Hello Humans

by Momoko Uno

The galaxy watches. Earth's totally winging it.

Humanity is about to receive an invitation to the cosmic party-assuming we don't blow ourselves up first.

The Intergalactic Committee has placed Earth under official review for galactic membership. It's mostly procedural. Probably. Except humans are disappearing.

The Greys deny involvement. The Reptilians blame space terrorists. Robonkey cyborgs are promoting suspicious agricultural initiatives that may or may not involve turning Earth into a nut farm. Meanwhile, the Committee remains buried under celestial bylaws and guidelines for "peaceful negotiations." To them, kicking someone's ass is about as strategic as kicking a wall in flip-flops.

Told through interlocking stories spanning decades, species, and wildly different agendas, Hello Humans follows ambassadors, conspiracy theorists, alien bureaucrats, rival factions, highly opinionated space cats, and one profoundly unqualified stoner-each uncovering another piece of a much larger problem.

Because Earth isn't just being observed.

It's being evaluated.

And if humanity can't prove it belongs, the universe may decide we're not ready for membership after all.

184 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2025

Reviews

[Peter Baran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hello Humans is a flippant comic take on humanity being welcomed into a giant space community, one that isn't sure it is ready for Earthlings, or that Earthlings is ready for it. At least that is what it says it is. It is actually a grab bag of thematically connected short stories which broadly introduce us to an alien species, tell us why they are interesting or important, and what they be interested in on Earth. And since nearly half of them seem to initally come from Earth you can imagine they want to revisit it. Because Hello Humans has lots of different alien races in it, they are often races you can quite quickly get the hang of. The first chapter is just cat people after all, and their leader Princess Cupcake. Followed by octopus mermen, greys, and the baddies, well that would be the reptillians.

There's a lightness of touch to Hello Humans that just about makes its breezy first-contact narrative palatable. But it is pretty thin from an imaginative point of view and the stories broadly repeat themselves with wacky intro to familiar types of aliens, followed by their plans on intervention, followed by maybe an alien probe joke. The end draws together its strands and then leaves us with a big To Be Continued... Not with me sadly.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Humans by Momo Ko Uno this was such a fun outstanding space story the descriptions of the different aliens all tend to make sense from the octopus to the military cats, Princess Doughnut and so many more. The book reads more like a fairytale than a real space story because two princesses get kidnapped one for much longer than the other there’s an evil sibling. We even learn why the Grays get a bad rap and threw it all they’re trying to decide whether or not to let the humans in the United Galaxy Association. There’s so much fun to be had in this book and don’t even get me started on poor Kenny. I really enjoyed this book thoroughly and once I started reading I didn’t stop until it was over this book, it is compelling reading at its best and a few love humorous books about space you will absolutely enjoy this one. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[martyn benny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Humans is a wonderfully imaginative blend of science fiction, philosophy, satire, and hope that uses an intergalactic perspective to ask profoundly human questions. Rather than relying on epic space battles or technological spectacle, Momoko Uno crafts a story that invites readers to reflect on the future of humanity, our relationship with one another, and our place within a much larger universe.

The central premise is delightfully original. Humanity's invitation to join an intergalactic community depends not on technological advancement but on emotional and moral maturity. Viewing humans through the eyes of highly evolved extraterrestrial beings creates both humor and insight, allowing familiar problems greed, environmental destruction, conflict, and political division to be examined from an entirely fresh perspective.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its optimistic spirit. While it never ignores humanity's flaws, it refuses to surrender to cynicism. Instead, it suggests that our greatest challenge is internal rather than external. The true battle is not against alien civilizations but between fear and love, separation and cooperation, destruction and creation.

The metaphor of children sharing a sandbox is particularly effective. It simplifies complex global issues without trivializing them, reminding readers that many of humanity's conflicts stem from limited perspectives rather than unavoidable realities. The Committee's gentle humor and compassionate observations make the book feel welcoming rather than preachy.

Momoko Uno's writing balances philosophical reflection with accessible storytelling, making the ideas approachable while leaving plenty for readers to contemplate long after finishing the final page.

Hello Humans is an uplifting reminder that progress is measured not only by scientific achievement but by empathy, wisdom, and our willingness to recognize our interconnectedness. Readers who enjoy reflective science fiction in the tradition of stories that challenge humanity to become its best self will find this an inspiring and memorable read.

[Laura Flavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Humans is a creative and thought-provoking blend of science fiction, satire, and philosophical reflection that challenges readers to look at humanity from an entirely new perspective. By introducing the Intergalactic Committee as outside observers of Earth, Momoko Uno creates an entertaining narrative that also raises meaningful questions about the future of our species.

What makes the book particularly engaging is its balance of humor and insight. The aliens' observations are often witty and playful, yet beneath the lighthearted tone lies a sincere exploration of humanity's greatest challenges from greed, conflict, and environmental destruction to the deeper struggle between fear and compassion. The result is a story that entertains while encouraging genuine self-reflection.

Rather than presenting humanity as hopeless, the book offers an optimistic vision rooted in cooperation, empathy, and personal growth. The recurring idea that all life is interconnected gives the narrative emotional depth and transforms what could have been a simple science fiction premise into a thoughtful meditation on the choices we face as individuals and as a global community.

The accessible writing style, imaginative world-building, and philosophical themes make Hello Humans appealing to readers who enjoy speculative fiction with substance. It invites readers not only to imagine life beyond Earth but also to reconsider how we live together here at home.

Hello Humans is an original and uplifting read that combines imagination, humor, and wisdom into a story that lingers well beyond the final page.

Highly recommended for readers of science fiction, speculative fiction, philosophical fiction, environmental literature, social commentary, and stories that inspire hope, curiosity, and meaningful conversation.

[Donald Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Cupcake for President!

Hello Humans is one of the strangest, most charming little sci-fi books I've read in a while. The premise sounds like it shouldn't work: Earth is quietly observed by half a dozen alien factions, and the most consequential of them is the Feline Federation, ruled by the magnificently named Princess Cupcake. Yes, the cats are aliens. Yes, that is the actual plot. And yes, it is glorious.

Uno's humor is dry, deadpan, and frequently laugh-out-loud, especially when she lets advanced interstellar bureaucracies bumble through problems that humans mishandle every day. The kitties (KITTIES!!!) absolutely steal every scene they're in, with personality and palace politics worthy of a proper court drama.

The setting sounds absurd in summary, but Uno commits so completely that it ends up oddly compelling, and even quietly moving in places. Smart, funny, weird in the best way, and warmly recommended for anyone who loves cats and clever sci-fi.

[Jennifer C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Hello Humans! Its premise is that the guardians of our galaxy are convening to help us earthlings sort out the ecological mess that we’ve gotten ourselves into. Honestly, I hope this is true and not science fiction! Momoko Uno has created a cast of galactic characters that she introduces with a style of irreverent humor that made me laugh out loud. Her writing style is reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, Tom Robbins, who wrote extremely quirky comedy-dramas. There is a cheekiness to her descriptions that bring a touch of the absurd to what in truth is a very serious subject: how can our galactic brothers and sisters help us to save Earth? The book ends with a promise to be continued and I for one, cannot wait to see what happens next!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looked at humanity and said wow you really need a timeout.

I had way too much fun reading Hello Humans. It is weird, funny, sharp, and way smarter than it first lets on. You get aliens with strong opinions, humans making terrible choices, and a whole lot of truth wrapped in humor. I loved how it calls us out without being preachy and somehow makes big stuff like climate change and fear feel personal and relatable. If you like sci fi that makes you laugh, wince, and maybe rethink how you treat the planet and each other, you should absolutely read this one 👽✨

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Hello Humans expecting a fun sci fi story, and I ended up with something far more thoughtful. The book follows an intergalactic committee debating whether Earth is ready to join a larger cosmic family, while a series of strange and often hilarious encounters reveal just how messy humanity really is. I loved how the humor never undercut the deeper message about fear, love, and personal responsibility, and I found myself smiling one minute and quietly reflecting the next. It was an easy and entertaining read that still gave me a lot to think about after I finished.

[Mathter Works · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a fun romp across many alien races all vying for a piece of earth and/or trying to save it, the blurb and the marketing don't quite prepare the reader for what this work actually is.

Instead of a continuous narrative, each chapter is more like a short story in a loosely connected anthology that spans several decades. Each focuses on a different of the alien races, and can be set on Earth or in space. While there is an eventual tie-in, it makes the work feel like a giant prologue to the actual story.

[Mel Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the first thing we learn about in the cast of characters is a Feline Federation, the draw is strong for anyone who is owned by cats. Of course they are superior in all ways. The various crews of aliens all recognize that humans and the earth are doomed, and aren't we? This book reads like a slightly racy YA book in tone, storyline, and character depth, but the narrative and wordplay is light and fun, and definitely a distraction from the real world.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very funny sci fi story that is told in a unique way that each participating species in the Intergalactic Committee has a chapter that explains its species and also tells a story about how that species is connected to the bigger story about how all of these peoples are going to try to save Earth, which is completely disinterested in being saved, naturally. Fun, ridiculous, hilarious. Highly recommend.

[Paige Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aliens Are Judging Us and Honestly Fair Enough
Hello Humans is a sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt sci fi story that holds up a cosmic mirror to humanity and dares us to do better.