I really wanted to love this book. I thought this would lead to a thought-out and detailed review. I don't like being an outlier review on speculative novels, but The Human Son didn't hold my interest. I think the combination of it being a detached POV and the fact that it centered on child-rearing, which I don't have an interest in and can't relate to, worked to my disadvantage.

Beautiful prose, but not for me.

As hard as I tried I just couldn’t finish it. Got 25% of the way through, put the book down, picked it up a few days later to only end up reading a chapter or two, put the book down again rinse and repeat until I started a book I absolutely adored and realized life’s too short for mediocre books.

The premise of the novel was interesting; a human child being raised by nonhumans, the Erta. This novel could then explore what it means to be human. However, this wasn’t how the first 25% of the book went. Instead it was a spiel on child rearing which isn’t exciting. I didn’t really care about how one Erta had trouble rearing a baby human as all of the problems she experiences could have been solved by reading a book. For a species that is supposed to be geniuses they sure can act dumb. Granted you could argue that all that information had been destroyed due to not needing it anymore but I don’t buy that either.

The Erta, as characters, are boring. They meditate long on the beauty of nature and how to find inner peace without actually doing anything exciting. I love some description on nature if it’s incorporated nicely into the story. However, when your whole storyline consists of poetic writing with no conflicts that need to be resolved, I get bored. Also, the Erta didn’t feel like a bioengineered species they just felt like humans 2.0. They were smarter, more beautiful and more callous and cruel but they still looked and acted like humans.

Overall not my type of book.

Thank you to Solaris and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a very unique read, even in the sci-fi world, and features the brilliant writing by Walker once again.

With themes of humanity and the future of Earth, it was a deeply thought-provoking read and ultimately unputdownable.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2021 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2021/02/2021-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

I was originally attracted to this book because of its take on the "return to a ruined Earth" sci-fi genre. While I think there were some things that were a little on the nose, I really appreciated the span of which this book took place. The character growth throughout the novel reflected both Ima and the human son, which for someone like me, is very satisfying to see play out.

The first thing I realised after reading this book is that speculative fiction is not a genre for me, though, I can definitely see & appreciate the appeal of it.

The story was a mishmash of emotions, heart, & loads of scientific words that sounded intelligent & mysterious.

The best & enduring part of this novel was the relationship between Ima & the human son. It was amazing. It was the one thing that kept me hooked to the story.

The science jargon would be of interest to some but I couldn't help but skim through it.

Though the side characters including Benedikt, Jore, pahya had excellent potential, they were severely underused & their characterization was ultimately a disappointment.

The ending though predictable was fairly satisfying.

Overall an ok read, speculative fiction fans will truly enjoy this.


Characterization: ⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

#netgalley #thehumanson #adrianjwalker #arc

The Human Son has such an excellent premise and is thoroughly enticing. Unfortunately, the formatting of the NetGalley was such that I was not able to complete it but I will be buying a copy to finish it.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book follows a time some hundred of years after the Erta created a virus to stop the continuance of the human race. It is now time, at least some of the Erta believe to repopulate the planet with human life and for the Erta to "transcend" to something better.

This took a real effort to pick up read and ultimately to finish

I have looked at other reviews, many rate this book highly, maybe they saw something I didn't or maybe they were transcending at the time - whatever It was I am mystified.

I read this book in two days, and it came at a very apt time in two ways. It was mother’s day yesterday and also the current virus roaming the world. There are only mentions of a ‘virus’ in this dystopia(of sorts), but there are parallels many of our idle minds would most certainly draw. The motherhood, however, is a central theme.

The story begins in a forced utopia. A new species was created for the sole purpose of guiding our planet to safety when climate change and the ensuing destruction completely wreck our system. What begins as a hopeful enterprise turns into something else. To stick to their purpose, the Erta set the planet into balance again. Every other species but that of humans was allowed to come back and populate Earth, the skies and waters were cleared up, and all that remains now is the big question of what happens next. I may look like I am revealing a lot of the plot, but this book was about none of those things I just mentioned. It is the background and the ‘function’ of the narrative, but it is mainly about one Erta-Ima. Ima is an Erta who thrives on data and needs to compute emotions or even fundamental interactions until she starts to foster a human baby. A lot rides on this experiment, but the gradual change that comes over Ima is the life of the book.

There is a raw, primal description of what Ima feels for this extremely ‘weak’ species as time passes. This is in the form of a letter to the son, and we can see how the story unfolds. One of the intense thought processes tackled here includes the purposefulness of life and what happens ‘after’. It is written in an engrossing manner, and it captured my attention. Being a quick read also helped with how I felt. I would highly recommend it to readers of the sci-fi genres who lookout for more introspection and heart in the stories. The content leans more towards the mind and questions than actual physical violence between any two feuding parties.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I enjoyed this book. I felt the pacing was uneven at times, but ultimately I think it's a worthwhile read. If (as is rumored) this is the beginning of a series, I'll definitely pick up the next one!

I found the premise of this book very intriguing and couldn't wait to read it. I wasn't disappointed the book keeps you hooked until the end and will keep you thinking long after you have finished it. I highly reccommend

The Human Son is the initial instalment in a proposed new speculative science fiction series set against the backdrop of near-future Earth and a time in which humanity has become extinct with the planet now under the patronage of the Erta, a genetically engineered race who have managed to reverse the indescribable damage humans had done via climate change. Both homo sapiens’ proclivity to engage in wars for financial and/or political gain or work towards imperialistic objectives hold negative connotations when it comes to the Erta deciding whether to place another human on the planet. But not only do they lack critical information when it comes to the recent history of the homo sapiens but they realise that we can teach them such a lot about a multitude of topics and about what it really means to be a “human being”.

Given the situation we as a planet and species currently find ourselves, this is a genuinely terrifying, thought-provoking and all-too-real narrative; for some this will cut a little too close to the bone as it successfully gets under your skin and very much warps your psyche, but that is precisely what makes it work so fantastically well. In parts, it is wickedly funny, full of wit and insight, and emotionally resonant throughout. It explores ubiquitous hot-button topics in a way that doesn't feel like preaching or self-serving. This is a book I recommend to all of those who value ”human nature” and our uniqueness in this vast universe.

An entertaining and richly-imagined tale, it is cleverly plotted and stunningly perceptive about our species. The cast of characters is made up of those who are engaging and beautifully developed penned with a sense of urgency and purpose in sparkling prose. Very much a philosophical and experimental piece. It’s no wonder Stephen King has praised it. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Solaris for an ARC.

This book... it spoke to me, okay? Not only about what it means to be a human being, but what it means to be a parent. And this isn't to say you won't love it if you aren't one, but it just made it extra special for me, I think. In this story, a species of lab-grown Erta are tasked with restoring Earth to its pre-human state. They've succeeded, but now have a decision to make: Does humanity deserve a second shot at existence?

How do they decide this? By grabbing a human embryo out of the lab, and growing it, of course! Ima is a scientist through and through; she assumes she will have no issues at all unbiasedly raising said human child. All Erta have been engineered to take out the "worst" of human traits, and are both genetically built and trained from birth to forgo emotion and respond to logic. Ima has done this for centuries, and doesn't see this being a problem.

But as every parent knows, Ima is wrong. And we, the reader, get to undertake this incredible journey with her. Not only is the child not hers biologically, he isn't even her species. Ima and the rest of the Erta are about to find out how very little that matters.

This book attempts (and I think does an incredible job) of defining humanity. What makes us who we are, as both a whole and individually? Are we doomed to fight and pollute and kill? Or are we more than that? I won't be telling you anymore about this book, because you need to discover these answers for yourself. But you can be assured that you will find an incredibly powerful, emotive story. It's beyond morally gray, and will examine both Erta and human history and politics. How we're different, how we aren't at all. And, it has a ton of fun, light-hearted moments that are such a perfect balance for the grittier bits.

Bottom Line: I fell completely in love with this book, with heart seeping out of every page. Gorgeous writing, complex characters, and a very dynamic world made this one of the best books of the year.

Introspective post-apocalyptic sci-fi with a finger on the pulse of what it means to be a parent.

Several centuries into Earth's future and the planet is no longer populated with humans. The Erta, genetically engineered by the previous colonisers, have spent hundreds of years reversing the damage done by humans. Now, as they prepare to leave, their work done ("do not multiply more than you can sustain, do not consume more than you need, do not create more than is necessary"), the decision must be made as to whether they reintroduce people to the planet, potentially to make the same mistakes twice. A single human baby is generated, with Ima volunteering to raise him, very different to her centuries spent in the skies (I have spent my life studying and manipulating the chemistry of the atmosphere"). She will be dispassionate, logical and neutral in her assessments of the growing human. Taking care of his needs will be systematic and uninvolved, and a decision can be taken when he reaches manhood.

The story arcs through Ima's whole experience of taking the small bundle back to her abode soon after his birth and follows her experiences as a 'parent', whilst also showing how those inside and outside of child-rearing view it.

Walker brings a huge amount of empathy and understanding to the details of the nurturing investigation. Any adult who has gone through this will feel a huge amount of sympathy and also a little schadenfreude for the complacency of Ima, the logical and rather cold being whose whole life and way of looking at the world drastically alters.

Swaddled inside the larger story is this one of a parent and child, both learning together. This is a human story. The world-wide plot, of Etra's society, values and future is the science fiction side, and I loved picturing the abodes, the look of the Etra, how members fit together in their roles and eventually finding out the history of humans and their creations.

Watching the human child grow up felt very familiar, as a parent with two of my own boys, and seeing him reach the age of questioning, of change, was movingly conveyed. It all gave pause for thought, with a plot that felt close to home and certainly less improbable than you might like. And there were some laughs to be had along the way, especially with some early-on parenting mistakes/lessons that a lot of readers will find familiar.

Really poignant, intriguing and compassionate story and characters. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.

Hundreds of years in the future, humanity no longer exists. Instead, Earth is populated by approximately 11,00 Erta. Erta were created by a human who was answering her species call for help to try and save the world. Global warming has gone too far. Humanity is beyond being able to turn it around. However, ruled by data and logic, the Erta realised that the way for Earth to survive and eventually rejuvenate is to allow humans to die out. They can then go about saving the planet.

At the start of our story that is precisely what the Erta have accomplished. As they now have no purpose they discuss transcendence as there is no point to them staying on the planet. Until one Erta points out that they should re-introduce humans to Earth. The vast majority of Erta disagree. They have spent hundreds of years fixing the mess made by humans and to re-introduce them would surely leave the planet in the same position it was in previously.

Ultimately they decide to create a single human life as a test subject for its entire species. Ima is the Erta given the responsibility of raising the child and the story follows her development through his life. From seeing him as a test subject to realising that she loves him as she struggles through the various aspects of parenting.

When I first started the book I was very interested in the plot outlined in the blurb but dubious as to how this would be handled without being too similar to AI children or end of the world type stories. What I found was a really fresh, original storyline. Unlike many sci-fi adventures, this one focuses on emotion and the bonds between its characters more than the sci-fi element, which actually makes all the different elements fit together seamlessly.

I would have liked a bonus chapter at the end, set perhaps 10 years on from when the story ends off. However, that is possible because we tend to look for very 'complete' endings - whereas this book is all about the journey.

I received a free, prelease copy of #TheHumanSon from #NetGalley. Published by at #Solaris of #RebellionPublishing this book is available from 28/04/20.

I really loved this book. It is all things emotional and also, in places, very funny. It's also a bit poignant, especially at the times we find ourselves in at the moment.
So, it is 500 years in the future and the human race are gone. The Earth is instead looked after by the Erta who are genetically engineered beings tasked with saving the planet by reversing climate change until such time they are safe to allow the humans back and they can retreat. But is it time? It is even an good idea?
(Aside: boy does this ever sound similar to when countries will relax lockdown from covid-19)
One of the Erta has the idea that maybe it would work if they just allowed one human child back. To slowly re-introduce the race. It will have its challenges for sure but Ima is willing to play mother to that child. To raise him, keep his history secret, and just maybe, the experiment will be a success?
But oh my days, has she bitten off more than she can chew with this, and does she really know the true history of what happened to the humans all those years ago?
As well as being a cracking read, this book was also a bit food for thought. We have humans being removed from the planet and the start of the planet healing itself - rather like what is also happening in the world today with no cars on the road, no people out and about so the native animals are venturing further afield and pollution is at its lowest rate for decades. Anyway, I digress. So we follow Ima as she brings up Reed. Some of the early days are hilarious as she has basically no idea how to do this, how to fulfil his basic needs. As he grows though, she faces dilemma after dilemma and starts to rebel away from the council, gathering other allies to assist her and it all becomes a bit more serious in tone.
It's kind of a coming of age book for Reed but also, you could argue the same for Ima too. The development of her character throughout the book is quite striking. It's a sci-fi genre book but I found the sciency parts easy to follow and get to grips with. Whether that was that I understood them fully or that I could accept what I was being told, dunno. Bit of both I guess.
It's also a book that can be read on many levels, depending on how deep you want to think things over. I think I am in the middle of the curve, especially equating it to the now I find myself in, but also wanting to just read a book for a good story, which this also is if read on a shallower level. Hope that makes sense...
All in all, a good solid read that held my attention nicely throughout, kept me guessing, and left me satisfied at its conclusion. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

So much better than I was expecting and such a satisfying ending!

A wonderful concept measuring up the line between living and not, purpose and none. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend!

Really good and I enjoy this book and an author I want to follow closely! Second read from this author for me. Give it a chance!

Another absolutely enthralling read by Adrian J Walker. The Human Son is the book we all need right now.
I'm struggling to find the words to correctly summarise just how much I loved this book. Not only has Walker perfectly captured the all consuming strangeness of motherhood, he has also managed to reaffirm my belief in the good parts of humanity that are often forgotten. Part warning of what could be and part celebration of the utter tenacity of the human spirit, The Human Son is a novel that instills within you a hope of a better tomorrow, if only we try.

Y’all. I’m gonna have a hell of a time picking a favourite book of the year because this is another absolutely fantastic one. Honestly, when I finished this book, I just sat there for a moment because it wrecked me a little. It’s one of those books that asks big important questions (for instance: what does it mean to be human? What about to be a parent? Or a child?) And then manages to answer them in ways that are humorous, poignant and frankly thought-provoking. One of my favourite parts of this book was the use of the Ehrta as foils to humanity.

Ima is an interesting main character, she’s calculating, scientific, tries to be impartial in her experiment, and the result is frankly hilarious at moments and something that is just so akin to a human response. You know, those moments when you’re taking care of a child, and it’s just so ridiculous it can’t be real, but it is and the next thing you know you’re sitting on the floor covered in vomit and food and well, fuck that’s life. This book captures that level of childcare so well. And frankly, I just loved watching Reed grow up. I think, there’s a level of growing up different, and not knowing why that’s captured in this book, that’s so poignant.

Moreover, I loved the layers of the story, there’s so much more going on than just “yeah, Ima’s gonna raise a child and that’s gonna answer this big scientific question.” The book examines radicalism, the nature of creativity, and asks important questions about the extent of logical thought and the pitfalls therein. And of course, it examines

Frick, I would love to sit here and rant about all the things that I loved about this book, but I don’t have time. It’s definitely going on my to be read again list. So there it is, I think this is a great read for anyone who’s looking for something that oscillates between heart-warming and heart-breaking. Emotional, hopeful and poignant sci fi at its best.