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?
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
“This action-packed tale with apocalyptic stakes is a fitting finale to this wonderfully cinematic series.”—Publishers Weekly
“Series fans will be eager for Neuvel’s ever-so-satisfying conclusion to his rip-roaring science-fiction adventure tale.”—Booklist
Don’t miss any of The Themis Files by Sylvain Neuvel: SLEEPING GIANTS | WAKING GODS | ONLY HUMAN
What a perfect end Only Human was to an incredible trilogy. It was emotional, deep and satisfying. Despite the first book being far from perfect, The Themis Files has gone from strength to strength, culminating in a brilliant ending that had so much to say about humanity in the form of absolutely spot-on social commentary.
"You build a revolution on ideas. If the population doesn't buy your ideas, it means they're not ready, or you're wrong...If you're using bombs instead of words, that means you're banking on people giving you what you want out of fear instead of reason. That's never a good sign"
The characters of Vincent and Eva got a lot of love in this instalments. They were fleshed out, and their relationship developed in believable ways. They were individuals, and with the epistolary style giving equal weight to both their thoughts and motivations it was both beautiful and frustrating to see how they interpreted the same events so very differently, neither of them wholly wrong and yet neither of them entirely right, either. Dr. Rose Franklin wasn't quite as fleshed out in this one, but we already had a great sense of her as a character from the previous instalment, and she served as a great way to bring Only Human full circle. Some of the villainous characters once again felt a little contrived and unbelievable, but the rest of the book was strong enough that I could forgive Neuvel for that one, tiny element.
“We’re talking about human beings making a conscious effort…to be ignorant. Willfully stupid. They’re proud of it. They take pride in idiocy. There’s not even an attempt to rationalize things anymore….Our entire race is trying to lobotomize itself.”
The narrative of Only Human exists in two timelines. At the end of Waking Gods Vincent, Eva, Rose and General Eugene Govender find themselves transported to Themis' home planet. Half the book takes place on Esat Ekt, the alien's home planet, and the other half takes place on our protagonists' return to Earth. We see parallels between the political situation of the Ekt, and the state of war Earth finds itself in after the elimination of so many people in Waking Gods. The pacing is perfect, interspersing just enough action with discussions on the nature of democracy and the 'human' condition. We see the parent/child dynamic of Vincent and Eva mirrored in the parent/child dynamic of the Human race and the Ekt.
Only Human was dark and deeply emotional, but still managed to have a sense of humour that made it an absolute joy to read. This will be a story that lingers, and one that really made me think about my place in the world, and what it means to be human.
