1.88k reviews for:

Only Human

Sylvain Neuvel

3.62 AVERAGE

julies_reading's review

4.0

The third and final book of the Themis Files, Only Human opens ten years after our protagonists and Themis disappeared onto another planet - this time, they have reappeared on Earth just as suddenly. Now that humanity has had time to deal with the realization of their connection to Themis and her creators, the world has changed beyond recognition. Rose, Vincent, and Eva have to figure out how to keep themselves and the entire human race alive.

Unlike the first two books in this series, I listened to this installment on audio. In my mind, that is by far the best way to experience this series. There is a full cast giving great performances, which really elevates the story off the page. I cared more about these characters in this book than the others almost surely because of the performances of the cast. Vincent in particular stood out among the cast. I liked that there's not always right answers in this series, particularly so in this alien society the characters find themselves in in this book. I also enjoyed the two different timelines we bounced between as we see what happened on Esat Ekt in the ten-year time jump. I liked the action that we did get, but there was definitely less of it in this book than the others. And Katherine as a villain was definitely lackluster; she did not feel realistic at all.

Overall, I'm glad that I decided to finish this series out since I had considered DNFing it. Listening to the audiobook gave me a greater appreciation for this sci-fi series as a whole.
alondra_miller69's profile picture

alondra_miller69's review

4.0

4 Stars

This was a solid ending to a really great trilogy. This is probably the 2nd trilogy that has been consistent in quality, throughout.

Basically, our MCs are dealing with the aftermath of genocide on a global scale, after the aliens take care of business. Over 100 million humans destroyed (there was nothing left, just ash); the aliens wiped their hands and hauled ass.... with Themis, to their home planet, Esat Ekt. Only for our heroes to return 9 years later, and the global community has basically devolved into madness and willful ignorance. Concentration camps, imminent war, segregation, etc. (Aaahhh, sounds like home). Anyway, Rose, Vincent and Eva must figure out how to turn things around and get humans to start acting, well; like humans. With some much needed help, they just might reset the clock.

I really enjoyed this trilogy and cannot wait to see what the author has in store for us, in the future.

rens_reading_glenn's profile picture

rens_reading_glenn's review

4.0

To be fair, I didn't so much as "read" this one as I listened to the first two hours of the audiobook (which I highly recommend, the cast does a fantastic job) before untimely deciding that, having been so unwillingly invested in the characters, I needed to know how it ended before I would let myself be subjected to more knocking around and emotional manipulation. I didn't need to know *how* they saved the world, I just needed to know if they did and whether or not the survived with their spirits intact.

Short answer - yes, they do. Just in case anyone else needs confirmation that any heart-ripping that may occur in the meantime (ie, the rest of the book) is not for nothing.

I did bookmark where I left off, I just have yet to decide if - even knowing the ending - I want to inflict further meticulous heart-ripping on myself. Cause I kinda feel like it will be a doozie... The author already inflicted a semi-SkyNet situation on us last book (even if it was kind of a mistake and the aliens felt super bad about it) after all; this one being the climax of the whole series, I assume it somehow gets way worse before it gets better.

dingosenior79's review

3.0

Hmm...

1.5
elsemma's profile picture

elsemma's review

3.0
dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
katbalitsos's profile picture

katbalitsos's review

4.25
adventurous fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
adventurous challenging dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

dragonwhat's review

4.0
adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Oli ihanaa olla täysin kirjan imussa pitkästä aikaa! Tämä teos osuu tarkkanäköisesti ihmisyyden ytimeen ja on loistava päätös trilogialle.

Tämä oli itsenäisenä teoksena todennäköisesti viiden tähden arvoinen, mutta rokotin yhden tähden siitä, ettei kaikkia aiempia lankoja solmittu yhteen - lisäksi loppuratkaisussa oli muutama kyseenalainen yksityiskohta. Myös erään hahmon kehitys jäi mielestäni potentiaalistaan kauas.

Nautin erityisesti avaruusasioista ja globaalista moraalifilosofisesta pohdinnasta. Lisäksi läpi trilogian olen tykännyt poikkeuksellisesta kerrontatyylistä kovasti. Nämä ovat yksinkertaisesti hyviä kirjoja. Suosittelen kaikille, vaikkei scifi tuntuisi omalta - tämä kirjasarja on porttihuume.