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Utopia

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Utopia~ A new world was the mission. A secret civilization no one knew about changed everything.
When Dr. Delilah Dweck, a decorated physician, boards the first manned mission to Mars, she's chasing the dream of discovery. Alongside her is an astrobiologist, Dr. Jacob Stern, and a handpicked team of elite scientists, each prepared to leave Earth behind forever. Their to build a permanent colony and turn the barren red planet into humanity's next home.
Mars holds secrets far older—and far stranger—than anyone could have imagined. Beneath the dust lies a thriving ancient the Xan'tains. Not only are they alive, they claimed to have seeded Earth millions of years ago—and now, they're ready to reclaim their descendants.
The price of survival? Reproduction. Each astronaut must help populate the colony, either biologically or through artificial means. Their children, born of Mars and Earth, exhibit extraordinary abilities—abilities the Xan'tains see as the next evolution.
As the colony expands beyond Mars and into the stars, the crew discovers a powerful galactic federation balancing diplomacy and domination. But when Delilah uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to shatter this fragile peace, the true test begins. Can Delilah protect both her people and the future they're building—or will Utopia collapse under the weight of its own creation?
A sweeping saga of interstellar discovery, ancient power, and the fragile hope of unity. Utopia is perfect for fans of The Expanse and The Three-Body Problem.

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

11 people are currently reading
882 people want to read

About the author

Jenny Ahmed

15 books64 followers
Jenny Ahmed is the award-winning author of shocking dystopian science fiction, and political thrillers that grip readers from the first page and don't let go. She also writes empowering non-fiction for women, covering titles from survival and self-reliance to entrepreneurship with financial independence. Her fiction catalog includes By Dawn's Early Light, a heart pounding race against nuclear devastation that earned her the Gold Medal in the 2025 Literary Titan Book Awards; All the King's Men, a gripping political thriller that pulls readers deep into a web of corruption and betrayal in Washington, D.C; and the Burning Sky, a story of post-apocalyptic survival and the human series encourages women to take charge -- whether that means prepping their families for emergencies in The Tough Mama's Guide to Survival, or launching a business and building a financial freedom in Tough Mama's Mean Business: Dream Big.

Jenny has been featured in the NY Weekly, The New York Telegraph, Tampa Bay Observer, and on the Author Show.

Before turning to fiction, Jenny built a dynamic career as an ICU/ER nurse, earned a degree in genetics, studied astrobiology, and worked in law. A natural storyteller, she spent years as a copywriter and journalist before embracing her lifelong dream of becoming a novelist.

I am truly humbled that some fans thought enough of Utopia to nominate me for the Hugo Award! One thing I would like to share with my readers that I don't tell many people is that I am deaf. I haven't mastered sign language, but I am an expert lip reader. I wasn't born deaf. Before Covid happened, I had a very bad sinus infection. Driving home, I suddenly stopped hearing. I have 0% hearing in my left ear and 50% in the right. I do have a cochlear implant that helps. When people know that I am deaf I get treated differently and I don't like that.

She grew up on a farm in the south, where her imagination -- and three horses -- were her closest companions. Now based in New York City, Jenny is married with a vibrant family of grown children and grandchildren.

When she's not writing, Jenny indulges in an eclectic mix of hobbies, including quilting, fencing, piloting, playing the violin, and collecting Moser glass and Matryoshka dolls.

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5 stars
45 (86%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for _sassy_39.
2,602 reviews160 followers
July 29, 2025
Utopia, written by Jenny Ahmed, is a captivating tale set in a future where humanity reaches beyond Earth. Dr. Delilah Dweck, a mission specialist, physician, and geneticist, is part of an elite crew handpicked by NASA and Celestia for the Magellan mission. After months of travel through space, the crew finally steps onto the Martian surface—a moment of immense historical importance.

As the colonists began to adapt to life on Mars, their bodies slowly adjusted to the planet’s reduced gravity. Though the low gravity initially felt exhilarating, it brought with it unexpected challenges. Delilah took the lead in developing a sustainable medical infrastructure for Utopia. The team began assessing both the obstacles and the possibilities of creating a permanent human presence on Mars.

The story takes a dramatic turn when the colonists encounter the Xan’tari—a meeting that unveils mysteries and truths previously unknown to humankind. As the narrative unfolds, each astronaut faces a crucial decision: to contribute to the future of the colony, whether through natural reproduction or artificial means.

Jenny Ahmed’s vivid imagination shines throughout the book. Her world-building is richly detailed, and her writing style is both engaging and fast-paced. The story held my attention from start to finish—I simply couldn’t put it down. If you’re fascinated by the idea of life on other planets, this book is a must-read.
Profile Image for Sneha.
342 reviews32 followers
July 30, 2025
Okay, Utopia by Jenny Ahmed? Space drama at its finest. It kicks off with a badass team of scientists heading to Mars to build a new world and I was totally ready for some space exploration vibes. But nope, things go from NASA dreams to alien plot twist real quick.

Dr. Delilah Dweck (who I loved, btw) ends up smack in the middle of a hidden civilization, yep, Mars already has residents. The Xan’tains are ancient, powerful, and casually drop the bomb that they’re the reason humans even exist. So now they want to reconnect through babies. Wild.

Suddenly, it’s not just about surviving Mars, it’s about building a whole new future, with the next generation of super-kids who are part human, part something else entirely. And let’s just say, those kids? Total game changers.

But of course, space isn’t all peace and unity. There's a galactic federation, major political drama, and a conspiracy that threatens to bring everything crashing down. Delilah has to figure out how to protect her people while keeping everything from going full meltdown mode.

If you're into epic space sagas, secret alien civilizations, and sci-fi with heart and chaos, Utopia needs to be on your list. It’s smart, fast-paced, and way too hard to put down.
175 reviews17 followers
July 31, 2025
Book Review ✨📚
Utopia by Jenny Ahmed

Utopia is a stunning blend of science fiction, emotional depth, and philosophical wonder—a story that captures the heart of what it means to dream beyond the stars. Jenny Ahmed takes readers on a breathtaking interplanetary journey filled with discovery, danger, and destiny.

The story centers around Dr. Delilah Dweck, a brilliant physician and geneticist who joins a handpicked team of scientists on the first manned mission to Mars. With courage and hope, they leave Earth behind to build something greater—a permanent human colony on a distant world. The initial mission is bold and ambitious, but no one is prepared for what they find beneath the Martian surface.


Hidden in the red dust lies an ancient alien civilization—the Xan’tains—who reveal secrets that change everything. These beings claim they are the originators of life on Earth, and now they’ve returned to guide, and in some ways, reclaim their creation. The astronauts are asked to contribute to a new generation—through natural or artificial means—ushering in hybrid children with extraordinary abilities unlike anything humanity has known.

As the colony, named Utopia, begins to thrive, it expands beyond Mars and into the galactic community. The crew finds themselves entangled in a vast and complex interstellar federation, full of alliances, secrets, and power struggles. When Delilah uncovers a conspiracy that threatens everything they’ve built, she must fight not just for her people—but for the fragile vision of unity they all believe in.


Jenny Ahmed’s writing is vivid and imaginative, full of rich world-building and intense emotional layers. She masterfully weaves scientific exploration with deep character development, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and thoughtful. The pacing is sharp, the twists are gripping, and the themes of legacy, evolution, and identity are handled with real depth.

📚 Utopia is more than just a sci-fi novel—it’s a story of courage, hope, and the eternal human desire to reach for something greater. It’s perfect for readers who love space exploration, ancient alien lore, strong female leads, and stories that spark both wonder and reflection.

This book is a must-read for fans of The Expanse, The Three-Body Problem, and those who crave a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is intellectually exciting.
Profile Image for Lara Redmond.
191 reviews4 followers
December 31, 2025
This was bad.

It was annoyingly repetitive which is kind of impressive considering there was no building of any sort. Not plot, world, character… nothing. There were way too many characters considering they do absolutely nothing for the story. The whole thing could have been narrated through one person and you wouldn’t have to change a single thing about the book.

Did I mention how redundant it was as well? Not even in like a repeating necessary information to other involved characters repetitive either. We would get “the children are telepathic” for literally the next sentence to be “the children are telepathic” directed towards the reader.

There’s also something to be said about the horrid narration. Ive seen AI narration done really well but this 100% missed the mark. With mispronounced words, random pauses in the middle of words, etc.

2 stars for putting yourself out there as a debut author. I know I wouldn’t be able to do it myself but at the end of the day it’s still a poorly written book.
2 reviews
July 18, 2025
UTOPIA is a mind-bending, emotionally rich sci-fi novel that challenges everything you think you know about reality, freedom, and what it means to be human. Jenny Ahmed masterfully blends futuristic world-building with intimate character journeys that feel incredibly personal and real. Each twist kept me guessing, and the themes of identity, control, and hope hit hard in the best way. It’s not just a story, it’s an experience. Thought-provoking, beautifully written, and impossible to forget.
Profile Image for Ana Reyes.
20 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2025
Utopia completely pulled me in. I expected just another Mars colonization story, but it turned out to be something so much deeper. The discovery of the Xan’tains and the mystery behind Earth’s origins was mind-blowing. Jenny Ahmed mixes science fiction with philosophy and emotion in a way that feels real and powerful. If you're into stories that challenge ideas about humanity, evolution, and survival this one is definitely worth your time.

Profile Image for Ariana Scott.
18 reviews
August 30, 2025
This book took me on an incredible journey! From the first mission to Mars, I was hooked. Delilah and the crew’s dream of building a colony sounded exciting, but then the twist with the Xan’tains blew my mind. The reproduction demand, the genetic evolution, and the galactic politics made this story so unique. The conspiracy near the end kept me turning pages. A perfect mix of science fiction and high stakes drama!
Profile Image for Brain Melissa.
21 reviews
August 30, 2025
I loved everything about this book! It starts as a hopeful mission to build a new world on Mars, then turns into a mind-bending first contact story. The Xan’tains and their claim about seeding Earth were fascinating. The pressure on the astronauts to reproduce added a whole new layer of tension. The political intrigue with the galactic federation was brilliant. This book is epic sci-fi at its best. Highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Adel Lavelle.
17 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2025
This book blew me away! It starts as a hopeful colonization story, then turns into an incredible first contact adventure. The Xan’tains were mysterious and compelling, and their demand for reproduction made the stakes so high. The children born on Mars with extraordinary powers? Amazing twist! The conspiracy Delilah uncovers had me on edge until the last page. This is sci-fi storytelling at its finest big ideas, complex characters, and nonstop intrigue.
Profile Image for Adnan Miller.
15 reviews
August 30, 2025
Utopia is the kind of sci-fi book I dream about reading. It starts with humanity’s first mission to Mars, full of wonder and ambition, then flips everything with the discovery of an ancient alien species claiming to be our creators. I loved the bold concept of creating a new hybrid generation. The galaxy-spanning political games were brilliant. By the end, I didn’t want it to stop. Perfect for fans of The Expanse.
Profile Image for Lunavera Casen.
33 reviews
August 30, 2025
I could not put this book down! The first chapters set up a classic Mars colonization story, then suddenly it became so much bigger. The Xan’tains were fascinating powerful, secretive, and tied to humanity’s origins. The idea of evolution through forced reproduction was both chilling and intriguing. And then the galactic federation twist? Wow! This story kept surprising me all the way through. It’s thrilling, imaginative, and completely unforgettable. Loved every second!
Profile Image for Vesper Langthorne.
8 reviews
August 30, 2025
If you love sci-fi that mixes exploration, alien contact, and big moral dilemmas, this is for you! I loved Delilah as a character smart, determined, and human in all the right ways. The Xan’tains added so much mystery, and the demand for biological survival made the tension skyrocket. When the galaxy politics came into play, I was fully invested. This book feels like the start of a huge saga, and I’m here for it!
Profile Image for Isolde Merriweather.
9 reviews
August 30, 2025
What an incredible ride! This isn’t just a Mars mission story, it’s about humanity’s place in the universe. The secret Xan’tain civilization and their claim of creating life on Earth had me fascinated. The reproduction twist was unexpected but made sense for survival. I loved how the story expanded into galactic diplomacy and hidden conspiracies. Every chapter added something new. If you like deep, thrilling sci-fi with heart and high stakes, read this!
Profile Image for Calista Wrenford.
10 reviews
August 30, 2025
Absolutely fantastic! The writing hooked me immediately, and the premise was so unique. Mars, a secret alien race, and the pressure to create the next step in human evolution? Brilliant! I loved how the story grew from survival to interstellar politics without losing the emotional core. Delilah’s fight to protect her people was gripping, and the ending left me wanting more. This is everything I love about epic science fiction. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Theron Blackwood.
7 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2025
From the very first chapter, I was hooked by Dr. Delilah Dweck’s courage as she joined humanity’s first mission to Mars. The setup of building a colony was exciting, but discovering the Xan’tains underneath the red dust blew my mind. The idea they seeded Earth is chilling and fascinating. The demand for reproduction was a shocking twist, and the children’s extraordinary powers raised the stakes. The ending with the conspiracy left me breathless. Brilliant book!
7 reviews
August 30, 2025
Jenny Ahmed’s Utopia starts strong with the Mars mission, but it’s the reveal of the Xan’tains that takes it to another level. I loved how the astronauts thought they were just colonizing Mars, only to find themselves caught in something much bigger. The children with new abilities gave me chills they felt like the next step in evolution. The galactic federation was an awesome surprise, and Delilah’s struggle against corruption kept me turning pages nonstop.
Profile Image for Azura Pendleton.
7 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2025
I’ve read many Mars colonization stories, but none surprised me like Utopia. Delilah and her team came with dreams of discovery, and instead uncovered the Xan’tains, who claim humanity is their creation. That twist made me rethink the entire story. The survival requirement, having children added emotional and moral depth. The expansion into a galactic federation felt epic, like The Expanse. By the end, I was invested in Delilah’s choices and the fragile hope of unity.
Profile Image for Cassian Merrick.
9 reviews
August 30, 2025
The first act of Utopia was inspiring scientists giving up everything to build humanity’s new home on Mars. Then Jenny Ahmed flips the script with the Xan’tains, an ancient species that not only survived but claim to have made us. That was jaw-dropping. The children’s powers made the story feel both futuristic and mythic. The federation politics were thrilling, but Delilah’s uncovering of the conspiracy gave the book real heart. This is a sci-fi masterpiece.
1 review
August 31, 2025
Utopia pulled me in right away. The world Jenny Ahmed created is so vivid, equal parts beautiful and unsettling. What I loved most were the characters; they feel real, flawed, and easy to connect with. This isn’t just a survival story, it’s about hope, humanity, and finding light even in the darkest places. I finished it days ago and I’m still thinking about it. Highly recommend if you want a read that makes you feel and think at the same time.
Profile Image for Isla Merriton.
4 reviews
September 1, 2025
From the very first page, I was hooked by Delilah’s dream of exploring Mars. The buildup to the first manned mission felt so real and thrilling. When they discovered the Xan’tains, I literally gasped. The twist about them seeding Earth blew my mind! The reproduction deal added so much tension. And then, the galactic federation? Mind-blowing. Delilah’s strength through all the chaos was inspiring. This book is epic sci-fi done right.
Profile Image for Alana Lee.
45 reviews7 followers
September 1, 2025
This book had me hooked from the first chapter! Delilah’s excitement for the mission really came through. Everything about life on Mars was so detailed and believable. But when the Xan’tains appeared, it took the story to a whole new level. Their plan and the reproduction demand were shocking but brilliant. Then the galaxy-spanning plot added even more depth. The ending was intense and satisfying. A perfect mix of science and suspense.
Profile Image for Grayson Leighton.
20 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2025
Jenny Ahmed created something special with Utopia. The narrative kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Mars isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing world full of danger and wonder. The ethical twist with reproduction and survival adds layers I didn’t expect. Every character had depth, and the sci-fi elements were both imaginative and believable. Highly recommend for fans of thoughtful space epics.
Profile Image for Ana Silva.
Author 1 book10 followers
September 7, 2025
A breathtaking sci-fi.
In Utopia, Jenny Ahmed blends Mars colonization, conspiracies, and the discovery of an ancient civilization into a gripping story full of suspense and human dilemmas. The writing is immersive, the characters feel real, and the narrative raises profound questions about survival, freedom, and the future of humanity. An intense and unforgettable read that’s impossible to put down.
3 reviews
September 12, 2025
Utopia is an extraordinary vision of humanity’s future. Jenny Ahmed blends real science with deeply human storytelling, making every chapter feel both believable and inspiring. I was especially drawn to Delilah’s journey from childhood dreamer to astronaut. The book explores survival, ethics, and the creation of an entirely new civilization on Mars. It’s not just sci-fi, it’s a blueprint for possibility, filled with hope and challenges.
2 reviews
September 13, 2025
Jenny Ahmed has written a masterpiece that takes you far beyond a simple colonization story. Utopia begins with suspenseful launch sequences and grows into something larger: the creation of a new society and the discovery of an ancient Martian civilization. I was captivated by the balance between danger and wonder. The writing is cinematic, the characters believable, and the story filled me with awe about our potential as explorers.
2 reviews
September 13, 2025
What struck me most about Utopia is its heart. Yes, it’s filled with fascinating science and adventure, but at the core, it’s about people dreamers, builders, and survivors. Delilah is such a relatable character, carrying pieces of her past into the unknown. The embryo subplot was surprising but made sense within the story. This book asks huge questions about ethics, survival, and the kind of world we want to build.
Profile Image for Octavia Ravenscroft.
1 review
September 13, 2025
Reading Utopia felt like living history in the making. The launch preparations, the tense moments in space, and finally stepping onto Martian soil were described with such detail that I felt I was there. I also appreciated how the author explored cultural aspects faith, community, and family even in a futuristic setting. This story made me think about what it truly means to create a society from scratch.
Profile Image for Theron Blackwell.
2 reviews
September 13, 2025
This book was much more than I expected. At first, I thought it would be another technical space survival story, but Jenny Ahmed took it further. The creation of a cashless society, the challenges of hydroponic farming, and the ethical dilemmas around reproduction made it fascinating. But what I loved most were the human moments friendships, sacrifices, and courage. Utopia is ambitious, emotional, and thought-provoking throughout.
4 reviews
September 13, 2025
Utopia combines realism with imagination in a way I rarely see. Every page is grounded in scientific detail, yet the story never loses sight of its emotional core. The ancient Martian discovery completely floored me it shifted the mission into something profound and mysterious. Jenny Ahmed explores survival and humanity’s responsibility in space with depth and passion. It’s a book that made me dream while also making me think.
1 review
September 13, 2025
What makes Utopia unforgettable is the balance between science and humanity. The sections about hydroponic farming, resource management, and habitat building were fascinating, but the crew’s personal struggles made it emotional. Delilah’s memories of her parents and her faith added heart to the story. By the end, I cared deeply about these characters and their mission. This book proves sci-fi can be as moving as it is exciting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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