known only as "the Grays", have "preserved" what little life is left on the planet.

John has spent his entire life either being prepared to serve, or in the service of, the Greys. In John's case, Martok, to be specific. Martok is unlike most Grays, who will kill any bonded human service for so much as a lie, and he thinks of John as a member of his family.

So it surprises John when Martok decides to put his bond up as collateral against a small homestead on the edge of a distant town, where the owner has been having nothing but bad luck. As both John and Martok get in over their heads, their friendship is tested to it's limits and the strain could have permanent consequences for the entire human race.

This was a fascinating read.

My 1st experience with Edward Ashton, I was impressed by how he wove in jabs at current societal issues. The entire thing, while extremely interesting, felt like a lesson on colonization and human rights. It was very well done.

I had fun with these unique characters. Their inability to stop blurting out when they were doing something wrong was amusing, and the lessons they learned were well earned.

This was worth the time to read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars? I'll round up today.

Readers who are familiar with the author's previous books will find a rather different character here-- more timid and lacking the snarkiness and cavalier attitude shared by the main characters in Mickey7, Mal Goes to War, and The Fourth Consort. It's nice to see the author develop beyond the one type of character! Admittedly, the main character here takes something of a back seat to the future world-- that's not necessarily a bad thing, just be sure to suggest this more to readers who connect to setting over characters.

Not all questions are answered, but it's made clear that no one involved has access to records or knowledge that would answer them, so it feels appropriate if not completely finalized. This feels like a stand-alone, although a sequel wouldn't feel forced.

eARC from NetGalley.

[East of Reality · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the rather grim world building, I think this book is actually kind of cute. Perhaps it’s more in the vein of dark humor than satire or comedy, but I did find myself snorting a few times. The book is labelled as a buddy comedy, and it is, but not so much John and Martock as it is John and Six — the second human bought by John’s owner. Half his age and twice as jaded, she’s a kid whose cynicism pairs well with John’s fatalistic approach to life, and both of them giving Martock a solid side-eye for his enthusiasm and optimism.

The world building is so very well woven into the story, always offering possible answers but never definitive ones. The culture of the greys is hard to pin down as it’s seen only through John’s rather biased point of view, and the sample size he’s looking at is, well, Martock. Martock ends up being a bit of a cypher, but never an inconstant one. He’s kind, supportive, and I can see why John sticks up for him.

Honestly, this is a book best gone into blind, I think, so all of the twists and spirals the plot takes come at you through your own interpretation rather than a reviewers, because there are several ways I can see to take the narrative and the story themes. Overall, this is fun. It’s light, it’s hopeful, it’s quick and it’s just … a very good story.

Thank you so very, very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Miranda Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers for access to this e-ARC through NetGalley!

Overall a very solid story. What really kept me from enjoying this to its fullest potential is that I felt the story I received didn't quite match up to the story the synopsis led me to believe I'd be receiving. I was expecting a story led by political intrigue and philosophies about what led them to the society structures they've found themselves in (think Scythe). Instead I read a jaunty found-family type story with a mild mystery at its core and much more character-led plot. While technically the basic facts of the story we're told are true, the tone and focus was not what I was expecting. Considering the opening line of the synopsis says "part alien invasion story", we learn very little about the aliens themselves, what led them to Earth or what happened to the rest of the planet. The "happy ending" felt a bit rushed and unearned, and opposite to where the story seemed it was going. The synopsis also says part of the goal was to "unravel the mystery of how humans wound up holding the wrong end of the domestication stick," and we didn't get any of that.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story I read. I think it read younger than I was expecting, and I also feel the cover, while stunning, doesn't relate to the story either.

[Librariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I received an advance digital edition from the publisher, because I am a librarian and librarians are awesome **

First things first: the cover does a terrible job depicting the spirit of the book. While there is a scene with a wolf, and while it is about human domestication, having a bust of a dog with a human chest doesn't connect with the story for me.

Are you looking for a light (by sci-fi standards) story about a non-sexual relationship between a human and elephantine alien? Martok is a benevolent screw-up whose next misadventure might be the death of his bondsman/companion, John. When I say light, it's more in the delivery - the premise of this story is dark, what with the grisly stomped ends of unbonded creche children, annihilation of (most of) the human race, and becoming unintentional hitmen. If it had taken a moment to dwell on most of the suffering, it could have felt unimaginably bleak. Yet Martok's unvarnished optimism throughout and the hopeful ending in an otherwise miserable-for-humans world kept me feeling like what I was reading was, at heart, a happy story.

An enjoyable Memorial Day weekend read.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

John lives in a time where aliens called grays are the dominant life following an event called The Fall when most of the human race die. They are much larger and stronger than the humans but otherwise seem to live in a familiar social and economic fashion. Overall life is focused on a small area of the planet. John is adopted (bought?) from a nursery by Martok just before he would have been killed due to being too old. He is described as a bondsman but treated more like a helpful servant or pet. Martok is a vagabond, a poor gray living day to day. The book focuses on the relationship between John and Martok, the developing relationship with a new bondsman Martok acquires and their mutual misadventures.

This is an interesting book by Ashton with his typical hallmarks of a main character developing and maturing while living in a novel environment. The concept was interesting but I found the book to be very slow and tedious until about half way through when the pace increased and plot twisted. The ending was satisfying but the slowness of most of the book limited its overall interest.

[Reading Xennial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few books by Edward Ashton at this point, and I’ve enjoyed them all. He is a very particular author, and he’s hard to recommend to the vast majority. His ideas are unique, and won’t land with everyone. For those interested in something different, then I highly recommend this book. It took me some time to get into, but it was a good read once I got into the flow.

This book had a unique premise. We jump into a world where the apocalypse happened a while ago, and now humans don’t rule the planet. Human’s are now an asset and very much like a pet for the Grays. We don’t get much backstory of how we got where we were, and I thought that made the book more fun. It’s kind of a “slice of life” with aliens.

This is a standalone book, which is refreshing. This book was a quick read, and is a great palate cleanser in between bigger series. I love the humor, and charm that Ashton writes. He still gives a great story with heart, but makes you chuckle to yourself in between more intense times.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Bookjunky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a little outside of my comfort zone but it was a fun read! It took a little time for me to really get into the story, I think because there wasn't a whole lot of backstory in the beginning to give me a reference for understanding the characters and their dynamics.

The main character, John, is quiet and unassuming but has a delightfully dry and sometimes snarky sense of humor. I was a little surprised to find out his actual age, because he comes across much younger. Given the way he was raised and what he was raised for, this makes a lot of sense. Ashton does a really fantastic job of keeping John walking that line between child and adult, and gives little moments that remind you John is much older than he portrays.

Martok is a fun character and brings a light-heartedness that's hard to be mad at, even when he does things that make you want to yell and throw your kindle across the room.

The side characters are interesting and well written. The pacing dragged in some places and some of the descriptive language was a little heavier than I prefer, but these are minor personal gripes. I enjoyed the read and would reccomend it to fans of Andy Weir.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Edward Ashton. I've read most of his books and I've never been disappointed. He's definitely one of my favourite modern science fiction authors, I love how accessible and fun his books can be while still hitting deep emotional notes and focusing on fairly dark themes.

After The Fall takes place sometime in earth's future, where humans are no longer the dominant species on the planet, but they are now pets/servants to the alien species that's taken over it. We follow John, a 'bondsman' as they are called, who has a pretty good friendship with his kind but eccentric 'employer'. Through John, we discover the state of the world and its society and get some glimpses of what may have happened to the humans in the past.

This book is a fun and mostly light hearted adventure, but like I said it still touches on some dark and emotional themes as well. I definitely hope for another book in this universe because there's so much more I want to learn about it.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

[Katie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining take on alien invasion/enslavement of the human race. I almost wish I got to read Before the Fall (or just the Fall) before this. I would be interested to learn more about how we got here. Humans are adopted by grays to work for them, and this book is about Martok and his human John and their working relationship. Some time has passed since the takeover as well but still a hilarious gap of knowledge between species and how they work.

This might have been a little more successful if it were closer to novella length (even though this is still quite short). Little bit of pacing issues in the first half. The plot twist isn’t until about 65% in and before that it’s kind of just a John and Maratok making their way in the world.

Would recommend if you’re familiar with Ashton’s other works as it pretty on brand for his sci fi and humor blends but not sure if recommend this as the first one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to MacMillan Audio/St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

Edward Ashton is one of the most unique voices in science fiction, and I have read everything he's done since reading Mickey7. After The Fall is a top-notch addition to his catalog and is quite different from his other stories. This one doesn't feel as sci-fi as some of his other stories even though Earth has been conquered and mankind subjugated. The scale is much smaller here with only a few characters and it dives into the difficulties of having a true and honest relationship when there is such a power imbalance between protagonists. Humans aren't quite human anymore and life can certainly be brutal. Yet, our characters find their way to a unique found family that ends up being quite touching. A signature feature of Ed's novels is the humor laced throughout, and this one is no different as are the sudden moments that hit you in the feels. I listened to the audio and the narration is wonderfully done, especially for Martok and Six, truly enjoyable!!

[Adri Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

John lives in a time where aliens are the ruling species, due to an event called The Fall (I assume nuclear fallout but who knows). John was rescued as a preteen from orphanage by Martok to become his bondsman. Martok is not the smartest, most soundness of mind, and richest gray, he's more of a dreamer, which gets them both into some wacky hijinks. The next big opportunity that is dropped into their lives is the purchase of a land plot from a richer gray clan. Instead of paying for the property outright (since they have no credit), Martok has bartered his bond to John. This development would stress anyone out when their whole life may be upended. They’re both basically vagabonds and can hardly find a place to sleep and food to eat. That is all I will say because spoilers are the worst.

That being said, I would have liked some things fleshed out further but thoroughly enjoyed the book overall.

#ThxNetGalley #EdwardAshton #AfterTheFall

[Sandrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️
This was a short story but it still had all just enough world building to be enjoyable, while still maintaining mystery. This book asks the question: how would life be if we were treated like pets? After an alien invasion, humans are not seen as people but rather as pets which aliens can use however they want. John is lucky and is with a delusional but nice owner, Martok. I enjoyed this story, it did start a bit slow and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But as I kept reading, I was entertained, and the plot twists were unexpected, which kept my attention. I really liked the ending, it left things up to interpretation. The writing was nice, the characters were well-fleshed out. Overall, this is a great thought-provoking book, that mixes sci-fi with reality. I definitely want more in this universe!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book. Opinions are my own.