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Almost Human: Discovery
Choices. Thoughts. Opinions. Passions. These are what make us human. so, what if these things were taken from us? What would we be?
ALMOST HUMAN
The controlling and secretive New American Government has created a series of perfectly compliant, genetically modified human soldiers. Emotion, independent thought and all forms of communication are forbidden. Their only purpose is to obey.
Used as a pawn in somebody else's escape plan, Edel finds herself with unexpected freedom. She has been taught everything she needs to survive- except how to be human.
Danny is one of Harpton Main's rich elite, but beneath the shiny surface of his perfect world lies a dangerous secret, frequent bouts of uncontrollable rage, and endless questions about his origins.
A chance encounter with Edel raises more questions than answers, and Danny will stop at nothing to discover the truth about himself.
ALMOST HUMAN
The controlling and secretive New American Government has created a series of perfectly compliant, genetically modified human soldiers. Emotion, independent thought and all forms of communication are forbidden. Their only purpose is to obey.
Used as a pawn in somebody else's escape plan, Edel finds herself with unexpected freedom. She has been taught everything she needs to survive- except how to be human.
Danny is one of Harpton Main's rich elite, but beneath the shiny surface of his perfect world lies a dangerous secret, frequent bouts of uncontrollable rage, and endless questions about his origins.
A chance encounter with Edel raises more questions than answers, and Danny will stop at nothing to discover the truth about himself.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2021
6 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
November 22, 2022
The Government was experimenting and secretly producing human machines. This was exposed when a handful escaped and ventured into the real world. Story follows Edel and her difficulties adapting to her new surroundings, a totally different way of life and everything that comes with it, all of which she really struggles with. An encounter with one of her own throws her thoughts and feelings into chaos with uncontrollable consequences.
This author has a fantastic imagination that has produced a unique and refreshing storyline that keeps you so engrossed. The descriptions of everything, especially the meltdowns and feelings experienced by Edel, being unaccustomed to the sudden freedom and choices in life, draw you right so you totally understand what the characters are going through. It's a captivating read, full of drama, keeps a great pace and I really love Edel's character. Next book is a must read!
This author has a fantastic imagination that has produced a unique and refreshing storyline that keeps you so engrossed. The descriptions of everything, especially the meltdowns and feelings experienced by Edel, being unaccustomed to the sudden freedom and choices in life, draw you right so you totally understand what the characters are going through. It's a captivating read, full of drama, keeps a great pace and I really love Edel's character. Next book is a must read!
August 25, 2025
Loved this
I've had this on my TBR a while, the blurb gave me serious Dark Angel vibes, and I couldnt wait to get into it. Set in the future in a two tiered society, of legitimate and illegal immigrant 'cashers' we learn that genetically modified humans have escaped from a government lab and pose a significant risk to the general public.
Human Jay unknowingly finds himself in the company of one after she saves him one night and he takes her home.
This story was both riveting and heartbreaking as we learn about Edels past at the PolyGen facility, and watch as she navigates new feelings, inbuilt fears, new human experiences and her interactions with another like is like herself but not quite.
My heart goes out to Jay, who just wanted to help her. The author does such a great job of allowing you into each characters psyche to the point you really feel for them. That cliffhanger too! I thoroughly enjoyed, its a must read!
I've had this on my TBR a while, the blurb gave me serious Dark Angel vibes, and I couldnt wait to get into it. Set in the future in a two tiered society, of legitimate and illegal immigrant 'cashers' we learn that genetically modified humans have escaped from a government lab and pose a significant risk to the general public.
Human Jay unknowingly finds himself in the company of one after she saves him one night and he takes her home.
This story was both riveting and heartbreaking as we learn about Edels past at the PolyGen facility, and watch as she navigates new feelings, inbuilt fears, new human experiences and her interactions with another like is like herself but not quite.
My heart goes out to Jay, who just wanted to help her. The author does such a great job of allowing you into each characters psyche to the point you really feel for them. That cliffhanger too! I thoroughly enjoyed, its a must read!
April 29, 2023
A gripping dystopian story!
Almost Human Discovery Book 1
Set in the future, Almost Human Discovery Book 1 drags you into a world where the US government has secretly been experimenting in the hopes to create the ultimate human who will obey without question.
A planned breakout then takes you on an explosive journey with Edel and Danny at the forefront.
Edel is trained to obey and struggles with her newfound freedom. Danny adopted as a baby knows he is different but doesn’t understand why.
This dystopian story is fast-paced and very well-written with great characters.
This is a must-read for all you dystopian fans out there!
Almost Human Discovery Book 1
Set in the future, Almost Human Discovery Book 1 drags you into a world where the US government has secretly been experimenting in the hopes to create the ultimate human who will obey without question.
A planned breakout then takes you on an explosive journey with Edel and Danny at the forefront.
Edel is trained to obey and struggles with her newfound freedom. Danny adopted as a baby knows he is different but doesn’t understand why.
This dystopian story is fast-paced and very well-written with great characters.
This is a must-read for all you dystopian fans out there!
July 20, 2021
Being human is hard.
It's even harder when you were genetically altered to be an instrument of war, and when you're being stalked by a young rogue, desperate for his own answers.
The individual stories of Edel and Danny and how their lives intersect is a serious page-turner. It is a joy to read not just once, but over again, as you find new levels with each reading. The depth of this book alone makes you reflect on what it actually means to be human.
Using imagery and excellent narration, Reverie shows the reader both Edel's and Danny's inner and outer struggles. The reader moves back and forth between the characters with ease as the story unfolds and their paths collide. The reader gains compassion for both characters while building a deep hatred for overbearing governments and war.
This is a raw look at what happens when governments look inside themselves too much and leave their people behind. This is what happens when possessions become so important that people are no longer sentient beings, but a means to an end. It is a real look at what it means to struggle with not fitting into society. It would be alarming if you didn't feel something at the end of this book. Highly recommended.
It's even harder when you were genetically altered to be an instrument of war, and when you're being stalked by a young rogue, desperate for his own answers.
The individual stories of Edel and Danny and how their lives intersect is a serious page-turner. It is a joy to read not just once, but over again, as you find new levels with each reading. The depth of this book alone makes you reflect on what it actually means to be human.
Using imagery and excellent narration, Reverie shows the reader both Edel's and Danny's inner and outer struggles. The reader moves back and forth between the characters with ease as the story unfolds and their paths collide. The reader gains compassion for both characters while building a deep hatred for overbearing governments and war.
This is a raw look at what happens when governments look inside themselves too much and leave their people behind. This is what happens when possessions become so important that people are no longer sentient beings, but a means to an end. It is a real look at what it means to struggle with not fitting into society. It would be alarming if you didn't feel something at the end of this book. Highly recommended.
August 10, 2021
Recommended by Jessica Russell and I finished it before she did. I won't do a spoiler. LOL. But it was really weird and different and I'm glad I read it. Five Stars!
August 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Review for 'Almost Human' by Ashleigh Reverie.
Read and reviewed for Ashleigh Reverie.
Publication date 8th February 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
This novel consists of a prologue and 29 chapters. The chapters are a mixture of length ranging from short to medium and some long in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in third person perspective with the protagonists being Jay, Edel, Frank, Danny and Gemma. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Almost Human' discusses some topics that may trigger or upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Ashleigh discusses/includes murder of babies.
OMG!!! WELL THAT WAS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING AT ALL!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK AND WHAT AN ENDING!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really put you in the storyline, feeling the hair on your arms raise and putting you on the edge of your seat!!!
As previously mentioned this book was not what I expected when I read the synopsis. I was expecting there to be alot more scifi. Now, I must admit I am not a massive fan of scifi but I'm an eclectic reader and will give most books a try. I would say this book is more dystopia than scifi so if you are a dystopia fan and not a Sci fi fan please give this book a read. Trust me, you really won't regret it!! In fact, it doesn't matter what genre you like to read give it a read!!!
The prologue is extremely hard to read and I have found that since I have become a mother I struggle even more to anything that talks about the death of babies/toddlers/children. If you think you wouldn't be able to read this then my advice is just to skip the prologue rather than miss out on the whole book. There is another part later in the book thay you may also want to skip over, it was heartbreaking to read but you kind of get an idea on what is about to happen so when you get to it just skip a few sentences.
This book is, basically, about the fact that several human experiments have escaped from what is essentially a government funded torture station. The government warns people that these experiments are dangerous and to hand them in. Now, while, these "experiments" can become dangerous during meltdowns and struggle with society they are not as bad as the government makes out. In fact, the descriptions of how they felt sounded very similar to autistic traits and made me have more of an understanding with what goes on in the mind of someone who has autism in regards to lots of sounds, lights, etc. Whether Ashleigh intended to do this I am not sure but regardless of whether it was intentional or not I actually thought it was absolutely fantastic! Anyway, on with explaining the storyline a bit. I am trying not to say too much as I don't want to give too much away but it is scarily realistic in some areas such as the way immigrants and other races are treated in the future and it wouldn't shock me at all if the world did come to this. There are basically 2 different parts of New America. There is the legitimate part where people are in higher paid roles, can live, work, shop, etc as they wish. They all have homes as we do and can walk around freely. Then there are the cashers who are not allowed ID's meaning they cannot access bank cards, online and live in homes that sometimes have no gas and electric or no water or live in the slums. These are mainly immigrants and those from different races. That is the setting of the storyline.
Moving on to the characters. Again, I'll try not to give too much away. The main books starts with Jay who is struggling with the anniversary of his girlfriends death. I really liked Jay and thought he had a heart of gold. He is going through a rough patch when he comes to the aid of one of Edel. Later we meet Danny who is one of the richest elites and his girlfriend Gemma who is a casher. Everything explodes when the lives of these characters all collide and you get taken on a rollercoaster ride of love, heartbreak, twists, tension, suspense, horror and so, so much more!!! I will admit that the codes in the beginning were confusing and I was worried this was going to continue throughout the storyline but I needn't have worried as they weren't used as often as I thought they may be.
The ending was an absolutely explosive twist that I did not see coming at all. What an shocking cliff hanger!!! I was genuinely gobsmacked and I really cannot wait to get hooked into book 2 'Almost Human: Evolution'.
This is one of the BEST dystopia novels I have ever read and certainly the Best In about 5 years!!!! This book really is a true page turner that I picked up this morning and could not put it down until I finished!!!
Well done Ashleigh on an absolutely fantastic succeess and here is to what is guaranteed to be many more 🥂
Overall a heart racing, page turning and explosive dystopian must read!!!
Genres covered in this book include Genetic Engineering Science Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Genetic Engineering Fiction, Dystopian and Science Fiction amongst others.
359 pages
This book is just £3.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Almost Human#Bookouture #AshleighReverie #BookReview #BlogTour
@AlmostHuman @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @AshleighReverie
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
November 18, 2022
The Government was experimenting and secretly producing human machines. This was exposed when a handful escaped and ventured into the real world. Story follows Edel and her difficulties adapting to her new surroundings, a totally different way of life and everything that comes with it, all of which she really struggles with. An encounter with one of her own throws her thoughts and feelings into chaos with uncontrollable consequences.
This author has a fantastic imagination that has produced a unique and refreshing storyline that keeps you so engrossed. The descriptions of everything, especially the meltdowns and feelings experienced by Edel, being unaccustomed to the sudden freedom and choices in life, draw you right so you totally understand what the characters are going through. It's a captivating read, full of drama, keeps a great pace and I really love Edel's character. Next book is a must read!
This author has a fantastic imagination that has produced a unique and refreshing storyline that keeps you so engrossed. The descriptions of everything, especially the meltdowns and feelings experienced by Edel, being unaccustomed to the sudden freedom and choices in life, draw you right so you totally understand what the characters are going through. It's a captivating read, full of drama, keeps a great pace and I really love Edel's character. Next book is a must read!
January 19, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Review for 'Almost Human' by Ashleigh Reverie.
Read and reviewed for Ashleigh Reverie.
Publication date 8th February 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
This novel consists of a prologue and 29 chapters. The chapters are a mixture of length ranging from short to medium and some long in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in third person perspective with the protagonists being Jay, Edel, Frank, Danny and Gemma. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Almost Human' discusses some topics that may trigger or upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Ashleigh discusses/includes murder of babies.
OMG!!! WELL THAT WAS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING AT ALL!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK AND WHAT AN ENDING!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really put you in the storyline, feeling the hair on your arms raise and putting you on the edge of your seat!!!
As previously mentioned this book was not what I expected when I read the synopsis. I was expecting there to be alot more scifi. Now, I must admit I am not a massive fan of scifi but I'm an eclectic reader and will give most books a try. I would say this book is more dystopia than scifi so if you are a dystopia fan and not a Sci fi fan please give this book a read. Trust me, you really won't regret it!! In fact, it doesn't matter what genre you like to read give it a read!!!
The prologue is extremely hard to read and I have found that since I have become a mother I struggle even more to anything that talks about the death of babies/toddlers/children. If you think you wouldn't be able to read this then my advice is just to skip the prologue rather than miss out on the whole book. There is another part later in the book thay you may also want to skip over, it was heartbreaking to read but you kind of get an idea on what is about to happen so when you get to it just skip a few sentences.
This book is, basically, about the fact that several human experiments have escaped from what is essentially a government funded torture station. The government warns people that these experiments are dangerous and to hand them in. Now, while, these "experiments" can become dangerous during meltdowns and struggle with society they are not as bad as the government makes out. In fact, the descriptions of how they felt sounded very similar to autistic traits and made me have more of an understanding with what goes on in the mind of someone who has autism in regards to lots of sounds, lights, etc. Whether Ashleigh intended to do this I am not sure but regardless of whether it was intentional or not I actually thought it was absolutely fantastic! Anyway, on with explaining the storyline a bit. I am trying not to say too much as I don't want to give too much away but it is scarily realistic in some areas such as the way immigrants and other races are treated in the future and it wouldn't shock me at all if the world did come to this. There are basically 2 different parts of New America. There is the legitimate part where people are in higher paid roles, can live, work, shop, etc as they wish. They all have homes as we do and can walk around freely. Then there are the cashers who are not allowed ID's meaning they cannot access bank cards, online and live in homes that sometimes have no gas and electric or no water or live in the slums. These are mainly immigrants and those from different races. That is the setting of the storyline.
Moving on to the characters. Again, I'll try not to give too much away. The main books starts with Jay who is struggling with the anniversary of his girlfriends death. I really liked Jay and thought he had a heart of gold. He is going through a rough patch when he comes to the aid of one of Edel. Later we meet Danny who is one of the richest elites and his girlfriend Gemma who is a casher. Everything explodes when the lives of these characters all collide and you get taken on a rollercoaster ride of love, heartbreak, twists, tension, suspense, horror and so, so much more!!! I will admit that the codes in the beginning were confusing and I was worried this was going to continue throughout the storyline but I needn't have worried as they weren't used as often as I thought they may be.
The ending was an absolutely explosive twist that I did not see coming at all. What an shocking cliff hanger!!! I was genuinely gobsmacked and I really cannot wait to get hooked into book 2 'Almost Human: Evolution'.
This is one of the BEST dystopia novels I have ever read and certainly the Best In about 5 years!!!! This book really is a true page turner that I picked up this morning and could not put it down until I finished!!!
Well done Ashleigh on an absolutely fantastic succeess and here is to what is guaranteed to be many more 🥂
Overall a heart racing, page turning and explosive dystopian must read!!!
Genres covered in this book include Genetic Engineering Science Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Genetic Engineering Fiction, Dystopian and Science Fiction amongst others.
359 pages
This book is just £3.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#Almost Human#Bookouture #AshleighReverie #BookReview #BlogTour
@AlmostHuman @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @AshleighReverie
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
February 13, 2023
Almost Human Book 1: Discovery, by Ashleigh Reverie.
An intriguing opening page pulled me into the story, although a little disturbing in its content.
A powerfully written science fiction novel based on a dark dystopian future for humankind. A future where society is divided: the rich legitimates, city dwellers, verses the scorned, poorly educated cashers who lived in the surrounding slum areas.
In secret, experiments were performed on genetically enhanced humans—initiated by the controlling New American Government. Their purpose was to create the perfect human being who would obey their commands without question, conscience or free-will.
An organised escape from this facility turns the focus to one young female known as XJ545-12, later called Edel. On the outskirts of the city, Edel finds herself abandoned by her rescuers. Although she is highly capable, fast, and strong Edel has no experience of the outside world, and everything throws her astute senses into panic mode.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected drama. The bittersweet romance between Danny and Gemma. The ethical dilemma throughout the story. Its uniqueness with its character-driven plot, its colourful imagery and unexpected twists made for a compelling read. A thought-provoking story pertaining to human exploitation and cultural divide.
Highly recommended.
An intriguing opening page pulled me into the story, although a little disturbing in its content.
A powerfully written science fiction novel based on a dark dystopian future for humankind. A future where society is divided: the rich legitimates, city dwellers, verses the scorned, poorly educated cashers who lived in the surrounding slum areas.
In secret, experiments were performed on genetically enhanced humans—initiated by the controlling New American Government. Their purpose was to create the perfect human being who would obey their commands without question, conscience or free-will.
An organised escape from this facility turns the focus to one young female known as XJ545-12, later called Edel. On the outskirts of the city, Edel finds herself abandoned by her rescuers. Although she is highly capable, fast, and strong Edel has no experience of the outside world, and everything throws her astute senses into panic mode.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected drama. The bittersweet romance between Danny and Gemma. The ethical dilemma throughout the story. Its uniqueness with its character-driven plot, its colourful imagery and unexpected twists made for a compelling read. A thought-provoking story pertaining to human exploitation and cultural divide.
Highly recommended.
March 5, 2023
It took me only three days to devour this dystopian story, and only because it was a busy weekend. The story grabs you from the first few lines and all I could do was read it in a rush.
American society is divided between rich and poor. Rich people don't use cash, while poor people, called cashers have no other means to pay for what little they can afford. Cashers are usually immigrants who arrived from other countries where life was impossible either because the country is no more, or because they're so polluted that life can't reside there anymore. With this in mind, the lives of Jay, Danny, Gemma, and Edel seem to intertwine inexorably towards a dramatic end. On one hand, Edel and Danny are two super-humans with two completely different upbringings, but they’re both broken people in their own ways. On the other hand, Jay and Gemma try to help them the best they can to overcome Edel’s trauma and Danny’s ignorance.
I was very invested in Edel probably because I love broken people trying to make sense of their lives.
This book ends with a breathtaking cliffhanger, and I've already purchased book 2 and will start it right away.
American society is divided between rich and poor. Rich people don't use cash, while poor people, called cashers have no other means to pay for what little they can afford. Cashers are usually immigrants who arrived from other countries where life was impossible either because the country is no more, or because they're so polluted that life can't reside there anymore. With this in mind, the lives of Jay, Danny, Gemma, and Edel seem to intertwine inexorably towards a dramatic end. On one hand, Edel and Danny are two super-humans with two completely different upbringings, but they’re both broken people in their own ways. On the other hand, Jay and Gemma try to help them the best they can to overcome Edel’s trauma and Danny’s ignorance.
I was very invested in Edel probably because I love broken people trying to make sense of their lives.
This book ends with a breathtaking cliffhanger, and I've already purchased book 2 and will start it right away.
March 13, 2023
A powerfully written and compelling read for all fans of science fiction. Based on a dark dystopian future for mankind where experiments are carried out on genetically enhanced humans by the controlling New American Government. Their intention is to create a perfect human being who will obey without conscience or question. A scary thought! Nevertheless, gripping novel.
August 12, 2021
The layers of thought that went into this book are astounding. Some novels are a genuine work of art and this is one of them. If you think you know what's coming next when reading this book, you will be wrong every time. It was long overdue for someone to write something in this genre that is truly unique and this book is it. Five stars all the way.
December 15, 2024
well written
Well written story that kept my interest from start to finish with plenty going on. I would recommend this book.
Well written story that kept my interest from start to finish with plenty going on. I would recommend this book.
July 12, 2024
I already have the next book!
As a lover of the Hunger Games growing up, I can honestly say the dystopia America in this book took me back. With extremely well-designed and developed world world-building, I knew the story was going to be a knock out.
Follow Edel as she somewhat accidentally finds herself with more free will than her genetically-dictated purpose is supposed to allow. It's both fascinating and terrifying that the author has nailed the direction Amaerican social classes have been headed, and 2080 isn't too far ahead of us.
All in all, this is the great start to a series with all around great story, character development, and world design. I highly reccomend.
As a lover of the Hunger Games growing up, I can honestly say the dystopia America in this book took me back. With extremely well-designed and developed world world-building, I knew the story was going to be a knock out.
Follow Edel as she somewhat accidentally finds herself with more free will than her genetically-dictated purpose is supposed to allow. It's both fascinating and terrifying that the author has nailed the direction Amaerican social classes have been headed, and 2080 isn't too far ahead of us.
All in all, this is the great start to a series with all around great story, character development, and world design. I highly reccomend.
January 24, 2022
Human.
This begins with a gripping start to a series. It had me turning the pages and captivated me until the very last page. A must read!
This begins with a gripping start to a series. It had me turning the pages and captivated me until the very last page. A must read!
February 12, 2022
This book started as a solid 4. The setting, premise, characters and world-building, were all excellent and I couldn’t stop reading. Unfortunately, as the story progressed more typos, formatting issues and a lot of repetitiveness in dialogue, internal thoughts and prose, dragged my score down to a 3. And here I wanted to keep it, but the issues became more rampant and I became aware that the fundamentals of story telling were just lacking. I ended with a 2 because these issues greatly outweighed the potential this book, and author, had in the beginning.
Typos, misused words, emotions shown in asterisks, and the excessive (and mostly misused) use of exclamation points, were only a part of what bogged this story down. There were also POV changes that were jarring. And when it reached the middle build, it became so repetitive, and many inconsistencies in character and plot became very evident. It was forbidden for Edel to have/feel or express emotions? I’m not sure which, but it seemed like all of the above, yet, she expressed, felt and had emotions all throughout the story. There were passages that would say she knew someone was telling a joke, but that she didn’t know what a joke was? Edel was supposedly built to obey commands from humans, but she constantly didn’t obey commands. She kept lamenting she didn’t know how to deal with choices, but she made a choice each time she decided to not answer a question … which lead back to … isn’t she supposed to obey humans? The book was riddled with moments like this. Too many to show here. And why was she threatening to kill people, by choice, if she was to obey humans?
There was also a lack of an antagonist. Yes, Poly-Gen did bad things, but there was no urgency, or chase, or trying to get away, other than constant reminders from Edel that a ‘human’ may turn her in. Unfortunately, you never come across a human who you think would turn her in so there is no tension. So was the tension supposed to be whether Edel or Danny might have a meltdown and kill someone? Again, I didn’t believe any of the characters would die if they had a meltdown.
I think what brought this story down the most for me was the repetitiveness and lack of moving the story forward. The entire middle build was the same thing over and over again. It took way too long for Jay and Edel to move forward in the story. And again, there was inconsistency with Edel’s development with this. And Danny’s character was a bit of an enigma to me. Who was the protagonist in this story, Danny, Edel, Jay? And why was there a Gemma POV? If this was a set up for a series, it should have been much shorter, edited properly by a developmental editor or content editor who is experienced in story telling, and been made the first part of a book, not a book onto itself. It was really just a dragged out story that led to nowhere. Because the ending was too abrupt. I didn’t get why it ended there. I wasn’t left hanging. I wasn’t left wondering. I wasn’t left feeling anything, other than wanting to turn the page to check if this was actually the real ending.
I know it seems like I just completely dumped on this book, but it really did start out so good. I even told people how much I was looking forward to reading more. But it just fell apart for me about a quarter of the way in, and it couldn’t find its way back. ‘Almost Human’, had such potential. It has a great premise, although it did remind me a bit of an adult version of ‘Stranger Things’, it was still very intriguing. The author is probably a very good writer, because there were moments of humour, great descriptions and world-building, but this story demonstrated to me that they lack some fundamental story telling techniques. It says an editor was used, but it doesn’t say which type. I think this book could use a few more run throughs with a copy editor, proofreader and even a content or developmental editor.
Typos, misused words, emotions shown in asterisks, and the excessive (and mostly misused) use of exclamation points, were only a part of what bogged this story down. There were also POV changes that were jarring. And when it reached the middle build, it became so repetitive, and many inconsistencies in character and plot became very evident. It was forbidden for Edel to have/feel or express emotions? I’m not sure which, but it seemed like all of the above, yet, she expressed, felt and had emotions all throughout the story. There were passages that would say she knew someone was telling a joke, but that she didn’t know what a joke was? Edel was supposedly built to obey commands from humans, but she constantly didn’t obey commands. She kept lamenting she didn’t know how to deal with choices, but she made a choice each time she decided to not answer a question … which lead back to … isn’t she supposed to obey humans? The book was riddled with moments like this. Too many to show here. And why was she threatening to kill people, by choice, if she was to obey humans?
There was also a lack of an antagonist. Yes, Poly-Gen did bad things, but there was no urgency, or chase, or trying to get away, other than constant reminders from Edel that a ‘human’ may turn her in. Unfortunately, you never come across a human who you think would turn her in so there is no tension. So was the tension supposed to be whether Edel or Danny might have a meltdown and kill someone? Again, I didn’t believe any of the characters would die if they had a meltdown.
I think what brought this story down the most for me was the repetitiveness and lack of moving the story forward. The entire middle build was the same thing over and over again. It took way too long for Jay and Edel to move forward in the story. And again, there was inconsistency with Edel’s development with this. And Danny’s character was a bit of an enigma to me. Who was the protagonist in this story, Danny, Edel, Jay? And why was there a Gemma POV? If this was a set up for a series, it should have been much shorter, edited properly by a developmental editor or content editor who is experienced in story telling, and been made the first part of a book, not a book onto itself. It was really just a dragged out story that led to nowhere. Because the ending was too abrupt. I didn’t get why it ended there. I wasn’t left hanging. I wasn’t left wondering. I wasn’t left feeling anything, other than wanting to turn the page to check if this was actually the real ending.
I know it seems like I just completely dumped on this book, but it really did start out so good. I even told people how much I was looking forward to reading more. But it just fell apart for me about a quarter of the way in, and it couldn’t find its way back. ‘Almost Human’, had such potential. It has a great premise, although it did remind me a bit of an adult version of ‘Stranger Things’, it was still very intriguing. The author is probably a very good writer, because there were moments of humour, great descriptions and world-building, but this story demonstrated to me that they lack some fundamental story telling techniques. It says an editor was used, but it doesn’t say which type. I think this book could use a few more run throughs with a copy editor, proofreader and even a content or developmental editor.
October 23, 2022
Two genetically enhanced humans with volatile emotions and super strength are on a collision course in this gripping, character-driven drama set in the early twenty-second century. Edel has been raised, in the horrifically strict confines of a New American Government facility, to be a cold-bloodied killer, devoid of emotion, and utterly obedient. When she finds herself an unwitting escapee in a surprise breakout alongside several other super soldiers, she’s overwhelmed by the ramifications of her freedom. Who will give her orders now? What will happen if she disobeys? Is Jay, the messy human male who tries to help her, genuinely to be trusted? Can he trust her?
Meanwhile, Danny was adopted as a baby into one of the richest families in Hampton Main. But even after all these years, he’s unable to control his inexplicably violent tendencies. Being in a relationship with Gemma, a lovely girl from the wrong side of the tracks, makes him happy, but a part of him needs to know what’s wrong with him. Why he’s so different. He finally gets his chance when he encounters the mysterious Edel; an empathic link they share makes them both even more unstable, but also promises to shed light on their origins. What will happen when these two combustible lifeforms are thrown into the mix together?
Author Ashleigh Reverie crafts her characters carefully, and this pays off in spades as the story progresses, especially for Edel and Jay, whose relationship unfolds with painstaking detail. Edel’s complete lack of social skills, together with her deadly programming, makes her almost impossible to reach on a human level. Luckily, Jay perseveres, and ever so slowly draws out aspects of her she never knew she had. In turn, looking after Edel gives the burnt-out Jay a new purpose in life. They’re afraid of one another, but the growing trust between them is by far the best part of the story for me.
I never liked Danny. He’s supposed to be a sympathetic character, but he comes off as a spoilt and needy whiner with extreme bipolar disorder. That’s explained by his origins, but I almost cheered when he received a much-needed beatdown. I felt sorry for Gemma, who struggles with a chip on her own shoulder on account of her poor, “casher” upbringing. On the face of it she’s won the lottery, but being in love with such a wired, entitled monster is enough to make anyone a neurotic wreck. Don’t get me wrong, Edel is no picnic, but at least she’s been conditioned to be hostile; we get to see her and watch her grow through Jay’s eyes.
Almost Human is a compelling read for the most part. I couldn’t wait to see how it unfolded, while at the same time I admired how Ms. Reverie took her time to develop the relationships. Perhaps a bit too much time if I’m honest: there was a fair amount of repetition in the exchanges between Edel and Jay in the middle third; and while the characters are rich, the plot itself is deceptively simple. It’s the first book in a series, and ends with several story threads unresolved.
I can recommend it for sci-fi readers partial to near-future dramas and thrillers that are strong on character and not over-stuffed with the details of world-building. The dystopian elements of the society are there, but they’re broad strokes. The focus here is on the traumatized victims of a monstrous government project. Their damaged psychologies are fascinating, and Ms. Reverie excels in getting the reader to intimately understand their plights. I’d be very interested to see what happens next.
Meanwhile, Danny was adopted as a baby into one of the richest families in Hampton Main. But even after all these years, he’s unable to control his inexplicably violent tendencies. Being in a relationship with Gemma, a lovely girl from the wrong side of the tracks, makes him happy, but a part of him needs to know what’s wrong with him. Why he’s so different. He finally gets his chance when he encounters the mysterious Edel; an empathic link they share makes them both even more unstable, but also promises to shed light on their origins. What will happen when these two combustible lifeforms are thrown into the mix together?
Author Ashleigh Reverie crafts her characters carefully, and this pays off in spades as the story progresses, especially for Edel and Jay, whose relationship unfolds with painstaking detail. Edel’s complete lack of social skills, together with her deadly programming, makes her almost impossible to reach on a human level. Luckily, Jay perseveres, and ever so slowly draws out aspects of her she never knew she had. In turn, looking after Edel gives the burnt-out Jay a new purpose in life. They’re afraid of one another, but the growing trust between them is by far the best part of the story for me.
I never liked Danny. He’s supposed to be a sympathetic character, but he comes off as a spoilt and needy whiner with extreme bipolar disorder. That’s explained by his origins, but I almost cheered when he received a much-needed beatdown. I felt sorry for Gemma, who struggles with a chip on her own shoulder on account of her poor, “casher” upbringing. On the face of it she’s won the lottery, but being in love with such a wired, entitled monster is enough to make anyone a neurotic wreck. Don’t get me wrong, Edel is no picnic, but at least she’s been conditioned to be hostile; we get to see her and watch her grow through Jay’s eyes.
Almost Human is a compelling read for the most part. I couldn’t wait to see how it unfolded, while at the same time I admired how Ms. Reverie took her time to develop the relationships. Perhaps a bit too much time if I’m honest: there was a fair amount of repetition in the exchanges between Edel and Jay in the middle third; and while the characters are rich, the plot itself is deceptively simple. It’s the first book in a series, and ends with several story threads unresolved.
I can recommend it for sci-fi readers partial to near-future dramas and thrillers that are strong on character and not over-stuffed with the details of world-building. The dystopian elements of the society are there, but they’re broad strokes. The focus here is on the traumatized victims of a monstrous government project. Their damaged psychologies are fascinating, and Ms. Reverie excels in getting the reader to intimately understand their plights. I’d be very interested to see what happens next.
December 18, 2022
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: Almost Human Book 1
Subtitle: Discovery
Author: Ashleigh Reverie
Genre: Science Fiction
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 1
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
You find yourself with a freedom you never had before. How can you make choices if you never before could? And how can you adapt to normal life when you were destined to be a soldier? Genetic engineering taken a step further.
What I liked about the book:
The book is action-packed, and full of suspense.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I enjoyed the book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the first book I’ve read by thise author, and I look forward to reading more.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a paranormal action adventure.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like suspense and science fiction, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Choices. Thoughts. Opinions. Passions. These are what make us human. so, what if these things were taken from us? What would we be?
ALMOST HUMAN
The controlling and secretive New American Government has created a series of perfectly compliant, genetically modified human soldiers. Emotion, independent thought and all forms of communication are forbidden. Their only purpose is to obey.
Used as a pawn in somebody else's escape plan, Edel finds herself with unexpected freedom. She has been taught everything she needs to survive- except how to be human.
Danny is one of Harpton Main's rich elite, but beneath the shiny surface of his perfect world lies a dangerous secret, frequent bouts of uncontrollable rage, and endless questions about his origins.
A chance encounter with Edel raises more questions than answers, and Danny will stop at nothing to discover the truth about himself.
About the Author:
Basic Details:
Book Title: Almost Human Book 1
Subtitle: Discovery
Author: Ashleigh Reverie
Genre: Science Fiction
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 1
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
You find yourself with a freedom you never had before. How can you make choices if you never before could? And how can you adapt to normal life when you were destined to be a soldier? Genetic engineering taken a step further.
What I liked about the book:
The book is action-packed, and full of suspense.
What I didn’t like about the book:
I enjoyed the book.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This is the first book I’ve read by thise author, and I look forward to reading more.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This is a paranormal action adventure.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Yes
Adult Yes
If you like suspense and science fiction, this book may be the book for you.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
Book Description by Author:
Choices. Thoughts. Opinions. Passions. These are what make us human. so, what if these things were taken from us? What would we be?
ALMOST HUMAN
The controlling and secretive New American Government has created a series of perfectly compliant, genetically modified human soldiers. Emotion, independent thought and all forms of communication are forbidden. Their only purpose is to obey.
Used as a pawn in somebody else's escape plan, Edel finds herself with unexpected freedom. She has been taught everything she needs to survive- except how to be human.
Danny is one of Harpton Main's rich elite, but beneath the shiny surface of his perfect world lies a dangerous secret, frequent bouts of uncontrollable rage, and endless questions about his origins.
A chance encounter with Edel raises more questions than answers, and Danny will stop at nothing to discover the truth about himself.
About the Author:
May 11, 2022
Almost Human Book 1: Discovery by Ashleigh Reverie has all the main hallmarks of a dystopian fiction novel.
1. Environmental destruction. The USA has split into The American Republic and New America, the war resulted in the use of nuclear warheads, chemical, and biological weapons which have made much of the world uninhabitable.
2. The government is in control - mainly by assuming control over all technology and forcing the citizens of New America into a class system which elevates those who the government deems “legitimate citizens” who can get a digital ID which allows them access to technology. Then there are “the cashers” who are those the government deems undesirable (read immigrants, the poor, those the government doesn’t need). They have no access to technology, must pay with cash to constantly denote their lack of an ID, and often don’t have access to amenities. Nor can they complain about poor treatment because they are less valuable than legitimate citizens.
3. Loss of individualism and punishment for lack of adherence to the governmental control. Legitimate citizens are expected to fall in line or be punished. When we meet Jay, we find out that he is being forced to live without access to his banking etc as punishment for a drunken transgression. (Big brother givith, and big brother taketh away.)
Overall, Almost Human is very George Orwell’s 1984 meets James Cameron’s Dark Angel television show of the early 2000s. In Dark Angel, we meet transgenic super soldiers who were created in a lab and raised to have little interaction with humans so that they are conditioned to follow orders. As most of us know, in 1984, the hope lies with the proles. In this case, the cashers.
All in all, the story was interesting. It had all the elements you look for in a dystopian novel and had several characters that were very intriguing. My biggest issue was that I had trouble with the flow. Much of the story seems to happen in the heads of the characters more so than actual interactions/dialogue (even though there are a great many characters all interacting). Large sections were extremely repetitive, and portions felt like they weren’t driving us anywhere.
1. Environmental destruction. The USA has split into The American Republic and New America, the war resulted in the use of nuclear warheads, chemical, and biological weapons which have made much of the world uninhabitable.
2. The government is in control - mainly by assuming control over all technology and forcing the citizens of New America into a class system which elevates those who the government deems “legitimate citizens” who can get a digital ID which allows them access to technology. Then there are “the cashers” who are those the government deems undesirable (read immigrants, the poor, those the government doesn’t need). They have no access to technology, must pay with cash to constantly denote their lack of an ID, and often don’t have access to amenities. Nor can they complain about poor treatment because they are less valuable than legitimate citizens.
3. Loss of individualism and punishment for lack of adherence to the governmental control. Legitimate citizens are expected to fall in line or be punished. When we meet Jay, we find out that he is being forced to live without access to his banking etc as punishment for a drunken transgression. (Big brother givith, and big brother taketh away.)
Overall, Almost Human is very George Orwell’s 1984 meets James Cameron’s Dark Angel television show of the early 2000s. In Dark Angel, we meet transgenic super soldiers who were created in a lab and raised to have little interaction with humans so that they are conditioned to follow orders. As most of us know, in 1984, the hope lies with the proles. In this case, the cashers.
All in all, the story was interesting. It had all the elements you look for in a dystopian novel and had several characters that were very intriguing. My biggest issue was that I had trouble with the flow. Much of the story seems to happen in the heads of the characters more so than actual interactions/dialogue (even though there are a great many characters all interacting). Large sections were extremely repetitive, and portions felt like they weren’t driving us anywhere.
October 21, 2021
I loved this book so much! It's one of those books I'm still thinking about weeks later.
The strongest part of this book is the characters. They are layered and distinctive, especially Edel. I LOVED Edel. She is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read, just because her way of thinking is so.... strange?? The author really puts herself in the shoes of an isolated, genetically modified, experimented-on, traumatized person who doesn't know anything about the human world. There are a few times a chapter starts in, say, Jay's POV, and then the next chapter says the same scene over from Edel's POV--except Edel's POV is just so bizarre compared to what I was assuming she was thinking/doing/experiencing when I was watching her from Jay's POV? All the characters hare have such distinct viewpoints, but none of them are so unfamiliar as Edel's. And yet she was so relatable.
The worldbuilding is fantastic. I hope we learn a lot more about the world as the next books unfold. And
If you love books that dive deep into character's heads, this is the book for you. It's so interesting. It's worth a read just to experience Edel's point of view on things. And the ending really hurt my soul. Will be looking out for the rest of the books as they come out!!!!!!!!
The strongest part of this book is the characters. They are layered and distinctive, especially Edel. I LOVED Edel. She is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read, just because her way of thinking is so.... strange?? The author really puts herself in the shoes of an isolated, genetically modified, experimented-on, traumatized person who doesn't know anything about the human world. There are a few times a chapter starts in, say, Jay's POV, and then the next chapter says the same scene over from Edel's POV--except Edel's POV is just so bizarre compared to what I was assuming she was thinking/doing/experiencing when I was watching her from Jay's POV? All the characters hare have such distinct viewpoints, but none of them are so unfamiliar as Edel's. And yet she was so relatable.
The worldbuilding is fantastic. I hope we learn a lot more about the world as the next books unfold. And
If you love books that dive deep into character's heads, this is the book for you. It's so interesting. It's worth a read just to experience Edel's point of view on things. And the ending really hurt my soul. Will be looking out for the rest of the books as they come out!!!!!!!!
November 5, 2021
Almost Human is a creative story based in 2082. It was a pleasure to read this futuristic world created by Ashleigh Reverie. The plot includes a twist of forbidden love between Gemma and Danny, a cashier and a legitimate. However that barely scratches the surface of the part of the storyline I loved reading.
The storyline also includes a class warfare narrative which in this futuristic world aides the other main characters—Jay and Edel. It plays upon the human weakness of hatred and ease of distraction to allow an establishment such as Poly-Gen to exist.
Poly-Gen is unknown to the society until one of the modified human soldiers they created figures out how to gain freedom. In the process of escaping, the soldier brings other types of modified soldiers, XJs, to freedom.
The plot, though based in the future, doesn’t lose itself in nuances of fictitious inventions. Instead it engulfs the reader in experiencing different perspectives around emotion, independence, and submission/blind obedience. Reading how an XJ has to adapt and why it can’t at certain points was intriguing.
The prologue was an ideal way to begin this book. It was foreshadowing just enough to make me think ‘I definitely have to read more’ without giving too much away. To my enjoyment, I did. I have also recommended this book to friends.
Unfortunately, I fear my favorite character may have died at the end. But since the book is subtitled Book 1: Discovery, I hope I am wrong and look forward to reading more books in this series from Ashleigh Reverie.
The storyline also includes a class warfare narrative which in this futuristic world aides the other main characters—Jay and Edel. It plays upon the human weakness of hatred and ease of distraction to allow an establishment such as Poly-Gen to exist.
Poly-Gen is unknown to the society until one of the modified human soldiers they created figures out how to gain freedom. In the process of escaping, the soldier brings other types of modified soldiers, XJs, to freedom.
The plot, though based in the future, doesn’t lose itself in nuances of fictitious inventions. Instead it engulfs the reader in experiencing different perspectives around emotion, independence, and submission/blind obedience. Reading how an XJ has to adapt and why it can’t at certain points was intriguing.
The prologue was an ideal way to begin this book. It was foreshadowing just enough to make me think ‘I definitely have to read more’ without giving too much away. To my enjoyment, I did. I have also recommended this book to friends.
Unfortunately, I fear my favorite character may have died at the end. But since the book is subtitled Book 1: Discovery, I hope I am wrong and look forward to reading more books in this series from Ashleigh Reverie.
January 11, 2022
I have to say that the prologue of Almost Human really got me sucked into the story and set up the book with what to expect: drama, tough moral and ethical choices and great sci-fi. It really got me hooked from the outset. I found myself sympathising with both the regular human characters and genetically modified ones; though the latter could also be terrifying. Jay is struggling in his job and generally in his life when he helps an enigmatic girl called Edel. He doesn't realise that Edel is one of many who have escaped from Poly Gen; at first he becomes trapped in a terrifying situation, but soon gains Edel's trust. Their lives become entangled with Danny, the son of Jay's boss who pursues Edel for answers about his own past after realising that they have a sensory connection. What this book did superbly well was explore what it is to be human, on a physical and moral level but also in terms of self-identity. It's a society where most people live hand to mouth. Among the four main characters, I loved Jay from the start, feeling for him as the underdog and loathed Edel at first though she rapidly became my favourite. I sympathised more with Danny at the start, pitying him because of his background, though as the story progressed my views on him changed; the same of Gemma as I felt she became too wrapped up in her own self-pity. The fact that my feelings towards the characters changed substantially throughout the book is a mark of really complex and well drawn protagonists/antagonists and superb writing. Loved this debut, will be reading the next one when it's out.
October 29, 2023
"Almost Human: Discovery" takes readers on a riveting journey through a dystopian world controlled by the New American Government. In this chilling vision of the future, genetically engineered human soldiers are created to be perfectly compliant, stripped of emotion, independent thought, and communication. Their sole purpose is obedience, setting the stage for a society devoid of individuality and humanity.
The story revolves around Edel, an unwitting pawn in someone else's escape plan, who stumbles into unexpected freedom. Reverie skillfully portrays Edel's struggle to navigate a world where she has been conditioned for survival but not for being human. Her journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, making her a character readers can't help but root for.
Danny, a member of Harpton Main's privileged elite, conceals a volatile secret and a burning curiosity about his own origins. A chance encounter with Edel leads to a fateful connection, sparking a relentless pursuit of the truth. Reverie's narrative is a thrilling exploration of identity and self-discovery, set against a backdrop of government control and genetic manipulation.
"Almost Human: Discovery" is a thought-provoking and captivating work of dystopian science fiction that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Reverie's storytelling prowess and intricate character development make this novel a must-read for fans of the genre. As the layers of the narrative unfold, the quest for truth becomes a compelling and suspenseful journey that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
The story revolves around Edel, an unwitting pawn in someone else's escape plan, who stumbles into unexpected freedom. Reverie skillfully portrays Edel's struggle to navigate a world where she has been conditioned for survival but not for being human. Her journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, making her a character readers can't help but root for.
Danny, a member of Harpton Main's privileged elite, conceals a volatile secret and a burning curiosity about his own origins. A chance encounter with Edel leads to a fateful connection, sparking a relentless pursuit of the truth. Reverie's narrative is a thrilling exploration of identity and self-discovery, set against a backdrop of government control and genetic manipulation.
"Almost Human: Discovery" is a thought-provoking and captivating work of dystopian science fiction that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Reverie's storytelling prowess and intricate character development make this novel a must-read for fans of the genre. As the layers of the narrative unfold, the quest for truth becomes a compelling and suspenseful journey that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
February 29, 2024
Enjoyable and character driven
I really enjoyed this story, which features a futuristic, dystopian world that is very plausible. I particularly found the notion of a tiered society with citizens having full rights and “cashers” who live on the fringes of society.
While there are elements of action, this is primarily a very strong character driven story with a superb backstory and an interesting cast of well-developed characters. Each character is distinct and, for the most part, has flaws or is damaged in some way.
For me, the central relationship within the story was between Jay and Edel. Edel and several other genetically engineered humans having escaped from a Poly Gen facility (an evil organisation experimenting on babies & humans) is on the run but she soon finds herself living with Jay after seeing his kind nature in action - Jay came to her aid when she was being attacked by some men.
Jay becomes a father like figure to Edel and helps her recover & integrate. Her lack of social skills and super strength, making it difficult for her to connect and open up to Jay but also the PTSD she experienced at the hands of PolyGen.
Danny is another genetically engineered human but one who was rescued as a baby and raised with a wealthy family. He begins to sense Edel’s presence and wants to get to know her, hoping to understand more about himself, but Edel doesn't want to know Danny.
Overall, it is a very enjoyable story with excellent characters. Recommended!
I really enjoyed this story, which features a futuristic, dystopian world that is very plausible. I particularly found the notion of a tiered society with citizens having full rights and “cashers” who live on the fringes of society.
While there are elements of action, this is primarily a very strong character driven story with a superb backstory and an interesting cast of well-developed characters. Each character is distinct and, for the most part, has flaws or is damaged in some way.
For me, the central relationship within the story was between Jay and Edel. Edel and several other genetically engineered humans having escaped from a Poly Gen facility (an evil organisation experimenting on babies & humans) is on the run but she soon finds herself living with Jay after seeing his kind nature in action - Jay came to her aid when she was being attacked by some men.
Jay becomes a father like figure to Edel and helps her recover & integrate. Her lack of social skills and super strength, making it difficult for her to connect and open up to Jay but also the PTSD she experienced at the hands of PolyGen.
Danny is another genetically engineered human but one who was rescued as a baby and raised with a wealthy family. He begins to sense Edel’s presence and wants to get to know her, hoping to understand more about himself, but Edel doesn't want to know Danny.
Overall, it is a very enjoyable story with excellent characters. Recommended!
November 19, 2024
A Dystopian Journey into Humanity’s Heart
Ashleigh Reverie’s Almost Human: Discovery is a compelling dive into the blurred boundaries of humanity, set in a dystopian world that feels disturbingly plausible. From its stark societal divisions to its deeply flawed yet relatable characters, this novel captivated me as both a science fiction enthusiast and a fan of character-driven storytelling.
Edel, a genetically engineered soldier, is a fascinating protagonist. Her struggle to break free from years of conditioning, learn emotions, and navigate a harsh world is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Jay, a down-on-his-luck “casher,” becomes her unlikely anchor, and their evolving relationship is the emotional core of the story. Watching Edel rediscover her humanity through Jay’s patience and kindness is truly moving.
The dystopian backdrop of class inequality and government control provides a chilling context, but this story truly shines in its exploration of personal growth and resilience. The tension between Edel and Danny, another engineered human, adds layers of intrigue, even as Danny’s volatile personality makes him difficult to sympathize with.
While the narrative occasionally gets bogged down by repetitive internal monologues, the overall experience is a rewarding one. Reverie has crafted a thought-provoking, character-rich tale that asks: what does it truly mean to be human? Sci-fi fans with a love for emotional depth and moral complexity will find Almost Human a worthy read.
Ashleigh Reverie’s Almost Human: Discovery is a compelling dive into the blurred boundaries of humanity, set in a dystopian world that feels disturbingly plausible. From its stark societal divisions to its deeply flawed yet relatable characters, this novel captivated me as both a science fiction enthusiast and a fan of character-driven storytelling.
Edel, a genetically engineered soldier, is a fascinating protagonist. Her struggle to break free from years of conditioning, learn emotions, and navigate a harsh world is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Jay, a down-on-his-luck “casher,” becomes her unlikely anchor, and their evolving relationship is the emotional core of the story. Watching Edel rediscover her humanity through Jay’s patience and kindness is truly moving.
The dystopian backdrop of class inequality and government control provides a chilling context, but this story truly shines in its exploration of personal growth and resilience. The tension between Edel and Danny, another engineered human, adds layers of intrigue, even as Danny’s volatile personality makes him difficult to sympathize with.
While the narrative occasionally gets bogged down by repetitive internal monologues, the overall experience is a rewarding one. Reverie has crafted a thought-provoking, character-rich tale that asks: what does it truly mean to be human? Sci-fi fans with a love for emotional depth and moral complexity will find Almost Human a worthy read.
December 28, 2021
A fantastic story that is well thought out, thought provoking and intense. Having had subjects released from a facility that grew human babies for experiments, the country is put into a national panic. Told that these things are dangerous, they are no longer deemed humans because of how they were made, but they aren't the only people this society has dehumanised. There are also the poor and immigrants that live on the outskirts that are treated as though they no longer matter. A society that has washed its hands of people they deem unworthy. There is no welfare, no charity and anyone who wants to help has to prove they are doing so within the rules. Which means for their own benefit. But one non human was raised as an elitist. Having been saved from the lab as a baby he doesn't understand why he's different, and so when he meets an escaped non human, he wants answers. But these non humans do not understand relationships, love and our complex ways of communication. This inability to communicate is their downfall. It brings barriers, confusion and frustration and really pin points what makes us all human after all. This book is an incredible insight into conditioning and worth. Done in the back drop of a society from the future which at times doesn't seem all that extreme, this book delivers a fundamental truth and inquisitive questions for which human kind really do need to answer in order to survive. Absolutely outstanding and I can't wait to read more.
February 15, 2025
Orwellian backdrop, Poignant and Complex Drama
This book does have two short but violent scenes involving babies. However, the author portrays her characters in a way that tugs at your heart for their innate humanity. The story grabbed my interest right away and it flows so smoothly, it held me fully engrossed to the end. As a dystopian novel it touched on themes that are disturbingly plausible. Government gaining total control in response to global disasters, loss of inalienable rights, unconscionable scientific dabbling in trans-human experimentation, and class struggle. The world building in the book paints a vivid picture for the reader. But what really grabbed me were the intense emotional struggles of Edel and Daniel. Two trans-human beings. Both are thrust into situations beyond their understanding. One comes from a cruel and structured laboratory environment and struggles to survive in the world of regular humans. The other is liberated from the lab as a baby and raised as human but struggles to understand why they are so different. Bands of intrigue bring their stories together in a collision of emotions that are both inhumanly intense but deeply human. A thought-provoking exposé of deeply flawed, but engaging, characters dealing with heart-rendering tragedy. You find yourself rooting for both these flawed characters to prevail. The cliffhanger ending means I will gladly be reading more from this talented writer. Highly recommend this engaging read!
This book does have two short but violent scenes involving babies. However, the author portrays her characters in a way that tugs at your heart for their innate humanity. The story grabbed my interest right away and it flows so smoothly, it held me fully engrossed to the end. As a dystopian novel it touched on themes that are disturbingly plausible. Government gaining total control in response to global disasters, loss of inalienable rights, unconscionable scientific dabbling in trans-human experimentation, and class struggle. The world building in the book paints a vivid picture for the reader. But what really grabbed me were the intense emotional struggles of Edel and Daniel. Two trans-human beings. Both are thrust into situations beyond their understanding. One comes from a cruel and structured laboratory environment and struggles to survive in the world of regular humans. The other is liberated from the lab as a baby and raised as human but struggles to understand why they are so different. Bands of intrigue bring their stories together in a collision of emotions that are both inhumanly intense but deeply human. A thought-provoking exposé of deeply flawed, but engaging, characters dealing with heart-rendering tragedy. You find yourself rooting for both these flawed characters to prevail. The cliffhanger ending means I will gladly be reading more from this talented writer. Highly recommend this engaging read!
January 4, 2022
Almost Human: Discovery by Ashleigh Reverie is a highly creative and entertaining dystopian / science-fiction novel set in the year 2082. The world has drastically changed after nuclear war has devested many areas of the world. As immigrants flood into the US from all over the world, the entire socio-economic system is turned upside down. A ruthless government emerges that actually promotes class warfare, forbids free speech and categorizes citizens by their wealth. Amid this environment, we meet the characters who drive the storyline and make everything come alive. Edel, a female super-human who escaped from a laboratory. Danny, who harbors a deep secret. Jay, the drunk who’s reached a point in his life where he must really come to terms with what is important in his life after the death of his girlfriend Tanya.
This book is a fast-moving page turner and contains outstanding scientific descriptions which add to the realism. Each scene was easy to visualize as they were well described by the author. There is lots of action and plenty of unexpected twists. It’s quite obvious that the author put forth a great deal of thought and effort into this book. I highly recommend this great book to anyone who loves to read a story that will stay with them long after they’ve finished the last page.
This book is a fast-moving page turner and contains outstanding scientific descriptions which add to the realism. Each scene was easy to visualize as they were well described by the author. There is lots of action and plenty of unexpected twists. It’s quite obvious that the author put forth a great deal of thought and effort into this book. I highly recommend this great book to anyone who loves to read a story that will stay with them long after they’ve finished the last page.
November 29, 2023
"Almost Human: Discovery" by Ashleigh Reverie is a captivating science fiction novel that delves into the concept of genetically modified human soldiers and the implications of a controlling government. Set in a dystopian future, the story revolves around Edel, a genetically modified soldier, who unexpectedly finds herself with newfound freedom but lacks the knowledge of how to be human.
The author's skillful storytelling keeps readers engaged from the very beginning. The world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of a society ruled by an oppressive regime. The characters are well-developed and relatable, particularly Edel and Danny, whose paths cross in an intriguing twist of fate. Danny, a member of the elite class, battles with inner demons and a desire to uncover the truth about his origins.
Reverie explores thought-provoking themes such as the nature of humanity, freedom, and the consequences of tampering with genetics. The moral dilemmas faced by the characters add depth and complexity to the narrative, making readers question their own beliefs and values.
The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with the right balance between action-packed sequences and introspective moments. The plot twists and turns keep readers guessing, building suspense and anticipation throughout the story.
The author's skillful storytelling keeps readers engaged from the very beginning. The world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid picture of a society ruled by an oppressive regime. The characters are well-developed and relatable, particularly Edel and Danny, whose paths cross in an intriguing twist of fate. Danny, a member of the elite class, battles with inner demons and a desire to uncover the truth about his origins.
Reverie explores thought-provoking themes such as the nature of humanity, freedom, and the consequences of tampering with genetics. The moral dilemmas faced by the characters add depth and complexity to the narrative, making readers question their own beliefs and values.
The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with the right balance between action-packed sequences and introspective moments. The plot twists and turns keep readers guessing, building suspense and anticipation throughout the story.
October 9, 2024
I'm in the strange position of having read Book 4 in this series before any others, but I enjoyed that so much, I promised myself I'd go back and read from the beginning.
Well, I certainly wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was enthralled all the way through. It's so unlike anything I've read before, with the artificial 'almost human' XJ5 Edel being something like a clone, something like an android, and yet not exactly either of those things. She, along with others like her, were grown in a lab and used as part unstoppable killing machine, part crash test dummy. Yet she has human feelings and emotions, which she was never allowed and find overwhelming to experience. So, although she's now out in the big wide world and theoretically has her freedom, she doesn't understand what that means.
This book is all about exploring complex relationships and human emotions. Navigating through a world about which Edel knows nothing. Developing slowly but surely across the story. Themes of self-worth come to the fore, as well as some brilliant interacting between characters who are in some ways the same, yet in some ways opposites in terms of experience.
The story has a good pace to it, the dialogue well-written and the characters clearly defined.
I can't recommended this book highly enough and I'm looking forward to reading Book 2 in due course.
Well, I certainly wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was enthralled all the way through. It's so unlike anything I've read before, with the artificial 'almost human' XJ5 Edel being something like a clone, something like an android, and yet not exactly either of those things. She, along with others like her, were grown in a lab and used as part unstoppable killing machine, part crash test dummy. Yet she has human feelings and emotions, which she was never allowed and find overwhelming to experience. So, although she's now out in the big wide world and theoretically has her freedom, she doesn't understand what that means.
This book is all about exploring complex relationships and human emotions. Navigating through a world about which Edel knows nothing. Developing slowly but surely across the story. Themes of self-worth come to the fore, as well as some brilliant interacting between characters who are in some ways the same, yet in some ways opposites in terms of experience.
The story has a good pace to it, the dialogue well-written and the characters clearly defined.
I can't recommended this book highly enough and I'm looking forward to reading Book 2 in due course.
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