I've read all his books and so glad this one didn't disappoint. It wasn't my favourite of his but I would definitely recommend it and found it gripping and thought provoking! The characters really captured my attention and I found it a really unique concept, different to anything I've read before

Wow just wow! John Marrs writing talent is out of this world.. i honestly think this is my favourite book so far.

The Family Experiment follows 5 couples who have signed up to a reality tv show ' the family experiment ' in which they will become parents to a metaverse/AI. The child will grow from a baby to an 18 year old in the span of 9 months. Every action they take in their parenting is viewed by the viewers who can heart them or dislike them and each month they can be put under a monthly challenge. There will only be 1 winner and they can decide to either keep their metaverse child or instead risk it all for the chance of a real baby via IVF/surrogacy.. but each couple isn't as perfect as they seem. As the book goes on we learn some of the secrets the parents have behind closed doors and learn of the backstory of how the metaverse/ai children came to be.

I did enjoy the portrayal of all the characters even though further along i was angered at the way the parents were acting either to each other of other characters. They felt real, real emotions.. you were happy and sad at times for what happened to them. From the starting chapter it instantly grabs you attention and shocks you that will have you reading on to see if there is consequences for some actions took but despite all i liked all the characters even those that i later really disliked but John Marrs has that immense talent that he will have you one moment rooting for someone then instantly disliking them.

The book has many twists and turns, suspense and thrill all thrown into one but the ending is something i wasn't expecting at all and i know in all John Marrs style everybody won't see the ending coming. I recommend this book if you enjoy futuristic books that throughout is fast paced and shocking. I devoured this book in one sitting and would definitely recommend to everybody to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.

5+

Another fantastic book by Marrs. I have loved all his books. Futuristic thrillers with plenty of plot twists are one of my new favourites! Characters were strong and well written with some blending of characters from a previous book was superb! I couldn’t put it down and there were some shockers in there. Thank you for the opportunity. I recommend this one!

JUST WOW! Without a doubt one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. John Marrs has created a terrifying world in which we could end up with AI running the show.

This story had so many layers, where to start?

The general premise of a game show, people watching these couples raise their children and judging them on decisions they were making. Scary. Then to delve into each individual there were some truly horrifying situations under the surface. Each couple had a secret they wanted hidden which in reality, can that ever happen when you are streamed worldwide?

Another plot unfolds under all the narratives involving the creators of the Metaverse babies. Is it really as good as it seems?

The story is mesmerising and terrifying all in one, that slightly close to reality feeling left me feeling uneasy and on edge constantly. I was so enamoured by each couple and invested in their storylines and one by one the cracks show which as the reader I felt myself sinking further and further into the story. It is such a genius story, and cannot find a single fault. Easily a book I will read over and over again and recommend to every person possible!

I know it is only March but I am declaring it now: 'The Family Experiment' is my book of the year. John Marrs has written a stunning novel, billed as speculative fiction but often drifting far too close to reality for comfort. What we know going in is that we are following a reality series where couples (and one single dad) have 9 months to look after a child in the meta-verse. They go through accelerated growth and so 9 months follows the child from birth to the age of 18. The winning parent(s) will either get to keep their digital child or win enough money to try to have a baby in the real world.

Each chapter follows a different entrant in the competition and we get an insight into the response to the show in the real world through social media posts and newspaper articles. At first glance, all contestants seem to be normal people, united by their desire to have a child. As the novel progresses, we realise even the most ordinary citizens have some dark secrets to hide (and boy does this book go to some dark places). I do not want to spoil any of the reveals but as someone usually pretty savvy at predicting twists, the connections and truths in this book were something else. Incredibly clever, with an intricate plot and a satisfying pay off.

I feel behind the curve in discovering John Marrs (and this is not even the first book set in this world - in fact book 3) but I want to read them all now. You do not have to hold previous experience of his writing to devour this book. (Which I highly recommend you do!!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I believe John Marrs was put on this earth to produce his creative and remarkable thoughts into a story, which then those of us that are fully invested in the Marrs religion will read until we are giddy with ecstasy, and feel compelled to recruit new followers so they can feel the same pleasure.

On a serious note though, this book is a mix of modern tech fantasy, dystopia, thriller and mystery with a slice of humour, all neatly woven together (with mentions of previous novels) and beautifully tied up with a gorgeous (if slightly macabre) ribbon.

Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

This dystopian novel is set in the near-future, where the cost of living becomes ever more acute for ordinary people, the NHS has all-but disappeared and reality game shows set in the MetaVerse allow people to live ever-more vicariously. The premise is that contestants are given the opportunity to parent a MetaChild and the winners then get to choose whether to keep their virtual child or take home a large amount of cash, thus giving them the opportunity to parent a real child in a world where it’s become increasingly unaffordable. While a good, potentially prescient, premise, unfortunately I couldn’t really get into the characters as they were portrayed. There were so many that I struggled to really care about the outcome and ended up skimming through the second half. Recommended if you like this sort of futuristic novel as it was fast-paced, plotted well with plenty of twists, and had diverse characters with a range of back-stories.

John Marrs is one of my favourite authors, I much prefer his speculative fiction to his psychological thrillers!

This book had so many twists and turns I thought I was on a rollercoaster! This is a book I would highly recommend, I did not for one minute see the end coming, I was literally blown away.

As with any John Marrs story, if your looking for a book that is fast paced with an amazing storyline that will have your heart racing, your mind racing, your blood pressure rising? Then dive in because you won’t be disappointed!

I always enjoy John’s speculative fiction, so was keen to read an early copy of The Family Experiment. I found the Metaverse theme and exploring the different family dynamics extremely thought-provoking and fresh.

I did struggle to keep up with the couples, as there were quite a few, but once I got to know their stories it became easier. Set in the same universe as John’s other speculative titles, I really liked the references that tied in The One, The Passengers, and The Marriage Act and that the plot was not too far removed to think that certain aspects of this book could possibly happen in our lifetime.

Not my favourite John Marrs spec title, but a great read.

John Marrs is one of my favourite authors, he definitely knows how to tell a story and this one did not disappoint.

This book had so many twists and turns I thought I was on a rollercoaster!
The characters were all really well developed and loved how all their storylines were wrapped up and not left with any loose ends. I especially loved Hudson, however I think when you are going through the motions with him, it would be easy to look at him as one of the less interesting but you would be wrong. This is a book I would highly recommend, I did not for one minute see the end coming, I was literally blown away.

If your looking for a book that is fast paced with an amazing storyline that will have your heart racing, your mind racing, your blood pressure rising? Then dive in because you won’t be disappointed!

John Marrs is one of the best writers in this genre and his last book doesn't disappoint. Even though it is "speculative" fiction, what happens seems all too real and clearly lots of research much have been done before writing it. It's a book that is not only an exciting and easy read, it also make you think about the possibilities of AI, the rapidly changing world and the Metaverse. The story draws you in form the very beginning and as the truth is gradually revealed, you get to question what is happening until the very end. Excellent read, highly recommend.

John Marrs did it again! I am so excited to this release! What a gripping story! I read it in one sitting!

In the UK where for many having a child is an impossible dream, an alternative is possible. A virtual child can be created for you to enjoy via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this subscription service a reality TV show has been launched by the company behind the development. Ten couples are followed from the birth of their virtual child to the age of 18 - the prize to keep their virtual child or win the right to try for their own child. Each couple has their secrets and each their own reasons for entering the competition.

One participant - Hudson - a single parent has a past which gives him added incentive to take part.

The plot becomes darker as the secrets emerge and relationships begin to fracture. There are shocking surprises and an outcome I did not foresee.

One to be recommended.

John Marrs, what is there left to say (head gets even bigger). I have searched for words to describe this book but I admit defeat. I really, really wanted to hate this book but I ended up absolutely hooked until the very end. Absolutely unbelievable plot but equally so very plausible. Thank you for a roller coaster ride. Thanks go to the author, Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for giving me the opportunity to read this stunning and memorable book.

I will just say this first, I have a new favourite author, and John Marrs is his name, usually in thrillers I get a bit lost because everything happen fast and I got lost in the action, but in here, the action is just right, with just enough of character grow. We don’t get to know much of the virtual children, but to tell the truth, the story here belongs to the parents, and that was what made things interesting, were does love for a child starts?, where does it end? What is enough in a relationship? I really enjoyed this book, it was so easy in the eyes that it seemed much shorter than it was, but at the same time all the lose ends were wrapped in a very satisfactory manner.

My favourite character was Gabriel, I hope he will find happiness in his unknown future, and the ones I hated the most were Izzy and Cadman and both for very different reasons… Cadman was Gabriel husband, and he could sell his own mother for profit, Izzy, well lets just say… even children are capable of terrible things… I really enjoyed the between parts where fans of the show could send posts with hashtags about the last chapter of the family experiment it was interactively fun.

I wont spoil the story, and I highly recommend that you grab a copy of the book and start reading for yourself, I know that I will be actively searching the other books from John Marrs because I really want to read more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan, Macmillan, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

I loved The Family Experiment by John Marrs. The idea of the story is amazing and how it analyses the lives of AI children and the ethical and morality behind having AI children. As with other books by John Marrs every character is flawed in a way or another and it was really interesting to have it all revealed in the end. It is a fast-paced book because you just cannot leave the book until the end. This is the type of book that says just one more chapter.

Wow! I WISH I had a pound for every time I found myself saying “oh flipping heck John” after a nerve racking twisty end of chapter that I did NOT see coming pops up! Fair to say, I am a huge John Marrs fan and if you love gripping, dark and twisty novels then you’ll love this one too!
Just as good as all his other books (there are a few throwbacks to previous stories but this is still great if this is your first John Marrs book). This time we are in the future where for a monthly subscription you can create a virtual child, and to launch it all there’s a reality show with parents competing whilst raising a child in the metaverse! Sounds plausible too doesn’t it? Oh flipping heck John! Thank you for another awesome book!

Thank you Pan Macmillian, Netgalley and John Marrs for the eArc of The Family Experiment.

This is my first book by John Marrs that I have read, after reading lots of positive reviews regarding his books. This book has a great premise and one that you could possibly see in the future. Which, I find a little scary to be honest! The narrative as a whole is brilliant. The Family Experiment gives us contestants that have a Metachild in the Metaverse, Their development is speeded up but would go through the normal development changes from birth to 18 yrs old. The contestants are well fleshed out, with bits of their past history and how they came to enter the contest revealing themselves throughout the book. There are some dark secrets floating about and, like us all, we like to keep them under wraps!

I managed to bond with all the characters, for various different reasons, even the ones I didn't like very much at all and I must admit, the opening chapters certainly made me sit up and engage and kept me engaged through the whole book. I also really liked the interactive chat sequences, where the public who were watching have their say on how things are going.

Ill definitely be picking up more of John Marr's books in the future !

Another great read from Mr M .I would love to know where he gets his ideas from ,what a twisted strange mind he has ,thank goodness for the rest of us. ! I like these books, they keep you thinking and speculating and they are totally unique ..

Wow... i really loved this book by John Marrs. Its scary in fact at how real this could be. Ive no clue where he gets bus ideas from i need to know!
Cant say too much without giving anything away but its so excruciating waiting for each couples next "chapter ", hes a master with that one liner at the end of chapters. The link in with his other books The One, marriage pact etc is sooo clever!