I really enjoyed previous works from Sylvain Neuvel but this one really wasn't for me. I usually like science-fiction mixed with the real world and the premise of this book was really interesting. But unfortunately the writing style and overall plot didn't grab me.

This was a really interesting story. It is a very slow moving book, that moves slowly through the developments leading up to the Space race, from just after the development of the V2 at the end of world war 2 to the first man in space. However, we don’t observe any of these events directly, instead we see them through the eyes of a very mysterious family, a mother and daughter that maybe have more influence on these events that anyone else thinks.

Its one of those books I really can’t quite put my finger on what I liked as when I try to reason it out it doesn’t seem to come out positive, despite that it just really resonated with me. This is a character heavy book, focusing on our mother and daughter pairing and there ancestries contributions to history, but we don’t really get to find out who or what they are. The plot is exciting yet also glacial in speed. Not much seems to actually happen as its not a direct action of the protagonist but more set in motion by their more subtle actions. The reflections on the main pairs ancestors was fun and fascinating but again we didn’t really establish why it was relevant to the plot of this book, yet! I could see some people finding this book weird and confusing but I genuinely really enjoyed it.

I like Neuvel’s writing style, I liked the narrative voices of the characters and how we were teased along by little bits of information about who they are, what they might be, what there mission ultimately is. I have theories and it is making me eager for the next book in the series. I loved the incorporation of real history. I wasn’t completely sure how much was fact and how much was fiction until I reached one of the ancestor flashbacks, where I knew the historical context quite well, and was impressed at how well Neuvel had weaved the fictional characters into the historical events. Probably the most interesting part was the authors note at the end. Neuvel discusses his various inspirations from historical events, to places, people, a dog or two and how he tried to incorporate all these events, including some tiny beautiful little details into the work.

A great start, with strong character development and the beginnings of an engaging plot. I definitely want to read more.

Absolutely loved this expert and can't wait to read the full book! Neuvel throws you straight into the story and I'm interested in his manipulation of historical fiction and science fiction.

I have already read another sample of the book alongside this excerpt and both showed me very different aspects of the story. It definitely made me want to read the whole book. I found the suggestion of the fake identity really exciting, I love the fear that comes with it for the characters.

https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2021/2/28/previewish-a-history-of-what-comes-next-by-sylvain-neuval

I was allowed to read a few pages of this novel and found it fascinating. The start I read was set in the dying days of WW2 and is already talking about the ways the allies realised there were those with skills that they wanted alive — in particular the infamous Werher von Braun. Our narrator has been sent to infiltrate and Neuval shows that this technology was built on the backs of prisoners. Our lead is in disguise and s pretending to be the Nazi’s cousin. It’s tense, unusual and no idea where it is going. I am intrigued so this is definitely going onto my TBR stack!

A History of What Comes Next is the first instalment in the fact-meets-fiction Take Them to the Stars trilogy of novellas, primarily set against the backdrop of World War II Europe. Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a sci-fi thriller that blends a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence. It begins in 1945, and follows Mia Freed and her mother, Sarah, who are the ninety-ninth generation of Kibsu women — at the dawn of the space age. Kibsu are powerful and intelligent beings that are each genetically identical and whose origins go back 3,200 years to ancient Mesopotamia. They always consist of a badass mother and daughter pairing with their overarching mission being to “take [humanity] to the stars before Evil comes and kills them all.” Mia's family has helped shape human history to push them to the stars, making brutal, wrenching choices and sacrificing countless lives. Mia returns to Germany, a country her mother fled from back in 1932, in order to fulfil their prophecy which comes at the dawn of the age of rocketry. Her sole objective is to convince prominent aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun, a pioneer of rocket technology, to switch allegiance and come to America, join the Allied cause and partake in Operation Paperclip, a clandestine U.S. government program to poach and recruit Nazi scientists to advance America's chances in the space race. It's imperative the he's exfiltrated as soon as possible to lessen the chances of the Russians discovering him and his priceless knowledge. Sarah is employed by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), an ancestor of the CIA.

Her purpose is to infiltrate the scientists working with the Nazis to bring them over to the Allied side and thereby control the creation of the potential nuclear bombs that not only could bring an end to the war, but also could shift the balance of world power. As time goes by and Mia gets older, she becomes the primary operative and is to join up with an OSS contact within the German ranks, Walter Dornberger, who can assist with the apprehension and safe transfer of von Braun to the US. The mission is aborted when Sarah discovers that the malicious Trackers, who have hunted the Kibsu for thousands of years, are on their tails. Mia and Sarah must remain one step ahead of their ardent pursuers and a known ruthless enemy. This is a captivating, compulsive and exciting first-contact historical science-fiction thriller. I loved the potent mix of historical accuracy as all included events actually took place; it's clearly extensively researched and the addition of the characters, or the fictional aspect, creates a more personal thread to the story. It's clever and compelling with thrills and mystery aplenty and a whole lot of action and unexpected twists in the tale. Dark and enthralling and with rich and superbly detailed world-building, we are treated to a palpably tense narrative consisting of mysterious secrets, conspiracy theories and the idea that alien beings could very well be living among us. Mia is a complex character and as we watch her come of age and embark on a journey of self-discovery, she questions whether her family’s multigenerational mission to save humankind really is an objective to strive for. After all she's seen, she can't help but wonder whether humans are worthy of saving. Highly recommended.

Gah I need the full book in my life ASAP. I didn't realise when requesting that this was only a snippet of the book, but boy was I hooked by the first few chapters. I will definitely be buying a finished copy!

Very intriguing - looking forward to reading the rest of the book. I like the idea of the playlist to go along the book!

This contained a small excerpt of the book and what I read intrigued me. I would definitely read the full book to find out what happens next

Despite the briefness of the extract (only the first chapter) I found Neuvel's writing style gripping, and would be very interested in reading more!

What I originally thought was a full ARC turned out to be a sample chapter (the opening chapter). Well written, with a lot of period detail, an intriguing narrator and premise that definitely has me looking forward to reading the rest of the book!

Absolutely love this extract - intriguing and paints a vivid picture. I’ve downloaded the audiobook via NetGalley too... and loving it too but really want to read it in book format.

Has all the makings of a 5* book... let’s hope so !!

Im usually not very keen on kind-of alternative history books. However, the mixture of this with the science fiction by the always interesting Sylvain Neuvel made me rethink about the first assumption. I am now really intriguing on reading the rest of the story. Looking forward to it. Thanks to the publisher for providing this excerpt.

Perfect for fans of fiction set in the wars - the content just wasn't for me. This does not mean the book isn't good, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

From the small amount I read I can honestly say I’m intrigued as to how the whole book will pan out. It has piqued my interest!

If I hadn't wanted to read this book before, I'd put it onto my TBR right now. This teaser sample was good. I really want to know what comes next. Guess I'm off to order it right now.

It's hard to get a proper read on a book from only the first chapter, but what I did read was compelling. I've read one Neuvel book before (as an audiobook), and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this one.

It's tricky to form an opinion of a book based on just the opening pages - however, I'm a big fan of Sylvain Neuvel's other works, and the sample chapter for A History of What Comes Next drew me in just as quickly. The writing style is really engaging, and I'm intrigued to see what happens next. I already have the book on pre-order, but am now eagerly waiting for March 4th!

I have only read one other book by Sylvain Neuvel and what strikes me, even with that limited experience, about this new novel is how much the writing style has matured. This opening chapter is really compelling, as most novels set within WWI or WWII often are, and show a nice flavour of what to expect.

If I had been browsing in a bookstore and had picked this up and flicked through the first chapter, much to the disgust of the booksellers, no doubt, I would have certainly wanted to (and do want to!) read more.