After the Fall

by Edward Ashton, John Pirhalla (Narrator)

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, Dystopia, Audiobook, Humor, Adult, Aliens

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published 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

[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. 

[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.

[AndaReadsTooMuch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came into this with some side eye. I tried and failed to finish Mickey7 twice. I was hoping a different format and world would show me what I was missing in Ashton’s previous works. And… I genuinely don’t know how to feel about After the Fall. The description says it’s part buddy comedy and part work satire, and it’s neither of those things. This has some ridiculous moments, but the tone is heavy overall. I picked this up thinking it would be a good diversion from current events, and lo and behold I was smacked in the face with the future slavery of humans and a discourse on who and what level of society is deserving of consideration. That is about the furthest thing from buddy comedy OR workplace satire. (Marketing, my dudes, what are you thinking!?)

That’s not to say this isn’t well-done. It was a compelling story and by the time you realize where it’s going, you’re invested in the characters, even Martok. But lighthearted and funny, this is not. The ending felt a bit rushed, but I like where it ended even if it didn’t answer the big questions it raised. The narrator, John Pirhalla is absolutely unparalleled. The voices for each of the characters are SO distinct, you have no issues following along with audio only. (Going from Martok to John to Six in one breath is damn impressive!)

All in all, it’s a story worth reading. Just maybe don’t pick this one up if you’re looking for something light and funny.

Huge thank you again to Macmillan audio (Drew, you are still my favorite) and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary]

After the Fall
by Edward Ashton
Science Fiction Dystopia
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Feb 24, 2026
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 16+

Humans or Bondsmen, as called by their owners, the Grays, are pets/servants to the aliens that landed on Earth after The Fall ruined the planet. But John's owner, Martok, is better than most Grays because John is still alive. Most Bondsmen like John are usually killed by their owner or by a passing Gray for sport.

But Martok has his faults: he is broke, homeless, and is always looking for a new scheme to become rich. And he finds one, putting John's bond as collateral for an abandoned house in the woods owned by a Gray who hunts Bondsmen for the fun of it.

On their way to start Martok's new business, a resort for Grays, they pick up another Bondsmen, a young girl, and a rumor that Martok is something other than an easy-going Gray, that John hinted at all to keep some Grays from stealing Martok's luggage and not having his head crushed at the same time.


I get that this is set in the far future, and 'history is told by the winners', but I was disappointed that there wasn't a clear story as to what happened to the planet. Yeah, there are a lot of 'hints', but they went in all sorts of directions, so all the reader can do is guess. (I'm a fan of the Doctor, and I also like some disaster movies, so my guesses are....)

The Grays were portrayed as...spoiler... and that was an interesting take. John, on the other hand, ...spoiler.... and I get why and how, but it kind of makes his character weak, even at the end of the book. One of the reasons why I felt that way was because I don't feel as if he (the bondsmen) were very detailed. For some reason, I stopped imagining humans and started to think of chimps. Basically, there wasn't a comparison between then and now. Maybe that was the intention because 'now' has been over for many, many years, but it made it feel as if something was missing. (And I didn't have a great picture of the Grays other than present-day pop culture.)

There were some funnies, a little action, but mostly I would consider this a cozy science fiction story. As for the violence, nothing is detailed, but there are a lot of references to head crushing, abuse, and things happening to young people, so this isn't that suitable for readers under sixteen.

I could see this becoming a series, and I would be interested in reading more of John and Martok's adventures.

This one just made...

3 Stars

[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.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC of After the Fall. Unfortunately this book was just not for me. So many people found the humor and levity in it, but I couldn’t get over the power dynamics and unintended cruelty. I think it’s an important read for those who need to see how we have changed the stories of slavery to make them more palatable to the masses. In this book the government does amazing propaganda to make humans feel lucky and loved to be disposable pets. And how lucky they are if they aren’t abused physically! But their life is still worth less than a business transaction.

The writing was witty and the pacing is done well. The narrator does an amazing job of making the Grays sound pretentious. Overall a quick read that made me pretty uncomfortable, as was intended.

[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.

[Jess Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced Listener copy of After the Fall by Edward Ashton. The narrator for this deserves an award. The way he was able to seamlessly switch from one character to the next with such unique voices was spectacular. He voices a little girl in one breath and a grizzly bear type creature the next. It is amazing. The audio narration was five stars, but the book was 2.5 stars.

This is being sold as a satirical work place buddy comedy meets alien invasion, but it really wasn't very satirical or funny. The author does a good job of bringing to light how a government uses propaganda to convince enslaved individuals they are being saved. He shows how a friendship across a huge power imbalance (master to slave) can not truley exist. I think he does these things in a way that is easily digestible. If there weren't alot of f bombs in the writing it could easily be used in a high school history or social science course.

Two of the main characters are essentially children giving this a young adult feel. It felt like children cussing and behaving badly was suppossed to be the humor, and it just wasn't my kind of funny.

[Michael S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Audiobook. Narrated by John Pirhalla

What a delightful story! Is it possible for a book with some brutal scenes to still be cozy? Because this gives the classic Edward Ashton fun story. After The Fall felt like Mickey7 mixed with Orconomics and a side spread of Legends & Lattes.

John is a bondsman, that is, one of the surviving humans After The Fall of human civilization. John is the companion, friend, servant, and employee of Martok Barden, one of the Grays -- aliens who came to help humanity After The Fall. Or, at least that is what the Grays say.

Grays are huge, nearly invulnerable creatures who feel they are superior to the little bondsmen. While Grays often terrify and even kill bondsmen, Martok has never done that to John. The Grays select bondsmen from the equivalent of orphanages or youth workhouses. The day before John is likely to be aged out (e.g., stomped to death for not being adopted out), Martok claims him.

Martok gets an idea for a money-making scheme that involves using John as collateral for a far-fetched business venture. Should this idea fail, then John may be given to a notorious Gray who will not be as gentle as Martok.

Along the way to this new venture, they stop in a town, and Martok returns with Six, a younger, far sassier bondsman than John.

Together, the three face perils, especially the bondsmen, who are out of their element and ridiculously underpowered against most creatures in the world. Any influence they have must be behind the scenes.

The characters are fun, the story is good, and the narration is lovely.


4 1/4 stars. My top book so far in 2026 (I write this on the 3rd of January, but the point stands. It was enjoyable)


Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an Audio ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Joey Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Fall by Edward Ashton was a uniquely genuine take on post apocalyptic sci fi. Ashton built a new world that looked and felt very similar to our yet completely inverted. Not wanting to spoil anything, Ashton proved that great science to doesn’t need expansive world building or crazy plots. He built a new world with some subtle but changes.

I enjoyed the book but really had trouble getting into it. After the Fall finished strong for me but I did find that it had a really slow build up.

Though I still enjoyed it, I felt like the pacing was a little lacking and there was a room for a little more action from time to time.

Also, solid narration by John Pirhalla. He captured the voice of both main characters with perfection!


Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

I would recommend if you like:

Sci-fi that makes you chuckle
Unique approaches to sci-fi
Like post apocalyptic stories that aren’t dark

I would caution you if:

You want a face paced action packed story
You want a lot of action
You expect your sci fi to include a lot suspense

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! My 3rd 5 star read of the year! Edward Ashton does it again in this extremely creative and readable scifi read. I wasn’t sure I could ever love anything as much as Mickey 7 but After the Fall was equally as good! This delightful tale is about John a bondsman (mostly human with a tad of alien mixed in to tone the humanness down). He lives in a crèche waiting to be bonded out to an alien, a gray whose species now run planet earth. Humans have nearly been eradicated and the mostly human pets are all that remains. Right before John was to be “put down” or aged out, a kind but seemingly hapless gray named Martock gets him for a steal. After 12 years Martock has hatched a money making scheme putting his favorite pets bond and life on the line. I don’t believe anyone would hate this unique and entertaining story.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Pirhalla does an excellent job with the narration of this audiobook. He is funny and understated and is able to voice all the characters well, female and male, human and otherwise. The story, about an enslaved human after the earth has been conquered by The Grays, is having a hard time staying alive while trying to understand the history of what actually happened on his planet. Very enjoyable if a bit slow at first. Thanks to Netgalley for the audiobook of this novel.

[bloomgirl_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I want to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio/St Martin’s Press for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know what it is about Edward Ashton’s stories, but they never fail to capture me and draw me in. This was not a long book. It didn’t have a particularly deep, or complex, plot. But man, I love his storytelling and his characters. This book felt more slice-of-life and cozy. There were stakes, but they weren’t that high. And it was just a fun read all around. I especially loved Martok. I need more Martok. I would absolutely love a prequel that just delves into Martok’s past. Overall, this was fun, at times heartwarming and sweet, and just the type of storytelling I’ve come to expect from Ashton. The audiobook narrator was also fantastic. I highly recommend this book. 4.5/5 Stars 🌟

[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.

[Reactor Magazine]

Edward Ashton's After the Fall takes "human pet guy" to a new extreme. Prepare yourself for aliens, absurdity, and uncanny satire from the author of Mickey7. Read Sasha Bonkowsky's review!

[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.

[Carlie Viemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! I was extremely intrigued by the premise of this book, and was completely delighted in this read. Especially after Mickey7/Mickey17 I had a blast with this.

I could hardly put it down, and I can confidently say this will be one of my top favorite books of the year. This book was interesting, entertaining, and creative. There is something I really love about a frantic and stressed out little MMC who is just trying to do his best (idk it probably helped I pictured Robert Pattinson as John LOL).

I can't wait to read more of Edward Ashton's books, this was such good read and I loved his writing style.

[Hone · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audio courtesy of Macmillan Audio, Edward Ashton, and the Libro.fm Audiobook Listening Copy Program.)

4.5⭐, rounded up

Comparing After the Fall to the last Ashton book I read, The End of Ordinary, I would say this one is more engaging, but a bit less intriguing.

That’s not to say it isn’t interesting, because it absolutely is. The alien lore especially was compelling. The whole “absenting” concept? Does its job, creating a constant thread of tension that never allows the reader to fully relax.

You’re in for some heavy themes. You’re reading along and you meet this lovable fuck-up of an alien who’s strangely sweet…(?) but then you have to reconcile the fact that he is literally a slave owner and the MC is literally enslaved. There is systemic exploitation, with a layer of selective breeding thrown in. The power dynamics are intentionally complicated, and I appreciate that the book doesn’t smooth that over.

There are a few mysteries throughout the story. (For one, how did Earth fall in the first place?) Most of it is resolved in a satisfying way; You get answers, but not all the answers. The author has enough room to play in this world again, and if he did, I would absolutely return to it.

I’ve seen a few comments calling this story cozy, but I can’t say that I agree. There’s a difference between meeting the technical definition of cozy and actually feeling cozy. Structurally, it might check some of the boxes, but the tension is WAY too high for a cozy vibe. I can see how future books could move into cozy territory, but we’re not there yet.

Audio-Specific 🎧: John Pirhalla’s performance wasn’t especially my jam, but I don’t have a concrete critique. Technically, everything was fine. No glaring issues. It just didn’t quite click for me on a personal level. I listened at 1.5x speed and had no tearing or production issues.

📌 TL;DR: If you’re looking for a smart, tense alien sci-fi with phenomenal worldbuilding and morally uncomfortable themes, this one delivers.

[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.

[Shannon Miz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not quite know what to expect from After the Fall, and was a wee bit worried, because humans as pets?! But as with every other Edward Ashton book I've read, it definitely works! John is a human just trying to survive with his... owner(? Idk that sounds wrong, but also accurate, so let's roll with it) Martok. Martok is an alien of some sort (in fairness, I could never quite picture him, but as I have said before, I am bad at that, so that might be on me) but he also generally treats John pretty well- way better than most other grays. John thinks of Matrok as a friend, and thinks the feeling is close to mutual. Until Martok uses John as collateral for a house he wants to buy.

I mean, I personally wouldn't leverage my friends, but John doesn't really know any better, having grown up in a creche for the sole purpose of being sold to one of these aliens. So you have to forgive him his blissful ignorance. Martok grabs another human, named Six, and she's wildly entertaining. Six was raised partly by feral humans- that is, humans who weren't raised in the creche to serve the aliens, humans who somehow survived the end of the world/alien takeover.

This is funny and charming, heartbreaking and heartwarming, a very unique end-of-the-world take, and provides a good amount of commentary. I did want a few more answers and world-building, but it was wholly enjoyable and entertaining, so that is a win!

Bottom Line: I too feel like I would have been a creche reject, John. 

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

[Heather Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
This is not your typical alien invasion story.
Aliens known as grays have invaded and taken over Earth. A hundred years have passed. John knows that humans must be obedient and good. And he has lived his life knowing this as a bondsman to Martok, a gray with great ambition but little follow-through. They are always broke, sometimes homeless, and constantly on the move, but John knows he has it much better than others in his position. His gray is kind and really just wants friendship with John. However, when a new scheme has Martok using his bond as collatral John knows he must do everything he can to make sure they succeed, or he may find himself under the foot, literally, of another gray. Can he figure this out in the 60 days before this loan comes due? Especially when it means opening a wilderness resort in the Lake District, taking on another bond of an opinionated girl, Six, discovering a feral group of humans, and possibly killing things?
Instead of a story around the destruction and carnage of an alien invasion, we get a comedy of two unlikely friends navigating a world that neither quite fits in, an unexpected friendship, and characters that in turn are both unlikable and likable throughout their development. The world-building is slow and well-placed as the story unfolds, making it manageable to be immersed while still understanding the context.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when the Alien race that conquers earth looks like dogs? You get After the Fall by Edward Ashton.

"John is a human that's bonded to Bartok - one of the race of Grays that have taken over earth. Bartok is one of the good Grays, even if he is penniless and borderline manic. And so many get-rich-quick schemes. John is a little worried about the latest one. Bartok wants to create a spa for Grays at a mansion in the woods that another Gray is loaning him. John is worried that he has been put up for collateral and doesn't want to end up with a mean Gray. He says some things about Bartok to the wrong people and now he's not sure what to do. And oh yeah - there are killers in the woods..."

I love this world that Ashton creates. He gives the relationship between the Grays and humans some context without spending much time world building. There's some technology but it's not tech-heavy sci-fi. The premise is "What happens when the roles are reversed between dogs and humans. There are some hilarious observations. John's POV gives us everything. He is naive but a quick thinker and a problem solver (and a problem creator)
The narrator, John Pirhalla, brings these characters to life, especially Bartok. His ability to go from Bartok to John instantly is amazing. Pirhalla does a nice job with the other humans and Grays as well. This is excellent audio.

A surprising plot twist. I loved the wild ending. Great pick if you're looking for something different. Fantastic, entertaining story.

[Chloe Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars ✨ An alien opens a relaxing wilderness retreat that ends up not being so relaxing 🏕️ The banter between the characters is funny, John and Martok are like two peas in a pod, and aliens have fully overtaken Earth. The overall premise of this world is dark (human slavery to the angry, violent alien overlords ) but we grasped a small portion of the world through one kind alien and his two bondsmen.

This was such a good audiobook! The narrator was amazing (especially his voice for Martok!) and kept me entertained the whole time. He flowed seamlessly between each character’s voice and really brought the story to life.

We never fully learn the history of the world or what exactly happened during The Fall, and some big questions remain unanswered. I do wish we’d gotten a little more context, but since the MMC only knows what he’s been told, the limited perspective may have been intentional. It doesn’t dive deeply into world-building, and the ending felt slightly rushed, but I was still entertained.

⚠️ A LOT of F words

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

P.S. I’m picturing the grays as Jumba Jookiba from Lilo & Stitch… but with tusks 😂

[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

[brayden king · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC of After The Fall by Edward Ashton in exchange for an honest review

Ashton’s brand of strange, speculative sci-fi is always punchy and thought provoking.

Character driven, well rounded and fun, I found myself easily engrossed in the dynamic between John, Martok and Six, and am curious enough about this world and these characters to be hoping for more to their story.

Quick and witty, you’re given all the information you need to enjoy this novel with no hand-holding. I highly recommend this book

[Geonn Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might've been the fact I recently watched A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but the relationship between John and Martok had a knight/squire feel to it. My main issue is that I never got a feeling for what the "greys" looked like. The cover made me think they were canine-ish. The book described them like Jumba from Lilo & Stitch. And calling them "the greys" made me think of Roswell/Asgard from Stargate. It never settled in my head and kept me from fully emerging in the story.

[Milierb Grace]

A sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt sci-fi novel. After the Fall blends alien invasion, dark humor, and social satire into a fast-paced story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. John is an unforgettable protagonist, and the book does a great job balancing laughs with real emotional weight.

[Aurora deTag · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, humans are essentially pets to an alien race that has invaded Earth, making this an intriguing sci-fi novel. What makes it even more interesting, is that the aliens cannot hurt each other, but they still hold grudges so there are always individuals looking for a way around that. The main character implies that his alien “owner” may be able to commit such violence, without suffering the typical consequences, leading to a whirlwind series of events. This book explores what happens when one lie spirals entirely out of control, but combines it with a fascinating sci-fi premise, making it a truly fantastic read!

I absolutely loved this story, and the narration made it even better! This book is stressful, hilarious, and the characters will make you love them and smack your forehead at the same time! I will say the tone is quite heavy and dark at times but I found that really built the story.

The narrator portrays the characters and their different emotions so well, and I was absolutely HOOKED. I listened to this whole book in TWO DAYS! The narration really conveyed the tone and the stresses and made me care about the characters to a deeper extent than I would have from just reading the novel, very good listening experience.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of sci-fi, I could see this becoming a new classic! I would also recommend this for anyone who enjoys watching a lie spiral out of control, and is interested in the exploration of a society with a unique hierarchy system where humans must bond to aliens and risk death otherwise. Please do yourself a favor and go get this book when it releases on February 24, 2026!

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, St Martin's Press, and Edward Ashton for the opportunity to read an eARC and listen to an ALC of this book!

[Hayley✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Fall, by Edward Ashton
5 Stars

Thank you St. Martin's Press & Net Galley!

Would you like to read about a quirky dystopian society led by other worldy beings where "humans" are pets? I really enjoyed the humor and sense of wonder of this book. I wish there was a bit more world building as I have so many questions and must know more. Maybe there is more to come? One can only hope! If you like quirky, comical sci-fi please give this a read. It truly is a treasure.

[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.