The global population is rapidly increasing, resulting in overcrowded urban areas and an economic downturn. The UK has reached its breaking point. More and more individuals cannot afford to have children, much less raise them. However, there is an alternative for those yearning to become parents. In exchange for a monthly subscription fee, clients have the opportunity to design and connect with a virtual child through the metaverse and a VR headset. In order to introduce their new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has produced a reality TV show named The Substitute. Ten couples will raise a Virtual Child from birth to eighteen in a condensed nine-month timeframe. The prize is the choice between their virtual child or the opportunity for a real baby.

‘The Family Experiment’ by John Marrs is another one of his chillingly realistic futuristic thrillers that incorporates various perspectives and includes additional content such as online chats, ads, and news articles, contributing to the overall ambiance of the book. The book’s brief chapters, troublesome characters, and numerous twists make it nearly impossible to stop reading. I couldn’t keep track of how many times this book left me speechless.

This book was quite different from what I typically read. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it and am certain to seek out similar books in the future. I was completely engrossed in John’s ability to create an alternate reality. This story was filled with twists and unique characters that brought out a range of emotions, making it brilliant. I was worried about getting confused by the multiple POVs, but the brief chapters helped me follow the characters easily. The ideas that John comes up with are both brilliant and unsettling. His gift lies in captivating others through his storytelling abilities and the power of his words.

Many thanks to John Marrs, Pan Macmillan & NetGalley for a review copy.

The concept of a reality TV show centered on raising a virtual child due to financial constraints intrigued me. However, the execution left much to be desired.

Despite the initial promise of monthly challenges and viewer interaction, these elements were largely neglected throughout the narrative.

The book's multiple viewpoints failed to deliver substantial character development, resulting in a cast that felt superficial and difficult to connect with.

Pacing issues further hindered the reading experience, with significant plot development only occurring in the final stretch, where numerous unresolved plot holes emerged.

Additionally, the heavy reliance on familiarity with the author's previous works may alienate readers new to his work.

While the incorporation of mixed media added an interesting layer to the storytelling, it was not enough to salvage the overall disappointment.

Despite this setback, I remain hopeful for the author's future releases, given his track record of delivering captivating stories.

Yet another book that lived up to my expectations! As a long-time fan, I've always admired how all the books by this author somehow interconnect. Now, don't get me wrong, "Passengers" remains my all-time favorite, and I still can't stop raving about it. However, this latest book resonates with me in a different way, delving into a reality that feels eerily close to our own. John Marrs has a knack for crafting vivid scenes with his impeccable writing skills. "The Family Experiment" delves into the unsettling concept of virtual children, a premise that feels scarily plausible in our lifetime. The meticulous research is evident, offering just enough technical detail to grasp the concept without overwhelming the reader. The multiple viewpoints from various characters add depth and vitality to the narrative. The pacing is spot-on, keeping me thoroughly engaged throughout. My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity to read. I absolutely adored this book and found myself unable to put it down. With its twists and turns, it left me contemplating the potential future landscape.Another book that did not disappoint been along time fan now and but this book just hits different in a way that is not far from another reality that could happen john marrs as a way of setting futures that could really play out one day and it makes for a great read.

I found this book to be like an episode of Black Mirror, showing how much could possibly be achieved with technology in the future, but also how it could likely be the downfall of humanity. Quite grim in places and with a twist at the end, I read it quickly and would recommend to any fans of Black Mirror.

Blimey! The Family Experiment is another brain frying jaunt into speculative fiction, by author John Marrs.

Each of the five books set in this alternative, futuristic Britain have been very thought-provoking; but this I think is the most warped one yet.
The book sees a brand new virtual reality programme, lset to take the world by storm. The ‘contestants’ will become parents to metababies, babies who exist only in the metaverse, a virtual reality world. Over a 9 month period, these babies will age at an accelerated pace, to give the parents a taste of every phase of a child’s development. The ‘winner’ will either be able to keep their virtual offspring, or be given £250,000 and have their metachild deprogrammed, see their pixels dissipate in front of their eyes. (I said it was warped!)

For those readers who have followed the series through from The One, many references in the book will be familiar. The pathway that leads the our own reality to this hideous alternative, has been driven by Orwellian Governments and the relentless progress of AI.

The characters are from a wide demographic. A variation of ages, experiences, and opinions, all of which make for an eclectic, interesting cast. The chapters are short, holding the attention, and always leaving the reader wondering what is happening with the other families. The storyline is intense and gripping. From early on in the story, you get a sense that there is so much hidden beneath the surface of the virtual parents.

As well as the book being a rip-roaring 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ride, there are some serious issues addressed too. The harsh realities, and impossible choices that are faced by those who face social and financial inequalities, have a spotlight shone on them. Migration from economically poorer countries to the their richer neighbours, the desperate reality of those that face these journeys.

I have no idea if the author is planning another book in this series, if he is, I dread to think what he will unleash on us next. I’m from the generation who thought having a ZX Spectrum at home was cutting edge, so this has frazzled my little grey cells.

Full disclosure - I've loved every John Marrs book I've read so far, in fact, I need a reread in series order. The latest in The One universe series does refer to characters and tech of previous novels but it can also be read as a completely standalone novel too. Like my review of the Last App, this dystopian future is a little too close for comfort. I can so easily see something like this playing out in my own lifetime. Each contestant couple on the Family Experiment has a history they'd rather not disclose and it's not until the fantastic final quarter that we find out the links between them. The juxtaposition of people trafficking from the UK rather than to it - especially in the current political climate - is really interesting and is a stark hint to how our future could play out if we're not careful. This was truly excellent. Thank you to NetGalley and John Marrs for the ARC 🙂

Absolutely loved this. Waited to take it with me on my holiday so I could enjoy it. If you've read the marriage act and the passengers , you'll know the jist of the background and how it's set in the future. It's not sci fi though, definitely more a thriller. The story comprises of 5 couples who enter a TV show with their "meta child" a child who only exists on the metaverse but is still realistic. The cost of living has impacted so much that people can no longer to have a child the natural way, so take part in this experiment . The winner- well gets to keep their child or the prize pot which ever they choose and those who don't win, their child simply evaporates.
I thought it would be hard initially to remember who was who but John writes it so that you actually do. So Many twists and turns and kept me hooked. A really amazing, original read with references to the other two books I've mentioned. Really enjoyable!

This was another thought provoking and compelling read from this author. One of his speculative fiction books, The Family Experiment explores the frighteningly plausible idea of virtual children. The book was, as ever, clearly well researched and with just enough technical explanation to understand the premise without getting too bogged down in detail. This book offers viewpoints from several characters which works well and helps bring all the characters to life. I found it well paced and compelling and overall a very engaging read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read.

The Family Experiment is not my normal type of read but I found the description interesting and intriguing. I absolutely loved the book and I just could not put it down. It was full of twists and turns and really left me thinking about what the future could look like.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for my ARC.

In a world where the cost of living crisis is making it very difficult to be able to afford to have children, market leaders Awakening Entertainment have created an alternative; the world's first fully interactive children in the Metaverse and eleven contestants, five couples and one single person, are now being given the chance to take part in the new tv reality show, The Family Experiment, which allows them to feel everything a biological parent would, over a nine month period, in which time their child will grow from a newborn to an adult and the winner of the competition will win the ultimate prize, either keep their MetaChild or pull the plug and receive £250,000 to help them start their own Real World family.

The Family Experiment is the latest speculative thriller by Marrs told alternately from the perspective of each of the contestants as they progress through the competition, which all seems fairly straightforward, how hard can it be to look after a virtual child? But each of the contestants have something to hide and with the eyes of the public on them 24/7 it's only a matter of time before those secrets are revealed and they are faced with the consequences. This is a fast paced, hard hitting story with some great twists and with the increasing introduction of AI everywhere this could one day be the future we are facing. Another great read by this author and if you've loved his other speculative thrillers you won't be disappointed with this one.

I'd like to thank Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

The economic situation is so desperate that being able to have a child is becoming the domain of the really rich- but imagine you could have a virtual child? AI has advanced so much & the apparatus to experience the metaverse has become so sophisticated that is close to becoming reality. For a monthly subscription you could become a parent! To launch these children & to ride the never lessening obsession with reality TV nine couples & a single man are chosen to raise a child from birth to age eighteen but condensed into a nine month time period. The winner can keep their virtual child or take the prize money to have their own real child. Before long people are up all night watching the children & their parents, but as with most of these things the competitors have been chosen with care & not for the abilities as potential parents!

As you found out the background of these people many didn't endear themselves to you. I can honestly say I've never watched reality TV- this doesn't look like I'll want to in the future! However, reading about it was different! John Marrs usually keeps me glued to the page, & this one was no exception. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- loved it!

I always love John marrs books and this one didn’t disappoint. Each one is unique and brilliant. I did struggle slightly at the beginning to work out who was who and it took me a while to differentiate some of the couples which is the only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars. Fantastic twists that you can never guess and it all ties together brilliantly!

Brilliant! The book is unusual and compelling. Not a usual read for me but it is written so well that I will definitely be reading more by the author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Wow! This book is full of twists and turns that'll keep the reader engaged. I found this book fast paced. It was interesting to read about the different POVs and backstories of the characters. Despite the number of characters, the storyline is easy to follow. The ending was superbly written!

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillanbfor a copy if the book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Wow John marrs does it again!

Devoured this so quickly as I just needed to know what happened next!!

WoW ............. What did I read?

The Family Experiment by John Marrs was one of the best books I have read and it's not a book I would usually read. But I just love the way this author writes.
This latest book is crazy, dark, and so scary! Is our future becoming like this? Runnn!!!

Reality TV, and now AI which scares the life out of me!!! is becoming very popular and a way of life especially for younger generation.

The world's population is soaring quickly and creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. In the UK, they are at breaking point has arrived. With a growing number of people can no longer afford to start families, let alone raise them.

However, for those who are desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. Just for a small monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the met-averse and a VR headset.

WoW......Scary thought There must be a catch!!!

But, to launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality TV show called The Substitute, This will follow ten couples as they raise a AI Child from birth to the age of eighteen but in a condensed nine-month time period. Everywhere you turn there will be eyes on you - everyone Is watching you and commenting on you 24/7! There's No room for errors or slip ups!!!

The Grand Prize:

Is the right to keep their virtual child, or swap it for the money to bring up a biological child of their own......

What would you do?

Would you do this? and What would you do to have a baby?

But there has to be more to this?

Each of the contestants is hiding a dark secret and, they can not slip up! the whole world is watching them, there's nowhere to hide!

WoW, this book is so good once I started to read it I found it hard to put down........I wonder what this world will be like in 50 years time? or even sooner..............AI IS HERE! and its not going anywhere!......Its just going to Grow and get bigger! Scary Stuff.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for my ARC.

This was a very interesting read. I love this authors style of writing for sure. I feel like his work is so unique and makes you really think what if.

The family experiment is based on the idea that you can raise a child in the Metaverse and is a new TV show with contestants wanting a chance to have a family but are unable to do so for reasons such as the cost of living being so high. There is viewer interaction and after 9 months they will select a winner who can either keep their VR child or get winnings to enable them to have a child in the real world. I like the idea of there being a thin line between virtual reality and real life. I didn't particularly like many of the characters in the book and it all seemed quite bleak without any real happy endings. There is a big sci fi element that I think just wasn't really for me unfortunately although saying that it was an interesting and different concept to read.

3.5 stars.

No one writes twists like John Marrs! This was another very good speculative fiction books but I was a little confused in places lol.

She wasn't a likeable character but I would love more of Issy's story and background.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Another utterly fabulous spec-fic from John Marrs - this is oh so clever!

SYNOPSIS:

In a future with overpopulation and economic strain, having a real child is a luxury. A company offers a solution: virtual children raised in the metaverse over a condensed nine months. Ten couples compete on a reality show to raise a virtual child to adulthood. The prize? Keeping the virtual child or a chance to have a real one. This dark story explores the ethics of parenthood, technology, and the lengths people will go to have a family.

MY THOUGHTS:

- This book, like The Marriage Act before it, reads like an episode of Black Mirror - chillingly dark.

- Not only is it an awesome premise it's intelligently executed, and the plot is so cleverly devised and written.

- The story follows each of the contestants through the utterly bonkers reality TV show and the plot twists just keep on coming.

- Each chapter is the POV (point of view) of the different characters and although there were a lot I did not get lost - which is easy for me!

- Marr's character development is so captivating, you sit gripped watching each of their lives in the Metaverse and reality unfold.

- This book is mind-blowing as whilst reading about the absurdity of the reality TV show and AI you are all too aware that this isn't that unrealistic!

- Marr's manages to terrify me with what COULD happen in the not-too-distant future in yet another utterly gripping, immersive page-turner.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.