John Marrs can do no wrong! This was fantastic!!

Set in the same world as The One and The Marriage Act this is about having children in the metaverse. And what better way to kick start the programme than a reality TV show with real people having a baby that ages up to 18 in 9 months. Each couple has there own secrets and there is one single man competing who also harbours a secret. I loved the whole thing. Wraps up really well at the end as well with following up on all the characters. Honestly read it!

John Marrs always comes up with original ideas but the execution isn’t particularly slick. No character development to speak of and whilst a lot of the plot issues did get resolved there were some left unanswered. I’m not a sci-fi fan so probably not the best audience so if you do enjoy that genre give it a whirl.

This book is published at an appropriate time when we across the world are questioning the role, relevance and dangers of AI. This story is set in the< hopefully, distant future when only the rich and able can afford to have their own children. As an experiment a game show has been set up to experiment with adults (not just families or couples) having their own AI child. Interaction only happens within a metaverse (ie with headsets on in a white room into which a virtual reality experience is downloaded). Anyhow, that's how I understood it.
The resulting experiences and dramas of the participants both in the real world and their virtual reality, is what makes up most of the book. Alongside it is a back story of a life some years previously. I won't spoil the link but it will begin to dawn on you as you get into it. A really different read for me which I became very engrossed in. I makes you think beyond life as we know it now. Thank you, I will be looking out for more.

Wow!!!
What a ride that was!!
Absolutely loved this book, especially how the characters develop, how fast the story goes, and how dam twisty it is!!
Another fabulous speculative thriller from the FABULOUS John Marrs!!

An absolutely brilliant story line. "Black mirror " in a book. If you like dystopian stories then this is definitely for you. Many couples are competing for a monetary win and the chance to become real parents. They all hold secrets and they slowly unravel online. With the world as their audience setting them challenges and tasks, the couples popularity hangs in the balance. Will they succeed or fail?

Thank you to netgalley for this ARC. John Marrs is an instant read for me. Well done on another successful book.

At this point I think it’s highly unlikely that I will ever not enjoy a John Marrs book. We’re back in ‘The One’ universe with The Family Experiment, and my god what an addictive read this was!

In a world where the U.K. is densely overpopulated and people are unable to afford to start families, an alternative option has become available: the opportunity to raise a virtual child, while simultaneously taking part in a reality TV show where you are pitted against other prospective parents with the hope of being crowned a winner by the public - and thus either winning money to start that much longer for family or choosing to keep your virtual child.

Mr Marrs conjures up such unique plots, but they always end up being a fine balance between unbelievable and scarily realistic, meaning it’s quite easy to picture living in a world where these events might actually unfold. John is the king of short and punchy chapters, strategically placed twists and a fast-paced story that proves difficult to put down.

I enjoyed the alternating chapters from different contestants’ POVs, alongside news articles and online forums with spectators discussing the events of the reality TV show. Everything was pulled together brilliantly to create a convincing snapshot of a future heavily controlled by AI. Yet another corker from John Marrs 👏🏻

John Marrs’ latest ““what if” thriller, set iin the same dystopian future Britain of The One, The Passengers and The Marriage Act. Full of his trademark twists and explorations of the abuse of AI.

I found the premise of this book very interesting. It hooked me from the start, and I soon began to see how certain aspects of the plot could feasibly happen in a world turning more and more to AI.

I was gripped throughout and recommend this book to all.

Genres: General Fiction, Thrillers, Sci-fi.

I'm probably the only person alive who hasn't yet read a John Marrs novel. To top it all, my first foray into the world of this acclaimed speculative fiction master, is with his latest release, The Family Experiment. It was absolutely worth it.

In this futuristic setting, eleven contestants participate in a live-stream reality show, broadcast 24/7 to millions of viewers around the world, in which they get to raise a virtual child from birth into their teens over a span of nine months. This being a competition, couples (and a single parent) compete against each other for the ultimate prize of a quarter of a million Pounds or to keep their virtual child. But, of course, it's not as simple as that. The viewers have a say in which couple/single parent should win, as well as having input into how the parenting skills of the contestants should be challenged. And then there is the sinister motivations of the company behind this über-popular reality show and the lengths some will go to to eliminate their competition. All of this is only the tip of the iceberg in this fast-paced speculative futuristic thriller.

Now, many people have a love or hate relationship with AI. No matter what your stance on it, The Family Experiment has an intricately clever plot that subtly debates the pros and cons of this technology - if that's how you choose to read it. If, like me, you're just looking for an immersive read that would transport you into a future with endless possibilities, and a healthy amount of drama along the way, then this is the book for you. It's suspenseful, has a few good twists, a few shocking moments, and some relatively realistic characters. Even Karma makes a guest appearance in this novel.

I will definitely read more of this author's books. I wasn't "blown away" by this story and neither did I find any of the twists "jaw-dropping". But I can say with honesty that I also couldn't stop reading. For me, this novel gave a whole new meaning to the overused word, "unputdownable". When I wasn't reading it, I couldn't stop thinking about it because it was that good. A lot of the chapters end on cliffhangers, so naturally I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

To conclude, this will most likely not be the best book you'll ever read, but it could easily fall into the top ten books you've read this year.

NOTE TO THE PUBLISHER

On my NetGalley profile I've listed all the links to book groups on Facebook where I post my reviews relevant to each book's genre. You'll find more reviews for The Family Experiment in the links list on my profile.
Thank you so much for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Family Experiment by John Marrs is a thought-provoking thriller that takes a familiar concept – reality TV – and throws it into a mind-bending future. Set in a Britain grappling with a cost of lving crisis, the book explores the dark side of technological advancements in a way that’s both unsettling and strangely believable.

Admittedly, the initial chapters take some getting used to. The world-building is complex, and the narrative jumps between several characters, which can be disorienting at first. But persevere, because once the story hooks you, it doesn’t let go. Marrs weaves a web of suspense, as the participants in the titular “Family Experiment” – a reality show where couples raise virtual children in a condensed timeframe – begin to unravel. The “children” themselves, creations of AI, add an extra layer of intrigue, blurring the lines between real and artificial.

While the premise might sound outlandish, the book’s core themes – the desperation for parenthood, the ethics of technology, and the pressures of social conformity – feel chillingly relevant. Marrs doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature, and the story takes some genuinely surprising turns.

This isn’t a light read, but it’s a rewarding one. If you’re looking for a sci-fi thriller that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, The Family Experiment is definitely worth a try. Just be prepared for a slow burn that erupts into a truly unsettling climax.

The Family Experiment is another fascinating read from John Marrs.
Set in the meta verse, a reality tv show enables families to become virtual parents and select their own meta-babies to raise from birth to 18 years old, over the course of 9 months. The viewers have the vote on who stays and who goes and the eventual winner can either keep the virtual child or try for a real one.
If you have read this authors previous books then you will know how totally addictive and thought provoking they are, and this one is no exception.
Highly recommend!

John Marrs comes up with technologies that I totally, truly believe. This concept was just as fascinating and brilliant as the other books in this universe. And the book just as thrilling! I can't wait for the next instalment!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and worth every single one!

I love John Marrs books but I have usually avoided his speculative fiction novels as it is not a genre I really appreciate.
But this book is excellent!
It is such a compulsive read, he somehow manages to make this reality so plausible it’s so easy to relate to and belief these things can happen.
I would strongly recommend this book to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the privilege of reading this book in advance.

John Marrs is back with a new instalment of his future world where people find their destinated partner by DNA Test. But starting a family and have children becomes too expensive in the future. Soon people will have the opportunity to have a child in the metaverse. To make this idea popular four couples and a single man are chosen to compete against each other and the whole world can follow their efforts. They get a virtual child for nine months in which it will grow fast from baby to eighteen-year old young adult. The couple who wins has the choice to keep their metaverse child or get the money to try for a biological baby and their virtual child will be erased. For nine months they compete for the sympathy of the ever-watching and judging audience and proof that they are good parents. But all the participants have their own reasons why they wanted to participate.



As said, this book is set in the same universe as some of Mr Marrs previous books. This one is very similar to “The One”. We follow all the families from day one when they get their own metaverse child. We see how they interact with the child and because everything feels so real in the metaverse, with haptic suits and stuff, they begin to bond with them. But all the couples have their issues and are hiding something. The structure of the book is really very similar to “The One” because of the changing POVs from the parents. The book is an easy and fast read and it has some interesting aspects about AI which is already all around us. It touches heavy issues without being too depressing. It has serious topics, but it is at the same time pure entertainment.



If you liked “The One” or are already familiar with the author’s previous books I am sure you will enjoy this one as well.

John Mars always hits for me!
The world building is great and no question is left unanswered.
I love the sci fi elements, a really clever book.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for my arc!

Another belter of a dystopian thriller from John Marrs. Set in the same world as The One, The Passengers and The Marriage Act, the basic premise involves couples (plus one single person) competing to raise a virtual child in the Metaverse. Slick, clever, twisted and dark, this is another excellent page turner by this brilliant author.

The Family Experiment delivers a chilling and inventive speculative thriller set in a near-future world where overpopulation and economic crises have made traditional family life increasingly unattainable. As a response to this crisis, a company introduces Virtual Children—a subscription service allowing clients to create and raise digital offspring through the metaverse and VR headsets.

To promote this groundbreaking initiative, the company launches a reality TV show featuring ten couples. These participants will "raise" their virtual children from birth to eighteen years old in just nine months. The prize at stake is the right to keep their virtual child or gamble for a chance to have a real baby.

Review:
"The Family Experiment" is a thought-provoking and eerie exploration of technology's impact on human relationships and societal structures. John Marrs has crafted a narrative that is both suspenseful and disturbingly plausible, making readers question the ethical boundaries of virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

The concept of raising virtual children is handled with Marrs' trademark blend of psychological insight and speculative imagination. The reality TV show format adds an extra layer of tension and intrigue, as viewers (and readers) are drawn into the intimate and often tumultuous experiences of the ten couples. The condensed timeline of nine months intensifies the emotional stakes, making for a gripping page-turner.

Marrs excels in creating complex characters whose desires and dilemmas resonate deeply. The couples' struggles to bond with their virtual children while grappling with their own expectations and societal pressures are depicted with empathy and nuance. The narrative is peppered with twists and turns that keep readers on edge, and the ethical questions posed linger long after the last page.

Tropes
-Near-Future Speculation
-Ethical Dilemmas
-Reality TV Drama
-Parenthood and Family
-Competition and Stakes

"The Family Experiment" is a masterful speculative thriller that blends elements of sci-fi, psychological drama, and social commentary. John Marrs has once again proven his ability to craft stories that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. This novel is perfect for fans of Black Mirror and anyone interested in the ethical implications of advanced technology. It’s a chilling reminder of how far we might go to fulfill our deepest desires and the potential costs of blurring the lines between virtual and real life.

Such a good book, I couldn't put it down and read it in under two days. I found it gripping and couldn't wait to find out who would win but then I also appreciated finding out what happened to them all after the finale.
This book was easy to read with a good pace and well described characters and gives the reader food for thought with the future of AI.
So believable - scarily so given how much AI is around even now.
I also loved the nods to his other books although you wouldn't be aware of the references if you didn't already know them.
A first class author

recently enjoyed reading this captivating book, but John Marrs is one of my favourite authors, so perhaps I am a little biased!

This new novel centres around a competition set in a virtual world. Participants are tasked with nurturing an AI child to claim a coveted prize. The story artfully explores the competition dynamics and delves into the personal challenges the families involved face.

What truly stood out to me was the author's meticulous attention to detail and the seamless interweaving of multiple storylines, which held my attention throughout. Despite my limited knowledge of AI, the portrayal felt authentic and immersive. Although this works well as a follow-up to the other reads previously written by the author, it is still thoroughly enjoyable as a stand-alone.

Overall, I found the book exceptionally well-written and thoroughly engrossing, making it a must-read for any fan of this genre, author or as an introduction to his work.

No words! I was sent a copy of this amazing book in return for an honest review. I will not lie by saying this is one of the most gripping books I’ve read of late. You will be transported to a dystopian near-future which actually seems to be the way we are headed unless we stop buying into all the social media and reality TV. Very uncomfortable at times but an excellent story! It seems to reflect the world we are powerless in stopping. More please!

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