The Auction

By: Elci North

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

America 2272 - The Office of Reproductive Oversight dictates laws for women and men.
In a society where babies have become a source of government income, laws designed to push up the birth rate are enacted that strip women and men of the most basic of human rights: The right to choose when to have a child, the right to choose whom to marry, and the right to raise her biological child.
Logical computer programmer Jane overindulges at a graduation party, winds up pregnant, and is forced to marry a near stranger. Drama queen Angelica bets a gay guy in a bar that he couldn’t “do it with a woman.” Pregnant Angelica loses her job and the love of her life. And after 13 years of trying, Millie finally conceives, but sitting vigil at her severely injured husband’s bedside takes priority. Fifteen-year-old Wendy loves school and art, but an ex-convict breaks the glass from her window and rapes her.
Their paths cross when they are sentenced to the same pregnancy prison. But as lawmakers know, putting women together can lead to ideas. Ideas that could end the baby auction and bring down the government.

“Four women use their skills, along with the help of sympathetic men, to hatch a plan to set things right. Readers will toggle between rage and hope as they immerse themselves in North's meticulous worldbuilding that exposes the hypocrisy and illogic of brutal government policies, stifling bureaucracy, and government censorship. North crafts a memorable and emotional thrill ride through an unnerving society with intelligent and inspirational characters who strive to create their own destiny." Booklife Review

AI reading is terrible

The AI reader is so bad, but the story was okay. It's really hard to get past the voice with no emotion.

Interesting storyline

I really would have enjoyed this book if I read it or it was read by someone that wasn’t computer generated. There was no feeling in the narration.

Read, don't listen

AI should not be narrating, no inflection, mispronounced words, it killed the vibe. wish I had read it myself

can't get pased virtual voice

The story seems like it could be good but the virtual voice is horrible. The bland voice and mispronounced words just irritate me. Who ever thought virtual voice was a good idea was so wrong.

quite an interesting story

this book was interesting, and almost terrifying, given the state of our country today.

I wouldn't recommend the audio book though, since it's AI generated and lacks any kind of personality.