Unfortunately Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful was a DNF for me. I tried reading this one physically and then again via audiobook but I just could not get into the story. While I was really intrigued by the premise of this book I found it difficult to pick back up when I put it down. I definitely think this is a case of me, not the book though as loads of people seem to have really enjoyed this one!

I could not get into this book, ultimately it was not form me and I could not finish it. It may be one for other readers

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Thanks very much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. Many thanks, Dave

As a big fan of black mirror, and someone who spends a lot of time in LA, land of the vanity obsessed, this story was super refreshing! I love looking into the future and the possibilities that lie ahead. Some are exciting, some are a bit uncomfortable and some downright creepy, yet feel possible and somewhat true to life. I became very involved with many of the characters and totally became a part of this story, so incredibly well-told.

An interesting and thought provoking 6 part book that shows the possibility of a somewhat scary, dystopian path for future generations

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

A MUST READ, such an incredible sci-fi. Perfect for fans of black mirror!

Is it farcical? probably - but that didn't make it any less awesome.: https://youtu.be/KjxMfSvV96w

With genetic engineering and body enhancements becoming more and more prevalent and accessible in today's world, these six stories take us on a journey examining the future of humanity. Beginning with a depiction of a saviour sibling giving up their life to save their sibling in a twisted multiple organ transplant experiment, modern society embarks on a path of extreme genetic modification. But in this new world, what does 'human' mean?

I was initially drawn in by the deeply interesting themes and questions this novel breeches. Ever since studying a health care law module at uni, I have found genetic engineering really interesting from a theoretical and ethics standpoint. What happens when body modifications are so extensive and warped from the traditional conception of human characteristics? Where does humanity end? If these questions interest you, then this novel will definitely spike your interest. This novel takes the slippery slope argument and runs with it and imagines a potential future where people grow gills and fins, where people are so radically different that they would not be recognised as human in today's world.

Honestly, I was hoping I would have enjoyed this more. The format of the six tangentially connected stories, with each set progressively further into the future (and down the slippery slope), fell flat for me due to the larger focus on the scrutiny of the ethics side, at the expense of the enjoyment of any plot. As such, I was left feeling distinctly cold by the end of the novel and convinced that the author was more interested in exploring the (very interesting) themes rather than constructing a compelling plot with engaging characters. I never felt any genuine connection to any of the characters, as they seemed only to act to further the author's agenda and so they never truly felt real off the pages. This was compounded by the fact that I found this novel quite uneven, as I struggled to engage with some of the settings and perspectives when others felt like they ended just when it was getting interesting. Suddenly we would jump a hundred more years into the future with a whole new cast of characters. Perhaps it would have worked better for me if she had focused on a few story lines that fully flesh out the characters' lives and the world they lived in. Maybe split it up into two novels. As it stood, the anthology format on this occasion did not work for me as it felt like there was simply too much going on.

On the other hand, the author must be applauded as it did feel very different to much of the other YA sci-fi on offer at the moment. I found myself thinking about the world-building more than once after putting it down - it's definitely a novel which stays with you. I particularly enjoyed the last story where everything ends up on its head with the introduction of 'proto' humans. It felt like a fitting conclusion to the themes examined and acted as a gripping and tense finale.

Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful is a collection of six stories, all of which comments on how technology can better or destroy the human race. I think the commentary in this book was really well placed and offered a really unique insight into the world of technology and how that meshes with humans. I did enjoy this read and I’ll go into more detail as always as to what I think worked and what didn’t for me, but I just wish that there had been more of everything if I’m honest and I wish the payoff at the end had been worth it.

There are far too many characters to talk about each and every one of them but I did think they were extremely well written. I loved learning about each of them in turn even though I did feel as though their stories ended quite abruptly and didn’t quite get the explanation they needed or deserved. I think this book builds beautiful characters that you begin to care and want to know more about before ending their story without actually getting into the nitty-gritty of their motivations which is what made Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful a little disappointing in my eyes. Purely because the characters had so much potential.

I loved the commentary throughout Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful was really well done. I loved seeing the different sides to the stories and seeing the good and the bad of technology and how it can affect people’s lives for both the better and the worst. Once I realised that there were six completely different stories instead of one continual one I stopped waiting for the connection and started to enjoy them as singular storylines and without much more meaning than that. I do think that this book offers interesting insight and I really started to look at the technology we have and the pros and cons of each.

I think although I can see the idea behind having 6 separate stories I think this would have worked better if there had been more of a connection between each story. I would have loved for all the characters in Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful to have come together and for there to have been a little more closure. I just felt that even though each story offered some really great commentary there was no real point to the earlier stories because they didn’t end up feeding into one another. I got to the end of the book and didn’t quite know where it was going or why it was ending the way it did.

Once I realised that there were 6 separate stories, it made way more sense and I enjoyed them each as their own. I did think it would have been better to have more developed storyline for each and I was waiting to see how they would all entwine with each other. I would recommend Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful with the caveat that you don’t get any closure at the end of the stories so if that is what you’re after this might not be for you!

A fascinating book. Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful is a collection of six short stories, telling a tale of how humanity could develop with body-modifying technology. Each story takes us further into a possible future, from the near-present to an unrecognisable world.

The first two stories were my favourites. The first one about a twin undergoing serious surgery was moving and emotional and beautiful. There was also a definite taste of horror around the edges though. The second felt like it cranked up this horror element, a story to send shivers down the spine of the reader.

After that, the stories got more fantastical as they leapt into the future. They were interesting, more than emotional, as the characters got less recognisable.

Like a Black Mirror episode, Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful explores that uneasy territory new technology inhabits, somewhere between cool and scary.

Seriously impressive. Will stay with me long after finishing. This considered, imaginative, thoughtful approach to the possibilities of the future is exactly what I respond to in the SF genre.

This book consists of 6 stories, with a dystopian set up in the future where the enhancement of body is completely normal.
It's a very controversial, thought provoking, emotional read that makes you think about many issues like ethics, self confidence, etc.
I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it if the topic interests you.

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was approved for this ages after the publication date, so please don't think I was being super flaky with this review.

Sci-fi isn't normally my thing. I'm really interested in Space, real Space that is, but I've never really been able to get into Sci-fi unless it's got a specific angle to it. I recently read Illuminae and it so thought I'd check this out while I was still in the mood.

The book is made up of 6 different stories, each following a different set of young people as they experience a rapidly changing world. In this reality, the ability to modify the human body has become possible and through the characters featured we follow the events and implications of these new modifications.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was how well-written it was. I know that should be a pretty fundamental requirement to enjoy a book, but I felt the writing was of a higher quality than similar books of this genre.

The book explores some of the moral dilemmas and philosophical questions associated with human 'enhancement' - what makes us human? Should we play God? What dangers might lie in biology-altering technology but similarly, what opportunities might there be?

Overall, an enjoyable and thought provoking foray into an area of literature I don't often dip my toe into.

My thanks to the author, publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

This novel has an interesting episodic structure, similar to that of Cloud Atlas but with the narrative drive moving ever forward and with no return to earlier stories.
Each episode is set further into the future, and reflects a greater use of genetic and physical modification, used by some sectors of society to enhance themselves and to prey upon or punish others.

It's an imaginative and shocking depiction of some ways in which this technological and medical advancement can impact upon mankind, with an inevitably dysptopian ending, which despite all the disaster, holds a kernel of hope. Its engaging, exciting and a little bit frustrating as each episode is opened in it's finale. It certainly will make the reader reflect on the power of science to influence and direct society. A very rewarding and thought provoking piece of writing which is recommended.

I knew I had to read this when it was being marketed for fans of Black Mirror and Westworld. They're two of my favourite shows! A friend of mine actually just wrote a piece about AI, and it made me think of this story. Because how far would we really go, and what is permitted if we are able to do whatever?

What I didn't like was that I couldn't read more of the stories. But that just means that it's a brilliant book

A really thought provoking read and scary stuff - mostly because this book gives us glimpse into our potential future. I've always found the idea of genetic modification and robots and the scariest monsters of all and this book feeds into my deepest fears about the path we're heading down. The book starts in the near future and leads us gently by the hand into the consequences of meddling with biology. Each new chapter has moved on in time with ever increasing devastating consequences for what remains of the human race. A device I particularly liked was the running theme of the Reverend Tadd - initially staunchly against intervention in human biology, the reader follows him through his transformation into a leader of the pro-cyborg and genetic modification movement. Far fetched? Yes. Possible? For the sake of humanity, let's hope not.

This book really surprised me. Not my normal genre. I requested it on a whim from Netgalley. Brilliant!! I loved it. Six stories that are separate but with a little part of them that links to the next. A frightening insight into a possible future for the human race and one that is believable. Especially with the current trend of plastic surgery and the need to look perfect. Why stop there, why not go for a larger head if it contains a bigger brain or prosthetic legs to run faster. Mess about with nature, genes and DNA, the future can be frightening. A moral tale for us all.

The six short stories that make up this novel all explore interesting moral questions and are loosely connected around the influence that one man has on humanity, and technology.

All the stories are well written and feature interesting, if not always likeable characters. All are living in a world that is largely cold and mean. That was the main issue I had with the novel, the voice always felt mean, and I personally, just don't like that.

However, I'm sure that many other people would read these stories and absolutely love them, but it wasn't for me.

Clever concept, and I enjoyed it more to begin with, but it began to feel a bit sloppy and uninspired the more pages I read through.