Neands

by Dan Salmon

What if evolution got it wrong and the human race was threatened at the very core of its DNA? Charlie (14) is living in a time when a strange virus is affection sections of the Homosapien race. They are becoming more hostile, more aggressive. It seems there is a throwback to the Neand gene that is being transmitted by a virus and altering people’s DNA.

As his parents, schoolmates, friends and authority figures succumb to the virus or disappear, Charlie and his friends undertake a dangerous journey to find some answers.

Genres: Survival

495 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the other reviews I've just read, I thought this book definitely deserved the 5 stars I've given it. I agree that the binding makes this book hard to read, being tight and the book very heavy. The contents are great. Three teenagers bewildered and extremely frightened by the absolutely catastrophic changes occurring in the world all around them.
This story has everything- excitement, mystery, cruelty, violence, bewilderment, abject terror, betrayal by authority, love, trust, moments of happiness, and at the end hope. Reading this from the point of view of a middle aged female, I found the fact the teens not asking questions, or not the right questions forcefully enough, highly irritating. Despite that it was exciting and I'm sure anyone from young teens up will find this book enlightening and possibly fearful for the future of current life forms on this earth because of global warming and polar ice melt.
Don't be put off, it's a good read and I will be reading the next installment.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Found the font type difficult to read, the binding very tight and quite a few typographical errors.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Neands not really knowing what to expect, but I came out of it genuinely impressed and a little unsettled in a good way. The idea that a virus could trigger some kind of genetic throwback to Neanderthal traits is both creative and frightening, especially because it doesn’t feel completely impossible in today’s world. Following Charlie as everything around him starts to fall apart was intense. You really feel his confusion and fear as the adults in his life either disappear or become unrecognizable.

What stood out most to me was the emotional weight behind the story. It’s not just about survival it’s about trust, loss, and trying to hold onto your humanity when the world is losing its own. There were moments where I felt frustrated with the characters, especially when they didn’t ask obvious questions, but at the same time, they’re teenagers in a collapsing world, so it felt realistic in a strange way.

I’ll admit, the physical book itself wasn’t the easiest to handle the binding is tight and made it uncomfortable to read at times but the story carried me through that. Overall, it’s a gripping and thought-provoking read that blends science fiction with real emotional depth. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment.

[Barry Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that completely pulled me in and didn’t let go. From the very beginning, there’s this sense that something is wrong, and it just keeps building. The transformation of people both physically and mentally is described in a way that feels disturbingly believable.

Charlie is a strong protagonist, and I appreciated how human he felt. He’s scared, confused, and sometimes unsure of what to do, which made his journey all the more relatable. The relationships he builds along the way add emotional depth to the story and provide moments of warmth in an otherwise bleak setting.

There are definitely some darker themes here, including violence and difficult situations, but they’re handled in a way that adds to the realism of the story rather than feeling unnecessary. Overall, it’s a powerful and engaging read that I would recommend to both teens and adults.

[Link · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I did not enjoy this book at all.
The binding, typography and plastic paper used, make it physically difficult to read. Along with the slew of grammar, language and spelling errors, I had to force myself to the end.
The relationship between Pru and Charlie felt pedophilic, where 14 year olds discussed sex, condoms and made moves that were way to mature for their age.
It seems like a novel for younger audiences, yet when topics such as suicide and sexual assault are depicted, I was left confused.
It is also never explicitly stated when the events of the novel are occurring, we learn from context clues that it is set in the future, but by how many years. 2? 200? no clue.
It is a good concept. just poorly executed.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting concept - some humans are changing. Not like puberty, but at a more fundamental level. People are starting to take on a more Neanderthal appearance - with behaviour to match.

There are some who believe that somehow a virus is somehow the reason for the changes. But why? How?

Charlie isn’t changing. His scientist dad has paid the ultimate price for investigating what might be happening - and then his mum goes missing.

When an old friend of his mum’s appears, he is suspicious of her motives but he has few choices so he joins her, her husband and two girls who she has also taken in. Together they have to try and work out what on earth is happening.

This is a great concept, and I enjoyed the read. But it was probably 100 pages too long to appeal to a large audience (certainly in my library) and the editing left a bit to be desired!

[Tyson Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes Neands stand out is how unsettling it feels without relying on over-the-top horror. The changes happening to people are gradual, which somehow makes them more disturbing. Watching society unravel piece by piece, through the eyes of a teenager, gives the story a very grounded and personal feel.

I found myself constantly thinking about how I would react in Charlie’s situation. The loss of structure, the uncertainty, the fear of who might change next it all feels very real. The mystery element is strong, even if not every question gets a satisfying answer right away.

There are some flaws, particularly with editing and pacing, but the originality of the concept and the emotional tension make up for it. It’s one of those books that sticks with you after you finish it.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the concept is fantastic. A virus that triggers ancient DNA and changes human behavior is such a compelling idea, and it’s what drew me in initially. On the other hand, I struggled to stay fully engaged throughout the story.

The pacing felt uneven, with certain parts dragging more than necessary. I also found it hard to connect deeply with some of the characters, even though their situation was clearly intense. I kept waiting for the story to really grab me emotionally, but it only did in brief moments.

That said, I do think there’s potential here, especially as part of a series. The groundwork is interesting, and I’d be curious to see how the story develops in future books.

[Tim Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book. There’s a constant sense of tension, like something bad is always just around the corner. The idea of people reverting to a more primitive state is explored in a way that feels both creative and unsettling.

The story does take its time, and at points it felt a little drawn out, but I didn’t mind too much because I was invested in what was happening. The mystery behind the virus is intriguing, and I liked that it wasn’t all explained right away.

The characters, especially the group of teens, are likable and easy to root for. Their interactions felt natural, and their bond added an emotional layer to the story. Overall, a solid read with a lot of potential.

[Collins Gregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It combines science fiction, survival, and emotional storytelling in a way that feels fresh and engaging. The premise is unique, but it’s the execution the slow unraveling of the world, the tension, the relationships that really makes it work.

There were several moments where I felt genuinely anxious for the characters, which is always a sign that a book has pulled me in. The sense of danger is constant, but it’s balanced with moments of connection and hope.

It’s not often that a book leaves me eager for the next installment, but this one definitely did. I’m excited to see where the story goes from here.

[Emily Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I found Neands to be an interesting and thought-provoking read. The premise alone is enough to draw you in, but it’s the slow buildup of tension and the focus on human behavior that keeps you engaged.

I liked that the story didn’t try to answer everything right away. It leaves you with questions, which makes the world feel bigger and more complex. The ending works well as both a stopping point and a setup for what’s to come.

It’s not without its flaw some pacing issues and editing concerns but it’s still a solid entry into YA science fiction, and I’m curious to see how the series develops

[Collins Adrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a really strong idea at its core, but the execution didn’t fully work for me. I found myself interested in the concept more than the actual story at times. The pacing was a bit slow, and I struggled to stay engaged during certain sections.

That said, there are moments where the story really shines particularly when it focuses on the changes happening to people and the impact on society. Those parts are genuinely unsettling and thought-provoking.

I think readers who enjoy speculative fiction will still find something to appreciate here, even if it’s not a perfect read.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good read. I wasn’t sure how the concept would play out, but it ended up being quite engaging. The idea of a virus affecting human DNA in such a dramatic way is both fascinating and a little terrifying.

The story is driven more by atmosphere and tension than fast-paced action, which I actually appreciated. It gives you time to really think about what’s happening and how it affects the characters.

The physical book could definitely be improved the binding made it a bit difficult to read comfortably but the story itself is worth the effort.

[Viki Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this was a fascinating concept, and an ok execution. The majority of the human race is reverting to Neanderthal; and this story bases itself around one of my favourite tropes: assimilation/we are everywhere. But the story just wasn't that compelling, and the focus on the YA protagonists just didn't gel for me.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book but I did and I am looking forward to the second book in the series. It was a bit drawn out at times but the characters were likable and there was a great sense of mystery and suspense throughout the story

I agree with the other reviews that the binding was too tight which made it difficult to read.
CW: violence, sexual assault

[Louise Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written, and the premise is original and clever. The characters are engaging—particularly the young protagonist, and the story rips along at a good pace.
I recommend this book for young teens and up. Looking forward to reading book two in the series.

[Veronica Huntington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Loved the NZ references (although there were surprisingly few). I liked the way the ending was a clear stopping point even though it was obvious that a sequel was coming. Looking forward to further books by this author and will be recommending this book to my teenager.