I was very excited to get to this book. Unfortunately, this was not for me. I kept getting so confused throughout the book and just didn't enjoy it. I do look forward to reading more of John Marrs in the future though.

There are no words. This was the most unique thriller I think I’ve ever read. If you’re looking for unique, something that’s unlike anything you’ve read before, this is it!

The Family Experiment is such a fascinating idea for a book. John Marrs has the ability to suck readers in and keep them constantly guessing. This one is no different. Highly recommend this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Family Experiment by John Marrs. What a ride. Metaverse and AI collides with human brokenness. The jealousy, greed, selfishness, desire, addiction, all the things we struggle with are broadcasted in a live competition in the metaverse while colliding tragically with real world events. Couldn’t put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

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What a great concept- families competing to have the chance to raise an AI baby so they can get money to raise one in the real world. I definitely didn’t predict where this was going. I love the way Marrs thinks.

How thought provoking!
How imaginative!
How entertaining!

The writing and storytelling are terrific!
The development of the storyline has a wonderful flow and I didn’t want to put this book down.The topic was interesting and so original.

This is probably my favorite book by John Marrs so far.

John Marrs does it again returning to his speculative/dystopian universe with The Family Experiment. This time we get to experience a reality TV show mixed with the AI angle. I really love being able to return to the same universe over and over. They are interconnected stand-alone books that can be read separately or in order. The world is richer and the Easter eggs are interesting if you’ve read them all but you won’t feel lost if you begin with this one.

As a bit of a reality TV junkie, I found The Family Experiment show a clever way to explore the MetaBaby concept. There was a somewhat large cast of characters but using the reality show framework was a logical and interesting way to introduce them all and have all the varied POV’s. It did take me a little while to keep track of all of them. Most of the characters had few redeeming qualities and were not very likable. I didn’t find that it took away from me enjoying the stories. It was liked watching a trainwreck. You didn’t love it but you couldn’t look away.

John Marrs does such a great job building up of suspense. The pace was started out a little slower compared to some thrillers but definitely picked up and I found the plot twists satisfying. I just always love returning to this universe.

I honestly love everything that John Marrs writes and these dystopian sci-fi books really scratch an itch my brain didn't know it had.

I wasnt able to read The Family Experiment before its publish date but now that I have read it I gave it 3.5 stars.

I’m new to dystopian thrillers and I loved this one! It truly creeped me out and it was so believable which made it even more scary! I love reality tv so the premise of this book was super intriguing to me. The characters, the twists and turns, it was all so wild!

I love John Marrs. This was my first sci-fi by him and I enjoyed it so much! It was so twisty, entertaining, and had me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to read more of him!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This may very well be my all-time favorite John Marrs reads. (Even though I recall saying that when I finished The One. And I’ll likely be saying it again when he releases his next

This was my first John Marrs novel. I was so excited to try him out. This might not have been the best one to start with, (The One might have been a better choice, as it’s kind of the start of this universe) but I was still glad I picked it up! I love the theoretical questions it posed- if something *feels* real, how do you start to differentiate between that and real life? - but made into a bit of a suspense novel, made it all the more fun. If you’re into speculative fiction, and love suspense, John Marrs seems like a great place to start. I definitely want to read more by him now!

John Marrs novel always make me want to read them.

This one was a little odd and wasn't his best novel. It was ok but not something i would recommend. It did not keep me engaged and i really just wanted to DNF and I have never done that with a John Marrs novel.

I will continue to read from this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

One of the blurbs on the cover of the book said “Nobody does scarily plausible near-future like Marrs. This—his best yet—is an unsettling and immersive rollercoaster which hurtles towards a chilling denouement. A truly thought-provoking, single-sitting thriller. Loved it.”

I agree wholeheartedly. This book broke me out of my book slump. Loved it. 4.5 stars.

John Marrs is always good for a fast paced thriller and this book is no different. Thank you for an advanced copy!

What a super interesting concept! I enjoyed the way this was told in multiple POVs (but was sometimes confused by the many characters) and the different formats of tv show host, online chat, etc. I would definitely recommend the audiobook and I thought the twists were really good too!

Unpopular opinion, but I have yet to be able to get through a John Marrs book. I DNF at 30-50% in. These are just not for me. This has been a NetGalley arc that I just cannot get through despite months of trying. The entire premise is too ridiculous for me. There’s way too many characters to keep track of. Honestly it was just boring. I will not attempt anything else from this author as he is clearly not for me.

John Marrs is second to none in weaving the craziest tales and characters with ease. While you would think it would be hard to keep track of everyone involved, it plays out so beautifully and well-written. Just when you think the twist has been exposed, you're introduced to an even crazier twist. I loved this book, as I love everything I've read by John Marrs. This is an interesting concept in that it's in the future and most families are unable to afford having children of their own as well as overpopulation concerns. Contestants take part in The Family Experiment, a reality show where the contestants are each given a virtual child that ages to 18 quickly. They are voted for by the audience. Don't miss this book or anything by John Marrs for that matter. He's amazing!

With Metababies, you have the opportunity to customize every aspect of your child. This groundbreaking concept will be introduced through The Family Experiment TV program, hosted by Autumn Taylor. Over nine months, eleven childless couples will engage in raising interactive children within the Metaverse, navigating challenges where viewers can reward or penalize their parenting efforts. The ultimate reward? The option to keep their virtual child or the chance to welcome a real baby.

John Marrs consistently delivers innovative and thought-provoking narratives. If you’ve read The One and The Passengers, you can expect a similarly engaging experience with this latest work. The scenarios presented are chillingly plausible, raising important ethical questions and urging us to approach this evolving landscape with caution.

The story is conveyed through the distinct perspectives of the selected parents, each possessing rich and complex backstories. Readers will find themselves empathizing with some while observing the distressing unraveling of others' lives. The tension is expertly crafted, featuring moments that elicit both suspense and surprise.

One character, in particular, is both intriguing and enigmatic, drawing readers deeper into their narrative. As the plot unfolds, the question of the ultimate objective remains compelling, with unexpected twists that keep the audience engaged. Additionally, the clever and humorous inserts throughout provide insightful social commentary, enhancing the overall reading experience.