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Not Alone
Jane-two-seven works in a dangerous, intense process that helps people reclaim their humanity after centuries of numb survival.
It is the most intimate work in her world. Jane sits beside strangers while their defences are torn down, holds their hands when they shake, and stays – unconditionally. Then she files her report and walks away.
That is how restoration is meant to their feelings, not hers.
For years, Jane excels at her work. Most of her subjects survive – until one night, a restoration goes catastrophically wrong.
Jane is taken off duty, stripped of contact with subjects and reassigned to protocol design from behind a screen – far from touch and further from feeling.
But something in Jane has cracked. And once the restoration cascade begins, there is no turning back.
Not Alone is a quiet, emotional speculative novel about grief, connection and the slow, aching return to humanity – perfect for readers who love character-driven stories like Never Let Me Go, Klara and the Sun or Station Eleven.
If you want to be changed by the last page, click to read a free sample now.
It is the most intimate work in her world. Jane sits beside strangers while their defences are torn down, holds their hands when they shake, and stays – unconditionally. Then she files her report and walks away.
That is how restoration is meant to their feelings, not hers.
For years, Jane excels at her work. Most of her subjects survive – until one night, a restoration goes catastrophically wrong.
Jane is taken off duty, stripped of contact with subjects and reassigned to protocol design from behind a screen – far from touch and further from feeling.
But something in Jane has cracked. And once the restoration cascade begins, there is no turning back.
Not Alone is a quiet, emotional speculative novel about grief, connection and the slow, aching return to humanity – perfect for readers who love character-driven stories like Never Let Me Go, Klara and the Sun or Station Eleven.
If you want to be changed by the last page, click to read a free sample now.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 23, 2025
About the author
Rabea Scholz
5 books52 followersRabea Scholz, born in 1982, loves books, spends a lot of time inside her own head, folds paper frogs, speaks three languages, writes stories full of longing and hope, teaches primary school children, studies grammar for fun, and has recently learnt how to drive. She is addicted to tea with just the right amount of milk and honey, and prefers to write at night, with everyone else asleep.
In a perfect world, her day would have 48 hours of which she could spend 24 sleeping and then still have another 24 hours left for her family, for writing, reading, friends, lesson plans, pointlessly staring at the wall, carefully selected TV shows, and of course chocolate.
She lives with her wife, her step-daughter, a cat, and two rabbits in Berlin, Germany.
In a perfect world, her day would have 48 hours of which she could spend 24 sleeping and then still have another 24 hours left for her family, for writing, reading, friends, lesson plans, pointlessly staring at the wall, carefully selected TV shows, and of course chocolate.
She lives with her wife, her step-daughter, a cat, and two rabbits in Berlin, Germany.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2026
This is one of the hardest reviews I have ever wrotee, purely because I dont know if anything I could say could even remotely begin to explain how incredible this book was.
Rabea is an insanely talented author, easily one of my all time favourites, her writing being so raw and real. This book is no exception.
Jane-two-seven ïs a complex character, in this dystopian world, humanity has become nul and void, and if they want to become fully human they must go through Regeneration; which doesnt have a high mortality rate; and her job is to help others go through Regeneration to become fully human again. Although she has never understood any human qualities, her character is incredibly human, her intuition and her unfettered want for people to survive Regeneration, even going against protocol.
Matthew, one of the other main characters, becomes her closest bond, ever when she has tried so hard and been knocked down again and again he is there. As she has been for him too.
As she finally gets accepted, the feelings and intensity of each one is so raw, so unfiltered, and so beautifully human, things in our real world we take so much for granted.
The story hits deep, right into the core, making me seriously evaluate my current state, and those around me. While the book is still raw in my mind, I have the urge to journal again after many years, I want to own my emotions and learn to accept them, just as Iane has, because to me she is more than a character in a book, she is what I want to be, strong, capable, and a survivor. I have a feeling that when I am feeling low, I will think of this book and be grateful for what Jane has gone through, because if she can survive, against the odds, then why cant I too.
Rabea is an insanely talented author, easily one of my all time favourites, her writing being so raw and real. This book is no exception.
Jane-two-seven ïs a complex character, in this dystopian world, humanity has become nul and void, and if they want to become fully human they must go through Regeneration; which doesnt have a high mortality rate; and her job is to help others go through Regeneration to become fully human again. Although she has never understood any human qualities, her character is incredibly human, her intuition and her unfettered want for people to survive Regeneration, even going against protocol.
Matthew, one of the other main characters, becomes her closest bond, ever when she has tried so hard and been knocked down again and again he is there. As she has been for him too.
As she finally gets accepted, the feelings and intensity of each one is so raw, so unfiltered, and so beautifully human, things in our real world we take so much for granted.
The story hits deep, right into the core, making me seriously evaluate my current state, and those around me. While the book is still raw in my mind, I have the urge to journal again after many years, I want to own my emotions and learn to accept them, just as Iane has, because to me she is more than a character in a book, she is what I want to be, strong, capable, and a survivor. I have a feeling that when I am feeling low, I will think of this book and be grateful for what Jane has gone through, because if she can survive, against the odds, then why cant I too.
July 8, 2026
I’ve never read a sci-fi book where I cried so much 😅 but this was the book I didn’t know I need.
I’ve carried so much pain and grief in me for so long. I avoided it at all costs, to the point that I had been able to almost forget about it. That is, until I read this book. Only 20% into the book and I was ugly crying as the grief I had shoved down began to overflow. Once the tears started, I couldn’t stop them and had to put the book down until I could process my feelings some more.
When I returned to the story, Jane was moving through her own journey with grief and being restored. Reading how she felt reflected my very own feelings — being faced with the vastness of the ocean of grief — it is terrifying at times. She lost herself for a bit (haven’t we all?), but her journey back was beautiful. Thera and Matthew held her up and supported her so well through her journey.
This was a beautiful story and Rabea has a wonderful way of writing. I’m so glad that this story found me, and that I was finally able to give my grief the space it needed. “Feelings don’t stay because you hold them. Or come because you look for them. They rise when you give them space.”
I’ve carried so much pain and grief in me for so long. I avoided it at all costs, to the point that I had been able to almost forget about it. That is, until I read this book. Only 20% into the book and I was ugly crying as the grief I had shoved down began to overflow. Once the tears started, I couldn’t stop them and had to put the book down until I could process my feelings some more.
When I returned to the story, Jane was moving through her own journey with grief and being restored. Reading how she felt reflected my very own feelings — being faced with the vastness of the ocean of grief — it is terrifying at times. She lost herself for a bit (haven’t we all?), but her journey back was beautiful. Thera and Matthew held her up and supported her so well through her journey.
This was a beautiful story and Rabea has a wonderful way of writing. I’m so glad that this story found me, and that I was finally able to give my grief the space it needed. “Feelings don’t stay because you hold them. Or come because you look for them. They rise when you give them space.”
February 28, 2026
This novel is a must read!!! It is quiet and emotional. It follows a character named Jane that you will love! You will explore fear, loss, love, friendship, pain and so much more. I cannot stop thinking about this book.
February 10, 2026
Captivating!
I was swept away into Jane‘s world. Each twist and turn had me wanting more. I had my first intense cry and sob at around page 100 on my Kindle. My heart was aching and like so many characters in the book I needed to remind myself to breathe.
I felt like I knew characters so well, that I felt along with them.
I would love to know more - please write a second book.
Although being a completely fictional book, there are many strategies of acceptance and coping and understanding myself that I actually used while reading it. I’m sure these will stay with me. I feel like there is a deep connection in dealing with and appreciating “humanness” life. I highly recommend this book.
I was swept away into Jane‘s world. Each twist and turn had me wanting more. I had my first intense cry and sob at around page 100 on my Kindle. My heart was aching and like so many characters in the book I needed to remind myself to breathe.
I felt like I knew characters so well, that I felt along with them.
I would love to know more - please write a second book.
Although being a completely fictional book, there are many strategies of acceptance and coping and understanding myself that I actually used while reading it. I’m sure these will stay with me. I feel like there is a deep connection in dealing with and appreciating “humanness” life. I highly recommend this book.
June 26, 2026
This is the story of Jane.
Jane works to help people become fully human.
There are 4 phases to becoming fully human and there are strict protocols that need to be followed.
Not everyone chooses to become human and not everyone who chooses to become human is successful.
This book is full of inspiring quotes and makes you really reflect on your own life.
Jane works to help people become fully human.
There are 4 phases to becoming fully human and there are strict protocols that need to be followed.
Not everyone chooses to become human and not everyone who chooses to become human is successful.
This book is full of inspiring quotes and makes you really reflect on your own life.
January 5, 2026
I am a psychological thriller lover to the core. However, over the past few years, I’ve found a real love for dystopian novels. Especially if they contain characters who are discovering their humanity. This is a dystopian novel that highlights that concept well. Speculative stories with characters who aren’t entirely human are absorbing if they’re well written, and I found this fascinating. The process of learning how to sleep, feel pain, and even die is done using beautiful writing. Jane-two-seven is a great character, and it’s as though her psyche dictates the thoughtful writing style. The prose is gentle and feels understated, but it still delivers a punch.
The novel is about the people and half-people, and about giving them space to understand grief. Luma is another lovely character. And the slow-build relationship between Jane and Matthew is captivating. The emotional core of the book is powerful. Not Alone is a gorgeous dystopian read about what it means to be human and the toll that takes on the main character. A cracking book that wasn’t what I thought it would be.
The novel is about the people and half-people, and about giving them space to understand grief. Luma is another lovely character. And the slow-build relationship between Jane and Matthew is captivating. The emotional core of the book is powerful. Not Alone is a gorgeous dystopian read about what it means to be human and the toll that takes on the main character. A cracking book that wasn’t what I thought it would be.
February 27, 2026
Captivating!
I was swept away into Jane‘s world. Each twist and turn had me wanting more. I had my first intense cry and sob at around page 100 on my Kindle. My heart was aching and like so many characters in the book I needed to remind myself to breathe.
I felt like I knew characters so well, that I felt along with them.
I would love to know more - please write a second book.
Although being a completely fictional book, there are many strategies of acceptance and coping and understanding myself that I actually used while reading it. I’m sure these will stay with me. I feel like there is a deep connection in dealing with and appreciating “humanness” life. I highly recommend this book.
I was swept away into Jane‘s world. Each twist and turn had me wanting more. I had my first intense cry and sob at around page 100 on my Kindle. My heart was aching and like so many characters in the book I needed to remind myself to breathe.
I felt like I knew characters so well, that I felt along with them.
I would love to know more - please write a second book.
Although being a completely fictional book, there are many strategies of acceptance and coping and understanding myself that I actually used while reading it. I’m sure these will stay with me. I feel like there is a deep connection in dealing with and appreciating “humanness” life. I highly recommend this book.
February 21, 2026
Not Alone is a rich, character driven, dystopian about healing. It's about not giving up on yourself or others while exploring the emotions of fear, grief, loss, and deep connection. This book will change you. It isn't action packed, and instead you sit so intimately with the characters.
You will feel as if you are there with them as they move through life. If you need a good cry, you have to read this book!
You will feel as if you are there with them as they move through life. If you need a good cry, you have to read this book!
May 11, 2026
Great read. Very touching. Felt very raw and human.
I really enjoy Rabea's writing style. This is already the 2nd book I am reading by her.
I really enjoy Rabea's writing style. This is already the 2nd book I am reading by her.
April 26, 2026
When I downloaded this e-book to my small iPhone and saw it had 1,128 pages, I experienced a fluctuation in my anomalous pattern (yes, that’s related to the story). But when I neared the end of the book, I wished it were longer.
Rabea Scholz’s Not Alone: A Literary Speculative Novel About The Slow, Aching Return To Humanity is one of the best novels I’ve ever read. I think it has all the elements of a great novel. The protagonist, Jane (who reminded me somewhat of Seven of Nine from the Star Trek universe), and other characters undergo gigantic, life-changing (and life-threatening) transformations. Those characters are immensely compelling and relatable. The storytelling is vivid and emotional, often visceral—you’ll want a box of tissues handy. The writing is a marvelous combination of natural dialogue sprinkled with memorable prose, with very few nonessential words. It’s clear to me that this novel was immensely personal and a labor of love for the author.
The book asks many questions and answers most of them, such as: What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to *become* human? How do we cope with loss and grief? The only downside of this book for me was that some key elements of the story were left unexplained; in particular, what was the “Null Phase” and what kind of beings were Jane and others like her? It was unclear to me if they were androids, augmented humans, or something else. Also, the appearance of most characters was described ... but not Jane. But having those questions left unanswered didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this book.
Note: I think this book is suitable for Young Adults (12-18) and up.
Rabea Scholz’s Not Alone: A Literary Speculative Novel About The Slow, Aching Return To Humanity is one of the best novels I’ve ever read. I think it has all the elements of a great novel. The protagonist, Jane (who reminded me somewhat of Seven of Nine from the Star Trek universe), and other characters undergo gigantic, life-changing (and life-threatening) transformations. Those characters are immensely compelling and relatable. The storytelling is vivid and emotional, often visceral—you’ll want a box of tissues handy. The writing is a marvelous combination of natural dialogue sprinkled with memorable prose, with very few nonessential words. It’s clear to me that this novel was immensely personal and a labor of love for the author.
The book asks many questions and answers most of them, such as: What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to *become* human? How do we cope with loss and grief? The only downside of this book for me was that some key elements of the story were left unexplained; in particular, what was the “Null Phase” and what kind of beings were Jane and others like her? It was unclear to me if they were androids, augmented humans, or something else. Also, the appearance of most characters was described ... but not Jane. But having those questions left unanswered didn’t diminish my enjoyment of this book.
Note: I think this book is suitable for Young Adults (12-18) and up.
September 8, 2026
Wow!! I don’t normally read the sci-fi genre but Rabea has a special way with words! This book has made it to the top of my favorites list and Rabea is officially one of my favorite authors and an automatic buy for me now!
This book takes you on an emotional journey where you can actually feel the pain of becoming human. It’s like nothing I have read before and touched my heart and soul in ways I did not expect! I connected to the FMC, Jane 27, in more ways than I thought possible and I felt so seen. Her journey back to humanity is an absolute breathtaking adventure!
I cried so much throughout this book and I don’t mean the kind of tear that slowly rolls down your cheek but the kind that opens like a flood and does not stop until your nose is stopped up and you can’t catch your breath. I grieved right along with Jane but I also laughed. I absolutely loved the banter in the book.
Watching the friendships grow in this book truly melted my heart. I love every one of the characters. I enjoyed some of the special meanings behind certain things in the book and I related to them as well. I don’t want to give too much away.
I would have loved to rate this one a 5 but I felt like there was pertinent information missing that would have helped me to understand things a little better. I cannot expand on that without spoilers. Otherwise, this book is a solid 4.5!
This book is an absolute hidden gem. If you like a light sci-fi/dystopian book with emotional damage and a slow burn with no spice this might be the book for you. I do suggest contacting the author for a full list of trigger warnings!
Thank you to the author for this review copy. All opinions are my own.
This book takes you on an emotional journey where you can actually feel the pain of becoming human. It’s like nothing I have read before and touched my heart and soul in ways I did not expect! I connected to the FMC, Jane 27, in more ways than I thought possible and I felt so seen. Her journey back to humanity is an absolute breathtaking adventure!
I cried so much throughout this book and I don’t mean the kind of tear that slowly rolls down your cheek but the kind that opens like a flood and does not stop until your nose is stopped up and you can’t catch your breath. I grieved right along with Jane but I also laughed. I absolutely loved the banter in the book.
Watching the friendships grow in this book truly melted my heart. I love every one of the characters. I enjoyed some of the special meanings behind certain things in the book and I related to them as well. I don’t want to give too much away.
I would have loved to rate this one a 5 but I felt like there was pertinent information missing that would have helped me to understand things a little better. I cannot expand on that without spoilers. Otherwise, this book is a solid 4.5!
This book is an absolute hidden gem. If you like a light sci-fi/dystopian book with emotional damage and a slow burn with no spice this might be the book for you. I do suggest contacting the author for a full list of trigger warnings!
Thank you to the author for this review copy. All opinions are my own.
July 17, 2026
I'm going to start by saying that I don't normally read sci-fi, but I'm so glad I took a chance on this book. It delivers a powerful, emotional story that explores what it truly means to become and be..human. It made me reflect on so many parts of life that we often take for granted, from experiencing pain and loss to the simple, everyday moments that shape who we are.
The story follows Jane-two-seven, who works in restoration. At the beginning of the novel, her role involves helping people learn how to sleep again. I was fascinated by the way the author carefully walked readers through Jane's work and the intricate processes behind it. At the same time, Jane begins experiencing unexpected changes within herself, changes she doesn't understand and has never encountered before.
Throughout the story, Jane helps people navigate life-altering transitions while quietly facing her own transformation. The characters she meets feel authentic and relatable, making it easy to connect with them and become emotionally invested in their journeys.
This is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished it. It encourages you to think more deeply about the little things that make us human and reminds us not to take those moments for granted. At its heart, it's a moving story about grief, healing, identity, and growth. The writing is thoughtful and beautifully done, and I truly enjoyed every step of Jane’s journey.
The story follows Jane-two-seven, who works in restoration. At the beginning of the novel, her role involves helping people learn how to sleep again. I was fascinated by the way the author carefully walked readers through Jane's work and the intricate processes behind it. At the same time, Jane begins experiencing unexpected changes within herself, changes she doesn't understand and has never encountered before.
Throughout the story, Jane helps people navigate life-altering transitions while quietly facing her own transformation. The characters she meets feel authentic and relatable, making it easy to connect with them and become emotionally invested in their journeys.
This is one of those books that stays with you long after you've finished it. It encourages you to think more deeply about the little things that make us human and reminds us not to take those moments for granted. At its heart, it's a moving story about grief, healing, identity, and growth. The writing is thoughtful and beautifully done, and I truly enjoyed every step of Jane’s journey.
January 8, 2026
Rather than a story, this felt like an experience. A book about a different world, perhaps a future world, perhaps medical care for recovery in a dystopian world. A world where super sensory carers support patients as they transition through stages of rehabilitation. Jane is a carer who is particularly skilled, and as we get to know her, clearly ‘normal’ in this world is different. Failure to successfully transition is carefully analysed, as the consequences of failure are severe. The first part of the story sensitively gives the experience of Jane as nurse/carer/guide in this strange world. The experiences and interactions are sensitive, complex and considered. Although it felt strange at first, it absorbed my attention, and I enjoyed the book very much.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews