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Youtopia #2
Youtopia Reborn
Youtopia is dead—long live Youtopia Reborn.
Limited now to minors, the expanded mindscape worlds of Youtopia Reborn cater to the ill and unwanted, the children left behind by society. When Youtopia creator Sonya Young goes mysteriously missing, her abductor leaves a harrowing “Reborn for All.”
Lane Samson, a former Youtopia Immerser and local reporter, receives a strange voicemail from an old friend who claims to have secrets about Sonya Young’s abduction. The tip leads Lane to the one person more familiar with Youtopia investigations than anyone—former, disgraced FBI Special Agent Anabel Downer.
Together, Lane and Ana must piece together the mystery of Sonya Young’s disappearance as the abductor escalates his attacks, as all of the Youtopia children, and Lane and Ana themselves, face perilous danger.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the second intriguing installment in the “Youtopia” series of techno-thriller/sci-fi/crime adventures, which, though fiction, seems all too possible in the real world... real soon.
Limited now to minors, the expanded mindscape worlds of Youtopia Reborn cater to the ill and unwanted, the children left behind by society. When Youtopia creator Sonya Young goes mysteriously missing, her abductor leaves a harrowing “Reborn for All.”
Lane Samson, a former Youtopia Immerser and local reporter, receives a strange voicemail from an old friend who claims to have secrets about Sonya Young’s abduction. The tip leads Lane to the one person more familiar with Youtopia investigations than anyone—former, disgraced FBI Special Agent Anabel Downer.
Together, Lane and Ana must piece together the mystery of Sonya Young’s disappearance as the abductor escalates his attacks, as all of the Youtopia children, and Lane and Ana themselves, face perilous danger.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the second intriguing installment in the “Youtopia” series of techno-thriller/sci-fi/crime adventures, which, though fiction, seems all too possible in the real world... real soon.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2024
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 25, 2025
More of the Fascinating Tale
Youtopia Reborn (by Joseph Rein) is as intelligently written and absorbing as Youtopia, the first book in this technothriller/sci-fi crime series — and reading the first book is highly advised before delving into this one. The first book deals more with the experience of being in the Youtopia mindworlds, both the technology and philosophy of it. This, the second, deals with the aftermath, after all the adults have been removed from their Youtopian dreamworlds and the Youtopia is reconstituted as Youtopia Reborn — for children only. With the mastermind behind the suspended animation/mind simulation Youtopia organization having been recently abducted, everything now revolves around tandem investigations to figure out the who, how, and why of it. Half or more of the pathos is now provided by the male main character, a small-time journalist who was recently and reluctantly disgorged from the womblike comfortable and delusional world of Youtopia and is now having to reintegrate back into the real world. But investigating the kidnapping presents a chance to save himself as well as save a long-lost girlfriend from unknown dangers. And the now former FBI agent heroine from the first book, still hauling around much of her own personal baggage, is also looking into things. But it’s mainly the dependably dazzling and gripping writing that makes this installment as worthwhile a read as the first.
Youtopia Reborn (by Joseph Rein) is as intelligently written and absorbing as Youtopia, the first book in this technothriller/sci-fi crime series — and reading the first book is highly advised before delving into this one. The first book deals more with the experience of being in the Youtopia mindworlds, both the technology and philosophy of it. This, the second, deals with the aftermath, after all the adults have been removed from their Youtopian dreamworlds and the Youtopia is reconstituted as Youtopia Reborn — for children only. With the mastermind behind the suspended animation/mind simulation Youtopia organization having been recently abducted, everything now revolves around tandem investigations to figure out the who, how, and why of it. Half or more of the pathos is now provided by the male main character, a small-time journalist who was recently and reluctantly disgorged from the womblike comfortable and delusional world of Youtopia and is now having to reintegrate back into the real world. But investigating the kidnapping presents a chance to save himself as well as save a long-lost girlfriend from unknown dangers. And the now former FBI agent heroine from the first book, still hauling around much of her own personal baggage, is also looking into things. But it’s mainly the dependably dazzling and gripping writing that makes this installment as worthwhile a read as the first.
January 28, 2025
This is a well-written novel with engaging characters. It’s clear the author knows what he’s doing. I tore through it over a weekend, completely absorbed in the investigation. The duo of a reporter and former agent kept me going. I really like the pair, Lane and Ana, and thought they work well and are deep and interesting. More than anything, what I appreciate is that this novel’s setting feels like a real world.
I was admittedly somewhat reluctant at first as this isn’t normally the genre I read, but it is to the author’s credit that the main duo’s search for answers pulled me in quickly. The concept feels relevant without being heavy-handed. Some twists caught me off guard, while others I would say I kind of saw coming. What stands out about this book is how the characters deal with their problems; no magic solutions, just real struggle.
There’s also a nice sneak preview at the end of the novel for the third book in the series that does indeed make me want to keep going! It is worth reading if you like sci-fi thrillers.
I was admittedly somewhat reluctant at first as this isn’t normally the genre I read, but it is to the author’s credit that the main duo’s search for answers pulled me in quickly. The concept feels relevant without being heavy-handed. Some twists caught me off guard, while others I would say I kind of saw coming. What stands out about this book is how the characters deal with their problems; no magic solutions, just real struggle.
There’s also a nice sneak preview at the end of the novel for the third book in the series that does indeed make me want to keep going! It is worth reading if you like sci-fi thrillers.
January 30, 2026
Joseph Rein’s Youtopia Reborn is a smart, character-driven techno-thriller, and a worthy sequel with its own immersive world. I love how it takes the premise of the first book and carries it even further.
I say character-driven, because, though we get an expansion of FBI Agent Anabel Downer here, the real star is the character she splits the screen with: Lane Samson, the down-on-his-luck reporter who’s Reintegrating into society and has to battle with the stigma of being a former inhabitant of Youtopia himself. Lane’s journey is one of deep struggle but ultimate hope.
As with the first book, Rein shows that he’s pretty masterful at plot: just when you think you have it solved, or when the characters won’t be able to work their way out, something he hinted at earlier comes back into play and twists it to a satisfying conclusion.
And I agree with what another reviewer said, in that the teaser at the end of the ebook really gripped me. The third book just dropped and I’m already halfway through. A series more than worth your while!
I say character-driven, because, though we get an expansion of FBI Agent Anabel Downer here, the real star is the character she splits the screen with: Lane Samson, the down-on-his-luck reporter who’s Reintegrating into society and has to battle with the stigma of being a former inhabitant of Youtopia himself. Lane’s journey is one of deep struggle but ultimate hope.
As with the first book, Rein shows that he’s pretty masterful at plot: just when you think you have it solved, or when the characters won’t be able to work their way out, something he hinted at earlier comes back into play and twists it to a satisfying conclusion.
And I agree with what another reviewer said, in that the teaser at the end of the ebook really gripped me. The third book just dropped and I’m already halfway through. A series more than worth your while!
January 12, 2025
This is a thought-provoking thriller combining the tension of a detective mystery into a kidnapping with an examination into the implications of an online consciousness. It illustrates the realities that cannot be captured by the online world and how those realities are both integral to our identity and also something we seek to avoid, which is what makes the online world so attractive. The characters, as with the first book, are incredibly multi-faceted, consistent, and real. The internal struggles are fascinating and gripping. I think the best part is that you never get the sense that the characters will overcome the flaws that they have. They may actually just learn to live with them, and I think that is the most powerful part of these stories. This is a very original idea. There are so many themes and ideas to explore with the Youtopia universe, I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!
January 25, 2025
Youtopia Reborn is a thought-provoking read that blends futuristic concepts with personal growth. Joseph Rein skillfully explores the potential for societal and individual transformation, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. With rich world-building and compelling characters, a blend return characters with new, it's a journey into sci-fi vision of the future. A must-read for anyone who enjoys speculative fiction with depth and meaning. Anxiously waiting for the third installation in this trilogy.
February 5, 2025
A captivating read that blends thought-provoking ideas with a gripping plot. The world that has been crafted is immersive and feels incredibly real, making you question what's possible and leaving you reflecting on the themes of the world long after you turn the last page. A must-read for anyone who loves sci-fi and crime. I recommend picking up the first book, Youtopia, to expand and explain the incredibly well-written story of Youtopia: Reborn.
January 31, 2026
This thought-provoking narrative will grab your attention from the outset, and its plot will make you want to continue reading until the end. Like other reviewers here, I was impressed by the author’s intertwined storylines, energetic plot, and engaging characters, all set in the context of society’s fascination with technology as well as its abuse. Rein’s writing is consistently vivid and detailed.
February 4, 2025
Incredible follow-up to the first book; I love these characters and despite not being a sci-fi fan, this series has me hooked :)
December 31, 2025
Having already read Joseph Rein’s Youtopia, when I saw the sequel I had no hesitation in hitting “buy”. The first book was a sci-fi murder mystery where the murders occurred within an immersion technology, where people live out their lives within their own minds. A lot of that book looked at the immersion itself, but this book looks at the aftermath. Can you read it without reading the first? Yes, I think you can, but this book is richer, more impactful if you’ve read the first.
We exclusively follow Lane for the first half. He’s searching for a lost love who claimed to be Sonya Young’s daughter, Serena. Sonya is the mastermind behind Youtopia, and she’s been kidnapped. A garbled message from Serena sends journalist Lane across the USA to rescue her.
Halfway through the book, Lane realises he needs help, and calls on Ana Downer, the disgraced FBI agent from the first book. The book splits to dual POV after this, as each follows their own leads to find Sonya Young. They each have their own reasons. Lane to make sure Serena is safe, Ana to close an old wound and get closure on what she (and she alone) considers her greatest failure.
As a former immersed person reintegrating into society, Lane is an exceptional character. Ana is still the same doggedly determined investigator she was in the first, but now with added trauma. I have no hesitation in giving this five stars for its interesting premise well executed. The book also gives a teaser of what is to come next in this youniverse. And it looks equally great.
We exclusively follow Lane for the first half. He’s searching for a lost love who claimed to be Sonya Young’s daughter, Serena. Sonya is the mastermind behind Youtopia, and she’s been kidnapped. A garbled message from Serena sends journalist Lane across the USA to rescue her.
Halfway through the book, Lane realises he needs help, and calls on Ana Downer, the disgraced FBI agent from the first book. The book splits to dual POV after this, as each follows their own leads to find Sonya Young. They each have their own reasons. Lane to make sure Serena is safe, Ana to close an old wound and get closure on what she (and she alone) considers her greatest failure.
As a former immersed person reintegrating into society, Lane is an exceptional character. Ana is still the same doggedly determined investigator she was in the first, but now with added trauma. I have no hesitation in giving this five stars for its interesting premise well executed. The book also gives a teaser of what is to come next in this youniverse. And it looks equally great.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews