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The Human Inside

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In the 22nd century, the world is undergoing a change bordering towards a complete dystopian setting. A special group of cybernetically enhanced young adults known as amborgs has been released into the public hoping to turn things around for a better environment for many innocent people. Following the exploits of one particular boy in their ranks, their actions will be tested in their experiences as an evolved form of humanity. But there aren’t enough of them and an enemy lurks in the shadows, making preparations to see that they fail the people they were built to save. Are you ready? 

612 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2019

2 people are currently reading
10 people want to read

About the author

Y.T. Cheng

6 books3 followers
Yee-Ron Ted Cheng is a writer from Davis, California. Science fiction, action/adventure, and humorous comedic short stories are how he attracts readers from all over the world.

The Human Inside novels are his debut series. If you like stories about superheroes, the future, and would like to know more about the kind of future he envisions, please consider reading a copy! Available on Amazon KDP.

He is a former member of the Air Force, has worked many types of jobs, and has plenty of life experiences that inspire and translate into his writing style. When he isn't writing, he's cosplaying, practicing his art skills, watching movies and tv shows for creativity boosts, and spending time relaxing at home.

He currently resides in Portland, Oregon and continues dreaming of the next big adventure that he wishes to share with all of you!

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Seraphia Bunny.
2,111 reviews34 followers
May 15, 2019
The Human Inside by Y.T. Cheng is a fascinating science fiction novel that takes the reader a hundred years plus into the future. A scientist has painstakingly made the leap of melding humans with cybernetic components to make them amborgs. The results have been mixed. Not all who joined/volunteered for the program survived, but though they are gone they are not forgotten. The amborgs are used by the local police and military to aid in what the world has degenerated into...chaos ruled by gangs who wish to kill all they can. Many believe that the amborgs are at the top of the hierarchy and there is one who wishes to bring them down and show that they are not what they seem.
I'll be the first to admit that when I read the blurb for this book I was excited to dive in and see where the author would take me. I hate to say it, but I was disappointed in the beginning. The author doesn't' start the story how I thought he would. I was expecting drama, thrills, and tons of excitement to kick in shortly after the beginning. That being said! This story DOES start out slow...but hang in there! It gets really good and becomes hard to put down. This story is told not from a first-person perspective but like you are reading a file/watching a video of what happened a few years prior to present day in the story. Basically, this story flips back and forth between "current present day" and when the story actually took place. The characters are engaging, though I do find some of their interactions to be odd. They have to work to regain their emotions and quirks but it seems like some achieve this a lot faster than the others.
I will admit that this book has quite a few errors throughout it. Some are distracting, but others aren't so much so. There are also some plot holes that I wish that the author had filled. A couple is when it is revealed that a certain character dies, but it never is touched upon in the story. I wanted to know when exactly it happens and what leads up to it in its totality.
Overall, this is an engaging story once it gets in gear. This book is a mix of dystopian and science fiction and overall the author did a good job creating this novel. If you are someone who enjoys dystopian science fiction, characters who have to beat the odds to succeed and a bad guy with a major ax to grind then this is a good book to pick up. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I'm taking off half a star for the editorial errors, but this story is really good despite those errors.
3,270 reviews35 followers
May 6, 2019
A117-The Human Inside by Y.T.Cheng was a dystopian novel taking place a little more than 100 years from now. There were many characters, most of whom were cybernetically enhanced humans. What does that mean? Have human, have robot, and almost entirely indestructible. The world is at war. It is pretty much a good vs. evil kind of war with gangs fighting to take over. The amborgs (the robots/humans) were being deployed against the gangs to help police and soldiers. One of the many problems is that it was difficult to know who was on which side. Another of the battles waging was of the amborgs to regain some of their humanity.

The Human Inside is not a book I would typically choose to read although there certainly some endearing moments and great characters, both human and amborg. One issue that should be addressed is the lack of a good proofreader. Many, many errors plagued it so that it became difficult to read. Another issue is its length. Some judicious editing would not go awry. It was a very convoluted story, difficult to follow at some points. Difficult to care at many points. I gave it a recommendation with many reservations.

I received a free ARC of The Human Inside. All statements and opinions contained herein are my own.
Profile Image for Nicole.
700 reviews
May 5, 2019
Y.T. Cheng’s The Human Inside provides a thought-provoking take and introspective into the makings of what makes a human ‘human’. Focusing primarily on David 117, Cheng explores the rediscovery of humanity for his amborgs in a fresh and unique story. The world he creates is almost as interesting as the characters he provides, and serves as a perfect background for the issues they face, allowing for a full exploration into the development of his characters. Probably the best part of this novel is the seemingly effortless and intriguing chemistry that Cheng is able to create between the characters. Well written, and recommended to fans of the genre.
5 reviews
May 3, 2019
The only reason this book isn't getting 5 stars from me is because I felt that it needed to be proof-read a little more thoroughly. Having said that, I really liked the dystopian setting and the way the author developed the characters. I also liked the way that the time line was written. It kind of goes back and forth and gives different character perspectives instead of just sticking to one person. I don't normally read a lot of sci-fi but this one kept me entertained.
4 reviews
December 22, 2017
Futuristic setting. Check. Dystopian images. Check. Cybernetic organisms. Check. Fantastic story with interesting characters. Oh, definitely check. This book has everything that a true sci fi fan looks for and more. With the creation of the 22nd century as he sees it, Y.T. Cheng has entered the sci fi world with a strong first novel. While, Cheng admits on the back cover that this book was written as a side project while he was attending college, he has produced an adventure that is worth the read. I found the story arc to be fascinating and different from the usual books that incorporate similar plot devices, but there were still hints of many genre greats. I think readers who enjoy the work of writers like Isaac Asimov, William Gibson and Phillip K. Dick, will find elements of The Human Inside that will keep them turning the pages.

While I personally enjoyed it because of its science fiction connections, Cheng finds a way to surprise readers by incorporating literary devices typically associated with the genres of romance or comedy. This all plays well with the plot that focuses on a doctor from Amborg Industries, the creation of half human/half cyborg young adults, referred to as Amborgs. The Amborgs are used to assist law enforcement in restoring order in the dystopian future. With the twists and turns provided by Cheng’s thrilling adventure, the reader is left turning page after page as fast as they can to find out if the Amborgs will be able to succeed in saving humanity from its less ethical members.

This book is a great read and a lot of fun. I think it would be perfect for anyone looking to escape from reality 500-plus pages. I think it is obviously an enjoyable read for any fans of science fiction, but I also think people who don’t typically pick up books from the genre could find a lot to like in the pages of The Human Inside. I’d recommend this book to anyone just looking for a good adventure and a fun read.
Profile Image for J.D. DeHart.
Author 9 books46 followers
October 14, 2017
Author Y.T. Cheng offers a science fiction opus in The Human Inside. This is no slim volume or sallow story; there are rich details here that span many pages for the reader, making the cost of this book worth the price of admission.

The story bounces along as we get to know the characters through their dialogue and actions, and the science fiction heart of the story is established early on. Fans of authors like Isaac Asimov and Daniel H. Wilson will be right at home in this story. I also detected shades of Brave New World.

The book also plays familiar sounds for readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, and I will say I found the concepts to be quite creative and engaging - this a brand of story that I often enjoy and seek out, even when I am just reading for pleasure and not for review purposes. What is more, I found the story to be effective right up the end.

Cheng is a voice I hope to find in some major magazines soon, as well as in other science fiction novels. I think there is a wealth of imagination to explore from this author.
Profile Image for Eitan David.
26 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2019
A couple hundred years from now in a distopian future, after a third world war, Amborg Industries has been collection orphan teens from the street and cybernetically enhancing them, turning them into super heroes.

But while they protect and serve humanity they must come to grips with who and what they are, what makes someone human, and at what point do you become something else?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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