Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

What can I say? Just when I thought Mr Marrs couldn’t top the last novel, here comes another one!

6 ‘contestants’ take part in a unique experiment, to raise a virtual AI child in the metaverse. But all of them have some skeletons in their closets…

The tension builds and culminates in an explosive endings with a few twists and turns!

Another brilliant book from John Marrs, can’t wait for the next!

Wow! What a story! I love these type of stories, set in a near future that could potentially be real. It focuses on a TV show that allows contestants to become parents to a Metachild, who is an AI version that they can bring up. This is streamed 24 hours a day as a reality show, allowing the public to judge who are the best parents to win either to keep the Metachild or money to finance having a real child. John Marrs does a really good job of making you feel involved in what is happening throughout; the characters are well-thought out, interesting, and all different from one another, and although there are quite a few characters in this story, it is not difficult to follow. Each chapter follows different contestants in the reality show and this works well, enabling you to be to know them more and more throughout the story. I also especially loved all the snippets of information on The Family Experiment, including news and chat features. Initially, I felt that having an AI child would be a good way for expectant parents to learn how things may be with a real baby and practice some aspects of parenting, but the more you read of this story, the more horrific it becomes and many ethical and moral issues are brought to the surface, which makes you think again. Overall, a great read, that I couldn’t put down!
Thank you you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Four stars for John Marrs' darkest speculative fiction to date. In the family experiment, the price of getting pregnant and raising your child is so exorbitant that most people simply cannot afford it. Never fear though, because you can apply for The Family Experiment - the latest reality TV show, where you can compete with other couples to raise a virtual child in the MetaVerse. The nation will be watching and if you win, you can either keep your virtual child or have them deleted and win the money to have a real child.

What could go wrong? Come on, this is a novel from John Marrs, so buckle up your seatbelt and prepare for the stomach dropping ride through the murky and terrifying world of The Family Experiment. As in all Marrs' speculative fiction, it's terrifying how plausible the future setting is.
I think what's most clever about John Marrs' writing is just how much his books get under your skin. I don't think I have ever despised a character more than I did reading this book and whilst I was raging, it's due to the writing talent, that I cared enough for that response to be evoked. Emotions aside, it's also a book that will make you think. Whilst I was reading the book, after every interaction with my kids, I found myself wondering if my vision would have been clouded with red or black hearts had I been in the experiment and what impact that would have had.

How to sum up The Family Experiment? It's creepy, chilling and thought provoking, but within the doom and gloom, there are hilarious adverts which serve as palate cleansers. I would definitely recommend it to fans of thrillers and speculative or dystopian fiction. I am on the edge of my seat to see what the author comes up with next!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Another absolute page turner from John Marrs, I read this is one day as I couldn’t put it down.

With nods to The One, The Marriage Act and also The Passengers but can be read as a stand-alone book.

I really enjoy the ethical aspects of this series - the “what ifs” especially with the advancements in AI.

Highly recommend!

I enjoy John Marrs’ thriller books, but ugh, his speculative fiction work is something else! ❤️

The Family Experiment, which comes out in May, follows a handful of families competing in a reality TV show to raise an AI child in the metaverse. The winner gets to either keep their meta child, or take the prize money to start IVF treatment with in the Real World. All other participants’ meta children, who they have spent 9 months raising and bonding with are to be deleted. Twisty, pacy, absorbing novel, just as I expected it would be.

#johnmarrs #johnmarrsauthor #bookreview #arc #netgalley #speculativefiction #fiction #bookstagram

Some of John Marrs' best books are clever thought experiments - science fiction-ish 'what-ifs' - and this book falls firmly into that category.

Here, a new reality show offers would-be parents a chance to look after their virtual child from birth in the metaverse, with the help of VR. To make the show work, the baby will grow at an accelerated rate, reaching 18 in nine months. At this point, viewers will choose a winner, who has the choice to keep their virtual child or get cold hard cash and fertility treatment instead. All other virtual children will be switched off forever.

So, of course, you do need to suspend belief if you want to get into the story. In the world as we know it, you've got to hope an ethics committee would stop this idea going anywhere at all. But The Family Experiment is set in the same universe as some other Marrs' books, where the government is already obsessed with the idea of perfect marriages and finding The One. And we know reality shows are exploitative - it isn't, in the end, that far-fetched at all.

At times I found the book hard-hitting at it delved into uncomfortable subjects. As someone who's struggled with infertility in my past, it was quite tough reading about people having virtual babies dangled in front of them and making attachments, only to have them snatched away. But that's sort of the point of any kind of science fiction - to ask 'what would humanity do if it were faced with X situation'.

Make no mistake, this isn't hard sci-fi. It's fun, sometimes trashy, often thought-provoking, and a quick and entertaining read. If you like 'what-if'-style thrillers, then this should be on your to-read list.

Wow! This book was something else. I had so much fun reading this story and gasping out loud! It started off a little slow but I know it was a build up to the story so I didn't mind. It took me some time to remember all the characters, but eventually you get the feel for each of them. This took me back to The One style story and I was thrilled! As the story progressed and delivered cliffhangers at the end of almost every chapter, it made me think as well. What would I do, how emotionally invested people get with AI and all the ethical issues raised. I am going to be thinking about it for a long time. This was a great read and highly recommend for anyone who enjoys dytopian, futuristic Sci fi and a great thriller!

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Okay, I know I love John Marrs books, his speculative thrillers are, to me, some of the best out there.
This book is set in the same world as The One and The Passengers, so I'd recommend you reading those first, although this doesn't contain many spoilers for them.
As with the other books, there are lots of characters. This works well, in that Marrs is able to provide a great cross section of our society, and the various array of people wanting to start a family.
The drama is non stop and I was hooked straight away and couldn't put it down.
I did feel the ending was pretty full on though, and I didn't follow all of it completely. There was a small plot hole that a fellow blogger spotted, too.
A really enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the next Marrs book!

An incredible and fascinating rollercoaster of a ride.

Set in the same world as The One, The Passengers, The Minders and The Marriage Act. The mesmerising storyline made me sob, gasp, and laugh out.

Its tense narrative is emotional and thrilling with thought provoking themes of loss, greed, the dangers of AI and our fascination with reality television. I would not be surprised if it goes straight to Netflix.

The characters left me spellbound as I followed their journeys and I loved every minute of my time spent with them. For me, it's his best yet and I can't wait to read more of his set in the same world. Such an easy five stars.

I’ve read a few of John’s books and love his style of writing - especially how he writes in such a way that “one more chapter!” never quite happens!

There are links made to some of John’s previous books within but the main premise here is that, due to rising populations and costs, a new way of family life is needed - in the metaverse. This means that families can be created outside of the Real World, whilst being televised and shown in competition against each other. The prize? The chance to keep their child alive in the metaverse or to take the money and use it to raise a family in the Real World. And if that idea already seems outlandish, then just wait until you meet the contestants!

Just what has driven these couples, and one single dad, into taking part in a worldwide televised competing parenting event? And just how far will they be prepared to go to win?

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. I just kept reading on, trying to work out the secrets contained in the pages. I particularly enjoyed the ending which made me gasp out loud more than once! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an engrossing read.

Thank you John and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

ARC Review

This book, wow!

The idea of mixing artificial intelligence (AI) and reality television is a genius idea by the author. Even if the reality in the pages of the book are horrifying. There were so many twists and turns in the book that at times it was hard to keep up. The book was gripping and I read the final quarter in an afternoon where I had to know how it would end.

John Marrs is brilliant cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves

A dark and twisted thriller set in the near future. Set in the same world as The One and The Passengers, this novel focusses on the dangerous metaverse and the role of AI. I raced through it and was pleased with the very satisfying denouement. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

An absolute masterpiece.

I absolutely devoured this book and honestly don't think my words will ever be able to do it justice.

The Family Experiment is another one of John's eerily realistic futuristic thrillers following multiple POV's as well as featuring additional content such as online chats, ads and news articles which really add to the atmosphere of the book. With short chapters, troublesome characters and so many twists it's almost impossible to put this book down. I honestly lost count of the amount of time my jaw dropped throughout this book.

If I could give more than 5 stars I would!

An addictive read which delivered on all it promised. Usually not a massive fan of AI related books but something in the premise drew me in. Read it in a day as I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend it.

I'm pretty sure we all look back on our childhoods and are shocked at just how things have changed so drastically in a relatively short space of time. I was a child growing up in the 80s/90s, we didnt have phones let alone the internet, a tamagotchi was the all time beat gadget EVER and I was too busy playing out that mine didn't survive! Especially now, as a mother to three teenagers, I'm sometimes baffled at what they know, how these small gadgets in their hands now not only control absolutely everything in their lives (insert eye roll!) bit also just the amount of knowledge that's at their fingertips 24/7... so it's not really that hard to imagine that things will once again be immensely different in another 20 years.

Imagine a world where the UK is at ultimate breaking point (not that hard to imagine in this day and age), the worlds population is soaring and nobody can afford to raise a family. But, now you could be given the chance to raise a child... in a virtual world.. a real life tamagotchi!

For a monthly fee you can choose your child. From it's gender, the colour of it's eyes and hair.. you're perfect child.

A reality show is running a competition. 6 couples and one single parent are given the chance to bring up a child in the 'metaverse', all accessed by VR from birth until 18 years of age but in this surreal world everything is on fast forward so 18 years happens in just a few months. All the while the parenting is being love streamed to a public audience (think Big Brother) who can like, comment and vote. The parent/s that win the competition get to choose... keep their 'child' or walk away with the prize money to help bring their own real life child into the world.

This is a real character driven story with amazingly executed characters. Each with their own backstory, flaws and failures that all come together magnificently at the end.
A story of just how desperate some people can be, what family really means and how far some people will go to get their dreams.

Hands down this is my favourite read of the year so far. John Marrs is the master of creating these gripping narratives that have you in a chokehold. The plot was thrilling, disturbing and scarily believable.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

Wow, what a thrilling read. The Family Experiment by John Marrs is definitely in my top 3. The references to other books in meta series was a stroke of genius. The storyline pulls you in and doesn’t let go. 5*****

Addictive, disturbing and scarily believable!
The Family Experiment, the ultimate reality tv, broadcast worldwide and the most watched program in the world.
Each couple, plus one single dad who enter the experiment get to create a MetaBaby and raise it in the Metaverse. A totally digital world accessed via virtual reality headsets, along with masks, gloves and full-body suits that feel like a second skin allowing them to be fully immersed with touch, smell and sound.
They get to bring up the MetaChild as if it were a real life child, experiencing from a baby up until the child reaches 18 in a condensed 9 month period. All whilst being live-streamed to the world.
The public can also get involved by entering a prize draw to spend time with one of the MetaChildren and commenting on the contestants parenting skills.
At the end of the competition the winning contestants, voted for by the public, can either choose to keep their virtual child or essentially pull the plug on the child and take the prize money to potentially start a real life family.
But that’s not everything, each contestant has been hand picked for a specific reason unbeknown to anyone, even themselves. Because on this show everyone has something to hide!
As always the book is written brilliantly and completely pulls you into that world and everyone will end up routing for a specific family.
I love this world that John Marrs has created and have read all his books and this one is up there with some of his best work. It is definitely a book that you cannot put down once you have been sucked in from the very start. I absolutely loved it but I already knew I would.
If you are new to his other books set in this near future world then you are really missing out. But saying that, you don’t need to have read the previous books to get a fully immersive, compelling read from this one alone.
It has all the ingredients you need for a brilliant thriller. Fully fleshed out characters, some you love and some you love to hate. Suspense as there is no telling what is going to happen next and plot twists that will leave you shocked.
This is hands down an easy five star read and an ultimate contender for book of the year!

I love this universe. I love how all of the elements come together to world build. The Audites, the Match DNA, driverless cars etc. It is so rich in depth now, that I am engaged almost immediately by the setting.

Personally, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as other books. I felt like the characters were all unlikeable from the off, so by the mid point I had sort of lost interest in whether they got their comeuppance or not. The reveals towards the end were okay, though I had guessed several and then the wider plot reveal all came in a few chapters towards the end in a Hercule Poirot-esque, this is how we did it type of ending.

Love the world. Didn't love the characters or pacing on this one unfortunately.

This is another one of Marrs' books that is set in future Britain where AI is a massive part of daily life. As with all of these ones there's lots of different characters so it takes a little while to get into and work out who is who but it's definitely worth sticking with. There's so much going on and some great twists and shocks, when you think you have things figured out you realise there's even more to it than you thought. There's so much to this and some of the techy bits go over my head but still a fantastic read, with some truly horrible characters!!!

Loved this, a fantastic page turner.
In "The Family Experiment," John Marrs concocts a captivating story that seamlessly blends futuristic tech with present-day tensions, offering a profound look into human nature. At its heart, this character-driven tale explores the complexities of morality, personal flaws, and the impact of constant surveillance.

Set in a near-future where virtual reality and AI reign supreme, the plot centres around a unique competition. Nine couples and a lone individual enter the metaverse to raise an AI child. The prize? The winning team can choose to keep the AI child or walk away with a hefty sum to help with a real baby.. But what starts as a simple contest soon becomes a rollercoaster ride of introspection and moral reckoning.

The real gem of this story lies in its diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their own demons and desires. As the competition heats up, their true colours emerge, showcasing a range of motivations from altruism to pure self-interest. The author deftly navigates the nuances of human behaviour, showing how individuals respond under the scrutiny of judgmental eyes.

What makes "The Family Experiment" so compelling is its ability to draw parallels with our current reality. Despite its futuristic setting, the story speaks to contemporary anxieties about technology and ethics. The metaverse becomes a mirror reflecting our own world, revealing how people grapple with morality when faced with tough choices.

Furthermore, the narrative weaves themes of trust, betrayal, and redemption, keeping readers hooked until the final page. Each twist deepens our understanding of the characters and the ethical quandaries they face, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

In short, "The Family Experiment" is a gripping read that not only offers a peek into a plausible future but also holds up a mirror to our own society. With its well-drawn characters and timely themes, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of sci-fi and human drama alike.