⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars.

John Marrs is one of my favourite authors and I have never given one his books less that four stars, so I am very reluctantly giving this one three.

I’m trying to work out what it was that didn’t work for me with this one. It did take me a while to get into the book, getting all the characters straight in my head as there were a lot of characters to remember. Because there were so many, you never really got to know enough about them to really be invested in whether they won or not.

I really couldn’t get into the idea of wanting/loving/becoming emotionally attached to an AI baby/child.

The concept behind Ararat didn’t flow with the rest of the book and made the story feel a bit disjointed.

It did end well but was a bit of a slog to get there.

I think if I could live in any author's mind, it would be John Mares. The Passenger, The One, The Marriage Act and now The Family Experiment. How I would love to know how he can come up with such brilliant, twisted storylines and bring them to life.

I just don’t think there’s a better speculative thriller writer out there. This is the easiest five stars of 2024 so far - absolutely loved it, was completely compelled and couldn’t stop reading it.

I just love what Marrs has created in this dystopian near future world - I find it equal parts genius and terrifying! This concept was no exception. I absolutely loved the concept of the reality show and the diversity of the characters and their circumstances. I thought this was such a clever use of AI in a storyline and it was certainly thought provoking.

The whole storyline was a wild ride and I was living for it - I couldn’t help but binge the entire lot and whilst I managed to unpick a few pieces of the puzzle there was still plenty that left me open mouthed. An absolute must read.

Gulped this down in just under two days. Every time I finished a chapter, I needed to immediately start the next one! Addictive book!

Wow!!!!!! This was amazing. I read this in a day and I am not a fast reader, I just could not put this down!

This is a futuristic thriller where people take part in an online programme called "The Family Experiment."Where couples are given an avatar child to take care of for 9 months & the public can vote and interact with the end goal being one winning couple.

This was so twisty and fast paced. Each chapter leaves you needing to read more and the plot twists had my mind in a spin.

My first John Maars book and I'm kicking myself I haven't read more of his books, but I certainly will be now!! This is one of the easiest 5 stars I have gave to a thriller by a mile.

Absolutely brilliantly bonkers all wrapped up in a great thriller, loved every page, love his books don't think I've read a bad one yet

Woah! That was a ride I wasn’t expecting! John Marrs does it again even in a totally different world / universe! He wrote in such a cleverly mapped out way having me gasping at the many different twists and turns this read took me on.
Totally different to anything I have read before and John Marrs can do no wrong!
Well done John, take a bow!

Alright, let's dive into "The Family Experiment" by the mastermind John Marrs! Now, I'm a huge fan of Marrs—I've devoured all his books, and this one ranks right up there with my favourites.

What I love about Marrs's writing is that he takes you on these wild rides into the future, where things are both eerily familiar and completely mind-boggling. "The Family Experiment" is no exception. It's like Marrs's signature style dialed up to eleven. This book sounds very much like "The One" – where Marrs's imagination runs wild, yet everything seems so plausible.

Picture this: The world's in chaos, with overcrowded cities and economic turmoil making it impossible for many to even think about having kids. But fear not, because there's a solution: Virtual Children. Yep, you heard that right. For a monthly fee, you can create your very own virtual child and raise them in the metaverse using VR.

Now, throw in a reality TV show where couples compete to raise their virtual offspring, and you've got the recipe for one heck of a story. The stakes are high, with the chance to win a real baby on the line.

Marrs's writing is as sharp as ever, pulling you into this dystopian world and making you question everything you thought you knew about parenthood. It's dark, it's twisted, and it's utterly gripping.

But what really sets this book apart for me is how Marrs seamlessly weaves references to his other works into the story. If you've read "The One" and "The Marriage Act," "The Passengers", you'll feel right at home. But even if you haven't, don't worry—Marrs explains everything so you're never left in the dark.

One thing I absolutely adore about "The Family Experiment" is Marrs's ability to make these futuristic scenarios feel so plausible. You find yourself nodding along, thinking, "Yeah, that could totally happen someday."

So, if you're like me and you love a good thriller that's equal parts thought-provoking and heart-pounding, do yourself a favour and pick up "The Family Experiment." Marrs knocks it out of the park once again, and trust me, you won't be able to put it down.

WOW The Family Experiment by John Marrs ia a dark futuristic absolutely amazing thriller. This is my first time reading a book by John Marrs and I was not disappointed.

The Family Experiment is about a reality television show which is going to rocket television ratings sky high and is available in one hundred and forty eight countries. Couples participating have to raise a child in the metaverse for nine months and the winner gets to either keep the child or take the prize money to start a traditional family in the real world.

Some contestants enrol in order to clear their outstanding debts, some couples who can not have children of their own get to experience an A1 child in the metaverse and can go back and forth into the real world and the metarverse.

I loved this line from the author which is a quote by Jim Morrison a singer who is no longer with us. "Whoever controls the media controls the mind." This is a very apt quote to describe The Family Experiment.

There is a dark and sinister aspect of The Family Experiment which the organisers do not want to rreveal until one day a whistleblower and his covert team expose the participants via a background check which will stipulate their misdemeanours.

There are chromatics, panoptical versions of cells but beware of the left door of no return.

Contact Re:Born if you want that perfect baby…… Metababies you can select and choose every detail. It is about to launch itself upon the world via The Family Experiment TV programme hosted by Autumn Taylor which will be a reality TV show like no other. Here, over a period of nine months, 11 childless couples will raise the first interactive children in the Metaverse. Each set of parents will undertake a series of challenges and viewers can reward them if they are performing well or vice versa. The prize is to either keep their virtual child or to have the chance of a human baby. Follow the experiences of these parents with their Tamagotchi style child, but be warned, this may damage your health.

Oh. My. Goodness. What I love about John Marrs books is that he always brings something different to the table and if you’ve read The One and The Passengers, which is set in the same world, then you’ll know this. You would therefore expect, and be 100% correct, that this is as twisty as, since it comes from this author’s fertile and creative imagination. Yet nothing here is beyond the realms of possibility, and that’s what makes it even scarier in my opinion as part of this is VERY thought provoking as it raises issues that just have to be considered. It makes the point that we should not step into this world blindly.

The story is told via the parents selected, and this is done so well, as each has their own unique voice, their individual issues and all bar none have a backstory and a half. You root for a couple of them and for the others you watch in horror as their lives implode in front of millions of viewers. it’s clever, taut with tension when your heart is in your mouth, it’s crazy in a good way, shocking and a blood freezing chiller of a thriller. Some scenes really jolt you and your jaw thunders to the deck in disbelief. Talk about a derailing …… One character is very perplexing and highly intriguing and I become very invested in their life. All the way to the brilliant ending, I’m asking the question, what’s the endgame? When you see it all play out the dramatic surprises keep on coming. I love the clever, funny inserts, some are very tongue in cheek and others are just good social commentary.

Overall, it’s an outstanding and utterly immersive page turner, which I can highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this, i’ve only read one other book but this author which was “The One” which i also really loved so i was excited to read this, it had me hooked from page 1. I loved the writing style so much, John Maars’ writing is one that definitely keeps you wanting to keep reading and not put the book down. Definitely going to read all of his previous books.

The Family Experiment
A thrilling ride of intrigue and horror, I was gripped throughout as each character took chapter turns to continue their story, playing in a reality show when it’s a matter of life or death. In true Marrs style, the story makes you question your moral values, what’s right or wrong, what’s real or just a figment of your virtual reality. Scary at times, making you question is this the way our future is heading? Quite possibly! And what then? Is science moving to quickly? Let’s hope Big Brother isn’t watching this one!
Brilliant 5* gripping.

This is one to pre-order. It's gripping, terrifying and utterly compulsive reading. Just as each "pair" reach a monumental moment, we are taken to the next pair: repeatedly!

It's going to be a great bookckub read. There's so much to discuss, so much "do you think ...." and "what if ...."

We're in a slightly futuristic world where reality TV shows are taking place in the Metaverse. 10 households compete to raise an AI baby in the Metaverse. The winning couple are given enough money to start their own real family. The world decides who gets the monthly challenge and how bad it will be. It has all the hallmarks of a reality TV show and all the trials & tribulations of parenthood.

Everyone is safe in the Metaverse. It's not actually real. Nobody can die.....or can they?

‘Why leave it to chance or genetics when you can have the perfect baby you’ve always dreamed of?’

Another addictive read by John Marrs. I will never tire of his work!

Each chapter had me consumed and the twists/revelations that were revealed were just out of this world!

A must read for dystopian readers.

This does contain a lot on child death/loss so I would advise anyone who has been affected by this to be cautious.

‘Where death can be a new beginning.’

I’ve always heard good things about John Marrs, but hadn’t picked up one of his books yet. I saw this on NetGalley and thought “if I get a copy, no better time to try than now” Boy am I thankful I got an eArc. This book blew me away.

There are quite a few characters in the family experiment, but it’s not hard to follow at all. There are fun pages that show web forums, or news articles that make the reading experience fun. The story is honestly so gripping. I did not want to put it down.

While I did guess some of the reveals, I never could guess all of them, nor could I guess the WHYs. I think even seasoned Thriller readers will enjoy this.

I am definitely going to get more Marrs books and move them up my TBR: I believe the hype :)

What can I say.....it's John Marrs....it's weird and wonderful ......it's another winner! I've read all John Marrs' books and they just get better and better. Strange, scary, hopefully unbelievable but getting more credible every year. John's books are often about topics that technically will be possible just a few years in the future. Frighteningly close and frighteningly possible. I loved every single crazy twist. I just couldn't put it down. Personally I'm not a big fan of social media or reality TV but lots of people are and I can see how easily society could fall down this particular rabbit hole. A definite 5* recommendation from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐬
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 | 𝐒𝐜𝐢-𝐅𝐢
𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓 ⭐️
I don’t know how to put how brilliant this book is. 1000000% recommend!!!

One of those books that consumes your daily thoughts and all you want to do is read it. I was sad to finish it.

Told in John Marrs’ dystopian future, not too far from our own in all honesty which is a scary thought. This is a very thought provoking read.

‘The Family Experiment’ is a reality tv show that follows 10 couples who are raising a virtual child from birth to 18 years old but over a 9 month period.
The prize for the winner: the right to keep their virtual child OR risk it all for a chance of a real baby.

It reminded me of Big Brother mixed with Animal Crossing 😅(iykyk), you have a ‘tamagotchi’ child to look after!

I devoured this, I found it twisty and thrilling. If you have read Marrs’ other works you’ll recognise some of the references throughout, little Easter eggs.

Thanks so much to @netgalley, @panmacmillan & of course @johnmarrs.author for this eArc!!

Don’t forget this is released 9th May 2024!!

#netgalleyuk #bookstagram #bookstagrammeruk #booktok #books #booksbooksbooks #bookstagramuk #booksbooksbooksandmorebooks #johnmarrs #thriller #scifi #realitytv #thefamilyexperiment #bookstaghouls #ilovebooks #booklover #books #netgalleyreviewer

"The Family Experiment" is a thought-provoking and innovative exploration of the future of parenthood in a world plagued by overpopulation and economic challenges. Set in a near-future UK on the brink of collapse, the novel introduces a groundbreaking concept that challenges the traditional notions of family and parenting.

The premise of creating virtual children through a subscription service offers a unique solution for those unable to afford or access traditional family planning. Marrs skillfully weaves a complex narrative that follows ten couples as they participate in a reality TV show to raise virtual children in a condensed timeline, leading to a dramatic showdown where they must choose between their virtual family or the chance for a real child.

Through compelling storytelling and sharp social commentary, Marrs raises important questions about the ethics of technology, the meaning of parenthood, and the impact of virtual realities on human relationships. The characters are intricately developed, each facing personal struggles and moral dilemmas that add depth to the narrative and challenge readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values.

"The Family Experiment" is a masterfully crafted novel that pushes the boundaries of speculative fiction, blending themes of love, sacrifice, and the quest for fulfillment in a world teetering on the edge of change. Marrs' compelling narrative, rich world-building, and engaging plot twists make this novel a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and thought-provoking speculative storytelling. "The Family Experiment" is a captivating and immersive journey that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

John Marrs is always an auto-request for me as I just love his dystopian plots that usually connect to one another. I was especially interested in the plot of The Family Experiment specifically, being 7 months pregnant personally. There are quite a lot of characters to start with and I was unsure how I'd be able to keep up but this does become easier as you progress through the book for a few reasons. As is typical with a John Marrs, none of the characters are who they seem to be and it's hard to trust or even warm to anyone.

The plot tackles an array of fascinating subjects, several of which many of us will recognise in the present day but giving them a futuristic twist. It's actually quite terrifying considering how similar our world could look to that of the one from the authors imagination. The Metaverse was absolutely fascinating as a concept, one of those you'd like to try out yourself but then equally wouldn't want to step foot in. I also really liked the use of social media, new stories and advertisements that broke up the contestants stories.

Overall this is a very dark book that took me back at times although I enjoyed the twists expertly peppered throughout, many of which I did not see coming. Would thoroughly recommend and look forward to the next book!

4.25

Another great book by a brilliant author.

This was a very clever book. This author has a marvellous mind and the way that he writes about technology in the future is both clever and captivating. I loved how his past books were either mentioned in passing or featured interlinking characters.

The concept of the story was interesting and scarily enough could be something that would happen in the future. My only criticism would be that each chapter flitted between characters and I often found myself a little bit confused as to who was who. The book was largely featured around children and babies something which is a little difficult for me to read about at the minute due to my own situation however, I still managed to enjoy the book and I would most definetely recomend it.