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The Human
Three hundred years after the apocalypse, America has become a dystopian theocracy.
Adam Kinde lives a privileged and cozy life as a pastor, leading the worship of the prophet Joshua in his little community.
But his life is turned upside down when a visitor appears from his past, and his servant and life-long friend is charged with murder.
He joins forces with an unbeliever to solve the mystery and save their friend, but finds himself rethinking his ideas of right and wrong and human nature as they risk their lives together.
Whether you love a good mystery novel, classic science fiction, or books that entertain while addressing the basic questions of life, you want to read The Human.
What readers are
“First book I've read by this author.... And I want more!”
“. . . a real page turner”
“Once again this author captures your imagination and takes you for an exciting adventure.”
“. . . causes you to expand your way thinking.”
“I love how the author puts us in this world and lets it slowly unfold through action and not through exposition.”
Adam Kinde lives a privileged and cozy life as a pastor, leading the worship of the prophet Joshua in his little community.
But his life is turned upside down when a visitor appears from his past, and his servant and life-long friend is charged with murder.
He joins forces with an unbeliever to solve the mystery and save their friend, but finds himself rethinking his ideas of right and wrong and human nature as they risk their lives together.
Whether you love a good mystery novel, classic science fiction, or books that entertain while addressing the basic questions of life, you want to read The Human.
What readers are
“First book I've read by this author.... And I want more!”
“. . . a real page turner”
“Once again this author captures your imagination and takes you for an exciting adventure.”
“. . . causes you to expand your way thinking.”
“I love how the author puts us in this world and lets it slowly unfold through action and not through exposition.”
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 11, 2022
I found this weird and alternate story rather fascinating, but I am not quite sure if I understood all of it. In fact, the author even warns the reader that ‘curiosity could lead to seeing what others might miss, but it could also cause a waste of time and energy for looking for what wasn’t there in the first place.’ [red.]
Despite being an ‘Infidel’ - like Pastor Adam's childhood friend Bee - I always love it when I come across adaptations of one of my favourite Inklings. And being true to the original, the real story in this book begins with the discovery of a secret space at the back of a cupboard.
This allegory and morality play is about a special world in which an innocent must be acquitted of a murder, and it’s Pastor Adam Kinde, who, with the help of a childhood friend, sets out to find out the truth when his loyal servant Lucky (!) is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit.
In many ways, their adventures reads like a SF/Fantasy adventure, and combines themes from the Bible and philosophy, and mind, the author has a MA in theology and a PhD in philosophy, so the reader is in for a treat!
I immensely loved reading this extremely intelligent and well-written story, and I bet that most readers, and yes, even the ‘Infidels’ can get lost in this fantastical and magical world reminiscent of that of Narnia.
I am an admirer of C.S. Lewis, and read most of his works when I was in college. This is an intelligent book, sort of a morality play, mixed with sf and adventure, and it gives readers plenty food for thought I should imagine!
A fantastic reading adventure and cannot wait for more from this author. Highly recommended!
Thank you Vor and the auhor for providing me with this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily.
Despite being an ‘Infidel’ - like Pastor Adam's childhood friend Bee - I always love it when I come across adaptations of one of my favourite Inklings. And being true to the original, the real story in this book begins with the discovery of a secret space at the back of a cupboard.
This allegory and morality play is about a special world in which an innocent must be acquitted of a murder, and it’s Pastor Adam Kinde, who, with the help of a childhood friend, sets out to find out the truth when his loyal servant Lucky (!) is falsely accused of a crime he did not commit.
In many ways, their adventures reads like a SF/Fantasy adventure, and combines themes from the Bible and philosophy, and mind, the author has a MA in theology and a PhD in philosophy, so the reader is in for a treat!
I immensely loved reading this extremely intelligent and well-written story, and I bet that most readers, and yes, even the ‘Infidels’ can get lost in this fantastical and magical world reminiscent of that of Narnia.
I am an admirer of C.S. Lewis, and read most of his works when I was in college. This is an intelligent book, sort of a morality play, mixed with sf and adventure, and it gives readers plenty food for thought I should imagine!
A fantastic reading adventure and cannot wait for more from this author. Highly recommended!
Thank you Vor and the auhor for providing me with this review copy. I leave this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2022
The Human by K. R. Watts
This book was written as if George Orwell's "1984" met "Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy". It's clever and intriguing.
The story follows Pastor Adam Kinde, who is living in an alternate future, where there was a religious awakening 300 years earlier. He meets an atheist and is instantly infatuated with her. This is around the time everything he thought he knew about life starts to fall apart.
He's always tried to live his life the best way possible, but now with a dead body in his living room, and the police being less than helpful, Adam starts to see the world as much more than what he sees.
I enjoy the theological thinking and discussion the characters have in this book, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
It's an alternate history science fiction feel. But there is also magic in this universe. Because this book fits into so many different categories there is something for everyone.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
This book was written as if George Orwell's "1984" met "Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy". It's clever and intriguing.
The story follows Pastor Adam Kinde, who is living in an alternate future, where there was a religious awakening 300 years earlier. He meets an atheist and is instantly infatuated with her. This is around the time everything he thought he knew about life starts to fall apart.
He's always tried to live his life the best way possible, but now with a dead body in his living room, and the police being less than helpful, Adam starts to see the world as much more than what he sees.
I enjoy the theological thinking and discussion the characters have in this book, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
It's an alternate history science fiction feel. But there is also magic in this universe. Because this book fits into so many different categories there is something for everyone.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
April 10, 2024
I usually don’t read this genre,but I found this book very interesting and a good fast read! Looking forward to reading more of his books!
November 22, 2022
The adventurers of Adam Kinde, a different way of looking at religion and religious practices, very subtly. What is an infidel? This tale makes you think and question what we assume, know, habits and practices. Adams love for Bee is unexplained; she is off the wall, self continued, confident, mysterious.
What does it really mean to be Human? In a futuristic world, where so much is assumed and free thought is not encouraged, there will always be some - be they infidels, or Humans that think for themselves and hold to the old traditions. Squatters and Holders we have even now, recognizing the poor, needy and the wealthy that live far beyond even any thought of helping others.
This thought provoking book makes you pause and rethink the norms of society. If you are a believer, consider whether your mind is too rigid; in the end what is most important? What is most important about being human?
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only. I read it in record time as it kept my attention throughout!
What does it really mean to be Human? In a futuristic world, where so much is assumed and free thought is not encouraged, there will always be some - be they infidels, or Humans that think for themselves and hold to the old traditions. Squatters and Holders we have even now, recognizing the poor, needy and the wealthy that live far beyond even any thought of helping others.
This thought provoking book makes you pause and rethink the norms of society. If you are a believer, consider whether your mind is too rigid; in the end what is most important? What is most important about being human?
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only. I read it in record time as it kept my attention throughout!
November 29, 2022
KR does a good job writing this story using a religious context but not preachy. The story seems to take place in our future with some difference. He does a great job world building. This is a good mystery story. You won’t go wrong reading his stuff!
November 3, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and reviewed it on Amazon.ca yesterday ... and now can't find the review.
This story gripped me for the first paragraph and I had a really hard time putting it down long enough to do anything else (work, gardening, etc.) I can't think of anything I didn't like about this story; the characters were very well described, as was the alternate reality/future - which I found a little uncomfortably easy to imagine happening in our own future. Adam Kinde was a mostly likeable character and I now really want to read more of his adventures and see more of his education and growth.
This story gripped me for the first paragraph and I had a really hard time putting it down long enough to do anything else (work, gardening, etc.) I can't think of anything I didn't like about this story; the characters were very well described, as was the alternate reality/future - which I found a little uncomfortably easy to imagine happening in our own future. Adam Kinde was a mostly likeable character and I now really want to read more of his adventures and see more of his education and growth.
November 4, 2022
An excellent introduction into the world of Adam Kinde, mystery, magic and theology combine with an well structured mystery which unfolds beautifully towards the final pages.
October 28, 2022
This is a wonderfully written beginning to a series. I have many questions as to how the world came to become what was described and what happens to the main character, based on the hints given. While I do wish there had been some explanations as to some of the 'sci fi' elements of the story, I can hope that these answers are in future stories.
December 11, 2021
This book is the first in a series featuring young preacher, Adam Kinde. Even though he is quite orthodox and true to his religious beliefs, he seems to have a penchant for finding trouble and knotty conundrums. The book is well written and interesting, but I do have sort of a problem with the world and the theocracy pictured. The world of Adam Kinde very much parallels our own, and the religion is like Christianity, but it isn’t at the same time. Most technology is forbidden, as well as books. However, most people have a Bible that they keep with them at all times. The Bible, however, is more like an I-pad or tablet, except there are no internal workings, just a strange substance known as “monk stone.” Adam Kinde goes through a self-development and change in his perceptions as he works through murders, contraband, and saving those most dear to him. By the end all is explained (mostly) and Adam has grown as a person and as a preacher.
December 11, 2021
I received a copy of this from the author.
This is not your everyday murder mystery, nor is is a straightforward good versus evil story.
There is the conflict between doing what is right and what is the correct thing to do.
For Pastor Adam Kinde the promises that he has made cause him to question whether he can carry out these promises. His childhood friend, Bee, engages him in theological discussions that he can’t seem to win.
When a body turns up in the parsonage and his friend/servant, Lucky< is taken away by the police, Adam makes it his business to try to discover who the killer is.
This is not made any easier by several people looking for illegal contraband that Adam has no knowledge of but that seems to be the root of the whole mystery.
I found this story to be well written and engaging.
If you enjoy a read that has something a bit out of the ordinary in the murder mystery genre then indulge yourself in this and you won’t be disappointed.
This is not your everyday murder mystery, nor is is a straightforward good versus evil story.
There is the conflict between doing what is right and what is the correct thing to do.
For Pastor Adam Kinde the promises that he has made cause him to question whether he can carry out these promises. His childhood friend, Bee, engages him in theological discussions that he can’t seem to win.
When a body turns up in the parsonage and his friend/servant, Lucky< is taken away by the police, Adam makes it his business to try to discover who the killer is.
This is not made any easier by several people looking for illegal contraband that Adam has no knowledge of but that seems to be the root of the whole mystery.
I found this story to be well written and engaging.
If you enjoy a read that has something a bit out of the ordinary in the murder mystery genre then indulge yourself in this and you won’t be disappointed.
November 7, 2023
I could not put this book down! Set in an alternate future which is fascinating and so well written. I felt very invested in the characters and the story kept me guessing throughout. I love the ending and cannot wait to read the next book. It’s been some time since I’ve enjoyed a book this much, so that I was keen to return from work to read more!
September 7, 2023
I loved this! As soon as I read the opening chapter I was hooked - the author draws you into Adam's world, which is distinctly different. At the start of the book is Arthur C Clarke's famous quote: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," and that gives you a flavour of how things might be, in this alternate future.
Adam is a Pastor, in a world where his church - the Church of Joshua - has power, where Holders own all the land, and the majority of people are Squatters - with few rights and little money. At the beginning of the book Adam's life seems fairly straightforward - but his father his dying, an old friend comes back into his life (and maybe she might be more than a friend) and suddenly he's accused of having some kind of contraband. This is a world where books are banned, and where Adam suddenly discovers that politics and power are complicated...
I don't want to say any more in order to avoid spoilers - but if you enjoy speculative fiction, amateur sleuths and being immersed into a completely different world, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I received this book free via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. I've just purchased the prequel Human Unforgiven and book 2 of the series, Shadow of the Human, on Amazon. Recommended!
Adam is a Pastor, in a world where his church - the Church of Joshua - has power, where Holders own all the land, and the majority of people are Squatters - with few rights and little money. At the beginning of the book Adam's life seems fairly straightforward - but his father his dying, an old friend comes back into his life (and maybe she might be more than a friend) and suddenly he's accused of having some kind of contraband. This is a world where books are banned, and where Adam suddenly discovers that politics and power are complicated...
I don't want to say any more in order to avoid spoilers - but if you enjoy speculative fiction, amateur sleuths and being immersed into a completely different world, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I received this book free via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review. I've just purchased the prequel Human Unforgiven and book 2 of the series, Shadow of the Human, on Amazon. Recommended!
May 24, 2024
An interesting book with a great premise, hampered by some beginner plotting issues. K. R. Watts is a good writer, with polished prose that is easy to read. Descriptions of the setting and of characters are quite good but used too sparingly. Dialogue is largely natural but used for philosphizing rather than moving the plot. The world is very unique and engaging, but too much detail is left behind as the plot gallops along out of view of the main character.
And it's the plot itself that lets this novel down -- the main character does quite literally nothing until the very end, and that thing he does is largely an academic exercise than a real verb, a real action. It is almost as if all of the action is done by the supporting cast off the page, and by the time we and the main character catch up to the action, it's over, and we and the main character are left to think about what has happened but not to do anything. This is quite egregious in the very middle when the character is exhorted to take a specific action, and they step out of that very room and another character tells them "I have already done that very action come with me!"
The story really seems to start only in the last 15% of the book, and it's unfortunate because the writing is so good.
I received a free review copy through Voracious Readers Only.
And it's the plot itself that lets this novel down -- the main character does quite literally nothing until the very end, and that thing he does is largely an academic exercise than a real verb, a real action. It is almost as if all of the action is done by the supporting cast off the page, and by the time we and the main character catch up to the action, it's over, and we and the main character are left to think about what has happened but not to do anything. This is quite egregious in the very middle when the character is exhorted to take a specific action, and they step out of that very room and another character tells them "I have already done that very action come with me!"
The story really seems to start only in the last 15% of the book, and it's unfortunate because the writing is so good.
I received a free review copy through Voracious Readers Only.
May 24, 2023
I had the opportunity to review an advanced reader’s copy of The Human by K. R. Watts.
The Human is a mystery novel set in a dystopic future where there is no separation between church and state, capital punishment is practiced for all crimes, and books are considered contraband. This detective story features a pair of unlikely sleuths as they battle against time to clear the name of a suspected murderer. As in any great detective story, Watts drops enough hints to keep the reader engaged and guessing, only revealing important information at the right time. Nowhere close to a cozy mystery, Watts mixes his crime drama with shadowy action, dystopic themes, and religious symbolism. Told in the first person by the main character Adam Franklyn, this pastor turned amateur detective has ongoing moral dilemmas around the right to die, censorship, capital punishment, and his thoughts. Adam’s internal conflicts both help progress the story and give a lot of fuel for thought. The Human is a well-written who-done-it worthy of four stars, even though Watts presented us with a future where Vonnegut, Whitman, and philosophy are outlawed.
The Human is a mystery novel set in a dystopic future where there is no separation between church and state, capital punishment is practiced for all crimes, and books are considered contraband. This detective story features a pair of unlikely sleuths as they battle against time to clear the name of a suspected murderer. As in any great detective story, Watts drops enough hints to keep the reader engaged and guessing, only revealing important information at the right time. Nowhere close to a cozy mystery, Watts mixes his crime drama with shadowy action, dystopic themes, and religious symbolism. Told in the first person by the main character Adam Franklyn, this pastor turned amateur detective has ongoing moral dilemmas around the right to die, censorship, capital punishment, and his thoughts. Adam’s internal conflicts both help progress the story and give a lot of fuel for thought. The Human is a well-written who-done-it worthy of four stars, even though Watts presented us with a future where Vonnegut, Whitman, and philosophy are outlawed.
February 4, 2023
When I was offered this book by Voracious Readers Only to review, I was of two minds whether to accept it, but I'm so glad I did. The author has created an interesting alternate version of the world, which references an historical Dark Age, but appears to have entered another one. It centers around a pastor in a world under a heavy religious and government influence, which serves as a great setting for bringing a new and interesting twist to a series of events, and ultimately a murder, which have to be resolved. There are also some thought-provoking theological debates between two of the main characters which I really enjoyed. All in all, I highly recommend this book. The author has written further books in this series and I'm now keen to read them to see if I can learn more about how this world got into its current state and where the class of people referred to as infidel Humans fit in.
March 13, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received the book free from the author through Voracious Readers Only.
I found it to be very well written (in my humble opinion) in a style that forced me to stay up well past my bedtime because I just couldn't put it down.
I think it's a great start to a series that I would like to follow. Pastor Kinde's unquestioning faith without even really allowing himself the indulgence of philosophizing about God gets rattled by the abhorrent corruption of certain officials and his friend Bee's analyses of scriptures as they relate to right and wrong. I can definitely relate to the character of Bee the "Infidel." Of note are references made to an earlier historical timeframe named the "Dark Age" (before the ban of clockworks) as opposed to the present time which still seems very dark indeed.
If you like a thought provoking alternate future mystery then this book is for you.
I found it to be very well written (in my humble opinion) in a style that forced me to stay up well past my bedtime because I just couldn't put it down.
I think it's a great start to a series that I would like to follow. Pastor Kinde's unquestioning faith without even really allowing himself the indulgence of philosophizing about God gets rattled by the abhorrent corruption of certain officials and his friend Bee's analyses of scriptures as they relate to right and wrong. I can definitely relate to the character of Bee the "Infidel." Of note are references made to an earlier historical timeframe named the "Dark Age" (before the ban of clockworks) as opposed to the present time which still seems very dark indeed.
If you like a thought provoking alternate future mystery then this book is for you.
February 3, 2024
This book reminded me of the DeVinchi Code, as well as some of the possible results from today's AI creations. For example using a tablet that can control parishioners and celergy, keeping tabs and forcing them to church to revitalize their "bibles." The alternative timeline is well built, and the theological quandaries Pastor Adam is struggling with feel realistic, although this is clearly not Christianity, as we know it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. I liked it a lot. The characters were good and well fleshed out and the mystery was engaging. I would have appreciated a bit more explanation as to how that society came about. Some of it was similar to our world, but some was not. A bit more bridging between the two societies would have been nice. All in all, a good book
February 21, 2023
A free book from Voracious Readers thank you
An alternate future with mystery, manipulation, corruption and murder.
Pastor Kinde always wanted to do the right thing and he finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation to save his friend.
A well written tale and an enjoyable read
An alternate future with mystery, manipulation, corruption and murder.
Pastor Kinde always wanted to do the right thing and he finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation to save his friend.
A well written tale and an enjoyable read
December 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are compelling as is the storyline. Set in an alternate future, the book explores the evolution of the main character as he breaks free of dogmatic belief to become human again!
Couldn’t put it down.
Couldn’t put it down.
May 30, 2024
a strange book,it kept me interested
but also confused.
it’s as though this was book was No2 in a series
because of so many things i didn’t understand
but a did enjoy it on the whole
will recommend to readers who like reading
about what the future holds
but also confused.
it’s as though this was book was No2 in a series
because of so many things i didn’t understand
but a did enjoy it on the whole
will recommend to readers who like reading
about what the future holds
November 28, 2023
Interesting alternate future. I'm intrigued by the world the author has built, and I have already bought the sequel to learn more.
April 4, 2024
Interesting dystopian mystery. The combination of trying to figure out how this alternate future worked and following the plot kept me turning pages.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers.
December 31, 2024
This was a highly compelling novel that posed some interesting moral, ethical, and spiritual questions and I think they were all answered in as compelling and satisfactory ways as possible. I will definitely pursue the rest of the series
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews