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The Things We Would Bear
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 14, 2026
I appreciate the author providing an early copy. This is my honest review
This is being described as a techno-thriller, but honestly? I describe it as my new obsession.
The Things We Would Bear is a near-future speculative fiction story with exceptional writing and believable stakes. From the beginning, the tension feels tangible, something that could realistically touch every aspect of our lives.
The story follows four different characters, and one adorable baby bear, whose lives become interconnected after a series of AI-driven failures begin surfacing across society. What starts with seemingly isolated mistakes slowly expands into something far more dangerous, reaching from healthcare systems to military operations. As the story unfolds, the characters are pulled together in an effort to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the systems their society depends on.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the writing style. Each POV has such a distinct narrative voice that I always knew whose chapter I was reading without needing to see the name. That level of characterization translates beautifully onto the page.
I also loved how the author introduces each character. Every introduction immediately sparks curiosity, making me want to keep reading to understand how all the threads will eventually connect. And when they do, it’s done seamlessly.
I enjoyed the plot escalation. The story begins with smaller, easily overlooked incidents and gradually builds into life-altering consequences and terrifying large-scale implications. This sequence made the reading feel immersive and incredibly effective to communicate the main points of the story.
More than anything, this book feels timely and important. It raises urgent questions about our increasing dependence on AI and the consequences of implementing powerful technology without sufficient safeguards.
Overall, this is an intelligent, compelling, and deeply unsettling read that left me wondering when would I get book 2!!!!!
This is being described as a techno-thriller, but honestly? I describe it as my new obsession.
The Things We Would Bear is a near-future speculative fiction story with exceptional writing and believable stakes. From the beginning, the tension feels tangible, something that could realistically touch every aspect of our lives.
The story follows four different characters, and one adorable baby bear, whose lives become interconnected after a series of AI-driven failures begin surfacing across society. What starts with seemingly isolated mistakes slowly expands into something far more dangerous, reaching from healthcare systems to military operations. As the story unfolds, the characters are pulled together in an effort to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the systems their society depends on.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the writing style. Each POV has such a distinct narrative voice that I always knew whose chapter I was reading without needing to see the name. That level of characterization translates beautifully onto the page.
I also loved how the author introduces each character. Every introduction immediately sparks curiosity, making me want to keep reading to understand how all the threads will eventually connect. And when they do, it’s done seamlessly.
I enjoyed the plot escalation. The story begins with smaller, easily overlooked incidents and gradually builds into life-altering consequences and terrifying large-scale implications. This sequence made the reading feel immersive and incredibly effective to communicate the main points of the story.
More than anything, this book feels timely and important. It raises urgent questions about our increasing dependence on AI and the consequences of implementing powerful technology without sufficient safeguards.
Overall, this is an intelligent, compelling, and deeply unsettling read that left me wondering when would I get book 2!!!!!
May 14, 2026
This was my first ARC and I couldn’t have loved it more! The things we would bear is a story about how AI controls most of everyday life in the near future. It follows 4 main characters, each chapter from one of their points of view.
The story was very captivating and had me not wanting to put it down. I found myself invested in each of the characters and how things played out for them, and I like how all of the characters stories come together. I also really like the pacing and the writing style and enjoyed how the writing style was slightly different for each of the characters POV.
Overall really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy!
The story was very captivating and had me not wanting to put it down. I found myself invested in each of the characters and how things played out for them, and I like how all of the characters stories come together. I also really like the pacing and the writing style and enjoyed how the writing style was slightly different for each of the characters POV.
Overall really enjoyed this read and look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy!
May 16, 2026
Whoa. Can I just say this was definitely not what I was expecting from this book? I’m not really sure what I was expecting, but this blew me away.
In the not so distant future, AI is running everything when instances where AI has failed are being erased. Investigating this, four strangers, and an AI companion, find themselves working together to find out why, all while being hunted with the threat of being erased themselves. What follows is an entertaining and thought provoking story detailing the dangers of AI and what the people in charge will do to make sure AI stays in control.
With AI taking over in so many areas, this work of speculative fiction is somewhat terrifying and all too realistic! Definitely a must read. Looking forward to book two!
In the not so distant future, AI is running everything when instances where AI has failed are being erased. Investigating this, four strangers, and an AI companion, find themselves working together to find out why, all while being hunted with the threat of being erased themselves. What follows is an entertaining and thought provoking story detailing the dangers of AI and what the people in charge will do to make sure AI stays in control.
With AI taking over in so many areas, this work of speculative fiction is somewhat terrifying and all too realistic! Definitely a must read. Looking forward to book two!
May 31, 2026
Before I start, I want to thank the author for an early release copy of the book. I loved the opportunity and really enjoyed this story.
Also, I LOVE BEAR! The whole time reading this, I kept thinking I want one.
The book is set in a somewhat dystopian future where the world has been destroyed by viruses, natural disasters, and the country is segregated between those that utilize AI and those that don't. A continuous war between factions of the country seems to be endless, but they've found way to wage war that limits direct human fatalities, targeting infrastructure and always avoiding humans. In this world, it seems animals and water are scarce. Despite this, it appears technology has continued forward and cities are advanced, controlled by AI systems that handle everything from taxi services to medical care.
The story follows a couple different characters - a nurse struggling with the balance of caring for patients while using glitching tech, a war veteran with PTSD and his service "animal", a "historian" who researches AI malfunction, and an officer who works with military AI drones and believes in their mission. These four characters somehow have their lives tangled together due to a series of AI system issues, each affecting them personally and pointing to larger problems in the world. As the story unfolds, the four main characters slowly circle closer and closer to each other while trying to trace the origin of the anomalies they've encountered.
The author built an interesting world, showing the good and the bad of technology. Even in the end, the moral wasn't to be a Luddite and reject technology, nor to put all your trust in "logical" systems. It showed the need for a strong balance of humanity, compassion, and evolving technology that could make life better, going so far as to make you feel empathetic towards some versions of artificial intelligence.
I struggled initially with all the acronyms - there were way too many unnecessary acronyms. So many I'd say they distracted you from the actual story, even if they were used as names. Sometimes you had to wait chapters to find out what they meant, which again, really was unnecessary. On the other hand, the author wrote a pretty complete world, showing the shiny city and the sometimes quite literal "dirty underbelly" and some of the acronyms were part of building that.
**Spoiler here*** I'll try to keep it vague, but near the end of the book, a new "character" gets its own chapter. This is an odd direction to take and one I really don't understand in the bigger story. It seems completely out of place, but I guess it was a way to update the status of one of the main characters while they are unconscious and possibly be a sign that it isn't too late to save the world.
While I have a few things that I questioned while reading, overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I'm going to add the other two books from this trilogy to my TBR list. I want more of BEAR. But, I also want to know more of what's happening. How the veterans on the outskirts survive, what is it the nurse's family was doing - it's a world I actively want to know more about. Solid 4 stars!
Also, I LOVE BEAR! The whole time reading this, I kept thinking I want one.
The book is set in a somewhat dystopian future where the world has been destroyed by viruses, natural disasters, and the country is segregated between those that utilize AI and those that don't. A continuous war between factions of the country seems to be endless, but they've found way to wage war that limits direct human fatalities, targeting infrastructure and always avoiding humans. In this world, it seems animals and water are scarce. Despite this, it appears technology has continued forward and cities are advanced, controlled by AI systems that handle everything from taxi services to medical care.
The story follows a couple different characters - a nurse struggling with the balance of caring for patients while using glitching tech, a war veteran with PTSD and his service "animal", a "historian" who researches AI malfunction, and an officer who works with military AI drones and believes in their mission. These four characters somehow have their lives tangled together due to a series of AI system issues, each affecting them personally and pointing to larger problems in the world. As the story unfolds, the four main characters slowly circle closer and closer to each other while trying to trace the origin of the anomalies they've encountered.
The author built an interesting world, showing the good and the bad of technology. Even in the end, the moral wasn't to be a Luddite and reject technology, nor to put all your trust in "logical" systems. It showed the need for a strong balance of humanity, compassion, and evolving technology that could make life better, going so far as to make you feel empathetic towards some versions of artificial intelligence.
I struggled initially with all the acronyms - there were way too many unnecessary acronyms. So many I'd say they distracted you from the actual story, even if they were used as names. Sometimes you had to wait chapters to find out what they meant, which again, really was unnecessary. On the other hand, the author wrote a pretty complete world, showing the shiny city and the sometimes quite literal "dirty underbelly" and some of the acronyms were part of building that.
**Spoiler here*** I'll try to keep it vague, but near the end of the book, a new "character" gets its own chapter. This is an odd direction to take and one I really don't understand in the bigger story. It seems completely out of place, but I guess it was a way to update the status of one of the main characters while they are unconscious and possibly be a sign that it isn't too late to save the world.
While I have a few things that I questioned while reading, overall, I very much enjoyed this book and I'm going to add the other two books from this trilogy to my TBR list. I want more of BEAR. But, I also want to know more of what's happening. How the veterans on the outskirts survive, what is it the nurse's family was doing - it's a world I actively want to know more about. Solid 4 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
'Funny thing about the world spinning out of control. You suddenly find that the gravity that pulls people together has gotten stronger.'
This quote perfectly sums up this beautiful book. I was initially drawn to it because speculative fiction is such a fascinating genre - I love sharing in other people's speculation! Also the tantalising phrase 'AI support animal' is an adorably mysterious concept that I HAD to know more about!
The author's writing style felt really unique, and it suited the story perfectly. The first few chapters were gripping: brief glimpses into the same morning through the eyes of four strangers. Teasing the reader with snippets about this new, mysterious world: I defy anyone to be able to put the book down for at least an hour after starting it! One of my absolute favourite things about the book is the way the author initially used minor details to begin to intersect the characters' lives, before they even knew each other: it was honestly a work of art.
The author has a serious talent for writing characters who could just walk right off the page. I don't think I've read a book where the people felt so real. Their individual strengths, frailties and values gave them an undeniable humanity. The fact that a core theme of the book is AI replacing and attempting to 'mimic' this very humanity makes her talent all the more meaningful.
The worldbuilding was flawless. So much detail and history created a fully imagined world. I was impressed with the how much information she managed to convey about the world itself, while still keeping the book very character-driven.
For me, a glossary at the start of the book, just listing all the AI acronyms and tech terms and what they meant, would have been really helpful. It would have made me feel fully on board when the characters were experiencing these new (to me) machines and services. I'm not very tech-minded so it would have been extra cool and immersive to be able to learn about it alongside experiencing the story.
Suffice to say, I am champing at the bit for book #2, and was genuinely devastated when I reached the last page. I raced through it because it's SO good, but now I miss the world and the characters so much!
I think anyone who enjoys stories with emotional depth and realism, and some thought-provoking sci fi, will absolutely love this book.
'Sometimes the most valuable things are impossible to see.'
This quote perfectly sums up this beautiful book. I was initially drawn to it because speculative fiction is such a fascinating genre - I love sharing in other people's speculation! Also the tantalising phrase 'AI support animal' is an adorably mysterious concept that I HAD to know more about!
The author's writing style felt really unique, and it suited the story perfectly. The first few chapters were gripping: brief glimpses into the same morning through the eyes of four strangers. Teasing the reader with snippets about this new, mysterious world: I defy anyone to be able to put the book down for at least an hour after starting it! One of my absolute favourite things about the book is the way the author initially used minor details to begin to intersect the characters' lives, before they even knew each other: it was honestly a work of art.
The author has a serious talent for writing characters who could just walk right off the page. I don't think I've read a book where the people felt so real. Their individual strengths, frailties and values gave them an undeniable humanity. The fact that a core theme of the book is AI replacing and attempting to 'mimic' this very humanity makes her talent all the more meaningful.
The worldbuilding was flawless. So much detail and history created a fully imagined world. I was impressed with the how much information she managed to convey about the world itself, while still keeping the book very character-driven.
For me, a glossary at the start of the book, just listing all the AI acronyms and tech terms and what they meant, would have been really helpful. It would have made me feel fully on board when the characters were experiencing these new (to me) machines and services. I'm not very tech-minded so it would have been extra cool and immersive to be able to learn about it alongside experiencing the story.
Suffice to say, I am champing at the bit for book #2, and was genuinely devastated when I reached the last page. I raced through it because it's SO good, but now I miss the world and the characters so much!
I think anyone who enjoys stories with emotional depth and realism, and some thought-provoking sci fi, will absolutely love this book.
'Sometimes the most valuable things are impossible to see.'
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are books you read, and then there are books that play out like a movie in your mind. The Things We Would Bear is the latter. Rachyl Moore's world-building is so precise, so immersive, that I never once had to work to picture where I was. The near-future she constructs — veterans faded from public memory, predictive AI systems quietly governing human lives, a glowing fiberoptic companion animal with a dying battery at the center of it all — felt fully realized in a way that debut fiction rarely achieves.
But what elevates this beyond just impressive craft is how much Moore is doing beneath the surface. This is a book that asks hard questions about the invisible weight we carry and rarely name. About what it means to stand by while something wrong unfolds, and how easy it is to construct a justification for it. About the lengths people go to fight for what they believe in, and how belief itself can become a convenient lens that distorts as much as it reveals. These themes don't announce themselves. They accumulate. By the end, you feel them.
The writing itself deserves its own mention. Moore uses sophisticated, precise language without ever tipping into pretension. Every sentence is doing something. The prose has a restrained quality that trusts the reader, which is rarer than it should be.
Four interwoven perspectives could easily become unwieldy, but Moore handles the structure with confidence. Each voice is distinct, each carrying a different piece of the ethical puzzle the story is quietly assembling.
A genuinely exceptional debut. I'll be reading everything that follows.
ARC gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review.
But what elevates this beyond just impressive craft is how much Moore is doing beneath the surface. This is a book that asks hard questions about the invisible weight we carry and rarely name. About what it means to stand by while something wrong unfolds, and how easy it is to construct a justification for it. About the lengths people go to fight for what they believe in, and how belief itself can become a convenient lens that distorts as much as it reveals. These themes don't announce themselves. They accumulate. By the end, you feel them.
The writing itself deserves its own mention. Moore uses sophisticated, precise language without ever tipping into pretension. Every sentence is doing something. The prose has a restrained quality that trusts the reader, which is rarer than it should be.
Four interwoven perspectives could easily become unwieldy, but Moore handles the structure with confidence. Each voice is distinct, each carrying a different piece of the ethical puzzle the story is quietly assembling.
A genuinely exceptional debut. I'll be reading everything that follows.
ARC gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book introduces a world where memory and technology are dangerously intertwined. We follow a group of individuals, some searching for the truth and others trying to protect it, as they navigate a society where recorded history can be altered or erased. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of what remains of our humanity when the facts of our lives are no longer certain.
Going into this, I knew it wasn’t exactly my usual genre, but I was genuinely curious and I’m really glad I gave it a chance.
It’s a story that asks a lot of the reader and I found that I needed to slow down and really focus to appreciate the intricate world-building and technical layers the author has created.
While the middle of the book felt a bit complex at times, the payoff was worth it.
What resonated with me most was the struggle between digital records and emotional truth. Even when memories are manipulated, the "heart" of the experience remains, which made the story feel deeply personal despite its sci-fi setting.
The characters felt incredibly real to me because of their flaws; they carry so much weight and make mistakes that feel very human. The ending was quiet and reflective rather than explosive, which I actually preferred, it gave me space to sit with my thoughts long after I finished.
Thank you so much Rachyl Moore and Book Funnel for providing me with this advanced copy of the book! 💌
Releases 05/15!!
Going into this, I knew it wasn’t exactly my usual genre, but I was genuinely curious and I’m really glad I gave it a chance.
It’s a story that asks a lot of the reader and I found that I needed to slow down and really focus to appreciate the intricate world-building and technical layers the author has created.
While the middle of the book felt a bit complex at times, the payoff was worth it.
What resonated with me most was the struggle between digital records and emotional truth. Even when memories are manipulated, the "heart" of the experience remains, which made the story feel deeply personal despite its sci-fi setting.
The characters felt incredibly real to me because of their flaws; they carry so much weight and make mistakes that feel very human. The ending was quiet and reflective rather than explosive, which I actually preferred, it gave me space to sit with my thoughts long after I finished.
Thank you so much Rachyl Moore and Book Funnel for providing me with this advanced copy of the book! 💌
Releases 05/15!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Arc obtained from net galley
3.5 rounded up
This was a very nice read and honestly reflects heavily on the times we are living in and how we could end up like in years. This is a dystopian story about how AI has taken over huge portions of the world in every aspect and the story gets told from multiple povs. I liked the way the multiple povs showed us different ways on how the society has been affected and multiple stances on the benefits as well as the negatives of that. The dynamics between the characters were so nice to watch them develop through the book and without spoiling anything but how some of them were healing made it so much more I only had two issues with the book, one being the amount of acronyms used that weren’t explained till later on which made some things confusing to understand and would’ve been easily avoided with a glossary. Secondly, at first the writing style wasn’t my favorite for the first chapter with rlly short sentences some even containing just a word or two, but then through reading the book it become more of a state of mind where the writing defers depending on the pov as well as the high stress of the situation. Overall I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out as I’ll be continuing and call me delusional but there’s a ship i’m rooting for
3.5 rounded up
This was a very nice read and honestly reflects heavily on the times we are living in and how we could end up like in years. This is a dystopian story about how AI has taken over huge portions of the world in every aspect and the story gets told from multiple povs. I liked the way the multiple povs showed us different ways on how the society has been affected and multiple stances on the benefits as well as the negatives of that. The dynamics between the characters were so nice to watch them develop through the book and without spoiling anything but how some of them were healing made it so much more I only had two issues with the book, one being the amount of acronyms used that weren’t explained till later on which made some things confusing to understand and would’ve been easily avoided with a glossary. Secondly, at first the writing style wasn’t my favorite for the first chapter with rlly short sentences some even containing just a word or two, but then through reading the book it become more of a state of mind where the writing defers depending on the pov as well as the high stress of the situation. Overall I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out as I’ll be continuing and call me delusional but there’s a ship i’m rooting for
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn’t expect to get emotionally attached to an AI… but this book proved me wrong.
The Things We Would Bear is a near-future speculative story that feels both believable and a little unsettling in the best way. The premise is simple—humans have largely been replaced by advanced systems, and veterans like Leo are left on the margins with AI companions. But Leo’s companion, Bear, is different… and that difference is where the story really shines.
What surprised me most was how quickly I became attached to Bear. Logically, I knew he was AI—but because Leo depended on him so deeply, it made that connection feel real. And that’s what this book does so well: it quietly blurs the line between machine and human emotion without ever feeling heavy-handed.
It’s a quick, accessible read, but it still leaves you with big questions: What makes something “real”?
Is emotional connection enough?
And how far are we willing to go with AI as it becomes more integrated into our lives?
I finished this feeling a little conflicted—in a good way. It made me think about the role AI already plays in our world and where we might be headed next.
If you enjoy near-future speculative fiction that’s thought-provoking but easy to read, I’d definitely recommend this one.
(ARC read — releases in May)
The Things We Would Bear is a near-future speculative story that feels both believable and a little unsettling in the best way. The premise is simple—humans have largely been replaced by advanced systems, and veterans like Leo are left on the margins with AI companions. But Leo’s companion, Bear, is different… and that difference is where the story really shines.
What surprised me most was how quickly I became attached to Bear. Logically, I knew he was AI—but because Leo depended on him so deeply, it made that connection feel real. And that’s what this book does so well: it quietly blurs the line between machine and human emotion without ever feeling heavy-handed.
It’s a quick, accessible read, but it still leaves you with big questions: What makes something “real”?
Is emotional connection enough?
And how far are we willing to go with AI as it becomes more integrated into our lives?
I finished this feeling a little conflicted—in a good way. It made me think about the role AI already plays in our world and where we might be headed next.
If you enjoy near-future speculative fiction that’s thought-provoking but easy to read, I’d definitely recommend this one.
(ARC read — releases in May)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Read this book as an advance cope and was 5-star! The plot, the characters, the BEAR, all were incredible. I can’t wait to read book number 2. The book tells the stories interweaving the four main characters Odessa, Mina, Rowan, and Leo. Each character is special with their unique back stories and courage and hopes. Truly enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In-depth review to come—but for now, I’ll just say this: everyone should read this book.
It’s a chilling reflection of the world we live in today and a haunting glimpse of what our near future could easily become.
It’s a chilling reflection of the world we live in today and a haunting glimpse of what our near future could easily become.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Rachyl Moore for sending me an ARC of The Things We Would Bear. She has written several short stories, novellas, and poetry but this is her first, full length novel and the first book in The Bear Trilogy.
This book was incredible. The physical ARC comes in at 458 pages and I never lost interest at a single point in this book. The pacing, character and world development, and the compulsively addictive story will have readers finding it nearly impossible to put down. I was so mad when I finished the book because I wasn’t ready to put it down, I wanted to see what would happen next.
The book is centered around the lives of four characters that couldn’t be more different, yet they find a way to come together to work toward restoring stolen memories and fight to stop corruption in an already partially destroyed world. The Things We Would Bear focuses on when something good is developed by good people to help others, but is stolen and manipulated into something harmful by horrific, power hungry, controlling Congressional Assembly. The parallels of life in 2026 and life in 2070 (in the book) are not easy to ignore and should be distressing to everyone.
The book takes place in 2070 when AI has all put taken over everything in the world. From providing medical treatment in hospitals, filling the role of support companions for soldiers struggling with PTSD, and more. The less you know going into the book, the more impactful the reading experience will be. I found it quite interesting to learn about things at the same time the characters were, especially because for several chapters in the book, I was confused on what was going on. At no point did the confusion draw me out of the story, rather it kept me wanting to read more in hopes of figuring things out.
The chapters are short and are told from the various characters perspectives. This book is the first book in a trilogy – therefore, you should know that resolution is not going to be found at the end of this particular book. I am already scheming a way to get my hands on book two despite this book having not even been published yet.
My only criticism of the book is that it would have benefitting from having a glossary of the many acronyms used. I found myself able to guess or later figure out what some of the acronyms meant, but I would have enjoyed having a glossary in the back of the book I could flip to. Otherwise, this book is PERFECT.
“I guess in the end we had to decide if the life we wanted was worth the things we would bear”.
Short Video Review:
https://www.instagram.com/read_with_b...
This book was incredible. The physical ARC comes in at 458 pages and I never lost interest at a single point in this book. The pacing, character and world development, and the compulsively addictive story will have readers finding it nearly impossible to put down. I was so mad when I finished the book because I wasn’t ready to put it down, I wanted to see what would happen next.
The book is centered around the lives of four characters that couldn’t be more different, yet they find a way to come together to work toward restoring stolen memories and fight to stop corruption in an already partially destroyed world. The Things We Would Bear focuses on when something good is developed by good people to help others, but is stolen and manipulated into something harmful by horrific, power hungry, controlling Congressional Assembly. The parallels of life in 2026 and life in 2070 (in the book) are not easy to ignore and should be distressing to everyone.
The book takes place in 2070 when AI has all put taken over everything in the world. From providing medical treatment in hospitals, filling the role of support companions for soldiers struggling with PTSD, and more. The less you know going into the book, the more impactful the reading experience will be. I found it quite interesting to learn about things at the same time the characters were, especially because for several chapters in the book, I was confused on what was going on. At no point did the confusion draw me out of the story, rather it kept me wanting to read more in hopes of figuring things out.
The chapters are short and are told from the various characters perspectives. This book is the first book in a trilogy – therefore, you should know that resolution is not going to be found at the end of this particular book. I am already scheming a way to get my hands on book two despite this book having not even been published yet.
My only criticism of the book is that it would have benefitting from having a glossary of the many acronyms used. I found myself able to guess or later figure out what some of the acronyms meant, but I would have enjoyed having a glossary in the back of the book I could flip to. Otherwise, this book is PERFECT.
“I guess in the end we had to decide if the life we wanted was worth the things we would bear”.
Short Video Review:
https://www.instagram.com/read_with_b...
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