This was something else! It really had me questioning humanity and how dangerous AI (is?) could be. There were a lot of characters so sometimes I got confused with which character belonged to which storyline. Otherwise, a very good book!

Wow! John Marrs has quite the imagination! The Family Experiment is the name of a reality show that takes place in a futuristic world where artificial intelligence and computer technology play a big part of everyday life. In the show, couples and one single man enter the Metaverse where they can experience parenthood and take care of a virtual child they have created. They raise this child from birth to age eighteen, but over a sped up 9 month period. The world is watching as their time in the Metaverse is always live-streamed. The teams face challenges, and viewers vote regularly for their favorites. At the end of the show, there's a cash prize and more for the winners. It sounds like a fabulous experience; however, it's harder than expected, and there are lots of secrets, drama and feelings that come out during the game.

This book had me asking all sorts of questions and would be a wonderful book club pick or make for an interesting class discussion. At what point does artificial intelligence become dangerous? Does advanced technology give certain people power and control over others? How much are people willing to sacrifice to win? The Family Experiment looks at the human condition - psychology, emotions, temptations, addictions, aspirations, the power of money and more. This book is great, but at first, I did struggle to keep things straight as there are so many characters and storylines at the beginning. I kept notes on my phone which helped. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press for the digital ARC.

3.5 stars:

This book made me uncomfortable, but I think that was the point. It made me think about how quickly technology is advancing and that the legislation can’t keep up. It’s only a matter of time before a company takes it too far and something very similar could happen in our near future. If you like realistic futuristic fiction, give this book a try!

In a world facing overpopulation and economic hardship, some families are turning to a new alternative for parenthood. A company offers clients the opportunity to create and raise a virtual child through a VR headset in the Metaverse for a monthly subscription fee. The company has launched a reality TV show called The Family Experiment, where ten couples will raise a Virtual Child in a condensed nine-month time period, with the prize being the right to keep their virtual child or risk it all for the chance of a real child.

This incredible book exceeded my expectation! As a photographer, I have been grappling with the impact of AI programs infiltrating our social media interactions. It's not just photographers who are affected, but also book writers, editors, designers...

The depth of thought put into this book is evident, especially with the poignant mention of previous work from the author. The first half of the story introduces us to the characters involved in the contest, while the second half unravels with unexpected twists and reveals. Just when you think the story is over, more surprises await, keeping the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. This book is captivating, clever, and completely realistic. It is both engaging and emotional, making it easy to read yet thought-provoking. While reading other works by the author may enhance understanding of the fictional world, it is not necessary as this book stands on its own.

I couldn't put this book down and found myself shouting out loud with each new revelation. It is, without a doubt, the best book I have read in 2024 - cleverly planned and executed. Well done to the author, and I am excited to recommend this exceptional read!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press for my digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Happy publication week to The Family Experiment!

——

”I don’t think this is a social experiment any more…”

John Marrs is the master of twisty dystopian thrillers that don’t seem all that implausible, and this one is no exception. If you enjoyed The Passengers or The Marriage Act, you’ll love this. They’re all set in the same fictional world, not too many years into our future, where technology has advanced and society has devolved past the point of traditional ethics.

”Should AI be used at all? If so, how and in what measured way?”

In The Family Experiment, a new reality show offers prospective parents a chance to create a new kind of family—one with AI children, raised entirely inside of the Metaverse. It’s like The Sims or a Tamagotchi on steroids, and the moral dilemmas are fascinating.

”AI needs to understand suffering in order to progress.”

Are AI people really people? Do they have a soul? Are they entitled to rights of their own, or do they exist purely for our own entertainment? And worse: how do we train the AI to fully comprehend the human experience, filled as it is with pain & suffering, without requiring someone to suffer in some way? Is forced-tragedy okay, if it’s for the sake of progress?

”They were designed to prepare intended parents for all eventualities, but they hadn’t covered how they might respond if a MetaChild developed self-awareness…”

Gahhhh. I could ask myself these questions for days and get completely lost in an ethical black hole. I want to discuss this one with a book club immediately. The writing was a little clunky, and the characters were a little hard to keep track of, but the concepts were so fascinating that I didn’t even care. Bring me everything on John Marrs’ backlist; I want my brain to stay this fried forever.

——

A huge thank you to John Marrs, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love John Marrs and will now read anything that he writes. The Family Experiment continues the universe of The One, The Passengers and The Marriage Act. While this is a standalone book, it definitely helps to have read his previous books to understand all the references that take place throughout this speculative universe.

The Family Experiment centers around a reality show with several couples raising a virtual child. The prize: the winning couple chooses between keeping their child or receiving a very large sum of money. We get to know each of the contestants, their back story and their motivations for participating in the reality show.

Thankfully, I read this book on vacation because I could not put it down! The author does a great job of developing each of the characters and the plot is very fast-paced. As with his other books, John Marrs sheds light on humanity's flaws and challenges in our society, which there are many.

I can't wait for his next book!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. Due to overcrowding and a financial crisis, an ever-increasing number of people cannot afford to start families. As an alternative, in the U.K., a company has created virtual children to raise in the Metaverse. To advertise this product, the company launches a reality TV show that follows 10 couples raising virtual children while competing to win the right to keep their virtual child or be given the money to raise a real baby. Marrs’ use of short chapters that frequently end with cliffhangers propels the story along, and his premise feels all too real. He also addresses our obsession with reality TV and its impact on society, as well as our mental health. This unique plot line kept me captivated.

This did a good job of blurring current technology with future/possible technology. I enjoyed the authors’s note on the idea behind the book as well. I’d recommend to fans of UPLOAD (Amazon Prime).

Hold on tight — you are about to re-enter the world of John Marrs as he continues to entertain and scare us a bit with a story about creating families in the Metaverse.

Although not part of a series, this novel of speculative fiction is connected to his previous books so you will see references to them. I love how he ties it all together!

In a not-so-distant future, people are facing economic crises, and many can't afford to have children. Finally, an alternative! Several lucky couples have been selected to take part in a new reality television show where they will be given and be allowed to take care of their personally chosen and designed virtual child in a special Metaverse where viewers can watch them parent 24/7 and eventually vote for the winner. Who's the best parent(s)? - the winner will be allowed to keep this virtual child or have the opportunity to create a real baby with the money they win. Everything starts out so well!

The narrative shifts between points of view of the different parents who are participating in the reality show. Each is unique and though at first a bit hard to keep track of, eventually they become quite distinct in the story. This was quite a dark and twisty thriller, and it kept me turning the pages as the challenges unfolded. The emphasis on the uncertainty of AI and all of the potential for both good and bad gives the reader much to think about or discuss with a book club.

I listened to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The male and female narrators did a decent job, but it was hard to differentiate between so many different characters. The nuances in voice and tone were not obvious and distinct enough in many cases. The sound effects were appreciated. It was a nice way to augment my enjoyment of the novel.

3.5⭐️

Really interesting premise, and I loved that it was set in the same timeline as his other books. It did take awhile for me to keep track of all of the characters and once I did it was a lot easier to follow along. Somewhat of a slow burn, but lots of twists throughout to keep me on my toes. Check trigger warnings because some parts hard to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

How have I not read all the books set in this world yet!? In fairness, I own them both, and I didn't actually know they were connected to this one- and you don't have to read them first, either! Though they're set in the same world, I was completely fine reading this guy as a standalone- but I absolutely will be reading the rest as soon as I can! (Also- the synopsis doesn't tell you this, but Passengers is set in this world too- and there are some Easter eggs and callbacks for all the books, though like I said, you can definitely read them on their own as you can see by my rating!)

In this one, parents are competing for a chance to basically win money for IVF/fertility treatments by going on this reality show and raising AI babies at warp speed. And yes, it is absolutely as batshit as it sounds, in the very best way! The six families are of various makeups: there is a gay couple, a single father, a few hetero-presenting couples, and they all have various motivations and backstories that will become quite pertinent to the story.

Even though there are quite a few people to keep track of, it really wasn't all that difficult. One couple is eliminated fairly early, and so it's just five to really balance. There are so many twists and turns that I could not put the book down, I wanted all the answers. And the whole concept is so wild, but also so frighteningly plausible (which is why I love a John Marrs book, honestly) that I was next-level compelled to keep turning the pages.

Bottom Line: Another incredibly twisty, incredibly thought provoking novel from Marrs!

Solid 3.5 stars. I love the imagination of John Marrs. His books are so unique and interesting. This book was no exception. Can't wait to see what this talented author comes up with next!

OH MY GOODNESS! I am trying to decide which twist surprised me the most. I love being a part of this dystopian world. I feel as though I am at home when I am engulfed in these books. John Marrs hits the nail on the head with these dystopian thrillers.

This book gives me total futuristic Sims vibes, and I am here for it! A company who has created Virtual Children has also created a Reality TV show in order to showchase a life in the Metaverse with an AI child (why does this feel extremely realistic?!). Within the show, the children will age at an accelerated rate from birth to the age of eighteen, condensed into a nine-month time period. 1. Newborn stage 2. Nine months old 3. Two years old 4. Five years old 5. Eight Years old 6. Twelve years old 7. Fourteen years old 8. Sixteen years old 9. Eighteen years old.

Viewers of this reality TV show have full live-feed access at all times. They are also able to interact and vote throughout this process. 6 contestants started this process....

I just wonder what is going to happen next in this dystopian world...

I love the way John Marrs' mind works. He takes such a simple idea that really doesn't feel that far fetched and creates a whole world. I also love how connected each of his books are, though they aren't part of a series. The world he builds in one book extends to the next and so on. It really is clever and creative and overall a joy to read and escape to.

The Family Experiment is classic Marrs so if you've enjoyed his other novels like The One or The Passengers, you'll definitely love this one. Set in a cross between the Metaverse and the real world, I loved how this book turned the notion of "family" on its head. It prompted so many questions - could you love an AI child? If you "raise" an AI child, are they real? Do AI people have rights? - and I loved that it made me question my beliefs and challenge my ethics.

I also enjoyed the competition aspect of this novel. It put people to the test making them juggle their real world responsibilities while raising an AI human in an expedited way in the Metaverse. The commitment this took was staggering! There were so many surprises along the way that I definitely didn't see coming and much of the show made me fearful for what reality tv is and what it is becoming.

Marrs definitely taps into some ugly sides of humanity and The Family Experiment is no different. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will admit it took me ages to read it and I sometimes had trouble keeping up with who was who, but generally, it was a great read.

Thank you to HTP, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for the copy.

“..a new twist on an old format.”
Exactly my thoughts. If you haven’t read any of this author’s books you may think this book is very unique, 5 stars. However, if you’ve read The Passengers or The Minders, then you will probably think “this is the same book, same plot, just different characters..”
It is the same stuff. Good writing, enough mystery, twists, dystopian, AI improvements, ethical dilemmas, nods to previous books with even some of the same characters. Overall the book is good and maybe the best of his I’ve read.

4.5 Stars - rounding up
I can't recall the last time I read a book about AI - maybe never. I just finished two books about AI and reality TV shows, even though I'm not particularly interested in either. Despite these books sharing some similar elements, they are quite different - except for the fact that they are both exceptional!

I used to steer clear of science fiction books, insisting that I wasn't interested, until some Goodreads friends persuaded me to try my first John Marrs novel. I instantly became a fan. I'm still very selective, but I've discovered a few amazing authors in the genre.

John Marrs' novels are a mesmerizing tapestry of interconnected stand-alone stories. What's truly fascinating is that they unfold in the same captivating world, with subtle references to each other that will keep you hooked. Marrs introduces mind-blowing new elements in each story, showcasing his incredible imagination and creativity.

In "The Family Experiment," Marrs takes us on a wild ride into a metaverse where the concept of a virtual child is explored. This futuristic, jaw-dropping journey stretched my imagination in ways I never thought possible. Trust me, this isn't your average sci-fi story – it's an experience that will leave you reeling long after you've turned the last page!

Big thanks to the author and HTP Book for the advance copy provided through NetGalley. All thoughts are completely my own and shared voluntarily.

#TheFamilyExperiment #htpbooks #htpinfluencer #thehive #JohnMarrs #SciFi #virtualchild #metaverse #VR #RealityTV #AI

5 Fan-girling ⭐️s for John Marrs’ latest release. This man can write no wrong IMO!

Like his previous novels, this book starts with a “what the F is going on” scene. (I am a sucker for whatever he baits his opening chapter hooks with.) Chapter 1, and I’m already invested n the characters, something many thriller writers fail to achieve through the length of an entire book.

Then he flips the script, and you’re introduced interview-style to the contestants in the AI, live-streamed game show, The Familu Experiment. If you feel like you’re drowning in character soup (because there are a lot of them), don’t panic! He throws you a life preserver with how distinct and uniquely crafted each character and their storyline is. You’ll be able to tell who is who soon enough, I promise.

What I love about John Marrs’ characters: even the “good guys” are at least 1% bad, and even the worst person is at least 1% “just misunderstood.” I find them so much relatable than pure-of-heart heroes, and evil to the core villains.

The final chapters are stacked with layered reveal after reveal. They took me through a full range of reactions: YES! NO! What??? Ohhhhh…

While never directly asked, this book raises the question: Are technological advances actually advancing society, or are they setting our humanity back. When we feel void in human connection, we fill it with connection to the internet. How well does that work, and should it work at all?

I tried to get into this one but it was a little too meta/sci-fi for me and I felt lost as I was reading.

This book was mind bending! There are some in the UK that are desperate to start a family. The population is overcrowded, costs are sky high, and some just can’t start a family. But now there is a service in which, for a monthly fee, you can have a virtual child! To introduce this to the world, the company launches a reality TV show wherein couples compete by raising a baby in the virtual world. They enter the metaverse with a special suit and a VR headset. The winner will either be able to keep their virtual child, or have the chance to start a real family. This experiment is 9 months long, so the development milestones jump far – from newborn to toddler in a month! (If only!) The contestants are watched 24/7 by the public. Who will win, and will they keep their virtual baby or try to start a real family?

Whoo this book. This book is set in the same universe as Marrs’ other books The One, The Marriage Act, and The Minders. It’s not necessary that you read those though (and I haven’t read two of the three). There is a large cast of characters, and at first it was a little difficult to keep them all straight, but I caught on rather quickly.

One of the aspects that I liked in this book was the use of mixed media. There were news articles and chats included as well. It breaks up the book a bit, and since it was a reality TV show, it was nice to get a snippet of how the public was reacting to the reality show.

Where Marrs gets these ideas I’ll never know (though he does explain it at the end of the book). But man, talk about something unique. Not only is the concept unique, but there are so many twists and turns that occur in the book. I didn’t see any of them coming, and the one that I thought I saw coming and guessed, I was wrong. This book was just SOOOO good! It’s mind bending and mind blowing.

I’d really love to see this one as a movie or TV show – I really think this is the perfect book for that.

This book was impossible to put down. If you are looking for a fast paced twisty read, this is it!

The Family Experiment is a not too far fetched reality show based on meta babies, created in the meta verse with AI. Contestants will have the opportunity to raise an AI child while the world watches and rates their parenting. Win and you can keep your child or $250,000 to start a family in the real world. Lose and poof, your child is deleted, erased, gone.

This book blew my mind but again, wasn't far fetched. What are we doing with AI and how are companies using it? What ethics surround AI and future people created in the meta verse?

Just go read it, it was a blast. Well thought out. You won't find any cheap twists or sloppy mysteries in this book.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy to review.