Only Human

Sylvain Neuvel

May 2018 · The Themis Files Book 3 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Various

About this audiobook

Pacific Rim meets The Martian in the explosive follow-up to Sleeping Giants (“One of the most promising series kickoffs in recent memory.”—NPR) and Waking Gods (“Pure, unadulterated literary escapism.”—Kirkus Reviews).
 
Brilliant scientist Rose Franklin has devoted her adult life to solving the mystery she accidentally stumbled upon as a child: a huge metal hand buried beneath the ground outside Deadwood, South Dakota. The discovery set in motion a cataclysmic chain of events with geopolitical ramifications. Rose and the Earth Defense Corps raced to master the enigmatic technology, as giant robots suddenly descended on Earth’s most populous cities, killing one hundred million people in the process. Though Rose and her team were able to fend off the attack, their victory was short-lived. The mysterious invaders retreated, disappearing from the shattered planet . . . but they took the scientist and her crew with them.
 
Now, after nearly ten years on another world, Rose returns to find a devastating new war—this time between humans. America and Russia are locked in combat, fighting to fill the power vacuum left behind after the invasion. Families are torn apart, friends become bitter enemies, and countries collapse in the wake of the battling superpowers. It appears the aliens left behind their titanic death machines so humankind will obliterate itself. Rose is determined to find a solution, whatever it takes. But will she become a pawn in a doomsday game no one can win?


Read by William Hope, Charlie Anson, Laurence Bouvard, Adna Sablylich, Laura Kirman, Aaron Vodovoz, Julie Rogers, Christopher Ragland, Patricia Rodrigues, Jennifer Woodward, Karina Fernandez, Eric Meyers, Madeleine Rose, Lance C. Fuller, and the author, Sylvain Neuvel


Advance praise for Only Human
 
“Packing a surprisingly powerful thematic punch, this novel is an addictive blend of science fiction, apocalyptic thriller, and chillingly timely cautionary tale. Two (giant, robotic) thumbs up!”—Kirkus Reviews

“Boasting a winning combination of briskly paced action and futuristic dystopia tempered by cautious optimism, Only Human brings a fitting, satisfying end to the Themis Files series.”—RT Book Reviews

Ratings and reviews

I liked this series from the first book. Every concept it was putting down, I was here for. I liked the diary writing style and followed it through every book. With this one, it felt a bit like I was finishing it because I was already this far in the journey. If you gave me the overarching story beats as a summary, I think I'd enjoy them. But the actual execution of this last book left me less than satisfied. As for the audiobook itself, I understand why they chose to change the voice of the youngest character from the last novel. But this was a HUGE departure and took some time to adjust to. All in all, not my favorite but not my least favorite.

It says it on the title: only human - even the aliens. Politics, racism, civil unrest... The concept of the sleeping giants is long gone at this point. There was little science fiction to begin with, granted, but now there's none (even surrounded by alien mechs, in an alien world complete with advanced civilizations, ftl travel, etc). They killed off the best character, who was half the dialogues, midway the second book. Now it's just a soapy nonsense. The climax is a ridiculous father-daughter fight, ffs. I wish I hadn't been curious and stopped at the first book.

Not as good as the other two. With a specific character missing the intrigue becomes mundane and the explanation for the events of the first two books, while neatly tied up, is mediocre and hardly-believable at best. This race is suppose to be better and more advanced but still is subject to the same political weaknesses as us? Meh. Oh, and also, don't ever visit an alien world or you'll come back with a horrible south Boston accent.....I mean seriously?!? Was there a voice actor strike when this was published. Cringy and unforgivable.