When you send a book out into the world, especially one as personal and daring as Waking Up, you have no idea how people will receive it. You just hope it lands in the hearts of the right readers.
Now, with launch day still just ahead, the first Goodreads reviews are starting to come in. I wanted to share a few of them here—some glowing, some critical, all thoughtful—because they each reflect something meaningful about the conversation this book hopes to spark.
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⭐⭐ 5 stars — Rolf-Henrik Sundbye (April 20, 2025)
> This book couldn’t have come at a better time! A science fiction novel that isn’t a dystopia, but instead offers a positive and hopeful vision, is exactly what we need right now. The story of Ben’s ‘wake-up’ is intriguing, exciting, and inspiring. How can a civilization exist without money? You can feel your curiosity start to pulse immediately. This is a book I truly recommend!
My reflection:
That word—”hopeful”—comes up a lot, and it means the world to me. I didn’t want to write an escape. I wanted to write a return. A re-imagining. A story that dares to believe we’re capable of more.
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⭐⭐ 5 stars — Robin Cox (April 9, 2025)
> The idea of a moneyless, wageless, classless and stateless world has exerted a certain enduring appeal down the ages. Harald Sandø’s novel depicting such a world is the latest in a long and venerable tradition of utopian literature that explores this idea in the context of a high-tech future. The novel is well written and easy on the eye. The unfolding drama keeps the reader’s attention. It is not just the surface story that draws one in but also the deeper philosophical points that the author makes. Perhaps above all – what does it mean to be a human being? A highly recommended book!
My reflection:
This review speaks to the deeper roots of the book—its place in the lineage of speculative fiction that challenges dominant worldviews. And yes: the question beneath it all really is, what does it mean to be human?
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⭐⭐ 5 stars — Tore Hessen (April 8, 2025)
> Waking Up is unlike anything I’ve read before—a profound, imaginative journey that dares to dream of a world beyond money, fear, and separation. Rather than painting a dystopian future (as so much sci-fi does), this novel offers a deeply thought-out, credible utopia grounded in emotional honesty and spiritual insight.
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> The story follows Benjamin Michaels, who awakens from cryonic sleep into a completely transformed society. As he learns about the Natural Exchange System and reconnects with a humanity that has evolved beyond scarcity, I found myself questioning not just how the world works—but how I live my life. The book is rich with philosophical depth, yet remains engaging and accessible throughout.
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> This isn’t just a book—it’s a call. A reminder that a better world isn’t only possible… it’s inevitable if we choose it.
My reflection:
This reader absolutely got the pulse of the book. That phrase—“it’s a call”—captures what I felt while writing it. It truly felt like a calling. It’s not just a future I imagined. It’s one I feel is remembering us.
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⭐⭐ 5 stars — Johan Fågelström (April 5, 2025)
Waking Up is not just a novel—it’s a philosophical mirror disguised as fiction.
Set in our own time, beginning in 2015, the story follows Benjamin Michaels—a man whose personal crisis leads to cryonic preservation. He awakens a century later into a profoundly transformed world: one free from money, fear, and competition. What unfolds is a carefully crafted vision of a society built on contribution, trust, and deep human connection—powered by a Natural Exchange System that feels both visionary and surprisingly grounded.
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> From a storytelling perspective, the structure flows beautifully. The pacing, character arcs, and emotional rhythm are finely tuned—which makes sense, given the author’s background in film. There’s a cinematic quality to the narrative: immersive world-building, layered dialogue, and a gradual revelation that keeps the reader engaged while gently challenging their assumptions.
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> What impressed me most is how the book balances entertainment with depth. It invites reflection without preaching, and explores complex ideas without losing its emotional core. Rather than offering escape, Waking Up invites introspection—daring to ask: “What if humanity actually got it right?”
My reflection:
That question—”What if we got it right?“—was the seed that started it all. It’s not a prediction. It’s a possibility. And stories help us rehearse possibilities.
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⭐ 2 stars — Federico Pistono (March 5, 2025)
Waking Up is an ambitious novel with a thought-provoking premise and a bold vision for a future society. The themes it explores—utopianism, post-capitalist structures, and the transition into a world without money—have immense narrative potential. However, while the book carries a strong ideological backbone, it struggles to deliver a compelling and immersive story.
The most significant issue lies in the characters. They feel one-dimensional, existing more as vessels for ideological exposition than as real, complex individuals… [review continues]
My reflection:
While I don’t share all of Federico’s conclusions, I truly appreciate the depth and care he brought to this critique. Some of his observations, especially about character depth and world-building, are worth exploring as the story evolves. This is, after all, just the beginning.
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Closing Thoughts:
I’m humbled and energized by these early responses. Some readers are feeling exactly what I hoped this story might awaken. Others are challenging me to sharpen my craft, refine my message, and grow. That’s the beauty of storytelling: it starts with one voice, but becomes a chorus.
If you’ve read Waking Up or plan to, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a review on Amazon, share a thought, or reach out. This isn’t just a novel. It’s a conversation about who we are—and who we might become.
With gratitude,
Harald Neslein Sandø
Preorder Waking Up for only $0,99 until launch day May 2. 2025 →
