Being Human by John Reinke

*This title is currently available as a pre-order with an expected ship date of October 2, 2026.

Kepler was created for one purpose: to care for the inhabitants of an interstellar zoo that houses intelligent life from across the universe. For years, he has followed the rules without question, believing every species belongs behind glass and every worker exists to serve Queen Moonstone’s vision.

Then he meets Jay.

A human unlike any specimen Kepler has ever encountered, Jay makes him question everything he thought he knew. As an unlikely friendship grows between zookeeper and exhibit, Kepler begins to see the zoo, its mission, and his own purpose in a new light.

When strange discoveries suggest that humanity is far more than the zoo’s records claim, Kepler must decide where his loyalty lies. Should he remain faithful to the system that created him, or risk everything to uncover the truth of his existence?

Category: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 313

Author Bio: John Reinke is an emerging author and psychology student from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is passionate about exploring the complexities of human behavior, relationships, and identity, and he weaves these insights into his writing to connect with readers on a personal level, most recently with his contributions towards All the Grains of Sand in the Sky. Outside of the classroom, John enjoys traveling to new places, immersing himself in books, spending time with friends, and advocating for student rights. John aims to understand people more deeply and share those reflections in ways that are engaging, thought-provoking, and meaningful to all.