Only Human

March 1, 2018
Wrapping up Neuvel's (Waking Gods, 2017, etc.) Themis Files trilogy in grand style, the last volume of this science-fiction chronicle of humankind's war against an army of invading alien robots explores how the aftermath of the conflict has irrevocably changed our world.Nine years after physicist Rose Franklin essentially saved humankind by finding a way to stop the giant robots from killing more people--millions had already been obliterated--and forcing them to return to their homeworld, the story begins with Franklin stranded on the planet Esat Ekt along with linguist Vincent Couture and his young daughter, Eva. The three are living freely in a community of humanoid beings, and Eva, now a young adult, even has a group of friends she hangs out with. But her father is obsessed with somehow getting her back to Earth and some semblance of normalcy. When they do find a way home, however, the trio finds the world much different. Humankind is on the brink of collective insanity, ruled by rampant fear and hate. Those that are different are forced into work camps or simply killed. "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." While not flawless--some major characters, such as the Russian intelligence agent Katherine Lebedev, come across as unrealistic, and the worldbuilding on the alien planet could have been much stronger--this is an utterly readable story powered by nonstop action and, more importantly, thought-provoking social commentary.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!

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April 9, 2018
In the exciting conclusion to Neuvel’s Themis Files (after 2017’s Waking Gods), scientist Rose Franklin is back home on Earth after she was marooned for nine years on the planet Esat Ekt. Her giant robot, Themis, was summoned home, with Rose, linguist Vincent Couture, his 10-year-old daughter, and Gen. Eugene Govender stuck inside. Rose loved studying alongside the humanoid Ekt and would have been happy to stay, but Vincent was desperate for home. When they return, it’s to an entirely too plausible war-torn Earth that’s in the grip of racial hatred (especially of Muslims) and violence, and Russia and the U.S. are butting heads. Russian agent Katherine Lebedev wants to use Themis to combat the U.S., but she needs pilots to do it, and she’ll stop at nothing to get Rose to do her bidding. The story, entwining past and present, is told in the same style as the first two novels, using interviews, diary entries, mission logs, and covert recordings. Lebedev is cartoonish at times, but that makes it even easier to root for Rose and co. This action-packed tale with apocalyptic stakes is a fitting finale to this wonderfully cinematic series. Agent: Seth Fishman, Gernert Co.

May 1, 2018
Be careful what you wish for is the theme of the action-packed finale of the Themis Files trilogy. At the end of Waking Gods (2017), Dr. Rose Franklin, Brigadier General Eugene Grovender, pilot Vincent Couture, and Vincent's 10-year-old daughter, Eva Reyes, were suddenly transported to another planet: the home of Themis and the giant robots that had devastated Earth's population. Approximately nine years later, Rose, Vincent, and a reluctant Eva return to Earth in Themis, only to be captured by the Russians. In their absence, the world's governments rounded up anyone with an excess amount of alien DNA and interred them in camps. And the U.S., having found a way to reactivate the one remaining robot, has been using it to enforce a singular vision of global peace. The narrative puts the reader in the action, exposing both personal conflicts and contemplative introspection and ultimately divulging the fateful decisions that led to the return of the Themis crew. Series fans will be eager for Neuvel's ever-so-satisfying conclusion to his rip-roaring science-fiction adventure tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)