Unraveling Secrets in Generations: A Sci-Fi Thriller Review

My Thoughts:

Every now and then, a science fiction novel comes along that doesn’t just send you hurtling through the stars—it makes you stop and think about what it truly means to be human. Generations by Noam Josephides does exactly that.

Set aboard the Thetis, a vast generation ship carrying the last remnants of humanity across the void, this story is both epic in scale and intimate in its emotional core. For two centuries, the ship has been a model of unity and cooperation—or so it seems. Beneath that pristine surface lies a secret powerful enough to unravel everything humanity has built.

At the heart of this moral labyrinth is Sandrine Liet, an introverted Archivist who’s more comfortable surrounded by data than people. Yet it’s her quiet determination that propels this entire narrative. As she stumbles upon inconsistencies in the Thetis’ historical records, Sandrine’s curiosity turns into obsession, and what begins as a search for truth becomes a desperate fight for survival.

What truly impressed me was how seamlessly Josephides weaves politics, philosophy, and psychology into this interstellar mystery. The pacing is a slow burn at first—thoughtful, deliberate—but once it ignites, the momentum never falters. The worldbuilding is exquisite: from the sensory farms that simulate nature to the evolution of language itself after centuries away from Earth. You feel the isolation, the generational fatigue, the cultural drift of a people untethered from the planet that birthed them.

But at its core, Generations isn’t just about space—it’s about power. About how idealistic systems erode when those in charge begin to believe they are above the people they serve. It’s a strikingly relevant commentary, echoing so much of what we see in our own world today.

And yet, through all its political tension and philosophical reflection, there’s something deeply hopeful about this book. It suggests that truth—even when buried for generations—still finds a way to the light.

I found myself captivated not only by Sandrine’s courage but by the moral questions the book leaves behind: Can perfection ever exist without corruption? Can truth survive when comfort depends on ignorance?

This is not just a story of survival—it’s a mirror held up to humanity, asking if we’ve really learned anything from our past.