The Fourth Species

Crisp and clean, with just the right mix of brusque practicality to move the plot along, interspersed with hauntingly beautiful moments of character introspection and emotion.

There's danger, action, adventure and excitement. There's heartbreak and loss alongside community and determination. There's manipulation, disappointment, and a few plot twists along the way.

The plot is fast paced and action packed and I honestly couldn't put it down . . . If you still haven't picked up this series yet, what are you doing?!

Engaging . . . the characters are facing bigger stakes and threats.

A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level

An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science

Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read.

A laudable debut with a sustained narrative and characterisations that demand the reader keep on their toes.

A.E. Warren is the author of the Tomorrow's Ancestors series, which consists of Subject Twenty-One, The Hidden Base, The Fourth Species and The Final Rising. 
 
After spending eight years working as a lawyer, she began to write in the evenings and early mornings as a form of escapism from life in a very small cubicle with lots of files. She self-published her first novels in her spare time, which were picked up by Del Rey UK which is the science fiction/fantasy imprint of Penguin Random House. 
 
 She is an avid reader, occasional gamer and fair-weather runner. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter and hopefully, one day, a wise border terrier named Austen.

__________________________________________________ 
To protect the past, they must fight for their future. In the thrilling third book in the Tomorrow's Ancestors series a devastating change is on the horizon. 
 
'A stonking good sci-fi &amp; coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level.' - Magic Radio Book Club 
 
Elise has now been working for the infiltration department for a year, but is growing frustrated with their lack of progress, their unwillingness to fight back against an unjust world. When it's announced that they're going on the offensive, will she be ready for the consequences? 
 
Twenty-Two finally has her freedom after serving her term of imprisonment. But not everyone believes she deserves to be released. If she is not welcome in Uracil, then where does she belong? 
 
Genevieve's life as a high-ranking Medius is perfectly crafted to hide all weakness, but when she finds out what the Potior's have planned next at the Museum of Evolution, she starts to question her choices, and the cracks begin to show. Can she keep herself from shattering? 
 
When a threat none of these women could have predicted comes to pass, they are all left to fight for their futures. Whether they are ready for it or not, their worlds will collide and nothing will be the same again . . . 
__________________________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES 
 
'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine' 
 
Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books 
 
'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words 
 
'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads 
__________________________________________________ 
Make sure you've read the whole series! 
 
1. Subject Twenty-One 
2. The Hidden Base 
3. The Fourth Species

Subject Twenty-One

A stonking good sci-fi &amp; coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level.

A laudable debut with a sustained narrative and characterisations that demand the reader keep on their toes.

An unexpectedly wonderful read. Unique and engaging with full Jurassic vibes to boot.

[An] amazing debut sci-fi novel . . . I'd recommend everyone to read if you want a unique and fresh dystopian storyline

Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom

This is one of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down

This book quickly made its way into my heart as the first book that included sign language throughout . . .I was honestly could have continued to read it indefinitely, such is the excellent craftsmanship of the story and the pull in the emotions.

A thought-provoking and enjoyable read with intriguing premises and an original setting.

An interesting story, wonderfully written.

A well-told story, incorporating some particularly interesting ideas.

Warren's ideas in this book are wonderful, playing on the current ambivalence about genetic engineering and envisaging a world in which it's the basis of a whole new caste system.

A unique and intriguing narrative in a believable dystopia.

Incredibly well-written...would happily recommend it to everyone.

Full of clever imaginings that make a thought provoking read . . . I found myself completely gripped by the story and fully immersed in its eerily atmospheric world.

Really interesting and thought provoking . . . explores the idea of what it is to be human, and whether we can live alongside each other without feeling the need to be "better" than anyone else

I really loved Subject Twenty One . . . I just couldn't stop reading. This book made me cry, made me laugh, and made me think about my own life.

A treat for nerds [with] a focus on genetic engineering and reversing extinction

Absolutely fascinating! If you're a fan of Jurassic Park, Tahereh Mafi &amp; Marie Lu's work, then this is the perfect book for you!

I really liked this book. Right from the start the story drew me in . . . I can't wait for the next book

So enjoyable and a super fast read . . . Made me feel proud of being a STEM girl . . . Go read this book for the adventure and discovery!

Now THIS is a book I really enjoyed . . . covers some really great themes that are both topical and interesting. Social psychology, anthropology, paleontology, bias, racism, ethics - it's got it all!

Fascinating . . . has twists &amp; turns &amp; even broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I'd recommend this to fans of the Hunger Games, Maze Runner &amp; Ready Player One.

This Jurassic Park-esque concept grabbed me immediately . . . a fresh, gripping read with themes of suspense, trust, ethics and friendships

I absolutely devoured this book . . . Warren did a perfect job of pulling me in and answering some of my questions, but leaving enough of it unanswered so that I want more . . . and I definitely do! I can't wait for the next instalment!

_____________________________ 
What if our future lies 40,000 years in our past? Subject Twenty-One is an astonishing debut novel in which a young woman's refusal to accept the status quo opens her eyes to the lies her society is built on. 
 
A stonking good sci-fi &amp; coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level.' - Magic Radio Book Club 
 
Elise's world is forever changed when she is given the opportunity of a lifetime - to work at the Museum of Evolution and be a Companion to the Neanderthal, Subject Twenty-One. 
 
As a Sapien, a member of the lowest order of humans, she and others like her are held responsible for the damages inflicted on the world by previous generations. This job may be Elise's only chance to escape a stagnating life in an ostracised and impoverished community. 
 
But it doesn't take long for Elise to realise that, away from the familiarity and safety of her home, her own secrets are much harder to conceal. 
 
And the longer she stays the more she comes to realise that little separates her from the exhibits . . . and a cage of her own. 
________________________________ 
PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES 
 
'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine' 
 
Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books 
 
'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words 
 
'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads 
__________________________________________________ 
Make sure you've read the whole series! 
 
1. Subject Twenty-One 
2. The Hidden Base 
3. The Fourth Species

The Hidden Base

Well written and imaginative . . . A real page-turner, it had me reading until long after I should have turned out the light

A really unique YA dystopian world, I highly recommend this series.

A fast-paced and exciting page-turner which kept me gripped from start to finish

Stephanie Jane, author of Finally a Vegan

The Tomorrow's Ancestors stories are brilliant. Highly recommended.

I really like the setting and the way the series approaches the societal consequences genetic engineering.

__________________________________________________ 
She wants to escape the past. Is she doomed to repeat it? In the spectacular sequel to Subject Twenty-One, Elise and her friends have unearthed the truth that has been kept from them their whole lives and escaped the Museum of Evolution - but at what cost? 
 
'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine 
 
After a perilous escape, Elise and her companions have made it to the safety of the secret fifth base, Uracil, but her family is still in danger. Desperate to secure them passage and a safe place to live, she makes a deal with the leaders of Uracil - she'll become their spy, jeopardising her own freedom in the process. 
 
But first she has to help rescue the next Neanderthal, Subject Twenty-Two. 
 
Twenty-Two has never left the confines of the steel walls that keep her separated from the other exhibits. She has no contact with the outside world and no way of knowing why she has been abandoned. With diminishing deliveries of food and water, she has to start breaking the museum's rules if she wants a second chance at living. 
 
One belongs to the future and the other to the past, but both will need to adapt - or neither will survive . . . 
__________________________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES 
 
'A stonking good sci-fi &amp; coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level.' Magic Radio Book Club 
 
Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books 
 
'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words 
 
'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads 
__________________________________________________ 
Make sure you've read the whole series! 
 
1. Subject Twenty-One 
2. The Fifth Base 
3. The Fourth Species

A.E. Warren

PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES

The future is within their grasp - can they rise to meet it? In this powerful conclusion to the Tomorrow's Ancestors series, the rebels of Uracil have one final choice to make. 
 
After the devastating attack on Uracil, the safety it once offered Elise and her friends has been shattered. Desperate, alone and scared, they need to find the residents captured during the attack, and create a new place of safety before they are found once more. 
 
But how can they ever truly feel safe when they suspect there is a traitor among them? 
 
And when Samuel and Genevieve unexpectedly return, it throws things even further into disarray. With competing motivations and loyalties around every corner, should they focus on finding safety for themselves, or try once more to change the world for the better? 
 
Can they rise, one final time? 
__________________________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES 
 
'An unputdownable exploration into the ethics of science' Buzz Magazine' 
 
Incredible . . . without a doubt one of the best YA sci-fi books I've ever read' Out and About Books 
 
'Instantly engaging . . . widens out from a tale of a girl trying to find her own identity to a broader story encompassing an entire population's burden of oppression, and the desire for freedom' Track of Words 
 
'One of the rare debuts that are really five star reads. Subject Twenty One grabbed me instantly and I couldn't put it down' Dom Reads 
__________________________________________________ 
Make sure you've read the whole series! 
 
1. Subject Twenty-One 
2. The Hidden Base 
3. The Fourth Species 
4. The Final Rising

A.E. Warren

Praise for The Final Rising

PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES

A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level

There's danger, action, adventure and excitement. There's heartbreak and loss alongside community and determination. There's manipulation, disappointment, and a few plot twists along the way.

PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES

A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level

There's danger, action, adventure and excitement. There's heartbreak and loss alongside community and determination. There's manipulation, disappointment, and a few plot twists along the way.

PRAISE FOR THE TOMORROW'S ANCESTORS SERIES

A stonking good sci-fi & coming-of-age story all wrapped into one . . . a book that tackles humanity, hardship, and classism at the deepest level

There's danger, action, adventure and excitement. There's heartbreak and loss alongside community and determination. There's manipulation, disappointment, and a few plot twists along the way.

Books by A.E. Warren

Series by A.E. Warren

Tomorrow's Ancestors

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter