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After the Fall
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Part alien invasion story, part buddy comedy, and part workplace satire
Would humans really make great pets?
Humans must be silent.
Humans must be obedient.
Humans must be good.
All his life, John has tried to live by those rules. Most days, it’s not too difficult. A hundred and twenty years after The Fall, and a hundred years after the grays swept in to pick the last dregs of humanity out of the wreckage of a ruined world, John has found himself bonded to Martok Barden nee Black Hand, one of the "good" grays. Sure, Martok is broke, homeless, and borderline manic, but he’s always treated John like an actual person, and sometimes like a friend. It’s a better deal than most humans get.
But when Martok puts John’s bond up as collateral against an abandoned house in the woods that he hopes to turn into a wilderness retreat for wealthy grays, John learns that there are limits to Martok’s friendship. Soon he finds himself caught between an underworld boss who thinks Martok is something that he very much is not, a girl who was raised by feral humans and has nothing but contempt for pets like John, and Martok himself, whose delusions of grandeur seem to be finally catching up with him.
Also, not for nothing, something in the woods has been killing people.
John has sixty days before Martok’s loan comes due to unravel the mystery of how humans wound up holding the wrong end of the domestication stick and find a way to turn Martok’s half-baked plans into profit enough to buy back his life, all while avoiding getting butchered by feral humans or having his head crushed by an angry gray. Easy peasy, right?
Would humans really make great pets?
Humans must be silent.
Humans must be obedient.
Humans must be good.
All his life, John has tried to live by those rules. Most days, it’s not too difficult. A hundred and twenty years after The Fall, and a hundred years after the grays swept in to pick the last dregs of humanity out of the wreckage of a ruined world, John has found himself bonded to Martok Barden nee Black Hand, one of the "good" grays. Sure, Martok is broke, homeless, and borderline manic, but he’s always treated John like an actual person, and sometimes like a friend. It’s a better deal than most humans get.
But when Martok puts John’s bond up as collateral against an abandoned house in the woods that he hopes to turn into a wilderness retreat for wealthy grays, John learns that there are limits to Martok’s friendship. Soon he finds himself caught between an underworld boss who thinks Martok is something that he very much is not, a girl who was raised by feral humans and has nothing but contempt for pets like John, and Martok himself, whose delusions of grandeur seem to be finally catching up with him.
Also, not for nothing, something in the woods has been killing people.
John has sixty days before Martok’s loan comes due to unravel the mystery of how humans wound up holding the wrong end of the domestication stick and find a way to turn Martok’s half-baked plans into profit enough to buy back his life, all while avoiding getting butchered by feral humans or having his head crushed by an angry gray. Easy peasy, right?
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
29 people are currently reading
10682 people want to read
About the author
Edward Ashton
27 books1,520 followersEdward Ashton is the author of the novels Mickey7, Three Days in April and The End of Ordinary. His short fiction has appeared in venues ranging from the newsletter of an Italian sausage company to Escape Pod, Analog, and Fireside Fiction. He lives in upstate New York in a cabin in the woods (not that Cabin in the Woods) with his wife, a variable number of daughters, and an adorably mopey dog named Max, where he writes—mostly fiction, occasionally fact—under the watchful eyes of a giant woodpecker and a rotating cast of barred owls. In his free time, he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and whittling. You can find him online at edwardashton.com or on Twitter @edashtonwriting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 14, 2025
After the Fall is a highly entertaining dystopian sci-fi romp - satirical and farcical on the surface, yet laced with surprising depth, suspense, and emotional resonance. Ashton digs into the gray moral terrain of friendships forged between unequals, exploring how history, class, and circumstance can warp even the most well-intentioned bonds.
The pacing is brisk, the dialogue sharp and consistently funny. The audiobook narration is exceptional, capturing the pompous arrogance of the alien "grays" as well as the protagonist's blend of timidity and pluck.
Overall, it's a fast, clever, and surprisingly thoughtful, lighthearted adventure (with darker undertones) that's a joy to listen to. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a Digital Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for a honest review.
The pacing is brisk, the dialogue sharp and consistently funny. The audiobook narration is exceptional, capturing the pompous arrogance of the alien "grays" as well as the protagonist's blend of timidity and pluck.
Overall, it's a fast, clever, and surprisingly thoughtful, lighthearted adventure (with darker undertones) that's a joy to listen to. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a Digital Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for a honest review.
September 23, 2025
The premise was really interesting and I think the execution was great.
It's a short read, but it still manages to builds a rich world, interesting characters and complex relationships.
I had a great time.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
It's a short read, but it still manages to builds a rich world, interesting characters and complex relationships.
I had a great time.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
February 5, 2026
I came into this with some side eye. I tried and failed to finish Mickey7 twice. I was hoping a different format and world would show me what I was missing in Ashton’s previous works. And… I genuinely don’t know how to feel about After the Fall. The description says it’s part buddy comedy and part work satire, and it’s neither of those things. This has some ridiculous moments, but the tone is heavy overall. I picked this up thinking it would be a good diversion from current events, and lo and behold I was smacked in the face with the future slavery of humans and a discourse on who and what level of society is deserving of consideration. That is about the furthest thing from buddy comedy OR workplace satire. (Marketing, my dudes, what are you thinking!?)
That’s not to say this isn’t well-done. It was a compelling story and by the time you realize where it’s going, you’re invested in the characters, even Martok. But lighthearted and funny, this is not. The ending felt a bit rushed, but I like where it ended even if it didn’t answer the big questions it raised. The narrator, John Pirhalla is absolutely unparalleled. The voices for each of the characters are SO distinct, you have no issues following along with audio only. (Going from Martok to John to Six in one breath is damn impressive!)
All in all, it’s a story worth reading. Just maybe don’t pick this one up if you’re looking for something light and funny.
Huge thank you again to Macmillan audio (Drew, you are still my favorite) and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
That’s not to say this isn’t well-done. It was a compelling story and by the time you realize where it’s going, you’re invested in the characters, even Martok. But lighthearted and funny, this is not. The ending felt a bit rushed, but I like where it ended even if it didn’t answer the big questions it raised. The narrator, John Pirhalla is absolutely unparalleled. The voices for each of the characters are SO distinct, you have no issues following along with audio only. (Going from Martok to John to Six in one breath is damn impressive!)
All in all, it’s a story worth reading. Just maybe don’t pick this one up if you’re looking for something light and funny.
Huge thank you again to Macmillan audio (Drew, you are still my favorite) and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2025
After The Fall is a Sci Fi standalone with a lot of strong world building and beloved characters. It is the perfect listen for a longer road trip with the kids- it is not YA, but is family friendly with little to no violence or adult content. The protagonist, John, is a human "employee" i.e. "pet" of Martok the gray. This takes place on earth many years from now, after an alien invasion that domesticated humans. There are feral humans that operate like wolves in a pack, and a government that has propaganda causing John to feel as though Martok is his friend. It is a unique theme about the ruling class and the working class, or about slavery and the way that history has been altered to make modern people think that slavery was something it was not.
Martok is optimistic to the point of nearly being delusional, and while he considers John to be his friend, he has offered John as bond on a loan for new land he wants to turn into a luxury resort for wealthier grays.
I was really impressed with the performance of John Pirhalla. His performance of Martok was absolutely perfect and captured the spirit of this lovable fool. His performance of John and Six were also excellent, I found it to be incredibly engaging and melodious. The story works really well on audio and is a lighthearted yet still deep Science Fiction story that will stay with me for some time.
Thanks to Macmillan audio for the ALC. Book to be published February 24, 2026.
Martok is optimistic to the point of nearly being delusional, and while he considers John to be his friend, he has offered John as bond on a loan for new land he wants to turn into a luxury resort for wealthier grays.
I was really impressed with the performance of John Pirhalla. His performance of Martok was absolutely perfect and captured the spirit of this lovable fool. His performance of John and Six were also excellent, I found it to be incredibly engaging and melodious. The story works really well on audio and is a lighthearted yet still deep Science Fiction story that will stay with me for some time.
Thanks to Macmillan audio for the ALC. Book to be published February 24, 2026.
January 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC of After the Fall. Unfortunately this book was just not for me. So many people found the humor and levity in it, but I couldn’t get over the power dynamics and unintended cruelty. I think it’s an important read for those who need to see how we have changed the stories of slavery to make them more palatable to the masses. In this book the government does amazing propaganda to make humans feel lucky and loved to be disposable pets. And how lucky they are if they aren’t abused physically! But their life is still worth less than a business transaction.
The writing was witty and the pacing is done well. The narrator does an amazing job of making the Grays sound pretentious. Overall a quick read that made me pretty uncomfortable, as was intended.
The writing was witty and the pacing is done well. The narrator does an amazing job of making the Grays sound pretentious. Overall a quick read that made me pretty uncomfortable, as was intended.
October 8, 2025
Edward Ashton's After the Fall is a standalone science fiction novel that plunges readers into a tense and thought-provoking adventure, offering a refreshing break from the multi-volume sagas that often dominate the genre.
The novel quickly establishes an intensely close, albeit unlikely, relationship between its two protagonists. Their differences are stark: a powerful, alien being—evocative of the "superior" races found in works like Pierce Brown’s Red Rising—and an ordinary human from Earth. This chasm in race and societal status fuels the narrative. The story, narrated by the human, John, begins with his resentment of a business gamble that forces the pair into a perilous situation. What follows is a fast-paced, page-turning adventure where one protagonist faces the prospect of death, and the other, the loss of his only true "family."
As the adventure unfolds, the initial setup of an unwanted, adopted boy and his questionable paternal figure transforms into a deeper philosophical inquiry. Ashton masterfully uses the science fiction framework to peel back layers and address some profound societal questions: What happens when one race deems another undeserving of rights? What are the consequences when a technologically superior race genetically modifies and controls an inferior one? Can these stark races co-exist in a balanced way? If so, how? These are the big-picture ethical dilemmas at the heart of the book, giving sci-fi fans plenty of material to contemplate long after the final page.
For readers who appreciate a tight, complete narrative, After the Fall is a welcome read. It succeeds in capturing attention immediately and maintaining its grip without demanding the multi-book commitment typical of many modern sci-fi titles. This makes it an ideal pick for those who enjoy being able to dip into a high-quality science fiction story without getting entrenched in a new series.
After the Fall is a compelling and accessible novel that combines a thrilling plot with a potent exploration of prejudice, found family, and humanity's place in a complex, universe. It is a highly recommended read for any science fiction enthusiast looking for a quick, yet deeply satisfying, standalone experience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Edward Ashton & St. Martin’s Press for providing a Digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for a honest review.
The novel quickly establishes an intensely close, albeit unlikely, relationship between its two protagonists. Their differences are stark: a powerful, alien being—evocative of the "superior" races found in works like Pierce Brown’s Red Rising—and an ordinary human from Earth. This chasm in race and societal status fuels the narrative. The story, narrated by the human, John, begins with his resentment of a business gamble that forces the pair into a perilous situation. What follows is a fast-paced, page-turning adventure where one protagonist faces the prospect of death, and the other, the loss of his only true "family."
As the adventure unfolds, the initial setup of an unwanted, adopted boy and his questionable paternal figure transforms into a deeper philosophical inquiry. Ashton masterfully uses the science fiction framework to peel back layers and address some profound societal questions: What happens when one race deems another undeserving of rights? What are the consequences when a technologically superior race genetically modifies and controls an inferior one? Can these stark races co-exist in a balanced way? If so, how? These are the big-picture ethical dilemmas at the heart of the book, giving sci-fi fans plenty of material to contemplate long after the final page.
For readers who appreciate a tight, complete narrative, After the Fall is a welcome read. It succeeds in capturing attention immediately and maintaining its grip without demanding the multi-book commitment typical of many modern sci-fi titles. This makes it an ideal pick for those who enjoy being able to dip into a high-quality science fiction story without getting entrenched in a new series.
After the Fall is a compelling and accessible novel that combines a thrilling plot with a potent exploration of prejudice, found family, and humanity's place in a complex, universe. It is a highly recommended read for any science fiction enthusiast looking for a quick, yet deeply satisfying, standalone experience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Edward Ashton & St. Martin’s Press for providing a Digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
John Pirhalla does an excellent job with the narration of this audiobook. He is funny and understated and is able to voice all the characters well, female and male, human and otherwise. The story, about an enslaved human after the earth has been conquered by The Grays, is having a hard time staying alive while trying to understand the history of what actually happened on his planet. Very enjoyable if a bit slow at first. Thanks to Netgalley for the audiobook of this novel.
January 3, 2026
Review: Audiobook. Narrated by John Pirhalla
What a delightful story! Is it possible for a book with some brutal scenes to still be cozy? Because this gives the classic Edward Ashton fun story. After The Fall felt like Mickey7 mixed with Orconomics and a side spread of Legends & Lattes.
John is a bondsman, that is, one of the surviving humans After The Fall of human civilization. John is the companion, friend, servant, and employee of Martok Barden, one of the Grays -- aliens who came to help humanity After The Fall. Or, at least that is what the Grays say.
Grays are huge, nearly invulnerable creatures who feel they are superior to the little bondsmen. While Grays often terrify and even kill bondsmen, Martok has never done that to John. The Grays select bondsmen from the equivalent of orphanages or youth workhouses. The day before John is likely to be aged out (e.g., stomped to death for not being adopted out), Martok claims him.
Martok gets an idea for a money-making scheme that involves using John as collateral for a far-fetched business venture. Should this idea fail, then John may be given to a notorious Gray who will not be as gentle as Martok.
Along the way to this new venture, they stop in a town, and Martok returns with Six, a younger, far sassier bondsman than John.
Together, the three face perils, especially the bondsmen, who are out of their element and ridiculously underpowered against most creatures in the world. Any influence they have must be behind the scenes.
The characters are fun, the story is good, and the narration is lovely.
4 1/4 stars. My top book so far in 2026 (I write this on the 3rd of January, but the point stands. It was enjoyable)
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an Audio ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
What a delightful story! Is it possible for a book with some brutal scenes to still be cozy? Because this gives the classic Edward Ashton fun story. After The Fall felt like Mickey7 mixed with Orconomics and a side spread of Legends & Lattes.
John is a bondsman, that is, one of the surviving humans After The Fall of human civilization. John is the companion, friend, servant, and employee of Martok Barden, one of the Grays -- aliens who came to help humanity After The Fall. Or, at least that is what the Grays say.
Grays are huge, nearly invulnerable creatures who feel they are superior to the little bondsmen. While Grays often terrify and even kill bondsmen, Martok has never done that to John. The Grays select bondsmen from the equivalent of orphanages or youth workhouses. The day before John is likely to be aged out (e.g., stomped to death for not being adopted out), Martok claims him.
Martok gets an idea for a money-making scheme that involves using John as collateral for a far-fetched business venture. Should this idea fail, then John may be given to a notorious Gray who will not be as gentle as Martok.
Along the way to this new venture, they stop in a town, and Martok returns with Six, a younger, far sassier bondsman than John.
Together, the three face perils, especially the bondsmen, who are out of their element and ridiculously underpowered against most creatures in the world. Any influence they have must be behind the scenes.
The characters are fun, the story is good, and the narration is lovely.
4 1/4 stars. My top book so far in 2026 (I write this on the 3rd of January, but the point stands. It was enjoyable)
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an Audio ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 22, 2026
Firstly, I want to thank Netgalley and Macmillan Audio/St Martin’s Press for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t know what it is about Edward Ashton’s stories, but they never fail to capture me and draw me in. This was not a long book. It didn’t have a particularly deep, or complex, plot. But man, I love his storytelling and his characters. This book felt more slice-of-life and cozy. There were stakes, but they weren’t that high. And it was just a fun read all around. I especially loved Martok. I need more Martok. I would absolutely love a prequel that just delves into Martok’s past. Overall, this was fun, at times heartwarming and sweet, and just the type of storytelling I’ve come to expect from Ashton. The audiobook narrator was also fantastic. I highly recommend this book. 4.5/5 Stars 🌟
I don’t know what it is about Edward Ashton’s stories, but they never fail to capture me and draw me in. This was not a long book. It didn’t have a particularly deep, or complex, plot. But man, I love his storytelling and his characters. This book felt more slice-of-life and cozy. There were stakes, but they weren’t that high. And it was just a fun read all around. I especially loved Martok. I need more Martok. I would absolutely love a prequel that just delves into Martok’s past. Overall, this was fun, at times heartwarming and sweet, and just the type of storytelling I’ve come to expect from Ashton. The audiobook narrator was also fantastic. I highly recommend this book. 4.5/5 Stars 🌟
December 9, 2025
I was telling people how much I loved this before I was even done. Edward Ashton is one of my favorite writers now, and I only started reading him because someone in one of my sci fi groups recommended Mal Goes to War, which is so odd and hilarious.
One of the things Ashton does really well is telling a story without using stereotypes. There aren't many characters in this, but they were so distinct and focused on survival. The themes were wild -- most of mankind has been killed and aliens have a relatively small number of human pets.
There was so much humor and heartbreak and feeling. Could humans survive without care and compassion?
The narrator was just amazing, this is so well done. I was disappointed when it was over but satisfied with the story.
One of the things Ashton does really well is telling a story without using stereotypes. There aren't many characters in this, but they were so distinct and focused on survival. The themes were wild -- most of mankind has been killed and aliens have a relatively small number of human pets.
There was so much humor and heartbreak and feeling. Could humans survive without care and compassion?
The narrator was just amazing, this is so well done. I was disappointed when it was over but satisfied with the story.
December 5, 2025
**** Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the Arc copy ***
Vastly different than the authors other works, yet not as bleak as Mickey 17. " After the Fall" still holds that wonder black comedy I have come to love from this author.
While the setup felt slow in the beginning, by page 50, I became curious and intrigued on how this story would pan out thanks to the grim and dark worldbuilding the author presented, I was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed the slice of life ending.
Vastly different than the authors other works, yet not as bleak as Mickey 17. " After the Fall" still holds that wonder black comedy I have come to love from this author.
While the setup felt slow in the beginning, by page 50, I became curious and intrigued on how this story would pan out thanks to the grim and dark worldbuilding the author presented, I was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed the slice of life ending.
December 8, 2025
John is a human "employee" or what we think of as a 'pet' to Martok the gray. Martok is one of the aliens that came down and domesticated humans after the fall of humanity over a hundred years ago. The bond that Martok and John have is quite unusual to what other gray's have with their pet. There has always been a sign of respect even when Martok gambles away all of their things, money and all, and puts a loan out on John. John feels like the respect has dwindled a bit, because why would Martok do such a thing. When Martok takes on Six, another employee, John wonders how in the world they're going to survive.
When Martok gets an idea to put together a lodging John crosses paths with the wild humans (they live like wolves do) and things get into a mess with promises and threats.
What to expect:
dystopian feel
found family
survival fiction
3.5 stars rounded up
When Martok gets an idea to put together a lodging John crosses paths with the wild humans (they live like wolves do) and things get into a mess with promises and threats.
What to expect:
dystopian feel
found family
survival fiction
3.5 stars rounded up
February 9, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the arc! I was extremely intrigued by the premise of this book, and was completely delighted in this read. Especially after Mickey7/Mickey17 I had a blast with this.
I could hardly put it down, and I can confidently say this will be one of my top favorite books of the year. This book was interesting, entertaining, and creative. There is something I really love about a frantic and stressed out little MMC who is just trying to do his best (idk it probably helped I pictured Robert Pattinson as John LOL).
I can't wait to read more of Edward Ashton's books, this was such good read and I loved his writing style.
I could hardly put it down, and I can confidently say this will be one of my top favorite books of the year. This book was interesting, entertaining, and creative. There is something I really love about a frantic and stressed out little MMC who is just trying to do his best (idk it probably helped I pictured Robert Pattinson as John LOL).
I can't wait to read more of Edward Ashton's books, this was such good read and I loved his writing style.
Read
February 3, 2026A sharp, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt sci-fi novel. After the Fall blends alien invasion, dark humor, and social satire into a fast-paced story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. John is an unforgettable protagonist, and the book does a great job balancing laughs with real emotional weight.
October 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of After the Fall.
This was super unique with a surprising amount of world building for such a short book. I enjoyed the relationship between John and Martok and also the relationship between John and Six. I do wish there would have been more explanation about that caused The Fall and about how bondsman were created. Overall a fun, quick read.
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was super unique with a surprising amount of world building for such a short book. I enjoyed the relationship between John and Martok and also the relationship between John and Six. I do wish there would have been more explanation about that caused The Fall and about how bondsman were created. Overall a fun, quick read.
3.5 stars rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dark comedy that makes you think
Thank you to NetGalley, Edward Ashton, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Slavery/humans as property, violence, death, animal abuse, murder, child abuse, power imbalance/exploitation, dystopian themes
Edward Ashton's After the Fall takes place about 120 years after humanity collapsed and aliens called the Grays swept in to save what was left. Humans are now property. John belongs to Martok, one of the nicer Grays who treats him more like a friend. When Martok gambles John's bond as collateral on a house he wants to turn into a resort, John realizes there are limits to that friendship.
John Pirhalla narrates the audiobook and he's fantastic. His voice for Martok is perfect, capturing this optimistic fool who means well but keeps making terrible decisions. His performance of John and the other characters is equally strong. The narration elevates the whole experience.
I haven't read Ashton's other books, but from what I understand this might be set in the same world as Mickey7. It works as a standalone though. The book starts slow, I'll be honest about that. It took until about halfway through before things really picked up for me. But once it did, I was hooked. The final chapters are very strong and stuck with me.
The social commentary sits at the center of this book. Humans are property, plain and simple. John is sheltered enough that he doesn't fully grasp this reality. He sees what happens to other humans under other Grays, but because Martok doesn't treat him badly, John can maintain some illusions about their relationship. The book forces you to sit with that uncomfortable dynamic throughout.
There's also a revelation in the final chapter about the difference between "bondsmen" and "humans" that I won't spoil. This twist adds another layer to the world that I'm curious to see explored in future books.
The found family narrative really worked for me. John, Martok, and Six (another human Martok bonds) form this strange unit that shouldn't work but does. Each of them is emotionally isolated at the start, not sharing their real thoughts or being honest with each other. John is so sheltered he barely understands the world. Six is afraid and angry at everyone. Martok has lied about basically everything. It takes the entire book to start breaking down those walls between them. I know this is the first book in a series, and I'm hoping the characters develop much more in future books. I liked them and saw potential in them more than some other readers seemed to.
The book does a lot of telling rather than showing. There are conversations and monologues explaining things instead of letting us see them play out. I get why this happens. John's position in the world is so limited that he can't naturally come across information. He has to be told. But it does make the pacing feel stilted at times even when the story is moving forward.
I wish the characters had been more developed, but I also understand they're each protecting themselves in different ways. John can't afford to think too deeply about his situation. Six survived by not trusting anyone. Martok needs his delusions to keep going. The character work is there, it's just subtle and happens slowly. Since this is a series, I'm willing to give it time to develop.
This isn't a deep sci-fi book with extensive world-building about what The Fall actually was or how the Grays took over. That information isn't really there. The book is more interested in the social dynamics and power structures than the technical details of the invasion. If you need that level of world-building, this will frustrate you. If you're okay with the focus being on the commentary and characters, it works.
The dark comedy lands well. Martok is this lovable disaster who keeps making things worse while genuinely believing he's helping. The absurdity of the situation creates humor even in the darker moments. The language doesn't bother me at all. This isn't a YA book, it's just not full of gratuitous adult content. It knows what it is.
The cover is odd and doesn't really connect to the story, but that's a minor complaint.
The social commentary about slavery, class, and how people justify oppression is necessary and well-handled. It's not subtle, but it's not trying to be. The book wants you uncomfortable with the power dynamics, and it succeeds.
For people who want deep sci-fi lore and world-building details, this probably won't satisfy you. For readers interested in social commentary wrapped in dark comedy with strong found family themes, this delivers. The slow start and underdeveloped characters (for now) keep it from being perfect, but the strong ending and solid narration make it worth the listen.
A thoughtful look at power, friendship, and what happens when inequality gets dressed up as kindness.
"What exactly has brought your owner to my doorstep?" "Martok isn't my owner... he is my employer." "He is not, John. That word, employer, it means something, or it used to anyway. Employers pay their employees and employees are free to leave their employ at anytime. Would you say that fairly describes your relationship with this Martok?"
Thank you to NetGalley, Edward Ashton, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Slavery/humans as property, violence, death, animal abuse, murder, child abuse, power imbalance/exploitation, dystopian themes
Edward Ashton's After the Fall takes place about 120 years after humanity collapsed and aliens called the Grays swept in to save what was left. Humans are now property. John belongs to Martok, one of the nicer Grays who treats him more like a friend. When Martok gambles John's bond as collateral on a house he wants to turn into a resort, John realizes there are limits to that friendship.
John Pirhalla narrates the audiobook and he's fantastic. His voice for Martok is perfect, capturing this optimistic fool who means well but keeps making terrible decisions. His performance of John and the other characters is equally strong. The narration elevates the whole experience.
I haven't read Ashton's other books, but from what I understand this might be set in the same world as Mickey7. It works as a standalone though. The book starts slow, I'll be honest about that. It took until about halfway through before things really picked up for me. But once it did, I was hooked. The final chapters are very strong and stuck with me.
The social commentary sits at the center of this book. Humans are property, plain and simple. John is sheltered enough that he doesn't fully grasp this reality. He sees what happens to other humans under other Grays, but because Martok doesn't treat him badly, John can maintain some illusions about their relationship. The book forces you to sit with that uncomfortable dynamic throughout.
There's also a revelation in the final chapter about the difference between "bondsmen" and "humans" that I won't spoil. This twist adds another layer to the world that I'm curious to see explored in future books.
The found family narrative really worked for me. John, Martok, and Six (another human Martok bonds) form this strange unit that shouldn't work but does. Each of them is emotionally isolated at the start, not sharing their real thoughts or being honest with each other. John is so sheltered he barely understands the world. Six is afraid and angry at everyone. Martok has lied about basically everything. It takes the entire book to start breaking down those walls between them. I know this is the first book in a series, and I'm hoping the characters develop much more in future books. I liked them and saw potential in them more than some other readers seemed to.
The book does a lot of telling rather than showing. There are conversations and monologues explaining things instead of letting us see them play out. I get why this happens. John's position in the world is so limited that he can't naturally come across information. He has to be told. But it does make the pacing feel stilted at times even when the story is moving forward.
I wish the characters had been more developed, but I also understand they're each protecting themselves in different ways. John can't afford to think too deeply about his situation. Six survived by not trusting anyone. Martok needs his delusions to keep going. The character work is there, it's just subtle and happens slowly. Since this is a series, I'm willing to give it time to develop.
This isn't a deep sci-fi book with extensive world-building about what The Fall actually was or how the Grays took over. That information isn't really there. The book is more interested in the social dynamics and power structures than the technical details of the invasion. If you need that level of world-building, this will frustrate you. If you're okay with the focus being on the commentary and characters, it works.
The dark comedy lands well. Martok is this lovable disaster who keeps making things worse while genuinely believing he's helping. The absurdity of the situation creates humor even in the darker moments. The language doesn't bother me at all. This isn't a YA book, it's just not full of gratuitous adult content. It knows what it is.
The cover is odd and doesn't really connect to the story, but that's a minor complaint.
The social commentary about slavery, class, and how people justify oppression is necessary and well-handled. It's not subtle, but it's not trying to be. The book wants you uncomfortable with the power dynamics, and it succeeds.
For people who want deep sci-fi lore and world-building details, this probably won't satisfy you. For readers interested in social commentary wrapped in dark comedy with strong found family themes, this delivers. The slow start and underdeveloped characters (for now) keep it from being perfect, but the strong ending and solid narration make it worth the listen.
A thoughtful look at power, friendship, and what happens when inequality gets dressed up as kindness.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A thoughtful commentary on class and friendships within unequal social structures!
This book didn't work for me in many ways, however most of my misgivings about the novel are due to my own personal taste moreso than any fault of the book or author.
John is a human born many years after The Fall, wherein human society fell and aliens came in to save the wreckage of our planet. Humans are now more pet than person and John belongs to one of the "good" ones, Martok, who treats him closer to a friend than anything else. When Martok takes an ill-advised gamble on a house in the woods, John is left reeling and anxious as he hopes to make it out the other side with his life.
After the Fall has some really wonderful commentary on goodwill within inequality and what friendships look like when you aren't actually on equal footing. Martok does sincerely see John as a friend and he isn't bluffing with that, but he is also still a product of his environment and upbringing. He comes with his own bias even though it is a considerably gentler one than most other aliens seem to have. John sees the difference in his caretaker, but it is hard to feel truly grateful for it when you understand you are still in a cage even if this one is nicer than someone else's.
There's an even deeper conversation to be had when the feral humans come in to play. Suddenly there aren't just two factions here, there's three, and the hierarchy of these beings is played out in a clever way with the exchange of goods and medicines and food. Edward Ashton did a fantastic job weaving a complicated social structure into this post-apocalyptic world.
Where this novel falls flat for me are in the prose and the worldbuilding primarily. I also didn't particularly find this book to be very funny a-la the "buddy comedy" tag but humor is very subjective and I bet this book would be seen as far funnier to the right reader. I found the worldbuilding to be lacking significantly considering how interesting things are set up. I have so many questions about the greater world and what happened, what was The Fall really? I understand the point of this novel wasn't to explore that but what Ashton has fed us leaves my mouth watering for more!
I also felt this novel was a little too much of a "tell, don't show". I felt as though the novel told you things more than showed you anything. Some of this is naturally a sore point due to the perspective of the protagonist, John, being very limited in his place in this world. He is going through things and working on his own knowledge, so when things end up not being what they seem.... we are usually told so in a monologue or conversation rather than shown through action because John doesn't have the ability to be in situations where he would come across the information naturally, he must be told. This leads to fairly stilted pacing as well, while the story moves along quick, the pacing doesn't actually feel like it at times in the story. I think having your protagonist be that disenfranchised was a bit of a disservice to the engagement of this story, I was really flagging by the time John and Six were locked in their cell for chapters. I understand John's powerlessness is a major plot point but it got very tiring to never truly see him gain anything.
The characters in this novel are also a little hard to pinpoint. John is basically operating on anxiety and survival, Martok is unlikable and blubbering until the end, Six is brash and prickly... I just didn't connect with any of these characters and didn't feel that any of them were particularly deep. Though, while I feel as though the characters in this novel are definitely made to serve their purpose in this story, rather than be any kind of ultra-varied character, and that's a pro for this book!! This book runs though events quick enough that I think any additional character depth would have hindered the pacing quite a lot.
Overall, I loved the message this book is conveying and the final chapters are really the shining gems of this book. From the moment Dana takes John and Six from their cells for the last time to the final confrontation to the conclusion is really, really solid writing and storytelling. Ashton really gained their footing there at the end and made the ending something really exciting and believable within this world. While many other facets weren't quite for me, hence the lower personal rating, this is not a bad novel by any means whatsoever.
Though this book is not YA and does have some violent scenes, I think this would best be enjoyed by a slightly younger reader. The writing style of this novel in particular skews a little young, and the straightforward story may be better suited for a more casual reader.
Highly recommend if you want a family roadtrip audiobook or just need something light and quick but still want a little grit in your reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an advance copy.
This book didn't work for me in many ways, however most of my misgivings about the novel are due to my own personal taste moreso than any fault of the book or author.
John is a human born many years after The Fall, wherein human society fell and aliens came in to save the wreckage of our planet. Humans are now more pet than person and John belongs to one of the "good" ones, Martok, who treats him closer to a friend than anything else. When Martok takes an ill-advised gamble on a house in the woods, John is left reeling and anxious as he hopes to make it out the other side with his life.
After the Fall has some really wonderful commentary on goodwill within inequality and what friendships look like when you aren't actually on equal footing. Martok does sincerely see John as a friend and he isn't bluffing with that, but he is also still a product of his environment and upbringing. He comes with his own bias even though it is a considerably gentler one than most other aliens seem to have. John sees the difference in his caretaker, but it is hard to feel truly grateful for it when you understand you are still in a cage even if this one is nicer than someone else's.
There's an even deeper conversation to be had when the feral humans come in to play. Suddenly there aren't just two factions here, there's three, and the hierarchy of these beings is played out in a clever way with the exchange of goods and medicines and food. Edward Ashton did a fantastic job weaving a complicated social structure into this post-apocalyptic world.
Where this novel falls flat for me are in the prose and the worldbuilding primarily. I also didn't particularly find this book to be very funny a-la the "buddy comedy" tag but humor is very subjective and I bet this book would be seen as far funnier to the right reader. I found the worldbuilding to be lacking significantly considering how interesting things are set up. I have so many questions about the greater world and what happened, what was The Fall really? I understand the point of this novel wasn't to explore that but what Ashton has fed us leaves my mouth watering for more!
I also felt this novel was a little too much of a "tell, don't show". I felt as though the novel told you things more than showed you anything. Some of this is naturally a sore point due to the perspective of the protagonist, John, being very limited in his place in this world. He is going through things and working on his own knowledge, so when things end up not being what they seem.... we are usually told so in a monologue or conversation rather than shown through action because John doesn't have the ability to be in situations where he would come across the information naturally, he must be told. This leads to fairly stilted pacing as well, while the story moves along quick, the pacing doesn't actually feel like it at times in the story. I think having your protagonist be that disenfranchised was a bit of a disservice to the engagement of this story, I was really flagging by the time John and Six were locked in their cell for chapters. I understand John's powerlessness is a major plot point but it got very tiring to never truly see him gain anything.
The characters in this novel are also a little hard to pinpoint. John is basically operating on anxiety and survival, Martok is unlikable and blubbering until the end, Six is brash and prickly... I just didn't connect with any of these characters and didn't feel that any of them were particularly deep. Though, while I feel as though the characters in this novel are definitely made to serve their purpose in this story, rather than be any kind of ultra-varied character, and that's a pro for this book!! This book runs though events quick enough that I think any additional character depth would have hindered the pacing quite a lot.
Overall, I loved the message this book is conveying and the final chapters are really the shining gems of this book. From the moment Dana takes John and Six from their cells for the last time to the final confrontation to the conclusion is really, really solid writing and storytelling. Ashton really gained their footing there at the end and made the ending something really exciting and believable within this world. While many other facets weren't quite for me, hence the lower personal rating, this is not a bad novel by any means whatsoever.
Though this book is not YA and does have some violent scenes, I think this would best be enjoyed by a slightly younger reader. The writing style of this novel in particular skews a little young, and the straightforward story may be better suited for a more casual reader.
Highly recommend if you want a family roadtrip audiobook or just need something light and quick but still want a little grit in your reading.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this tale set in the future about an Earth under new management, with humans kept as servants, or worse, and the odd relationship between an alien, his servant/friend, a get rich scheme, and maybe even freedom.
I remember working in the record store when Porno for Pyros came out with their song Pets. The gist of the song was that humans are pretty bad at being humans, and maybe we should be overseen by say Martians. The refrain was the line 'We'll make great, pets!'. This was something we, the people working there didn't agree with. Working retail most of us knew that well to paraphase the Who, the new boss would be the same as the old boss. This was something we through around for a bit, the science fiction fans using previous books, episodes of Star Trek to make our arguments. I don't know if we ever decided, or if we just went off on the next thing. Humans are easily distracted. After reading this book, I think I have my answers. After the Fall by Edward Ashton is a story of the future, where man finds himself far down on the list of importance, and the strange friendship that occurs between a human and an alien, one fraught with risk, many potential outcomes, and a lot of humor.
The future is dark for humans. The Grays arrived about 100 years before, and basically made all of humanity not just second class, but bottom of the bottom-class citizens. John has known nothing but the creche he was born in, and the nurses who tried in vain to get him a place among the grays as a servant/slave. John however was not wanted, which would have meant his end, except for the intervention of Martok Barden, a good Gray, though one with many problems. Martok bonded John, and John though things were looking up. Except that Martok Barden has little in the way of money, or a home, and likes to put on both airs, and live in dreams of his own making. One of them involves opening a resort for other Grays on a piece of land that would just be perfect. To raise the money Martok uses John as collateral, which gives John and Martok 60 days to raise the money to pay of the loan. The problem is the land really isn't perfect. Beings keep dying in the woods. And maybe the gray with the loan doesn't want money, but something far more.
Edward Ashton started with the Mickey 7 books, which I enjoyed quite a bit, but I enjoy Ashton's standalone books even more. Ashton is not afraid to ask difficult questions about humanity, telling stories that might be set in the future, but are of today. How we treat each other as humans, the grinding heaviness that is capitalism. The alpha dog mentality. And knowing that something big is always waiting to crush a person down. Ashton looks at how John thinks, the realization that Martok might not feel the same way about John, as John feels about Martok. How close we are to letting our thoughts of civility end when it comes to money. The thin line keeping us a nation, and not a bunch of savage creatures haunting a forest. Ashton is a very good writer, coming up a with a world that is both real, interesting, and one that I would like to see more of. Humor is an important aspect to Ashton's writing, making the characters seem real, and giving the story a bit of a breather before all gets dark again. And yes it gets darker.
A really story, more about today as the best science fiction tales are. Ashton has bits of golden age writers, what happens if aliens win, add in a bit of social conscience, and political pragmatism, and let the story build from there. A story that speaks alot about what we allow ourselves to put up with, and warning about what is to come. Plus a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what Edward Ashton has planned next.
I remember working in the record store when Porno for Pyros came out with their song Pets. The gist of the song was that humans are pretty bad at being humans, and maybe we should be overseen by say Martians. The refrain was the line 'We'll make great, pets!'. This was something we, the people working there didn't agree with. Working retail most of us knew that well to paraphase the Who, the new boss would be the same as the old boss. This was something we through around for a bit, the science fiction fans using previous books, episodes of Star Trek to make our arguments. I don't know if we ever decided, or if we just went off on the next thing. Humans are easily distracted. After reading this book, I think I have my answers. After the Fall by Edward Ashton is a story of the future, where man finds himself far down on the list of importance, and the strange friendship that occurs between a human and an alien, one fraught with risk, many potential outcomes, and a lot of humor.
The future is dark for humans. The Grays arrived about 100 years before, and basically made all of humanity not just second class, but bottom of the bottom-class citizens. John has known nothing but the creche he was born in, and the nurses who tried in vain to get him a place among the grays as a servant/slave. John however was not wanted, which would have meant his end, except for the intervention of Martok Barden, a good Gray, though one with many problems. Martok bonded John, and John though things were looking up. Except that Martok Barden has little in the way of money, or a home, and likes to put on both airs, and live in dreams of his own making. One of them involves opening a resort for other Grays on a piece of land that would just be perfect. To raise the money Martok uses John as collateral, which gives John and Martok 60 days to raise the money to pay of the loan. The problem is the land really isn't perfect. Beings keep dying in the woods. And maybe the gray with the loan doesn't want money, but something far more.
Edward Ashton started with the Mickey 7 books, which I enjoyed quite a bit, but I enjoy Ashton's standalone books even more. Ashton is not afraid to ask difficult questions about humanity, telling stories that might be set in the future, but are of today. How we treat each other as humans, the grinding heaviness that is capitalism. The alpha dog mentality. And knowing that something big is always waiting to crush a person down. Ashton looks at how John thinks, the realization that Martok might not feel the same way about John, as John feels about Martok. How close we are to letting our thoughts of civility end when it comes to money. The thin line keeping us a nation, and not a bunch of savage creatures haunting a forest. Ashton is a very good writer, coming up a with a world that is both real, interesting, and one that I would like to see more of. Humor is an important aspect to Ashton's writing, making the characters seem real, and giving the story a bit of a breather before all gets dark again. And yes it gets darker.
A really story, more about today as the best science fiction tales are. Ashton has bits of golden age writers, what happens if aliens win, add in a bit of social conscience, and political pragmatism, and let the story build from there. A story that speaks alot about what we allow ourselves to put up with, and warning about what is to come. Plus a lot of fun. I can't wait to see what Edward Ashton has planned next.
December 8, 2025
In different hands, this premise had the potential to be silly, fetishistic, or downright moronic, but in Ashton's capable hands it turned out to be an incredibly thought-provoking bit of sci-fi comedy that wrestles with the ephemeral nature of freedom, agency, and what the "natural order" really looks like.
Ashton accomplishes this by not shying away from the more difficult aspects of presenting humans as pets. Example: humans are not dogs; we are able to articulate very specifically the things we want, need, feel, we can think in the abstract and speak on abstract concepts, we can accomplish incredible feats of engineering and creativity. As a result, Ashton pushes past the notion of humans as dogs, and tries to imagine what keeping a human as a pet would ACTUALLY look like, rather than simply lobotomizing humanity to cast them in the role of "dog." The result is as shockingly nuanced as the relationship between humans and their pets. Some people love their pets, some abuse them, some think of them as status symbols or keep them for a task or purpose. And so it is with keeping humans, though we do lean a bit overmuch on how casually abusive the alien Greys can be.
With perhaps the exception of Six, the cast is very enjoyable, though even Six plays well off of John for the most part. Our protagonist, John, deftly walks the line between neurosis and insufferability, concern and whininess while Martok, his "employer," is played very sincere throughout. Against these two characters, Six - a child - can feel a bit overly whiny, petulant, and frankly, annoying. This is not entirely a bad thing: it is the role that she is meant to serve in the narrative. But, she becomes frustrating in certain scenes especially as her facade of worldliness and antipathy towards the Greys comes undone in the face of opposition. It is obviously very realistic for a child to cave when faced with actual adversity, but it doesn't make it easier to like such a smug and self-satisfied character that we should ostensibly have some sort of impulse to protect.
The strange (but wonderful) thing about such a thoughtful and philosophical piece is how it never loses its humorous tone. While there are definitely moments where things "get real," it never feels too maudlin or overwrought. However much death may be eternally present as a possibility, John's acceptance of that fact transfers over to the reader in a very matter-of-fact "if I die, I die" kind of way that is well-illustrated in one of his encounters with a wolf in the wild. That particular encounter is mirrored in the third act of the novel prompting one to wonder about the morality of everything you've red.
It's a thinker. Is Ashton saying keeping pets is immoral? Maybe. Is he saying that when we inevitably are kept as pets to higher life forms we will be in no worse position than the canines of our world and therefore there is a certain amount of acceptance and "life-goes-on" that we should embrace? That feels a bit bleak, but maybe. So often in books like this, the point is that the human spirit is unbreakable, that we can triumph over any evil and tyranny that challenges us. Ashton's vision is more of a world where humanity has lost. We presently live in such an anthropocentric universe that will probably last until we are extinct, but if we ever fall under the yoke of visitors from beyond, is this the kind of future that might await us? When we fail, and have no hope of overthrowing our new masters, do we accept a new order? Would that be so bad? Would it be what we deserve?
Ashton accomplishes this by not shying away from the more difficult aspects of presenting humans as pets. Example: humans are not dogs; we are able to articulate very specifically the things we want, need, feel, we can think in the abstract and speak on abstract concepts, we can accomplish incredible feats of engineering and creativity. As a result, Ashton pushes past the notion of humans as dogs, and tries to imagine what keeping a human as a pet would ACTUALLY look like, rather than simply lobotomizing humanity to cast them in the role of "dog." The result is as shockingly nuanced as the relationship between humans and their pets. Some people love their pets, some abuse them, some think of them as status symbols or keep them for a task or purpose. And so it is with keeping humans, though we do lean a bit overmuch on how casually abusive the alien Greys can be.
With perhaps the exception of Six, the cast is very enjoyable, though even Six plays well off of John for the most part. Our protagonist, John, deftly walks the line between neurosis and insufferability, concern and whininess while Martok, his "employer," is played very sincere throughout. Against these two characters, Six - a child - can feel a bit overly whiny, petulant, and frankly, annoying. This is not entirely a bad thing: it is the role that she is meant to serve in the narrative. But, she becomes frustrating in certain scenes especially as her facade of worldliness and antipathy towards the Greys comes undone in the face of opposition. It is obviously very realistic for a child to cave when faced with actual adversity, but it doesn't make it easier to like such a smug and self-satisfied character that we should ostensibly have some sort of impulse to protect.
The strange (but wonderful) thing about such a thoughtful and philosophical piece is how it never loses its humorous tone. While there are definitely moments where things "get real," it never feels too maudlin or overwrought. However much death may be eternally present as a possibility, John's acceptance of that fact transfers over to the reader in a very matter-of-fact "if I die, I die" kind of way that is well-illustrated in one of his encounters with a wolf in the wild. That particular encounter is mirrored in the third act of the novel prompting one to wonder about the morality of everything you've red.
It's a thinker. Is Ashton saying keeping pets is immoral? Maybe. Is he saying that when we inevitably are kept as pets to higher life forms we will be in no worse position than the canines of our world and therefore there is a certain amount of acceptance and "life-goes-on" that we should embrace? That feels a bit bleak, but maybe. So often in books like this, the point is that the human spirit is unbreakable, that we can triumph over any evil and tyranny that challenges us. Ashton's vision is more of a world where humanity has lost. We presently live in such an anthropocentric universe that will probably last until we are extinct, but if we ever fall under the yoke of visitors from beyond, is this the kind of future that might await us? When we fail, and have no hope of overthrowing our new masters, do we accept a new order? Would that be so bad? Would it be what we deserve?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this latest stand alone novel by Edward Ashton. His characters are always well rounded and fun to spend time with. His imagined aliens are always different than what you expect as well. I did have a few minor issues with this story, but they certainly didn’t take away from the fun time as a whole.
John Pirhalla, who also narrated the Mickey 7 books, does an excellent job with this one. I just loved his voice for Martok. He manages to convey John’s naivete and intelligence at the same time. He has a great narrative style and I would listen to him narrate any story.
John was a great character and someone you can definitely root for. He is not your typical hero though. While he is smart and clever and knows quite a bit about the Grays, he is also a bit naive about human history and his own world. Most of what he knows he was taught by the Grays, so you can’t really fault him. But he is able to manipulate what he does know to his advantage. His relationship to Martok is sort of a friendship, but it is also more like an employee. He does care about Martok and wants to help him be successful, but some of that want is tied into his needs and comforts as well.
I really didn’t want to like Martok, but I did. He was such a bumbling fool at times, but he seems to genuinely like John. The other Grays we meet show nothing but contempt for John and his fellow bondsmen, so it was refreshing to see Martok actually do kind things for him and for Six, the feral girl who joins them. I also really loved that there was more to Martok that does get revealed towards the end of the story.
The story was a lot of fun. It moved at a pretty quick pace and has some very humorous parts. I enjoyed the way John is able to talk his way out of situations, but often ends up making more trouble for himself and Martok. My main issue was with the world building. I just wanted a tiny bit more of it. I was never really able to picture what a Gray really looked like, beyond their being gray, very tall and strong, and had tough leathery skin. The Fall was also mentioned quite a bit, especially towards the end, but it was never really explained what had happened and how the Grays were able to take over the world. Again not super important to the story, but I just wanted a little more information. I loved the ending of this story though. There is a nice twist that I really enjoyed and I was worried it wasn’t going to be a happy ending, but it was.
If you are a fan of this author’s books, you will certainly enjoy this one. If you have yet to pick up one of his book’s you can’t go wrong with this one. Most of his books are stand alones so you could start with any of them.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
I really enjoyed this latest stand alone novel by Edward Ashton. His characters are always well rounded and fun to spend time with. His imagined aliens are always different than what you expect as well. I did have a few minor issues with this story, but they certainly didn’t take away from the fun time as a whole.
John Pirhalla, who also narrated the Mickey 7 books, does an excellent job with this one. I just loved his voice for Martok. He manages to convey John’s naivete and intelligence at the same time. He has a great narrative style and I would listen to him narrate any story.
John was a great character and someone you can definitely root for. He is not your typical hero though. While he is smart and clever and knows quite a bit about the Grays, he is also a bit naive about human history and his own world. Most of what he knows he was taught by the Grays, so you can’t really fault him. But he is able to manipulate what he does know to his advantage. His relationship to Martok is sort of a friendship, but it is also more like an employee. He does care about Martok and wants to help him be successful, but some of that want is tied into his needs and comforts as well.
I really didn’t want to like Martok, but I did. He was such a bumbling fool at times, but he seems to genuinely like John. The other Grays we meet show nothing but contempt for John and his fellow bondsmen, so it was refreshing to see Martok actually do kind things for him and for Six, the feral girl who joins them. I also really loved that there was more to Martok that does get revealed towards the end of the story.
The story was a lot of fun. It moved at a pretty quick pace and has some very humorous parts. I enjoyed the way John is able to talk his way out of situations, but often ends up making more trouble for himself and Martok. My main issue was with the world building. I just wanted a tiny bit more of it. I was never really able to picture what a Gray really looked like, beyond their being gray, very tall and strong, and had tough leathery skin. The Fall was also mentioned quite a bit, especially towards the end, but it was never really explained what had happened and how the Grays were able to take over the world. Again not super important to the story, but I just wanted a little more information. I loved the ending of this story though. There is a nice twist that I really enjoyed and I was worried it wasn’t going to be a happy ending, but it was.
If you are a fan of this author’s books, you will certainly enjoy this one. If you have yet to pick up one of his book’s you can’t go wrong with this one. Most of his books are stand alones so you could start with any of them.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review: After the Fall by Edward Ashton
Narrated by John Pirhalla | Macmillan Audio
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
After the Fall is one of those books that manages to be funny, bleak, heartfelt, and weirdly charming all at once. It’s part alien‑invasion aftermath, part workplace satire, part buddy comedy, and somehow it all works. The world Edward Ashton builds is fascinating. Humans have essentially become pets to the alien “grays,” and the social dynamics that come with that setup are both darkly humorous and surprisingly thoughtful.
John, our human protagonist, has spent his entire life following the rules: be silent, be obedient, be good. His bond with Martok, a "good" gray, is complicated, messy, and oddly sweet, even when Martok’s manic schemes start spiraling out of control. Their relationship is the heart of the story, and watching the two of them navigate danger, debt, and delusion was genuinely entertaining.
The reading experience was fun and funny in a way that never undercut the stakes. I loved the characters, especially the way each one carried the weight of this strange world in their own way. The worldbuilding is excellent, layered, clever, and full of little details that make the setting feel lived‑in. The humor is steady throughout, but it never distracts from the story or the emotional beats.
The pacing did wobble a bit for me. There was a moment near the end, around the 96% mark, where I genuinely couldn’t see how everything was going to come together. But it does come together, and the resolution ultimately made sense and left me satisfied.
John Pirhalla’s narration fits the tone perfectly. His voice matches John’s dry humor and weary practicality, and he brings just enough personality to the supporting cast without ever going over the top.
Overall, After the Fall is a clever, engaging sci‑fi story with great characters, sharp worldbuilding, and a sense of humor that keeps the darker elements from ever feeling too heavy. I closed the audiobook feeling satisfied and glad I spent time in this strange, post‑Fall world.
If you like character‑driven sci‑fi with humor, heart, and a dash of chaos, this one is worth picking up.
Narrated by John Pirhalla | Macmillan Audio
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
After the Fall is one of those books that manages to be funny, bleak, heartfelt, and weirdly charming all at once. It’s part alien‑invasion aftermath, part workplace satire, part buddy comedy, and somehow it all works. The world Edward Ashton builds is fascinating. Humans have essentially become pets to the alien “grays,” and the social dynamics that come with that setup are both darkly humorous and surprisingly thoughtful.
John, our human protagonist, has spent his entire life following the rules: be silent, be obedient, be good. His bond with Martok, a "good" gray, is complicated, messy, and oddly sweet, even when Martok’s manic schemes start spiraling out of control. Their relationship is the heart of the story, and watching the two of them navigate danger, debt, and delusion was genuinely entertaining.
The reading experience was fun and funny in a way that never undercut the stakes. I loved the characters, especially the way each one carried the weight of this strange world in their own way. The worldbuilding is excellent, layered, clever, and full of little details that make the setting feel lived‑in. The humor is steady throughout, but it never distracts from the story or the emotional beats.
The pacing did wobble a bit for me. There was a moment near the end, around the 96% mark, where I genuinely couldn’t see how everything was going to come together. But it does come together, and the resolution ultimately made sense and left me satisfied.
John Pirhalla’s narration fits the tone perfectly. His voice matches John’s dry humor and weary practicality, and he brings just enough personality to the supporting cast without ever going over the top.
Overall, After the Fall is a clever, engaging sci‑fi story with great characters, sharp worldbuilding, and a sense of humor that keeps the darker elements from ever feeling too heavy. I closed the audiobook feeling satisfied and glad I spent time in this strange, post‑Fall world.
If you like character‑driven sci‑fi with humor, heart, and a dash of chaos, this one is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The hole just keeps getting deeper!
Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for this advance listening copy and a chance to share my thoughts. I didn’t read about the author or his works in advance; I was just craving an ALC and it sounded interesting. Somewhere in the future, what is left of Earth and human civilization has been colonized by large aliens like upright mutated wolves. The domesticated or enslaved humans, through selective breeding, have become small and weak.
The story started slowly for me, because it really is odd. Martok appears to a bumbler, but in truth he is far from it. John builds the world for us as he recalls his past, and conveniently must educate a younger human who was raised largely outside of John’s world as a slave/servant/pet. He drives the comedy as he makes choice after choice in the interests of self-preservation that blow up in his face. Ultimately uplifting, the reader will spend time contemplating themes of oppression, rebellion and what makes a family. I didn’t really understand how the aliens managed to get here, yet didn’t display much in the way of advanced technology. This second point I might have understood with a print copy to consult was what it meant for a gray to “absent” his or herself rather than doing physical harm to another gray.
The narration by John Pirhalla was pleasant, I enjoyed listening to John, but while I acknowledge that Martok’s portrayal was spot on to his description, I didn’t really enjoy it. It struck me as a voice from a fairy tale, which when combined with the now mini humans, put the whole thing into a YA bucket for me which wasn’t the author’s intent as far as I know.
As I prepared to write this, I looked back at the author to find that he resides perhaps 3 hours away from me. I recognized the name of his most famous and adapted work, Mickey7, and I have had Three Days in April on my TBR since late 2021. I’m grateful for the whim that drove me to request this because while I enjoyed it, I do really want to read the April book and have no idea how long it might have languished before I came across it again.
Thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for this advance listening copy and a chance to share my thoughts. I didn’t read about the author or his works in advance; I was just craving an ALC and it sounded interesting. Somewhere in the future, what is left of Earth and human civilization has been colonized by large aliens like upright mutated wolves. The domesticated or enslaved humans, through selective breeding, have become small and weak.
The story started slowly for me, because it really is odd. Martok appears to a bumbler, but in truth he is far from it. John builds the world for us as he recalls his past, and conveniently must educate a younger human who was raised largely outside of John’s world as a slave/servant/pet. He drives the comedy as he makes choice after choice in the interests of self-preservation that blow up in his face. Ultimately uplifting, the reader will spend time contemplating themes of oppression, rebellion and what makes a family. I didn’t really understand how the aliens managed to get here, yet didn’t display much in the way of advanced technology. This second point I might have understood with a print copy to consult was what it meant for a gray to “absent” his or herself rather than doing physical harm to another gray.
The narration by John Pirhalla was pleasant, I enjoyed listening to John, but while I acknowledge that Martok’s portrayal was spot on to his description, I didn’t really enjoy it. It struck me as a voice from a fairy tale, which when combined with the now mini humans, put the whole thing into a YA bucket for me which wasn’t the author’s intent as far as I know.
As I prepared to write this, I looked back at the author to find that he resides perhaps 3 hours away from me. I recognized the name of his most famous and adapted work, Mickey7, and I have had Three Days in April on my TBR since late 2021. I’m grateful for the whim that drove me to request this because while I enjoyed it, I do really want to read the April book and have no idea how long it might have languished before I came across it again.
December 18, 2025
I thought and thought and thought about how I would rate this book. At first I thought 3 stars, but that doesn't adequately tell how I felt about this book, then I thought 4 stars but again, I felt that by the ending of this book, it would be hard not to rate it 5 stars, at least for me.
This book is a dystopian sci fi {comedy} that is light hearted in nature but also requires the reader to read between the lines a little bit because there is absolutely a deeper meaning behind this story.
We follow Martok the Grey, John and Six, a male and female bondsmen (bondsmen are a class of domesticated humans). When Martok takes out a loan against John's bond to fund a ludicrous business venture, the group is thrown into a world that is precarious in nature but in the end turns out to be the very best thing that could have ever happened to them.
This story really dives into class structures and power imbalances. I really appreciate how the author conveyed that sometimes cages are of our own making. John thinks that Martok is his friend, but Martok owns John and John has been conditioned since he was a baby to believe that he is less than the greys. It was a really interesting social commentary on how people are divided. I really loved this book and I could never do it justice so I will say this, I think everyone should read this and though it is not technically YA, I think this is a story you could listen to on a car ride with your kids and they would enjoy it. It is very funny and there is little to no explicit violence and absolutely no 'spice'.
The narrator was absolutely phenomenal and I doubt that this book would have had the same effect on me had I read it versus listening to is. Kudos to the narrator for perfectly encapsulating the manic energy of Martok, the snark of Six, and the timidity of John. I could not have asked for a better narrator.
Thank you to Natgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.
ꕤ₊˚⊹♡⊹˚₊ꕤ booksta — @sammilikesbooks ꕤ₊˚⊹♡⊹˚₊ꕤ
This book is a dystopian sci fi {comedy} that is light hearted in nature but also requires the reader to read between the lines a little bit because there is absolutely a deeper meaning behind this story.
We follow Martok the Grey, John and Six, a male and female bondsmen (bondsmen are a class of domesticated humans). When Martok takes out a loan against John's bond to fund a ludicrous business venture, the group is thrown into a world that is precarious in nature but in the end turns out to be the very best thing that could have ever happened to them.
This story really dives into class structures and power imbalances. I really appreciate how the author conveyed that sometimes cages are of our own making. John thinks that Martok is his friend, but Martok owns John and John has been conditioned since he was a baby to believe that he is less than the greys. It was a really interesting social commentary on how people are divided. I really loved this book and I could never do it justice so I will say this, I think everyone should read this and though it is not technically YA, I think this is a story you could listen to on a car ride with your kids and they would enjoy it. It is very funny and there is little to no explicit violence and absolutely no 'spice'.
The narrator was absolutely phenomenal and I doubt that this book would have had the same effect on me had I read it versus listening to is. Kudos to the narrator for perfectly encapsulating the manic energy of Martok, the snark of Six, and the timidity of John. I could not have asked for a better narrator.
Thank you to Natgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts are my own.
ꕤ₊˚⊹♡⊹˚₊ꕤ booksta — @sammilikesbooks ꕤ₊˚⊹♡⊹˚₊ꕤ
December 2, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up for sheer creativity.
After the Fall is what I’m officially calling “direcozy.” It’s a dystopian world where humans have basically become pets after an alien takeover. It sounds bleak, but somehow this book ends up feeling cozy and weirdly sweet. While everything else crumbles around them, this little group of characters still manages to spark joy.
We follow John and Martok, over a hundred years after humanity fell. Martok, one of the alien Grays, has taken on this awkward dad role to John, a domesticated human. But when Martok gambles away literally every meager thing on a whim (because of course he does), John ends up crossing paths with a wild human and suddenly they have to fix the mess before things get worse.
This was my first book by this author and I ended up really loving the worldbuilding and the mysterious, slow reveal lore. It doesn’t dump info on you; you just sort of pick things up as you go, which I always prefer. The only downside is that the beginning dragged a bit for me before I fully tuned into the story.
The characters are the best part. Martok is hard to root for at first, but his impulsive naive energy grew on me fast. Still, it’s hard to ignore that he’s participating in this. John is an instant favorite. Their dynamic carries the story and the banter between John and Six is likewise delightful.
Despite the dystopian setting, the vibe is whimsy and found family fish. It’s sharp and so easy to binge because the book is compact and fast moving. It still manages to pack some sharp and important themes, though.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did such a great job. Martok’s voice was hilarious and spot on, but John’s depiction was my favorite. Definitely a solid audio experience.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the gifted advance audio — all opinions are my own.
After the Fall is what I’m officially calling “direcozy.” It’s a dystopian world where humans have basically become pets after an alien takeover. It sounds bleak, but somehow this book ends up feeling cozy and weirdly sweet. While everything else crumbles around them, this little group of characters still manages to spark joy.
We follow John and Martok, over a hundred years after humanity fell. Martok, one of the alien Grays, has taken on this awkward dad role to John, a domesticated human. But when Martok gambles away literally every meager thing on a whim (because of course he does), John ends up crossing paths with a wild human and suddenly they have to fix the mess before things get worse.
This was my first book by this author and I ended up really loving the worldbuilding and the mysterious, slow reveal lore. It doesn’t dump info on you; you just sort of pick things up as you go, which I always prefer. The only downside is that the beginning dragged a bit for me before I fully tuned into the story.
The characters are the best part. Martok is hard to root for at first, but his impulsive naive energy grew on me fast. Still, it’s hard to ignore that he’s participating in this. John is an instant favorite. Their dynamic carries the story and the banter between John and Six is likewise delightful.
Despite the dystopian setting, the vibe is whimsy and found family fish. It’s sharp and so easy to binge because the book is compact and fast moving. It still manages to pack some sharp and important themes, though.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did such a great job. Martok’s voice was hilarious and spot on, but John’s depiction was my favorite. Definitely a solid audio experience.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the gifted advance audio — all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love science fiction because it allows us to explore complicated topics without the usual emotional baggage and preconceived notions.
In this story, we have a buddy comedy of sorts. Earth after humans have destroyed it and it’s been invaded by a species of “grays”. When the grays arrive they think of themselves as settlers in a destroyed world. They find a few humans which obviously cannot govern themselves, ( they destroyed their only planet) so they must be domesticated or killed. Those that are captured young enough to mold are called“ Bondsmen” where they are bred and raised to be docile pets, with just about as much rights as our pets: ared for or not, killed if they annoy their masters.
Our main characters are John, a specially bred human and his owner, Martok, a gray. Martok is a male full of airs and pomp and not a whole lot of substance. He reminded me of an out of work Shakespearean actor. However he has always been “good” to John. Here we get to explore what is freedom, and what slavery means even when we have “good slave owners” . The author also did a nice job of making Martok a relatable alien with unique cultural and physical differences.
On their way to Martoc’s latestst get rick quick scheme, they pick up a young teenage girl- she too was about to age out of the creche for not being adoptable. ( unadopted children are killed ). Why Martoc wants another bondsman when he can barely take care of himself and John is a mystery to both humans.
I really enjoyed the story- very original as well as the world building and social constructs. Very enjoyable book. I listed to an audio version and the narrator was also outstanding.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
In this story, we have a buddy comedy of sorts. Earth after humans have destroyed it and it’s been invaded by a species of “grays”. When the grays arrive they think of themselves as settlers in a destroyed world. They find a few humans which obviously cannot govern themselves, ( they destroyed their only planet) so they must be domesticated or killed. Those that are captured young enough to mold are called“ Bondsmen” where they are bred and raised to be docile pets, with just about as much rights as our pets: ared for or not, killed if they annoy their masters.
Our main characters are John, a specially bred human and his owner, Martok, a gray. Martok is a male full of airs and pomp and not a whole lot of substance. He reminded me of an out of work Shakespearean actor. However he has always been “good” to John. Here we get to explore what is freedom, and what slavery means even when we have “good slave owners” . The author also did a nice job of making Martok a relatable alien with unique cultural and physical differences.
On their way to Martoc’s latestst get rick quick scheme, they pick up a young teenage girl- she too was about to age out of the creche for not being adoptable. ( unadopted children are killed ). Why Martoc wants another bondsman when he can barely take care of himself and John is a mystery to both humans.
I really enjoyed the story- very original as well as the world building and social constructs. Very enjoyable book. I listed to an audio version and the narrator was also outstanding.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 4.5★
I really enjoyed After the Fall by Edward Ashton, even though it wasn’t quite what I expected going in. The novel is set on a future Earth where aliens known as the Grays have invaded and bred humans to be pets and servants, while labeling the remaining free humans as dangerous ferals. The story is told through John, a bondsman born long after the invasion, who has been raised to believe that the Grays saved the planet and that obedience is the key to survival.
What stood out to me most was John’s perspective. This could have easily been a much darker, more hopeless story, but John is innocent, naïve, and occasionally jaded in a way that made him both funny and relatable. His internal monologue brings a surprising amount of humor to an otherwise disturbing situation, and I liked that he never sees himself as a hero—he just wants to stay alive and be useful.
I also really liked how the world-building was handled. Instead of heavy exposition, the details of the world unfold slowly through John’s memories and reflections, which made everything feel natural and immersive. I did wish we could learn more about what brought the Grays to Earth, but that curiosity didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment.
The ending really worked for me, leaning into a comedy of errors as John tries to deal with the consequences of his and Martok’s mistakes. Overall, this was a 4.5-star read for me, and I already want to experience it again—this time as an audiobook.
For my full review, check out my blog post here.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed After the Fall by Edward Ashton, even though it wasn’t quite what I expected going in. The novel is set on a future Earth where aliens known as the Grays have invaded and bred humans to be pets and servants, while labeling the remaining free humans as dangerous ferals. The story is told through John, a bondsman born long after the invasion, who has been raised to believe that the Grays saved the planet and that obedience is the key to survival.
What stood out to me most was John’s perspective. This could have easily been a much darker, more hopeless story, but John is innocent, naïve, and occasionally jaded in a way that made him both funny and relatable. His internal monologue brings a surprising amount of humor to an otherwise disturbing situation, and I liked that he never sees himself as a hero—he just wants to stay alive and be useful.
I also really liked how the world-building was handled. Instead of heavy exposition, the details of the world unfold slowly through John’s memories and reflections, which made everything feel natural and immersive. I did wish we could learn more about what brought the Grays to Earth, but that curiosity didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment.
The ending really worked for me, leaning into a comedy of errors as John tries to deal with the consequences of his and Martok’s mistakes. Overall, this was a 4.5-star read for me, and I already want to experience it again—this time as an audiobook.
For my full review, check out my blog post here.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was pretty solid! Edward Ashton is one of the most consistent sci-fi authors writing today and the John Pirhalla narrations are always pretty good, too. I'm not crazy about the way he does female voices, but he's still pretty great. I think the only couple of things that I wasn't crazy about with this were first of all the almost constant talk of brutal child murder. I read almost exclusively horror, so I'm very ok with violence and gore, but things involving kids just always bothers me. Those parts weren't even especially gory of anything, it's just a personal taste thing. The other thing is that he never says what the grays actually look like, and it drove me crazy. There are just random descriptions thrown out here and there, but you never get a full picture. I know they're big, have 3 fingers and a crest. Then, like halfway through the book, he says they have tusks, so I guess that too. If he said what they looked like at any point, it was super brief and I totally missed it, but it did kind of mess with my immersion into the story a bit. Same thing with the spiders. Other than that, it was a really fun book! It's a really unique take on the alien invasion story. The planet's been occupied for over 100 years, so you never really find out exactly what happened to cause the end of the world since it's ancient history by this point, but the world that the book takes place in is super interesting. It's a kind of buddy comedy that takes place in an alien apocalypse, with a really great twist at the end. At this point, I'll read anything Ashton writes, so I'll be looking out for his next book for sure. Thanks for the ARC!
November 12, 2025
Earth is not what it was. The planet underwent a fall, where much of the surface was devastated by human born technology. Probably. It is very unlikely the alien race known as the Grays that rule the safe areas of settlement on the planet with docile humans as companions had anything to do with it. We follow the misadventures of John, a human 'bonded' to the supportive but disaster prone low caste drifter Martok and the addition of a new human 'bond,' Six a former feral human. Things are looking up at the start of After the Fall for Martok has come in to a favorable business opportunity, all that rests in the balance is John's freedom. Surely that is a low risk?
Edward Ashton is a scientist by day, writer by night and also makes his own maple syrup. All of his works could fall into the realm of black humor, here we see a humanity conquered by aliens with the survivors in a form of slavery killed on a whim or for breaking their codes of existence.
The new business opportunity is the running of a remote lodge, that thanks to John's inability to think through the consequences, is believed to be a place where problematic Grays can be sent for punishment. Not only that, but there might be something much more troubling in the woods.
Its a fun short read about survival in difficult circumstances and strategic political thinking.
Recommended to readers of black humor, survival fiction or future dystopias.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Edward Ashton is a scientist by day, writer by night and also makes his own maple syrup. All of his works could fall into the realm of black humor, here we see a humanity conquered by aliens with the survivors in a form of slavery killed on a whim or for breaking their codes of existence.
The new business opportunity is the running of a remote lodge, that thanks to John's inability to think through the consequences, is believed to be a place where problematic Grays can be sent for punishment. Not only that, but there might be something much more troubling in the woods.
Its a fun short read about survival in difficult circumstances and strategic political thinking.
Recommended to readers of black humor, survival fiction or future dystopias.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My second book by Ashton and I think I'm getting a sense for his style. The two I've read have been shorter novels that remind me of old school SF: decent (male) main characters try to deal with aliens without losing their essential sense of self and humanity.
This one is a post-apocalyptic tale set on Earth where "Grays" are the dominant species, and humans are their pets. John, the main character, has just learned that Martok, his "employer," has concocted a great business plan... and put John's bond up as collateral. Now John has to figure out how to help Martok succeed, or end up owned by a Gray who has a reputation for brutality with his bondsmen.
John doesn't know exactly what happened for the Grays to take over the Earth, and his main concern is survival. The book does touch on some ethical quandaries: for example, treating a sentient species as a pet while calling them "employees"; control of knowledge creating an underclass; how marginalized people can mistreat other marginalized peoples to survive (or simply to feel better about their respective place in the hierarchy of marginalization).
Sometimes the world building doesn't make a ton of sense (why would Grays breed humans, anyway?) but the story is propulsive and you root for John the whole time.
The audio is an absolutely appropriate way to consume the book. I think it would have been fine to read with my eyes, so make your own decision on how you'd like to consume it!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.
This one is a post-apocalyptic tale set on Earth where "Grays" are the dominant species, and humans are their pets. John, the main character, has just learned that Martok, his "employer," has concocted a great business plan... and put John's bond up as collateral. Now John has to figure out how to help Martok succeed, or end up owned by a Gray who has a reputation for brutality with his bondsmen.
John doesn't know exactly what happened for the Grays to take over the Earth, and his main concern is survival. The book does touch on some ethical quandaries: for example, treating a sentient species as a pet while calling them "employees"; control of knowledge creating an underclass; how marginalized people can mistreat other marginalized peoples to survive (or simply to feel better about their respective place in the hierarchy of marginalization).
Sometimes the world building doesn't make a ton of sense (why would Grays breed humans, anyway?) but the story is propulsive and you root for John the whole time.
The audio is an absolutely appropriate way to consume the book. I think it would have been fine to read with my eyes, so make your own decision on how you'd like to consume it!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.
Review of advance copy
John is a unique type of human. He was born as a "bondsman" which is a human bred to basically be a pet or plaything for the grays, a race of aliens that took over stewardship of the Earth after humans ruined it and experienced The Fall. He is bonded to a "good" gray named Martok, who is a happy-go-lucky character who treats John like a friend. John is considered lucky in this since other bondsman can be treated awfully, sometimes even hunted for sport. John is pretty content in his position.
When Martok uses their bond as collateral for some property in order to run a sort of retreat for other grays, John is sent into places in society that he was blind to before, including the world of feral humans. John's eyes begin to open to the broader story of the world around them and he is faced with many decisions that make him reconsider what he has been told about his life and humanity. Should he trust Martok and the grays or does freedom lie in his own freedom?
Maybe this just wasn't for me. (I'm trying to delve a little more into the sci-fi world, which is not my normal genre.) Or it's the fact that I listened to it over the course of a couple of months, but it wasn't really catching me like I would have hoped. I didn't really catch on to any of the humor other reviewers spoke about. I mostly took it as a reflection on how we treat animals, which is a subject I enjoy, but I wish it have delved a little deeper. Maybe with a different character as the MC?
Thanks to libro.fm for the advanced listening copy of the audiobook!
When Martok uses their bond as collateral for some property in order to run a sort of retreat for other grays, John is sent into places in society that he was blind to before, including the world of feral humans. John's eyes begin to open to the broader story of the world around them and he is faced with many decisions that make him reconsider what he has been told about his life and humanity. Should he trust Martok and the grays or does freedom lie in his own freedom?
Maybe this just wasn't for me. (I'm trying to delve a little more into the sci-fi world, which is not my normal genre.) Or it's the fact that I listened to it over the course of a couple of months, but it wasn't really catching me like I would have hoped. I didn't really catch on to any of the humor other reviewers spoke about. I mostly took it as a reflection on how we treat animals, which is a subject I enjoy, but I wish it have delved a little deeper. Maybe with a different character as the MC?
Thanks to libro.fm for the advanced listening copy of the audiobook!
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