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The Shadows Tomorrow
Sea of Tranquility meets Dark Matter in this dizzying speculative thriller following a clan of Neanderthals living in isolation on a nature reserve and the scientists who care for them.
A clan of humans—they hunt and gather, they have lovers and rivals, their own society. They pass on the legends of their ancestors and celebrate festival nights. Their world is the forest which feeds them, and, aside from the fierce cold and illness, the only thing they have to fear is the Beast who prowls the impassable Bounds. They do not know that beyond it an entirely different world exists: our world.
Set in the near future, the Neanderthal race has been recreated from fragments of DNA and reintroduced on a nature reserve where they are observed and studied, ultimately becoming the subjects of a hit documentary series. Following a cast of characters across time: Blood Moon, the leader of the Neanderthal clan who is mourning the death of her partner, Blizzard; Eva and Noah, scientists in modern-day Paris hired to work on a top-secret project; Jules, a teenager growing up in a secluded mountain town with a suspiciously pronounced brow; Adam, an actor brought to appear on NeanderTales for the first time; and finally, the man behind the project—but is he Sapien or Neanderthal?
A reeling suspense novel with shocking surprises that also sheds light on our ethical and moral considerations in and out of nature, showing the other human we could have been, The Shadows Tomorrow will grip you until the very end.
A clan of humans—they hunt and gather, they have lovers and rivals, their own society. They pass on the legends of their ancestors and celebrate festival nights. Their world is the forest which feeds them, and, aside from the fierce cold and illness, the only thing they have to fear is the Beast who prowls the impassable Bounds. They do not know that beyond it an entirely different world exists: our world.
Set in the near future, the Neanderthal race has been recreated from fragments of DNA and reintroduced on a nature reserve where they are observed and studied, ultimately becoming the subjects of a hit documentary series. Following a cast of characters across time: Blood Moon, the leader of the Neanderthal clan who is mourning the death of her partner, Blizzard; Eva and Noah, scientists in modern-day Paris hired to work on a top-secret project; Jules, a teenager growing up in a secluded mountain town with a suspiciously pronounced brow; Adam, an actor brought to appear on NeanderTales for the first time; and finally, the man behind the project—but is he Sapien or Neanderthal?
A reeling suspense novel with shocking surprises that also sheds light on our ethical and moral considerations in and out of nature, showing the other human we could have been, The Shadows Tomorrow will grip you until the very end.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2023
About the author
Noëlle Michel
21 books29 followersNée à Dijon, Noëlle Michel vit à Gand, en Belgique. Ingénieure de formation, elle traduit désormais du néerlandais des romans, des essais et des ouvrages pour la jeunesse. Elle a notamment signé la traduction du roman d’Hanna Bervoets Les choses que nous avons vues (Le bruit du monde, 2022). Écrivaine, elle a publié en 2020 son premier roman : Viande (Lilys Editions).
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May 2, 2026I received this book through NetGalley.
The Shadows Tomorrow was such an amazing read. It was fast-paced, immersive, unsettling, and really easy to get into. At least for me, the concept felt fresh, the characters were relatable enough to keep me invested, and the writing was sharp that made me stay locked in the whole time.
What I really loved was the bigger idea underneath it. It’s a story about humans trying to control a civilization they created, and of course that backfires. As it should. That concept worked so well for me, but the book also had enough momentum and character focus that it never felt like it was just relying on the idea.
I would recommend it to readers who like fast-paced speculative fiction with fresh concepts, relatable characters, unsettling atmosphere, and stories about control, creation, and what happens when people think they should be playing god.
The Shadows Tomorrow was such an amazing read. It was fast-paced, immersive, unsettling, and really easy to get into. At least for me, the concept felt fresh, the characters were relatable enough to keep me invested, and the writing was sharp that made me stay locked in the whole time.
What I really loved was the bigger idea underneath it. It’s a story about humans trying to control a civilization they created, and of course that backfires. As it should. That concept worked so well for me, but the book also had enough momentum and character focus that it never felt like it was just relying on the idea.
I would recommend it to readers who like fast-paced speculative fiction with fresh concepts, relatable characters, unsettling atmosphere, and stories about control, creation, and what happens when people think they should be playing god.
August 17, 2026
3⭐️ I enjoyed this unique speculative thriller. The pacing was a little slow and the dual timeline and many characters were confusing at first, but the story really picked up in the second half!
Set in the future, Neanderthals have been cloned and raised by scientists and put into a compound to live as close as possible to how they would have lived. (Jurassic Park?) All of it recorded to create a hit documentary show, Another Eden. Several human actors are inserted into the compound to create interest.
The whole venture is of course funded by billionaires with secret intentions.
Several different storylines intersect as the secrets are revealed and the pace picks up! I liked the way the ending wrapped it all up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster publishers for the eARC. In exchange for my honest review
Set in the future, Neanderthals have been cloned and raised by scientists and put into a compound to live as close as possible to how they would have lived. (Jurassic Park?) All of it recorded to create a hit documentary show, Another Eden. Several human actors are inserted into the compound to create interest.
The whole venture is of course funded by billionaires with secret intentions.
Several different storylines intersect as the secrets are revealed and the pace picks up! I liked the way the ending wrapped it all up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster publishers for the eARC. In exchange for my honest review
February 17, 2026
I expected really big things from this book, and somehow it was better than I ever could’ve imagined? I mean that was a really good time.
Thanks Simon and Schuster for the ARC!!
Thanks Simon and Schuster for the ARC!!
August 6, 2026
"...[H]umans like me seek to...dominate nature itself. Not simply by imprisoning it in a drawing, though perhaps that is where it starts. ...We seek to control the things we cannot understand. We cannot seem to help ourselves." p195
By the end of my read, I couldn't shake the feeling that this sci-fi premise was original enough to birth a new subgenre. I was so moved, I immediately recommended it to my reading friend, Katie. For me, this weird concept and addictive characterization delivered brain food and deep feels.
The pacing can feel a bit slow, mostly because this story is world, as I call it, or naturally and maybe inevitably arising from the story world's combined components. Worlds lumber forward in reality and fiction.
Fans of light scifi or women's fiction with scifi elements will find this book compelling. For fans of deeply thoughtful literary fiction with scifi or futuristic elements. Readers who like to chew on ethical considerations that arise in a story will find this one satisfying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ instead of 5 because the pace affects clarity for me. Motion in time and body bears significant narrative weight here, and proceeds incrementally.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
Content Notes:
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sex and procreation, isolation, scientific overreach, bad research ethics, matters of rights and humanity, body smells, pregnancy, human evil
By the end of my read, I couldn't shake the feeling that this sci-fi premise was original enough to birth a new subgenre. I was so moved, I immediately recommended it to my reading friend, Katie. For me, this weird concept and addictive characterization delivered brain food and deep feels.
The pacing can feel a bit slow, mostly because this story is world, as I call it, or naturally and maybe inevitably arising from the story world's combined components. Worlds lumber forward in reality and fiction.
Fans of light scifi or women's fiction with scifi elements will find this book compelling. For fans of deeply thoughtful literary fiction with scifi or futuristic elements. Readers who like to chew on ethical considerations that arise in a story will find this one satisfying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ instead of 5 because the pace affects clarity for me. Motion in time and body bears significant narrative weight here, and proceeds incrementally.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
Content Notes:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
sex and procreation, isolation, scientific overreach, bad research ethics, matters of rights and humanity, body smells, pregnancy, human evil
April 14, 2026
When describing the book to a friend we came up with Jurassic Park but with humans. The story takes us to the future with gene coding and development of Neanderthal embryos. The world will see where you fit in as we see Sapiens and Neanderthals alive together.
This is a great book for the sci-fi dystopia lovers. It was a 3 for me since I struggling getting into the beginning of the story. There are multiple POVs so I took time to catch on with the timelines and story.
I did really like the names for the characters, the development, and the thoughts on what Sapien would you be. Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of the ending nor feeling like other storylines were missed/under developed.
Thank you NetGalley and “Simon & Schuster“ for this Advanced Readers Copy (ARC). All opinions are my own in this review. BOOK is expected to release August, 2026.
This is a great book for the sci-fi dystopia lovers. It was a 3 for me since I struggling getting into the beginning of the story. There are multiple POVs so I took time to catch on with the timelines and story.
I did really like the names for the characters, the development, and the thoughts on what Sapien would you be. Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of the ending nor feeling like other storylines were missed/under developed.
Thank you NetGalley and “Simon & Schuster“ for this Advanced Readers Copy (ARC). All opinions are my own in this review. BOOK is expected to release August, 2026.
August 12, 2026
This was marketed as Sea of Tranquility meets Dark Matter, which is basically a scientifically engineered sentence designed specifically to make me read a book.
Unfortunately, I got almost none of either.
To me, this was much more Jurassic Park meets The Truman Show. Humans figure out how to recreate Neanderthals, raise them from infancy, then eventually place them inside an isolated reserve where they have no idea the outside world exists. Meanwhile, modern humans secretly watch them, study them, and eventually turn their lives into a reality show called Another Eden.
Which is an AWESOME premise.
And there are some genuinely interesting ideas here about what happens when we create sentient life and immediately decide we own it. The Neanderthals are treated as scientific experiments, entertainment, property, and eventually as a potential resource for extending human life.
Its answer to the question “would humanity handle this ethically?” is basically: lol absolutely not.
My problem was the execution.
The book jumps between different characters and points in time, and for roughly the first third I wasn’t even completely sure how the timelines related to each other. Eventually the pieces start fitting together, but most of the reveals landed somewhere around: “Oh. Okay.”
That was kind of my experience with the whole book. The ideas are big. The ethical questions are interesting. But the stakes never felt as high as they should have, and the payoffs never really hit.
Great premise. Interesting questions. Pretty underwhelming execution.
Unfortunately, I got almost none of either.
To me, this was much more Jurassic Park meets The Truman Show. Humans figure out how to recreate Neanderthals, raise them from infancy, then eventually place them inside an isolated reserve where they have no idea the outside world exists. Meanwhile, modern humans secretly watch them, study them, and eventually turn their lives into a reality show called Another Eden.
Which is an AWESOME premise.
And there are some genuinely interesting ideas here about what happens when we create sentient life and immediately decide we own it. The Neanderthals are treated as scientific experiments, entertainment, property, and eventually as a potential resource for extending human life.
Its answer to the question “would humanity handle this ethically?” is basically: lol absolutely not.
My problem was the execution.
The book jumps between different characters and points in time, and for roughly the first third I wasn’t even completely sure how the timelines related to each other. Eventually the pieces start fitting together, but most of the reveals landed somewhere around: “Oh. Okay.”
That was kind of my experience with the whole book. The ideas are big. The ethical questions are interesting. But the stakes never felt as high as they should have, and the payoffs never really hit.
Great premise. Interesting questions. Pretty underwhelming execution.
February 23, 2023
Une belle expérience.
J'ai trouvé l'idée originale et intéressante et j'ai particulièrement apprécié la plume de l'autrice. J'avais besoin de me concentrer un peu lors de ma lecture mais j'y ai vraiment pris plaisir!
Les différents points de vue et chronologies étaient intéressants, quoique parfois difficiles à suivre pour ma part.
Les thèmes abordés m'ont beaucoup plu. Pour citer ceux que j'ai préférés : l'écologie, notre rapport à la nature et à la technologie, le libre arbitre, la peur de l'autre.
Je regrette toutefois la fin qui m'a paru un peu abrupte alors que le reste du livre prenait son temps.
J'ai trouvé l'idée originale et intéressante et j'ai particulièrement apprécié la plume de l'autrice. J'avais besoin de me concentrer un peu lors de ma lecture mais j'y ai vraiment pris plaisir!
Les différents points de vue et chronologies étaient intéressants, quoique parfois difficiles à suivre pour ma part.
Les thèmes abordés m'ont beaucoup plu. Pour citer ceux que j'ai préférés : l'écologie, notre rapport à la nature et à la technologie, le libre arbitre, la peur de l'autre.
Je regrette toutefois la fin qui m'a paru un peu abrupte alors que le reste du livre prenait son temps.
November 26, 2024
(Ik las ‘m in het Nederlands, maar die staat nog niet op goodreads)
September 11, 2023
Une histoire captivante, bien écrite. En tant que biologiste (généticienne) de formation, j'étais légèrement sceptique au début: que pourrait donc nous apporter le clonage des Néans, puisque nous en savons si peu sur leur culture? Mais dès que l'objectif du simple divertissement s'est annoncé, je me suis laisser emporter par l'histoire.
Le livre fait réfléchir à notre façon de vivre, aux choix que fait notre société, aux possibilités et opportunités que nous avons - et surtout le choix de les utiliser ou non.
J'aime bien quand un livre m'apporte une nouvelle façon de voir les choses, une autre vision.
Le livre fait réfléchir à notre façon de vivre, aux choix que fait notre société, aux possibilités et opportunités que nous avons - et surtout le choix de les utiliser ou non.
J'aime bien quand un livre m'apporte une nouvelle façon de voir les choses, une autre vision.
August 16, 2026
The Shadows Tomorrow is the kind of thriller that makes you uncomfortable in the best way—not necessarily because of what’s happening, but because of what could happen.
What stood out most to me was the intricate collision between science and morality. The story takes scientific possibility and pushes it into ethically complicated territory, constantly raising questions about how far we can go versus how far we should go. There are moments where the line between progress and consequence becomes incredibly thin, and I loved how the book leaves you wrestling with those questions rather than handing you an easy answer.
Despite its heavier themes, it still maintains a genuinely thriller-like atmosphere. There’s an underlying tension throughout the story that kept me curious about where everything was headed, and the intriguing plot made the scientific concepts feel accessible rather than overwhelming.
Ultimately, this is a book built around the ultimate “what if?” It tests how we think about science, morality, humanity, and the consequences of pushing beyond the boundaries we’ve always accepted.
A thought-provoking, unsettling, and intriguing read that stayed on my mind after I finished it.
What stood out most to me was the intricate collision between science and morality. The story takes scientific possibility and pushes it into ethically complicated territory, constantly raising questions about how far we can go versus how far we should go. There are moments where the line between progress and consequence becomes incredibly thin, and I loved how the book leaves you wrestling with those questions rather than handing you an easy answer.
Despite its heavier themes, it still maintains a genuinely thriller-like atmosphere. There’s an underlying tension throughout the story that kept me curious about where everything was headed, and the intriguing plot made the scientific concepts feel accessible rather than overwhelming.
Ultimately, this is a book built around the ultimate “what if?” It tests how we think about science, morality, humanity, and the consequences of pushing beyond the boundaries we’ve always accepted.
A thought-provoking, unsettling, and intriguing read that stayed on my mind after I finished it.
August 7, 2026
3.5 stars
This was an entertaining and unique story. I’m normally not a fan of multi POVs, but I didn’t mind them here, even if there were definitely some characters I was more interested in than others. As you can imagine, humans playing God by bringing back extinct Neanderthals to study them and turn them into the stars of a reality TV show isn’t going to go smoothly.
I also liked the near-future setting and the glimpses we get of the world, from how severe the environmental crisis has become to the advances in VR technology.
I definitely felt the most sympathy toward the Neands and seeing how restricted their lives were. They’re still humans at the end of the day, but the story serves as a powerful metaphor for how society others groups of people perceived as different or lesser, exploiting them for its own benefit, which is something we see all too often today. Despite a few annoyances, I liked how everything concluded and I thought this was a unique and thought-provoking story.
This was an entertaining and unique story. I’m normally not a fan of multi POVs, but I didn’t mind them here, even if there were definitely some characters I was more interested in than others. As you can imagine, humans playing God by bringing back extinct Neanderthals to study them and turn them into the stars of a reality TV show isn’t going to go smoothly.
I also liked the near-future setting and the glimpses we get of the world, from how severe the environmental crisis has become to the advances in VR technology.
I definitely felt the most sympathy toward the Neands and seeing how restricted their lives were. They’re still humans at the end of the day, but the story serves as a powerful metaphor for how society others groups of people perceived as different or lesser, exploiting them for its own benefit, which is something we see all too often today. Despite a few annoyances, I liked how everything concluded and I thought this was a unique and thought-provoking story.
August 12, 2026
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.
A group of scientists are working on reviving Neanderthal DNA and have been successful. The progeny of their experiment live in an isolated valley protected from the world but are unknowingly watched by humans as a popular reality show. The scientists closest to the project struggle with the ethics of this as they see how human-like the Neands are. In alternating chapters, we get human and Neand character POVs as the world is slowly closing in and the truth may be revealed.
I love stories like this, a little bit of science, a little bit of ethics, a lot of drama. It's one of those stories where you want to root for everyone and you understand both sides of the argument until you don't. I felt as conflicted as the characters. I loved every second of this book and my four versus five star rating is because the ending felt a little rushed. If this had another hundred pages with a little more complexity in the end, I think it could have been perfect.
A group of scientists are working on reviving Neanderthal DNA and have been successful. The progeny of their experiment live in an isolated valley protected from the world but are unknowingly watched by humans as a popular reality show. The scientists closest to the project struggle with the ethics of this as they see how human-like the Neands are. In alternating chapters, we get human and Neand character POVs as the world is slowly closing in and the truth may be revealed.
I love stories like this, a little bit of science, a little bit of ethics, a lot of drama. It's one of those stories where you want to root for everyone and you understand both sides of the argument until you don't. I felt as conflicted as the characters. I loved every second of this book and my four versus five star rating is because the ending felt a little rushed. If this had another hundred pages with a little more complexity in the end, I think it could have been perfect.
August 15, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
Within the Confines live a clan of Neanderthals. They are a society living off the land, untouched my modernity. Survival comes through working together - hunting and gathering, settling disputes, raising children. Blood Moon, though not the leader, is the heart of the clan. She makes difficult decisions, she searches for meaning, she worries about the Beast beyond the Confines.
And she should.
That’s because in the near future, Neanderthals have been resurrected from DNA that was discovered and recreated. Kept in the dark and knowing nothing of the modern world, this clan is the subject of a controversial reality series.
And they’re about to be disrupted by your paid actors who will infiltrate their home.
No one is prepared for what will happen.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
I requested this one based on the premise and it did not disappoint. It is a translation and there are points that can be a little rough, but overall, this one was a winner.
Following multiple POVs in several timelines, this is a book what examines the ethical and moral effects of tampering with nature as well as putting it on display.
Billed as a speculative thriller, it also has elements of sci-fi and familial relationships.
There are multiple strings that are slowly pulled until they are knotted together and everything fits. Ands it’s a marvel to watch it happen.
I’m such a sucker for this kind of book and this one didn’t let me down.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
Very slight Yesteryear vibes (this book was written in 2023) with a little bit of The Compound.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
Maybe not for everyone but if you like books like those above or Dark Matter - books that explore the ugly underbelly of the world we’re creating, give this a shot.
Within the Confines live a clan of Neanderthals. They are a society living off the land, untouched my modernity. Survival comes through working together - hunting and gathering, settling disputes, raising children. Blood Moon, though not the leader, is the heart of the clan. She makes difficult decisions, she searches for meaning, she worries about the Beast beyond the Confines.
And she should.
That’s because in the near future, Neanderthals have been resurrected from DNA that was discovered and recreated. Kept in the dark and knowing nothing of the modern world, this clan is the subject of a controversial reality series.
And they’re about to be disrupted by your paid actors who will infiltrate their home.
No one is prepared for what will happen.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
I requested this one based on the premise and it did not disappoint. It is a translation and there are points that can be a little rough, but overall, this one was a winner.
Following multiple POVs in several timelines, this is a book what examines the ethical and moral effects of tampering with nature as well as putting it on display.
Billed as a speculative thriller, it also has elements of sci-fi and familial relationships.
There are multiple strings that are slowly pulled until they are knotted together and everything fits. Ands it’s a marvel to watch it happen.
I’m such a sucker for this kind of book and this one didn’t let me down.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
Very slight Yesteryear vibes (this book was written in 2023) with a little bit of The Compound.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
Maybe not for everyone but if you like books like those above or Dark Matter - books that explore the ugly underbelly of the world we’re creating, give this a shot.
July 25, 2026
Absolutely a fascinating read and perfect for readers of evolution, humanity and survival of a species.
Ground breaking storyline, that while a fictional telling, it poses some important questions.
Was the experiment to determine what shifted between the clans of Neanderthals and the species of newly emerging Homo sapiens? Why did one go extinct? And the other is still thriving today?
There’s interest spread throughout the story, more I think in the plot of the story rather than the characters themselves.
Indications of indigenous rituals and names, DNA replication, and the varying branches of the Homo sapiens family tree.
Super impressive speculative/futuristic
Thanks to Simin&Schuster for this inquiry into possibilities!
Ground breaking storyline, that while a fictional telling, it poses some important questions.
Was the experiment to determine what shifted between the clans of Neanderthals and the species of newly emerging Homo sapiens? Why did one go extinct? And the other is still thriving today?
There’s interest spread throughout the story, more I think in the plot of the story rather than the characters themselves.
Indications of indigenous rituals and names, DNA replication, and the varying branches of the Homo sapiens family tree.
Super impressive speculative/futuristic
Thanks to Simin&Schuster for this inquiry into possibilities!
August 24, 2026
This story is kind of like Jurassic Park for humans. I loved the idea of this book and I thought it was pretty good. Trying to keep everyone's stories straight was a little difficult. I think you'll like this book if you like isolated village stories or humans trying to possess or control life.
August 25, 2026
3.5⭐️
February 25, 2025
Wauw, ik ben erg onder de indruk van 'Schaduwen van morgen'! Als eerste gebruikt ze een fenomenale opbouw in haar roman. Aanvankelijk is het verhaal mysterieus, weet je niet wat er aan de hand is, en gooit Noëlle Michel kruimeltjes van informatie in de richting van de lezer. Stukje bij beetje kan je op die manier het verhaal ontrafelen, waar bij ik heel vele aha-momenten beleefde. Aan het einde was het boek ontzettend spannend, ik heb het echt heel snel uitgelezen!
In het boek komen heel wat ethische kwesties aan bod. 'Schaduwen van morgen' zette me erg aan het denken, en ook voor een boekenclub lijkt het me een heel fijn boek. Er is heel veel stof om te bespreken en te overdenken! Dat alles (die geweldige opbouw en inhoudelijk sterke verhaallijn) is dan ook nog eens gebracht in een geweldig mooie taal, wat voor mij echt de kers op de taart is. Ik vond het een prachtig boek en raad het iedereen aan!
In het boek komen heel wat ethische kwesties aan bod. 'Schaduwen van morgen' zette me erg aan het denken, en ook voor een boekenclub lijkt het me een heel fijn boek. Er is heel veel stof om te bespreken en te overdenken! Dat alles (die geweldige opbouw en inhoudelijk sterke verhaallijn) is dan ook nog eens gebracht in een geweldig mooie taal, wat voor mij echt de kers op de taart is. Ik vond het een prachtig boek en raad het iedereen aan!
July 6, 2026
This was incredible and even better than I expected.
I went in braced for something fast and plot-driven, which it is. But it’s so much more literary than I anticipated. At its heart it’s asking what it actually means to be human, and it does that from a perspective that’s poignant and genuinely dark.
It also examines the ethics of watching. Who gets observed, who gets to do the observing, and what that watching truly means.
A note on expectations. This is not a poppy reality-show romp. It is a beautiful, unsettling story that makes you think about your own life and how we define humanity. Fans of Sea of Tranquility will love this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I went in braced for something fast and plot-driven, which it is. But it’s so much more literary than I anticipated. At its heart it’s asking what it actually means to be human, and it does that from a perspective that’s poignant and genuinely dark.
It also examines the ethics of watching. Who gets observed, who gets to do the observing, and what that watching truly means.
A note on expectations. This is not a poppy reality-show romp. It is a beautiful, unsettling story that makes you think about your own life and how we define humanity. Fans of Sea of Tranquility will love this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2024
J’ai mis un peu de temps à rentrer dans l’histoire mais une fois fait, j’ai été captivée jusqu’au bout ! Ce livre fait partie de mes lectures préférées de l’année.
Cette dystopie m’a un peu fait penser à The Maze (un peu) et je me suis dit tout du long « on n’est pas si loin de ce qui pourrait se passer demain »
Cette dystopie m’a un peu fait penser à The Maze (un peu) et je me suis dit tout du long « on n’est pas si loin de ce qui pourrait se passer demain »
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this novel of speculative fiction dealing with the reintroduction of people long though lost to the past, the reality they find themselves in, the show that keeps them funded, and what we get as a people watching others, and always being watched.
I love science fiction and even with the occasional break will love it till I can't read anymore. Certain aspects bother me, people my age dressed as Jedis with light sabers the price of my first car, hooting and hollering at a company who paid politicians to keep the copyright on a mouse. That sounds like a Philip K. Dick novel, which is where many of my favorite stories lie. I don't mind grand adventure, and aliens blowing up stuff, but science fiction is at its best when it looks at the world of now, and postulates, is this right, wrong, indifferent, and how will this affect the future. Science can do wonderful things, but should it. And what does the future hold for these ideas that seem to make so much sense at the time. Add in characters who are human, even if they are categorized differently, real emotions, and social issues, one has a great story, full of ideas, and even more love. The Shadows Tomorrow by Noëlle Michel translated by Frank Wynne is a story set in the future, dealing with peoples from the past, how we observe, how me make drama, the consequences of asking questions, and what actually defines being human.
The book opens in the dark, a man and a woman running through a dark cave. The woman confident and sure, knowing the darkness like she knows the back of her hand. Leaving a hand print on the cave walls, just to show she is here, and not to be forgotten. In the year 2030 Eva is a scientist who is offered a job by a powerful investor. She and her lab partner Noah take it, though Eva is full of doubts, and going through a rough time with the love of her life, the very married Dirk. Eva's work yields results, but not in ways she expects. Blood Moon is the leader of her tribe, a group of Neanderthals, surviving though Blood Moon is mourning the death of her son and love blizzard. The skies are full of birds, birds that seem to be watching them, as well as a creature in the woods, that sometimes takes members of the tribe away. Thirty years after Eva's discovery the show Another Eden is a popular reality broadcast showing Neanderthals going about their life, and the scientists who care for them. In the effort to gain viewership through staged drama, actors are added to the show, sapiens to see what happens. And things start to change.
A book that starts slow, even with the dark chase in the caves, but really finds itself, and makes for a very unputdownable read. The learning curve can be a little steep. There are a lot of characters, a lot of changes in POV, and even time, but the work is worth it for a story that tells so much, asks so much of what he consider human. The chapters are tell us who we are seeing the story through, so that helps, and again it is worth it. Michel is a very accomplished writer, able to make scientific terms, and affairs of the heart make sense, and ring true with lots of emotional depth. The translation loses none of this impact, a book that I won't soon forget.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The science, the ideas, the social commentary. However it is the writing, that really impressed me. Lyrically, poetic, technical. Always interesting, and always surprising, even when one thinks the have an idea how things will go. A real winner, and an author I look forward to reading more of.
I love science fiction and even with the occasional break will love it till I can't read anymore. Certain aspects bother me, people my age dressed as Jedis with light sabers the price of my first car, hooting and hollering at a company who paid politicians to keep the copyright on a mouse. That sounds like a Philip K. Dick novel, which is where many of my favorite stories lie. I don't mind grand adventure, and aliens blowing up stuff, but science fiction is at its best when it looks at the world of now, and postulates, is this right, wrong, indifferent, and how will this affect the future. Science can do wonderful things, but should it. And what does the future hold for these ideas that seem to make so much sense at the time. Add in characters who are human, even if they are categorized differently, real emotions, and social issues, one has a great story, full of ideas, and even more love. The Shadows Tomorrow by Noëlle Michel translated by Frank Wynne is a story set in the future, dealing with peoples from the past, how we observe, how me make drama, the consequences of asking questions, and what actually defines being human.
The book opens in the dark, a man and a woman running through a dark cave. The woman confident and sure, knowing the darkness like she knows the back of her hand. Leaving a hand print on the cave walls, just to show she is here, and not to be forgotten. In the year 2030 Eva is a scientist who is offered a job by a powerful investor. She and her lab partner Noah take it, though Eva is full of doubts, and going through a rough time with the love of her life, the very married Dirk. Eva's work yields results, but not in ways she expects. Blood Moon is the leader of her tribe, a group of Neanderthals, surviving though Blood Moon is mourning the death of her son and love blizzard. The skies are full of birds, birds that seem to be watching them, as well as a creature in the woods, that sometimes takes members of the tribe away. Thirty years after Eva's discovery the show Another Eden is a popular reality broadcast showing Neanderthals going about their life, and the scientists who care for them. In the effort to gain viewership through staged drama, actors are added to the show, sapiens to see what happens. And things start to change.
A book that starts slow, even with the dark chase in the caves, but really finds itself, and makes for a very unputdownable read. The learning curve can be a little steep. There are a lot of characters, a lot of changes in POV, and even time, but the work is worth it for a story that tells so much, asks so much of what he consider human. The chapters are tell us who we are seeing the story through, so that helps, and again it is worth it. Michel is a very accomplished writer, able to make scientific terms, and affairs of the heart make sense, and ring true with lots of emotional depth. The translation loses none of this impact, a book that I won't soon forget.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The science, the ideas, the social commentary. However it is the writing, that really impressed me. Lyrically, poetic, technical. Always interesting, and always surprising, even when one thinks the have an idea how things will go. A real winner, and an author I look forward to reading more of.
August 4, 2026
“Jurassic Park”, but make it about Neanderthals instead of dinosaurs. Mix in some of M. Night Shamylan’s “The Village” and a dash of “UnReal” and you get an exciting and thoughtful sci-fi thriller about what it means to be human while coexisting with the natural world.
In the not so distant future, DNA technology and cloning has allowed the Neanderthal to be resurrected from extinction. The scientists who “created” them would place them in a nature preserve and allow them to exist in isolation. Only not quite—the rest of the world gets to watch the intimate details of their life on the latest reality TV show, “Another Eden.” The Neanderthals have no knowledge of the outside world. But when the right (or wrong?) group of actors are sent into the preserve for the sake of entertainment, both Neanderthal and Sapien worlds are about to change.
The story is told in a series of various characters POVs. We meet Eva, an anthropologist working with the Neanderthals in the early days of the program; Blood Moon and Azure, two Neanderthals living in the preserve; and Adam, one of the actors sent into the preserve for the reality show. There are a few others that I will exclude for the sake of spoilers. It took me until about the halfway point to really grasp the timeline of the story and where all these POVs fit with each other. The reader gets a sense that these stories will intersect at some point throughout the novel, which is a trope I usually enjoy. However I didn’t really feel connected to any of these characters despite all this. The pace of all the POVs felt rushed and the most I felt about any character was surface level at best. We get a few origin stories which give context for their actions and decisions, but I never felt like I was really getting to know them. There was a serious lack of emotional impact for stories that should have hit harder.
Though the book felt like it was trying to be character-driven, the one-dimensional players turned this into a plot-driven story. Which worked well as the story is quite interesting. I did find myself picking this book up, wanting to know what happens next. The short chapters and frequent switch from different POVs helped create tension and suspense. The twist at the end was intriguing, if not predictable. The main villain of the story felt a bit stereotypical, like a mustachioed nemesis giving a villain monologue in the final moments.
This novel was translated from French so I will try to give this some grace, but I really struggled with the prose. Perhaps something was lost in translation, but what seemed like present progressive tense made it challenging to get into the story and the characters’ minds. Like another DNF’d book from this year, the prose kept me unsettled and distracted instead of pulling me in. Unlike the other book however, the story was compelling and my interest in the plot kept me going.
Bottom line: this is a story with lots of interesting potential philosophical questions, but ended up feeling like the outline or even a first draft. If you’re looking for something unique and unlike other sci-fi books out there at the moment, this is the book for you. However if you’re looking for something deep and thoughtful, you may be disappointed.
Rating: 3⭐️
Immense gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In the not so distant future, DNA technology and cloning has allowed the Neanderthal to be resurrected from extinction. The scientists who “created” them would place them in a nature preserve and allow them to exist in isolation. Only not quite—the rest of the world gets to watch the intimate details of their life on the latest reality TV show, “Another Eden.” The Neanderthals have no knowledge of the outside world. But when the right (or wrong?) group of actors are sent into the preserve for the sake of entertainment, both Neanderthal and Sapien worlds are about to change.
The story is told in a series of various characters POVs. We meet Eva, an anthropologist working with the Neanderthals in the early days of the program; Blood Moon and Azure, two Neanderthals living in the preserve; and Adam, one of the actors sent into the preserve for the reality show. There are a few others that I will exclude for the sake of spoilers. It took me until about the halfway point to really grasp the timeline of the story and where all these POVs fit with each other. The reader gets a sense that these stories will intersect at some point throughout the novel, which is a trope I usually enjoy. However I didn’t really feel connected to any of these characters despite all this. The pace of all the POVs felt rushed and the most I felt about any character was surface level at best. We get a few origin stories which give context for their actions and decisions, but I never felt like I was really getting to know them. There was a serious lack of emotional impact for stories that should have hit harder.
Though the book felt like it was trying to be character-driven, the one-dimensional players turned this into a plot-driven story. Which worked well as the story is quite interesting. I did find myself picking this book up, wanting to know what happens next. The short chapters and frequent switch from different POVs helped create tension and suspense. The twist at the end was intriguing, if not predictable. The main villain of the story felt a bit stereotypical, like a mustachioed nemesis giving a villain monologue in the final moments.
This novel was translated from French so I will try to give this some grace, but I really struggled with the prose. Perhaps something was lost in translation, but what seemed like present progressive tense made it challenging to get into the story and the characters’ minds. Like another DNF’d book from this year, the prose kept me unsettled and distracted instead of pulling me in. Unlike the other book however, the story was compelling and my interest in the plot kept me going.
Bottom line: this is a story with lots of interesting potential philosophical questions, but ended up feeling like the outline or even a first draft. If you’re looking for something unique and unlike other sci-fi books out there at the moment, this is the book for you. However if you’re looking for something deep and thoughtful, you may be disappointed.
Rating: 3⭐️
Immense gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
One-word review: Ambitious
Book vibe: Prehistoric survival meets a near-future scientific experiment—with quite a few ethical nightmares tucked inside.
My thoughts:
The Shadows Tomorrow has such an unusual premise. Neanderthals have been recreated from recovered DNA and placed on a nature reserve, where they live without knowing that modern humans are observing them. It’s fascinating. It’s also unsettling, especially once their lives become entertainment for everyone outside the reserve.
The prehistoric sections worked best for me. The forest, the bitter cold, the constant search for food, and the fear surrounding the Bounds all felt vivid and immediate. Those scenes pulled me into the clan’s world in a way the modern portions didn’t always manage. There’s something intensely sad about watching Blood Moon and her people live, love, grieve, and pass down their stories while knowing how little control they actually have over their existence.
This is a very ambitious book, though. It covers a huge stretch of time and follows so many characters that I sometimes struggled to find an emotional foothold. The third-person omniscient narration adds even more distance. The moment I started becoming invested in one person or thread, the story would move elsewhere. Eva, Noah, Jules, Adam, Blood Moon—there’s a lot to hold onto, and I’m not sure everyone received enough development.
I also had trouble with the dialogue. It rarely sounded like something people would naturally say, which repeatedly pulled me out of the story. This may be partly due to translation, but either way, the conversations regularly felt stiff. The pacing had a similar stop-and-start quality. Certain sections moved quickly, while others lingered without giving me the character depth I wanted.
Still, the questions behind the story are hard to shake. If scientists can recreate another type of human, do they have the right to control that population? Is observation still exploitation when the subjects don’t know they’re being watched? And what happens once someone’s life becomes popular entertainment? Honestly, humanity’s ability to turn almost anything into a television series may be the most believable part.
There’s a smart and thought-provoking novel inside The Shadows Tomorrow, but it needed more room—or perhaps a little more focus—to fully bring its many ideas and characters together. Readers already interested in speculative anthropology, Neanderthals, and the ethics of genetic science may connect with it much more strongly. It’s definitely niche, but it offers plenty to think about.
Floral Verdict: 🌿 Fern
The concept is fascinating, and the prehistoric world is wonderfully immersive. Still, the large cast, vast timeline, uneven pacing, and emotional distance make this one better suited to a fairly specific reader.
Book vibe: Prehistoric survival meets a near-future scientific experiment—with quite a few ethical nightmares tucked inside.
My thoughts:
The Shadows Tomorrow has such an unusual premise. Neanderthals have been recreated from recovered DNA and placed on a nature reserve, where they live without knowing that modern humans are observing them. It’s fascinating. It’s also unsettling, especially once their lives become entertainment for everyone outside the reserve.
The prehistoric sections worked best for me. The forest, the bitter cold, the constant search for food, and the fear surrounding the Bounds all felt vivid and immediate. Those scenes pulled me into the clan’s world in a way the modern portions didn’t always manage. There’s something intensely sad about watching Blood Moon and her people live, love, grieve, and pass down their stories while knowing how little control they actually have over their existence.
This is a very ambitious book, though. It covers a huge stretch of time and follows so many characters that I sometimes struggled to find an emotional foothold. The third-person omniscient narration adds even more distance. The moment I started becoming invested in one person or thread, the story would move elsewhere. Eva, Noah, Jules, Adam, Blood Moon—there’s a lot to hold onto, and I’m not sure everyone received enough development.
I also had trouble with the dialogue. It rarely sounded like something people would naturally say, which repeatedly pulled me out of the story. This may be partly due to translation, but either way, the conversations regularly felt stiff. The pacing had a similar stop-and-start quality. Certain sections moved quickly, while others lingered without giving me the character depth I wanted.
Still, the questions behind the story are hard to shake. If scientists can recreate another type of human, do they have the right to control that population? Is observation still exploitation when the subjects don’t know they’re being watched? And what happens once someone’s life becomes popular entertainment? Honestly, humanity’s ability to turn almost anything into a television series may be the most believable part.
There’s a smart and thought-provoking novel inside The Shadows Tomorrow, but it needed more room—or perhaps a little more focus—to fully bring its many ideas and characters together. Readers already interested in speculative anthropology, Neanderthals, and the ethics of genetic science may connect with it much more strongly. It’s definitely niche, but it offers plenty to think about.
Floral Verdict: 🌿 Fern
The concept is fascinating, and the prehistoric world is wonderfully immersive. Still, the large cast, vast timeline, uneven pacing, and emotional distance make this one better suited to a fairly specific reader.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What if humanity could bring Neanderthals back from extinction, not just fossils or fragments of DNA, but as living, thinking beings?
The Shadows of Tomorrow is a speculative novel that leans hard into this question, not to showcase cutting-edge research, but to explore the ethical consequences of creation itself. While current science lacks the full epigenetic and regulatory data needed to truly resurrect Neanderthals (meaning any attempt would be an approximation, not a revival), Michel asks readers to imagine that this hurdle has been crossed, and then forces us to sit with the fallout.
The story is told through multiple points of view across generations, with non-linear timelines that can feel disorienting at first. Once settled, however, the structure becomes a strength, reflecting the layered moral complexity of the story.
One of the central characters is Eva, a biologist with a specialty in paleoanthropology, who is part of the research team tasked to recreate the “Neand” species. As the project progresses, her scientific role becomes deeply personal when she helps raise the children, teaching them invented histories and myths meant to simulate ancestral social structures. The line between researcher and mentor quickly blurs leaving her concerned for how the children are being treated.
Equally compelling is Blood Moon, the leader of a Neand community living in a French reservation called New Eden . Over time, the Neands have developed their own religion, stories, and traditions. They believe they were created by goddesses and placed in a sanctuary for protection—yet that sanctuary is imperfect. A mysterious “Beast” periodically abducts members of the clan, and Blood Moon is still grieving the disappearance of her mate and subsequent loss of their child to illness. Her story is one of leadership shaped by trauma.
Other perspectives, including Azure, a young Neand consumed by anger rather than grief, and Adam, a human actor sent into New Eden as part of a reality TV experiment. Their perspectives, along with those of Noah and Standing Stone, underscore the novel’s sharp critique of exploitation, commodification, and spectacle.
What I appreciated most is how directly this book engages with ethical questions:
That said, readers looking for hard science fiction may find the scientific details light. The novel prioritizes moral and emotional exploration over deep dives into biotechnology. For some readers, that choice may be preferable—but mileage may vary.
Overall, The Shadows of Tomorrow is a thoughtful novel that asks uncomfortable questions and doesn’t offer easy answers. It’s less about how far science can go, and more about whether it should.
Recommended for readers who enjoy ethically driven speculative fiction and character‑centered sci‑fi.
==========================
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Shadows of Tomorrow is a speculative novel that leans hard into this question, not to showcase cutting-edge research, but to explore the ethical consequences of creation itself. While current science lacks the full epigenetic and regulatory data needed to truly resurrect Neanderthals (meaning any attempt would be an approximation, not a revival), Michel asks readers to imagine that this hurdle has been crossed, and then forces us to sit with the fallout.
The story is told through multiple points of view across generations, with non-linear timelines that can feel disorienting at first. Once settled, however, the structure becomes a strength, reflecting the layered moral complexity of the story.
One of the central characters is Eva, a biologist with a specialty in paleoanthropology, who is part of the research team tasked to recreate the “Neand” species. As the project progresses, her scientific role becomes deeply personal when she helps raise the children, teaching them invented histories and myths meant to simulate ancestral social structures. The line between researcher and mentor quickly blurs leaving her concerned for how the children are being treated.
Equally compelling is Blood Moon, the leader of a Neand community living in a French reservation called New Eden . Over time, the Neands have developed their own religion, stories, and traditions. They believe they were created by goddesses and placed in a sanctuary for protection—yet that sanctuary is imperfect. A mysterious “Beast” periodically abducts members of the clan, and Blood Moon is still grieving the disappearance of her mate and subsequent loss of their child to illness. Her story is one of leadership shaped by trauma.
Other perspectives, including Azure, a young Neand consumed by anger rather than grief, and Adam, a human actor sent into New Eden as part of a reality TV experiment. Their perspectives, along with those of Noah and Standing Stone, underscore the novel’s sharp critique of exploitation, commodification, and spectacle.
What I appreciated most is how directly this book engages with ethical questions:
If a Corporation creates a sentient species, does it own them?
Who gets to decide their rights?
And what happens when science, corporate greed, and entertainment collide?
That said, readers looking for hard science fiction may find the scientific details light. The novel prioritizes moral and emotional exploration over deep dives into biotechnology. For some readers, that choice may be preferable—but mileage may vary.
Overall, The Shadows of Tomorrow is a thoughtful novel that asks uncomfortable questions and doesn’t offer easy answers. It’s less about how far science can go, and more about whether it should.
Recommended for readers who enjoy ethically driven speculative fiction and character‑centered sci‑fi.
==========================
Thank you to Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Imagine a film that fuses the isolated paranoia of The Village with the scientific arrogance and escalating survival horror of Jurassic Park except instead of resurrecting dinosaurs, humanity brings back Neanderthals. The result would be haunting, tragic, and psychologically volatile, especially once a reality television element is introduced.
In The Shadows Tomorrow, Michel constructs the story around an unforgettable premise: Neanderthals secretly recreated through biotechnology and placed inside a carefully controlled wilderness reserve, believing they are completely alone in the world. Watching that illusion gradually unravel becomes the emotional core of the novel. The more the modern world intrudes upon their existence, the more disturbing and emotionally charged the story becomes.
The satire is equally effective. At first, the NeanderTales reality-show premise seems absurd, almost laughably over-the-top, but as the story progresses, it becomes disturbingly plausible. The novel demonstrates a keen awareness of modern voyeurism and society’s hunger for spectacle, posing unsettling questions about exploitation, media obsession, and the ease with which suffering can be repackaged as entertainment. Readers looking for meticulously grounded hard science fiction may find the biotech elements difficult to fully accept, as the premise demands a fair amount of suspension of disbelief. Even so, the novel ultimately succeeds because of the power of its central question. What if humanity encountered another human species, would empathy prevail, or would curiosity, profit, and the desire for control take over instead?
That said, the pacing is uneven, especially in the middle, and the constant perspective shifts make it difficult to fully connect with several characters. Some storylines feel underdeveloped, while others seem included mainly to support the themes rather than the emotional narrative.
Overall, I admired The Shadows Tomorrow. It’s ambitious, thoughtful, and packed with great ideas, but it felt like a book reaching for something bigger than it could fully deliver. Still, readers who enjoy speculative fiction built around ethical dilemmas and unsettling concepts will probably find a lot to appreciate here.
In The Shadows Tomorrow, Michel constructs the story around an unforgettable premise: Neanderthals secretly recreated through biotechnology and placed inside a carefully controlled wilderness reserve, believing they are completely alone in the world. Watching that illusion gradually unravel becomes the emotional core of the novel. The more the modern world intrudes upon their existence, the more disturbing and emotionally charged the story becomes.
The satire is equally effective. At first, the NeanderTales reality-show premise seems absurd, almost laughably over-the-top, but as the story progresses, it becomes disturbingly plausible. The novel demonstrates a keen awareness of modern voyeurism and society’s hunger for spectacle, posing unsettling questions about exploitation, media obsession, and the ease with which suffering can be repackaged as entertainment. Readers looking for meticulously grounded hard science fiction may find the biotech elements difficult to fully accept, as the premise demands a fair amount of suspension of disbelief. Even so, the novel ultimately succeeds because of the power of its central question. What if humanity encountered another human species, would empathy prevail, or would curiosity, profit, and the desire for control take over instead?
That said, the pacing is uneven, especially in the middle, and the constant perspective shifts make it difficult to fully connect with several characters. Some storylines feel underdeveloped, while others seem included mainly to support the themes rather than the emotional narrative.
Overall, I admired The Shadows Tomorrow. It’s ambitious, thoughtful, and packed with great ideas, but it felt like a book reaching for something bigger than it could fully deliver. Still, readers who enjoy speculative fiction built around ethical dilemmas and unsettling concepts will probably find a lot to appreciate here.
August 4, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
💜 Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
📖 This speculative science fiction novel imagines a future where Neanderthals have been recreated through DNA and live within a protected nature reserve while being watched, studied, and turned into entertainment for the modern world. Told through multiple timelines and perspectives, the story explores humanity, ethics, identity, and just how far science might one day go.
💭 I honestly went into this book completely blind, and I'm glad I did. I don't usually read books about evolution, genetics, or DNA, and science fiction isn't a genre I pick up very often. Because of that, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found myself pulled into the story much quicker than I thought I would. Seeing the different characters and timelines slowly connect kept me curious, and I was always wondering how everything was going to fit together.
What really stood out to me was how unique the premise felt. It wasn't just about bringing Neanderthals back—it explored what that could actually mean for society, science, and the people involved. The different perspectives gave the story depth, and I enjoyed getting glimpses into each character's life as the bigger picture slowly unfolded. It was fast-paced enough to keep me turning the pages without feeling overwhelming, even with the multiple timelines.
By the end, I found myself thinking about the bigger questions the book raises. As science continues to advance, it made me wonder how far humanity might actually go if something like this ever became possible. It feels like one of those stories that seems fictional today but doesn't feel completely impossible for the future. If you're looking for something different, thought-provoking, and that blends science with suspense, this one is definitely worth checking out.
✨ I would recommend this to readers who enjoy speculative science fiction with ethical questions, multiple points of view, and stories that make you stop and think after you've finished. Even if science fiction isn't your usual genre, this was an approachable and engaging read.
💜 Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
📖 This speculative science fiction novel imagines a future where Neanderthals have been recreated through DNA and live within a protected nature reserve while being watched, studied, and turned into entertainment for the modern world. Told through multiple timelines and perspectives, the story explores humanity, ethics, identity, and just how far science might one day go.
💭 I honestly went into this book completely blind, and I'm glad I did. I don't usually read books about evolution, genetics, or DNA, and science fiction isn't a genre I pick up very often. Because of that, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found myself pulled into the story much quicker than I thought I would. Seeing the different characters and timelines slowly connect kept me curious, and I was always wondering how everything was going to fit together.
What really stood out to me was how unique the premise felt. It wasn't just about bringing Neanderthals back—it explored what that could actually mean for society, science, and the people involved. The different perspectives gave the story depth, and I enjoyed getting glimpses into each character's life as the bigger picture slowly unfolded. It was fast-paced enough to keep me turning the pages without feeling overwhelming, even with the multiple timelines.
By the end, I found myself thinking about the bigger questions the book raises. As science continues to advance, it made me wonder how far humanity might actually go if something like this ever became possible. It feels like one of those stories that seems fictional today but doesn't feel completely impossible for the future. If you're looking for something different, thought-provoking, and that blends science with suspense, this one is definitely worth checking out.
✨ I would recommend this to readers who enjoy speculative science fiction with ethical questions, multiple points of view, and stories that make you stop and think after you've finished. Even if science fiction isn't your usual genre, this was an approachable and engaging read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Shadows Tomorrow gives a heartbreaking, and all too real, near-future scenario--what would humans do if they could recreate Neanderthals? The answer is a mix between the Truman Show and the inhumane "human zoos" that lasted well into the twentieth century. It really gives the reader a lot to ponder on the predictable nature of human behavior, but leaves you with some hope as well. The Institute that made the Neanderthals gets just a tad cartoonish at the end with their evil plans, but it's still a good read.
In a few dozen years, a scientific breakthrough becomes possible--scientists can replicate Neanderthal DNA. Eva is one of the researchers taking care of the babies. The plan is to raise them, then release them into what's basically a guarded nature preserve so they can live as they were meant to--which raises a host of ethical problems in itself. Eva and another researcher, Noah, realize how precious these children are and have a bad feeling that the Institute that made them won't be protecting them as much as exploiting them, and they're right.
It switches back and forth from the near future to the 2100's, where the Neanderthals have been the unknowing stars of a widely loved reality show as they live out their lives in peace, except for The Beast that occasionally kidnaps of a tribe member or two. Adam is a young man with no future who is selected to be introduced into the preserve as a different tribe, to spice up the show. Adam soon falls in love with Blood Moon, a Neanderthal woman who's suffered incalculable loss, and butts heads with Azure, who is slowly letting his anger of the others overwhelm him. Adam and his sister, Victoire, concoct a plan to get them out, which is where the Institute's real plans are revealed.
The plot switches between at least five different characters, maybe more, and switches quite a bit between the near and far future, but it's handled well. The prose feels a little stiff and "purple" sometimes, perhaps because it's a translation, but I never felt like there was slack in the narrative.
In a few dozen years, a scientific breakthrough becomes possible--scientists can replicate Neanderthal DNA. Eva is one of the researchers taking care of the babies. The plan is to raise them, then release them into what's basically a guarded nature preserve so they can live as they were meant to--which raises a host of ethical problems in itself. Eva and another researcher, Noah, realize how precious these children are and have a bad feeling that the Institute that made them won't be protecting them as much as exploiting them, and they're right.
It switches back and forth from the near future to the 2100's, where the Neanderthals have been the unknowing stars of a widely loved reality show as they live out their lives in peace, except for The Beast that occasionally kidnaps of a tribe member or two. Adam is a young man with no future who is selected to be introduced into the preserve as a different tribe, to spice up the show. Adam soon falls in love with Blood Moon, a Neanderthal woman who's suffered incalculable loss, and butts heads with Azure, who is slowly letting his anger of the others overwhelm him. Adam and his sister, Victoire, concoct a plan to get them out, which is where the Institute's real plans are revealed.
The plot switches between at least five different characters, maybe more, and switches quite a bit between the near and far future, but it's handled well. The prose feels a little stiff and "purple" sometimes, perhaps because it's a translation, but I never felt like there was slack in the narrative.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Paleo Park: Return of the Ancestors
Remember Dolly the English Sheep clone who made headlines in 1996?
A lot of has developed in the world of bioengineering and DNA 30 years since then. And apparently on the verge of an unexpected breakthrough when paleontology and in vitro fertilizations successfully combine with surrogate human mothers to produce prehistoric offspring.
Originally published 2023 in Europe, Noelle Michel’s imaginative science fiction novel, “The Shadows Tomorrow”, scheduled for a 2026 US release, explores the possibilities of recovered Neanderthal DNA being used to create new offsprings with the help of human Sapiens mothers.
The offspring live in a large geographic park area of Europe, the Confines, electronically cordoned off from the outside world but monitored by various disguised mini-drones. In an ironic twist, unbeknown to them, the lives of the “Neands” are main characters in a reality TV show, “Another Eden", broadcast to the rest of the world beyond the Confines.
Periodically, something called the “Beast” by the Neands randomly show up and carries off one of their members, never to be seen again. Kind of like the Minotaur of Greek mythology. So, the question arises: is there more to this production than is being broadcast?
Using a saga format, the story unfolds through different perspectives, both inside and outside the Confines, as well as some timeline shifts, current and forward looking.
The continuity is comfortable to follow and the narratives ultimately dovetail to reveal an interesting and unexpected resolution challenging perspectives about current issues and how they might unfold. Could there be a sequel?
Part Jurassic Park, though during the later Paleolithic Period; part-Survivor reality TV; maybe a little throwback to Mary Shelley’s novel and Nathaniel Hawthorner’s short stories reflecting on the impact of science on human behavior and interaction. And not some ridiculous make up version for a forgotten TV commercial.
Take a trip on the wild side!
Remember Dolly the English Sheep clone who made headlines in 1996?
A lot of has developed in the world of bioengineering and DNA 30 years since then. And apparently on the verge of an unexpected breakthrough when paleontology and in vitro fertilizations successfully combine with surrogate human mothers to produce prehistoric offspring.
Originally published 2023 in Europe, Noelle Michel’s imaginative science fiction novel, “The Shadows Tomorrow”, scheduled for a 2026 US release, explores the possibilities of recovered Neanderthal DNA being used to create new offsprings with the help of human Sapiens mothers.
The offspring live in a large geographic park area of Europe, the Confines, electronically cordoned off from the outside world but monitored by various disguised mini-drones. In an ironic twist, unbeknown to them, the lives of the “Neands” are main characters in a reality TV show, “Another Eden", broadcast to the rest of the world beyond the Confines.
Periodically, something called the “Beast” by the Neands randomly show up and carries off one of their members, never to be seen again. Kind of like the Minotaur of Greek mythology. So, the question arises: is there more to this production than is being broadcast?
Using a saga format, the story unfolds through different perspectives, both inside and outside the Confines, as well as some timeline shifts, current and forward looking.
The continuity is comfortable to follow and the narratives ultimately dovetail to reveal an interesting and unexpected resolution challenging perspectives about current issues and how they might unfold. Could there be a sequel?
Part Jurassic Park, though during the later Paleolithic Period; part-Survivor reality TV; maybe a little throwback to Mary Shelley’s novel and Nathaniel Hawthorner’s short stories reflecting on the impact of science on human behavior and interaction. And not some ridiculous make up version for a forgotten TV commercial.
Take a trip on the wild side!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book takes a very interesting premise and fumbles it.
So based on the summary, neanderthals (henceforth called Neands in the book) have been cloned and are the subject of a reality show in our near future. We are told that the book will delve on the ethical and moral considerations of this whole setup.
The book wants to touch on big ideas like humans using other humans for entertainment, the world here feels so small and we never see the bigger picture. This show has apparently been on air for years. What does the audience think about it? What is the general reception? Are there people protesting this? Is this sanctioned by the government? Are there similar shows in this world? The audience plays a huge role in making this kind of exploitation possible and acceptable, simply by continuing to watch. So why do we never really see them? I thought we would actually touch on what it means for a show to exploit people this badly. Maybe this is just a case of my expectations not matching what the book is. I was kinda expecting a mirror to society, but this book is more sci-fi conspiracy. If that is your thing, then I think you'll enjoy this book.
The premise raises huge questions, but I don't think the story addresses them in a satisfying way.
It's also hard to know the extent of the knowledge the neands have. They use words like "epiphany", "malevolent", "myth", "sprained ankle" and understand words like "vice versa", and yet they do not know that a world exists outside their little enclave.
Lots of the expositioning sounded very clunky to me. I am not sure if it is the translation or the original text. We are told that a character falls in love with another, but we never actually witness it. One minute they're acquaintances and two scenes later they can't live without each other. We are told about the true nature of the institution through a very long voice memo, basically a monologue from one character reciting plot beats. The big reveal is also a one-sided monologue from a single character, which the other character just takes at face value. I wish we actually saw these things happen.
The skeleton of a good book is there though, and I wasn't bored. I just wish there was more there, you know?
So based on the summary, neanderthals (henceforth called Neands in the book) have been cloned and are the subject of a reality show in our near future. We are told that the book will delve on the ethical and moral considerations of this whole setup.
The book wants to touch on big ideas like humans using other humans for entertainment, the world here feels so small and we never see the bigger picture. This show has apparently been on air for years. What does the audience think about it? What is the general reception? Are there people protesting this? Is this sanctioned by the government? Are there similar shows in this world? The audience plays a huge role in making this kind of exploitation possible and acceptable, simply by continuing to watch. So why do we never really see them? I thought we would actually touch on what it means for a show to exploit people this badly. Maybe this is just a case of my expectations not matching what the book is. I was kinda expecting a mirror to society, but this book is more sci-fi conspiracy. If that is your thing, then I think you'll enjoy this book.
The premise raises huge questions, but I don't think the story addresses them in a satisfying way.
It's also hard to know the extent of the knowledge the neands have. They use words like "epiphany", "malevolent", "myth", "sprained ankle" and understand words like "vice versa", and yet they do not know that a world exists outside their little enclave.
Lots of the expositioning sounded very clunky to me. I am not sure if it is the translation or the original text. We are told that a character falls in love with another, but we never actually witness it. One minute they're acquaintances and two scenes later they can't live without each other. We are told about the true nature of the institution through a very long voice memo, basically a monologue from one character reciting plot beats. The big reveal is also a one-sided monologue from a single character, which the other character just takes at face value. I wish we actually saw these things happen.
The skeleton of a good book is there though, and I wasn't bored. I just wish there was more there, you know?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to advances in DNA research and bringing extinct species to life, a billionaire funds resurrecting Neanderthals to both use them as biological study subjects as well as to turn them into a world-watched reality show entitled Another Eden.
What follows is a deeply disconcerting and chilling story, where after nurturing babies and creating an elaborate mythology to guide their world view, scientists place the growing Neanderthal clan into an expansive mountain wooded sanctuary carefully watched by overhead drones disguised as white birds. The Neanderthals are kept in by an electrical fence barrier.
Fast forward some thirty years, a strong female leader, Blood Moon, leads the clan with the help of a wizened elder who serves as the clan’s sage. Blood Moon has been deeply grieving the loss of her lover as well as the death of the son they had together, in addition to overseeing her two daughters’, from a prior relationship, wellbeing. The clan is wary of a mythological “Beast” that has been spotted and has snatched members of the clan across time.
The show’s director has decided to kick up the action by hiring and training four actors to enter the “preserve” to introduce Homo sapiens to the Neanderthals and hopefully spark romance plots. But things quickly deteriorate as the scientists have given the Neanderthals drugs that creates paranoia and psychosis in some, and as unexpectedly one of the actors and Blood Moon fall deeply in love.
The fast-paced action keeps you totally trying to guess what’s coming next. The callousness of the scientists, the greed of the founders, and the mistreatment of the Neanderthals make you wonder if actually the Homo sapiens race is actually a more barbaric, crueler version of humanity. Plus, in contrast to the Neanderthals living in deep harmony with nature, the Homo sapiens’ world outside proves besot with pollution, devastating human-created climate demise, and unhappy, tech-plugged in humans living mostly in virtual reality.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.
What follows is a deeply disconcerting and chilling story, where after nurturing babies and creating an elaborate mythology to guide their world view, scientists place the growing Neanderthal clan into an expansive mountain wooded sanctuary carefully watched by overhead drones disguised as white birds. The Neanderthals are kept in by an electrical fence barrier.
Fast forward some thirty years, a strong female leader, Blood Moon, leads the clan with the help of a wizened elder who serves as the clan’s sage. Blood Moon has been deeply grieving the loss of her lover as well as the death of the son they had together, in addition to overseeing her two daughters’, from a prior relationship, wellbeing. The clan is wary of a mythological “Beast” that has been spotted and has snatched members of the clan across time.
The show’s director has decided to kick up the action by hiring and training four actors to enter the “preserve” to introduce Homo sapiens to the Neanderthals and hopefully spark romance plots. But things quickly deteriorate as the scientists have given the Neanderthals drugs that creates paranoia and psychosis in some, and as unexpectedly one of the actors and Blood Moon fall deeply in love.
The fast-paced action keeps you totally trying to guess what’s coming next. The callousness of the scientists, the greed of the founders, and the mistreatment of the Neanderthals make you wonder if actually the Homo sapiens race is actually a more barbaric, crueler version of humanity. Plus, in contrast to the Neanderthals living in deep harmony with nature, the Homo sapiens’ world outside proves besot with pollution, devastating human-created climate demise, and unhappy, tech-plugged in humans living mostly in virtual reality.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.
August 20, 2026
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy - all opinions are my own.
The Shadows Tomorrow is a speculative thriller with fast pacing and plenty of intrigue.
We follow a cast of both Neanderthal and Sapien characters over the span of several generations. A genetically reinvented species of Neanderthals are inhabiting an isolated nature reserve while Sapien scientists observe and study their progression from afar. The Neanderthal clan has been fed false legends and history since its inception to keep the members unquestioning and complacent. What starts as a means of research turns in to a twisted reality show to rake in profit (because of course it does) but when a Sapien contestant throws a wrench into the entire experiment, the whole thing could come crumbling down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this original concept but found the writing to be cold and clinical. While that somewhat makes sense here, given that the entire plot is a big experiment, it kept me at arms length from the characters. Whether the disconnect came from me reading this outside of its original language or from something else, I was nonetheless disappointed that the characters didn’t resonate.
The science is the real strength here. I found the concept to be utterly captivating and original. Michel creates a world where modern humans (re)create earlier iterations of humans and then attempt to control this new micro-society by injecting false lore and environmental control factors into it. Through this explorative narrative, human greed and manipulation are on full display and I couldn’t help but think that this is exactly how an “experiment” like this would play out if we had the technology right now. Science tends to start from a good place and then power and the promise of profit twists the original purpose into something much darker and I think that’s explored very well here.
Ultimately, this is a fast-paced and suspenseful scifi/thriller that needed a bit more character depth and punch.
The Shadows Tomorrow is a speculative thriller with fast pacing and plenty of intrigue.
We follow a cast of both Neanderthal and Sapien characters over the span of several generations. A genetically reinvented species of Neanderthals are inhabiting an isolated nature reserve while Sapien scientists observe and study their progression from afar. The Neanderthal clan has been fed false legends and history since its inception to keep the members unquestioning and complacent. What starts as a means of research turns in to a twisted reality show to rake in profit (because of course it does) but when a Sapien contestant throws a wrench into the entire experiment, the whole thing could come crumbling down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this original concept but found the writing to be cold and clinical. While that somewhat makes sense here, given that the entire plot is a big experiment, it kept me at arms length from the characters. Whether the disconnect came from me reading this outside of its original language or from something else, I was nonetheless disappointed that the characters didn’t resonate.
The science is the real strength here. I found the concept to be utterly captivating and original. Michel creates a world where modern humans (re)create earlier iterations of humans and then attempt to control this new micro-society by injecting false lore and environmental control factors into it. Through this explorative narrative, human greed and manipulation are on full display and I couldn’t help but think that this is exactly how an “experiment” like this would play out if we had the technology right now. Science tends to start from a good place and then power and the promise of profit twists the original purpose into something much darker and I think that’s explored very well here.
Ultimately, this is a fast-paced and suspenseful scifi/thriller that needed a bit more character depth and punch.
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