Ethic

By: Megan Stockton

Narrated by: Dave Drew Hull

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

In a future where homelessness is an illegal status, and those living on the streets are registered into "Sponsorship" programs, crime and abuse runs rampant. Keegan Smith rejects the idea of the system, but finds himself inheriting one of the largest Sponsorship programs in the nation from his late father. Faced with bankruptcy, Keegan is forced to begin working in the system and oversee the wicked financial kingdom he had left behind. When he finds an illegal fighting ring linked to sex trafficking and other atrocities within his own corporation, he is trapped between protecting his family and buying in, and adhering to his own morals by fighting back.

©2019 Megan Stockton (P)2019 Megan Stockton

READ THIS BOOK. NOW. SERIOUSLY.

When I got this book, I didn't quite know what to expect. I picked up the audiobook version with my audible credit. What I got was a tightly written, brutal look at a dystopian world where some people get used up for other people's entertainment. Like the best dystopian novels, it's fiction, but at the same time it's pointing to where we'll be in just a few years if we're not careful.

I don't want to spoil the novel (and I won't), but one of things I realized while reading it was that I'm more naive than I thought I was. As I was reading, I raised an eyebrow and thought, "This is a great book. But part of the story has the government knowingly turning its eye away from some pretty awful stuff going on in its own program. That level of abuse just couldn't happen."

As it turned out, the Jeffrey Epstein story broke just a couple of days later. I stared mesmerized at the TV and watched a true story about a guy who had been human trafficking underage women for the rich and powerful. He was friends with world leaders and they're all complicit in their own ways. I sat silently and all I could think was...."I was wrong. The world in Ethic absolutely COULD happen." It's a strange, cold feeling when a book makes you question your own views about how the world really works. It's a testament to this story that I restarted the whole book with a different viewpoint. The second listen was even better than the first.

I think this book doesn't fall within any particular genre. I'd call it dystopian fiction, but it's much closer to the 1984 than The Hunger Games. The book does not pull punches and it's brutal. The story does not glorify violence, but it does not shy away from it either. I felt every act of violence and I felt each act was necessary to the story.

Ethic is one of those books that after reading it, I am screaming, "WHY IS MEGAN STOCKTON NOT A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER?" It's obvious that this is a powerful novel that deserves to be read. It's so, so, so good. And it's one of those books that I feel like I discovered before the author blew up and got super famous.

The last time I found a book like this (around the late 90s and early 2000s), people would occasionally ask me what to read , I would then shove my battered copy of George Martin's A Game of Thrones into their hands and demand that they realize its greatness. I would tell them, "this is going to be famous. It's just not famous yet." This book Ethic is nothing like George Martin's story. However, you see the same flashes of genius and you want everybody to love the thing that you discovered.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book and it's worth the expense.

Finally, I'd like to say something about the audiobook narrator. I have never heard this particular narrator but he's very good. The narrator has a great voice for audiobooks, is very clear, and even does individual voices for the characters. You don't often find that with a newer novelist. I don't know where they found him, but he did a fantastic job.

So pick up this book. Seriously. Now. You just might find out that your view of the world changes a little just like mine did.

Great listen, had me hooked from the start

Bravo! Ethic was a fun and interesting story right from the start. Very creative and heart wrenching tale that was read wonderfully. Looking forward to more titles from this amazing author!!

You definitely want to listen to this book!

I really, really enjoyed this book! I am always in favor of a "dystopian" type novel, but, this story is one we haven't heard before. Such an interesting idea. No homelessness?! What could go wrong?

This story is not only original, it's engaging and it pulls you in! So many interesting characters and relationship dynamics. Definitely an amazing intro by a new author. Listen to this (or read it!)! You won't regret it!

Gritty dystopian thriller!

Top notch audio performance of a fascinating thought provoking dystopian society in our not so distant future. Young and talented author Megan Stockton has lots to offer in this thriller.

Amazing!

This book was fantastic! I’m super particular with my books and I was so impressed with every aspect of this novel. It’s a dystopian novel, but don’t compare it to your typical dystopian(hunger gmes, maze runner, etc)! It’s totslly different and in all of the best ways. You’ll want a copy and you’ll want all of your friends to have a copy as well! Dave’s voice for the narration is perfect. It’s an easy listen, and I’m super picky about my audiobooks. His voice is smooth like butter. If reading a physical copy isn’t your style, and you like to relax and listen on your commute or during your workout, definitely give this a listen!!!

A Dystopian Novel

An overall success for first-time novelist, Megan Stockton! I would have loved to have more, so we could truly get to know the characters, and to be able to spend more time with a certain few of them who *spoiler* do not make it through to the end! I am definitely looking forward to reading what Stockton comes out with next!

Awesome pairing

The book is brilliant dystopian political fiction. Megan Stockton turns America’s current homelessness epidemic into a future so grim that it gives you chills. Combine the work with the bourbon smooth voice of Dave Drew Hull and you have an audiobook that will be a best seller.

Spectacular combination of artist

The writing is amazing. I hope to see more titles from Megan Stockton. She is an impressive writer and so descriptive. I could see the world in which Ethic takes place happing. Great book paired with Dave Drew Hull storytelling I often felt the emotions of the characters were my own. This is a must-listen. Spectacular combination of artist.

Gritty and unflinching!

Stockton weaves a tale that grabs you and drags you along whether you want to go with it or not, much like one of the characters in this book. She paints a picture of a future that is all too plausible, and while it’s horrifying, it is absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend!

Why Though?

This story is frustrating because the characters behave so unreasonably. It also isn't a very interesting plot. As the listener, I found it hard to care what happened to any of these flat and undeveloped characters. What was the point of this novel? Human trafficking is bad? The narrator has an unpleasant reading voice too.