Kyle Straker volunteered to be hypnotized at the annual community talent show, expecting the same old lame amateur acts. But when he wakes up, his ...
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reviews
Oct 03, 2011
WilowRaven
rated it: 
It's been really hard to write this review because every time I try to collect my thoughts all that comes to mind is: OMG THIS BOOK WAS FREAKEN AWESOME AND EVERYONE IN THE WORLD SHOULD READ IT!
I could just leave it at that but I expect you all want a little more :)
For me, Human .4 was like an ultimate 'what if' sci-fi adventure. <spoiler> What if humans are only important and useful as massive electronic data processers? What if our brains function at a capacity, n More...
I could just leave it at that but I expect you all want a little more :)
For me, Human .4 was like an ultimate 'what if' sci-fi adventure. <spoiler> What if humans are only important and useful as massive electronic data processers? What if our brains function at a capacity, n More...
5 comments
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Oct 10, 2011
Where to begin? This is one of the best books I've read this year, and one of the best young adult dystopian/science fiction novels I've read, period. It's so very well done. The moment I can pre-order the sequel, I will. I intend to foist this one on as many people as possible, as well.
It's quite difficult to review this book or even explain its premise without spoiling the well-paced surprises it offers. I'll simply say that the text is framed as an edited book, of which the main More...
It's quite difficult to review this book or even explain its premise without spoiling the well-paced surprises it offers. I'll simply say that the text is framed as an edited book, of which the main More...
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(3 people liked it)
Apr 19, 2011
Bella
rated it:
Wow. This was such a good book. I devoured it, and read it all in one sitting. I couldn't stop.
From the very first page, I was hooked. By the second chapter or so, there was no way I was putting it down soon. I didn't expect to read it all though.
What did I love so much about it? I'm not really sure. It's probably one of the only sci-fi books I've read, so that for me was appealing because it's something new, something that isn't a paranormal romance. Don't get me wrong, I will alw More...
From the very first page, I was hooked. By the second chapter or so, there was no way I was putting it down soon. I didn't expect to read it all though.
What did I love so much about it? I'm not really sure. It's probably one of the only sci-fi books I've read, so that for me was appealing because it's something new, something that isn't a paranormal romance. Don't get me wrong, I will alw More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 19, 2011
Kirsty (overflowing library)
rated it:
This book was completely awesome. It is original in its ideas, was creepy and left you thinking.
The story consists of transcripts of tapes recorded by Kyle describing events that he went through one summer. I loved this format and particularly loved that the end of tapes cut themselves short and you don;t always know what Kyle was about to stay. The story is supposed to have been published several years after they were taped and I loved that every so often an editors note would be adde More...
The story consists of transcripts of tapes recorded by Kyle describing events that he went through one summer. I loved this format and particularly loved that the end of tapes cut themselves short and you don;t always know what Kyle was about to stay. The story is supposed to have been published several years after they were taped and I loved that every so often an editors note would be adde More...
2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 06, 2012
Tessa
rated it: 
Un avis très mitigé pour ce livre qui nous présente 4 “survivants” au milieu de leurs voisins et famille qui leur sont devenus complètement étrangers. Ils se sont fait hypnotisés et à leur réveil, tout le monde a changé, sauf eux, la question est de savoir pourquoi.
Les personnages ne sont malheureusement pas assez développés. On n’en apprend pas assez sur eux et ils en deviennent limite clichés. Deux hommes, deux femmes, deux adultes, deux enfants, les uns complétant les autres. Même More...
Les personnages ne sont malheureusement pas assez développés. On n’en apprend pas assez sur eux et ils en deviennent limite clichés. Deux hommes, deux femmes, deux adultes, deux enfants, les uns complétant les autres. Même More...
Jan 19, 2012
Stacy
rated it:
I thought that the book was a gripping and successful thriller. I actually read the book during my lunch break and finished it in two days.
Semi spoiler alert:
However, I do think there were some flaws. I felt that the characterization of the human 1.0 was inconsistent. They seemed like mindless zombies--they had limited emotions and purged their houses of "old" technology. With this information, it seems very implausible that they would care about collecting " More...
Semi spoiler alert:
However, I do think there were some flaws. I felt that the characterization of the human 1.0 was inconsistent. They seemed like mindless zombies--they had limited emotions and purged their houses of "old" technology. With this information, it seems very implausible that they would care about collecting " More...
Jan 08, 2012
Karina
rated it:
Terrific concept muddled by poor execution.
Mike Lancaster has provided a quick, entertaining read here...unfortunately the overtly gimmicky premise is brought down by flat characters. If you can't relate or invest in the main character (Kyle Straker) or any of the supporting ones, then you lose what's at stake. And if you lose what's at stake, the drama and conflict never rise to where they should be. If Lancaster had infused some realistic and fully fleshed-out characters, spent some More...
Mike Lancaster has provided a quick, entertaining read here...unfortunately the overtly gimmicky premise is brought down by flat characters. If you can't relate or invest in the main character (Kyle Straker) or any of the supporting ones, then you lose what's at stake. And if you lose what's at stake, the drama and conflict never rise to where they should be. If Lancaster had infused some realistic and fully fleshed-out characters, spent some More...
Dec 18, 2011
Suzanne
rated it:
Wanted to like it more. Wanted it to be "chilling" as its jacket flap advertises, but no such chills or thrills materialized.
Premise: what if we, like computers, can be auto-updated? What if a small percentage of people missed out on crucial system reboots and became a lower form of life all at once, in the blink of an eye? What if you got left behind while really you were still there all along?
That's what happens to Kyle and his crush and friend's girl Lilly wh More...
Premise: what if we, like computers, can be auto-updated? What if a small percentage of people missed out on crucial system reboots and became a lower form of life all at once, in the blink of an eye? What if you got left behind while really you were still there all along?
That's what happens to Kyle and his crush and friend's girl Lilly wh More...
Oct 20, 2011
Luu
rated it:
Minimálne ja si pamätám starú anotáciu, ktorá stále niekde poletuje po nete... bola takisto krátka, a jej obsah znel v zmysle: "Kyle v hypnóze zmeškal vylepšenie ľudskej rasy na verziu 1.0, a v novom svete sa cíti stratený."
Všeobecný predpoklad - anotácia sumarizuje prvých 30 stránok, zvyšok je ozajstný dej.
Skutočnosť - anotácia je dej od prvej stránky až po poslednú. Samotné vysvetlenie, ako sa Kyle do hypnózy dostal, trvá celú prvú polovicu. Ďalšiu štvrtinu tvorí More...
Všeobecný predpoklad - anotácia sumarizuje prvých 30 stránok, zvyšok je ozajstný dej.
Skutočnosť - anotácia je dej od prvej stránky až po poslednú. Samotné vysvetlenie, ako sa Kyle do hypnózy dostal, trvá celú prvú polovicu. Ďalšiu štvrtinu tvorí More...
Aug 12, 2011
Angie
rated it: 
I picked up Human.4 not quite knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. The story kept me engaged and before I knew it, I finished the book in a few hours (it's short). It was also an added treat to find out the book is set in England. You may as well know now, I am an anglophile. Anyway...
It's rare that a book comes out for young adults that truly represents the sci-fi genre. No vampires, fairies, or amazonian girls skilled in weaponry, etc. Just science fiction. The oldest More...
It's rare that a book comes out for young adults that truly represents the sci-fi genre. No vampires, fairies, or amazonian girls skilled in weaponry, etc. Just science fiction. The oldest More...
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Aug 11, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Pros: old style SF feel, VERY fast read, quick paced, suspenseful
Cons: leaves you wanting more
For Parents: no content, a great SF primer for newcomers
0.4 (Human.4 in the U.S.) is a book written in the style of classic science fiction writers like H.G. Wells and John Wyndham in that there's a narrator explaining strange events that have already occurred. In this case, the narrator is Kyle Straker, a teenager whose 3 audio tape recordings have been found and heavily analyzed by More...
Cons: leaves you wanting more
For Parents: no content, a great SF primer for newcomers
0.4 (Human.4 in the U.S.) is a book written in the style of classic science fiction writers like H.G. Wells and John Wyndham in that there's a narrator explaining strange events that have already occurred. In this case, the narrator is Kyle Straker, a teenager whose 3 audio tape recordings have been found and heavily analyzed by More...
Jul 02, 2011
Jade
rated it:
Original review at http://inkscratchers.blogspot.com/
Wow. Wow! Roll up dystopian lovers, the newest generation is here!
Okay, that is basically all I can say to describe this book. The whole thing literally has me speechless. I read this book in one sitting.
Okay, let me start at the beginning, I wasn't sure about it to start with, I got it because I had nothing to read and I wanted a dystopian. I'd heard mixed reviews about it so when I first opened the book I was, n More...
Wow. Wow! Roll up dystopian lovers, the newest generation is here!
Okay, that is basically all I can say to describe this book. The whole thing literally has me speechless. I read this book in one sitting.
Okay, let me start at the beginning, I wasn't sure about it to start with, I got it because I had nothing to read and I wanted a dystopian. I'd heard mixed reviews about it so when I first opened the book I was, n More...
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Jun 27, 2011
Simcha
rated it:
Human.4 is narrated through a series of cassette tapes that were discovered at some point in the distant future. The book is prefaced with an editor’s note from the book’s author, Mike Lancaster, explaining about the tapes and their importance in relating a relatively unknown part of history. Occasionally footnotes are included explaining various words or phrases that Kyle uses; words that we, the readers, are familiar with but are archaic and foreign to those listening to the tapes.
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Jun 09, 2011
Keri
rated it:
"My name is Kyle Straker and I don't exist anymore."
These are the transcripts of the tapes made by Kyle Straker. If what they say are true, then our history and who we are has been altered forever.
I learned of this book online but picked it up when I was back in New Zealand. In America, it is actually published under a different name: 'Human.4.'
This is a very compelling read. The intrigue is sustained throughout the entire novel and I always had ques More...
These are the transcripts of the tapes made by Kyle Straker. If what they say are true, then our history and who we are has been altered forever.
I learned of this book online but picked it up when I was back in New Zealand. In America, it is actually published under a different name: 'Human.4.'
This is a very compelling read. The intrigue is sustained throughout the entire novel and I always had ques More...
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(1 person liked it)
May 11, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
0.4
At once a haunting tale, 0.4 is a thrilling exploration of humanity, the questions concerning our existence, and the mystery and intrigue that characterizes science fiction. Though not flawless in its execution, this is a story driven by the unknown and the compulsive desire to fill that space with knowledge. It will leave readers probing Lancaster’s world for days after.
Mike Lancaster has created for us a future world that is now looking back on the story of a certain K More...
At once a haunting tale, 0.4 is a thrilling exploration of humanity, the questions concerning our existence, and the mystery and intrigue that characterizes science fiction. Though not flawless in its execution, this is a story driven by the unknown and the compulsive desire to fill that space with knowledge. It will leave readers probing Lancaster’s world for days after.
Mike Lancaster has created for us a future world that is now looking back on the story of a certain K More...
Mar 21, 2011
Kyle only volunteered to be hypnotized at the local talent show to save his friend some embarrassment, but during the time that he's out, something happens. Not to him or to the other three volunteers on stage with him, but to everybody else. When Kyle wakes up his parents might look the same and sound the same, but there's definitely something inexplicably off about them, as well as everyone else in town. Add to this the fact that phones, televisions, computers -- nothing -- works anymore, and
More...
Feb 05, 2012
Julie
rated it: 
Both Amy H. Sturgis and Tim Canny liked this book. When people from such different parts of my on-line lives cross like that and both approve, I've got to check it out. The Kindle sample was intriguing so I picked up the library's hold-in-your-hands book to read (somehow, considering the book description, I felt I needed the real book!)
FINAL
I was intrigued by the mysterious beginning of the book with the hypnosis part of the talent show seemingly have gone wrong. And I was drawn i More...
FINAL
I was intrigued by the mysterious beginning of the book with the hypnosis part of the talent show seemingly have gone wrong. And I was drawn i More...
Oct 20, 2011
Ms
rated it:
From the first page I knew I was going to enjoy this unusual story. What a surprise as I usually avoid science fiction but I couldn't put this down.
The Contents page reveals that the book is actually the transcription of a story told on three cassette tapes. Then a WARNING defining the book as a 'data storage unit' which is used for 'the lost art of reading', so into the future I stepped. The Editor's note explains that this transcript of the famous oral history spoken by Kyle Straker More...
The Contents page reveals that the book is actually the transcription of a story told on three cassette tapes. Then a WARNING defining the book as a 'data storage unit' which is used for 'the lost art of reading', so into the future I stepped. The Editor's note explains that this transcript of the famous oral history spoken by Kyle Straker More...
Mar 11, 2011
Kate (I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!)
rated it:
HUMAN.4, by Mike A. Lancaster, is a thrilling documentary-style story about a teen and three others in his village whose lives are turned upside down after being under hypnosis. Lancaster created a story will linger in your mind long after Kyle's tapes have stopped.
I was absolutely blown away by this book and I clung to each word. I loved the structure of the book. It was a transcription of the tapes that Kyle recorded in the hopes of those listening would remember the few 0.4's left. More...
I was absolutely blown away by this book and I clung to each word. I loved the structure of the book. It was a transcription of the tapes that Kyle recorded in the hopes of those listening would remember the few 0.4's left. More...
Nov 30, 2011
sabisteb
rated it:
In einem England irgendwann in der Zukunft werden in einem Schrank unter einer Treppe Tonbänder gefunden, die die Geschichte des fünfzehnjährigen Kyle Straker erzählen.
Kyle Straker lebte irgendwann in unserer Zeit in Millgrove, einem kleinen Städtchen in der Nähe von Cambridge. In Millgrove gibt es eine jährliche Tradition: Die Talentshow. Hier kann, wer immer mag, vor den Bewohnern der Stadt sein Talent, oder besser sein nicht vorhandenes Talent, zeigen. Dieses Jahr will Kyles Freund Denn More...
Kyle Straker lebte irgendwann in unserer Zeit in Millgrove, einem kleinen Städtchen in der Nähe von Cambridge. In Millgrove gibt es eine jährliche Tradition: Die Talentshow. Hier kann, wer immer mag, vor den Bewohnern der Stadt sein Talent, oder besser sein nicht vorhandenes Talent, zeigen. Dieses Jahr will Kyles Freund Denn More...
Jul 26, 2011
Alison
rated it:
If you had told me several years ago that one day I would be a science fiction fan, I would have laughed in your face. Back then my only experience with science fiction were SyFy movies like Ice Spiders and Pterodactyl so of course I wasn't a fan of science fiction. Several years ago, I discovered Fringe and have been a fan of science fiction since then.
The summary of the book was very enticing and I was hooked by the 3rd chapter. The story was fantastic. While reading I kept compari More...
The summary of the book was very enticing and I was hooked by the 3rd chapter. The story was fantastic. While reading I kept compari More...
Jun 24, 2011
Natasha
rated it:
It was an interesting concept, the main character was snarky and funny, but I just felt like it was pieced together. Which was probably the point, seeing as it's on tapes that aren't complete being listened to at an undetermined point in the future. I was excited about this book up until the end, and then I just felt uncomfortable. Up until then I was like "I am so keeping this book! What an inventive way of doing things!" And then it just... stopped. I was left more confused by the la
More...
Apr 24, 2011
Phoebe
rated it:
Ok. So I did stay up to read the book and I'm so glad I did.
How should I put this? 0.4 is, WOW...a-m-a-z-i-n-g.
I can't say much without giving the plot away, but really sometimes you come across these rare books that deliver you ideas and inspirations rather than just simple stories and plots, and this is one of them. It is all too easy for SF to get didactic with dystopian representations of technology, but what Lancaster has achieved is what I think SF should do, not telli More...
How should I put this? 0.4 is, WOW...a-m-a-z-i-n-g.
I can't say much without giving the plot away, but really sometimes you come across these rare books that deliver you ideas and inspirations rather than just simple stories and plots, and this is one of them. It is all too easy for SF to get didactic with dystopian representations of technology, but what Lancaster has achieved is what I think SF should do, not telli More...
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Dec 27, 2011
Misfit Heartbreak
rated it:
The narrative style of this book is one I haven't seen since Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why. Kyle's account of what happened to him is transcribed from old cassette tapes with asides from a future society to explain parts of his story as well as the "primitive" human society of the early 21st century. These "academic notes" are easily some of the best parts of the book, offering a glimpse into parts of the big picture of this story that we know little to nothing about throu
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Sep 24, 2011
Birgit
rated it:
As someone who loves science fiction and dystopian novels there was no way around this book by Mike Lancaster. Not only the premise itself intrigued me, also the way the story was being told is different and made me curious.
Here, the main protagonist Kyle has recorded his story on tapes delivering his fate to posterity. Being found in the future they are being brought paper (for a good reason, too). I think the narrative fits the story line perfectly and I loved the notes by the "edit More...
Here, the main protagonist Kyle has recorded his story on tapes delivering his fate to posterity. Being found in the future they are being brought paper (for a good reason, too). I think the narrative fits the story line perfectly and I loved the notes by the "edit More...
Sep 05, 2011
rubywednesday
rated it:
Sci-Fi isn't a book genre that I'd usually read, but the good reviews and the intriguing cover blurb here caught my eye.
The basic plot was nothing new or ground-breaking - something unexplained takes over society and Kyle and a few friends are left behind trying to figure out what's going on.
The things that makes this so interesting is the style of the book.
Kyle has recorded his story on tape. some time in the future, they are transcribed into written form (though writing as we More...
The basic plot was nothing new or ground-breaking - something unexplained takes over society and Kyle and a few friends are left behind trying to figure out what's going on.
The things that makes this so interesting is the style of the book.
Kyle has recorded his story on tape. some time in the future, they are transcribed into written form (though writing as we More...
Sep 30, 2011
Jamie
rated it:
I picked up Human.4 having no idea what to expect, and it was not what I expected but in a good way. I looked at how short this was and thought that the story would possibly be cut short, or not explain a lot or be rushed, it was none of those things. The story kept me completely engaged and I read it in two sittings (pesky work and sleep).
I really like that this is what I feel is a true sci-fi book, no vampires, fairies of any other things that are added in lately. I really found More...
I really like that this is what I feel is a true sci-fi book, no vampires, fairies of any other things that are added in lately. I really found More...
Aug 31, 2010
Ab
rated it:
This was a tricky book to find, because the ARC is titled "Human 0.4" but I found it eventually.
Anyway, this was a pretty cool book in it's premise and execution. Essentially, this group of people is hypnotized at a ho-hum county talent show, and they wake up to a world with people who have been ... reprogrammed or something. The people they knew, i.e. parents, know who they are, but act in a zombified sort of way and Kyle, the narrator, continually points out that there's More...
Anyway, this was a pretty cool book in it's premise and execution. Essentially, this group of people is hypnotized at a ho-hum county talent show, and they wake up to a world with people who have been ... reprogrammed or something. The people they knew, i.e. parents, know who they are, but act in a zombified sort of way and Kyle, the narrator, continually points out that there's More...
Dec 01, 2011
Barky
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 27, 2011
Kerry
rated it:
This has been on my radar for a while, but reading the Kindle sampler promted me to get on and get the book and actually read it.
It's a very interesting, disturbing little book and now I think I need someone to discuss it with.
I'm not going to say anything more about it - knowing anything more than the blurb would spoil it and it is a book that deserves not to be spoiled. It doesn't take long to read, probably no more than two or three hours, and it's worth taking the time.
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It's a very interesting, disturbing little book and now I think I need someone to discuss it with.
I'm not going to say anything more about it - knowing anything more than the blurb would spoil it and it is a book that deserves not to be spoiled. It doesn't take long to read, probably no more than two or three hours, and it's worth taking the time.
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