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 … 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
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“Only Human” is the third and I believe the final volume in the enjoyable Themis series. These stories feature giant robots, aliens, secret societies, mad scientists, villains, heroes and did I mention giant robots? A the risk of damning with faint praise, I thought the first book felt a bit like traditional SF adventure. The final book in the series kicks things up a notch. It is a rousing adventure but it is also a little more ambitious. The reader is introduced to some aliens and their society and there are good things and bad things about both. In this story all the good guys and bad guys are a bit more nuanced. Everybody makes serious mistakes. I was constantly reminded of the famous line, “No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy”. There are no heroes (not quite true) but there are survivors. This was a darker book than the earlier books in the series. Despite this, the ending was surprisingly optimistic (given the rest of the story, it felt maybe a little too optimistic). Nevertheless, this was a great read. It made me think. It made me cry. If I could, this one would get 4.5 stars. I really liked it.
A satisfying finale to a unique story told through audio recordings and interviews. The robots are awesome!
The final entry in the Themis Files trilogy, Only Human takes us on a journey that explores the nature of power and what we as a species are capable of (and our failures) in the face of outside threats.
Like the previous two books, Only Human is told via journal entries and mission logs, therefore everything coming out as dialogue. Each chapter (or file) is an exchange between characters or an entry of a lone character, all forecast in their voice.
Because of the format, I chose to listen to the trilogy on audiobook. Therefor I can’t speak to the printed work, but I can say the audiobook is very well done. All three books are supported by a full cast of voice actors who are all great at personifying their respective characters.
Although I was a little annoyed by him as a character, I came to really like Vincent by the end of the trilogy. This shows the scope of Neuvel’s writing, telling a great sci-fi plot that I highly recommend if you’re a fan of X-Files, Pacific Rim, Iron Giant or any military thriller, because the Themis Files trilogy is a combination of all of those and more.
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It was good, but did not compare to the first two books. Honestly, the series is better without this one. I felt book 2 ended on such a final note leaving the reader with endless possibilities. Unfortunately, the possibility that we were given wasn’t as good as letting our imaginations go wild. Still love the books overall and will recommend to others.
Audiobook, borrowed from library.
This series blew my mind. Amazing world building. And the way the story is told – through files, similar to transcripts makes it something I never wanted to put down.
Only Human, in particular, is very political. And I loved every second of it. Neuvel paints a terrifying picture that some days, doesn’t seem too far away from where we currently are. Where are our giant robots and aliens to intervene and play the bad guy watching over us when we need it? Because we’re sorely in need of that now.
Everything from the characters to the world building in this series is perfect. If you like sci-fi, this is a must read or listen.
The final entry in the Themis trilogy zips the reader to another planet after the invasion on Earth has taken place. The single-minded Dr. Rose Franklin finds herself uncharacteristically wavering in the aftermath. This erratic position is also affecting her team as well. The grass is not so greener on the alien’s planet. They struggle with intolerance, mandates, haughtiness and machinations just as much as the human race does.
Back on Earth the tormented nightmare of the attack has cut humanity’s faith to shreds. Which cause utter disintegration of the superpowers and civilization has degraded into fear, viciousness and bigotry. Blunders are made, family drama is on display on a grand scale that dwarf the extraterrestrial behemoth robots any day.
This ponderous and unpredictable closing is easy to read. Plus is action-packed as well.
Disappointing end to a fabulous series.
This is a three series saga. Fin to read and imagine.
This is the third book in a (so far) trilogy. The first volume, Sleeping Giants, was brilliant in every way. The follow-ups, though less inspired, are nevertheless good reads. The author’s narrative mechanics are getting old, however.
This story and its entire 3-book series is set up very differently from all novels I’ve read. And I appreciate the clever devices the author uses to keep the reader on track and following the story, despite the lack of narration. The story is made up entirely of conversations or personal journal entries, which take the place of narration, and covers the activities and societal views on two planets. The sections of the book and scenes switch between planets and timelines. Thoroughly enjoyed the series for the story and cleverness, and am left wondering what the characters are doing now.
I found this book kind of boring and didn’t finish it because I never got that involved with the characters.
I must confess, this was the book in the trilogy that I least enjoyed… It felt like a political manifesto as much as (rather than?) than the conclusion to the series. The parts that focused on the continuation of the existing relationships (between Terrans and Ekt, between Eva and Vincent, between Rose and Vincent), and on the establishment of new characters/relationships and bits of fill-in backstory that fleshed out what has been happening to Rose et al. since the end of Book Two were very well done and very engaging. But there was A LOT of “this is what’s wrong with the world” played out in the interstices – and those interstices often resembled canyons or trenches (ala Marianas) more than anything actually interstitial.
I understand and appreciate what Neuvel was doing with this book, and how the terrapolitical and geopolitical expositions played into the overarching story. I just felt at times like I was reading an indictment of contemporary political thought and global activity – a philosophical treatise, almost – rather than a scifi novel. That’s fine, but it made the pacing uneven for me and slowed things down a lot. I found myself skimming at times in the middle – and honestly, don’t feel like I missed anything by doing so. Still, the trilogy as a whole was a vastly entertaining enterprise and very original and well plotted and well characterized. I’m just glad it started with the first book – which was five stars all the way for me – because if it had opened with a focus akin to this final book, I probably wouldn’t have made it all the way through…
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.