My GOD Marrs does it again!! How does he keep doing it??

In a time where conversations around artificial intelligence and the ethics of it are ramping up (and all over the booksphere alone), the timing of this release is perfect.

What if AI could do more than automated tasks or generate text/"art"? What if it could give you a child you desperately wanted? It looks like a biological child, acts like one, even feels like one, but exists solely in the metaverse. The Family Experiment centers around a reality show where couples (and one single dad) compete to be the best parents of metaverse children in order to win the prize--either keep the metaverse child, or win 250k to spend on having your own real biological child. But not everyone is as they appear, and there are ethical dilemmas galore. Are these children real? Do they have rights? What about what goes on when the cameras are off?

This was a WILD story--even if you predict the twist (or think you did), this is absolutely a thriller you need to finish anyway. I was HOOKED from the first page, and even once I thought I figured out I was so engrossed I just HAD to know how we got there. Every family has something that's just not quite right about them--a secret that if it gets out could ruin their shot at winning the competition. In order to win, they have to not only be the best parents to ever exist (because this is all live streamed and the winner is chosen by fan votes), but they have to keep their own secrets hidden.

The stories are all connected in a way that feels a litttleeee extra, but works extremely well. We get resolution without a pretty bow on everything which makes it all feel more believable. But most importantly, it felt REAL. I can absolutely see something like this (at least the idea of metachildren) becoming a topic in the not-so-distant future. I loved the "news" articles and chat comments interspersed throughout the book! It makes it feel more "real" and added a layer to the story that ties it into reality. I would have devoured another 100 pages of this story without batting an eye.

If you've read John Marrs before, you won't be disappointed with this one. And if you haven't, this is the PERFECT book to start with. 10/10, no notes at all from me.

An incredible speculative fiction novel that will keep you turning the pages! I’ve not read the other novels that John Marrs has written in this world but they are high on my list after reading this one.

We have plenty of sci-fi elements, a dystopian world, and plenty of twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

You just cant go wrong with John Marrs books in my eyes I'm sorry, if you read your here for a trip, a good time guaranteed! Want to raise a family, but unable to due to financial or physical limitations? Well, how about a meta-child in the meta-verse? In order to get the public behind this new craze…I mean technology, it’s offered up to the masses as a live stream reality show. A show where different couples and one single man will raise an AI baby who leaps through milestones to adulthood in months rather than years. The public votes on the winner who can then opt to either walk away with money to start their own true family, or keep their Meta-child. I wasn’t to be disappointed as this coup in the thriller genre is sensationally clever in addition to thought provoking at a deeper level. My imagination was stretched as I tried to comprehend bouncing back and forth between reality and living in the metaverse with deciphering the possibilities turning me inside out mentally at times.

I really enjoyed the way that Marrs creates this sense of discomfort in the thriller by introducing you to a world where AI has become so ingrained into people’s lives. The plot was really creepy and disturbing at some points, and the author did a phenomenal job with creating multi-dimensional characters. There’s great world building and most of the plot is pretty unique. I did find some of the twists/reveals to be a little bit predictable and honestly confusing, especially at the end. There are so many characters at the start, that I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. As the book went on, I was hoping it would get easier to follow, but it didn’t really feel that way. I kept going back to remind myself which characters were which.

This was my first John Marrs, and I’ll definitely go back and try some of his other thrillers.

Having never read any of John Marrs' books before, I had no idea of the wild ride I was in for in this novel. After finishing the book in a single sitting, I looked up from my e-reader and said, "WHAT did I just read?" It was a thought-provoking, brain-sizzling story and I couldn't wait to read more of this author's work.

The book is extremely fast-paced with short but mesmerizing chapters. The downside to this is that for the first 20% of the book I found it considerably difficult to keep track of the numerous characters involved. (Grab a pen and journal, you're going to need a mind map to start!) But after a bit of flipping back and forth, I soon figured out who was who and settled in for a dramatic, non-stop, read.

Each of the contestants in the reality TV series have their own set of secrets and Marrs takes us from one jaw-dropping scene to another. While the book is dystopian / speculative fiction, it's also something that feels entirely plausible with the rise of AI and virtual reality. The book feels fresh, unique, and completely immersive, and forces us to think critically about the role, dangers, and uses of technology like this in society.

Although this is part of the same universe of Marrs' previous novels, it can be read as a standalone. (There are some Easter Eggs for those who've read his other books.) After finishing The Family Experiment, I immediately put Marrs' book, The One on hold and quickly devoured it as well -- and that is absolutely a testament to how much I enjoyed this read.

All in all, The Family Experiment is a really dark and intelligent read that is sure to leave you thinking! Whether you love science fiction, dystopian thrillers, or just a really solid, twisty read, this book is definitely one to add to your TBR shelf this summer!

I had this John Marrs on my To Be Read list for a previous book, so when The Family Experiment became available for an advanced reading, I was excited to pick it up. It did not disappoint and reaffirmed all the good things I've read about the author's work. It is speculative fiction at its best, complete with advanced technology that feels only a few years away from reality. However, as this novel shows us, advances such as these usually should come with a stark warning.

The novel's premise is intriguing, and the formatting is unique. Basically, presenting transcripts of interviews of the "contestants" was clever. It made me feel like I was watching rather than reading. It also helped with character development, helping set a foundation in my mind for them in the beginning before the author weaved more layers throughout the book. I cared about many of them as the story progressed.

In the beginning, it took me a little longer to remember all of the contestants involved. I'm not sure if it was the larger number or their unique presentation that caused me trouble. But that was only a small speed bump, as the rest of the novel delivered.

Reading this new book has caused me to move a couple of John Marrs' previous books up my TBR list more quickly! I'm excited to read more of his work and to see the accolades that The Family Experiment will surely receive.

I gave this book 4 stars. I really like this author and this book did not disappoint. The storyline was the most original I have read in awhile and made me think about what the future may look like.

4.5 stars!

I was SO invested in this book! John Marrs is easily one of my favorite authors. The ideas, plots, and UNIQUE concepts for his books are so intriguing and the way this story came together and how things were revealed throughout were *chef's kiss*. I had so much fun reading this book! This book takes place in the same realm as a few of his other stories which is a nice touch if you have read those as well. A main theme in this book is the development and power of AI which was so cool to read about given how AI is slowly becoming an integral part of our world! The realm of this futuristic society is so interesting to read about and reading the POV from multiple characters kept the story moving and with a good pace. It did take me a little bit to keep track of the couples and who their child was since you do follow a handful of characters but it totally made sense and is easier as you go along. So many small twists and turns along the way in this one! I DEFINITELY recommend this book if you're looking for a unique and addicting read!

If you liked The Truman Show, but think it needs an Kardashian-style update, then this book is for you. What a fascinating that was brilliantly executed by the author. He is able to capture both our voyeuristic obsession in modern society along with our desire to be mean to one another. I also liked how all the characters in this story were flawed, every last one of them.

The only thing that I did not prefer was the need to wrap things up with the epilogue/coda, as I found it unnecessary. The story was over with and I didn't really need the "here's what happened afterwards" part, even when they explained how Hudson did what he did or what really happened to Adam. I am fine with a little unresolved mystery in life.

Other than that, an entertaining, if somewhat disturbingly prescient, read.

John Marrs is a great author. His books are so enthralling. They always keep you guessing until the very end. This book was a bit different from his usual thriller, but I still enjoyed it.

"The Family Experiment" by John Marrs is a compelling exploration of the moral dilemmas surrounding genetic engineering and familial relationships. Marrs skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, each exploring different facets of the consequences of manipulating human DNA.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Marrs' ability to create complex characters with relatable motivations. As the characters grapple with the implications of their choices, readers are taken on an emotional journey that keeps them engaged from start to finish.

The pacing of the novel is excellent, with each chapter leaving me eager to uncover what would happen next. Marrs manages to maintain a sense of suspense and tension throughout, making it difficult to put the book down.

Moreover, "The Family Experiment" raises thought-provoking questions about the ethics of genetic engineering and the nature of identity. Marrs doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of these technologies, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the potential consequences of playing with human DNA.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC, I loved reading The Family Experiment. It is an extremely compelling read. The characters and the way their journeys intersected with the plot was thrilling. Everyone has skeletons in their closets, and now they are on reality tv, competing through raising a virtual child. There were so many twists and turns, and the ending was a complete roller coaster.

This book follows the story of people competing on a parenting reality tv show in the near future where AI and VR are all present in society. This book is extremely compelling, it had me hooked from the start of the competition. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat! It's masterful, the way that the reader is left with these questions that fully get answered. Every one of those reveals only made me more excited to see how it would go. 5/5 stars.

The first 50% of this book was just okay. There’s a lot of characters I had a hard time keeping track. I didn’t know where the story was going I felt like there wasn’t a clear direction. But at like the 60% mark, the story really started to pick up and I couldn’t put it down. 3.5 stars it was overall good just took a long time to get into the story and understand the characters

This is such a great look at what life could be like if AI is allowed to take over. It didn't even occur to me until I was about halfway through the book. I was sucked into this world where real life and the metaverse are two different places. In the metaverse, you can go anywhere and experience anything - AI can make it happen. But how does AI learn about human interaction? The same way that humans learned about animals? It's such an interesting read that I was captivated. I highly recommend.

First let me start out by saying The One is one of my favorite books ever, so I was beyond excited to get an advanced copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this opportunity.

Imagine your childhood tamagotchi meets the Hunger Games.

What if you could no longer afford to keep your child? Would you sell him to traffickers to pay off your debt?

What if you couldn’t have a child, would you raise one in the Metaverse?

Here, five couples are given the chance to compete on a game show that involves raising a child in an unconventional way. Only things are not as they seem and their world are ripped apart before everyone’s eyes.

This book was not as good as The One but definitely worth the read.

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The Family Experiment by John Marrs
The Family Experiment
by John Marrs (Goodreads Author)
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The title and the snippet about the book really caught my attention. AI is quickly advancing and many people are spending endless hours in this alternate reality.
Cost for raising kids is a price that many can't afford, but how about if you were paid to raise a virtual child? Several couples and a single man are selected to try this experiment and it will be broadcast worldwide.
Learning about the skeletons in the closets of the contestants made me want to keep on reading as they are given 9 months to raise a child from birth to adulthood.
There are also many twists and turns throughout the book. It even had me rooting for my favorite.
This was my first, but will not be the last book that I will read by John Marrs.
(I read an advanced copy thanks to Net Galley).

I tried to leave a review on Amazon but it won't let me review the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade for an ARC of The Family Experiment!

WOW! This book is absolutely fantastic. It's super smartly written and intricate, without being confusing. From start to finish you're left guessing what's really going on and who the "good guys" really are. And the details that are included in this book are just astounding. You almost feel like you are reading a real life account from the not-so-far-future.

For a long time "The One" was my favorite speculative thriller by Marrs, but I think this is now my new favorite! If you're a fan of John Marrs you don't want to miss this one!

Huge thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am a huge John Marrs fan and this book did not disappoint! He is fantastic at writing domestic and speculative thrillers, The Family Experiment being the latter. This books only flaw for me was the amount of characters, I prefer stories told with multiple pov's but this was just a little bit to much for me and at times I had trouble following along.

What I loved about this book was the character development, John Marrs is a master at creating unlikable characters. I disliked these characters so strongly!! I love when a book can suck you in so completely that you can hate a fictional person so vividly, all in all this is another John Marrs thriller and for me another 5 star read!

Entertaining and unique. Enjoyed how it connected with The One amd The Passengers. Kept me interested but also felt the end was a little rushed.