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Verdict: A soft, hopeful sci-fi love story in comic form: in a near future where nanotech “mods” let people change their looks at will, Sunati falls for Austen, admiring her bravery in living unmodded, then learns Austen has Egan’s Syndrome and cannot use mods at all. Readers adore the art, the diversity and a remarkably healthy relationship; a minority found the plot slight.
Best for: Readers who want a wholesome, low-drama queer romance with rich representation and beautiful art.
Heat level: Kisses only
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5 — a 4.14 Goodreads average across 4,332 ratings, 4.12 on StoryGraph from 2,107 reviews, and 4.8 stars across 442 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Sci-fi romance, slow getting-to-know-you, healthy relationship, disability representation, found family, graphic novel.
Always Human is Ari North’s sapphic sci-fi graphic novel, first serialised on WEBTOON from 2015 to 2017, where it gathered more than 76,000 subscribers, then collected in print in 2020 with sponsorship from GLAAD. It is drawn in a manga-influenced style with a striking colour palette.
It holds a 4.14 average across 4,332 Goodreads ratings, with 78% of them four or five stars, 4.12 on StoryGraph from 2,107 reviews, and 4.8 stars across 442 Amazon ratings.
What Is Always Human About?
In the near future, people use technology to change their appearance, but those with Egan’s Syndrome have immune systems that reject the mods. Sunati is drawn to Austen the first time she sees her, assuming she chooses to live unmodded.
When Sunati learns the truth, she is still attracted to Austen and asks her out. Their relationship unfolds slowly as they deal with friends, family and the emotional conflicts that come with any romance.
What Works in This Book
- The art: Readers call it soft, ethereal and stunning; one especially enjoyed the music that accompanies the online version.
- Representation: Two queer women of colour lead, with aroace, agender, genderqueer and polyamorous side characters.
- A healthy relationship: One reader calls it the definition of a healthy relationship.
- Real themes: Insecurity, careers, self-image and hard decisions sit at the centre.
Book Synopsis
In a world where anyone can look like anything, one woman cannot change at all.
Another thinks she is perfect as she is.
My Review
What makes Always Human special is its kindness. The story gives Sunati and Austen room as individuals as well as a couple, with their families, friends and ambitions fully drawn, and treats Austen’s condition as part of who she is rather than a problem to be fixed. Readers describe it as warm-hearted, pure and full of pining and awkward gay moments, and several have reread it or cried over it.
Critics found it sugary, with a dull or slight plot, and a few felt parts were rushed or clunky. One reader wished for more yearning build-up before the relationship begins, and another took a while to grasp the sci-fi concept.
My honest note: A gentle, beautiful comfort read.
| Element | In Always Human |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Sunati (VR environmental artist) & Austen (lives with Egan’s Syndrome) |
| Core tropes | Sci-fi romance, healthy relationship, found family |
| Setting | A near-future city |
| Heat level | Kisses only |
| Length | 256 pages (graphic novel) |
| Series | Always Human #1 |
| Content notes | Eating disorder, body image, anxiety |
How Spicy Is Always Human?
Not spicy. Expect sweet glimpses and kisses.
Readers flag an eating disorder, body-image discussion and anxiety.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you want a wholesome sapphic sci-fi comic with chronic illness representation. It is on our disabled sapphic romance list.
You may want to skip it if: you need high stakes or a twisty plot.
In short: Soft sci-fi, softer heart.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 41% five stars, 37% four, 17% three, 4% two and 1% one. On StoryGraph, 78% tagged it lighthearted, 61% emotional, and 93% found the characters loveable.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): The art first. Second, representation. Third, the healthy relationship. Fourth, warmth.
What readers argue about and complain about: A slight plot, above everything. Second, rushed moments. Third, too little build-up.
The comparison worth making first: Mooncakes, another gentle queer graphic novel with disability representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Egan’s Syndrome?
A fictional condition in the book’s near future: a highly sensitive immune system that rejects the nanotech “mods” everyone else uses to change their appearance. Austen has it, so she lives unmodded, and the story uses it to explore disability and chronic illness.
Can I read Always Human for free?
It was first serialised on WEBTOON from 2015 to 2017, and readers link to the free online version. The print edition, sponsored by GLAAD, collects the comic.
How spicy is it?
Not at all. It is a gentle romance with glimpses and kisses.
Are there content warnings?
Readers flag an eating disorder, body-image discussion and anxiety.
Is Always Human on Kindle Unlimited?
Not when we checked; the Kindle edition was listed at $9.99.
If You Loved Always Human, Read These Next
Try Mooncakes, the graphic novel Bite Me, or Just Physical for an adult chronic-illness romance. Browse our disabled sapphic romance list or the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Always Human sets out to be a tender, inclusive sci-fi love story, and its art and kindness deliver. What holds it back, for some, is a light plot. A comfort read to return to. Check Always Human on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Always Human ranks as a strong disability-rep pick — gentle, beautiful.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★★☆ 4.1/5
- ✓ 4.14 average across 4,332 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 78% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 4.12 on StoryGraph from 2,107 reviews
- ✓ 4.8 stars across 442 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★★☆ 3.9/5
- ✓ Healthy relationship
- ✓ Pining
- ✓ Sweet
- ✓ Little build-up for one
Characters ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
- ✓ Sunati
- ✓ Austen
- ✓ Diverse cast
- ✓ 93% loveable on StoryGraph
Writing ★★★★☆ 3.7/5
- ✓ Stunning art
- ✓ Colour palette
- ✓ Slight plot
- ✓ Clunky in parts
Emotional Impact ★★★★☆ 4/5
- ✓ Self-image
- ✓ Acceptance
- ✓ Tears
- ✓ Hope
Heat Level ★☆☆☆☆ 1/5
- ✓ Kisses only
- ✓ Gentle
- ✓ Sweet
- ✓ All ages feel
Ending ★★★★☆ 3.9/5
- ✓ Warm
- ✓ Series continues
- ✓ Hopeful
- ✓ Satisfying
Re-read Value ★★★★☆ 4.1/5
- ✓ $9.99 Kindle price
- ✓ Free online version
- ✓ Reread by fans
- ✓ Comfort read
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