Bookseller Reviews
View all
Darkly Disturbing
This was wonderfully dark and thought provoking, both on the concept of reality tv shows and of the idea of raising a child in the metaverse. Set in the sa... READ MORE
Black Mirror Style Thriller
This was wonderfully dark and thought provoking, both on the concept of reality tv shows and of the idea of raising a child in the metaverse. Set in the sa... READ MORE
Synopsis
'Chilling, inventive, horribly plausible and brilliantly addictive.' - C. J. Tudor, author of The Gathering
Some families are virtually perfect . . .
The world's population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, breaking point has arrived. A growing number of people can no longer afford to start families let, alone raise them.
But for those desperate to experience parenthood, there is an alternative. For a monthly subscription fee, clients can create a virtual child from scratch who they can access via the metaverse and a VR headset. To launch this new initiative, the company behind Virtual Children has created a reality TV show. It will follow ten couples as they raise a Virtual Child from birth to the age of eighteen, but in a condensed nine-month time period. The prize: the right to keep their Virtual Child, or risk it all for the chance of a real baby . . .
The Goodreads Choice Award 2024 runner up, The Family Experiment is set in the same universe as John Marrs's bestselling novel The One and The Marriage Act. A dark and twisted thriller about the ultimate 'tamagotchi' - a virtual baby.
'The books of John Marrs have become a quiet phenomenon . . . Thoughtful, well written . . . and alarming' - Daily Mail
'His best yet. Frighteningly plausible, gripping, dark, and so clever.' - Claire Douglas, author of The Woman Who Lied
'An unsettling and immersive roller coaster which hurtles towards a chilling denouement - a truly thought-provoking, single-sitting thriller. Loved it. ' - Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club
'The Family Experiment is an eerie and darkly addictive thriller that will have your mind whirling throughout.' - Culturefly
Publisher information
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- ISBN: 9781035016976
- Number of pages: 464
- Dimensions: 242 x 164 x 40 mm
- Weight: 694g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allSpeculative Fiction at its very best.
John Marrs introduced me to the world of speculative fiction and his thrillers, written in the near future, are the best that I have read with The Family E... READ MORE
This is hands down an easy five star read and an ultimate contender for book of the year!
Addictive, disturbing and scarily believable!
The Family Experiment, the ultimate reality tv, broadcast worldwide and the most watched program in the worl... READ MORE
Another page turner
Yet another book that lived up to my expectations! As a long-time fan, I've always admired how all the books by this author somehow interconnect. Now, don'... READ MORE
Great futuristic thriller
I love the intertwined John Marrs Dystopian books - set in the same world as The Marriage Act, The One and The Passengers, this book focuses on a reality s... READ MORE
The Family Experiment
Population growth can't be sustained, towns and cities are at breaking point and people can't afford to live let alone feed and clothe children. Artificial... READ MORE
This is why I love speculative fiction
Blimey! The Family Experiment is another brain frying jaunt into speculative fiction, by author John Marrs.
Each of the five books set in this alternat... READ MORE
Scary How true this could be
This was a fun and kind of scary book to read! It raises issues that I am sure could be reality sooner rather than later. Not only was it a contest live r... READ MORE
Excellent and thought provoking
The Family Experiment by John Marrs
I give this 4.5 stars
The author’s talent at writing speculative fiction is excellent and horrifying in equal mea... READ MORE
Wow!
Wow! What a story! I love these type of stories, set in a near future that could potentially be real. It focuses on a TV show that allows contestants to be... READ MORE
A convincing snapshot of an alternate futuristic world
At this point I think it’s highly unlikely that I will ever not enjoy a John Marrs book. We’re back in ‘The One’ universe with The Family Experiment, and m... READ MORE
Fantastic read
Set at the same time as his other books. The One, Passengers and The Marriage act. We Have The family experiment. A Virtual reality tv show where ten coupl... READ MORE
John Marrs never fails to deliver
Dark, unnerving and uncomfortable at times but beautifully written. John Marrs writes in a way that you feel you are living amongst his characters.
An ab... READ MORE
Brilliant Read
I would like to start me review by saying that futuristic and sci fi are not my usual gendre ,or i should say weren't.
i loved this book, and was fortun... READ MORE
A great read that's also thought provoking
Another brilliant near-future thriller from John Marrs. Great characters and incredible world-building. Has prompted lots of philosophical discussions in m... READ MORE
What would you do for your dream family?
Where to even begin John Marrs is back at it again with another absolutely brilliant book!!! This book is sheer brilliance from the first word till the ver... READ MORE
The Family Experiment by John Marrs
John Marrs, what is there left to say (head gets even bigger). I have searched for words to describe this book but I admit defeat. I really, really want... READ MORE
speculative fiction with a thought-provoking plot
John Marr’s is fast becoming the “king” of speculative fiction. He has a knack for coming up with the most ingenious plots set in the not distant future. A... READ MORE
Fantastic Read!
John Marrs never fails to disappoint with his speculative thrillers. Set in a believable future, Awakening Entertainment’s interactive show, “The Family Ex... READ MORE
Gripping futuristic thriller
The Family Experiment is a gripping futuristic novel set around the premise of Artificial Intelligence helping couples become parents in virtual reality. P... READ MORE
If you love black mirror you’ll love this
4.5 stars rounded up to 5! I sailed through this in a day! I do love something that’s a bit Black mirror /near future. This book centres around a reality s... READ MORE
One of my favourites
Wow! John Marrs is one of my favourite authors and I think he’s written another top class book. I loved how there were little links to the others he had wr... READ MORE
Welcome to the future
John Marrs is back with a new instalment of his future world where people find their destinated partner by DNA Test. But starting a family and have childre... READ MORE
A bingeable thriller
The UK is at breaking point thanks to a soaring population, overcrowded cities, and economic crisis. Many people can’t afford to live, let alone start a fa... READ MORE
Brilliant!!
What a brilliant, well written book! It can be read as a stand alone, but I’m glad I read The One and The Marriage Act so that I understood all of the refe... READ MORE
Unputdownable read!!!!
Absolutely incredible. I was utterly blown away, it was another unputdownable thriller by John Marrs. Set in the same universe as his other speculative thr... READ MORE
Amazing like always!!
John Marrs always gets it right. The intricacies of every little detail will have you whip lashed at how he just loops everything together. Loved it!!
Exciting!
This book follows families competing for the chance to have a family of their choosing- real or virtual. For 9 months, they are broadcasted to the world as... READ MORE
Read.This.Book.Now!
Once again, I picked up a John Marrs novel and was left with my jaw hanging open at 3am, eyes glazed and wondering what the heck? The Family Experiment was... READ MORE
Superb
Another phenomenal banger from John Marrs. Continuing his series set in the not too distant future, The Family Experiment builds on the potential horror of... READ MORE
His creepiest yet…
Four stars for John Marrs' darkest speculative fiction to date. In the family experiment, the price of getting pregnant and raising your child is so exorbi... READ MORE
Set in the same fictional world as The One
4.25-4.5⭐️
Another speculative fiction book set in the same world as The One and The Marriage Act. Here parents who can not afford to have children are ... READ MORE
Fantastic thriller
Set at the same time as his other books. The One, Passengers and The Marriage act. We Have The family experiment. A Virtual reality tv show where ten coupl... READ MORE
He’s done it again!
Contact Re:Born if you want that perfect baby…… Metababies you can select and choose every detail. It is about to launch itself upon the world via The Fami... READ MORE
Astute!
Another very clever book from John Marrs which also includes nods to his previous dystopian novels. Initially I found the number of characters confusing b... READ MORE
Just love John Marrs!
I think this might be my second or third read in the amazing John Marrs alternate universe, set in the near-future with some thought-provoking scenarios. ... READ MORE
Another 5 Star Speculative Thriller
There is a long list of reasons why John Marrs has a cult-like following, and this book now tops that list. The Family Experiment is set in the same univer... READ MORE
Compelling and thought provoking
This was another thought provoking and compelling read from this author. One of his speculative fiction books, The Family Experiment explores the frighteni... READ MORE
Another John Marrs win!
Full disclosure - I've loved every John Marrs book I've read so far, in fact, I need a reread in series order. The latest in The One universe series does r... READ MORE
Interesting and gripping
I don’t know where to start with this book- it has had me in a chokehold for the last few days.
I have done nothing but think and talk about this book. I... READ MORE
Gripping
I loved this book! It had me gripped from the first page to the very last page and I still wanted more, even though there was full closure and all loose en... READ MORE
A riveting read
An unusual storyline which, at first, seemed to me to be too far fetched ….. until it wasn’t. I really enjoyed the different characters and their back stor... READ MORE
A cleverly plotted, chilling speculative thriller
Another cleverly plotted, chilling speculative thriller from John Marrs.
Told from several timelines, the reader is gradually fed pieces of the story t... READ MORE
Fantastic as always
First off, I love John Marrs’ books, every single one of them. The Family Experiment doesn’t disappoint, it is a dark, disturbing vision of the future tol... READ MORE
Dystopian thriller, recommended to fans of The One and The Marriage Act
The Family Experiment is a dystopian thriller following a new technological advancement claiming to make parenthood more accessible with the introduction o... READ MORE
Brilliant!
The economic situation is so desperate that being able to have a child is becoming the domain of the really rich- but imagine you could have a virtual chil... READ MORE
ARC Review
This book, wow!
The idea of mixing artificial intelligence (AI) and reality television is a genius idea by the author. Even if the reality in the pages... READ MORE
Fabulous read.
The Family Experiment by John Marrs.
What would you do? How far would you go to become a parent?
Imagine a future where you can experience having a b... READ MORE
A horrifying look at our possible future!
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of John Marrs book - The Family Experiment. Available to purchase May 9th 2024.
This book has a huge amount o... READ MORE
Another phenomenal read from Marrs
John Marrs has done it again! The latest book set in the same universe as The One and a read that challenges the reader to consider technology’s impact on ... READ MORE
Oh my god
Wowowowow. I will ALWAYS read any book John Marrs puts out. I absolutely love the books set this universe.
This was fast paced, full of drama and absol... READ MORE
Wierd.... wonderful......another winner!
What can I say.....it's John Marrs....it's weird and wonderful ......it's another winner! I've read all John Marrs' books and they just get better and bett... READ MORE
Every part is so clever!
Well, this was excellent! I really enjoyed the story. Every part of it is so clever!
It's more crazy as although right now it's 'futuristic', it's als... READ MORE
Marrs' best speculative thriller yet!
I could not put this book down, and I was addicted to finding out what was going to happen next.
It's terrifying how easily this could become our realit... READ MORE
Virtually Perfect
Welcome to The Family Experiment, a Reality Show to promote new solution to reduce population issues. Take place at near future world with overcrowded citi... READ MORE
The Family Experiment
This book is set in the same world as the author's other speculative fiction - it's not a series per se but the later books do reference the earlier ones s... READ MORE
Compelling reading
I have read all of John Marrs books so was expecting good things! I am pleased to say he did not disappoint. This book is along the same vein as The Marri... READ MORE
A TV Reality Show With an AI baby
The world's population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in the UK, breaking point had arrived. A growing number of peopl... READ MORE
Well-Written!
The book was very well written - John Marrs' writing style is second to none! However, I was expecting a bigger twist that just didn't happen on this occas... READ MORE
Another hit from John Marrs
I read The Marriage Act last year and loved it, so I was excited to read John Marr’s latest – The Family Experiment.
Ten couples are given the chance to... READ MORE
Book you will remember for long
Alright, let's dive into "The Family Experiment" by the mastermind John Marrs! Now, I'm a huge fan of Marrs—I've devoured all his books, and this one ranks... READ MORE
Yesss!!
OMG!! John Marrs absolutely do not miss when it comes to speculative fiction! This book grabbed me from the start and had me thinking how this can actually... READ MORE
Brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Family Experiment and would say it is in my top 3 books by the ever creative John Marrs. I loved that it's setting is with... READ MORE
Another outstanding read from Marrs
John Marrs has done it again! The latest book set in the same universe as The One and a read that challenges the reader to consider technology’s impact on ... READ MORE
John Marrs does it again!
In the UK, cities are overcrowded and people can no longer afford to start a family, causing a crisis among some. Luckily, a company is soon releasing an a... READ MORE
Fantastic read
I love how every time I read a John Marrs book I am absolutely blown away by the writing, plot and setting. Having recently read ‘The Stranger in your Hous... READ MORE
Metaverse at a whole new level!
Get ready for a wild ride through a world on the brink! In John Marrs's latest masterpiece, "The Family Experiment," the UK is in crisis mode with overpopu... READ MORE
Brilliant
I received this book from netgalley for an honest review
The world's population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis. And in... READ MORE
Another twister of a boom
What a brain twister. It's scary to think we could live in a world where this could be a reality. I've no clue where John Marrs brain goes when he's writ... READ MORE
Dark secrets and twisted moments
What a book!!! A speculative thriller set in the near future that is completely possible. It is scarily thought provoking. The cost of living is rising to ... READ MORE
Chef's kiss!
I loved this book and all of it's twists and turns. The concept of the metaverae and the contest had me thinking about how advanced technology could become... READ MORE
Brilliant!!!!
This book follows 5 couples and a single man bringing up AI children for a TV show called The Family Experiment. During the 9 months their child will grow ... READ MORE
Marrs has done again!
Wow, another cleverly written book by John Marrs- it amazes me how he comes up with these storylines and plots! I don’t even know how to write this review ... READ MORE
John Marrs does it again..
I would literally read anything that John Marrs’ writes, and I have read everything so far and his speculative fiction is definitely my favourite. He is on... READ MORE
Another brilliant speculative fiction book by Marrs
John Marrs is one of my auto-buy authors and I love his thrillers. But my absolute favorite books of his are his speculative fiction books set in the same ... READ MORE
Best book of the year
All I can say is WOW WOW WOW! There aren’t enough stars in the sky for this book. It’s definitely my book of the year, and probably of the century! Set in ... READ MORE
Amazing read
This whole concept and how it played out had me so hooked! Virtual children and a reality tv show - shockingly I can see how this could become reality. Ho... READ MORE
Brilliant speculative fiction
Another of the authors speculative thrillers set in the near future where massive overpopulation and economic crises have the world at breaking point. In ... READ MORE
You may also like...
I Who Have Never Known Men
Price: £9.99
The Housemaid
Price: £10.99
The Names
Price: £9.99
We All Live Here
Price: £9.99
Yesteryear
Price: £16.99
Flesh
Price: £9.99
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop
Price: £9.99
When the Cranes Fly South
Price: £9.99
The Predicament
Price: £9.99
Land
Recommended Retail Price: £25.00Price: £19.99
The Long Shoe
Price: £9.99
Heated Rivalry
Price: £10.99
The Midnight Train
Price: £20.00
Land
Price: £25.00
Heart the Lover
Price: £9.99
Atmosphere
Price: £9.99